Chapter 4

I listened as Abby explained the plan to head home with both Isach and Piper in tow, and I mentally ran through a list of reasons why this was the worst idea in history of bad ideas. The short amount of time I’d spent alone with Piper in my room was enough to last me a lifetime. Not to mention, I was not prepared to bring her home with us and have my brothers figure out she was my soulmate. They’d never let me live it down, and I was in no mood to deal with them, especially when we’d have to deal with Ivy and the Rose Coven. The less distractions and complications the better.

“No way.” I shook my head, my gaze murderous.

“You said you’d be nice.” Abby gave me an equally deadly glare.

“Being nice does not mean taking a road trip with Prickly the Witch.” I stabbed my finger in Piper’s direction.

“It’s Piper.” Her tone was sickeningly sweet.

I whipped around to glare at her. The muscles in my arms flexed with how hard I clenched my hands. Piper didn’t so much as flinch, and a stare off ensued. I loathed how easily she unraveled me, but I couldn’t deny how much I loved going head-to-head with her. The way she constantly referred me as “cranky” and “the vampire” and the ridiculous names I came up with for her… All of it felt an awful lot like a prolonged game of foreplay. Her gaze was daring, challenging.

“Think about this for a second, Jax. She can help us, and right now, we need all the help we can get. Not to mention, she’s the only one who can keep Isach cloaked from Ivy.” Abby glanced over her shoulder to where Isach stood near the window.

I hated to admit that Abby had a point. If everything Isach told us was true, then he did need to stay cloaked. But was his secrecy worth the risk?

“You need to think about this.” I turned toward Abby. “You really want to bring a witch we know nothing about into Trent and Chloe’s home?” I silently pleaded with her to understand.

Despite the decision looming in front of me, I was certain of a few facts. First, no way was Abby leaving here without Isach. Second, Isach wasn’t leaving without his witchy bodyguard. And third, I absolutely could not leave here without Abby because then Chloe would demand answers, and what would I tell her? I’d promised to take care of Abby and to bring her home in one peace.

“You can trust Piper,” Isach said.

Abby’s gaze darted from Isach to me to Piper. She shifted on her feet. I’d quickly learned what that look on her face meant—she’d made up her mind about this.

“You cannot seriously be considering this.” My tone went from angry to borderline panicky. “We need to talk. Alone.” I clutched Abby’s arm and started to drag her away from Isach and Piper.

“Let go of her.” Isach straightened, and a tense moment of silence fell over the room.

“It’s fine, Isach. Just give us a minute,” Abby said.

I led her to the farthest corner near the bathroom. “We know nothing about these witches, Abby. You have to know this is too dangerous,” I whispered harshly.

“I know it’s a risk, but what other choice do we have?” She crossed her arms. “If you have a better idea, tell me. Because I am not leaving here without Isach, and he’s apparently not going without her.” Abby nodded in Piper’s general direction. “So, what’re we supposed to do?”

I blew out a breath. “Do you trust her?”

Soulmate or not, Piper was a witch who wouldn’t even share which coven she belonged to, and in my book, that made her extremely untrustworthy. I’d gladly put my feelings aside and leave her here without a glance backward if doing so meant I’d keep my family safe. I no longer had to think of only my brothers and Chloe—there were two precious, defenseless girls to think about now, too.

“No.” Abby turned her attention back to me. “But I do trust Isach, and if he says we can trust Piper, then I believe him.”

I cursed under my breath. After everything Isach had done, she still blindly trusted him. I wanted to shake some sense into her, but it probably wouldn’t do any good. I was outnumbered on this. “Fine, but I’m calling Chloe and warning her.”

“You can’t do that,” Isach said.

“Why not? We can’t just show up on her doorstep with a strange witch and expect Chloe to welcome her. No offense, Piper.” Abby shrugged apologetically, and Piper simply smiled in return. “Sorry, Isach, but I’m with Jax on this. We have to let Chloe know what’s going on.”

“And we will. As soon as we get there.” Isach strode toward us. “But I can’t risk anyone else knowing I’m alive, not yet, and we have no idea if Ivy’s got spies.”

“Isn’t that what your magical bodyguard is for?” I asked. If not, then why was she even here?

“I can protect Isach from detection, but I can’t prevent Ivy or any other witch from using their magic against your friends, especially when they’re thousands of miles away,” Piper said.

“So, you’re not as powerful as you want us to believe.” I smirked.

“Jax.” Abby sighed.

