Completed story

A Witches Heart (A Witch Love Story)
A Witches Heart (The completed book) (A Witch Love Story) private

Dedicated to

My neices

A New life

Chapter 1 


Katheren: 

Ugh, I hated being the new girl! I wish I was back at my old school, with my old friends, my boyfriend, oh, and my old life! But that's not going to happen; I know that, I also know that, it never will. I could never have my old life back.  
Two years ago, my parents were killed in a fire at my old house while I was at a sleepover. At first, I thought it was just a dream and that I would wake up, but I am still waiting for my alarm to go off and the nightmare to be over; I guess I am just not that lucky.  
At first, my grandparents took care of me, but after a year, I think that taking care of a fifteen year old girl was just too much for them. Later, they sent me from my nice warm, dry home in California, to a cold, rainy foster home in Seattle. It was bad enough I had lost my parents, but I guess that they just had to make me suffer even more and make me lose my life too?! 
"Please introduce your self to the class," the elderly teacher said, bringing me out of my reverie.  
"Um, my name is Katheren Whitney," I mumbled, looking down, trying to hide my blush. Oh, did I mention why I hated to be the new kid? Well the first thing is that, I hate not knowing what is going on, and that I hated attention. And attention seemed to be precisely what I was getting.  
"Well Katheren," she pressed, "could you tell us where you moved from?" 
"Santa Ana, California." Please, please let that be enough... 
"Oh, well welcome," Mrs. Brooks smiled kindly at me, "take any seat you want." 
I murmured a thanks and quickly sat in an empty seat at the back of the class, not looking up while I went. When I finally sat down, Mrs. Brooks started her Geometry lesson. I didn't pay attention most of the class, because, in my old school, I was always the nerd who everyone thought took vigorous notes the whole class. But that wasn't even close to being right, I was just very intelligent and didn't see the point in the teacher's lessons, I just read about it in the book later and figured it out for my self, it always worked in the past, that and my teachers didn't bother calling on me, knowing I was smarter then they were. I doodled in my note book for the whole class and when the bell rang, I jumped.  
I was surprised to hear a quiet laugh from beside me. "Here, you dropped this," the guy that was sitting beside me said, handing me my pencil that I had flung when the bell caught me off-guard.  

"Thanks," I said, taking it from him, still not looking at him. 
"Hey, since it's your first day, how about I give you a tour, you know, help you find your classes..." 

I looked up then, surprised by his chivalrous offer and my jaw almost dropped. He was...he was... perfect... I guess that's the best way to describe him. He had sun-blond hair, a drop-dead gorgeous smile, and the most shocking electric blue eyes. "Uh, s-sure," I stuttered.  

"Great, my name's Daren, by the way, Daren Coventry. You're Katheren, right?" 
"Yeah, but everyone calls me Kate or Kates," I said, while I put all of my stuff into my book bag. 

"Hmm, well Kates, what's your next class?" Daren asked. 
"Um, chemistry, I think." 
"Awesome," Daren said, and smiled. My mind completely blanked, wow, how did he do that?! "Come on we don't want to be late." Then he grabbed my hand so that I would follow him. But I yanked my hand back, because when he touched my hand, it felt like I had been electrocuted or something, but it didn't hurt, just a surprise, almost...pleasant? "Sorry," he mumbled, looking down. Then he brightened up, "'Cause there is nothing scarier than a pissed off Mr. Berkeley." 

I laughed and we headed towards the science building.  
To be truthful, I was surprised that Daren was even talking to me; I wasn't the kind of girl who got attention from good-looking guys like him, no matter how nice they were. I mean, it's not like I was pretty or was outgoing or anything, I was normal looking and boring. I was a boring five-foot six girl with dirty blond hair, and boring jade green eyes.  
I was- to most people- a nerd, I loved to read books all the time, I aced all my classes, and didn't have a boyfriend until a month before my parents died. I wasn't even sure that Ben- my old boyfriend- even really liked me, or just wanted me to help him with his homework. And it didn't help me that I had glasses then, but, my aunt had gotten me contacts before I moved to Seattle to start my new life with her and Nova High School. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a bad school or anything, I just missed Valley High School in Santa Ana.  
"Are you okay?" Daren asked me. 


I jumped startled back into reality. "Yeah, just daydreaming, I do that a lot." 
"Oh," he laughed, "well it is better to be stuck in your mind than in school." 
"Yeah," I laughed too, "sounds about right." Then I thought of something. "Daren?" I was surprised at how much I liked to say his name. 
"Hmm?" 
"Well um, you don't have to show me around school if you don't want to, I mean you have to walk that much further and it could make you late... I just don't want you to go through all that trouble for me..." 
He smiled, "It's no trouble at all." Then we entered the science building and my second class for the day, great. 

 
Chapter 2 
Daren: 
Great, another boring day at school, I thought as I made my way into my first hour, math.  
"Hey, Daren," I heard some girl giggle as I sat down. I looked up, it was Sara. She was the school... well I don't know how to put it nicely, but... bitch. She was tall, had dark brown hair and eyes, and had about the least amount of clothes that you could have on and get away with at school. "I was wondering if you were going to ask me to the winter dance at the end of the month..." she trailed off.  
Well, if I was going to I would have, I thought scornfully, but bit my tongue. "I'm sorry, but I already have a date for the dance," I lied. 
"Really? Who?" Sara snapped. I could just imagine the thoughts in her head, the revenge plans or whatever for the girl that I had asked. So much for that excuse... 
"A close friend from another school actually, she's never been to a dance before and I thought that she enjoy going to ours." 
"Oh, maybe next time?" she sulked. 
"Sure, maybe next time." Like that was going to happen. The funny thing was, I hadn't told her an honest thing this whole conversation, not like she deserved it anyway.  
By then the whole class had filed in and I settled down in my sat in the back of the class, ready to just ignore the teacher, daydream or just scan the future or something, just for something to do.  
I was a witch for Pete's sake, and I had to suffer though school? Why? Why me? I thought angrily at no one in particular.  
"Tough break," my friend, Ryan, said sarcastically, interrupting my thoughts. 
I rolled my eyes. "She is all yours, man, all yours." 
He smiled. "I'll tell you how she is. But I might need your help." 
"Wait, with what?" 
"You have girls fanning all over you, bro! How the hell do you do it?" 
I smirked. "The girls just naturally come after me, what can I say?" 
"Yeah and you are the dumbass to turn every one of them down. Seriously, how do you do it?" 
"My mother raised me to be a gentleman and the ladies love gentlemen." 
"And you don't you that you your advantage?" he whispered loudly and the teacher halted in her lecture to glare at us for a second.  
"I am just waiting for the right girl," I told him when she went back to ignoring us.  
Ryan grunted and turned his attention back to the notes on the bored. 
The class- that had been going for about five minutes, stopped abruptly when there was a small knock at the door. "Yes, come in," Mrs. Brooks said. Then the most beautiful girl I have ever seen walked through the door. She wasn't as tall as Sara, but she wasn't that short either. She had dark blonde hair that went down to the middle of her back and what looked like an even brighter blonde highlights. She wore jeans and gray sweatshirt. For a second I was distracted, a sweatshirt, it was warm, for a rainy place like Seattle anyway, that made mw wonder where she was from... 
"Please introduce your self to the class," Mrs. Brooks said, just now interrupting my thoughts, even though she had been speaking for a while. Now that I looked closer, I saw that she had given Mrs. Brooks a white paper, oh, she was new, and that was why I hadn't seen her before. I felt kind of bad for the girl, it was December, she had to start in the middle of the school year, I new how that felt, that was me last year.  
"Um, my name is Katheren Whitney," she said, in a voice that reminded me of bells and her name seemed fitting in some way... She hadn't looked up when she said this- which annoyed me a bit, since I wanted to know which color her eyes were- and a blush crept across her checks. Was she... embarrassed? 
"Well Katheren," the teacher pressed, "could you tell us where you moved from?" 
She blushed even deeper. "Santa Ana, California," she said quickly. That explained the sweatshirt. 
"Oh, well welcome," Mrs. Brooks smiled at her, "take any seat you want." 
"Thanks," she said. Then she hurried down the aisle, just staring at her feet. Well it looked like she was embarrassed. She sat down in the open seat next to me without even looking my way, for some reason, that annoyed me. Then Mrs. Brooks continued her math lesson. I watched the girl the whole class, I had learned this already, and it was old news to me. She wasn't even paying attention; she was drawing in her notebook the whole time. I tried to see what she was drawing, but I couldn't see it clearly. Well. Since I was at the back of the class, I decided that if I used just a little bit of powers, it wouldn't hurt anything. So, under my breath, I whispered a small sight spell that would let me see her picture. But for some reason, I couldn't. I tried again, maybe I said the spell wrong, I mean, it's old French, I could get it wrong. But once again, it didn't work, I looked across the room at a girl taking notes, and when I concentrated, I could easily see her notes. It made no sense to me why I couldn't see the simple drawing of the girl next to me, unless... no, she couldn't be a witch, could she? Well either way, I had to find out and if she was a witch, or a warlock- which I defiantly hoped she wasn't- I would have to tell my family.  
When the bell rang at the end of first period, she gave a small yelp and accidentally threw her pencil. I chuckled quietly, and picked it up for her, then leaned back against my desk. "Here, you dropped this," I told her and handed it back to her.  
"Thanks," she said, closing her notebook, and taking the pencil. She still didn't look at me, and that annoyed me. That and looking in her eyes was a way to tell if someone had a magical aura. Technically, everyone had an aura, most were like rainbows, a multitude of different colors, but witches and warlocks had a single-color or pure aura, which gave them the ability to use magic. Looking into some ones eyes one way I could tell color some ones aura was, that and physical contact, but that seemed weird to most people for a stranger to touch them.  
So I tried to get her to look at my again. "Hey, since it's your first day, how about I give you a tour, you know, help you find your classes..." 
Her head snapped up then, and she started at me, bewildered for some unfathomable reason. She had the most brilliant jade colored eyes that I had ever saw, I felt as I could get lost in them... Focus, I mentally yelled at myself. I looked into her eyes, and searched for her aura. Usually, auras were invisible. But I was one of the few witches capable of seeing them, but from her... nothing. . "Uh, s-sure," she stuttered.  
"Great, my name's Daren, by the way, Daren Coventry. You're Katheren, right?" Like I would forget her name...  
"Yeah, but everyone calls me Kate or Kates," she said as she put her books into her bag that was on the back of her chair.  
I liked Kates better than Kate, Kate was too normal, and she was remarkable, stood out, but in a god way. "Hmm, well Kates, what's your next class?" 
"Um, chemistry, I think."  
"Awesome." For some reason, I very much liked this, and smiled widely. Her face went blank, did I do something wrong? "Come on we don't want to be late." Then I grabbed her hand, partly to make sure she was coming and party to see if that helped me to see if she had a magical aura or not. But the second I touched her, I shock ran up my arm and I felt extremely light-headed. She yanked her hand from mine. "Sorry," I said through clenched teeth, fighting the dizziness. Then I pulled my expression together, "'Cause there is nothing scarier than a pissed off Mr. Berkeley." 
I still had no clue if she was a witch or not? What was she? A powerful witch that had been able to block my power? That had to be it; the only things with no auras were dead... or warlocks... No, she wasn't evil, I knew that, somehow. So what was she? I would find out.

Chapter 3 

Katheren: 

The rest of the day was uneventful and mildly embarrassing. The only class that I made a complete fool of myself was gym, being as uncoordinated as I am. I had made a few new friends, mostly girls. I had three classes total with Daren and lunch. We talked mostly about the school and places to hang out in the city, nothing to personal though. 
"So how was your first day?" he asked as we headed out of our last class, English.  
"Um, horrible," I teased him, "No one would talk to me except some creepy guy that kept following me." I pretend shuddered. 
Daren laughed, "So I am following you now?" 
"Hey, I never mention any names, but yes." We both laughed. 
"Well do you want me to beat this guy up if he doesn't leave you alone?" 
"No, I think I can handle him, he doesn't look so tough..." 
"Oh, I don't look tough and I am creepy?" 
"Sounds about right," I laughed at his attempt to look hurt.  
He stopped me when I headed in the opposite way to my aunts car. "Hey do you think that we can meet up later?" he asked innocently. 
I stopped and turned to face him, this was unexpected. "Um, sure, when and where?" 
"How about tonight? At eight-ish?" 
"I'll ask my aunt, where are we going?" 
He smiled, "It's a surprise." 
"Okay," I gave him my number then started to leave again. "Oh," I gasped and whirled around to face him. "I forgot to thank you for the tour today, uh, thanks." 
"Any time, see you at eight," then he turned and headed for his car. Wow, I thought, he was a sophomore and he had a car?  
"Hey hon," my aunt said as I got into her car, "How was it, not too bad?" 
"It was great, Aunt Lynn, I made a few new friends." 
"That's great," she said jubilantly, "so no one gave you a hard time?" 
"Nope," I said, relieved, I knew she would have made a big deal out of it if someone had. "Oh, I almost forgot, could I hang out with someone tonight, at eight?" 
"Sure, where are you going?" 
"Um, not sure, he never said." 
"He?" 
Crap, she picked that up. "Um, yeah, Daren, uh, Daren Coventry I think." 
"Oh, I have met him, a very nice boy, very much a gentlemen, glad that you met him." 
"You met him?" I asked incredulously.  
"Sure, his mom works with me down at the office, he comes in to bring her lunch all the time and he came with his mom when she came over to the house." Ironically, my aunt worked as a social worker, she was very good at her job, well considering that she had no kids of her own, and was a little childish at times. 
"Really?" 
"Yep, well, here we are, I have to go, so do you think that you can handle things by yourself?"  
"Yeah, don't worry about me; just concentrate on your work." 
"Okay, I'll call later, bye hon." 
"Bye Aunt Lyn," I said, and then got out of the car. To me, it was surprising that Aunt Lyn was still single. Lyn Whitney was a shorter brunette with shoulder length hair and my green eyes. She was much prettier that I was and extremely nice. I guess that she just didn't need a guy. 
She lived in a relatively larger Victoria style home near a city park. It was all white and had a wrap around porch and was two stories and even the second story room had balconies! I guess when you lived alone, money started to add up, I mean wow. I had visited my aunt's house before, with my parents, my mom always called it a castle and I would always be the pretty princess... I didn't realize I was crying until I felt the tears start running down my cheeks. It had been two years and I still couldn't think of them without crying!  
I headed upstairs to my second story bedroom and dropped my bag on the ground, then went out on my balcony. The view was amazing, my room was in the back of the house, so it over looked Highland Park. Then it started to rain, great, just great. I sighed then headed back to my room to start my home work.  
I finished at six and went downstairs to make myself dinner, my aunt worked from four to about eleven so I ate alone every night.  
I had been living with my aunt for two months now, so I was used to being on my own most of the time. Then I took a shower and got ready for whatever Daren had planned for tonight.
Daren: 
"Hey ma," I said as I entered the house. 
"Hello Daren how was school, anything interesting happen?" 
"Actually yes, do you have a chance to talk before work?" 
"Sure, but only fifteen minutes, what's up?" my mom asked as she sat beside me on the couch.  
"There is a new girl at school, Katheren Whitney-" 
"Is that Lyn's, niece? Oh that poor girl," she frowned looking sad. 
"Yeah- wait, what?" Poor girl?! Why? "What happened?" 
"Oh, her parent's were killed and now she is living with Lyn, even though Lyn isn't sure how to raise a kid..." 
"When?" This was not the reason that I had thought up for her moving up here, I knew my mom knew her aunt, I thought that she was just getting some time away from her family or something, I was way off. 
"Hmm, I am not sure, oh, what were you saying about her?" 
"Oh, well, what does it mean if someone doesn't have an aura?" I asked her, my mom knew much more about our magical word then I did. 
"Well, one of three things, they are dead, they are a warlock and are blocking your powers, or an extremely powerful witch. Why do you ask, you know this already," she asked, confused. 
"Well, this Katheren girl, she doesn't have an aura, or I can't see it, I just don't get it." 
"Hmm." My mom paused for a moment, thinking it through. "Well, I don't believe that she is dead, for other people have seen her, not just you..." The weird thing is that, all witches could naturally see spirits. I guess maybe it was because since we could summon them we needed to see them or something. It was weird; you couldn't tell they were dead until they passed though something, it was very confusing. "And I don't believe that she is a warlock, even though that is a possibility," my mom continued.  
"I don't think she is evil either, I talked to her when I could, and she seemed very kind." 
"Hmm, well I would like you to find out, but be careful, she could be dangerous." 
"I will ma, oh, just so you know, I am taking her out tonight, you know to show her the city, to get to know her better." 
She nodded. "Well any sign that she is a warlock, you get out of there and call my cell right away, got it?" 
"Okay, got it." 
Then her watch started to beep. "Oh, well got to go, be careful," she stressed. 
"Mhm." She pecked me on the cheek, ignoring my grunt of protest and headed off to work.  
I got up threw some leftovers from last night into the microwave and did my only homework, math. I was horrible at it, and it didn't help that I paid more attention to the new girl then the lesson. It was harder than it should have been to do the simple assignment, but my mind kept wondering, always to the girl. Was she a witch or a warlock or something entirely other? Not only did I wonder about that, but I also thought about what my mom had said about her parents? They were dead? That must be horrible, that was unimaginable to me, to have lost both my mom and dad. How did she deal with that? Then I even started to think of her in general, how she looked, the way she smiled, the way I felt when she laughed... I shouldn't be thinking about that, she could be dangerous, evil... But then on the other hand, she might not be... No I couldn't be thinking like that anyway, not until I knew what she was. 
By the time I was finished, it was 7:45 and I had to leave. I knew where she lived from all the times that I had went with my mom to her book club meetings, they were extremely boring, but I was able to play outside and games with the other ladies kids. I had only been to Lyn's house about four times but I was sure that I knew the way. 
When I pulled up, I saw Katheren sitting on the porch reading a book. She didn't seem to notice me, so I crept up as silently as I could and stood behind her. "Oh, a Romeo and Juliet fan are we?"  
She gasped and threw her book into the air and put her hand over her heart. "Oh god, you scared the crap out of me," she accused, picking her book of the ground.  
Well if she was a warlock, she would have most likely thrown me across the yard for how much that I scared her, well unless she had a very good hold on her magic. "I am very sorry," I tried not to laugh. "Are you ready?" 
"For what," she asked slowly. 
"Well since you're new, I believe another tour is in order, if you are willing." 
"Sure, sounds great, I'll be back in a sec." She went into the house to put her book away and grab her purse. Then we headed towards my car.

