08

Daniel reached over and gently took my hand in his. His skin was cool and smooth. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that," he murmured. "It's just... you have abilities, things you don't even know about. Things that make you a target. And I can help you."

I couldn't help but feel a little calmer when he held my hand, even though his words only served to confuse me further. I squeezed his hand back, wanting to believe him, wanting to trust him. But the more he spoke, the more I realized that trusting him would mean giving up a part of myself, accepting a reality that I wasn't sure I could handle.

The car pulled up in front of a small, unassuming apartment building in the middle of a residential neighborhood. Daniel turned off the engine and turned to look at me, his expression serious. "This is where we'll be staying for now. It's not much, but it's safe." He leaned over and pressed a button on his keychain, unlocking the doors.

I hesitated before getting out of the car, still trying to process everything he'd said. Daniel must have sensed my unease, because he placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "You can trust me," he repeated. "I'll explain everything when you're ready. For now, just focus on getting some rest."

As I followed him up the front walk, I took in the simple, tasteful decor of the house. It was nothing like the rundown motel room we'd been staying in before. The living room was furnished with comfortable-looking couches and a big-screen TV, while the kitchen was well-stocked with food and cooking utensils. A hallway led off to the left, presumably leading to the bedrooms.

Daniel motioned for me to sit on one of the couches while he disappeared down the hallway. He emerged a moment later, carrying an armful of neatly folded clothes. "These should fit you," he said, handing me the clothes. "You can change into them when you're ready."

I glanced around the room again, still unsure about everything. Daniel seemed to sense this, because he sat down next to me on the couch and placed a reassuring hand on my knee. "Look, I know this is all a lot to take in. But I promise you, I'll explain everything when you're ready. For now, just try to relax and trust me."

His words made me feel a little better, but I still wasn't completely at ease. I looked down at the clothes he'd given me, feeling the softness of the fabric between my fingers. They looked like they'd fit me, but I couldn't help but wonder where they'd come from. "Whose were these?"

Daniel gave me a reassuring smile. "They're my sisters. I have more of the same size, so you can wear them until we find something that fits you better." He paused, then added, "And I promise, I won't let anything happen to you. You're safe with me."

I changed into the outfit, grateful for the soft fabric against my skin, and then curled up on the couch, still unsure about trusting Daniel.

He returned after a short while, a plate of sandwiches and a bottle of water in hand. "You should eat something," he suggested, setting the food on the coffee table in front of me.

I took a tentative bite, the simple flavors of bread and turkey filling my mouth. It tasted heavenly after the last few days of surviving on junk food and adrenaline. Daniel sat down across from me, his eyes never leaving mine, as if searching for something.

"I know you have questions," he said, his voice gentle. "But for now, I need you to rest. We can talk later."

With a nod, I finished my food, the fatigue from the last two days finally catching up with me. Before I knew it, my eyes were heavy, and I was drifting off to sleep, feeling safer than I had in a long time.

When I awoke, it was nightfall, and the apartment was bathed in a soft glow from the moon outside. Daniel was still there, sitting in the chair across from the couch, watching me. The intensity in his gaze made me sit up, suddenly aware of his presence in a way that sent my heart racing.

"You should eat," he said, gesturing to the plate of food that had been placed next to me. "We have a lot to discuss."

I nibbled at the sandwich, my stomach rumbling in protest. The hunger was a stark reminder of how much my life had changed in such a short time. "What do you mean, I'm not what I think?" I asked, finally voicing the question that had been plaguing me since he'd made the statement.

He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "You're more than a witch, Cat. More specifically, a hybrid of light and dark magic. It's incredibly rare, and incredibly dangerous. There are people out there who would do anything to control someone like you."

The words hit me like a sledgehammer. I'd always known I was different, but a witch? That was something out of a fairy tale, not my reality.

I took a deep breath, trying to process what he was telling me. It was overwhelming, but deep down, a part of me knew it was true. The way my magic had responded that night, the way I'd killed Shane, it couldn't be a coincidence.

"What do you want from me?" I finally managed to ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

He leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving mine. "I want to help you control your powers, to teach you who you really are. But most of all, I want to protect you from the people who would use you for their own ends."

The gravity of the situation began to settle over me, like a heavy blanket of fog. "Why?"

"Because," he said, his voice low and earnest, "you're special.”