I threw my hands up in surrender. “I know. I’ll be nice.” Did no one have a sense of humor? Or the ability to listen to reason?

“Thank you,” Abby said.

“Then it’s settled. The four of us drive back to Keene Valley. We’re not telling Chloe or anyone else, and we’ll fill them in when we get there,” Isach said.

Twenty minutes later, and after a quick phone call with Chloe to let her know our plans to drive home, the four of us were standing near the rental car. While I’d been packing, I called to extend the reservation and made arrangements to return the car in New York, so we were all set to go.

As soon as I had our suitcases in the trunk and the lid closed, I turned to Abby. “Got a minute?”

“I’ll wait in the car.” Isach gave her a kiss on the cheek.

“Shotgun!” Piper climbed into the front seat.

I growled. As if making this trip with her wasn’t bad enough, I now had to sit next to her the entire way, too? Why had I agreed to this?

“What’s up?” Abby asked.

“Last chance to back out. You’re absolutely certain this is what you want to do?”

“Yes. This is the only way to ensure Isach is safe and to get him back fully. We have to do this, Jax.” She shifted on her feet. “Can I count on you to help us? Because I’m going to need you on our side when we get home.”

Did I really have a choice? Saying no would hurt her, and I didn’t want to do that. She’d been through enough. Besides, if I didn’t help her, I’d be breaking my promise to Chloe, and I refused to let that happen. After a moment, I nodded. “Of course.”

“Thank you.” Abby climbed into the backseat.

Reluctantly, I slid into the driver’s seat. My body was instantly on alert, hyper aware of Piper within touching distance. This was going to be the longest trip of my life. I started the car.

Piper fiddled with the radio. I gave her a strange look, then glanced at Abby in the rearview mirror, brow raised. She kept silent. Some strange moody tune filled the car.

“What is that?” My attention snapped back to Piper.

“Alternative rock.” Piper hooked her seat belt.

“I don’t think so.” I changed the station, and a country song blared through the speakers. Not that I was a fan of country music per se, but if she wanted to mess around, I could, too.

Piper twisted around to look at Abby and Isach. “You failed to mention the vampire was a redneck.”

I hid my amusement behind a stoic expression. “Listening to country music doesn’t mean I’m a redneck.” I pulled out of the parking lot.

“Then what does it make you?” Piper asked.

“A good old-fashioned country boy.” I grinned. “You know… not afraid of a little hard work. No trouble getting my hands dirty. Knows how to treat a woman.”

“Could’ve fooled me.” Piper gave me a fake, sickeningly sweet smile that screamed game on. “You’ve been nothing but mean, rude, and cranky since I’ve met you.”

Challenge accepted. “Like I said. I know how to treat a woman.”

Abby kicked the back of my seat. “Be nice,” she warned.

“This is going to be the longest trip ever,” Isach grumbled.

“Just remember, Zoya, this was all your idea,” I said. “I’m more than willing to park this car and board a plane.”

“You know we can’t do that.” Abby sat up straight. “So, let’s all try to get along, okay?”

Silence descended, but my nerves were on edge. Nothing about this felt right, and I worried how Chloe and Trent would react when we got home. Too late to turn back now, though. I had to commit to the plan and fight for my family—all of them. Isach included.

The radio station abruptly changed, and Christian worship music played. I whipped my head around to glare at Piper. Her hands were in her lap, but a faint smile curved the corners of her lips.

“Really? That’s how you want to play this?” I asked.

But I couldn’t ignore the excitement that swelled in my veins. How could I simultaneously love and hate how she behaved? I didn’t know if I should be angry or annoyed or something else entirely. All I knew was I wanted to get a rise out of her so she wouldn’t stop this little game we were playing with each other.

Abby laughed, which earned her a glare from me. I had to keep up the appearance of disliking Piper because I wasn’t ready for anyone to know the truth.

“Fine.” I turned the radio off completely.

A second later, the radio switched back on, this time to a heavy metal station that sounded like a bunch of angry people screaming at the top of their lungs. The volume slowly increased.

Okay, she got me with that one. Though the rock was certainly better than the religious music. But with heightened senses, the volume was seconds away from busting my eardrum.

I gripped the wheel so tight my knuckles turned white. “Control your witch, Isach, or I’ll accidentally leave her at the first rest stop.”

“All right, Piper, that’s enough,” Isach said, his tone full of humor. “As much fun as it is to poke at Jax, let’s be nice.”

“Fine.” Piper sighed. The station magically switched back to the country music I had turned on, and the volume lowered to a more manageable level.