Chapter 4 

Katheren: 
Even though, my aunt had already showed me the city, it was much more fun with Daren. He would be serious, and then he would end his explanation in a joke. He showed me some clubs and where everyone from school hung out, and even where the best stores were.  
"So anything else you would like the inside scoop on?" he teased after an hour of driving around. 
"Well, I always wanted to up that really tall building thingy, what's it called again...?" 
"The Space Needle?" 
"Yeah, that's it," I exclaimed. 
He chuckled, "To the tall building thingy we go." 
"Oh, shut up." 
He just laughed. "When you visited your aunt before, she never took you to it?" 
"No," I sighed. "My mom thought I would get scared, because when I younger, I was somewhat afraid of heights. But I got over it; she just didn't believe me when I told her so." 
"Are you sure you got over it." 
"Yep, pretty sure." 
"We're here." Daren said as he parked the car.  
"Wait, it's open this late?" I asked as I got out of the car. 
"Nine is late?" he teased, "Damn, don't fall asleep on me then. I plan on keeping you out much later then this." 
"Ha-ha, very funny." 
He smirked. "It's open 'til twelve tonight, don't worry if we get locked in, it's Friday so we wouldn't miss anything too important..." 
"Like school?" I said sarcastically. 
"No we wouldn't want to miss that." We both laughed. 
We took one of the three elevators. "Wow, three elevators, you'd think it will kill them to walk." 
"You can climb up, I think I'll be lazy, I would rather not die of over exertion."  
"I was being sarcastic," I told him. 
"As was I, oh, maybe not." 
We were both quiet for most of the elevator ride until I realized how high we were getting. Maybe I wasn't completely past my fear of heights, but I didn't want to seem like a wimp. Oh, great, this was not good...
Daren: 
So far, I hadn't found out what she was yet, but I still had plenty of time to figure that out. I was surprised at how much I like being with her, it was so easy to be myself near her! 
I was brought out of my abstraction when I heard her breathing get louder and more ragged. I looked down to see her clutching the railing of the elevator, her knuckles white.  
Then I remembered what she had said in the car about being afraid of heights when she was younger. I took the hand that was closest to me and removed her hand from the metal, afraid that she would hurt herself.  
"Katheren?" I asked, alarmed. "Are you alright?" 
Her hand twisted to grasp my hand to grasp mine, the other still on the railing. "I'm fine," she whispered, her voice shaking slightly.  
I shook my head, "No, you're not. When we get to the top, we'll head back down." 
"The top?" her quiet voice broke in panic. We were only about half-way now and the top was about five-hundred feet off the ground. 
"Don't worry, you'll be fine." 
She whimpered so quietly that I don't think that she meant for me to hear it. 
Not thinking of anything else I could do, I pulled her into a hug. She threw her arms around me and buried her face in my chest. It felt right, natural, like she was meant for my arms.  
But that didn't exactly help her calm down; it did a little, but not much. So I tried something that was stupid and dangerous. But I couldn't just let her be like this, so scared that she was shaking. In my chosen magical language of French, I muttered a quick fearless spell for her. It was temporary- only lasting for a few hours- but at least she wouldn't have a panic attack on me now.  
I remembered only after I did the spell why it was dangerous. If she was a powerful warlock, doing a spell like that on her could have very bad side effects; one of them could be throwing me well away from her. And in an elevator in the highest structure in Seattle, that would be very, very bad.  
Well, at least she isn't a warlock, I thought as a confirmation to what I had guessed before. What did that leave? Being dead or a powerful witch-or a very well practiced one? 
I could also take being a ghost off that list. With the way she felt in my arms at the moment, I was very sure that she was real, my whole being was aware of her. This was a little bit weird come to think of it... 
"Thanks Daren," Katheren said blushing, "I needed that." She didn't sound terrified anymore, I breathed a sigh of relief.  
Hmmm, I liked the way she said my name, usually to me, it sounded boring, but from her, it sounded... well I wasn't sure how it sounded, but I liked it. 
"Anytime," I murmured. She didn't back out of my embrace and I didn't let go, we rode the rest of the way to the top like this.
Katheren: 
One minute I was freaking out, then Daren held me in his arms, and I felt normal. Well better than normal actually. I never wanted to move. When we made it to the top of the Space Needle, he let go of me so that we could walk out on the viewing deck. I kept a hold on his hand though, I didn't want to start freaking out again; luckily, he didn't seem to mind. 
"Are you sure that you don't want go back down- I mean we can-" 
"No, I'm fine," I told him firmly, relieved that it was true this time. Then we headed towards the window. I was surprised that I didn't feel afraid, especially after what happened on the way up. 
When I looked out, I balked and gasped. "It's so beautiful," I whispered in awe. Form here, you could see out for miles. I saw millions of lights, from houses and building and even from boats out on the water. You couldn't see the stars very well because of the brightness of the city, but you could see the full moon hanging lazily and strikingly in the night sky. 
"Mhm, very beautiful," Daren murmured, sounding like he wasn't paying much attention to what I had just said.  
I turned to look at him, to see him staring very intently at me, I blushed. "I was talking about the city," I said, gesturing toward it.  
"Hmm? Oh, I wasn't, I was talking about you." Then he looked outside, "I still think that what I was talking about was much more of a sight then this." 
I looked away from his knowing smirk.  
Then he let go of my hand and went behind me to wrap his arms lightly around my waist, then, when I didn't move away from him, rested his head on my shoulder. "Do you believe in magic?" he asked me suddenly.  
Well, that was random. "I-I guess so, but not that sorcerer and witch kind." 
"What do you mean," he sounded confused. 
"Like this, I think that this is magical," -I wasn't going to say that I wasn't only talking about the view, but how he was holding me- "and love also, and like at Christmas, when everyone is so happy, that's how I think of magic." 
"Hmmm, I see," he said thoughtfully. "What if I were to tell you that there are witches who could do magic, not like the magic that you mentioned, but real magic?" 
"I would probably laugh at you and say that you were crazy, why?" I honestly didn't see where he was going with this. 
"Oh, just curious, but we better get back, we have been up here for an hour. It's ten already and I think that we need to get ice cream before I take you home." 
I laughed, "Awesome." Then with one long last look out at the city, I turned to follow him back to the elevator.

Chapter 5 
Katheren: 
"Hey, Kates, you up?" 
"No, Daren," I groaned, "but I guess I am now." 
"Sorry," he apologized. "It's not that important, you can go back to sleep-" 
I sat up, "What's up, Daren?" 
"Well, I am bored, and I was wondering if you wanted to hang out at the park..." 
"Sure, but who the hell gets up this early on a Saturday?" I whined.  
He laughed. "It's ten in the morning, it's not like it's six." 
I groaned. "Well that's early for me. Uh, pick me up at 11:30?" 
"Sure, see you then, bye Kates." 
"Bye." I hung up my cell then sat it back on my bed side table, then fell back on my bed. "Ugh, it's so early." 
I got up, took a shower, and then headed downstairs to make breakfast. "Hey what cha makin'?" my aunt asked sleepily as she came in the kitchen.  
"Pancakes, you want some?" 
"Sure," she mumbled as she sat down at a stool. "How was your date last night?" 
I blushed. "It wasn't a date last night." Even though that's what I wished it was. "Daren was just showing me around the city." 
"Mhm," she said, doubtful, "Why would you want to see the city again, I had already taken all around town?" 
""Cause... because..." 
"Because you like him." She smiled. "You just aren't sure he feels the same way?" she guessed. 
"Aunt Lyn, how do you know, am I that transparent?" 
"No, but believe it or not, I was a teenager once." 
I gasped playfully, "Oh my god, like fifty years ago?" 
"Oh shut up," she laughed, "and for your information, I'm only twenty-nine." 
"Mhm." I sat down next to her when the pancakes were done.  
"So what are we going to do today?" she mused. 
"Well, I, um..." 
She smirked. "You have plans with, let me guess, Daren?" I blushed. "He must like you then, if he takes you out a few hours after the last time he took you out." 
"Were just friends." 
"Mhm, not for much longer." 
"Aunt Lyn-" I started to complain, but the doorbell cut me off. 
"Hey," the subject of our conversation said as I open the door.  
"Hey Daren, let's go." Before my aunt can embarrass me, I added in my head. 
"Have fun on your date," Aunt Lyn called just before I shut the door. Well I guess I asked for it...  
I blushed and he laughed. "Is there something I should know," he teased. 
"No, my aunt is... just... interesting. Ignore her." 
He laughed. "If you say so.... Oh, you look beautiful today," he commented. 
"Thanks, but this isn't something I would normally wear." I blushed an even deeper shade of red. I was having trouble finding clothes that were washed, so I had ended up wearing an outfit that my aunt had bought me when I moved to Seattle. I was wearing a deep blue dress that had a v-neck and went down to just below my ankles. I also had a jacket on. Apparently, this week had been abnormally warm for December; in the sixties and the sun was out. But this wasn't so bad for me, because all year the temperature in Santa Anna ranged from an average of about fifty-five degrees in the winter to seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit in the summer; I was used to the cold.  
It was the rain that I hated, that combined with the wind was just miserable. I was used to cold, but not rain, definitely not rain.  
Daren opened my door for me and I got into his car. "So why are we going to the park?" I questioned. 
"Well no one seams to go to the park anymore, everyone just thinks that it's only for younger kids," he explained. "But I love the park, the wild life, to watch the kids playing; I think it's just so relaxing." 
I laughed, "Sounds good to me." We ended up going to the park that was by my house. I sat on a swing while he was on the ground writing in some book. "What are you doing?" 
"Oh, nothing," he said, blushing slightly. 
I got up and sat beside him, he hid it from my view. "Oh, please, oh please, oh please," I whined, sounding like a four-year-old. 
He laughed, "You sound so cute when you whine." 
"Cute enough to see what's in your notebook?" 
"Hmm, let me think, close, but no." I pouted, but when I thought he was distracted, I snatched the notebook from him and ran into the trees and climbed the closest one I could find. "Hey, give it back!" he protested and ran after me. But he couldn't find me up in the trees.  
 
Daren: 
"What are you doing?" she said suddenly. She had been so quiet while she swung slightly back and forth, I had wondered if she had forgotten that I was there. 
"Oh, nothing," I lied, trying to hide my embarrassment. 
She got up and sat on the ground beside me, but I didn't want to show her my drawing, so I closed my notebook. "Oh, please, oh please, oh please," She begged, then she had the cutest expression on her face and she gave me puppy-dog eyes, it was so hard to say no to her. 
I laughed, "You sound so cute when you whine." 
"Cute enough to see what's in your notebook?" 
I thought about that, way cuter than that, but I wasn't planning on telling her that. "Hmm, let me think, close, but no." She started to pout, and then she suddenly grabbed my sketchbook and ran into the tress. I sat there for a second, dumbfounded. "Hey, give it back!" I shouted, and ran after her, but I couldn't find her. 
"It's your fault," her voice came from above me; I turned to see her high up in a tree, "You wouldn't let me see it." 
"So you found the need to take it?" 
She smirked, "Whatever it takes." Then she frowned, "C-could I please see it?" 
I sighed, "Go ahead, but come down first, I don't like you up there."  
"Okay." She climbed all the way down to a branch that was about level with my head, and then jumped from there to the ground.  
"Shesh, trying to kill yourself?" I chastised her.  
"Maybe," she said, innocently. She sat down at the base of her tree then opened my notebook. Her expression softened. "Y-you drew this," she whispered, awe present in her voice. 
"Yeah," I looked down embarrassed. When she was lost in her own world on the swing, I had been drawing her; she had just looked so beautiful with the way that the sun shinned down on her face that I couldn't resist. 
"It's so good. You have a gift," her voice was still very gentle. 
"I don't know," I mumbled, "You look much better in real life." 
She snorted. "I don't. This- this is amazing, do you think that you could draw me another one?" 
"Sure." She handed me back my sketchbook and I sat down across from her and started to draw.  
"Um, what should I do?" Now she sounded so self-conscious that I couldn't help but laugh.  
"Nothing really." Just sit there and look like your usually stunning self, I added mentally. 
"Oh, okay." She was quiet for a few minutes before she continued. "You should really be an artist you know. Oh, sorry for distracting you..." she blushed; I decided to add that to the drawing. 
"It's fine and I want to, but my parents don't think that that's a very good career choice," I scowled.  
"Oh, my parents don't- didn't exactly approve of my choice either."  
"What do you want to be?"  
"A writer, I love to read, so I thought writing would be the best thing to do with my life, but they said that it was too... risky, that I could waste a lot of my time and never get published." 
"What do they want you to be?" I asked as I put the finishing touches to my drawing. 
"I don't know and I guess I never will," her breathing hitched and I looked up to see her holing back tears. Then I remembered my mom saying something about her parents.... 
"Katheren, wha-what's wrong?" I didn't know what to do. 
"My parents," she whispered, and then I tear rolled down her cheek. 
I whipped the tear from her face with my thumb then enveloped her in a hug. "What about them?" 
"They- they were killed in a fire, when I was in eighth grade. I should have prevented it, it was my fault they died," she sobbed. 
"It wasn't your fault." 
"Yes, yes it was." 
"Could you tell me what happened, then I can tell you if it was your fault or not?" 
She took a deep breath, but kept her face buried in my chest as she spoke. "My friend, May, had invited me to sleepover for the weekend. I was excited, I didn't get invited over to people's houses very often, so this was a big thing for me. But right before I left the house, I got this really bad feeling, like something terrible was going to happen. But when I told my mom, she just gave me a wry smile and said not to worry about anything, that I was just worried about the sleepover. 
"Then, the next morning, the police had called May's house and told her mom that my house was burnt down last night, and that they believed my parents were inside. When she told me this, I didn't believe her; I insisted that she took me home that moment to put all of this nonsense to rest. But-" Katheren's voice broke, but she cleared her throat and continued. "The house- well there was no house; it was just a black pile of ashes with a basement. The basement was the only thing that was relatively undamaged. I broke down then and there, on the sidewalk, balling my eyes out. 
"A few days later, the funeral was held. Since it everything was in ashes, there were no bodies-" her voice broke again, "The only things that I had were the things that had survived the fire, in other words, various objects form the basement, and my mother's necklace."  
Her hand clutched something and I was able to see the necklace that she was talking about, it was a simple crystal heart on a chain, but as I looked closer, I was able to see protection spells woven into the metal chain of a necklace. This was my proof that she was a witch, but the question now was, did there parent's tell her before they were killed. But why hadn't it protected her mom then? This one was more than powerful enough to handle a fire, so why didn't it save her, unless she was attacked by warlocks, Katheren's mom should be alive now. Is that what truly happened, I wondered, were they killed by warlocks then the warlocks covered their tracks by making it look like a house fire? Or did her parent's fake their own deaths after a warlock attack, or fled to keep their only daughter safe? I didn't know now, but I had every intention of finding out. 
"I was sent to my grandparents for a year," she continued, "but then they decided that they were too old to be raising kids anymore. So they sent me to my dad's sister; that's how I ended up here." 
"So how is this your fault?" I asked confused.  
She buried her face deeper into my chest. "I knew something was wrong, that something was going to happen, and I left them, I left them alone and they died! I should have stayed or I should have insisted that something was wrong so that- that-" she started sobbing again before she could finish. "It's all entirely my fault!" 
"No, it's not; you couldn't have prevented that fire." Or if they truly were attacked by warlocks, you couldn't have stopped those either. "It's not your fault and you should stop blaming yourself. And I am glad that you hadn't stayed," I whispered. 
"Why?" she asked, finally sitting up, to look at my face.  
I whipped the remaining tears from her eyes. "Because then I never would have met you." 
Part of her mouth raised into a sad smile. "Thanks," she said as she gave me a quick peck on the cheek, "I needed that." 
I was so stunned-and ecstatic- by her little kiss- even though I was just on the cheek- that all I could do was nod like an idiot. Then she shivered slightly. "Come on, let's get back to the car," I grabbed her hand and helped her up. 
"Wait," she let go one my hand and reached down to grab my sketchbook. "You almost forgot this." 
"God, that would suck, thanks," I said. I ripped out the picture that I had finished for her earlier. "And I do believe this is yours." 
She smiled. "I like this one even more than the one you drew of my on the swing, but maybe because I knew you were drawing this one." Then she squinted and brought it closer to her face. "Am I blushing?" 
I smiled, "In the picture, yes, in real life, you weren't until I said that." We both laughed. "Come on, I am taking you to lunch," I told her, then grabbed her hand and dragged her to my car.

