The First Fight: The Weight of Magic, Episode 5 Read online

  “Are you kidding?” Nate stared at her. “They hurt you, Kate.”

  “I wanted to help,” she said, twisting the lace hanging from her hoodie around her finger. “They killed my mom, Nate. I wanted to do something to help you.”

  My insides turned. Nate and I exchanged a glance. Brian glared at Chuck, who sat staring at the TV, his eyes still a bit foggy.

  “We know, Kate,” said Sam quietly. “We feel the same way.”

  “I’m sorry,” murmured Kate. “I know that you all . . . I shouldn’t have said that.”

  With a grim look on her face, Connie got up.

  “Let’s do this,” she said, stepping behind Chuck’s chair. She closed her eyes and grabbed his head tightly, like she was trying to crush it. It took a moment before she spoke. “Connor. He’s thinking about this man, Connor.”

  On the word “Connor,” Chuck blinked, then stared at us.

  Nate and Brian exchanged a glance.

  Connie opened her eyes. “He remembers that he lost his powers, and all he’s thinking about right now is that Connor is going to kill him.”

  “Do you know who it is?” Sam glanced first at Brian, then at Nate.

  “Yeah,” Nate replied. “It’s their leader.”

  “Start asking him questions,” said Connie. “It might help if you stir his thoughts a bit first.”

  “Where am I?” Chuck frowned. “Why did you bring me here?”

  “We’ll be the ones asking questions,” growled Brian.

  “What questions? I’m not telling you anything.”

  “Oh, you will,” said Nate, “one way or another. Look at us. There are seven of us. Six witches and one vampire. Do you really wanna mess with us?”

  “What are you gonna do, kill me? Guess what? You already did. You think Connor is gonna let me just walk away?”

  “You don’t have to go back. You can move far away and live a normal life.”

  “Right.” Chuck smirked. “And do what, exactly? Besides, how long do you think I have before they catch me?”

  “Listen, you piece of . . .” Connie glared at him. “We’re not here to plan your future. You’ll tell him what he needs to know, or I’ll hex you myself. And just so you know, the spell I’m really good at is incendio.”

  Chuck stared at her with wide eyes.

  Nate crossed his arms over his chest, then rubbed his upper lip to cover his smile.

  “So,” said Nate. “Let’s start with the easy questions. What did Murphy tell you, exactly?”

  “Nothing. Said he was a Callahan and he wanted to get into the Order. No one believed him of course. Then he said he could prove it, but he needed to check some place first.”

  “Did anyone follow him?” asked Brian.

  “No. Because Zack was an idiot. He told us about Murphy only after he left.”

  “What is the Order up to?” asked Nate. “Now that they know there are no Callahans left, what is Connor planning to do?”

  “I don’t know,” snapped Chuck.

  “You want me to use my spell?” Connie gazed at him, batting her eyelashes. “That way you’ll burn first, then go to hell.”

  Logan turned away to hide his grin.

  “You’re not gonna kill me,” sneered Chuck. “If you were going to kill me, you would’ve just let me die after you stabbed me.”

  “Really?” I got up. “You’re alive thanks to me. But I can easily change my mind.”

  “Let me see,” said Connie. She walked behind Chuck and grabbed his head again.

  “What the hell are you doing?” Chuck jerked his head.

  “Hey,” said Logan. “Sit still, or I’ll bite you.”

  “What kind of freaks are you?” Chuck stared at Logan.

  “I told you,” said Nate. “Don’t mess with us.”

  Connie stood with her eyes closed for a few seconds, then looked at Nate.

  “The woman on the porch,” she said, “that was his girlfriend.”

  “You don’t say.” Nate gazed at Chuck. “You want her to join us?”

  “I can go get her,” said Sam. “Then Connie can practice her spell on your girlfriend first.”

  Chuck’s eyes darted from one to another. “Having fun, aren’t you, Nathan?”

  With a move of his hand, Nate cast a privacy spell around us.

