"Hmm," she said, totally sounding unconvinced. "If you say so."

Who could fault her? I was hardly that persuasive. But that was the end of the discussion for now. I am sure I wouldn't be hearing the last of it.

After my shift, I left my aunt at the shop to close. That gave Lukas and me at least an hour to get some magic mojo in. Joy. I really needed to get my game face on.

Even in the dark twilight sky, Lukas was like a ray of sunshine. He was leaning against my house when I pulled into the driveway. I killed my lights and cut the engine, and sat there staring at his majestic dimples. My heart warmed. It was a slow languid feeling, not like the thunderstruck stuff I got when I was with Gavin. This was gentle, soft, safe.

Our hour together went much smoother and faster than our previous practice. I was easily able to move furniture across the room. No object was too large or small, too heavy or too light. Once I was able to locate the source, I found the act of controlling magic at my fingertips. In no time, I should be able to master the art of moving s.h.i.t.

Turns out, Lukas was a pretty darn good teacher. Or maybe it was that he got my magic. I still didn't understand how our magic was similar exactly, but I couldn't deny that there was something different in the air when we used magic together. We really hadn't explored it much.

I was kind of anxious to test it out. A part of me was pulled by it, a call that was begging me to answer. There wasn't time today as my aunt was due home any minute, but more than ever it was in my head. Probably it was after effects from my expending energy.

"That was awesome." I totally sounded like a geek, but there weren't any words I could come up with to describe the feelings of wielding magic. It was just freaking spectacular. I felt amazing, a rush of exhilaration.

His eyes were bright and br.i.m.m.i.n.g with vigor. I could tell that his source was just at the surface, ready to come out and play. He wanted to use magic, magic with me. "You did amazing."

Suddenly he was a whole lot closer than he had been a second ago. I hadn't even seen him move. My cheeks were flushed from concentration, and I knew that my eyes mirrored the glow of magic. They shimmered like the aurora borealis on a cool autumn night. Splendid.

His hand slid across my back, curving around my waist. I held my breath for what I knew was to come. My mouth opened, but no words came out. A retreat should have been on the tip of my tongue. There was just the need to lose myself, to go with this feeling of being on top of the world. Untouchable.

And maybe a little bit of antic.i.p.ation.

Could the boy next door make my world burn like Gavin? Make me forget the loneliness and sadness? It was for all the wrong reasons, yet it still happened. Again. This time there was no dream as an alibi.

I closed my eyes, and Lukas whispered my name. His lips brushed lightly over mine at first. He was gentle, testing my response. With the slightest pressure at my waist, he inched me closer. I placed my hands on his arms, and his lips swept over mine, deepening the kiss. My fingers tightened on his muscles, overwhelmed by the elation. He kissed like his lips were born for kissing.

Yet I kept waiting on the edge of his breathless kisses, waiting for anything but emptiness and restlessness. No matter how much I wanted to wash away the sadness, anger and hurt this wasn't the way to go about it. I was not only using Lukas, I was hurting myself more.

I broke our lips apart, staring up at his clouded dark green eyes, and he was breathing heavily, studying me. There hadn't been anything wrong with the kiss. Sure it lacked the wow factor, but I could blame that on Gavin. The rest was all me. I was turning everything into a gigantic mess, making one bad decision after another, just so I could feel better. It was wrong, pathetic and not me. Guilt poured through me. I had a funny way of trying to make things better with Gavin. Kissing Lukas was totally going to win me some trust points. To top it off, I was leading Lukas on. My heart hadn't been into the kiss for one good reason.

I was totally hung up on Gavin. I was more than just hung up I was a goner. I was head-over-heels crazy about him. My heart had been lost to him the day I smacked into him while ditching school.

Lukas read the string of emotions galloping through my amethyst eyes. I didn't want to hurt Lukas any more than I had wanted to hurt Gavin. Slowly he tucked a strand of loose hair behind my ear. "I'll call you later?" He left the question dangling in the air between us.

