Page 31 of Snow’s Charming (Hope Runs Deep #7)

Back to Hell

“ O MG! It is so nice to meet the famous Luna Sesi of the LoneWolf’s Fury Brigade and Pack,” said Ara as she kissed both of my cheeks and drew me into a tight hug. I was surprised at how welcoming she was as we entered a club called Roomers.

“It’s nice to meet you, too.”

I smiled brightly and was genuinely happy to meet them. But I was also worried about whether they’d like me. I wasn’t sure what to expect.

“So, Sylus told us you recently discovered you are a werewitch. That must have been hard to wrap your head around.”

“Ara, you don’t know the half of it. I’d only discovered I was a werewolf the week before, and then it felt like the rug was pulled out from under me when I was told I was a witch, too. The last thing I wanted to hear while we were on the run from Jackie was that I was like her—you know?”

Ara patted my hand and gave it a squeeze.

“I promise you we aren’t all like that bitch. There’s a lot of us who are Glendas. I promise to help you with your craft so you feel more comfortable. Plus? You are related to twin vampires that practice the dark arts better than anyone, from what I’m told?”

Before I could respond, Mimi replied with a few giggles.

“Yup! I can attest to the good witches. Ara couldn’t hurt a fly unless it flung dark magic our way.

Now, let’s get our drink on! To the bar, ladies!

The men can fend for themselves after we introduce you.

Sesi, this is my guy Ingram. And Ara dates that guy right there, Eagan.

Ciro and Verena, along with Sylus, will join us at Delta Blue.

Some pack stuff came up, and they needed to take care of it before they met up with us. ”

“I hope everything is okay.”

Despite feeling silly about thinking I saw Jackie, I couldn’t help but think Verena and Ciro would reveal my worst fear—that it was indeed Jackie that I saw. Bile rose in my stomach, and I tried to tamp it down. This was supposed to be a fun outing to get my mind off of sex.

“What’s wrong, Sesi? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Said Ara.

“Maybe I have?”

I swallowed hard and shook my head to rid myself of the foolishness. “Forget it. It’s too silly to even repeat. I’m just being paranoid.”

“Well, I can’t blame you for being a little skittish. What Jackie did to you is horrible.”

Ara patted my hand, and warmth spread throughout my body. I took a shaky breath and opened my mouth to voice my fears, but as I gazed past Ara’s shoulder, my fears were staring me in the face.

“What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?”

Jackie’s smile, along with her voice, was saccharin sweet. “Well, where are the manners? I’m Jennifer Whitfield. I used to be Sesi’s father’s secretary.”

I froze in my seat. My palms were clammy, and sweat pooled around the back of my neck. Ara physically put a barrier between me and Jennifer with her body. I was certain Ara knew it was Jackie, but then the conversation turned weird.

“Listen, Jennifer, is it? I don’t mean to be rude, but this is a bachelorette party for my girl.”

Why was she calling Jackie Jennifer? It made no sense.

“Relax, witch! I merely wanted to wish her well on her honeymoon.”

Jackie—or was it, really?

Perhaps it was Jennifer?

But why did she address Ara as a witch? And how would she know I was on my honeymoon? Was I seriously the only one left in the dark about my powers?

“That’s nice of you to say, but we’d like to get back to celebrating—alone.” Said Mimi, palming Ara’s shoulder.

“Is there something wrong here?” Said a man dressed in an expensive suit.

“Beck! So good to see you. How’s Carina? And the club on the Lofoten Islands?”

“Good on both counts, Ara, but something tells me there’s trouble here with my new acquisition.”

“You own Roomers now? Who knew?” said Mimi.

There was a slight twinge of a sarcastic undertone in her voice. Did they expect trouble?

“There’s no trouble here. I was just congratulating an old friend.”

This Jackie or Jennifer hissed out the words as she took a step closer toward me. Heat rose from my core to my neck and crept up my ears.

I wasn’t sure if I was crazy or not, but one thing was for sure: there was salt in this woman’s voice. That much I was certain about.

Jackie put me down when I was a kid, but it was something entirely different to be treated poorly by anyone now. I was a Luna, the queen of my pack. And I certainly would not tolerate this behavior while with my friends.

“Do not speak to me in that tone. You have no right.”

I clenched my palms to assure my calm tone as I addressed this woman, who I truly believed was Jackie. She must have put a spell on my new friends. It was the only logical explanation .

“I believe the lady has spoken. Time for you to leave, Jennifer—is it?”