  “The fun is over,” he said, and slammed his hand to Chuck’s chest. Chuck roared from pain. “I told you if you touched the girl, I’d make you pay. First I’ll burn your insides. Then my girlfriend will break every bone in your body. Then Sam will get your girlfriend, and Connie—”

  “Okaaay,” screamed Chuck.

  Nate removed his hand, folded his arms over his chest, and leaned against the desk again.

  “He’s trying to locate the tomb,” said Chuck, panting.

  “How?”

  “Callahan and Cain used a powerful spell on Kenneth, and another powerful spell to permanently clock the place. Together with Kenneth’s body, that place must emanate a great magical energy.”

  Nate frowned. “How’s he going to do that? It’s like looking for a needle in a haystack.”

  “Kenneth wasn’t the only one who had books. Connor’s ancestors left some records too, you know,” sneered Chuck. “They’ve done a lot of work already.”

  “Let’s say he found the place. How is he going to open it?”

  “He says he’ll find a way. And also, after Murphy showed up, he thought that they must’ve missed something, and he decided to research the whole Callahan bloodline again.”

  “Why? Even if he could find someone, it doesn’t mean they would know anything about the tomb or the spell. His whole life, Murphy didn’t even know he was Callahan.”

  “Yeah. But he told Zack how he found out. How he got his message, and he said every Callahan gets one.” Chuck smirked. “But of course you know all about that, don’t you, Nathan? You always did. You’re a Cain, after all. You’re lucky that you’re the only Cain left, or he would’ve killed you long ago. He still might, because he’ll get Kenneth’s books no matter what, and I already told him you’re the one who has them.”

  “Well, good luck to Connor with that. And with finding a Callahan. Because Vincent did research too, and all he found was Murphy, who is dead.”

  Sam threw me a fleeting, nervous glance.

  “How is he going to research?” asked Brian. “Is he planning any specific actions?”

  “Are you worried?” Chuck glared at him. “If there are no Callahans left, then why are you asking?”

  “Is he planning any actions?” Nate repeated the question, straightening up.

  “I have no idea.” Chuck glared at him from under his eyebrows.

  “Connie, I think we’ve stirred his thoughts good enough.”

  Connie grabbed Chuck’s head again.

  “Guys,” she said, her eyes still closed, “that Connor, he’s planning to search the New Orleans house.” She opened her eyes. “And all the other places they—” since Chuck couldn’t see her, Connie nodded at me, which meant my parents, “—worked at, or visited, all over again.”

  “They’ve never gotten into the house,” said Nate.

  “Nate, there’s nothing else there,” I said. “And even if there was, it would be. . .”

  Chuck stared at me, but I didn’t care. Nate could erase it later.

  “I hope so,” said Nate, then he turned his eyes on Chuck again. “They followed Vincent all this time and didn’t find anything.”

  “Not all the time,” said Chuck. “There were gaps, and big ones.”

  “Gaps, you say.” Nate paused, thinking. “Did Murphy tell you anything about the mansion?”

  “What mansion? The one in New Orleans?”

  “No, about my mansion.”

  “You have a mansion? Oh, so that’s where you hide?”

  “Connie, do you think you could get more out of that head?” asked Nate.

  “Sorry, but I don’t think so. I got this much beca
use when you asked the question, wanted to or not, the answer popped into his mind.”

  “All right, then,” said Nate. “Brian, if you don’t have any more questions, then I think it’s time to clean up his head.”

  And as Brian nodded, Nate fixed his eyes on Chuck’s.

  9

  We waited for a moment after Nate modified Chuck’s memory, and when his eyes came back to focus, Chuck glanced around the room with stunned expression on his face.

  “Where am I?” he asked again. “Who are you people?”

  “You walked into the wrong room,” said Nate.

  “Yeah,” chortled Sam. “And the wrong motel.” He opened the door. “Go find your friends.”

  “He didn't even recognize you,” I said, staring at Nate.

  “He’s still disorientated. It’ll come back to him in a few minutes.”

  “So,” Brian sighed, sinking in the chair as Sam shut the door behind Chuck. “What do you think?” He glanced at Nate. “Is it possible they can find something that will lead to Nicky?”

  “I doubt it. You know how careful Vincent was. Nicky, are you sure there’s nothing else in that house?”

