Lexi

I sighed as I finally flopped on the sofa back home and closed my eyes.

I felt movement behind me, and I peeked through an eyelash to see my brother looking worried.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, closing my eye again.

“Are you sick?” he asked, placing a hand on my forehead.

I eyerolled under my eyelids.

“I saw that,” he retorted.

I sighed, “I’m fine. Just not been sleeping well, that’s all.” I pulled the blanket off the back of the sofa and rolled over.

A little white lie. I glanced at the white candle in the centre of the coffee table. I was purposefully staying awake to practice magic by lighting the candle. I am trying to figure out a way around the lock placed over my magic.

I quickly learned that using too much magic at once was an unpleasant experience. I had fainted numerous times. At least now, I could hold a flame for a few hours…

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“…Lexi?” I was shaken awake.

“What?” I mumbled.

“Your phone’s ringing.” Alex held it up to me, and with bleary eyes, I answered it with a yawn.

“Yeah?”

“Damn, napping already?”

I breathed a laugh at Lathen’s teasing, “Shush. What’s up?”

“You’ve not checked your phone, have you? There is a promise we made last year.”

“A promise?” I echoed carefully.

“A drink for your dad?”

I gently facepalmed, “Ah… that.”

Last year, we agreed to go to Jack’s Hideout, Dad’s favourite place, and have a drink in his memory.

“Seri is coming, and the other two have other plans,” Lathen informed.

“Okay… Sounds good. Meet you there.”

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“Thanks, Mum!” I thanked getting out of her car.

“Stay safe!” she waved before pulling away.

I turned the corner to Jack’s Hideout. It was hidden from the public, down an alleyway. It’s a supernatural hangout, and the owner, Jack, provides a haven for all.

I stopped at the familiar red brick wall and knocked three times. A code word was needed to get into supernatural hideouts. The tricky part was finding the entrance…

A brick moved into a square peephole, revealing bright brown eyes, “ID?”

“Bellatrix.”

The eyes disappeared, and the bricks shifted. The hidden door opened.

I was greeted by quiet music and chatter. It was quieter than the weekend, but a few tables were spare.

I spotted my friends at a table close to the bar. Seri was waving to catch my attention with a bright smile. I smiled back and approached.

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Seraphina, my best friend. Her unruly strawberry-blonde hair landed in soft beach waves around her shoulders, cascading down her arms. Her fringe touched her upper brow and framed her lightly freckled face. She was a beauty with icy blue eyes to match; they were glittering with happiness.

Seri is like a sister to me and my most intimate friend; we share everything. She is sensible, pleasant, charming, and has an eye for finer things. She was down to earth but as mischievous as Quinn.

Plant dying? Earth magic was her area. With expensive herb gardens, you did not want to get on the wrong side of her. My garden was still flourishing, thanks to a bit of love!

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

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Seri patted a seat between her and Lathen, which I took.

“Lexi!” Seri cheered.

“Hey! Sorry I’m a little late.”

“It’s alright. Here.” Lathen scooted a drink towards me.

“Ah, cheers,” I thanked.

One toast turned into three, and it was my turn to get the round. I stood waiting to be served.

I felt it before I heard footsteps approaching. A fur feeling on my tongue and the taste of metal overtook my mouth. I swallowed slightly as the taste grew with each step. I had to ignore it.

Dark magic.

‘Who the hell?’

My body became heavy as the overwhelming sensation of magic transparently scanned me. I rolled my shoulders back, and although sluggish, my magic blocked it any further.

I continued to stare forward, hoping not to draw too much attention. Instead, they stood beside me, leaning into the bar.

Wanting to give them a piece of my mind, I finally looked at the new face and my breath caught in my chest. I found myself looking into familiar electric blue eyes. I was taken back to my dream, the beach.

‘It’s him.’

The one I thought I would never meet. I thought books exaggerated the feeling of meeting your fated, now, standing here before me. I know what they were talking about. Although my magic was muted, there was a small, undeniable pull.

Even though he was hunched over slightly. You could tell he was tall, at least 6”2. Light chocolate hair, that looked soft to touch. Even styled in a faux hawk.

The clink of pool balls dragged me away from the electric blue, and looking over my shoulder, I found Lathen looking at me while chatting with Seri.

“You know that is still considered rude,” I uttered, turning back to the bar. The empty bar made it obvious this stranger was talking to me.

He cleared his throat before replying, “I didn’t think anyone else would be here. Just an assumption,” he mumbled, a light Scottish dialect showed through.

