Lukas doesn’t say anything, his silence heavier than the room itself. He’s waiting for me to take the lead, his hand resting on my back in quiet reassurance. I repress a sigh, my mind scrambling to find the right words to confront my aunt. But, as always, Aunt Daisy doesn’t wait for anyone else to set the tone.
“I wondered if you’d actually show up today, Clare.” She begins, her voice smooth and clipped, like she’s already several steps ahead of us.
“I thought if I had your mother invite you, it might be enough to draw your suspicion and get you here. What I didn’t expect was for you to bring the mind reader along. You do know he was promised to a demon, right?” She comments, her voice still totally calm. My breath catches in my throat, and my heart starts to race. Aunt Daisy knows. She knows about Lukas, about his family’s deal. The way she says it, so casually, sends my thoughts spiraling. If she knows all this, that has to mean she’s involved, or at least working with someone who is. She might have called Lukas’s family or even that demon, Solem. What if they’re already on their way here? What if this was her plan all along? I can’t fight them again, I have practically no magic left. Shit. Should we run? Hide? I feel sick. Lukas’s hand tightens on my back, a silent attempt to steady me. I can’t tell if it’s meant to comfort me or if he’s trying to ground himself too. Aunt Daisy scoffs, clearly unimpressed with my panicked reaction.
“Oh, relax, you two.” She scoffs, waving a hand dismissively.
“I couldn’t care less about any debt the Hollen family owes. That’s their problem, not mine. I’m just curious why you’re babysitting the mind reader, Clare. You’ve never been particularly active in the magical community. Always keeping to yourself, avoiding anything that might tie you to the family legacy. And now, suddenly, you’re running around kidnapping mind readers and blowing up cars?” She seems… Almost impressed. Of course THAT’S what finally gets her attention. Her smirk makes my skin crawl, and I feel my mouth move before I’ve even really processed what she said.
“I didn’t blow up the car…” The words tumble out awkwardly, reflexive.
“But you did kidnap the mind reader.” She counters smoothly, her smirk widening. I am seriously fumbling this conversation. It was meant to be an interrogation. I was meant to demand answers. Instead I feel like I’m twelve years old and I’m in trouble for fumbling the words of a particularly long and pointless spell for the tenth time.
“I don’t think it counts as kidnapping if I go with her willingly.” Lukas interjects dryly. His tone is calm, but sharp. Is he angry about something? Aunt Daisy shrugs, completely unbothered.
“Fair enough. Still, I want to know what you’re up to, Clare. Let’s not pretend you’re suddenly some crusader for justice. You’re a poor witch, no matter what you’ve somehow tricked the Hollen family into thinking, but you’re not a stupid girl. Why are you getting involved in all of this? It has absolutely nothing to do with you.” She demands. Her words are like a slap in the face, not because they’re entirely untrue, but because they hit the exact insecurity I’ve been wrestling with since this all started. I frown, my frustration bubbling over.
“Because… Because you’re involved!” I blurt out before I can stop myself.
“You’re endangering our whole family! Am I supposed to just ignore that?” I hate how small my voice sounds when I ask. Aunt Daisy rolls her eyes, her expression twisting into something between pity and condescension.
“Oh, Clare. The next time I need an unsolicited, uninformed opinion, I’ll know exactly where to find you.” Her tone is dripping with sarcasm.
“You’re a silly little girl playing at things far beyond your understanding. You’re in way over your head. Take your little boyfriend and go home. Stop sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong.” She orders. Her words sting, but something else nags at me. She called Lukas my boyfriend. Even though she’s clearly aware we came here to investigate her, she still thinks our relationship is real? How does she not see through it? What kind of game is she playing? My mind races with questions, but one thing is clear, Aunt Daisy knows far more than she’s letting on, and whatever she’s involved in, she’s not even trying to deny it. The realization leaves me sick to my stomach. Lukas shifts beside me, his hand sliding slightly against my back, almost as if he’s waiting for a signal. I don’t know what to do next, but one thing is certain, Aunt Daisy has no intention of telling us anything useful without a fight. If she isn’t going to talk, is there really any point in us sticking around here?