  “Yeah, I am. And even if there was something I missed, no one else would be able to see it. You didn’t see the family crest even though you were standing right next to me and looking at the same spot.”

  “True.” He nodded. “These gaps he was talking about, those were the times Vincent and Nathalie came to River Stones. They knew how to cover their tracks, but of course, we can’t be a hundred percent sure there were no flaws.” Nate leaned on the desk. “Even if there are no other traces . . .” He looked down, nervously rubbing his fingers, then looked up at me. “Me being around you—”

  “No!” I snapped. “Don’t you even think about it.” Everyone turned their eyes to me.

  “Nicky.” Nate fixed me with his tender look. “You know I would never . . . But Connor thinks I have the books.”

  “I don’t care. You’ll stay with me as you promised my dad.”

  “Your dad wanted me to protect you, not—”

  “I’m not doing any of this without you.” I knew I sounded angry, but I didn’t care. “I heard your conversation with Gran at my house. You said it yourself that any of you could lead them to me, but you can’t all just leave me. You're staying with me. And that’s it.”

  There was a knock on the door, and we all turned our heads.

  “It’s the pizza.” Logan headed to open it.

  “You know what, guys?” said Nate. “This has been a long and hard day. How about we eat and get some rest. Let’s sleep on it and talk about it tomorrow.

  “Right.” Brian nodded.

  “And you know what?” Sam raised a brow as he looked at me. “I think we should celebrate. Guys, we won today. And look at the sword.” He picked it up from the bed and pulled it out of the sheath. “Look at it’s color.”

  “He’s right. We did good. Eight witches in one day,” said Nate. “Only four to go, and the sword is ready.”

  Kate and Logan drew closer and stared at the dark-gray blade.

  “I can’t believe this,” muttered Logan.

  “We should really be careful with that,” said Connie, opening one of the pizza boxes. “It’s kinda scary what it can do. Nate, what if we accidentally cut ourselves?”

  “Don’t worry, a cut wouldn’t do the trick. The blade needs to sink deep inside, it has to be immersed in the witch's blood to make the incantations work.” He walked over to me and pulled me into a hug. I locked my arms around him. “Everything is going to be fine. Today Connor lost eight of his witches. We bought ourselves some time.” He pressed his lips to my temple.

  “So, what are we celebrating with?” asked Connie, taking a bite from the slice of pizza in her hand. “We had a stressful day. We need something strong.”

  “I have a bottle of whiskey.” Sam grinned. “Grabbed it from the bar at the last minute. I’ll get it.” He put the sword back and headed to the door.

  “I should get a room for Kate,” said Nate, following Sam outside.

  “Kate,” Connie called, “pizza is getting cold.”

  “Thanks.” Kate got herself a slice and dropped down on the bed next to Connie. “I’m starving.”

  “How’s your head, Kate?” I asked, joining them. “Are you feeling better?”

  “Yeah, much better. To be honest, I thought I would never be able to see again, it hurt my eyes so much.”

  Connie shook her head, gaping at her.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked.

  Kate nodded.

  I remembered the woman using that spell on her, and my stomach clenched. “Kate, I’m so sorry.”

  “I’m not,” she said, chewing. “Don’t tell Nate I said that. But if I’d left, we would’ve lost them. And now they got what they deserved, thanks to you all. I’m sorry I just stood there. But I was still dizzy, couldn’t gather my energy.”

  “Listen, we got lucky this time, but you have to be careful. It could’ve ended really bad.”

  She nodded again.

  Nearly an hour later, when everyone went to their rooms and the door closed behind them, I finally let my feelings free, and the anxiety washed over me. I dropped down at the edge of the bed, leaned on my elbows, and covered my face with both hands.

  “Hey, hey.” Nate got on one knee before me. “We’ll figure this out,” he said quietly, pulling my hands away. “Look at me.”

  I wrapped my hands around his neck, meeting his warm look. “How could you even think about leaving me?”

  “Nicky, I’d do anything to protect you. Even that. But as I said, we’ll think this through and decide together.” He planted kisses all over my face.

