Secrets of the Great Oak

Chapter 37

"You're riding in the back with me and you're not touching him while we're in Traverra," Stella ordered as Jake's car pulled up to Anna's house.

Anna threw up her hands in surrender, noting that the passenger seat of Jake's car was already occupied by the one and only Noah Carson.

Distance would be good. Difficult, but good. Anna needed to think clearly about everything with Jake and she couldn't do that with the bond taking over. Stella seemed hell-bent on making sure that there was space between Anna and Jake tonight. She gave Jake a death glare when he came to the door of Anna's house to retrieve them.

"Hello, girls," Noah drawled, flashing a smile as they shuffled into the backseat of the old Buick.

"Hi, Noah." Stella and Anna said together as they buckled their seatbelts. Jake pulled the car into the road and began driving towards the park.

"So, Anna, I hear you and Jakey are having trouble." Noah turned around in his seat to look her in the face.

"Dude," Jake punched Noah in the shoulder, "I don't need you to handle this for me."

Noah swatted Jake away. "I'm just trying to understand. You two were so perfect and happy the last time I saw you."

Anna caught Jake's glance towards her in the rearview mirror, but was spared from answering Noah as Stella chimed in. "Jake lied to her and snuck around behind her back with some magical bimbo."

Jake's knuckles whitened on the steering wheel. "That is not what happened."

"Sure looked like it to me."

"I lied. Yes. But, I didn't sneak around with Saleh. She was--"

"Anchoring you. Yeah. Right. Whatever." Stella flicked some of her golden locks over her shoulder, clearly unconvinced.

"Stella, can we just drop it for now?" Anna whispered to her friend.

Stella's features immediately softened and she nodded her head before adding, "Sorry."

The subject was not touched for the rest of the ride and the car remained tense as the group explored other topics: namely Noah's heritage and the possibilities behind it.

"Saleh says I'm definitely some kind of magic wielder, but she doesn't know what kind. I'm kind of hoping to get some answers this time around." He stated as they pulled into a parking spot by the campgrounds of Radnor Lake State Park.

Stella stayed true to her word and made sure that she was between Anna and Jake for the entirety of the hike.

The sun was setting in the west as the four walked the path to the Great Oak surrounded by the sounds of nature.

Once they made their way to that massive oak tree and around to that impossible opening to another realm, Jake stopped in his tracks and looked back over his shoulder. Anna locked eyes with him. The previous night, he'd extended his hand to her and she'd taken it as they walked between worlds. But, they both knew, Stella wasn't about to let that happen this time.

"What are we waiting for?" Stella asked over Noah's shoulder.

Anna tore her eyes from Jake's and looked down at the ground as he responded, "Nothing, I'll go first. Stay close behind me."

And when Anna looked back up at the tree, all she saw was his back as he disappeared into the opening. Noah followed and Stella gestured for Anna to go next.

She tripped over a root and ungracefully fell through the opening into Traverra. Hitting Noah's back, she toppled right over to the ground. Jake was immediately there, reaching for her and steadying her.