Chapter 6 
Daren: 
I ended dropping her off after lunch; her aunt wanted her for something. I decided to just go home. "Hey ma, I'm home," I yelled as I entered the house.  
"Hey Daren, how was your little outing?" as she said this, a wide smile spread across her face. 
I blushed, I knew where this was heading, and I needed to change the subject. "Great. Hey, there was something I wanted your help with. Spare me a minute?" 
"Sure, if you help me with the dishes." I nodded and followed him back into the kitchen. "So what do you need me for?" she asked as she handed me a towel. 
"Is there someway to see the past? I can see the future just fine, I just don't know how to view events that have already happened." 
"Hmm," as she thought, she rinsed the dishes and started to hand them to me. "There is a spell you could use, but you need to witches to do it, why do you ask?"  
"I am beginning to believe that Katheren's- Lyn's niece-" I added for her benefit, "parents were killed by warlocks." 
"What is your proof?"  
"She was telling me what happened to them and when she said had very little left, and that included a necklace that was her mother's. She had the necklace on and when I looked at it, it had a protection spell on it. She said that her parents were killed in a fire, but this charm was more then powerful enough to save them from a fire. Then Katheren also said that she had an impending sense of doom before she left. So I believe that her parents were either attacked and killed by warlocks and then the warlocks burnt the proof or her parents killed the warlocks and then faked their own deaths to save their daughter's." I took a deep breath after my long explanation. 
"Hmmm." We were done cleaning the dishes so she started to put them away, fluttering around the kitchen as she thought. "I think that you could be right, but if you are then you will need to look after her." 
I smiled at an excuse to be near Katheren. "Sure." 
"But we should still should check it out, get out our 'livre de sorts."  
'Livre de sorts' is French for 'spell book' since everyone in our family uses ancient French as our magical language, we also use French regularly around the house and have French names for specific things. I ran upstairs, grabbed the thick, old book and gave it to my mom, who was now sitting on the couch. 
"Hmm, let me see," she mumbled as she flipped though page after page, "Oh, here it is." I sat down beside her and looked over her shoulder. 
I frowned, "That looks very complicated, and I don't even understand half of that." 
My mother smiled. "I never said that you had to understand it, just be able to say it. Here, repeat after me." She started the complicated spell and I copied her. "There, do you see that?" she asked as an orb started to appear in front of us.  
I nodded. Then people started to appear within the bright, white orb and a house emerged behind them. Then I recognized one of the three figures, "Katheren," I gaped. And it was her, just a few years younger, and a lot... happier? I smiled. 
"She is quite beautiful, isn't she?" 
"Yes, she is," I agreed whole-heartedly. But, before I could continue, the Katheren in the... vision... I guess I could call it that... interrupted me. 
"Mom, are you sure that you guys are okay with me going? I mean what will you guys eat?" she added with a smile. 
"Its fine honey," her dad answered. "Just go, we'll be fine." Then suddenly, Katheren doubled over and grabbed her stomach. "Kates are you alright?" he panicked as he ran over and grabbed her shoulders to keep her from falling over. 
"I-I'm fine, I just had a-a dizzy spell." She muttered standing erect again. "Are you guys sure that you'll be fine?" 
"We should be asking you that." 
Then a car pulled up to the drive and beeped once. "I got to go, bye!" and with that, Katheren picked up her bag and ran into the car. Her parents waved until the car was out of view, then they turned and entered the house.  
"So when do you plan on telling her?" he asked her as he sat on the couch and wrapped his arms around her.  
She sighed. "I should tell her soon, but she might not even be a witch. She could take after you." 
"Or, she takes after you and our daughter is a witch, she deserves to know. You should tell her when she gets back. She needs to know so she can protect herself, it's her birth right."  
She sighed again. "Okay I will." Then suddenly, her head whipped around, "Did you hear that?"  
"No," he mumbled. 
But she stood up anyway. "Warlocks," she hissed. Then the wall burst in and the orb faded.  
My mother gasped. "You were right, but we don't know if they were actually killed or if they got away like you suggested. But none the less, you must protect her, do not let her out of your sight; teach her spells if you must." 
"But how?" I asked, "She doesn't even know that she is a witch. How would I tell her who she is?" 
"You'll find a way Daren, you always do. But be careful," she stressed. 
"I will ma." 
"Oh, and Daren, don't forget, your father and I are leaving tomorrow for our trip to Hawaii."  
"Okay. Have fun at work," I smirked. 
"Ha-ha, bye." She kissed my forehead and left.  
I groaned. How would I tell Katheren what she is?

Chapter 7 
Katheren: 
I was a little mad at myself for crying in front of Daren, I didn't cry often, especially in front of others. But he didn't seem to treat me any differently after it. Well, not in a bad way at least. He spent the whole week with me; he hung with me any moment possible at school. I really started to like him, maybe like was the right word.  
"You like him," my friend, Sabrina, accused me during Social Studies. I blushed but didn't say anything. Was I that obvious? "You do!" she whispered loudly. 
"Shhh, I don't want everyone to hear," I said quickly under my breath. So, she switched to writing a note and then passing it to me. 
So you do like him! I knew it; you would have to with the way he looks at you! 
What do you mean 'how he looks at me'? I wrote and then proceeded to shove the paper at me.  
She thought for a bit before she started writing. Well he looks at you- well mostly when you aren't looking at him- like he is completely enthralled by everything that you do. 
I started at the paper, not getting it. So you're saying that he-I struggled to comprehend what she meant- likes me? 
Obviously, he is totally head over heels for you girl, everyone but you can see it. 
I smiled like an idiot, I like this much more than I should. The bell rang then, bringing me back to earth. "Are you sure?" I asked her. 
"Yeah Kate, pretty sure." 
The conversation ended quickly when we saw Daren waiting outside to take me to our last class, English. "What is Sabrina sure about?" he asked as she headed in the opposite direction.  
"That she won't be able to hang out this weekend." 
"Oh, speaking of this weekend. My parents are gone for the month and I was wondering if you wanted to keep me company."  
"Hmmm, sure. Where do you live?" I asked as we entered the classroom. 
"Only two blocks away from your house, I can give you a ride if you want." 
"Sure, sounds great."  
"Awesome." He smiled widely as he sat next to me. I quickly texted my aunt, telling her that I didn't need a ride home, before class started.  
I was distracted the whole lesson. So what if he did like me? Did that really matter? Yeah, I thought, it did, a lot. 
But what if he was just being really nice, if Sabrina was way off? I cursed at this part of my mind that wanted to dwell on the negative. But what if- my thought was cut off by the final bell. 
"Well that was interesting," Daren said sarcastically.  
"Hmm?" 
"You didn't even hear a word of that horrid lecture did you?" he asked. 
"What lecture?" I asked innocently. Then we both burst into laughter. 
"Nice, you are such a good student." I hit his shoulder playfully at his teasing. "Hey, get your stuff and meet me at the front doors." 
"Okay." The second I got to my locker on the other side of the school, Sabrina came bounding up to me.  
"Spill." That was all she said. 
"Huh, where?" I looked at my clothes and found no spot.  
She rolled her eyes. "I meant spill as in talk, tell me, spill all of the details, duh." 
I smirked. "Oh, I know, your reaction was funny though. And what do you want to know?" I asked as I got my stuff ready to take home. 
"Daren."  
I waited for her continue. She didn't. "What about him?" 
"He asked you over to his house on a Friday night? This is major why didn't you tell me?" she squeaked. 
"How did you find out, he asked me less then an hour ago and we were in class most of that? And why is it major?" 
"To answer your first question: I have my ways. And why is it major?!? One, Daren doesn't date, two, no one has ever been over to his house, and three, you are going over to a guy's house when their parents are gone! That is big!" 
"Ew," I groaned, "we wouldn't do that and he's just a friend." 
"Now," she stressed, "he's 'just' a friend. Next Monday, he won't be just a 'friend'..." 
I blushed. "Sorry, Sabrina, I got to go." I really didn't want to talk about this with so many people around. "Bye." 
She gave me a knowing smile. "Mhm, have fun," she laughed. "I'll call you later." 
Damn, I was regretting giving her my number. But she was a good friend, just annoying at times. 
"Hey Kates, lost in that mind of yours again?" Daren teased me as I almost past him as I got to the front door of the school.  
I smiled, "Always." Then I flushed, thinking about what Sabrina said.
Daren: 
"Always," she said with a blinding smile. Wow, I didn't think that a simple smile could leave me breathless. Then for some unfathomable reason, she blushed. 
I planned on telling her after we got to my house, but I wasn't sure how she would take it. Just call me crazy, deny it, run, cry? I had no clue what to expect. I wasn't sure how to do it either, tell her or show her?  
Well, this was going to be interesting in the least.  
Her reaction to me house was priceless. My dad was a doctor so we had extra money. It was similar to Katheren's aunt's house, but ours was much bigger and a light brown color. But they both had the wrap around porches and the balconies.  
"That's were you live?" she gasped. Yes, that was very funny. 
"Yeah, but you're the first one from school to see it. I really don't want everyone to think that I am some spoiled rich kid..." I trailed off and got out to open her door for her. She blushed. She looked so hot when she blushed- I shook my head on got back on save thought paths.
Katheren: 
I blushed when he opened my door for me, guys didn't normally do that. It was so sweet.  
"Want to actually see the inside?" Daren asked with a smirk when I wouldn't move. 
"Hmmm, no, let's just sit outside until we get snowed on." 
"Come on," he said and grabbed my hand. Then, much like the first day, I got a shock when he touched my hand. If he felt it, he ignored it- and my little jump- and proceeded to drag me to the house.  
When we entered, I balked. "Wow, you're loaded." When I saw him look down, embarrassed, I realized that I had said that out loud. "Oh, sorry, I just meant that it's so big." The inside looked almost like a mansion. It was so open, well this floor was, you could easily see the kitchen and the dining room from the living room. In the living room there were two couches and the biggest TV that I have ever seen. 
He laughed a little bit. "Not what you were expecting, huh?" 
"Uh, no, not by a long shot." 
"Want to see my room?"  
"Sure." He seemed a little hesitant to grab my hand this time, but he grabbed it and pulled me upstairs with him.  
His room was about the size as mine, but had a bigger bed and the walls were white instead of light blue. He also had a balcony; I saw that almost ran to the door. His room overlooked the city; you could see the office buildings and the houses start to light up as twilight set in.  
I didn't hear him come up behind me but suddenly his voice spoke in my ear. "One for the views, are we?" I gasped and whirled to face him. He laughed. 
"Can you stop sneaking up on me, that's twice now," I complained. 
"Nope." 
"And for your question, I just like landscape. It's so pretty. My mom used to be and artist so she painted the most imaginative pictures. I had always thought that the landscapes were the prettiest." This was the first time that I could talk about her without breaking down. 
He thought about this for a moment. "Hmmm, I guess you do have a point." 
I laughed. Then I saw something below us. "Let's go swimming!" 
"Swimming?" 
"Yes, swimming," I said, then frowned as I thought of something. "I don't have a suit." 
"You could barrow one of my sister's old one's. She went of to collage last year, but she leaves some clothes here for when she visits." 
"Awesome!" He went into the room next to him and grabbed a white two piece for me to put on, then went back to his room to change himself. 
He was done before I was. When I headed downstairs, he was waiting by the edge of the pool. Since he didn't show any indication that he knew I was here, I decided to play a little prank on him. I snuck up behind him as quietly as I could, but when I tried to push him, he suddenly wasn't there. And since I had prepared to use most of my strength to push him into the pool, I was off balance and fell in.  
When I came back up from the war water, he was laughing. "Daren!" 
"What?" 
"That was mean!"  
"How was that mean?" he asked innocently. "You were about to push me in, all I did was simply side step."  
"Ugh," I groaned. Then I smirked and grabbed his ankle to pull him in. He wasn't ready for this, so he fell into the pool with me. "Ha!" I said. Then we were both laughing. 
We ended up staying in the pool for a half an hour before we got tried and got back out. I huddled in my warm towel; the outside air was cold compared to the warm pool. "Come on, let's go change. I-I want to tell you something." For some reason, he wouldn't look at me. But I shrugged it off.  
When I was back in my normal clothes, I went back into his room and sat next to him on his bed. "There is something that we have in common that you don't know about," he said, looking at the floor the whole time. 
"What? I don't understand." 
"Please, just listen, this is important. I'm-I'm." He took a deep breath and tried again. "I'm a witch," he whispered. 
"Um, please say that again. It almost sounded like you said witch." 
Then he looked up. I didn't know why, but his eyes were afraid. "I did." 
I laughed, it was semi-hysterical. "That's not possible. You- you're just-just crazy." I sat getting off the bed. 
He grabbed my wrist to stop me. "Wait. Look at the door, just look at it." I did, the door was half way open. But then he mumbled, "Bouger," and flicked his wrist toward the door. The door swung all the way open. I stared in shock.  
Then when the initial shock passed, I felt emotion again.
 
 
Chapter 8 
Katheren: 
Or... maybe not...I was still numb. I let him pull me back down onto the bed.
Daren: 
I lightly tugged on her wrist and she fell back onto my bed. "Katheren," I whispered, using her full name instead of the nickname that I usually call her, "Are you alright?" I know it was a stupid question, but I asked it anyway. 
"A witch?" she asked with a difficultly. 
"Yeah," I mumbled, not looking at her. I was absolutely terrified that she would run from me and never come back, I didn't understand it.  
"How does that work?" he voice was strangely distant.  
"It depends on their aura. The stronger the aura, the more powerful they are. Everybody has an aura, but most people's aura consists of multiple colors. Witches- and warlocks- only have a single color aura, which is how they get their magic, from their aura. Aura is invisible, but some witches have the ability to see it. I can. 
"My aura is a dark blue. For some reason, blue auras are the most powerful, light blue is the most powerful of all. Then comes green, purple, red, pink, yellow, then the least powerful is white. The most powerful color of aura for a warlock is black, then their least powerful is brown. There are many different colors that can be seen but the shades don't entirely matter." 
During my whole speech, Katheren was silent and staring at the wall in front of her. "But just having a solid color aura, doesn't mean that the person can use magic at any time. First, they must be able to control their aura, then be able to focus it- usually through the use of words," I continued.  
She shook her head suddenly. "You said before that 'We had something in common that I don't know about'. What did you mean by that? I am confused." 
"I didn't tell you all of this for nothing," I told her. "I believe that you are a witch..." 
"What?" she shrieked in denial, which caused me to look up at her, surprised. 
"I said that you are a witch," I whispered. "That necklace, your mothers, it doubles as a protection charm, she was a witch, that makes you one also. I can't see your aura, so this is what I have to go off of." 
"If you can't see my aura, then you might be wrong! I can't be a witch! I am not!" She was shaking her head and edging away from me. I tried to grab her again, I couldn't allow her to leave, she could get herself hurt, especially if people are after her. "Ha-have you ever used magic on me?" 
"Yes-" but before she allowed me to explain it was because she almost had a panic attack, she was screeching at me. 
"How dare you?! Never use magic on me again!" 
"I wouldn't-" 
"Never again! I want you to leave me alone!"  
"But I-" 
She ran towards my door, but before she left, she turned to say one last thing to me. "I bet you used your magic on me to make me like you-even love you, I was just part of your twisted game! But you will never control me again, never!" Then she ran out of my room and down the stairs.  
I had heard the door slam, but I couldn't move. She loved me?! Me? I felt my heart squeeze, I realized why she meant so much to me, why I had always wanted to be with her, and why what she thought of me meant so much, I loved her too. And now she was afraid of me, thought I was crazy. I wanted to scream in frustration. I had to get her to trust me again, for both her and me. I would never forgive myself if something ever happened to her; I had to keep her safe. That, and since I knew that she had loved me once, I couldn't just let her go, I would win her back.  

 
Chapter 9 
Katheren: 
'I believe that you are a witch.' 'I believe that you are a witch.' His words swirled around endlessly in my head. I stumbled through the frigid Settle night as I made my way to my aunt's house. I had known the way because we had dropped off my school stuff before we headed to Daren's house. 
Daren. His face also was in my thoughts, accompanying his words. Had he forced me to love him? Or was that all him, just him? Even though I knew he was dangerous, I wanted nothing more than to be with him right now.  
But was he really that bad, he had never done anything to harm me. And he wouldn't have used his powers to make me attracted to him; I knew that he was better than that.  
Could I be a witch? I looked down at the necklace that I always wore. Was my mother a witch? I couldn't see the charm or spell or whatever he said was on it.  
Was Daren just crazy?  
No, I knew him well enough to know that that couldn't be true.  
I was so confused. I finally got to my aunt's house. I ran up the stairs and into my room, I turned on one of the CD's that I made then fell face down into my bed. 'Twisted' by Carrie Underwood started to play and I groaned.  
Even though this wasn't the best song to get my mind off of everything that was running through my head, I started to sing. "...It's twisted, messed up," yeah that's right, "the more I think about it, it's crazy," I knew that too, "but so what? I may never understand it. I'm caught up and I'm hanging on. I gonna love you even if it's wrong..." I stopped singing abruptly and listened to the rest of the song in silence. I did love him, but that was a line that I couldn't cross. I had to stay away form him.  
Suddenly, I was crying, I didn't understand the sudden heart wrenching pain I was in. I ended up crying myself to sleep.
I woke up the next morning groggily and sleep deprived. I kept dreaming about Daren, but I could do that anymore. I had to ignore him completely. My aunt gave me a ride again today. She knew I wasn't in the best of moods, but didn't push me on it. That was one of the things that I loved about her, she gave me space when I needed it.  
When I got into math, who else was sitting on my desk but him, I groaned. "What do you want Daren?" I asked venom thick in my voice. 
He flinched slightly from my hostility. "I came to apologize" he whispered, "and to explain some things, just please hear me out." 
I ignored him and set my bag on the back of my chair. "Get off of my desk please." I didn't get to hear what he said because the bell cut him off. The lecture took all hour, so there was no time that he could try to talk to me, he tried to send me a few notes, but I just brushed them out of my way.  
"Kates!" Daren called as I almost ran away from him and towards the science building. He was making ignoring him increasingly difficult.  
"What do you want?!?" I hissed at him. 
"Will you please you talk to me, you can't ignore me forever..." 
"Wanna bet?" I said then, went back to ignoring him. Luckily, he sat on the opposite side of the room than me.  
"Okay class," Mr. Berkeley said when second hour had started. "You will be getting new sets today," he started, but when the class started to get excited, he added, "And I will picking where you sit and who you sit next to." There were disappointed murmurs and grunts from all around the room, I was one of them. 
Well, I thought, there is no chance that I would be pared up with...him. Out of the twenty-five other students in here, there is almost no chance that that would happen. "Miss Whitney," he teacher's gruff voice interrupted my thoughts, you will sit here," he indicated a seat in the second to last row, "next to... Mr. Coventry." 
Oh no! "Uh, Mr. Berkeley, could I possibly sit somewhere else?" Preferably in the opposite corner form him... 
"This is where I have assigned for you to pick, unless you have something against Mr. Coventry?"  
Crap! What could I say, 'Um, I can't sit next to him because he is some crazy person who believes that he is a witch'? I don't think so. I blushed and looked down. "No, I'll just sit there," I muttered and reluctantly went to sit by a smirking Daren. I resisted the urge to stick my tongue out at him.  
"Now that that is done with, I would like one person to grab one of everything form the back and bring it to your table. We will be doing a Titration lab. You will be following the packet that I am handing out." 
Could this day get any worse? "Oh, and I want to hear talking, you will need to work together to get this done," Mr. Berkeley continued. Oh, never mind, it just did.  
I took the volume of the liquid in the beaker and wrote it down, completely ignoring Daren. "You're going to have to talk to me sometime, it's not like you can do the lab all by yourself."  
You wanna bet, I taunted again, this time in my head. Science was my best subject, I could handle this simple chemistry lab, well, to me it was simple.  
I was halfway through the lab when Daren put his hand on mine. "Please, hear me out, I beg you."  
I had to hide the smirk I felt coming on at his whining. His hand was affecting my thought process, so I used my other hand to peel it off of me and set it on his side of the table. He was quiet while I worked on the rest of the lab, but helped out when I needed him to do something trivial or once when I did my math wrong. 
We- mostly me- finished and the rest of the class was still working and Mr. Berkeley was sitting at his desk reading. Great teacher, I thought sarcastically.  
I took out the book that I was trying to write. "Katheren," Daren whispered, "I need to talk to you." There was an undercurrent to his whisper; it sounded almost like... desperation? His hand was on mine again, stopping my writing. 
I turned to look at him for the first time this whole period, his eyes were hurt. "What?" I asked, I just wanted him to leave me alone so it wouldn't make ignoring him a thousand times harder then it was.  
"First of all, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you or anger you or whatever made you run." His voice was heart-broken, it caused me to flinch. "I promise I won't hurt you, I never have. The only time that I have ever used-" he paused for a second, probably stopping himself from saying magic in a classroom full if people, "-that on you, was to stop you from having a panic attack, it was temporary." 
"Why won't you leave me alone?" I asked him. 
He laughed, still in a whisper. "Because Kates, I..." he trailed of. "Now's not the time." I didn't understand why he was blushing. "So do you- can you forgive me?" 
"I'll think about it," I breathed. He was quiet for the rest of the class, letting me think.  
Should I trust him? That thought was my most common one. When I thought about it, the reason that I had been so scared of him was that I thought that he had used magic to control me. But he hadn't, it was to help me. But that doesn't mean that he could still be dangerous. 
My mind continued in this endless circle for my next three classes until lunch. I was on the way to the lunch room when a hand clamped on my shoulder. I knew who it was before I turned around. "Yes Daren?" I said without turning around. 
"Would you like to go to lunch with me?" I hesitated, so he added, "We won't be late for seventh hour, don't worry." 
I sighed. I still hadn't decided to trust him or not, but an hour couldn't hurt. "Where are we going?" I asked in defeat.  
He smiled. "Well I was thinking my house; I am a very good cook." 
I knew I was going to regret this. "Okay," and with that, I let him drag me to his car. 
The ride to his house was quiet, except for the music, which he let me turn to my country. I tried not to laugh when 'Somebody' by Reba McEntire came on. I sand only quietly with the chorus. "Maybe she's the one. Maybe he could fall in love with, somebody in the next car, somebody on the morning train, somebody in the coffee shop that you walk right by everyday,  
somebody that you look at, but never really see. Somewhere out there is somebody." 
I finished the song, a little louder. I thought that it was funny considering one of the lines was "And he wonders why he searched so long, when she was always there..."  
"You are very good at singing," Daren said as we parked at his house and headed up the rest of the drive. 
I blushed, "You're just saying that." 
He snorted. "I wish, I am so jealous, I can't sing at all and if you think that you can't sing, then I must make people's ears bleed." 
I laughed. He ended up making both salads. We talked a little about my old school and his family, but we never mentioned the 'w' word.  
"So, Kates," Daren asked as we were cleaning up, "do you think that you can forgive me?" 
"Forgive you? Yes. Trust you? Not so sure," I mumbled looking down.  
"Maybe this would change your mind," he said. I looked up at him confused. But instead of answering, he showed me what he meant. 
He grabbed my waist and gently brought me close to him. Then he kissed me. I didn't mean to kiss him back, but the second that his lips touched mine, my arms flew around his neck and I kissed him back passionately. Some part of my mind was telling me to breakaway, but my heart was telling that small part of my mind to shut the hell up. We kissed until we both had to breakaway, gasping for breath.  
"That- that was..." I didn't know exactly what that was but it was something stronger than completely, utterly amazing.  
He chuckled. "So can you trust me now?" he asked between gasps.  
I deliberated for a second, so he crashed his lips to mine again. "Okay," I said breathlessly. He was cheating and he knew it.  
"Come on, if we don't get back, we will be late, lunch is almost over," Daren said and we ran back out to his car.