  “Here’s my decision, and I can assure you it’s not going to change overnight. You’re not going anywhere.”

  He pulled off my sweater and laid me on the bed.

  “Forget about it.” He turned off the lamp on the nightstand, then bent over me. “I’m here, and I love you. Do you hear me?” My heart hammered as I looked into his black eyes. “I love you. You are my everything, you know that.”

  “I love you, too, and I’ll never let you go.”

  My eyelids slid down the second I felt his touch on my bare skin.

  10

  I woke up from the tender touch of Nate’s lips sliding down my back. I turned around.

  “Hi.” He bent over and kissed me.

  “Hi.” I ran my hands up his strong chest.

  The sound of an opening door came from outside, and I heard Brian’s voice. He was talking to Sam.

  “I think we should put some clothes on.” I smiled, then drew my face to his and touched his lips with mine.

  “Yeah, I think we should,” he sighed out. His lips slid to my chin, then to my neck, and his hand moved down my body.

  “We can’t,” I laughed, catching his hand. “We need to get up.”

  “Right.” He heaved another breath, pulled himself up, and picked up his pants. “The plane is in a couple of hours. We should probably have a quick meeting before heading to the airport.”

  “Nate.” I dropped my legs down from the bed.

  “Hm?”

  “Chuck, he recognized me. Okay, not me, but the powers.”

  “Yeah,” Nate chuckled. “Maybe you should reconsider that stamp on the forehead thing.”

  Another voice joined Brian’s. It was Logan. Then someone banged on the door.

  “Come on, guys,” came Connie’s voice. “I’m hungry.”

  I chortled.

  “What a shocker.” Nate rolled his eyes.

  A few minutes later we summoned everyone to our room.

  “Before we go back to our homes,” said Nate, “I want to ask you all to be extremely careful. The Order just lost eight witches. Last time there were losses on both sides. This time it was different. We all got out unharmed, and Connor will be pretty pissed off. I’m sure he still has more than
enough people to carry out his plan. So keep your eyes open.”

  The thought that if they got into my parents’ house, they would most definitely trash it, squeezed my heart.

  “When you say go back home,” said Sam, “do you mean you’re going back to River Stones?”

  “Yes,” said Nate. “For now.”

  “They know you, Nate.” Sam frowned. “What if they come after you? Nicky, I understand that you want him with you, but it puts you in great danger.”

  “I said, for now.” Nate gazed at him.

  “No, not just for now.” I glanced from Sam to Brian. “Listen, I remember what I told you before. I said that when it comes to the mission, Nate and I, we’re not a couple. And that’s true. I have kept all my secrets from him. No matter how badly I wanted to share with him everything I know, I followed my father’s rules. And I still make my own decisions. But this is different. I need him with me. Yes, first of all for personal reasons. But it’s not just that. He’s the only one who can help me to figure this all out. I can’t do this without him. That’s what my dad told me in his message. He told me Nate is the only one who knows nearly as much as he did and will be the one to help me get through this.”

  “I understand,” said Brian. “But I’m worried about you, about your safety. And so is Nate. And also, you know how important you are. If they find him, they will most definitely find you.”

  “And what if they find me first? What then? Tomorrow, some of them could be standing right next to me, and I wouldn’t even have a clue. Nate knows them, and if they show up, he would at least recognize one or two of them and know what to do. What would I be able to do alone against a bunch of dark witches? Logan and Connie can’t stay with me twenty-four hours a day. Without Nate, I would be afraid to even fall asleep. And the same goes for him. Let’s say he goes away and stays alone somewhere. What if they get him? If something happened to him, we wouldn’t even know it. Him and I, we have to stay together so we can help each other, look after each other. We just need to be careful and watchful.”

  Brian looked at Nate. “Is there a chance they can find your mansion?”

  “Murphy did.” Nate sighed. “I don’t know how, but he found it and was snooping around. Also, even if Chuck was telling the truth, and he really didn’t know about the mansion, it doesn’t mean that Connor doesn’t know. Connor is much older than Chuck; he would know our history better. And you heard what Chuck said. His ancestors kept journals, too.”