Eighteen

The Chat

This was how I knew my mother was wrong about me. If I was the evil monster she seemed to think I was then I wouldn’t be feeling the sorrow that was creeping in at the loss of the only home I’d known. With each mile I put between me and that house emotion clogged my throat. I fought it off. I didn’t want to feel anything. The loneliness was more overwhleming now than it had ever been before. After last night’s rejection from Rathe and this morning’s eviction from my mother, I couldn’t feel more unwanted than I did now.

I’d driven back into Savannah with no real destination in mind. I had nowhere to go and I wasn’t sure where to start. What to do first. I could call Margo, but going there meant facing Rathe. I expected a call from Heath soon. He’d wake up and find out I was gone. Possibly find out that I left in the middle of the night. He would be worried and call me right away. Margo would sleep later than Heath. She’d track my location then call me. I could expect Duely to text at some point today, too. He wasn’t worried about me last night. He had more faith in my safety than I did.

Pulling into the almost empty parking lot of a shopping center, I parked the car. The few cars here had been parked for awhile. They had frost on them and were empty. The city wasn’t awake at this hour. It would slowly start to come alive within the next hour. I had no reason for being parked here. The stores weren’t open yet, but driving around wasting gas wasn’t helping anything. I needed a plan. Continuing to dwell on the events of the past twenty four hours wasn’t helping me focus on the issue at hand. I had no time to feel sorry for myself. I had to figure out where I was going to work, sleep, bathe.

I glanced down at my wrinkled clothing. I couldn’t do much looking like this. I would need to clean up before I began going into businesses applying for jobs. No one was going to hire someone who looked as if she’d slept in her clothing, possibly on a bench, in a park all night. I did a quick check in the mirror to see my hair wasn’t any better than my clothing. There was a leaf stuck in the tangled strands. I plucked it out. I had no where to take a shower or even a place to change clothes. My friends’ apartment was a major- no way in hell - for me. Rathe was the last person I wanted to see today.

What was so wrong with me? I had worked hard to be good. I didn’t abuse my powers. I tried my best to live a regular life. One that wasn’t one big easy ride due to magic. I didn’t want to be charmed yet I was. I was different than my family and different from my friends. I fit in nowhere.

I was back to feeling sorry for myself. I didn’t do self pity. It was weak and a waste of time. I had to figure out how to clean up. That was my first plan of action. I lifted my eyes to look in the mirror again and frowned. “You are making this more difficult than it has to be,” I said to the hot mess looking back at me.

There was an easy answer to fixing my appearance. I had practiced living normal for so long it was never my first choice to cast spells for simple things- like making myself look presentable. When magic was used in getting dressed there was a enhancment that came with it. I didn’t like to use magic this way because it was unfair to those around me. They were affected by something that wasn’t entirely real.

Persephone was convinced I was beyond evil, which was absurd. I didn’t even like to use a simple enchantment to fix my appearance. I was half my father. Half of me was good. She was the villian. I wasn’t going to let her words bother me any longer.

Regardless of the nonesense she had spewed, I knew who I was. I liked who I was. Pretending to be normal had gained me nothing in life, but it had possibly been the balance that kept me from becoming my mother. If my using magic wasn’t to hurt anyone then I saw no point in making it an issue. The next few weeks I’d need it more than I ever had if I was going to get my life balanced again. Once I had a job, place to live, and possibly a hope in being enrolled in nursing school then I’d stop using it for the little things. Live like I had been living before.

Coming to that decision, I glanced around to make sure there had been no new additions to the parking lot and I confirmed it was still me and the empty vehicles. Although there was a bit more traffic on the road, the parking lot was still dead. No one here.

It had been a long time since I used this particular incantation. The last time had been Junior year prom. I’d wanted to impress Cody. That had been a disaster. Not only had Cody been enamored with me, so had most of the other males at the dance and a few females. After making an enemy out of every straight female there but Margo, I had decided to never do that again. Yet here I was about to do it again. I wouldn’t go all out this time. It would be simpler. The bare minimum if that was possible. I’d do the best I could.

“quam alii perfect me” The words rolled from my tongue easily. The bite of energy that touched me was similar to an electric charge. A shimmer covered me so briefly the human eye wouldn’t catch it. I felt dread in the pit of my stomach, praying I wasn’t going too far. I didn’t want to deal with the kind of male attention this had caused last time. My eyes were squeezed shut and I was afraid to open them. Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to look. The sunvisor was still down with the mirror in front of me.