I just nodded, dumbfounded.

Chapter 15.

THANKSGIVING DINNER.

Well it wasn't going to be dull, that's for sure. Not only was my aunt bringing the new guy, she had also insisted that I invite Lukas. Once she found that he was going to be spending the Holiday alone, she had pressed me relentlessly until even I felt guilt-ridden.

So here I was preparing for a very awkward evening.

How do I even get myself into these situations?

Lukas and I had talked a little since the kiss, but never about the kiss itself. I was much better at ignoring things than I was at lying. Still, seeing him face-to-face for the first time since was going to be...challenging seemed like an appropriate word.

This past week at school had been short one due to the holiday, so I still had seen very little of Gavin to my hearts dismay. I had been hoping to find time to get his attention again, somehow prove that I missed him terribly. I really wanted to get things back to how they had been instead of this indecisive insanity I was always feeling.

As it turned out that hadn't happened, and truthfully I should have tried harder. I just wasn't sure what steps were necessary to repair this kind of damage. There really needed to be a witch guidebook. I know I sure as h.e.l.l needed one and a good spell.

Blow drying my soaking wet hair, I sat in front of my mirror wrestling with the tangles. My stomach was twisted in loops. This thing must be more serious with the new guy for my aunt to have him over for holiday dinner. I wasn't entirely sure how I felt about that. It might sound selfish, and I am sure it was, but I was used to have her all to myself. Now I found that sharing her with a guy didn't exactly sit well in my belly. Not that I didn't like him. He seemed nice enough, and he made her happy. That should have been adequate.

I threw on a pair of jeans and a glitzy black sweater. Only applying a light coat of make-up, I wasn't really feeling the holiday spirit. My phone buzzed on the vanity as I finished my mascara. Unlocking the screen, it was a text from Sophie wishing me a Happy Thanksgiving.

I don't know why but it made me sad, but I guess thoughts of Gavin were never far from my mind. Sending her a quick text back wishing her the same, I shook the depressing thoughts from my head. This wasn't the time to be ungrateful.

Heading down the stairs, I heard my aunt whistle cheerfully in the kitchen. The holidays were one of the few days that we were both at home, no duties to the shop. I treasured the holidays, even if this one felt a little funky.

She was at the sink, her caramel hair in a messy bun with a stylish ap.r.o.n tied at her waist. Well as hip as an ap.r.o.n could be. She had the silly, s.p.a.cey look of someone on the brink of love. I had that same look not too long ago. Watching her season the turkey, unnoticed my heart warmed inside seeing that lovely glow of happiness shine on her beautiful youthful face. Aunt Clara looked freaking good for her age.

Hopefully I will be so lucky. It was all in the genes, right?

Quietly I stepped beside her and hopped up on the counter. "Hey. You need any help?"

Grinning at me, she came down from cloud nine. "Sure I would love some help. Think you can handle the table?"

Thousands of memories bombarded me. I rolled my eyes. "Please. It's only been my job since I was five." I jumped to the floor.

"Brianna?" she called my name before I stepped out of the room.

I spun around. "Yesss?" I drawled out.

"I know you said that you were okay with having Chad over for dinner, but are you really...okay with it? This is your home too, and I don't want you to ever feel uncomfortable or put out."

I gave the biggest, best, rea.s.suring smile I could. Whether she would say it or not, I knew this evening was important to her a monstrous step. I even believed that the invitation to Lukas had been her small way of trying to make me more comfortable, so to speak. Even though she hit way off mark, it wasn't her fault I'd screwed things up so badly. "Of course it is. This is going to be the best Thanksgiving. Just wait and see."

She beamed at me, satisfied that I was truly cool with it. Something told me that this would no doubt be a memorable holiday.

