“Have you lost your mind?”, Hermes asked coldly as we walked to my house.
I scuffed, “Hermes, I believe Cody. If there's a way to get Lucinda to leave, I'm going to do it.”
“Without talking to me first?”, he asked.
“It's my magic, Hermes. I have to do this so we can be happy.”, I said.
“You're so naïve.”, he said and I glared up at him. “Lucinda and Cody are pathological liars, you can't believe anything they say.”
“Cody looked serious though.”, I said, grabbing his arm to make him stopped and he turned to me. “He's really worried about his sister. I'll do the spell and she'll leave, isn't that what you want? I can do it and yet you don't want me to?”
“Cody spell is stronger and powerful. You're nose starts to bleed after three simple baby spells. God knows what this well do—being black magic to.”, he said, snorting. “Why wont I let you do this? Because I wont let it happen so it's no. We'll find another way.”
“Hermes, please.”, I said, giving him a begging look. “Lucinda not going to leave unless I do this. I'll save my energy up and wont do it another thing for a long time after. I know it's dangerous, but I'm willing to do it for us.”
He stared down at me for only four seconds before snorting, “Don't do that, don't make me feel bad.”, he said, reaching up and hitting me on my forehead with his index finger, “You are so naive, Jaycee. Don't trust either of them. They're. Both. Bad. News.”
I slapped his hand away, “I'm not a child and I know when people are lying or not.”
“I wont let you risk you're life because of me.”, he said, snorting again. “But how do I not know you're not just going to lie to me and do it anyways? I wont be there to protect you.”
“Because I'm a big girl.”, I said and he rolled his eyes, pinched the bridge of his nose as he closed his eyes, and sighed.
“Don't do it.”, he said. “I would drag you home, hand you off to your father, and have him lock you up. You're not doing this, you could die from it Jaycee.”
“I'll save up my energy.”, I said.
“And if it doesn't work?”, he asked, raising a blonde eyebrow. “You wasted your time—literally.”
I pouted my lower lip and like a child, I stomped my foot against the ground with a cry behind my mouth like a tantrum spoiled child. I hated when being told 'no', it pissed me off. I want to do this, but I don't want to do it without Hermes support. I can't let my parents find out I'm dealing with witch drama. . .I'll be grounded forever.
Nothing worse then a pissed off wolf daddy.
Hermes took his hands out of his pocket and placed both hands on both sides of my head, “Look, I'm handling it Jaycee.”
“Not very good apparently.”, I couldn't help but said with a scuff. “They're still here.”
He narrowed his eyes on me with a glare, but quickly change it to a more calm look, “I'm working on it.”
“She could change me into a pup again! Or give me another case of fleas! What has she done to you? Just stalk you're mind.” I said, my voice hard because I was getting annoyed with Hermes now. Why wont he let me do this? It could work, I actually trust Cody. He may be Lucinda's brother, but it's obvious he's very different from his wild twin sister.
A smirk appeared on Hermes face and my eyebrows furrowed together because it didn't understand why he was smirking and it pissed me off me, “You're cute when you're mad.”
I pressed my lips together angrily, “I'm cute?” I growled out. “I'm trying to be serious and you're calling me cute?”
He chuckled and rubbed his thumb against my right cheek, “Yes. You're like an angry little puppy craving for attention and to be picked up. You wanna be the hero.”
I put my hands on his chest and pushed him away, but he planted his feet on the ground, “Ugh, you're annoying.”
“Yeah, yeah, I heard that a thousand times from you.”, he said, chuckling.
I groaned, “Because it's true!”
“Then why love me?”, he asked and I froze, my eyes widen.
He used the 'L' word! Hermes actually said the 'L' word to me—well, not to me but about him—and I stood there staring at him with no respond. I knew I loved him, I have loved him since we were children but I never expect for Hermes to say it.
It was like his pet cat Sage came up and held my tongue. I couldn't speak or move, I was in to much shock.
“You love me so much you're willing to risk your life. . .for me.”, he said and I looked away shyly, glaring at the ground. “You're acting without thinking first, Jaycee. You have to remember what would happen if something like this happens. You could break your wolf side, die, or suck in some of Lucinda craziness and start doing black magic. You're crazy enough already.”
I snorted and pushed him away seriously, but he only took a step back, “Don't make fun of me, Witch-Boy.” I said to him, my voice hard.
“Says you, Werewolf.”, he said, snorting and I glared at me.
“Werewolf is to mythical—I'm a breathing living she-wolf! Shut up.”, I growled at him, huffing out my nose heavenly.
“You're a human who can turn into a wolf. Werewolf!”, he said, chuckling. I took the steps towards him and started pushing him backwards. It didn't take much effort since I was stronger then Hermes even thought I'm shorter. He just chuckled more as I pushed him away.