Chapter 10 
Katheren: 
Since it was Friday, the teachers decided to be nice and give us a break from the constant homework. "Wanna come over to my house tonight?" Daren asked as we headed towards our lockers as the final bell rang.  
"Um," I hesitated. 
"Please," Daren bagged with the cutest expression on his face. "I-I won't do anything," he added as an after thought. 
"Uh, sure." This was an even worse idea than lunch was. "Do you want to pick me up after dinner, so like six?" 
"Hmmm, sure, see you then," he said, then headed the opposite direction to get to his locker.  
"Hey hon," my aunt greeted me a little while later as I got into the car. "You seem to be in a better mood, not as sad." 
"If you say so," I muttered. "Uh, Aunt Lyn, can I go over to a friend's house tonight?"  
"Okay. Wait, does this friend happen to be that Coventry boy, Daren?" She smirked. I blushed. Was it that obvious?! "I thought so," she continued. "Well, I am going to be working late tonight so don't do anything stupid, alright?" 
"Aw, then I have to re-plan everything," I joked. 
She laughed. She had to leave for work as soon as she dropped me off, so I was all alone. I took a shower and made dinner. I was putting my dishes when the doorbell rang. "Come in," I called from the kitchen. 
"Hey Kates, are you ready?" Daren asked me as soon as he saw me.  
"Almost. Oh, do I need to bring anything?" 
"I don't think so. Come on," he said when I finished my cleaning. 
"Okay, okay, someone's a little pushy." He just laughed. "So what's so important that we have to go to your house?" I asked and got into his car. 
"Well, one, I am bored and I want someone to hang out with, and two, I need to talk to you and I would prefer that it was at my house, because your house smells kinda funny." 
I laughed. "Okay and by the way, only girls live there so it's going to smell like girls." 
"No, you smell nice, the house smells like old ladies," he pretended to shutter. The five minute drive to his house was mostly silent after that. "Are you feeling alright?" Daren asked as we pulled up to his house. "You're looking quite a bit pale."  
I took a deep breath. "I am fine, just... thinking." 
"About what?" 
"Well, is there a way to prove that I am a witch even though you can't see my aura?" 
"Hmmm, there is, but you'll need to help me." 
"Okay," I said, not sure that I should have voiced my inquiry out loud. 
"But if I do this, promise me one thing, that no matter what, you won't run away from me." 
I gulped. "Why would I run? Would something bad happen if I did?" 
"I don't know, but the last time that you ran from me, scared of me was... painful." His voice broke on the last word. 
I smiled ruefully. "I'm sorry." 
"Just promise me you won't do it again." 
I hesitate, but when I saw how hurt he looked, I was sure I wouldn't. "I won't. I promise you that I won't run away tonight during whatever you have planned." 
He breathed a sigh of relief, then got out of the car and opened my door for me.
Daren: 
I felt so much better now; she wasn't going to leave me again. We headed into the living room and Katheren sat on one of the couches. "Wait here," I told her then went up the stairs to get our 'livre de sorts' and five candles. 
"What's that?" she asked, taking the musty book form my hands. 
"My family's 'livre de sorts'." 
"'Spell book'?" 
"Oh, so I see that someone knows French. My family uses French to control our aura, so anything with a magical purpose, we name it in French." 
"Pourquoi?" Why? 
I chuckled, she was showing off. "Because older languages hold more power, I am not sure why, but the older languages make spells easier for us to control our spells so more of our spells work. Latin is one of the best, but since so little people know it, it's not that common."  
"Oh, I see. So maybe that's why my mom used French so much around the house when I was little, she had always said that it was because we were part French, but it being her 'magical language' makes more sense," she said, but she seemed to be talking to herself just as much as she was to me. "Okay then, let's get back on track, what's with the candles?"  
"All part of what I am doing." I put the candles on the floor so that when connected, they formed a pentagram. "Sit," I ordered her, pointing to the middle of the circle of lavender scented candles. 
"W-will it...hurt?" she asked biting her lip. 
Her expression made my heart ache. "Trust me," I pleaded to her. "I will never let anything hurt you," I told her seriously. "I give you my word." She debated for a second, then took a deep breath and did what I said. I beamed at her. She actually trusted me. I sat in front of her on the outside of the circle. 
"What are we doing?" Katheren asked me. 
"We are going to see what color your aura is. We are going to try to 'flare' your aura, or make it visible around you." 
"Flare?" 
"Well, I am not sure what other witches call it, but that is what I call it. It looks like you're surrounded by fire, it's very cool."  
She laughed. "You are such a typical guy, the simplest things amaze you." 
"Not all guys are like that," I told her, laughing also. 
"Up to middle school and sometimes high school, quite a few guys are like that, so I am not just being sexist." 
"I suppose that you are sort of right." 
She smirked. "Oh, I know. Now what do I do first? Any cool spell I need to say?" I could tell by the way she said cool that all this witch stuff still freaked her out a little; I mean she did only have such a short time to adjust to all of it.  
"Nope, no spells. You just need to sit there and focus." 
"Focus on what?" 
"Well," I struggled to find words that would make sense to her "focus on your energy force. That's what aura is, not your soul like most people believe but your energy. Oh, I should warn you, the more you use your aura, the more tried you will get, and it's also very dangerous to try to push yourself to hard too soon because if your aura depletes too much, you could possibly go into a coma. So please, please don't do anything unless I am with you, okay?" 
She nodded her head, looking frightened again. "I-I am a little scared," she admitted. 
"Don't be," I told her and leaned forward to give her a peck on the lips. I felt a jolt as I did that, but I ignored it. Her eyes widened and she nodded weakly, bemused. I smiled at her, and then grew serious. "Now close your eyes and picture energy running through you, around you. I know this is going to sound cheesy, but imagine yourself as energy, and then will yourself to see it." 
I lit the candles around her, they have much of a purpose, they were just supposed to help her relax. 
I waited, and watched her, nothing happened. After about five minutes, I decided to try something else. 
But then I saw it, her aura spreading over her skin, it started from her heart and then, seconds later, her body was completely bathed in her aura. I stared at her face- you could still see her just fine, but it looked like she was immersed in a colored haze- and wondered if I should say or if she already knew what she was doing. 
Then I registered what color it was and gasped.

Chapter 11 
Katheren: 
I opened my eyes when I heard Daren gasp. Had I done something wrong? What happened? I started to panic.  
But when I looked at his face, I didn't see worry, I saw awe. "What is it?" 
He just looked at me for a second before answering. "You have a sky blue aura, look." He pointed at my hands that were resting on my lap. 
Even though I could see just fine, my whole body was glowing a light blue color. I lifted my hand and the cloud of color moved along with it. I laughed a startled laugh. It did look kind of like fire and it was cool.  
Then I decided to try something. I closed my eyes and pictured a ball of my aura in my right hand. When I opened my eyes, I was back to normal... except for my right hand. "What does this mean?" I asked Daren in awe. When he didn't answer, I looked up. "Daren!" 
"Oh, sorry. Um, it means- you know what I said the other day? You have a light blue one, the most powerful. It also seems like you have very good focus?" he asked, referring to how I was making my sky colored ball into random shapes. 
I smirked. "Jealous?" But the second I that I focused on him, it disappeared. "Damn," I muttered, disappointed. 
He laughed. "Well I was, but it seems that you lost it." Then he thought for a moment. "I am very pleased that by just looking at me you lost your focus, I shouldn't be, but I am. But, I am probably just flattering myself, that must have been very hard for you." 
"Nope, it actually wasn't. After I got it work, I didn't really need to think about it that hard, just to be aware of it." 
He smiled even larger. "So looking at me...?" 
"...Caused me to lose all of my concentration. Every time I look at you, everything that I am thinking about just-" I made a fluttering movement with my hands, "-flies out of my head." 
"Really?" He sounded very pleased about this? 
"Mhm." 
"Come here, I-I want to do something," he whispered. Daren pulled me off the floor and on to the couch; I had almost forgotten that we were still in his living room.  
When I sat down, he wrapped his arms around my waist and moved closer to me. He did this slowly, as if he wasn't sure how I would react, if he thought I would push him away. I gently draped my arms around his neck; he smiled, and then bent down to kiss me. I kissed him back.  
The kiss went from something sweet and gentle, to full of passion. His arms tightened around my waist as I pulled myself closer to him. 
Some part of my mind was wondering why it felt like I needed him so much, that it felt like it would cause me pain not to be with him, to touch him like this. I didn't understand it, but at the moment, all I could think about was his lips on mine. 
I was getting dizzy and I didn't know why. Then it came to me, oh, I wasn't breathing. I broke away from him with a gasp. 
He leaned his forehead against mine, also breathing heavily. "Before," he got out between breaths, "when you said that you loved me- well you actually said that you thought I had forced you too- did you truly mean it? Does it still apply?" 
I blushed. "Yes." 
"Yes to what?" 
"Both," I told him, blushing even deeper.  
He smiled. "Good." 
"Good?" I asked him, confused. 
"Well Kates," Daren said, "it's good because I-I-" He didn't finish. 
"You what?" I prompted. 
"L-love you, Katheren Whitney." 
"Aww," I didn't mean to say that out loud. But it slipped. Then I thought about the first time that I 'told' him; it wasn't the best memory. "I love you too, Daren Coventry." 
He beamed at me and kissed me again. Then, for a while, I just leaned against him, it was bliss. "So what does it mean, being a witch?" 
I felt his soft chuckle through my back. "Whatever you want it want it to. Just because you are a witch, it doesn't mean that you have to do spells or anything. The only thing that you would need to know is a few protection spells." 
My eyebrows scrunched together in confusion. "Why would I need to know those?" 
"Warlocks." He didn't continue until he saw that my expression hadn't changed. "Some warlocks can sense witches and if they sense you, they might try to kill you, and with how strong of a life force (that's another name for aura) is... it's a sure thing." 
I gulped. Oh, god. 
He must have felt me tense up because he held me tighter and rested his chin on my head. "Don't worry; I will never let anyone hurt you. I just want you to learn the spells just in case." 
I took a deep breath. "Okay. What are the spells?" I asked him, pleased that my voice didn't waver. 
Daren spent the next few hours teaching me spells. One that I learned was supposed to confuse my attacker- it usually didn't work that often, but he said that I was more than powerful enough to get it to work. Another put a shield around me, protecting me from attacks, the third one I learned made me invisible, and the final one was offensive, it was supposed to knock someone out, but neither of us wanted to test that one. 
I was so tired!
Daren: 
I taught her four spells before I said that we should take a break, she nodded gratefully. I had planned on just talking to her, but her eyes fluttered close and she pitched forward. 
I ran to her and caught her before he hit the ground. "Katheren, are you alright?" I was panicking.  
She groaned something that sounded like 'let me sleep'. I blew out the breath, that I didn't know I was holding, heavily. I picked her up bridal style and carried her up to my room. I tucker her in and left the room to call her aunt- I just told her Katheren was fine but was too tired to drive home- so she wouldn't worry about her niece. 
Then walked back into my room, she looked exactly like an angel, relaxed in her sleep. And she was mine! I couldn't describe how much that meant to me, but I knew that I would never let her leave me without a fight. She was so beautiful that I just stared at her face until I started to get tired myself. 
I changed into pajama bottoms and got into bed next to her and quickly fell asleep.  

 
Chapter 12 
Katheren: 
I woke up the next morning from the best night's sleep that I had ever had, pressed up against something warm. I felt so cold that I snuggled closer to whatever it was. I felt an arm around my waist pull my closer. I turned my head slowly to look behind me and saw Daren's face, peaceful in sleep. 
I tried to slowly edge away so I wouldn't wake him up, but he refused to let me go. I was comfortable enough, well more than that, so I just decided to stay where I was. 
How did I get here? The last thing that I remember was Daren saying, "Okay Kates, I think that's good for tonight, lets take a break." Then...nothing.  
Where am I? I thought as I looked around me, oh, in Daren's room. He must have carried me upstairs after I passed out. I felt bad that he had to carry me up the stairs and down a hallway, but I could apologize for that later. My thoughts grew fuzzy and my eyes drifted close again. 
Thud! "Shit! What the hell?! Oh!" 
I groaned. "Shut up." 
"Sorry," he muttered. 
Then I recognized the voice and sat up. Daren was sitting on the ground rubbing his head. I raised one eyebrow. 
"I fell off the bed." 
I burst out laughing. "How...did...you...do...that?" I managed between giggles.  
"I wish I knew, I was extremely comfortable, them suddenly my head smacked the floor. Ow! I need a softer floor! Dammit, that hurt!" 
"Aw, I hope you feel better," I said sarcastically, and kissed his forehead. "You are such a wimp." I laughed again; his face seemed to soften at the sound. "So what are we doing today?" 
"Well," he said slowly, "we never have truly had a date... so... I was thinking..."
Daren: 
I watched Katheren's face carefully as I said date, she smiled and my heart seemed to melt. "I would love to go on a date with you," she said and I beamed at her. "Where are we going?" Crap! I hadn't thought of that yet. 
I smirked. "It's a surprise," I lied; I was quite good at that. 
She pouted. "But I want to know, please!" She exaggerated the last word and turned the full force of her jade eyes on me. 
It was very hard saying no, even though I hadn't a clue where we were going. "You'll know...when we get there." She stuck her eyes out her tongue at me and I laughed. "Come on," I said, "I'll take you home so you can change. Stay right here." I disappeared into my closet and changed into nicer jeans a tee, and a sweatshirt, it would be acceptable where ever-hopefully- we went. 
When I came back into my room, she was sitting on my bed with her purse, reading a book. Romeo and Juliet again. "Don't you think that depressing? I mean they both commit suicide." 
She looked up, a little startled; she never heard me come in, ever. "A little bit. But I like it because in just three days, they had a love so strong that they couldn't live without the other." 
I thought about that for an instant. "Well I think they are both idiots, if I died, I wouldn't want my wife to kill herself to be with me, I would want her to move on, not to give up." 
"Hmmm, very profound," Katheren said with a thoughtful expression, then put her book away and just looked at me. I could tell that she was still annoyed that I didn't tell her. I motioned towards the door, she still didn't move, so I lightly grabbed her wrist and tugged slightly, I first I thought she wouldn't move, but she responded to my touch instantly. Her willingness to move to my touch brought her so she was standing only inches away from me. 
I couldn't resist. I wrapped my arms around her waist and kissed her. She kissed me back almost instantaneously.  
I smirked again. "I love you Kates," I whispered, not hesitant now. 
She smiled the sweetest smile at me. "I love you too Daren." Then I held her hand as I lead her to my car.
Katheren: 
When we got to his car, I tried to get him to tell me where we were going, he never broke. 
"Crap," I muttered as we got onto my street. "I never called my aunt last night, she must be worried sick." 
"Don't worry; I called her for you last night when you passed out. You scared me the shit out of me by the way; I thought that you had gone into a coma. I realize now that you were strong enough for all the spells we did and probably more, but I was still freaking out." 
I smiled ruefully. "Sorry." 
We stopped at my house and he glanced at my with his neon blue eyes- which, I had learned later, was the same color as his aura, both a darker blue. "You're almost forgiven." I kissed him quickly but still passionately. "Okay, you're completely forgiven." 
I laughed and got out of the warm car. "Aunt Lyn?" I called as I entered the house. 
"Here hon," She said, her head peaking out form the kitchen doorway. "Were you alright last night? What did you two do to make yourselves so tired?" 
Crap! What do I tell her?! 
"I was giving her dancing lessons actually," Daren lied casually. 
Her eyebrows knitted together in confusion and she looked intently at me. "But you hate dancing hon," she said suspiciously. 
Daren laughed and my aunt focused on him again. "She sure doesn't let you forget it, every song she was complaining." He was very good at lying, that is exactly what I would have done. 
"Why were you teaching her how to dance?" 
"I am taking her to the school dance two weeks from now." 
"Why didn't you tell me hon?" Lyn gushed. 
"I didn't know about it until yesterday." I hoped that she would believe me. 
"Well tonight, I am taking you out to get a dress. I have a little bit of work to catch up on today; I'll be in the study if you need me. 
"Actually," Daren interjected, "I was planning on taking her out today if that's alright with you." 
"Okay, tomorrow then. Have fun on your date," she called working her way towards her library. 
"Nice excuse," I complemented him as we headed up the starts to my room so I could change. 
He smirked. "It wasn't an excuse." 
I stopped dead in the hallway. My eyes widened and I could feel the blood leaving my face. "What?!" 
He smiled timidly. "I am taking you to the dance." 
It's not that I was clumsy, I was actually relatively graceful. But dancing, I lost any idea of poise that I could have previously gained; I usually ended up with multiple icepacks. "Are you trying to kill me?" I hissed at him. 
"You'll be fine; I won't let anything happen to you." 
Yeah, that's what he thought now... "I-" 
"Do you want to find out where we are going?" he interrupted me, "because if you do, we need to get going soon, so you need to get dressed." 
I groaned in frustration. "This conversation isn't over," I told him and close my door on him to get ready for our date. That was going to be interesting.
Daren: 
"This conversation isn't over," she practically growled at me and shut the door to her room, leaving me standing dumfounded in the hall. 
Why is she so upset? 
Well this is going great! I thought sarcastically, I still have no clue where to take her for our date and asking- well, not exactly asking- her to the dance didn't go over well. Great, just great! 
I closed my eyes and sank to the floor. I had at least five minutes to find a way out of this mess, or even better, fix it. Where was I going to take her?! My head fell into my hands. I was so screwed...
 
