Chosen Witch (Paranormal Romance)

Chapter 5

When we return back to the festivities, they are in full swing. I don't think one person has gone home after my mothers announcement. The music is louder than before, the bonfire larger than ever. I see it all with new eyes, the eyes of someone who has just gone through her right of passage.

"Do you feel as amazing as I do?" Emily asks, coming up beside me. We didn't speak on the way back, allowing the other the time to come to terms with what just happened.

"I feel...everything," I reply, knowing that if I say something like that to my best friend, she won't judge. She'll understand. When she reaches over and squeezes my hand, I know that she does. But before we can say anything else, Isaac reappears. I feel him before I see him and I turn just in time to see him step up to me.

"Could I collect on that promised dance now?" He asks, with a smile. I don't hesitate. I know I felt those things in the forest, that connection, and I want to be brave enough to explore it. I don't want to wait or wonder. So when he reaches out his hand to me, I take it. With a quick look over my shoulder, I see Emily's encouraging smile and that's all I need.

When we reach the dance floor, he still hasn't let go of my hand and I hope he never does. The feel of his skin against mine is another type of otherworldly sensation that I don't think I'll ever get tired of.

We stop, face to face, each of us unsure for just a moment. I think it's as new to him as it is for me and I want to ask if he feels this intensity as well as I do. But I'm not ready for that just yet. Instead, I focus on the feel of his hand as it curls over my waist and back, pulling me towards him. His other hand is still holding mine, so he guides it up to his neck, so I follow his direction and place both of them there. My fingertips dance over his neck and I feel him shiver against the sensation.

"Was that your first Moon Charm?" I ask, the curiosity too much to ignore, as his body moves even closer to mine.

"It was. My father wanted me to wait for the ceremony until we were in the town we were planning to live in. I'm glad I waited."

I want to say me too, but that seems too intrusive. After all, no matter how much pull I feel towards him, I don't know anything about him.

"Tell me about yourself," I say, as we begin to sway gently to the music. My mind is so focused on him, that I don't even hear the notes playing, or the rhythm. I let him lead, and that in itself is a huge step for me.

"Well, you know my name and what is my specialty. There's not much outside of that. I actually love history and research, which is why being a teacher has always been a dream. But I'm also a big fan of action and science fiction movies. Terminator, Aliens, Back to the Future, you name it. I genuinely love the outdoors, and hiking. Although there are not a lot of mountains around here."

I chuckle at that, but don't interrupt. I want him to tell me as much as he will and I don't want anything I do or say to deter him from that.

"I was on a swim team back in my high school, and yes, I went to a regular human one." It's his turn to laugh a little at my audible gasp, "It was just what I had to do and I'm happy I had the opportunity." He continues. "It was an amazing experience, and I think it will be of a great asset when it's my turn to take my father's place."

"You've resigned yourself to that role," I'm not sure if I'm asking or just commenting, but maybe it's my own insecurities that are rising up.

"A little, maybe. But I see the value in it. And..." he pauses, and I feel like he's about to share something with me that's even more personal. "During the ritual, I let all of my emotions and thoughts on the matter pour out of me and I think I see the value in it now a little more. Do I want to be a teacher? Yes. But when your mother walked around to light our candles, I realized that as a Watcher, I will be. It'll be a different kind of a classroom, but it's not an opportunity I want to let pass by me."