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Some days, I was grateful my dad was an alcoholic and usually slept past eleven.
I stepped out of the bathroom and bumped into Freya.
“Sorry,” we both said at the same time.
She dropped the clothes in her hand, and I picked them up for her without a thought. When I handed them to her, she wore a strange smile.
“Are all human boys this chivalrous?” she asked.
“Only the good ones,” I answered. I wished Sawyer had seen it—that was actually pretty smooth.
Shit. I needed to get out more. I was being smooth to witches.
While we waited on Freya, Cadence and I enjoyed the breakfast she prepared. It consisted of slightly soggy cereal, a banana, and a glass of orange juice. Simplicity was typical of our kitchen—Cadence learned everything she knew from me.
Freya emerged from the shower in a black leather jacket thrown over a hunter green shirt, and black jeans. Her damp hair already threatened to burst free of the braid she’d woven it into. A few gold necklaces hung around her neck, and each one held a different symbol or trinket. She wore a ring with a decent-sized blue and red stone on her right hand. She noticed my stare.
“It’s a bloodstone,” Freya explained. “It promotes strength.” She pulled out the chair next to me and lifted her banana.
“Walker doesn’t believe in crystals,” Cadence chimed in, “he says to never trust someone who puts their faith in jewelry.” I glared at my oh-so-helpful sister and clenched my jaw.
“Does he, now?” Freya asked.
She smirked and dug into her breakfast without a complaint. I wondered what witches usually ate. My gaze fell on Cadence, and I searched for the right words to tell her I was leaving.
“Walker,” Cadence chided, “you’re staring.”
“Sorry,” I mumbled. “I was just thinking—I have to tell you something, Cady. I’m going on a trip.”
She blinked at me.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“No,” I corrected her. “I have to go—you have to stay here.” She glanced down the hall, toward Dad’s room. Guilt gnawed at me.
“What?” she said and rose to her feet. “No—no, I’m coming with you!”
“You can’t,” I said, “where we’re going is too dangerous. You’re safer here.”
“So she gets to go?” Cadence yelled and pointed at Freya. “You’re leaving me behind to go on a trip with some girl you met ten seconds ago! Don’t tell me about the danger, Walker. Enjoy your romantic getaway without me.”
She stormed out of the kitchen, but not before I caught a glimpse of the tear that fell down her cheek. Her door slammed shut, and I winced.
“That could’ve gone better,” Freya said.
“Really?” I replied sarcastically. “That was exactly the reaction I was looking for.”
Freya munched on her banana and took a swig of orange juice.
“At least she doesn’t suspect the truth,” she said.
She made a fair point. I should’ve been grateful for my sister’s assumptions. They were easier to deal with than her usual tenacious curiosity, but it didn’t ease my churning stomach. I was supposed to be Cady’s caretaker—someone she could rely on—and I’d let her down. She’d had enough of that already in her short life.
“Hey,” Freya said and placed her hand over mine. “You’re doing your best. It’s all you can do.”
Her small hand was warm against mine. Too warm. I pulled away and nodded.
“Thanks.”