My aunt was all about visual appeal. It was just as important the table be decorated as beautifully as it was for the food to be scrumptious. Spreading a glittery gold tablecloth on our dining room table, I put my mind to setting the places. Each seating had a deep cherry placemat with cream colored china and a gold gla.s.s goblet. I still wasn't sure why we needed so many forks, spoons and knives. Why couldn't I use the same fork for my salad and dinner? I wasn't much for fancy, but it appeased my aunt. I should be thankful she didn't insist I wear a dress. That would have been a battle.

Of course the centerpiece was straight from Mystic Floral. Setting the table was a mindless ch.o.r.e. Just the kind I needed.

A tiny meow at my feet caught my attention. Some sneaky little kitten had escaped like Houdini from my room. He was forever doing that. If I didn't know better, I swear Gavin gave me a charmed kitty, if there was such a thing.

I scooped up the neglected feeling Lunar in my arms just as the doorbell rang. Nuzzling his cozy warm fur, I walked to the door. "Here goes nothing. Let the fun and games begin," I mumbled sarcastically to Lunar. Then I hollered through the house, "I got it." My aunt was still sweating it out in the kitchen.

Turning the k.n.o.b on the door, my heart raced a little. Then it dropped to my socks as I saw the new guy with his saggy brown hair.

He had a name I reminded myself, Chad something or other.

Stuffed with an armful of orange mums, yellow sunflowers, and deep red carnations, Chad peeked over the bouquet. How original. Flowers for a florist. Couldn't he have been a little creative? This was my aunt after all, and she was pretty darn awesome. She deserved some awe-inspiring awesomeness.

"Wow these are lovely. I am sure Aunt Clara will love them," I said smiling and lying through my teeth.

"I really hope so. You don't think it's too cheesy?" Chad asked, looking ready to abandon ship.

G.o.d I hoped I'd gotten better at lying. "No. Definitely not," I a.s.sured brightening my already fake smile. I'll give him credit for trying at least.

"Thank goodness." There were little beads of sweat at his brow. He was really nervous, and I couldn't help feeling sympathy for the guy.

I closed the door behind him.

"This must be Lunar," he said scratching the kitten's black furring head. Lunar, loving any and all attention purred a mile a minute. He noticed my surprise. "Your aunt has told me a lot about you."

"And you still came to dinner?" I teased.

"I don't scare off that easily," he a.s.sured lightheartedly. He had a nice smile, I'll give him that.

How about a witch, I silently thought. Tonight he was getting two from the price of one. Oh goody.

Lukas arrived right behind the semi-dorky Chad. Lunar took one beady glance at him and made a mad dash upstairs. I rolled my eyes and ushered Lukas inside. Before we got to the kitchen, I cornered him in the hallway. "No funny business tonight," I warned in hushed whisper, poking him in the chest. For some reason I felt the need to lay down the ground rules.

He held up both hands claiming innocent and grinned devilishly. "I'll keep my hands to myself. Both of them, I promise," he added when I didn't look immediately swayed.

Somehow that smile didn't look rea.s.suring. I probably should have added that he keep his lips to himself also. Technicalities.

Dinner was surprisingly normal considering. The conversation was light, funny, and entertaining. Lukas just had a way about him. Charismatic. Likable. Electrifying. I couldn't help think he used some kind of spell that people just couldn't help but fall in love with him. One flaw with that a.s.sumption, it didn't work on me.

I must be immune.

"Who wants dessert?" my aunt asked, standing up to go into the kitchen.

I slumped in my seat feeling like a beached whale. Overstuffing myself on turkey, mashed potatoes, and broccoli cheese ca.s.serole, I'd left very little room for dessert, which really was my favorite part of the meal. Somehow I was going to have to make room.

I knew I should have probably gotten up and helped my aunt bring out dessert, but I just couldn't move. Lukas sat across from me smirking and chuckling at me. I was this close to kicking him under the table or unsnapping the top b.u.t.ton on my jeans. I couldn't decide. "Stop laughing at me," I grumbled, trying to keep a straight face.