 
Chapter 13 
Katheren: 
I felt bad for yelling (well whisper-yelling) at Daren, but I truly hated dances. The only time that I had ever enjoyed it was when I used to dance with my dad. My friends had always made me go to dances with them but it was never the same; with them it was torture, with him it was...different, exciting. I had promised to never dance again after my dad had died. Now I knew that Daren was going to ask me to, how could I tell him that?  
I couldn't. 
I could feel the tears coming- from thinking of my dad- so I decided a shower would be helpful. I went quick, knowing that Daren was waiting, or at least tried to go fast. I dried my hair and attempted to curl my hair; I thought it turned out well. 
I put on makeup next. I started with eyeliner, then eye shadow, and a thick layer of mascara. Lastly, I decided to add a little blush. 
I padded into my room barefoot and still wrapped in my towel. I need something amazing to wear, I thought as I entered my closet. I cursed. 
I had nothing to wear! At least not for a date. Damn! 
Then I noticed a something shiny in the corner. It was a present from my grandparents that I had never bothered to open. Well, might as well. It was a square box wrapped in that silvery-rainbow wrapping paper with an electric blue bow on it. 
The bow made me think of Daren's eyes... Crap! He was still waiting for me. I ran to it, slid the bow carefully off, and ripped the paper. I almost shrieked, it was perfect.  
Well, not exactly perfect, but way better than anything else I had. The dress was a light beige color that went down just past my knees and across the middle was a dark brown bow. There were also a few ruffles on the bottom. I slipped it over my head and put on a pair of ballet flats. 
Getting ready had only taken me about ten minutes. When I left my room, Daren wasn't where I'd thought he'd be. Did he leave? 
I froze at the top of the stairs. All of a sudden I felt sick, he le- 
My mental freak-out broke off when I heard a noise from downstairs.
Daren: 
It had taken me a few minutes but I had finally figured out where to go. I waited a little longer, but Katheren still wasn't ready and the floor was really starting to get uncomfortable. 
I got up and headed back down the stairs and into Kates' living room. There was a small bookcase- honestly, how many books did they have? Thousands? - and started to browse through them. One looked interesting, so I picked it up and read the back. 
I stopped when I heard foot steps upstairs. I looked up... and the book fell though my fingers.
Katheren: 
My head whipped around towards the noise and saw Daren was staring at me. 
His eyes were practically bulging out of his head and there was a book at his feet. He blinked, ran his hand through his golden hair, and picked up the book- without taking his eyes off of me.  
I was standing next to him in the next moment, his eyes were still wide. I tried not to smirk. "Where are we going?" I asked him pleasantly. 
"You'll see," he nearly stuttered. I took his hand and lead him to his car; he didn't seem too inclined to move. 
Then I realized something and laughed. "What?" he asked utterly confused. 
"This is like the opposite of this morning; then you were dragging me to your car, now I am directing you."  
Daren laughed with me. "I guess that is quite funny." He opened my door for my and got into the driver's seat. 
"It's so beautiful," I murmured as we drove by the ocean. 
Daren smiled smugly. "I was hoping you would feel that way." 
"Why?"I inquired. But he didn't answer me, he just parked. "Really?" I asked, astonished. He nodded and I jumped out of the car and sprinted towards the beach. 
I heard Daren chuckle in amusement as I flashed towards the water. When I was a few feet away form the water, I stopped to take off my shoes and went calf-deep into the Pacific Ocean. The water was frigid but not unbearable. 
"Isn't that a little cold?" Daren teased me from the beach, "I mean it is winter." 
"But a warm winter," I corrected him, "you said so yourself." 
He shrugged. "Still..." 
"I like it," I said firmly. "I love the water; it's so relaxing, so beautiful..." I trailed off and watched the sun play on the water's surface. 
"Hmmm, I agree, but the ocean isn't the only stunning thing I see at the moment," Daren murmured after a short silence.
Daren: 
"I like it," Katheren told me, "I love the water; it's so relaxing, so beautiful."  
I stared at her silhouette, the sun was low enough- almost setting- that it was sitting behind her. I couldn't see her features very well, but she still took my breath away, with the halo of light surrounding her. She could put an angel to shame. 
"Hmmm, I agree, but the ocean isn't the only stunning thing I see at the moment," I whispered loud enough for her to hear. 
She turned so she was facing me; I still wasn't able to see her face clearly. She must have heard something in my voice or seen something in my expression because she walked out of the water and kissed me. I kissed her back until I didn't have any breath left, we both broke apart at the same time. "I finally get it," I whispered. 
"Get what?" 
"Well there is this song that my mom would play it all the time and she would always say that it was her favorite song and that it was so deep, but I never got it until now." 
"What song?" 
"Well, it's..." I racked my brain for the name of the song, Katheren listed to this kind of music but I only did when I was with her or my mom. "'Unbelievable' by Josh, uh-" 
"Gracin," she finished for me. "How does it go? I don't think that I have heard it before." 
"Uh, I only remember bits and pieces of it, but this is what I do remember ... 'Got your breath on my skin and the taste of your kiss. Every inch and every curve. Late at night I can't believe when you lie next to me, 'cause I know this is more than I deserve. Undeniable, so incredible, simply wonderful. You're beautiful. Unmistakable, the way you make me feel, unbelievable.' I finally understand why my mom likes that song, what the artist means." 
My hands were resting on her checks, suddenly, I felt a wetness seep through my fingers. 
She was crying. 
Before I could freak-out too much, Katheren whispered, "That's so sweet," and kissed me on the check. "Thanks you." 
I smiled softly. "For what? I didn't do anything; I just sang a song that reminded me of you-" 
"That's what I am thanking you for." When she kissed me this time, it was on the lips. 
This kiss lasted just a few seconds before she broke away in surprise. 
"What?" 
"Not now!" she whined and looked up to scowl at the sky and a rain drop fell on her face, "Ugh!" 
Then it started to down poor. "Repousser," I muttered. Repel. She grabbed her shoes, and we ran to my car as rain splattered against my magical shield. We scrambled into my silver Saturn Aura and I turned on the heater. 
"Stupid rain," Katheren muttered. 
I laughed. "I thought you liked water," I teased her. 
She rolled her eyes. "Not rain," she said as if there was such an obvious difference between the two.  
I laughed again and we were quiet as we watched the sun set from my warm car. I didn't want our time together to end though. "Do you want to see I movie?"  
She thought for a moment. "Sure."
Katheren: 
Daren ended up letting me see the movie, so I decided to pick some random chic-flick to see if he would endure it with me.  
He did. 
We sat in the back corner. Since it wasn't exactly the newest movie, there were very few people here.  
I tried to watch the movie, but I think that Daren was against me actually enjoying the movie. "Daren," I hissed at him, about five minutes into the movie, "I kinda want to see what happens." Since we sat down, he kept bugging me. He would play with my hair, and my fingers, it was really hard not to smack his hand away. 
"Sorry," he whispered and wrapped his arms around me and pulled me as close to him as the arm rest between us would allow. I leaded my head on his chest and he rested his chin on my shoulder. 
He was perfectly still for about an hour, then he got restless again. 
"I will make a deal with you," I told him with a smirk.  
"What?" 
"You sit still and sincerely watch the movie, and then every time someone kisses someone else in the movie, I will kiss you for as long as they kiss on screen, maybe longer. Deal?" 
"Okay, deal, but what about when they have sex...?" 
"Don't even go there; I will beat you if you try." 
He gasped playfully. "You would never, I thought you loved me," he teased. 
"You can try it and if you wake up in the ER, it's your fault." 
"Well, I think it's-"  
I interrupted him before he could finish that sentence. "You know talking is not watching the movie..." 
"I'll shut up then," he murmured as kissed my neck. 
We watched the movie and we both kept up our ends of the bargain. Luckily nobody in the movie... well we didn't need to figure out the answer to Daren's question.  
I lifted my head off of Daren's chest as the credits started to play. He got up and held his hand out for me. "Ready to go?" 
"Yes." Do I want to go? Hell no! I took his hand and we headed back to my house. He kissed me goodnight and I headed upstairs to bed. I was exhausted, I fell asleep the second my head hit the pillow.  

Chapter 14 
Katheren: 
We were at the beach; Daren kissed me until I had to break away so I wouldn't pass out. He rested is forehead against mine and said, "Hon, wake up, come on." 
Wait, since when does Daren sound like a girl? Was this some kind of spell? A practical joke? 'Cause it really wasn't funny. Then I felt something similar to an earthquake. "Katheren, wake up or I swear I am going into you are going to get a shower." I finally recognized the voice. Aunt Lyn. 
I groaned and rolled over; hoping to find out what Daren was going to say. But a wave crashed over us before I could hear his answer. "Gah," I gasped and my hair flew into my face as I sat upright. "What the...hell... was... that for?" I got out between coughs, talking to my smirking aunt. "Why the hell did you dump water on me?" 
"One, I warned you," she said evilly, "so it's your fault and two, watch your language."  
I groaned again and looked at the clock. "What the hell? It's eight! The roosters aren't even up yet!" I know what you are thinking 'roosters?' but remember I was tired, so it wasn't the worst that I could have some up with. 
"Well I have to work the night shift for the next week so I won't be home until after you leave for school the next day, so this is the only time we can go, and we need to leave now." 
"Leave where?" I asked in exasperation. I was tired, annoyed, and wet.  
Aunt Lyn smirked again. What did I do to deserve this torture?! "Can I at least bring a friend?" Please, please, please! 
"Sure. But it can't be Daren; the guy can't see the dress before the actual date." 
I frowned. "I thought that was for weddings." 
"Same thing," she said dismissively.  
"Uh, no. Actually-" 
"Explain later, you need to get dressed." 
I sighed. So Daren couldn't be with me, damn. I reached over and pulled my cell off of the charger. Who could I take with me? The answer came suddenly and without warning, Sabrina. I scrolled down to her number and hit send. 
She didn't answer right away, so I got up and started to rummage through my clothes. "What?" I heard someone groan after a few rings. 
"Bri! My aunt wants to torture me, are you in?" 
"Torture you how?" She was more awake now and more speculative.  
"Dress sh-" 
"Oh my god!" she shrieked, not letting my finish. "I'll be over in thirty minutes, don't you DARE leave without me!" 
"Wouldn't dream of it," I mumbled to the dial tone. I took my semi-wet sheets off my bed, - I am still pissed at Lyn for that- laid them out to dry, and headed into the bathroom to get ready to go dress shopping. 
The door rang a half an hour later while I was just finishing my breakfast. "Come in," I yelled in the general direction of the door. "By the way, you never asked who I am going with." 
"That's 'cause I knew it is Daren." 
"Who are you going with?" 
"One- or maybe more- of about fifteen guys, I haven't figured out who I want to go with yet." 
"Wow." Sabrina was extremely pretty; it was not surprise that so many guys had asked her, but not only was she pretty, but she was also insanely nice. 
My aunt entered the kitchen then and I tried not to let out a surprise laugh. Sabrina looked more like my aunt then I did. They both that the same shoulder length copper colored hair and were almost the same height, my friend was taller though. But Bri had caramel colored eyes while my aunt's were a pretty shade of hazel.  
"Are you ready to go girls?" 
"Sure Ms. Whitney," Bri said pulling me towards the door. 
My aunt laughed. "Call me Lyn," she said and followed us. 
 
We had gone to about seventeen stores and had seen millions of dresses before they- by they, I mean Lyn and Bri, I did nothing but say 'Mhm' and 'are we done yet'- had finally decided an a dress for me and another one for Sabrina. Luckily it didn't take them too long to find shoes and accessories. 
"...We call them fools, who have to dance within the flame, who chance the sorrow and the shame that always comes with getting burned. But you've got to be tough when consumed by desire, 'cause it's not enough just to stand outside the fire. We call them strong, those who can face this world alone, who seem to get by on their own, those who will never take the fall. We call them weak, who are unable to resist, the slightest chance love might exist and for that forsake it all. They're so hell bent on giving, walking a wire, convinced it's not living if you stand outside the fire-" 
"What the hell kind of music is that?" Sabrina teased, interrupting my singing. 
"Country, Bri," I said, pretending to be offended. "That's just an old song; Garth Brooks is a little older-"  
"Well let me educate your taste in music." Bri said then leaned forward from all the way in the back to change the station.  
I listened, the song wasn't what I usually listened to, but I liked it. "What's the name of the song?" 
"'Good Girls Go Bad' by Cobra Starship." 
"Hmmm," I listened some more, the song was really predictable, so I sang the chorus while Bri sang the whole song. "...She was so shy till I drove her wild. I make them good girls go bad. I make them good girls go bad. I was hanging in the corner with my five best friends, I heard that you were trouble, but I couldn't resist. I make them good girls go bad. I make them good girls go..." We laughed as we finished the rest of the song. "I'll admit," I said," that was good, but I still like country better." 
"Don't worry," Bri laughed, "I still have time to covert you." 
"Don't hold your breath." 
When got back to my house, Sabrina had to leave, so we said our goodbyes and I went into the house to do my homework. I had just finished the phone rang. I sprinted over to the phone, hoping it was Daren. "Hello?" I answered, breathless.  
A female voice that I didn't recognize spoke into the receiver. "You'll stay away from Daren if you know what's good for you." 
I shuddered; the voice- and the threat- scared me a little. "Who-who is this?" I demanded.  
There was a malevolent sounding laugh and the line went dead.