He then wrapped his hands around my neck and slammed his lips down on mine. My hands quickly flew from his chest and wrapped around his neck tightly as I kissed him back. I molded my lips against his, his nose rubbing against mine. Some people would have found us gross making out on the street but I didn't care.
. . .
“Grandpa!”, I couldn't help say excitedly as I walked through my house door and saw my grandparents on the love seat. I ran over as he got up and I jumped into his arms. He lifted me off the ground and gave me a tight hug.
“Hey Monkey.”, he said as he put me down. “Oh God, I'm getting to old for that.”, he chuckled.
I kissed my grandma on the cheek and she kissed mine.
“Nice to know we're the day after left over pasta salad you don't really want again.”, Uncle Skyler said, but I noticed he looked behind me before looking down at me and hugging me.
My home may be sorta of big, but I don't think the living room was big enough for all my uncles and aunt with their wives and husband all around. It was pretty crowded and since my family has their own lives and live in different cities, I don't get to see them allot unless holidays so I had to go around kissing and hugging everyone.
Hermes has his back against the door and he gave me an awkward smile I took his hand. I could see he wasn't enjoying being in a room full of eight wolves compared to only one warlock. I wanted to ask if he could feel the magic pouring out of us if that was adding more to the nerves.
I smiled and held my hand up at Hermes to show him off to my big family, “Everyone, this is Hermes Robinson, my mate.”, I said and pointed at each of my uncles and aunt, “Hermes, this is my Uncle Skyler, Shay and Tristan, Jamie, then there's my aunt Helena, but we all just call her Auntie Lena.” It went on even longer when I introduced their wives and husband. All that was heard was my voice and it was getting dry from speaking.
It was quiet from the wolves, only my aunts and Uncle Darien said hello to him. My mom cleared her throat and smiled, “So—isn't Hermes strong? Don't you agree he's a perfect match for Jaycee mom?”, she asked my grandmother who smiled.
“Yeah. Very handsome to, look at that mess of blonde hair and those blue eyes.”, she said, chuckling. “Make some gorgeous great grandchildren.”
“Are we really going to act as if there isn't an elephant in the room?”, Uncle Darien asked and everyone looked at him confused. He rolled his eyes and unbutton his sleeve so he could roll them up to elbow, “You guys all want to know why she would be paired with a witch—God is it hot in here?”, he asked, pulling at his collar and my aunt Lena put her hand on his shoulder. “I-I'm fine.”, he said, nodding at her.
“You are so blunt.”, my Uncle Jamie said, snorting at my Uncle Darien.
“Surely this is all a joke right.”, my grandfather finally decided to speak. “I'm sixty-eight, I would have noticed something was more different about us if we could...do magic.”, he said, forcing the last part out.
“Yeah, how do we know you're kind isn't just trying to trick us into something?”, Uncle Tristan was who had to lean against the wall since there was no room to sit with my short Aunt Colleen in front of him with his arms held around her protectively.
“Why would I make this up?”, Hermes asked. “Our kind has avoided each other for so long. I just found this out a few days ago just like Jaycee has. Only Witches and Warlocks as high as Carmina LaRoche knows this stuff because she's a ninth generationer.”
“Guys, I know it's hard to believe but it's true.”, my father said, rubbing his chin that was growing a beards because he hasn't had time to shave lately. “And it's my daughter, I was in denial until I did something. He wasn't touching us when Jaycee helped me create this ball of light. It's true.”
“Over three hundred years and now this comes up?”, Uncle Shay asked. “This changes everything we knew about ourselves.”
“I know.”, my dad said, rubbing his neck.
“Which is why we're not going to let anyone else know.”, my grandfather said and we all looked at him confused as it got quiet again. “We shouldn't freak the rest of the family out, keep things the same. God knows what will happen if witches found out we knew what we could do. Some kind of war will happen and we don't need that, right?”
“What about our children?”, Aunt Lena asked. “Ryker, Brayden, and Darcy should know about this. What if one of them gets paired up with another witch or warlock?”
“My pairing is very uncommon, but it does happen.”, I said as I tighten my hand around Hermes. I couldn't help but chuckle a little nervously, “When I found out what Hermes is, I was so mad. I almost wanted to walk away but I knew I could never do that. I just want to let you all know—Hermes is different. All these stories about witches and warlocks are our enemies, it's not true. Only the ones that practice black magic are bad and Hermes family isn't like that. I want you all to accept him as if he was human.”
“You said it does happen, so there must have been another couple who dealt with this before. We should try and find out who it is.”, Uncle Shay said.
“I know who it is.”, I said before anyone could agree with him or say anything else. “It was a couple name Eliana and James Ralfe—”
“Emily's parents?”, my grandfather asked, looking completely shocked. “James is my cousin, he was older then me but my first cousin. His wife was a witch? She seemed completely—normal!”, he gasped out as he looked down at the carpet. He looked shocked and scared like he seen a ghost.
“So you know them personally?”, my Uncle Skyler asked.