He leaned forward, elbows on the table. "You make it so easy."

I gave him a snarky glare.

Leave it to dessert to spice things up. With a bite of pumpkin pie toppled with cool whip halfway to mouth, I was interrupted by a startling sound. It was like being woken from a dead sleep. One of the windows blew open at crashing speeds, the shutters smacking the edge of the house. Everyone at the table nearly jumped out of their skin, it gave us such a fright. The wind outside howled painfully and the curtains flew around the room in crazy disarray of silk.

Meeting Lukas's quizzical gaze across the table, he arched a brow in my direction. I shook my head. Storms and I sort of go hand-in-hand lately so I could see why he would think it was me. I'd gotten pretty good the last few weeks at feeling my energy rise. This was most definitely not my doing and if it wasn't Lukas...

Swiftly getting to my feet, I power walked to the window, slamming it shut. There was an eerie ambiance in the room. I shivered.

"Well that was weird," Aunt Clara commented folding her hands in her lap. "The weather has really been on the fritz lately."

Chad grumbled some response, but I had checked out of the conversation. My entire body knew that it hadn't been accident. It had been magic. I could feel the source pulsing through the air near the window.

I took my seat again and gulped. If anyone noticed my lack of partic.i.p.ation, it wasn't brought to light.

Designing swirls with my uneaten pumpkin pie, it no longer sat well with the large lump in my stomach. I twirled the mushy goo around on my plate trying to figure out some answers. I couldn't shake the feeling that we were no longer alone.

Of course it didn't end with the whole window antic. No. I couldn't be that lucky. Stuff like this wasn't just coincidence, and it was past time I started accepting the cold truth.

Things were never going to be normal in my life again.

My aunt gasped beside me, and I turned to see what had her attention. Coughing, I choked on my water. What the h.e.l.l. The flowers sitting at the center of the table, Chad's contribution, were now shriveled, dried, and black as spades.

Dead.

No longer were the colors vibrant, their petals sheen, or sweetening the air with their aroma. Even the water had turned a nasty shade of darkness, like poison.

"Wow what as in that vase?" my aunt asked to no one in particular. I was grateful that she had deduced some kind of explanation, because the one I had was nowhere near as believable.

This time I gave into my earlier urge and kicked Lukas under the table. He narrowed his eyes at me. Nodding in the direction of the sad flower display I seared him with daggers.

He shrugged his shoulders, gone was the lightheartedness from his bold green eyes. Apparently he was just as innocent as I was in this fiscal.

The very second the dishes were cleared I grabbed Lukas by the arm and dragged him into the hallway. I could hear the banter between my aunt and Chad in the kitchen. He had volunteered for kitchen duty, totally fine and dandy by me. I had more pressing problems.

"What the h.e.l.l was all that?" I asked when I was sure the coast was clear. Even as the accusations left my lips, I knew that Lukas wasn't responsible.

Lukas wasn't listening. And d.a.m.n if that didn't boil my blood. His attention was scooping out the room.

"Lukas!" I yelled much too loud.

"Hmm," he responded mindlessly.

I huffed. Then of course I didn't the most mature thing I could think of. I pinched him.

"Ouch," he cried. "What was that for?"

"It wasn't that hard you baby. Focus."

"What do you think I have been doing? There is someone else here," he stated.

I rolled my eyes. Well duh. "I kind of figured that out already Watson." Admitting it out loud still didn't stop the spine chilling tingle from coursing through me. "Who is it?"

His emerald eyes begin to shine. "I'm not sure it's a who. Maybe more like a viable source."

I blinked. "English."

He grinned and leaned his back against the wall, folding his arms. "I think you have a spirit."

I wiped my sweating palms on the legs of my jeans. "You mean a ghost?" This was worse. Way worse. It was a stupid question, but I couldn't fathom the idea of being haunted in my own house for G.o.d's sake. And it screwed up Thanksgiving dinner nonetheless.