’Oh fuck…’

“There are more than a few of us, and you’ve already made a bad impression on one,” I softly said with a grin.

“Do over?” he pleaded with humour in his voice.

“You’d be lucky,” I scoffed quietly, and a grin grew on his face.

He turned towards me more, “Leo,” he stated, holding out a hand.

Looking down at it, I hesitantly took it, no doubt a blush over my cheeks, “Lexi.”

“Beautiful,” he remarked, letting go of my hand.

I continued to feel the heat rising in my face. I looked down at the counter.

‘Damn, Lexi, what’s got you in knots?’

“So, passing through?” I asked quietly, making conversation.

‘Please, say no. Please, say no!’

“Would you be disappointed if I was?” he teased.

A small giggle left me, “I hardly know you; why would I be disappointed?”

“Ouch,” he claimed, rubbing his heart.

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“Are you alright, Lex?”

“Geez!” I jumped at Lathen’s voice from behind me.

I took a deep breath to calm my nerves and turned to him, “Yeah, I’m fine… Found a new friend.”

“I can see that,” Lathen was looking at Leo. His eyes were not kind. Internally, I groaned at Lathen’s attitude.

With eyes narrowed at Lathen, I gave a brief introduction, “This is Leo. Leo, this is my friend Lathen.”

Leo smiled with a nod in greeting.

“Sorry about the wait. What can I get for you?” The bartender asked, finishing our conversation.

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Despite Lathen’s weak protests, I invited Leo and his small party of two (his brother, Derick) to our table. Leo kindly helped me carry the drinks back to the table.

Seri’s sheepish look told me she tried to stop Lathen. I couldn’t help but feel a little awkward. I was surrounded by friends and strangers. I had to keep this discovery to myself. Feelings would be hurt…

I had to put this Lathen-ship to rest.

“So, how long will you be in Pendle?” Lathen asked with arms crossed, looking between the two. A small bang was herd as Seri shifted, no doubt kicking him.

“We actually just moved here,” Derick informed.

His voice was gruff, and a slight stare made Lathen shift slightly. Derick’s hair was long, swept to the side and black, matching his charcoal eyes. You could not tell where his pupil was. My gut wrenched slightly. Something felt off.

“Oh! Welcome!” Seri chirped up bubbly, raising her new drink.

I mimicked and chorused a welcome.

Seri continued before Lathen could, “Don’t mind Lathen, he is wary of strangers.”

Lathen protested slightly but Seri continued, “We normally have two more in our little group. Our families band together too.”

The drink helped wash away the metallic taste, and the fur feeling ebbed. Maybe it wasn’t so bad…

“So, where did you move from?” I asked.

“Glenrothes in Scotland,” Leo replied.

“How do you like Pendle so far?”

“It’s interesting. Especially knowing there’s more of us here,” he implied.

Seri leaned forward a little more, “Do you have a girlfriend?”

I kicked her lightly under the table, although I was interested to know.

“Damn Seri!” Lathen exclaimed, “Give the dude time to breathe.”

Leo laughed before replying, “No, I don’t.” Leo briefly looked over at me while saying it.

Lathen changed the topic and spoke to Derick.

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I bit my lip lightly as I caught Seri in my peripheral; she was watching me. She leaned onto her arms on the table, making me look at her.

A mischievous smirk grew on her face. It was an all-knowing look, and I didn’t like it one bit and narrowed my eyes in response.

Do you ever regret telling your bestie about your dreams?

At that moment, I did.

‘Goddess, help me.’

The whispering from Seri started.

“So,” she sang out quietly and leaned towards me.

I shushed her, trying to keep in conversation.

“Well, if he isn’t the dream boy, then he’s up for grabs, right?” she grinned.

I sighed before smiling, “Seri. He isn’t your type.”

She giggled, “Yeah but he is yours.”

“Shh,” I quickly replied.

“So… is he?”

“I-I’m not sure.”

Her eyes narrowed before I continued, “Kind of awkward with Lathen here.”

She leaned back and nodded slowly; she knew where I was coming from.

“What are you two whispering about?” Lathen asked loudly.

I looked to Seri. Busted.

“Nothing to concern you!” Seri pointed out, turning away from him purposefully.

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My eyes caught Leo’s once more, and my face flushed with heat.

‘If he isn’t the one, then I’m in trouble.’

There was only one way to find out, to remove this lock placed over me.

I got what I wished for.