“Thank you,” I said through clenched teeth. My grip on the wheel loosened, and I flexed my fingers. I really didn’t want to listen to country, but I’d won this round, and I wasn’t about to admit defeat.

“So, Piper, do you and your sisters live in that house together?” Abby asked.

Thank God she was talking. Someone needed to, and maybe Abby could get some information from Piper. I wasn’t opposed to learning more about her, either. Strictly so I knew if she were friend or foe, so I could be prepared for having her close to my family. No other reason.

“Yes,” Piper said.

“Cool. Do you go to school or work?”

“No.”

“Piper and her sisters got a very hefty inheritance from their parents,” Isach said. “They tend to lay low and mind their own business, which was why I’d enlisted their help.”

Abby nodded. “How did you two meet?”

“Our family had a long history in New Orleans,” Piper said. “Isach used to know members of our coven, back when he lived there.”

“Oh.”

“And what coven are you from, exactly?” I asked, not taking my eyes off the road.

“One that no longer exists.” Piper’s tone was sharp.

“Wait. Are you and your sisters rogue witches?” In the back seat, Abby’s heart thumped hard enough to momentarily distract me.

We’d dealt with a rogue witch before, and I’d killed her for coming after Chloe. I glanced at Piper from the corner of my eye. Rogue witches were unstable, volatile, and had no place being anywhere near my family. Despite her secrecy and her annoying behavior, she didn’t seem unstable. Maybe a little volatile toward me, but I probably deserved it.

“Not exactly,” Piper said cautiously.

“You no longer have a coven, either. Or your magic. Are you…?” Abby’s voice trailed off as she stared at Isach.

Pride swelled in my chest. Abby had been paying attention during all of our conversations about witches, and she was asking all the right questions.

“No,” he said firmly. “I’m not a rogue witch.”

“But… how?” She caught my gaze in the rearview mirror. Her unease and confusion were evident in her expression. A little too late for her to be having second thoughts now.

“A coven is considered a coven when three witches live and practice together,” Isach said.

“And there are four of them,” Abby finished.

He nodded. “Even though I’m not currently in possession of my magic, I still own it, and because I’ve been living with them…”

“So, you’re now part of their coven?” Abby glanced from Isach to Piper.

“Something like that,” Piper said.

I frowned. Was that the only answer she knew how to give? She’d said the same thing to me when I’d asked her questions.

“Look, Piper, I’m grateful to you and your sisters for helping Isach and keeping him safe, but the only reason I’m trusting you right now is because Isach does. But you need to understand that I’m trusting you with my entire family. With everyone I love, and it would be nice if you’d give me something to assure me that you’re not going to stab us in the back.” Abby’s face turned red.

Piper turned in her seat. I watched her warily, unsure what she’d do or say. Surely, Isach wouldn’t have put Abby in a confined space with someone who would hurt her. That sole thought kept me from pulling the car over and demanding Piper get out.

Yeah, right. As much as I still didn’t trust her, she’d sucked me in, and I couldn’t do anything to harm her any more than I could harm Abby or Chloe. Like it or not, I was bound to Piper, destined to protect her. Make her happy. Love her. My gut twisted.

“My coven was wiped out a very long time ago. My sisters and I were the only survivors, and we’ve been in hiding ever since. I promise you, Abby, I have no ill intent toward you or your family. I simply want to help Isach.”

“Why?” Abby asked.

“Because I can empathize with his situation. I know what it’s like to lose your entire coven, to be alone and lost. I’ve been lucky enough to have my sisters, so when Isach came to us for help, we knew we couldn’t turn him away.” Piper smiled warmly at Isach. “Ivy Rose has been a thorn in my magical side for as long as I can remember, and it’s about time someone put her in her place.”

Rage and sympathy tightened the knot in my gut. I hated that she’d suffered so much loss, and I wanted to seek revenge on her behalf. Knowing she despised Ivy as much as I did earned her a lot of points with me.

“We finally agree on something,” I said, and Piper gave me a genuine smile that warmed everything inside of me.

“I’m sorry you lost your coven,” Abby said.

“Thank you.”

“They’re trusting you because I asked them to,” Isach said to Piper. “Now it’s your turn. You have to tell them.”

“Tell us what?” My voice hardened. I’d known she was hiding something. I hadn’t known Isach knew what that was. The next words out of Piper’s mouth would determine my next move.

Piper sighed. “My name is Piper Pendragon, and my sisters and I are the last living witches of the Pendragon Coven.”