Chapter 15 
Katheren: 
The phone call-even though I hate to admit it- freaked me out so much that I had nightmares all night. Then, the next morning when my alarm went off, I screeched and fell off of the bed. Hm, Daren was right, that hurt! 
To my day even worse, when I looked out my balcony door, I saw it was snowing. Ugh! This was going to be a very long day. 
Finally, I was ready for school, I even had extra time. I grabbed my book and just as I sat down, just then someone knocked at the door. My heart was hammering in my chest as I slowly walked over to the door to open it hesitantly. 
"Good morning Kates," Daren crooned.  
I beamed at him and opened the door all the way. "'Morning Daren," I said then leaned forward to give him a peck on the cheek, but as I was pulling away, I froze. 
You'll stay away form Daren if you know what's good for you. 
Daren grabbed my hands and twinned his fingers through mine before brushing my cheek with the back of his hand. "Is something wrong?" he asked, worried.  
I forced myself to relax, to forget about it. "No," I lied, "everything's fine." Maybe I just imagined that call last night. I mean I was tired... 
He stared at my face for a long moment. "You're lying." 
I sighed. "But you're here," I told him, thinking that telling semi-truths was much better than lying, "so I'll be fine." 
He smiled slightly. "Would you like a ride to school today? Because that was my initiative for coming over this morning."  
"Sure." My voice broke.  
"I won't let anyone hurt you," he promised looking into my eyes. God I hope he is right. 
The ride to school was mostly quiet because I was mostly asleep. I'm pretty sure that Daren would have just drove me home when he noticed this, but he didn't argue too much when I said that I wouldn't allow him just to skip because I was a little tired. "Are you sure that you are alright?" 
I groaned. "I'm fine." Daren didn't see entirely convinced, but he grabbed my hand wordlessly and led me to our first class, geometry.
Daren: 
Katheren didn't look fine. If you looked close enough, you could see that her eyes were almost bloodshot and she was pale under her slowly fading California tan. I was so aggravated that she was hiding something from me; it was eating at me so badly that I could hardly hold still.  
About halfway through Mrs. Brooks' boring monologue on statistics, Katheren raised her hand urgently. "May I go to the bathroom," she asked. 
Mrs. Brooks wasn't even able to answer before she ran out of the room. "Oh my," the older women said looking alarmed. "Could someone please go check up on her?" 
I volunteered and headed out into the hallway to look for Katheren. I went to the closest bathroom and knocked on the door. "Kates, are you in there?" 
I heard a faint groan and then something that resembled 'go away'.  
I looked at both ends of the hall, when I saw no one there; I snuck into the girl's bathroom to myself to check up on her. 
What I saw caused my throat to close. Katheren was lying on the floor of one of the stalls and the room smelt like puke. I knelt down beside her and put my hand on her forehead, unlike this morning when she was shivering, her head was burning. 
"We need to get you to the nurse." 
She groaned, "I can't move." 
I picked her up easily and carried her slowly- so I didn't rock her too much that she got sick again- to the main building. After I had dropped her of at the office, I went back to the math room to get our backpacks and went back to the nurse. She told me to take Katheren home. 
It was probably quite funny to see me carrying two book bags and a girl bridal style, but it worked. 
"Put me down, I can walk." I looked down at Katheren, her face was even paler and she had one hand clamped over her mouth, the other was clutching my shirt.  
"Not going to happen Kates," I told her. Then I realized something. Shit! How am I going to get the car door open when if I move my arms, I will drop her? Luckily, Katheren figured out my dilemma and opened the door for me and I laid her down in the backseat. 
"Don't take me home," she begged weakly. "I don't want my aunt to worry, she leaves like an hour after school ends and doesn't get home until I leave for school, so please let's just keep this on the down-low." 
I nodded and headed towards my house. Fortunately, I didn't need to worry about the backpacks now, so it took me a much shorter time to carry her in. I put her down on the couch in the living room, and then went into the kitchen to get a wet washrag and a large plastic bowl. 
I set the bowl on the floor next to her in case she couldn't reach the bathroom in time, then laid the washcloth across her forehead to get the fever down, and draped a blanket over her when I realized she was shivering. 
I sat on the floor next to her after I was sure that I had everything that she needed. I felt something warm in my hair and my eyes fluttered shut. I looked back at her. "What are you doing?" I asked her smirking. 
She tried to shrug. "Nothing." 
Some how, she looked even worse than before, she looked like she was dying. In addition to being unnaturally pale, her cheeks were also gaunt and her hand was shaking as she ran it through my hair. Then I realized something was off. Her eyes. They weren't their normal jade; they were almost all black, not all black as in a dilated pupil, but as in someone was using a spell on her. 
"Shit! Do you have your mother's necklace on?" 
"No," her feeble voice sounded confused. "It's in the front pocket of my backpack, I didn't want to wear it, but I always have it with me." 
"Stay," I told her unnecessarily then sprinted out to my car. I frantically grabbed out the crystal heart and ran back inside. I pressed it into her hand. "Put it on. Now." 
The second that it was clasped around her neck, the silver chain- well actually it was the protection spell within the necklace- started to glow green. Katheren looked better almost instantly. She looked less dead and more like someone who was terminally sick, the spell was activated too late, it wasn't going to be enough. If I didn't do something very soon, she would be killed. 
I went into the dinning room, got our 'livre de sorts' and sat down in front of the couch. She looked back at me worriedly, but thankfully she was still conscious. "Trust me," I said and the clouds in her eyes cleared. I flipped through the worn pages as fast as I possibly could before I found what I was looking for- a counter spell. 
I bit my lip, it was more complicated than any of the spells that I had done in front of Katheren before. Those were all one word spells, this spell was one page.  
But it had to be done. I took a deep breath and started chanting in French. When I was done, I looked up to see her eyes closed and it didn't look like she was breathing. 
No! Please no! This can't be happening!  

 
Chapter 16 
Katheren: 
"Katheren, no," I heard someone sob. It was weird, here, encased in a soft golden light, everything was peaceful, so warm, the cry was so full of anguish, it shocked me. "No, you can't leave no, no! I love you, don't- don't leave me." 
What was wrong? Who was that person? Why were they in so much pain? 
"Kates, please!" Oh, it was Daren. But what was wrong? All I could see was a gold light, but the more I focused on his face, the more the light faded. 
Finally, I was able to open my eyes. Daren had his arms around me and his face was hidden in my chest. I felt something tear inside me to see him like that. I tired to speak, but it didn't work so I put my hand over his. His hand flipped over to grab mine roughly. When he spoke, it was muffled. "Why did you leave me?" His voice broke on the last word. 
I opened my mouth but nothing came out, I cleared my throat and tried again. "I didn't try. What happened?" 
"What happened was a warlock attacked you and I couldn't save you, it's my fault you're dead." 
Dead? I'm not dead; at least I didn't feel dead. Wait, he still thinks that I am dead! "If I am dead, then how am I talking to you?" I said gently. 
"Because my subconscious wants to torture me even more-" 
"Daren, look at me." 
"No!" His voice broke again. "I won't be able to bear seeing you like that." 
"Daren. Look. At. Me." 
Slowly, reluctantly, he lifted his face to look into my eyes. "Katheren!" His face was glowing; it almost looked like he was going to start crying again. But then he frowned, "Am I dreaming or crazy or something?" 
"Hmm, not sure, you tell me," I murmured then bent down to kiss him. I gasped and he leaned away, alarmed. "I'm f-" 
"Do not say 'fine', the last tie that you said that, I was seconds away from losing you." 
"Then I'm alright. Just really...sore? I guess that would describe it," I said, then groaned, something was really annoying me.  
"What?" 
"Calm down. It's just really aggravating to look down at you to talk to you went I am used to looking up at you. Come sit up here." I slowly sat up into a sitting position- I was a little dizzy- and patted the now vacant seat. 
He deliberated for a second then got up off of the floor to sit where I had indicated. Daren took the pillow that my head was just resting on and put it on his lap. He pushed my shoulder down so I was lying down again. When I started to protest, he said, "You need to rest." 
I would have disputed that, but I knew he was right, I was tired, and I relaxed into unconsciousness again. 
When I woke again, I was alone in the living room. "Daren?" I whispered, afraid to be left alone. 
"In here," he called from the kitchen. I breathed a sigh of relief and headed into the kitchen. He was making dinner.  
"How long was I out for?" 
"Oh, I'd say about hmmm, well, it was first hour when we left and school is over now..." 
"Nine hours?!" 
"Yep, seems about right." 
"Were you here the whole time?" 
His face softened. "I would never leave you alone if you needed me." 
I walked over to him carefully, I was still dizzy, and rested my arms on his neck. "Thank you." 
He smiled. "You're welcome, I would too it anytime," he murmured then kissed me.  
Daren held out a chair for me. "Sit Kates, you look like you are going to fall over." 
I sat gratefully. "So what happened anyway? You said something like a... warlock... attacked me." 
He finished making his spaghetti and set a plate in front of me and another beside me for him. I looked at the food dubiously, I wasn't sure I could keep it down. "I'll only eat if you eat something." I sighed, grabbed the smallest amount of noodles I could, and put them into my mouth. He took a deep breath and started his explanation. "A warlock had put a spell on you, a... how do I put this? A dying spell, at first you seem sick, very sick, and then in a few hours, you're dead. The one put on you was extremely powerful; it almost killed you in just an hour." 
The blood had been draining out my face as he spoke, I was sure that there was no color in my face now. "How do know if there is a spell on you? How do you stop it?" 
"Your eyes become completely black, well your irises are, it is quite strange actually. And you stop it by using a counter spell of some kind. Some spells can only be stopped by specific spells while others you can use a more general one." 
"Is there anyway to prevent someone form putting a spell on you?" 
"This is actually." Then he reached towards me and fingered the heart around my neck. "Wear this always," he said intensely, looking into my eyes. "The protection spell that your mom had put on it when she was alive is powerful enough to protect you from most things." 
"I'm sorry." 
"For what?" 
"For putting you through what I must have." His whole explanation had been tinged with that same anguish that I had heard when I was floating in the golden light. 
"It's okay, it's not like you could have controlled what happened. One good thing came out of this though." 
It was my turn to be confused now. "What?" 
"I realized how much I desperately need you. I love you more than anything Kates. You stole my heart without my permission, but I want you to keep it now." 
I smiled and kissed him. "I love you too Daren." 
We talked a little bit more as we-mostly Daren- finished our dinner. 
Something occurred to me then. "Daren?" 
"Hmmm?"  
"I want you to train me to be a witch." 

 
Chapter 17 
Katheren: 
He looked at me uncomprehendingly. "But you don't like being a witch." 
"I never said that." I may have thought that multiple times, but I have never said that. 
"You didn't need to; it was written all over your face when I was teaching you those protections spells." He reached over to cup my face in his hand. "Why do you want to learn? Why now? I won't allow anyone to hurt you if that's what you arte worried about." 
I don't want you to get hurt while someone is going after me, I almost said but bit my tongue. "I know you won't but I hate not being able to do anything, so the least I can do is learn some spells." 
"Hmm, I will teach you, if it is what you want, but only because I have to." 
"It is what I want and why do you have to?" 
"It's a tradition that if a new witch asks to be taught, you must take them in as your apprentice or help them find someone who can teach them. Usually you would be taught by your par-" he broke off suddenly and took a breath before continuing, "-to another witch in the family, to teach you, but we don't know who on your mother's side knows, so you can't so that. And having you go to some stranger is out of the question," he jaw tightened, "so I guess I have to be your mentor." 
I giggled. "'Mentor' is such a funny word." 
"Maybe you should go back to sleep, you are acting kind of erratic." 
"Nope. I'm f-alright. So 'mentor', when do we start?" 
He frowned. "Since it's Monday... uh, Wednesday after school." I opened my mouth to comment, but he cut me off. "No, we are not going to be training today or tomorrow." 
"Why?" I whined. 
"Because your life force is too low, using your aura now could be dangerous." 
"I thought that you said that I have a really strong aura.... Shouldn't I be fine to use my... powers then?" 
"You have a strong aura that you can't control. Control's what makes all the difference." 
"But shouldn't I still be strong though?" 
"When you can't control your aura, you waste it; you use much more than is needed. But you seem, like I had said before, to have more control than other witchlings, so you could probably learn more, faster." 
"'Witchling'?"  
"A witch that is just learning about there heritage, to control their powers." 
"It sounds like duckling."  
Daren laughed. "If you want me to call you that, then I will... duckling." 
"Oh shut up!" I laughed and tried to hit him. But he only caught my hand and intertwined his fingers with mine. I smirked; it was time for a little pay back. If he was going to call me duckling... I leaned forward and just when my lips brushed his, I jerked away. 
His eyes flew open and frantically searched mine. "That was mean," he said when he saw only humor there. 
"Don't call me duckling." 
He bit his lip. "Only if you don't so that again, because I don't think that I would be able to refrain myself form grabbing you and making you kiss me. That was really mean!" 
I chuckled. "Deal. Oh, and let me make it up to you." I leaned forward to kiss him again, he let go of my hands to grasp my shoulders. So I couldn't get away I guessed and smiled against his lips. "Wait, I wasn't really sick, so I won't get you sick or anything, right?" I asked after he pulled away. 
"You're not sick, it was all the warlock." 
"Hmm, okay. Oh my god, it's only six o'clock; let's watch a movie." 
Daren ended up letting me pick what movie to watch again. I picked an action one this time instead of a romance. "Does that deal still apply?" Daren asked as I fast-forwarded through the previews.  
"Which one?" 
"The one where if I watch the movie, I get a kiss when ever someone in the movie does and if they have se-" 
"I wouldn't finish that if I were you! But for the first part, yeah, the deal's still on." 
He smiled. "Okay." 
The movie finished at about nine and for some reason I was tired. I had slept nine hours and yet I was still tired! 
"That's because you almost died," Daren said, making me jump. 
Crap! Did I say that out loud? 
"Yeah and that too." 
"Well I must be tired. I guess you should take me home now." 
He bit his lip again. "After what happened today, I would prefer that you spent the night here, since my parents are still gone, I have the extra room." 
"Sure okay." I guess that I was lucky my aunt had to work the night shift for the week. What she didn't know wouldn't hurt her. 
"You should still tell her though." 
"Either I need to stop thinking out loud or you need to stop listening to my conversations with myself." 
"The second one is never going to happen," he said smirking. 
I ignored him to text my aunt to tell her that I was spending the night over at a friend's house, if I was lucky, she would think that I was talking about Sabrina's house and not a guy's. 
"Yeah, that would be kind of bad." 
"Daren! I wasn't talking or thinking or whatever to you, so butt out!" 
He laughed. "Sorry, I can't help it, your thoughts are quite amusing, and I am starting to wonder what you think about when you don't say it out loud." 
"Well you're probably not going to hear, the only reason I am thinking out loud is because I am so tired." 
"Come on then, you can sleep in the guest room." He led me upstairs and stopped by his room. 
"Huh I thought t-" I started but he cut me off. 
"-That I was taking you to the guest room? I am, turn around." I did and I saw another door. Oh. "If you need me, you know where to find me; I'll let you sleep now." 
He kissed me lightly on the lips then turned to open the door to his room. "Daren?" I asked, hesitant. 
"Yeah?" 
"I don't have anything to wear; sleeping in jeans isn't the most comfortable..." 
"Oh, I forgot, I am so sorry. Uh, my sister-" 
"Daren, I don't want to keep borrowing you sister's clothes all the time. Do you think that I could, um, just... borrow...uh one of your...shirts?" 
He laughed quietly at how uncomfortable I was with asking this. "Sure, no problem, if that is what you want." 
"Thanks." He disappeared for a second and came back with one of his large- well to me it was, because of how small I was- light blue shirts and handed it to me. "Thanks," I told him again and gave him a peck on the cheek then went into the guest room. 
I closed the door to change out of my jeans and shirt- I left my bra and underwear on or that would have been kind of gross- and then opened it again. Daren's door was also open and I could see his already lying in bed. He looked so cute that I was smiling to my self like an idiot. 
For an hour, I honestly tried to sleep, but I couldn't. I quietly got up and tip-toed across the hall until I was standing by Daren's bed. "Daren," I whispered, trying not to wake him up.  
He rolled over and looked up at me. "You can't sleep either, huh?" 
"Not really," I blushed. 
He moved over and lifted the covers so I could slide in beside him. "You can't imagine how hard it was so try to sleep when I know that you are just across the hall from me, so close and yet still so far away," he murmured wrapping his arms around my waist.  
"Mhm," was all I was able to answer. I felt so safe, warm, and loved in his arms that I was finally able to relax. I snuggled into his chest. "I love you," I whispered then fell asleep.  

 
Chapter 18 
Katheren: 
I woke up to a soft humming. "You look so beautiful." 
"Do I?" I asked with my eyes still closed.  
"Oh, you're awake?" Daren asked sheepishly.  
"Mhm, and thank you, that's very sweet." I opened my eyes then. I was facing him and his face was just inches from mine. How did I end up on his bed? The last night came rushing back to me; neither of us could sleep... "So how was your night?" 
"Wonderful, I haven't slept so well in... well I actually can't remember to be truthful." 
I smiled then kissed him on the lips, he kissed me back passionately. "I'll be right back," I told him, wriggling out of his arms. 
He frowned. "Where are you going?"  
"To get clothes, I always keep some in my backpack since I feel in a puddle in fourth grade and was full of mud for the whole day. It was very embarrassing." He nodded and I went out to his car to grab my backpack. I pulled put my extra pair of jeans and my jade shirt and replaced them with my clothes from yesterday. Then I realized I was only wearing undergarments and Daren's shirt. I blushed and sprinted back inside.  
I headed upstairs and when I heard Daren's shower on, I went into the spear bathroom and took a shower myself. The warm water felt so good on my sore shoulders. I got out, dried my hair with a shower and made my way back to Daren's room. He was sitting on his bed. "Hmm, I like that color on you, it's the same mesmerizing color as your eyes." 
I blushed, "Um, thanks. We should probably get to school; we are going to be late." 
"We aren't actually. I call the school to tell them that you were still sick and gave it to me," he smirked. 
"Don't parents need to call in?" 
"Yeah, unless you are a witch and can change your voice to sound like your parents'." 
I laughed. "Cheater." 
"Well, I wanted to make sure that you are completely recovered from your warlock attack and it's not entirely safe to go back until we have a way to keep you safe." 
"That's the only reason?" 
He smiled mischievously. "I also want to spent time with you without anyone interrupting me." 
"Well since we are skipping school, can we go to a park; I want to take a walk in the woods." 
"Okay." 
"It ain't magic, no it's automatic. You walk in a room, girl I gotta have it, Cupid didn't even have to let an arrow go. There was no love potion, no walking on the ocean, no miracle had to break through. If you wonder why I love you like I do, baby I was born to love, give, share everything that I'm feeling only with you..." 
"What song was that?" Daren asked in the car when I was done singing. 
"'I was born to' by Rascal Flatts, they are my favorite band of all time. They are so good," I gushed.  
"Hmmm, I know how they feel, that very much describes the way I feel about you." 
I blushed again. I wasn't sure what park we ended up in, but I saw the woods and gasped. "It's so beautiful, so peaceful."  
We passed the playground with kids playing with their families and their joyous laughter and entered the woods. 
We picked one of the dirt paths coming off of the park and headed into the wooded maze. I loved being lost in the trees almost as much as I enjoyed the relaxing ocean. Everywhere you looked, there were trees and dirt, most people would think that was boring, but that was because they didn't see the real magic there. 
I laughed when I saw two squirrels chase each other through the trees. We climbed the path until we were at the top of a tall hill where you could see just about the whole park. Daren came up behind me and put his arms around me and rested his chin on my shoulder. "Look," he said pointing, "Do you see that creek down there?" 
I looked to where he indicated. There was a creek about five feet across. The sun was glinting off of it just the right way to make it look like diamonds were embedded within its muddy depths. "I love you," I reminded him. "Thank you for taking me here, it's so beautiful." 
He kissed my neck. "I love you too and it was your idea." 
"Still, you picked the perfect park." 
"Why thank you malady," he said with mock formality. I leaned up against him. In his arms I felt safe, loved, and like I belonged there. 
I was so happy that I decided to sing, I know it was weird, but I loved to sing, so I picked one of my favorite Rascal Flatts song and just sang. "Before we met I was free, I never had to worry about anyone but me. Now that boy is gone and in his place is a man who needs to hold you night and day. So if I stumble, if I fall, forgive me, I'm just learning as I go along. 
"See me through, see me through, this aching heart has come so far to be with you, see me through. With angel eyes, just look inside at all this love I never want to lose. See me through, oh yeah." I forgot the words, so I hummed the next verse and sang the chorus loudly to cover it up. 
"See me through, see me through, this aching heart has come so far to be with you, see me through. With angel eyes, just look inside at all this love I never want to lose. See me through. 
"See me through this mask I wear. Well, I'm almost there, you know I care. I am the man you always thought you knew, see me through, see me through. This aching heart has come so far to be with you, see me through. With angel eyes, just look inside at all this love I never want to lose. See me through, see me through, yeah see me through. Oh, see me through, yeah, yeah, see me through." There was more to the song, but that was all I could recall. 
"You have an astonishing voice, you should sing more often. What song was that?" Daren asked me quietly. 
"'See me through'. I just love that song."  
I wasn't sure how much longer we sat there like that, but eventually Daren said, "Lets go get something to eat," and we made our way out of the quiet trees and back into the busy city of Seattle. 
"I have something to tell you," I whispered in the car. 
"What do you have to say?" 
I was going to tell him about the phone call, but at the last moment, I chickened out. "That I am grateful for all the things that you have done for me." This was the truth, but not what I needed to say. You'll stay away from Daren if you know what's good for you. Would those words ever cease to hunt me? 
"You know that you don't have to thank me, giving me your love is all I will ever need." 
I smiled, "That is something that you will always have." 
"And something that I will have to work for to keep." 
When he said that, I made a decision. I had to learn to be a witch and fight for my right to be with Daren. I had to get rid of that warlock to keep him safe and nothing was going to stop me from doing that.

