The kitchen was filled with the smell of freshly brewed coffee, and the clinking of dishes from the nearby sink, but Sam was hardly paying attention. His mom’s voice, though tinged with a hint of frustration, made him chuckle. Things weren't perfect, but they were finally starting to look up, and as his mother half-jokingly threatened to complain to his dead dad, Sam found himself grinning, a real, wide grin that he hadn’t worn in a while.
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Maya could tell that Eliane was holding back, her words carefully chosen, especially when it came to talking about Austen’s death. Maya didn’t push. She could only imagine how traumatic it must have been. But she wasn’t exactly sure how to feel about Austen herself. A part of her felt an inexplicable sadness, like she’d lost something precious, but the more she learned about him, the more conflicted she became. Austen had been charismatic, someone who could draw you in with just a glance. But according to Eliane and Gale, he was also a master manipulator, someone who used people like pieces on a chessboard. Maybe it was the dark magic in their veins that made them both so susceptible to him. Maybe their shared bloodline wasn’t just a curse—it was a vulnerability.
Maya’s thoughts swirled in confusion. Why did everything have to be so complicated?
“So, why Harvest Grove?” she asked finally, taking a sip of her coffee. The warmth did little to chase away the chill creeping up her spine. “Why come here? If you were running from Tybee Harbor and everything that happened there, why end up in Harvest Grove at all? It’s out of the way, and it doesn’t seem like the kind of place you’d just stumble into.”
Eliane’s gaze dropped to her lap, where she was anxiously nibbling on her thumbnail. “I didn’t plan it. Grant always drove.” Her voice was barely a whisper. “And with hemlock being a magical poison... I don’t want to speak ill of him, especially when he’s fighting for his life, but... coming here, of all places, where you are...”
“You think he did it on purpose?” Maya’s eyes narrowed as she studied the girl across from her.
“Maybe.” Eliane’s shoulders slumped, as if the weight of her thoughts was too much to bear. “Maybe he was working with Austen. Maybe he brought me here because he knew you were here. Austen wanted to create a new Coven, a James Coven... maybe this was part of his plan, a backup.”
Maya leaned forward, the idea tugging at her curiosity. “But Casandra’s still in Tybee Harbor, and let’s be honest—you and I might be sisters, but we’re practically strangers. You had a bond with Casandra before you even knew you were related. Why would Grant take you away from her and bring you to me?”
Eliane’s voice cracked, and her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “I just wanted to get away, to escape. I wouldn’t have stayed even if Grant wasn’t involved.”
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Maya watched Eliane closely, noting the haunted look in her eyes. Without thinking, she reached across the table, squeezing Eliane’s hand. The contact sent a familiar jolt of energy through her, the magic crackling between them. “Even though the circumstances suck, I’m glad we met.”
Eliane’s eyes met hers, and after a moment, a small smile tugged at her lips. She squeezed Maya’s hand back, warmth flooding between them. “Yeah. I’m glad I met you too.”
Before Maya could say anything more, a voice interrupted them. “Miss Burns, imagine running into you here on a school day.”
Maya’s body went rigid, the voice sending a wave of cold dread down her spine. She knew that voice, and now that she understood who he truly was, terror clawed at her insides. She glanced at Eliane, whose dark eyes were narrowed in concern, her hand still gripping Maya’s tightly. Eliane squeezed harder, clearly sensing Maya’s fear but not fully understanding it.
Maya forced a smile, trying to keep her cool as she let go of Eliane’s hand and turned to face the unwelcome intruder. “Mr. Allen.”
“Please, call me Howard.” His smile was polished, all charm with a hint of something sinister lurking beneath. He glanced at Eliane, then back at Maya. “I don’t believe I’ve met your friend.”
Maya’s smile didn’t falter as she introduced them. “Eliane, this is my father’s boss, Howard Allen.”
Eliane gave a small nod, her eyes dark with suspicion. “Nice to meet you.”
Howard’s gaze lingered on Eliane, a knowing glint in his eye. “And you must be Eliane Meade.” His lips curled as if something had just been confirmed for him. “A pleasure to meet you, Miss Meade.”
Maya felt a chill settle in her bones, but she kept her composure. “Howard, this is my sister, Eliane.”
There wasn’t even a flicker of surprise on Howard’s face, just a slight curve of his lips, as if her words had validated something he already knew. “I see. Jason mentioned that the flowers around the manor are thriving thanks to you.”
“It’s really all Jason,” Maya deflected with a practiced smile, though her heart pounded in her chest. Her parents would be furious with her for confirming her identity to the enemy, but this was her life, her choices. She was done playing by other people’s rules. “Sorry I haven’t returned your calls—it’s been... hectic.”
“Jason informed me.” Howard nodded, his eyes gleaming with something she couldn’t quite place. “Apparently, you’ve taken over Jackson’s Potts along with everything else.”
“Temporarily,” she replied smoothly. “But this weekend, I should have some time. How about we meet and talk about the Wall of Weird?”
His smile broadened, satisfaction etched in his features. “I’d love that. How does Saturday sound?”
“Perfect.” Maya kept her voice steady. “I work half-days in the mornings, so anytime after twelve works for me.”
“Then let’s have lunch.” He turned his attention back to Eliane, offering a polite smile. “You’re welcome to join us.”
Eliane didn’t respond, her eyes locked onto Howard with a guarded expression, her lips twitching into a half-smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
Howard didn’t seem bothered by her lack of enthusiasm. “I’ll have a car pick you up at noon and bring you to the manor.” He extended his hand to Maya, his smile sharp.
Maya hesitated for a moment before placing her hand in his, feeling the unmistakable tingle of magic when his fingers brushed against the symbol hidden beneath her fingerless gloves. “It’s a date.”
His smile deepened, and he lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to the back of her palm before nodding to both girls and leaving.
As Howard walked away, Maya pressed her still-tingling hand to her heart, trying to calm the storm of emotions brewing inside her. The game she was playing was dangerous, but she was determined to win.