Destiny's Witch (BxB)

Chapter 11: Severed Ties

Perry

I had never been so happy to be home. The idea of being happy to be in my room doing homework is miles away from any ideals I would have held before. I turned on my "do not disturb" two hours ago to decompress.

Penny hovered for the first hour until I made it clear I was not going to implode. Her insistence of discussing my run-in with Ms. Sanders' dead body is laughable. If she only knew I had seen more than my fair share of dead bodies.

She can blame her husband for that.

The next time I see her, she is coming to inform me of my Alan's request I join him at the park again. She hopes I will open up to him, citing me turning off my phone as an indication I have 'unresolved' issues.

Penny insists on dropping me off at the park. I know it is a tactic she is using to get me to communicate with her. The thought occurs to me she is jealous of her perception of my relationship with Alan.

My relationship with Penny has always been better than my relationship with Alan. It must look strange to her to see me bonding with him as much as I have. Now, our relationship gives the appearance of something it is not.

The entire ride to the park is drenched in silence. Penny attempts to discuss the upcoming festival with me and even asks about David. I find it amusing that Penny has always liked David when everyone else found him abrasive and rude. He tends to turn on the charm when he is around her.

Our conversation comes to an end as she pulls up to Wardwell Park. Penny looks to the park from the window, cautioning me to be careful. She offers to accompany me into the park, but I reassure her I will be fine as I exit the car.

Penny watches as I enter the park through the wrought iron gates. She drives off as I am just past the gate and I prepare myself to venture deep into the park. To my surprise, I happen upon Alan speaking with a woman in the recreation area.

My mind scrapes the bottom of the barrel to find any recognition of the woman. It is hard to see her as the two argue. I hide behind a nearby maple tree to get a better look at her, as well as to hear what they are talking about.

"Alan, we both know he's not going to let this go. With everything going on here..."

"We have it covered." Alan snaps.

"You and your son? Really? The witch?" The woman asks. "Don't think he's not still pissed about that, too."

Alan laughs. "Not all of us subscribe to how he feels. Besides, Perry is the Zion. He's—"

"An abomination? Does he even know how powerful he is? Or what being the Zion means? Or did you even tell him how dangerous his family line is?" The woman pauses. "Oh. You didn't tell him anything. He doesn't know. You're just like him, you know."

"Perry knows what he needs to know."

"Does he know about the dagger? About the order? Tell me, what does he know about, exactly?" The woman asks.

"We're good, Nat. We can handle a vampires and werewolves." Alan says.

"What about—"

The conversation pauses suddenly. The name Nat is familiar. I search the recesses of my mind again for mention of the name. The search is interrupted when Alan calls my name. Reluctantly, I emerge from the tree and head towards the two, who are standing amid a row of picnic tables. Alan appears exasperated while the woman is cautious. She sizes me up as I approach.

A clearer look at her face reveals she favors Alan. Her nose is smaller and her eyes are further apart, but her facial structure matches his.

The woman moves a stray braid over her shoulder. "And this is Perry?"