Chapter 19 
Katheren: 
"Ugh, I hate this!" Daren whined. 
"Why? I am the one doing all of the work," I told him. 
He scowled at me. "Because I have to watch you, you are tired, relax, and take a break, please." 
I can't. "I am just fine. Another one please." 
He sighed heavily and his face abruptly folded into sadness... and desperation. "Please?" He begged again.  
I looked away from his heartbreaking expression so I wouldn't break and succumbed to his plead. "Why?" 
"I know what it feels like to lose you, to think that you are dead. If you do too many spells at too quick of a succession when you aren't at that level yet, I could lose you again. I refuse to take that chance." He sat down onto his living room couch with a thump. "It's only Wednesday, you had about ten hours to learn spells ever and you already know eight spells, that's a lot. I know some witches who don't even know that many." 
"But they are all defensive; I don't know any offensive spells." 
"Why would we want to know that? Are you preparing for a fight?" he teased half-heartedly. 
Yes. "If someone attacks me, I might not be strong enough to defend them. So if I fight back, it might buy me some time to get away, to get to safety." 
"One offensive spell, then we are done for today." 
"Two-" I started but he interrupted me. 
"No, one, that or I don't teach you anything more today at all." 
Dammit. "Okay," I grumbled. "What does this one do?" 
"Starts fires," he smiled, seeming to drop his bad mood. "It's quite interesting actually."
"Thanks," I said and kissed him on the cheek when we had finished the lesson. 
"I would say, 'my pleasure', but that would be a massive lie. So I am going to say, 'I only did it for you'." 
I wrapped my arms around his neck. "Such a gentleman," I murmured as his arms snaked around my waist. 
"Always," he said then kissed me.
Daren: 
She was hiding something from me.  
I could tell from her hesitations, her carefully worded answers, and her expressions. I had the strangest sense of impeding doom, a horrid twisting in my gut when she lied to me. I didn't like it.
Katheren: 
Thursday consisted of school, homework, then going over form Daren's of witch training.  
His parents came back from their trip on Friday night and spent the night out with their son.  
"That's good for tonight," Daren said just before the front door opened.  
"Daren? We're home," I heard a female voice drift in from the hall. "Are you home?" 
I looked at Daren confused. He gave me a sympathetic smile, then looked over his shoulder to call, "Yeah, in here ma."  
Oh, it was his parents, I realized, but the fact didn't calm me. A taller women with the same blonde hair and blue eyes as Daren came into the room. She dropped her bags onto the floor and ran over to crush her son in her arms. When she broke away, she finally saw me. "Well, hello, you must be Katheren, Lyn's niece, I have heard a lot about you, from both your aunt and Daren. They didn't give you justice though, they said you were pretty, you are more like breath taking." She walked over to give me a hug also.  
I was surprised. Daren talked about me? We weren't even going out when they left... My cheeks burned at the thought that he liked me when we had just met. That wasn't the only reason I was surprised, the two people that had hugged me since my parent's had died were my aunt and Daren. I hadn't felt so welcome in a long time.  
"Thanks," I murmured at her compliment when she let me breathe.  
She laughed. "I am only stating the facts dear. Do you think that we could steal Daren from you from the rest of the night?" 
Daren gave me a pleading look that said, 'please say no, I beg you', but I gave him the same sympathetic smile he had given to me before and said, "No problem, I have some homework I want to get done anyway." 
Daren drove me home after that and I gave him a longer goodbye kiss than normally to say sorry. He was quick to forgive me.  
"How was your dinner with your parents?" I asked Daren as he picked me up at my house Saturday morning. 
"It was very... interesting. They seem to like you." He paused for a second before continuing. "On that note, I just want a full day just to be with you," he told me intensely, "no spells, no warlock attacks, no anything, just us, are you okay with that?" 
More than okay actually.... I frowned and pretended to think about it. "I am not sure..." 
He laughed at how transparent my act was. "Am I really that boring?" 
"I am not going to comment on that, I have a feeling my answer would get me in trouble," I teased him. 
His blue eyes took on a mischievous glint. "I'll have to change that now won't I?" he murmured as he parked. I looked out the window and saw that we were in the same park that I had told him about how my parents died. 
"Why-" I started to ask why we were here, but he interrupted me. 
"Close your eyes and I will show you." When I didn't do what he said, he smirked at me. "Remember, you asked for it." He said something in French that I didn't catch and then everything went black.

Chapter 20 
Katheren: 
I started to hyperventilate. I feel familiar arms around my waist and then I was being pulled into Daren's arms. "Shhh, I am here, nothing is wrong." 
"Nothing is wrong?! I am blind!" 
He chuckled even though I found absolutely nothing funny about this. "No, you're not." 
"Are you f-?" 
"No, you're not," he interrupted me, "it's just a spell, trust me." 
I hated those words, but listened to him, and tried to control my breathing. I was fine, or at least this is what I kept repeating to myself. I heard the trunk open then after a few seconds of clanging, it closed. I looked towards the sound, but it was useless, I only saw black. 
"Take my hand," Daren said to me. 
"Where are we going?" 
"Somewhere, I am not going to tell you, I plan on showing you, now please hurry up." 
Kind of hard to show me something when I can't see! "Someone is pushy today," I grumbled. 
He laughed. "Or I can just take you somewhere else and you would never know what I was going to do and it will be a constant nagging puzzle that you will never-" 
"Okay, okay, I get the point." I stretched my hand out towards him voice and felt a thousand times better when my hand was in his, maybe I didn't need to see as long as he was with me. 
I followed him blindly-literally- through the park until I heard running water. "Stay," he told me letting go of my hand.  
I was starting to freak out again; I had no idea where I was. What if I lost my balance suddenly and stumbled into some hole and I died because no one found me or- 
"Done," Daren said brightly. He said something else and I could see again.  
We were in a clearing by a small stream and there were a few trees surrounding us. Daren was about five feet from the clear water and by his feet was a...picnic?  
He frowned when he saw my confused expression. "Do you not like it?" he asked, hurt dusting his voice. 
"N-no," I stammered, "H-how did you think of this? It's perfect! Just like in on of my books!" I ran over to him and kissed him for all that I was worth. 
"Well you are welcome. How about we eat?"
We spent the majority of the day talking, kissing, and just being together. Daren couldn't have picked anything- well besides maybe our first date- that I would have liked more.  
Sunday, we spent the day together again, magic lessons this time, with the aide of Daren's parents. I don't know why, but I had never really pictured anybody's parents helping their children teaching other kids how to do magic and helping and commenting on what they both did, I found this hilarious.  
"...You kiss my lips it drives me wild, I never knew until I felt your touch that I could need someone so much. And when a dream starts coming true, it feels like destiny, like I already knew, like you were meant for me and me for you. And it feels like I where I've always belonged and it feels just like a love song..." I groaned and hit my alarm clock with my hand. I liked Sara Evans, but not at six clock in the morning when it meant getting up for school. 
"Hon, you need to get up!" my aunt called up the stairs. "Sabrina is coming to pick you up in a half an hour. Come on, you make it through the week and the dance on Friday and then it is Christmas break." 
Oh, thanks for the reminder Aunt Lyn, I thought sarcastically to myself, I so need a reminder for the dance. 
I got up, got ready, and ate breakfast. When I was done, Sabrina was waiting there alone in her car in the driveway. "You look like hell Kate," she told me when I made it to the sanctuary of her warm car. 
"Well hello to you too, Bri. 'You look like hell' is something every girl wants to hear," I laughed. "I am not sick or anything," I told her, "I just have this feeling that something bad is going to happen." 
"Hmmm, you are just paranoid." We both laughed and I asked her about her weekend, the rest of the car ride, the car was filled with her monologue of her exciting weekend. 
We walked into the school and I suddenly tripped, my backpack making it unable to save myself. "Unf," I huffed as I hit the ceramic floor, "What the hell?" 
I looked up when I heard annoying laughing coming from above me. There were three girl, the girl in the middle was tall, had dark brown hair and muddy brown eyes. The others were basically her clones but she was defiantly the most prettiest of them. "Can't stay upright can we?" she sneered at me in a cheerful tone with a clear menace behind it. "I can't see what Daren sees in her, I mean honestly, she isn't even that pretty, maybe we can persuade him other wise girls, hmmm?"  
"Leave her the hell alone, Sara," Sabrina said helping me up.  
Sara scoffed. "Like you can scare anyone, Sasha." 
"It's Sabrina, bitch, you can take you and your cheerleading asses back to whatever hellhole you climbed out of." I was shocked; I didn't think someone as nice as Sabrina would ever talk like this. 
"I will warn you though new girl, you haven't even been here a month, so you don't know how everything works. Daren is mine. So you will stay away from Daren if you know what's good for you," she said then turned her back on me and left with her other miniskirted clones. 
I would have said something, but I couldn't, I knew that voice, that threat. It was the girl who called me the night after we came home from dress shopping. I knew that for sure, but was she the warlock? The one who tried- and almost succeeded- to kill me?  
No, she couldn't be...

Chapter 21 
Katheren: 
"Are you feeling well," Daren asked as Sabrina dropped me off the math building on her way to art, "You look a little pale." 
"I am alright," I lied, taking his hand and walking into the room. "Um, did you date anyone here before I came here?" 
"Um, no." He was confused. "A few people that didn't go to this school, but have never felt the same way I feel about you that I had with any of them if that is what you are worrying about." 
"Take a deep breath, I was just wondering." I couldn't seem to stop lying to him. 
Daren is mine? What did she mean by that? He was never hers. It makes no sense. Well it did if she was delusional or.... or... I actually couldn't think why else she would think that.  
"Kates? Hello?" I blinked and saw that Daren was waving his hand in front of my face. 
"Huh, what?" 
"I said, are you going to stand there all day or are you going to sit down?" 
"Oh, sorry, I was just...spacing." I blushed and quickly sat in my desk in the back of the class seconds before the bell rang for class to start.  
I wasn't able to concentrate on Mrs. Brooks' lesson on congruent angles at all, in the back of my mind; I wondered how I was acing that class. I didn't really dwell on that because every few second, Sara, who I had never noticed shared this class with me, turned to glare at me. More than once, I thought that I had seen her eyes turn completely brown so that her whole eye, not just her iris was that ugly muddy brown color. I felt my necklace grow warm under my shirt when I saw this. 
I think that I was going completely crazy. I shivered, what was up with her? What did I ever do to her? 
I felt a hand on my arm and I was surprised that I didn't start screaming at the top of my lungs. "Ready for Chemistry?" Daren laughed, totally unaware of my worries, as I tried to get control of my racing heart.  
"Yep, do I really want to go? The answer is nope." 
"We can s-" 
"No, we will not skip. We are going regardless of weather I want to or not." I took his hand and started to drag him to our science class. I saw Sara glaring at me as we passed her, she looked like she could kill me and be laughing while she did it.  
Chemistry was boring, not really a surprise there. "I have to go talk to Ms. Malay, so I can't walk you to your class. Sorry, bye." Daren kissed my cheek and headed for his art class. I sighed and started to walk to my creative writing class alone.  
"So we meet again," I heard a voice sneer when I way almost to the door of my class. "I told you to stay away from him. You didn't listen, now you will have to pay, witch." Witch? Did she know what I was? Was I just hearing things and she really said 'bitch'? "Oh, that's right, I forgot to tell you, I know what you are, or at least, what you pretend to be," Sara snickered pushing me into a locker as she passed.  
Finally, it dawned on me, she was a warlock. The warlock. I was most likely going to be killed, great. 
I was shaking as I made my way to my seat. I sat in the front of the class so every few seconds, the teacher kept glancing at me, probably to make sure I wasn't going to get sick all over her shoes or pass out in the middle of her lecture.  
The bell rang and I stumbled my way to the study hall room. I was terrified. I didn't want to die, I didn't want the people I loved to get hurt because some psychotic warlock had it out from me, most of all, I didn't want Daren to get hurt trying to protect me. 
My shaking stopped and I made my decision. I would be strong; I wouldn't let her scare me anymore. I planned to fight back for all I was worth. If someone had to die, it was going to be her. 
I refused to live in fear anymore. I would do it for my aunt, Sabrina, and Daren. I would also do it for my parents; I knew they would want me to try my hardest to give it my all. And that's exactly what I planned on doing.
 
 
Chapter 22 
Katheren: 
"Let's go out for lunch," Sabrina said as she met Daren and me in the cafeteria that same day. 
"Sure, where do you do want to go?" I was all for this plan, I almost started to jump up and down while pumping my fist in the air. 
We ended up going to some fast-food place that after we left I forgot the name of it. I spent the while time laughing, telling jokes, and just talking about everything. If this was the last memory that Sabrina was going to have of me, I at least wanted it to be a good, happy one. 
I spent the short car ride back to school contemplating what the last thing I would do for Daren if I would die in a week, which, admittedly, could very well happen. There was one thing that I could give him... but I wanted to wait to do that after I was married. Which might not happen... I blanched at the thought and almost thought that is what I would do, but then I remembered a promise a made to my parents when I was younger, I told them I would wait, and I didn't plan to break that promise now, if I was on a death list or not. 
Without thinking of anything else that I could possibly do for him, I just decided that I would spend every moment possible with him.  
When we parked at school, I dashed around that car and into Daren's arms. "Well hello to you too," he laughed, I just clutched myself closer to him. 
He walked Sabrina and me to our Social Studies class, but when he turned to leave, I gave him the fastest, most passionate kiss that I was capable of and he walked off to his class a little bemused.  
When I walked into the classroom door, my heart rate picked up, Sara was in this class too? How many damn classes did I have with her? 
"Why hello Katheren." She said my name as if it was the worst curse she could think of. I was pretty sure that it wasn't, not even close. 
"Hello Sara," I said, faking brightness. "I was wondering if we could meet up Wednesday...." To end this once and for all, I finished in my head.  
She smirked and I had to fight to keep from showing the shivers that ran down my spine. "Sure," her voice was high, excited. "One o'clock in the morning, Highland Park, you now, in the woods behind your house, does that sound good for you?" Her vice was way too quiet for anyone but my to catch the specific words that she said, but the tone almost made it sound like it was totally harmless. 
She knew where I lived?! "Okay." 
"Great, see you there. Don't be late, or I will have to come and find you and if some people just happen to be in between you and I, well let's just say that I won't take responsibility to what happens to them." 
Shit! I took a deep breath and then said, "I'll be there." 
"What was that all about?' Sabrina asked when I took my seat beside her on the opposite side of the room. 
What do I tell her? "Nothing Bri, just a truce." 
"Really?" she asked in disbelief.  
No! "Yeah." 
She shook her head, about to say something, but then the bell rang and class started. 
 
"You've been quiet," Daren commented when our final hour ended. 
"I have just been thinking." Or trying not to. 
He stroked my cheek with his hand. "About what?" he asked gently. 
It was times like this that lying was almost impossible. "Things. Oh, by the way, I love you," I said changing the subject. 
His eyes brightened and softened at the came time. "I will always love you Kates." 
 
Later that evening, after we had finished our homework and Daren was getting ready to go, I said, "Please don't go." 
He must have heard the heartbreak in my voice and looked down at my, surprised to see the tears welling in my eyes. "Your aunt..." 
"Won't know, she has to leave at six tomorrow." 
He looked at me, not breathing for a moment, and then exhaled heavily. "Okay. But I won't have clothes for tomorrow." 
"If you just sleep in your boxers, I can get most of your clothes washed tonight. Please, I am scared that I am going to be attacked by that warlock again." And I am, just not today or tomorrow. "Please." 
Daren's eyes narrowed. "I will never let anyone to harm you. But if it makes you happy, I will stay. But one condition, I need to go home quick and get a change of clothes." 
I nodded, even though I was agonized at the thought of him not being able to see him, to touch him, even for a few minutes. He came back about ten minutes later with a small bag of clothes and his car parked down the street so Lyn wouldn't see it. 
I went outside to get the mail- weird that this didn't strike my aunt as abnormal seeing it was nine at night- and let him in as I reentered the house. 
I entered the living room and hugged my aunt. "I love you so much Aunt Lyn, I'll never be able to repay you for all that you have done for me." Especially since I probably won't live long enough to try. 
"You are very welcome hon, I love you too, now you should go to bed, you look dead on your feet." 
I said a quick goodnight then ran up the stairs and into my room. I quickly shut the door and locked it behind me. "You are acting a little strange," Daren noted from my bed, "are you sure nothing's up?" 
"I am always a little strange; I mean we are witches, aren't we?" I was glad at how well I avoided his question. 
He laughed. "You are strange, even for a witch." 
I scowled playfully at him and headed into my closet to change into pajamas. I came out a few seconds later, turned out the light and curled up next to Daren on my queen-sized bed. 
"I love you so much, never forget that," I mumbled sleepily. 
"So do I," he yawned wrapping his arms around me before falling asleep. 
 
Tuesday, I couldn't pay attention in any of my classes and Daren slept over at my house after grabbing new clothes again for the next day. 
"Do you want me to stay over tonight too?" Daren asked Wednesday night, "You really do seem freaked out tonight."  
I was and also was semi-grateful that I didn't need to make up an excuse for him the stay tonight. "Yes, thank you so much." 
"Anything for you, just as long as I get to keep you forever." 
I didn't answer this, I wasn't completely sure that I could lie without my answer coming out broken or I would start crying, so I just kissed him. 
Instead of falling asleep, I listened to the sound of Daren's breathing slowly and when I was sure that he was asleep, I shifted myself into an upright position. I had tears in my eyes as I wrote what might be my last letter and set it on the pillow case where my head had been. 
I kissed his forehead lightly. "I love you, if it weren't for how much I love you, I would never even fathom doing this," I said then slipped out the door to meet with the person who wanted me dead almost more than anything else.