My reflection was what I had expected. The Kamlock beauty stared back at me. The gleam of perfection that came from magic alone. Natural beauty was required, but the use of magic enhanced it. This was going to be a nuisance today. I wouldn’t be able to fade into the background looking like this. It had been the easiest answer to the least of my issues this morning and I had to get over my dislike of drawing attention to myself for today at least.

A singular tap on the driver’s side window was not expected and my hand flew to my mouth to smother my squeal. Swinging my head to see who was out there I went from being startled to mildly panicked. It was a brief moment of panic though. He had shown up at the wrong time. I wasn’t in the mood for taking anymore shit from people, family, or strange stalking warlocks. I wasn’t weak, and if he tested me I’d prove it to him.

I took a deep breath and reached for the door knob to open it with more force than necessary, causing mister wanna be rock star to move back with a swiftness I hadn’t expected. I’d hoped to hit him with my door. I stared him down, while stepping out of the car. He wasn’t going to see fear in my eyes. He held a small grin as he stood there watching me with one hand in his jean pocket. Even though he never gave a sinister look, you knew there was danger. I would get answers before he disappeared into thin air this time around. I really wasn’t sure at this point just how powerful he was. He may be here to kill me. Oddly that was the least of my concerns this morning.

“Good morning, Catalina. You appear to be jolly.” The way he spoke to me sounded as if we were friends. Like this was a planned visit.

“Who are you and why are you following me?” I wasn’t doing small talk with him. He wasn’t stalking me for small talk. He needed to get to the point.

He pulled a cigarette from the front pocket of his jacket and offered it to me. “Would you like one? You seem in need of something to take the edge off.” Cigarettes were a common addiction with casters. Especially warlocks.

“I hate cigarettes. What do you want?” I repeated.

He didn’t snap his fingers the way my mother did to light her cigarettes. It simply lit as he placed it to his lips. Although I’d not seen one lit that way, it still reminded me of a parlor trick meant to impress. I wasn’t impressed. His vanishing was impressive but not that.

“I was curious as to why you were sitting alone in an empty parking lot this early in the morning,” he replied.

This was not happening again. He was going to give me real answers. Not talk around me in a circle that only he understood. “Until you give me answers, I’m not giving you any.” If he was curious about my actions then he needed to talk.

He didn’t seem to be in a hurry to say anything.

“You’ve got some tough shit about you. I like it. You don’t use the Kamlock charm to get your way. Kudos to you,” he said, then took the cigarette from his mouth. I waited because I was looking for answers, not compliments, if that was what you could even call it. “She kicked you out.” He wasn’t asking. It was a statement. I waited to see if he’d say more. He stood there relaxed as if he had all day for me to respond. I, however, didn’t have all day.

“If you mean my psychotic mother then yes,” I replied.

He laughed, as if that pleased him. I was glad someone was happy to see me homeless. My scowl deepened, and I crossed my arms over my chest to wait him out. I was tired of being followed. His showing up here in an empty parking lot was the last drop.

“Good for you,” he said then took a deep drag off his cigarette.

“Funny you should see it that way,” I drawled. “Since I’m without a home or job. You can see why I wouldn’t be as pleased as you seem to be.”

He lifted his chin and let the smoke out in perfect rings. With a sigh, he lifted his left shoulder in a shrug while his left hand remained tucked in his front jean pocket. He looked like he didn’t have a worry in the world. “You don’t need the Kamlocks. You’re not like them.”

I opened my mouth to say I didn’t need to be kicked out while I was jobless but his last sentence stopped me. “How long have you been following me?” I asked. I didn’t like it. The idea of being watched gave me the creeps.

“You’ve got things figured out,” he said, waving his hand and cigarette at me. “You’re ready to go find a job. May I suggest you shoot for something that pays better than a food server.”

He was ignoring my question, and I didn’t need his opinions on my next job. “How long have you been watching me and why?” I said, in what I thought was a very intimidating voice.

He sighed as if that question was silly. Instead of answering he took another pull from his smoke stick. He either wasn’t going to answer me or he was taking his own sweet time just to be annoying. I opened my mouth to attempt at being more demanding when he pointed off to my left. “This is about to get interesting.” I followed the direction he was pointing to see a black Dodge Charger coming our way in the otherwise almost vacant parking lot.

“Do you know them?” I asked, not sure if I should be worried for whoever was driving that car or concerned because I was about to be outnumbered. I didn’t take my eyes off the car trying to prepare mentally for whatever scenario that was about to go down here.

