The Promise (Book 1, The Coven Series)

Chapter Thirteen

A week and a half later, I had nothing to show for my efforts at playing Nancy Drew. I'd searched everywhere for Emily's Book of Shadows. Nothing. I'd scoured the attic, torn through the basement, and had ransacked the old tree house in the woods behind our house. The only thing I found was dirt and spider webs. Feeling useless and frustrated, I made my way to the cemetery.

Dad must have been here earlier. A bouquet of carnations decorated the grave. They had always been her favorite flower. I traced her name. She'd died three years ago today. October 15th. Tragic accident. Tragic accident my ass. No, my sister had been murdered, but I couldn't prove it.

"I'm so sorry, Ems," I whispered. "I'm trying, but I can't find it."

The wind whistled through the trees, a sad mournful sound. There was no other answer. I didn't expect one. She'd given me the only clues she could. It was up to me to solve the mystery and find her book. But where? I'd looked in all the obvious places with no luck. I'd even climbed up into the old tree she'd fallen out of and broken her arm. I thought I knew all her hidey holes, but apparently not.

"You were right, Emily, about everything. It's not nonsense. I went to Meg's initiation ceremony. I felt everything you said I would. I want to explain it all away, but I can't. It was too real. I felt them, the Elements. They greeted me when I entered the circle and then they went through me twice more during the ceremony. I can't even describe what it felt like. It was amazing and scary as hell. I'm sorry I didn't believe you. So sorry."

I'd thought long and hard about that night. The things I'd seen and felt couldn't be swept away by logic. They were real. I couldn't deny it anymore. She'd be so happy that I'd finally started to believe in the power of the Elements. I just wished she were here so I could hear her say I told you so.

"I miss you so much, Ems. There's so much going on, but more than anything, I really wish you could tell me what to do about Ethan."

"So do I."

My head snapped up. He stood there, not more than ten feet from me. How did he do that? Sneaking up on me seemed to be a habit of his. As usual he looked yummy and it was all I could do to remember to breathe. He was wearing a pair of faded jeans and his Hard Rock Café tee shirt – my favorite. It hugged his muscles and showed every ripple of his abs when he moved. His hair hung in gentle waves around his face and his eyes, his eyes looked haunted and worn.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him quietly. Damn, but why did he have to look so good? My own personal M&M come to torture me.

"Looking for you," he answered and came to sit down across from me. The position was identical to the one we'd been in last time we'd met here. "You're a hard woman to find, Cassie Jayne Bishop. I've been waiting here every day this week, hoping you'd show up. I knew you'd come today."

"You think you know me so well?"

"I do." He smiled that slow, lazy smile that sent waves of heat pounding through me and caused a slow burn to make its way up my neck only to bloom into my cheeks. Why could he do this to me?

"You don't know me at all," I told him and tried to get up. His hand shot out and grabbed mine. His touch burned like a brand on my skin. "Let go," I bit out.

"No. You're not getting away this time, Cassie." His own voice was low and angry. "We need to talk. I want to explain..."

"I don't want to hear it," I snapped. "Besides, there's nothing you can say."

"You're right. There's nothing I can say to excuse what I did, but I am sorry."

"Sorry!" I yelled, furious. All the hurt and anger boiled over. "Sorry that you lied to me or sorry you got caught doing it?"