Chapter 23 
Katheren: 
It was easy to slip out of the house and into the woods. "Lumière," I whispered. Light. A soft orb of blue light appeared in my open palm. My hand was shaking so much that the light wasn't even that much help. I wasn't exactly sure where I was going, so I followed my gut and went the very way that every fiber of my being was telling me to get the hell way from. 
I heard laughter and my heart stopped and then adrenaline started to rush though my system. I looked above me to see Sara dressed in all back sitting almost catlike on a branch in the tall oak next to me. "Hello Whitney," she growled, using my last name instead of my first. "It's nice to see you actually showed up; too bad you won't be leaving." 
"Let's get this straight, bitch." I was surprised at how even and contemptuous my voice sounded despite the face that I felt like I was going to be sick from how terrified I was. "You are going to leave my friends alone, this is just between us." 
"Oh sure," she laughed, "I only want Daren, I never cared about the rest of them, you were worrying over nothing. I almost had him too. I was slowly weaving a binding spell on your little boyfriend. But then you showed up and ruined all of the progress that I had made, oh and don't worry, after you are out of the picture, making Daren mine will be so easy." 
"Who said I was going to die?" My voice sounded sure that I wasn't, I wish that I could ensure that I wouldn't. 
She laughed a laugh that no sane person could ever manage. "You'll find out," she hissed then yelled something that I think was in Latin and the ground began to shake. 
Roots sprouted from the ground and started to wrap themselves around my lags. I screamed and tried to run, but they were much faster, there was nowhere to go. In a matter of seconds, every part of my body was encased in tree roots except for my head. 
"Still think that you aren't going to die?" She walked over to where I was trapped and ran her fingers along the gnarled bark. "This is quite comical, don't you think? They were looking for you, the other warlock's and I just happen to stumble into to you by accident then you come willingly to your death. 
"By the end of this week, all of the moonlight coven's heirs will all be dead." She laughed again when she saw that my struggling had temporarily stopped. "You honestly didn't know? Oh, your grandparents, you see, are the coven masters of the moonlight coven of witches. And with your mother dead and you soon to follow in her footsteps, when we kill those old hags too, the witches will have no one to turn to and it will be so easy to take them all out. Just think about it, you'll be the cause of death for hundreds of people." 
"They will find a new leader before you get to them." 
"Oh, no, that's where you'd be surprised, witches are very picky when choosing their leaders, and they don't let just anyone be coven master even temporarily. It will be so much fun to kill them, so easy, like a game." 
"Asshole," I muttered and my bindings tightened. 
Sara sighed suddenly. "I was hoping that you would put up more of a fight, than your mother did, she surrendered as soon as we said that if she fought we would kill you. I thought that this would be more fun," she sighed dramatically again, "but no, I guess being pusillanimous runs in the family. Oh well, I guess I will have to end this without having any run, I mean, I do have to look god for when I am comforting Daren after they find your body, you what's left of it." 
She raised her hand and there was a ball of fire in it. "Now I am going to what they did in Salem: burn you alive witch," she said then threw the fireball at the wood that surrounded me.
Chapter 24 
Daren: 
When I woke up, I heard the faint sound of a shutting door. I rolled over and reached out to take Kates in my arms only to feel warm sheets. My eyes snapped open and I saw something pale in her pillow. I flicked on the bedside light and saw Daren written in an elegant script on the front, Katheren's writing.  
I ripped open the envelope and my eyes flew frantically across the page. 
Dearest Daren, 
I notice that this is sudden. More than anything, I want you to know that I love you with all that I have. 
I have found the warlock. It was Sara. Please forgive me. I have to protect the ones I love. Please don't try to find me; I have to do this alone. 
With all of my love, 
Katheren 
My hand was shaking so much that it was more difficult than it should have been to read the tear-streaked letter. I couldn't let this happen, I couldn't lose her. I jumped out of bed and almost ran out of the house in only my pajamas, but I quickly threw on some shoes and a jacket and ran out the door. 
Shit! I had no clue where I was going. But I felt something, a tugging in my chest, and I followed that, praying that I wasn't too late. 
I heard a faint scream and I started to sprint. A minute later, I heard a scream of pure agony that was only yards away. I sprinted faster than I ever had in my life, I couldn't be too late, I just couldn't. 
Then I saw it, Katheren was sitting in the middle of flames as they began to consume the bindings around her. I saw a tall, dark brown haired girl laughing hysterically like this was the funniest thing that she had ever seen. She turned slightly and I could see her face, Sara, that bitch! No! "Vent!" I shouted. Wind. I sent the strongest blast of air I was able along with my silent denial. 
The fire was put out immediately and Sara was flung into a tree with a loud, sickening crack. "Version," I yelled. Release. The trees fell from Katheren and she clasped into the dirt. "No," I whimpered, Please, please, don't be dead. 
I ran over to her and held her warm body in my arms. The fire hadn't reached her yet so, thankfully, she wasn't that badly burned. 
"Daren?" 
"Shhh, I am here now, you are safe." 
"Daren?" she said, fully aware now. "Y-you can't be here, you should be safe at my house. I have to be either unconscious from all of the pain or I fell asleep and never came here or-" She broke off suddenly and tackled me to the ground. The bush behind us exploded. 
"Well I just hate to ruin this lovely conversation, but I do believe that me and little Katheren over here has something to finish with me," Sara sneered, already recovered from the concussion that I must have given her. 
"No," I shouted and stood up placing myself firmly between the two girls.  
She suddenly scowled at Katheren who was attempting to get to her feet. "You've altered him too much witch, he is useless to me now. I will have to find myself a new play toy. But on the bright side, you have someone to accompany you in hell." Then she flicked her fingers and we were both paralyzed, defenseless. Sara walked slowly around our frozen forms. "Since you have ruined him bitch, so I will kill him first and me you watch until you are just begging my to end it, then I will but you in about three times as much pain as your little hero here, until you are just begging me to kill you, then I plan on dragging it out a bit..." 
She raised her hand then went flying before she could finish her spell; she flew across the woods until her smacked into a tree again. Katheren stepped in front of me; her aura was whipping around her in wild inferno. Her sky blue aura making her look like an avenging angle. She raised her hand and Sara was lifted at the same time, Katheren flung her back down to the ground again harder this time. 
Sara yelled something in warlock tongue and a bolt of mud colored lighting flew at us, I tried to get Katheren out of the way, but I was still paralyzed by Sara's black magic. 
She didn't need saving though, she held out her hand causally and the lightning fluttered around it harmlessly. "Come on, can't a warlock put up more of a fight then that?" Katheren said but her voice was off, it sounded too ancient, and like many people were saying the same thing with her. "You can try all you want with me, but the second that you put someone I love in danger, I won't hold back, I will kill you." 
"You-" 
"I can't what?" Katheren laughed humorlessly, "Stop you? I will do more than that, I will make you suffer, beg for me to just end." It sounded wrong hearing her rephrase a warlock's earlier words. "Je vous d'en souffrir dans l'ensemble de la douleur qui vous avez infligé banner," she yelled. I banish you to suffer in all the pain that you have inflicted.  
Katheren threw her hands out towards Sara and her aura started to flow off of her arms and surround the warlock. Sara screamed and started to writher in pain then there was a bright flash and she was gone.  
My paralysis wore off and I fell to the ground. Katheren's aura faded and she fell backwards towards me. I caught her before she hit the ground. 
"I love you so much you crazy witch, I can't ever live without you, never scare me like that again, never leave my side again," I told her crushing her shaking body to mine. 
"I love too Daren, so much, I will never leave you again, I promise. You will have me as long as you want me." Her voice was normal now when she spoke.  
"Forever won't even be long enough for me to stop wanting you." 
"Good," she said, then fainted from overusing her aura.

Chapter 25 
Katheren: 
I gasped and sat up. My eyes searched around frantically for Sara. The last thing I remember is the warlock saying that she was going to make me watch her kill Daren then she was going to torture me until I begged for her to kill me... 
"Oh thank god," I heard someone gasp in relief beside me. I looked over to see Daren.  
How did I get into his living room? When did his parents get here? What time is it? What happened? I couldn't remember how the fight ended or how I got on his couch.  
He pulled me into a hug. "Don't ever scare me like that ever again, under any circumstances."  
"I-I won't. What happened? How did I get here? I remember Sara saying she was going to kill us in some horrible way and that we couldn't move and I was getting so mad and then... nothing." 
Daren's mother laughed. "You don't have to remember the rest dear. You are the Wiccan Chosen One." 
Both Daren and I's heads whipped around to look at her. "What is that?" Daren asked, echoing my thoughts. 
"The Chosen One is a witch who the ancestors can posses, to give their power to when they need it the most. There had only been a handful of chosen ones for witches since witches first discovered their powers. The Chosen Ones have imaginable strength, their powers are unmatched by others, when trained that is. But the one downfall is when the ancestor's assist them, they either lose their memory of it or the details of it become muddled in their heads." 
"You are very special Katheren," Daren's father added, "You are a very powerful witch and you must be very careful, with great power comes great responsibility." 
"Copy that from a cereal box dad?" Daren teased and his father smiled. "But can she learn to control if the ancients control her or not?" 
"She could, but the ancients, our ancestors, are very strong, she would have to have a wide range of training to truly learn to control it," his mother explained. 
I took a shaky breath. "So what did I do?" I asked, afraid that I might have killed her. 
Daren's arms tightened around me. "Well I have never seen an aura quite as powerful as yours but I believe that that makes sense now, you also stopped one of the most powerful warlock attacks by just raising your hand and you also banished her to an astro-plane to suffer in all the pain that she has ever gave to others. I almost had a heart attack when that lightning came at us, especially when you just stood there and treated it like it was an annoying fly."  
"I am sorry," I told him. "But I had to go, I had to do what I did, she was going to hurt the ones I love, I couldn't let her do that." 
"I know," Daren said, then pulled a folded up piece of paper gingerly out of his pocket, "You told me that."  
I noticed that it was my letter that he was holding. Then I noticed something else, he wasn't wearing the pajamas that he was wearing when we went to bed Wednesday night or the coat he had on in the woods, he was wearing jeans and a white shirt. I felt my brow furrow in confusion. "How long was I... unconscious?" 
"Well after the fight, you passed out and I carried you back here, you were out all of Thursday, and its Friday morning, so..." 
"A whole day?! Aunt Lyn-" 
"Thinks that you are sick and that we are taking care of you since Daren wouldn't let us do anything else. Don't worry, us witches stick up for each other, you always have excuses for the mundane. And plus, it is out duty to protect you, we were told by the high priestess herself." 
"Who?" 
"The high priestess is the leader of a coven. Your grandmother is the leader of the moonlight coven, when she found out about this, don't ask us how, that woman knows everything, she assigned us as your guardians until you could make it to the safety for the coven's hallow grounds." 
"Does that mean I have to leave right away that I have to leave Daren?" I panicked and Daren's hugged me closer to his chest and whispered in my ear. 
"No one could ever be strong enough to keep us apart, where ever you go, I follow." He said it so passionately that I almost started to cry at how happy this made me. "You don't have to leave today; you can have as long wish." 
"Thank you," I said to all of them, mostly Daren, "I could never repay you for everything that you have done for me." 
Daren's mother smirked, "Oh, I believe you can dear, that you will repay us all very soon." For some reason that I couldn't understand, Daren shot his mother a glare.
"You have to be kidding me," I yelled at Daren in my room the day a few hours later, it was about noon. "I almost died not even two days ago and you expect me to go to the school dance?" 
Daren smiled apologetically. "I want, no, absolutely need, to give you something and I would like to give it to you tonight, and you have to go to the dance for me to give it to you. Please? Do it for me, please?" 
He looked so cute when he begged that I just had to give in, "Okay," I sighed, "for you and only you." 
He beamed at me and kissed me on the cheek. "I will be back at five to pick you up for dinner before the dance." 
Aunt Lyn cam into my room as soon as he left, "Are you sure that you are feeling well enough to go to the dance?" She was still freaking out about the sick story that Daren's parents had told her. 
"I already told you Aunt Lyn, it was just Daren overreacting, I fainted and he freaked out and took me to the hospital, it was nothing." 
"That boy really does love you doesn't he?" my aunt asked, finally getting it. 
"Yes, I know that." 
"Then don't let him get away from you. Well since it was just a love struck boy freaking out, then I guess we better get you ready for the Winter Formal then, huh?" 
Okay, next time, I say I was almost killed then she might just let me get out of dancing.  
She spent the next two hours-after I had finished my short shower- putting make-up on me and fixing my hair and spraying it with hairspray until someone could have dumped a bucket of cold water on me and it still would have stayed in place. 
She helped me into my dress and I truly admired it since we had bought it. The dress was light blue and strapless, the top half wrapped around my torso showing quite a bit of my cleavage and the bottom of the dress fluffed out to my ankles and was covered in sparkles, it was perfect. 
"You look absolutely beautiful," my aunt told me, "you mother would be so proud of you, you never gave up, you kept living you life. That's more than anyone would have expected." 
"Aunt Lyn," I sniffed, "you are going to make me ruin all the work you put into my make-up," I said, then hugged her. "Thank you so much, I don't know what I would do without you." 
The doorbell rang and she looked down at her watch. "He has good timing doesn't he? Any later and we would have both been crying our eyes out," she tried to laugh, but it was a little wobbly with unshed tears. "Give me a minute then come down the stairs," she told me heading out of my room. 
"Why?" I called after her. 
"You're going to make an entrance," she said, and then I heard the front door open. 
"Hello Daren." 
"Hello Ms. Whitney, where's Katheren?"  
"I am sure she will be down any minute," my aunt said and I figured this was my clue. 
I stepped walked slowly out of my room, careful of the high heels I was wearing, and walked even slower down the stairs. As much as I wanted to get out of this dance, I figured breaking my neck wasn't the best way to do it. I saw Daren standing by my Aunt, he looked absolutely handsome in him tux, I should really get him to wear those more often.  
My aunt looked like she was about to cry, not with sad tears now, but happy ones. Daren on the other hand, looked completely entranced by me; he followed my every move, never once taking his eyes off of me. As I got closer, I could see both love and even the smallest amount of lust in his eyes. "You look amazing," he whispered in my ear when I had finally made it to the bottom of the stairs. 
"Thanks, my aunt helped." 
"I didn't do much, Katheren," she told me modestly, "all I did was change your look a little bit, but the beauty is all yours. Oh, and before you guys leave, I need pictures," I groaned, but Daren smiled, he was enjoying himself. 
After the hundreds of photos that my aunt must have taken, for both her and Daren's parents, we finally escaped to his car. "I am glad that that's finally over," I told Daren as he opened up my door. 
He laughed, and kissed me lightly on the cheek. I thought I heard a note of nervousness in his voice, but I figured that I was just imagining it. He look me out to some fancy restaurant, and we ate foods that I had no clue how to say the names of them, much less know what they were.  
After we were done, both with eating and my excuses to get out of going to the dance, we headed towards school. He opened my door again silently and I linked my arm in his as we headed into the school. I still couldn't get over the feeling that he was nervous about something.  
The gym was just filling up as we got there; Daren led us to a table where Sabrina was sitting with her date. "Kate, you look so beautiful," she squeaked as we got within hearing, which wasn't that far away with the loud music.  
"Thanks Bri, you too." Sabrina was wearing a jade green dress that was also staples and wrapped around her waist, but hers didn't poof out like mine, it just fell gracefully to her feet, she also had her hair half up while all of mine was piled on top of my head.  
A slow song came on and Sabrina's date whisked her out onto the dance floor. Daren took my hand and asked, "May I have this dance please Kates?" 
Even though I hated dancing, I said, "You may." He grabbed my hand and led me into the mists of dancers. He wrapped his arms around my waist and I put mine around his neck. I didn't know what to do, so I just went where he led me, it was much easier and enjoyable than I thought it would be.  
We danced for about five songs before he said, "Let's go, I want to give you your present now." 
I nodded. I didn't want to come, but I did end up having a bit of fun. He took me to his car and he couldn't seem to stop fidgeting or shifting his position every few seconds. I was sure that he was nervous now. Why would he be nervous? Then I remembered all those movies I had watched, he didn't get us a... hotel room did he? I so wasn't ready for that. 
I told myself that he was a gentleman and wouldn't do that and I was able to calm down. 
He pulled into the park behind my house. I was confused, why did he take me here? He got out of the car and opened my door. When I was out, he reached back into the car and started a CD. 'Love Story' by Taylor Swift started to play. 
"I love this song," I told him. 
He smiled for a second and said, "I know," before going back to shifting restlessly. "Are you ready for your gift now?" he asked me. 
"Yes," I told him, but he didn't do anything so I just concentrated on the song and sand along. I got tired of waiting, wondering if you were ever coming around. My faith in you is fading when I met you on the outskirts of town. And I said 'Romeo, save me, I've been feeling so alone. I keep waiting for you, but you never come. Is this in my head? I don't know what to think.' He knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring and said, 'Marry me, Juliet, you'll never have to be alone. I love you and that's all I really know. I talked to your dad, go pick out a white dress. It's a love story, baby, just say yes.'" I finished then sighed. "I just love that song, it's so sweet." 
"I was hoping you were going to say that," Daren said, then got down on one knee and pulled a box out of his front pocket. "Katheren Elizabeth Whitney, will you marry me?" 
I finally understood why he was so nervous all night. There were so many ways I wanted to answer him; I pondered it for a moment. 
But he took the silence the wrong way. "I know that we are still young, that neither of us are eighteen yet, but I love you and I want you to be mine-" 
I stopped his frantic, embarrassed tirade by putting my finger to his lips. "Daren Coventry, I would love to marry you."  
He beamed at me and I beamed back at me, he slipped the beautiful engagement ring on my finger, admired it form a moment the stood up and hugged me. He lifted my feet off of the ground and swung me in a circle while kissing me. 
We were both laughing happily.  
When my parents died, I thought that I had been starting a new life. But I realize now that all I had been doing was just hanging onto the shreds that I had gathered up from my old life with my parents. I was finally beginning a new life, with my aunt, as a witch, and I planned on spending every minute of that new life with Daren.  
I finally knew my path, and I intended to follow it.  
 

By Lisa Marie McDonagh

Completed 01/09/2009

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Text: Lisa Marie McDonagh
Publication Date: 07-22-2012

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