“I believe you do,” was his reply.

The rising sunlight hit the front window as the car pulled to a quick stop to our left. It was a face I didn’t want to see for many reasons but right now I didn’t want to see him because this wasn’t safe. I was dealing with a psycho warlock who had some strange obsession with me, and Rathe was no match for him.

“Shit,” I muttered under my breath then did the first thing that came to my mind. “et oblinito ianuam” I said holding my hand out as if to physically hold the door closed then dropped it quickly and turned to glare at the warlock in front of me. “Listen, get to the point. Why are you here? I don’t have time for this or patience for games.”

He laughed with the cigarette still between his lips. “You locked him inside the car. Fucking hilarious.”

“Sure, this is a riot. Just one more thing I have to deal with today. Talk or go away. Just don’t vanish. I can’t explain that away when Ra- he sees it,” I replied, bitterly catching myself before I could say Rathe’s name. He may have hurt me, but I didn’t want him in danger. He was no part of this. The fact he was here had to be Margo’s fault. She and I were going to have a talk about this tracking stuff she was doing. Better yet, I would block her from seeing my location.

“Talk, now. He’s going to call my friends and my cousin. They’ll all show up here, and I just don’t need this today. What is it you want?” Figuring this creeper out wasn’t happening this time. Rathe had ended that. One more thing to hold against Rathe.

“You know how to survive without the Kamlocks. It was time you broke free from that insane bunch of bitches. Use your fucking witchery voodoo and stop trying to be so motherfucking human. It exhausts me,” he said then tossed his cigarette down. It never hit the ground. It just evaporated into thin air much like he had done before. This time he winked at me “I’m not a fan of polluting the earth.” Then he turned and walked away. I watched him wanting to call out and ask him to tell me who he was and to stop stalking me. But I didn’t want Rathe to hear me. Damn Rathe.

I glanced back at his car and lifted my fingers from my side subtly. “Resigno,” I whispered, without moving my lips. Then I checked back to my departing pain in the ass. He was crossing the four lane still visible and normal in appearance. I got very little from that conversation. I knew he would show back up but I was almost positive he meant me no harm. He was currently just a weird creeper who I wished would leave me alone.

Sighing, I looked back at the Charger to see Rathe had realized his door was no longer stuck and he could get out. Rathe’s eyes weren’t on me, but he was out of the car and headed toward me with a determined stride, but his gaze was locked on my departing visitor. I was about to have to lie several times, and I wasn’t sure what lies I was going to use. This was such a nuisance I wanted to just toss out an enchantment to make him forget what he saw or that his doors were locked. Even not liking him very much I couldn’t do it to him. Messing with memory was not good for the human brain.

“Are you okay?” he asked, wrapping a hand around my arm the moment he was close enough. I glanced down at his hand and knew it was a protective gesture. As if the warlock came back he could do anything to help me if needed. My world was not for him and that reminder was well timed. Much of the pent-up anger and hurt I was holding against him began to fall away. He’d saved himself last night and didn’t even know it. I should be thankful he hadn’t wanted me. I wouldn’t be the one to have to let him go. There would be no tears and heartbreak as I pushed him away.

“I’m fine. Why are you here?” I asked him, realizing that question was becoming popular this morning. I’d asked it a few times already. Hopefully, no one else was going to show up unexpected, and this would be the last time I needed to ask it.

“I took Margo’s phone and used it to locate you,” he said, as if that was perfectly okay.

“Was Margo awake to unlock her phone?” I asked to be sure he hadn’t stolen Margo’s phone and somehow had her passcode to sign into it. Because, if so, then he had some issues we needed to discuss.

He nodded as if that were the obvious answer. “Why aren’t you at home?” he asked me then still looking at the retreating warlock, even though he was barely visible in the distance.

“I’m job hunting today,” I gave him the only truth that he would likely get about my day.

He finally looked at me, and I was relieved. I wasn’t sure when my stalker would decide to vanish or if he cared enough not to draw that type of attention. There wasn’t a lot of traffic yet, but there was enough to notice if he just disappeared into thin air.