“We're not all very close anymore. Last I heard Emily was living in Kansas wit her daughter Katherine since her mate passed.”, he said, scratching the back of his head. “I don't know their number.”
“We have to tried to speak to them.”, Uncle Jamie said. “We have to know what they know.”
“I could try and ask around the family.”, my grandpa said as he shrugged. “Then what? Ask her to come all the way up here?”
“That or whatever we can do.”, my dad said.
My dad nodded and my Aunt Lena cleared her throat, “Wait? What about my question? What do we tell our kids? They have the right to know.”
“That's all on you guys.”, my grandpa said. “You're kid, you raise them how you want them to be. Tell them to be careful if you do—we don't need a war starting.”, he said as he got up from the couch and my grandma followed.
“Wait!”, I said excitedly as I stepped forward. “We're all here—I want to see what happens when we all do something.”
They all raised an eyebrows and I heard Hermes sigh heavily behind me. I grinned, “I'll start—By Thee Lig—“
A hand grasp around my wrist and we all looked at Hermes surprised. He gave me a serious look, “No magic, remember?”, he whispered down to me which was pointless since everyone heard.
“Why not?”, Uncle Skyler asked.
Hermes licked his lips nervously and gave me a look to say something. I knew what he meant though—I have to save my strength up if I decide to take on Lucinda. Hermes is still smart to know I hate being told what to do and probably end up doing it.
“I-I—there's another thing I forgot to mention.”, I said and nervously looked at my family before chuckle humorlessly. I told them all about how we're stronger then Hermes, but if we use to much magic at one time, we could die or lose our wolf. They all looked worried and concern, but I quickly said, “It's probably why it's another thing we weren't told. We just got to make sure we don't over do it.”
“Jaycee's right, we should relax.”, my dad said as he got up and came over to my side. He held his hand up and closed his eyes. It took a moment, but a baseball shape of light appeared. Everyone gasped and I smiled up at me dad and he gave me a wink.
“It gets cooler.”, I said excitedly as Hermes let go of my wrist. I looked at my Uncle Darien and Aunt Lena who were fans of tattoos. I walked over to them and took my uncle hand, lifting him up. I took my aunts and held her hand in mine, “Put your other hand on his wrist, which ever one, doesn't matter.”, I said and she did as I said hesitantly. Everyone looked around curious to what was going to happen. I took my hand out of hers, “Okay, now pictures a tattoo on his wrist. It can be anything, doesn't matter. Concentrate on only that thing, block everyone out.”
“That's hard for her.”, Uncle Jamie sarcastically said and Aunt Lena glared at him before kicking him in his knee, making he whine in pain as he bent down, grabbing his pained knee.
“Shut up, I'm concentrating.”, Aunt Lena said before closing her eyes.
I waited a moment before speaking, “Good. There's a word to say in your head—henna.”, I said and she bit her button lip, but said it.
When nothing happened, it stayed quiet as she opened her eyes and looked at me confused. I bit my button lip and not really wanting to show off, but I grabbed her wrist and concentrated, helping her out a little. I nodded at her and she hesitated, but closed her eyes and tried again.
A moment passed before my uncle gasped. She opened her eyes quickly and pulled away as if she had burned him, but we all watched as rose drew on his arm with vines and leaves around it. It drew on his body quickly and when it finished, he touched it.
“It's henna, but it's my favorite spell.”, I said, smiling at them.
“Cool, teach me something.”, Uncle Jamie said excitedly and I chuckled as everyone agreed.
. . .
(Hermes)
I was talking to Jaycee dad Scott when he suddenly cut me off by bringing his hand up, 'shh' me, “She's coming.”, he whispered and a few seconds later, Jaycee appeared at the kitchen door with a big smile on her face.
“I love how our family surprises us. That went by so much better then I thought.”, she said, walking over to us. “So. . .what we you two talking about?”
“Normal father talking to boyfriend stuff.”, her father said, smiling down at as he brought his hand up to her cheek. “And a few embarrassing childhood stories.”
She groaned, “Never leaving him alone around you again, dad!”, she complained.
He just patted her head before walking around us back into the living room with where my grandparents who stayed behind.
She then crossed her arms over her chest and looked at me seriously, “Were you two really talking about what he said?”, she asked and I smiled.
“Yes, of course.”, I said. Liar, but she didn't need to know that.
“Don't forget, you taught me to be able to look into your mind.”, she said, pointing at me.
I chuckled and grabbed her hands, “Don't be paranoid.”, I said and she rolled her eyes. I distracted her by kissing her a few times, “So what was with the freaking out your Uncle Darien was doing? He was practically shirtless before leaving.”
“Oh, he doesn't like small spaces. I don't know why, but he just doesn't.”, I said, shrugging.
“And you're Uncle Jamie making fun of my hair?”, he asked. “Something about children going to have milk white hair?”
“Just ignore him, we all do.”, I said, chuckling.