Beck placed a palm on the woman’s shoulder and guided her out of the club.

I let out a sigh of relief as I watch her exit the doors, but there was bile erupting in the pit of my stomach in anticipation of what would come next. Jackie wouldn’t show her face unless she thought she had the upper hand. Clearly, she’d gotten her mojo back. I had to get to Sylus to strategize.

Another twinge bubbled in my core, but this one was more about our wedding night. With this mess, I didn’t have to worry about being with him tonight, and somehow that was comforting to my nerves, but not enough.

“Ladies, do you mind if we head to Delta Blue? I need to see Sylus and tell him Jackie is here.”

Ara’s brows furrowed.

“I don’t follow, Sesi. What are you talking about?”

“That wasn’t Jennifer—it was Jackie. I can’t explain it—it must be some kind of spell she did. But we have to get to Sylus. I’ve got to tell him about all of this.”

“Sesi, I’d know if she was Jackie. Every spell has a magical residue that I can pick up on.” Ara said as she patted Sesi’s upper arm.

I pulled my hand back and raised my eyebrows at her.

“Ara, I’m not crazy—I swear!”

“And she’s not saying that, Sesi,” Mimi said as her eyes darted between the two of us. “This is clearly something else—right, Ara?”

Ara gave me a small smile.

“Of course, it’s definitely something else, but what—I’m not sure yet. The only way there couldn’t be a magical residue is if a god performed the spell. I can only see a witch’s magical fingerprint.”

“So that’s it then! She must be working with a god! Let’s get to the second club and let everyone know!”

I bolted out of my seat, determined to tell Sylus everything, so much so that I didn’t realize I was out on Main Street without the girls. I was just about to head back inside when I saw Jackie in my face.

“I don’t know what you did, but I’m going to find out. Whatever it is, you won’t get away with it, Jackie.”

Her face contorted into her signature sinister smirk, and just like that, I felt like that helpless kid caught in her web of torture.

My shoulders lowered, my legs shook, and my stomach dropped.

It was clear no matter what I said to her; she thought she had the upper hand, which sent a hard chill up my spine.

“Oh, I will get away with it. It’s just too bad you spoiled my plans and came out of the club earlier than I’d hoped. I wanted to gloat while Sylus didn’t believe you.” She said as she shrugged her shoulder. “But no matter. The best part of my plan is about to get underway.”

She snapped her fingers, and the club vanished and a dank, cave-like cell took its place. I blinked twice because I couldn’t believe it. She shouldn’t have her powers. Raine bound them, after all. She appeared on the other side of the bars, and I darted after her.

“By the look in your eyes, you are surprised I have my powers back.”

“You bitch!”

She clicked her tongue and folded her arms across her shoulders before responding. “Silly girl, I’m a witch and I’ll be a more powerful one soon, thanks to you and your friends.”

I reached for her, but all I caught was air.

The bars were in my way, preventing me from making contact.

Frustrated, I slumped over the bars with my entire body to extend my hand, which was inches from her neck.

I wasn’t sure what I’d do to her once my hand connected with her, but that didn’t stop me from trying.

Suddenly, a searing pain came over me as the smell of charcoal filled my nostrils. I pulled up my sleeve, and my skin was bubbling. The bars must have some kind of spell on them.

“I laced the cell with quicksilver and wolfsbane. I wouldn’t touch the bars often, well, unless you want mercury poisoning. Now it’s time to put a couple of your friends in a permanent time out with you!”

She cackled before leaving me alone in my dank surroundings. I leaned against the far corner of the cave wall and sank to the ground. Hugging my knees to my chest, I sucked in a weary breath.

She beat me. Jackie beat me. Again.

I truly wasn’t born to be happy. I let out a sigh as a horrible thought hit me.

Happiness was a cruelty she dangled in front of me.

From time to time while I grew up, she watched me fall apart as her entertainment.

I’d never be happy as long as she was alive.

I shook my head to rid myself of the evil thought.

Jackie might be a lot of things to me, but I couldn’t ever get angry enough to murder her. I just don’t have it in me to hurt another living being. It’s even hard for me to hurt flies. I’d always trap them in an open window and let them back outside.

It was easier than swatting at the air or trying to catch one with chopsticks like Mr. Takahashi did in The Ju-Jitsu Kid . Plus, I never had to deal with finding the carcass, or worse, having the thing make babies in the house—gross!

Nope! I was such a humanitarian that I even loved bugs.