“It’s six thirty in the morning,” he paused then and took a small step back to take in my appearance. He scanned me slowly starting at my black boots that reached my knees, grey corduroy mini skirt, and form fitting black lowcut sweater. I hadn’t personally seen the entire look on me. It was an outfit I’d seen in an Instagram ad last week and liked. I wasn’t the best at coming up with styles or looks on my own. Using magic to get dressed, required me to have an image in my head. “And you look... incredible.” He finished, staring at me with some confusion I assumed was from my sudden change in appearance, and then concern. That last one I didn’t understand or expect. He was a man, and I had been prepared for him to have that glow of adoration that came from this blasted spell. Was he that unaffected by me that even a charm couldn’t make me attractive to him?

No. I was not about to start getting all touchy. This was good. Great, even. Rathe was in no danger of me and that was one less worry to have. Like Heath had always been a safe place for me it was starting to look like Rathe might turn into that too. Except I was attracted to him the way I’d never been with Heath.

“Uh, thank you,” I said, realizing I hadn’t responded to his compliment. I’d been so caught up in my own inner battle.

“Do you have an interview somewhere?” he asked then.

He wasn’t asking me about the man who had been here talking to me and randomly walked off. He also wasn’t saying anything about why he hadn’t jumped out right away. I thought he would be mentioning his car door or at least asking questions about the stranger. Instead he commented on my appearance. I had to fight the sudden rush of giddiness that swept over me.

“No, I just wanted to get an early start,” I said.

Finally, he glanced back to the road where the warlock was now out of sight. “Did you know that man?” he asked, looking at me again.

I shook my head. “Not really. I mean no. I have no idea who he is, but he wanted money. I told him I didn’t have any but told him where the closest homeless shelter was.” That lie came too easily. It rolled out without much thought. It wasn’t as hard to lie to Rathe as I feared it would be.

“It’s not safe for you to be out here alone this early. Stores aren’t opened yet. Where could you possibly go apply at this time?”

I decided to handle this with turning the focus on him. “Why did you track my location?”

His brows drew together in an irritated way. “Because you left in the middle of the night alone. I was worried. I couldn’t sleep.”

I rolled my eyes. I doubted he had laid awake all night. He’d let me walk out of there easy enough. “I was fine, and you were relieved I left. After that... mistake, neither of us wanted to prolong the evening or be in the same apartment.” That had been a bit harsh but it was best to just get it out now and not act like it didn’t happen.

He shook his head, and his hand dropped from its grasp on my arm. “Is that what you think?”

I didn’t respond right away. I didn’t know what to think about him. He had come looking for me, instead of Heath, which was odd. “How did you get Heath to let you come instead of him?”

“This wasn’t Heath’s buisness,” he said sourly. There was more to that story and I wouldn’t get it out of Rathe, but Heath or Margo would tell me.

“Well, I’m fine. Safe and sound. I’m not wounded from last night as you can see. Thanks for uh... your concern. I guess.” He could leave now, so I could focus on my game plan for this day. I thought I’d made it as politely clear as possible that he should leave. His job was done. His actions hadn’t caused any damage.

“Have breakfast with me. There’s a place less than a mile from here I like to go for omelettes. The coffee is good, too.”

Unfortunately that was not an option. I had to stay grounded and not let my stupidity take over again. My heart was too weak right now. I didn’t trust it or my emotions. “Thanks, but I don’t think that’s the best idea. We need to try this friendship thing again in a week or so. I have a lot to work out in my life right now.”

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair in obvious frustration. Like magic it fell into a perfect tousled style. I tore my gaze from his hair and stared over his right shoulder at the buildings behind us. They were much less distracting and not at all mouthwatering.

“I’m sorry about last night, Catalina. I was weak and I messed things up. I handled it all wrong. Please forgive me. Don’t let that ruin what we just started building.”

I assumed he meant we had been building a friendship. The way he’d been there yesterday morning when I was falling apart over the news of Mattia’s death was definitly some firm blocks he’d laid. One night of a short, over heated make out session wasn’t something to hold against him. I had already accepted it was my fault.

“It didn’t ruin anything. I’m just asking for a little time. I don’t blame you for last night. I was the one who started it. You did the right thing. I should be thanking you for stopping it but I’m a little too embarassed by my actions. So,” I smiled then. “Just some time is all I need. Our beginning friendship is safe.”

He looked like he was going to say more. His eyes said he wanted to argue or reassure me but he did neither. After a moment, he simply nodded. “Okay,” he said.

His response shouldn’t bother me, but it caused yet another pang in my chest. Time would help with this. I was sure of it. I smiled brightly even if I didn’t feel it. He smiled then, too and his dimple appeared. I might get over his hair, those eyes, his body soon enough, but it was going to much harder to get over that dimple.