Grim Magic (Book 4 of the Ink Series)

Charge it

I looked down at my watch, there still was an hour left before the gig and I didn't have anything to wear.

"What about this?" Karsen lifted a long black tank top from the rack.

"It looks like it was shot up by a machine gun." I sighed. I understood my boyfriend was in a rock band. I knew black was the thing, but I didn't want to look like I crawled from a grave. I was still a girl for crying out loud.

"What about this?" Erica asked holding up a leather mini skirt. It was her style not mine.

"No offense Erica but that looks like something I would see in your closet." I forced a small smile and moved on to the next display.

"I have two of these actually," Erica said throwing it over her arm. "I love leather."

I ended up buying a pair of high waisted black shorts and a black and grey flannel with a black fedora. Karsen claimed I was bordering on preppy and Erica asked me why I wanted to hide so much. But I didn't care I was comfortable and wearing what I wanted to wear and that was what mattered.

We paid for our clothes and hauled ass to the door. We still needed to get ready.

"See you guys in a little while," Erica said taking her phone from her bag to call the guy she had been talking to for a couple of weeks now. I could only imagine how Slade treated anyone who dated his sister.

Karsen threw her bag over her shoulder and we headed down the boardwalk to get home. There was hardly any light left. The surfers were starting to head home and bonfires were already lighting up the sands of the beach.

I spotted a group of skaters at the end of the boardwalk.

"I don't know how they do it," Karsen commented on the kicks and flips as we passed by. "Isn't that Elliot and Easton?"

We both stopped, taking in the group of kids feet away from us. Sure enough my brothers were hanging out. And I wasn't happy with what I saw.

"Why is Hutch talking to my brothers?" I demanded.

Karsen shrugged. "I could think of a few reasons, probably none of which you would want to hear."

She was right I didn't want to hear any reason, I wanted to walk over there and punch him in the mouth. He never let up. He was forever finding a way to slip into my life and I would be damned if he used my brothers to do it.

Karsen grabbed my arm before I could even get to him. "Just let it go. We have the gig. You can talk to them later about what happened." She looked the situation over. "I'm sure they will be okay."

I sighed. "Fine. But if he does anything to hurt anyone else in my family I will kill him."

Karsen squeezed my arm. "I believe you."

We went back to Slade's to get ready for the night. We drink red bull and listened to Pantera while we did our hair and painted our nails.

Karsen settled on beach curls while I went for sleek .

But before I could dive into celebration mode I needed to see what happened with Hutch and my brothers so I made a detour at my house before we headed to the gig.

I shoved the door open and heard the television the moment I came in. The sound of gunfire and airplanes told me all I needed to know, they were busy playing video games.

I cleared my throat hoping that would be enough to grab their attention. When it wasn't I lifted the bowl of chips between the two of them on the couch igniting a groan but nothing more.

Finally, I lifted the remote wedged in the cushions of the loveseat and snapped off the television. Elliot jumped up snatching it away from me and turned it right back on.

"We're in the middle of an online game," he griped. "Chill out."

I pointed a finger at the television. "If you're not going to listen I will blow it up, test me."

Elliot sighed dropping his remote down on the table. "Gees, Hope what do you want?"

"Why were you talking to Hutch on the beach?" I demanded. I knew it probably wasn't the best way to approach things with teenagers but I needed to know.

Elliot shrugged and Easton took a swig from a bottle of rootbeer. "He asked how things were with dad. You know, ever since he went missing for that week."

I looked at Easton for more of an answer. "You didn't tell him anything did you?"

Easton scratched at the back of his neck. "I said he freaked out. I didn't think it was a big deal. It's not like the whole town doesn't know how messed up this family is already."

"Are you kidding me, Easton?" I turned away before I freaked out completely on him and settled on cleaning up a pile of dirty clothes on the floor. I took a breath trying to calm myself. "I don't want you trusting a guy like him. I know him better than you. He comes off charming but he's really not."

"That's no different than your boyfriend." Elliot stood up. "And I think you're being a little over dramatic. The guy actually had some good advice. Unlike you, you haven't even been around. You're too worried about playing house with Slade."

I stomped across the room and threw the dirty clothes at him. I was angry. "You hardly know Slade."

"We know enough," Elliot said. "He ruined your life. That's all he does is ruin your life over and over again."

"Is that really how you feel?" I crossed my arms, my heart racing. I wasn't sure if I wanted to cry or scream.

"Who cares how we feel," Easton said. "Nobody in this family asks us how we're doing."

I shook my head.

"Dad's a drunk, Nona thinks we're a burden and our sister is running around with a bunch of satan worshipers." Elliot nodded in agreement.

I walked away. Because I knew if I stayed any longer I would say something I regretted. They said enough for all of us.