I jump to my feet, my movements sharp and fueled by frustration, and head toward the door. Lukas is right beside me, rising without hesitation.
“Where are you going?” Aunt Daisy’s voice snaps behind me, cold and sharp. I turn, giving her a tight smile that doesn’t reach my eyes.
“Didn’t you tell me to take my boyfriend and go home? Well, I’m leaving. Getting my nose out of your business. Just try not to drag the whole family down with you when it all goes wrong.” I say, my voice quieter than I intended but weighted with sadness. I can’t tell if she notices, but I don’t give her the chance to respond. I grab Lukas’s hand and march straight out the front door, letting it swing shut behind us. The walk down the driveway feels longer than it should. I stop abruptly at the edge of the driveway and groan in frustration.
“Damn it.” I mutter under my breath, glaring at the empty street in front of me. Right. No car.
“Relax.” Lukas says softly, his voice calm as ever. He’s still holding my hand tightly, his thumb brushing lightly against my skin.
“We can call for a taxi.” He offers. I sigh and use my free hand to adjust my hair, making sure it’s still in place. This whole day feels like a waste. Aunt Daisy knows we’re onto her, but what can we even do about it? She’s dangerous, and every step closer we get just makes this whole thing feel more impossible.
*It’s like we keep learning more and more. We’re finding people who are involved, uncovering clues… But none of it is actually useful. It’s like trying to put together a puzzle with half the pieces missing. It’s pointless.* I think hopelessly, knowing that Lukas is listening. He doesn’t say anything right away, but his sigh is heavy, like he’s carrying my frustration alongside his own, and I guess he is. He tugs gently on my hand, pulling me closer until his arm wraps securely around my waist. He uses it to tip me against him so I’m leaning against his chest. His other hand finds its way to my hair, his fingers stroking lightly in a way that’s careful not to mess it up.
“I know.” He finally says, his voice low and steady. He doesn’t promise that everything will be okay. He doesn’t promise that we’ll figure it out. And honestly, I appreciate that. Anything else would feel false. Wishful thinking at best, a lie at worst.
“Hey! Wait up!” My brother’s voice cuts through my thoughts, startling me. I jerk away from Lukas on instinct, but I don’t get far since his arm is still wrapped firmly around my waist. I turn to see Julian jogging down the driveway, his usual composure nowhere to be found. He looks different like this, more unguarded, almost vulnerable. For the first time in years, I really see him, and I’m struck by how similar we actually look. The same skin tone, the same eyes… If my hair wasn’t currently pink, it would be an exact match to his light brown strands. It’s disarming in a way I didn’t expect.
“Is something wrong?” Lukas asks, his voice polite but with an edge of wariness.
“What? No.” Julian says, slightly breathless as he comes to a stop in front of us.
“It’s just… You guys promised me an explanation. Plus, you came in a taxi, right? My car is parked right there.” Julian gestures to the street, where his car is parked neatly across from the house.
“I can give you a ride home. That is… If Clare is willing to tell me where home actually is?” He adds, his tone hopeful. I stare at him for a moment, caught off guard by the unexpected offer. His expression is open, earnest in a way that makes my chest ache. Despite everything, despite the years of distance between us, Julian wants to help. He wants to spend time with me. I take a deep breath, releasing it slowly as some of the tension in my chest starts to unwind. Maybe not everything is bad. Aunt Daisy might be a mess, and we’re still no closer to a real solution, but Julian isn’t involved. And for the first time in years, it feels like he actually wants to be part of my life.
“Sure, a ride would be great.” I say, my voice soft but steady. Julian smiles brightly and leads the way. As we walk toward his car, I catch Lukas’s small smile out of the corner of my eye.