Hidden Powers

Chapter 3: Hope

                There he was, standing right in front of me. His grey eyes held me in place with his strawberry blonde hair blowing in the wind. He walked towards me as I stood in fear knowing he found me somehow. Raising a hand to brush my bangs out of my eyes, he smiled down at me. This couldn’t be one of those romantic moments where he can brush a loose strand of my hair behind my ear, because my hair was too short for that. I liked to spike it up or keep it messy. The only thing he can do is move my bangs. A shiver ran down my spine when he didn’t move his fingers, and not a good one either. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up like how a cat’s hair would stand up while preparing to pounce on it’s prey.

                “You’re more beautiful then I remember.” He said while leaning down to kiss me. As soon as his lips touched mine, it was the shock to my system that I needed in order to bring me back to my senses.

                “Don’t touch me.” I spit out at him. His eyes flashed green for a moment, it was a flicker, but I saw it.

                “You are mine Hope. Why can’t you see that?”

                “I was yours Jack, but you cheated on me. I saw you with Tina. You know that I did because you looked me right in the eyes and smirked.”

                “That was a low moment for me, I know. I feel horrible about it, but I gave you your space to heal. It’s time to come back to me.”

                “How are you reaching out to me?” This was something to figure out because no one was supposed to reach me. It surprised me when Ava first contacted me, but now I understand why. We’re connected in a way that I can’t explain. Jack though, was not supposed to be strong enough to reach me here with the protection bubble around us.

                “I maybe have taken this time apart to tune up my powers.” I looked at him curiously, hoping he would elaborate. “A family member passed, and I was his closest living relative. Before he died he must have murmured a spell to transfer his powers to me. I had to learn how to control all this extra power. This dream for instance, was something he could do and now I can.”

                My heart started beating because it sounded a lot like that Kyle guy did with Ava. “Who was the family member?” I had to ask, but I was nervous to hear his answer.

                “He’s a half brother, I don’t think you’ve ever met him because he stayed in vampire territory.” He shrugged his shoulders like it was no big deal. “He was half warlock and half vampire, pretty powerful so I have no idea who someone was able to kill him.” There was only one person I heard of who matches that description. I have to warn Ava as soon as I can.

                “Were you close to him?” Even though I didn’t care about Jack anymore, we did share a few years together and I can’t forget those days.

                “I met him a few times, but no, we weren’t that close.” He had a sad look in his eyes but it was gone just as fast as it came. “I’m surprised he sent them to me in the first place.”

                “I can understand that I suppose, but I guess it was nice that he thought of you.” Why am I being so nice to him? Something was wrong.

                “You feel it between us right? It isn’t just me?” He asked.

                “Feel what?”

                “The connection between us. Hope, I am positive you’re my true mate. There’s always been something between us and now that you’re 18, you’ll feel it too.”

                “I don’t feel a connection Jack.”

                “Then why are you being so nice to me after everything I’ve done?” That was something I just asked myself. This is very confusing, but he can’t be my mate. I didn’t only see him kissing Tina, I saw him murder her a few days later. He doesn’t know that I was there that night. It’s something I try not to think about, and the days following as well. Holton and I had to put a memory block on him for the days after, but with his new powers, I wonder if he broke threw.

                “An automatic reaction to someone losing a family member I guess.” I shrugged. “I’m still mad at you, and I don’t want anything to do with you.”

                “We’re mates Hope, it’s only a matter of time until you leave that farm and come find me.” He snapped his fingers and he was gone. I woke up with a start. He does know where I am, and now he can reach out to me at any time. This is bad.

                I looked at the clock and saw that I was going to be late meeting Holton in the field if I didn’t get up and go now. I quickly changed into a nice warm sweater dress before heading out my window. I looked over and saw Holton doing the same thing. He had his blonde hair up in a man bun and was wearing a navy sweatshirt that matched mine. Sometimes we’re twinning without even trying.

                “Hurry up, we’re going to be late and the spell won’t work as good.” He urged me on. I jumped off the roof gracefully as I let the wind carry me down. Holton wasn’t as lucky. He almost landed flat on his face but quickly recovered with a barrel roll. “I’m meant to do that.”

                “Sure you did. Now come on!” I grabbed his hand and we ran to the very center of the field. There was little time until midnight, and that was always the best time for us to use magic together. Don’t ask me why, it was just that way. We learned at an early age that midnight was our moment. I know in movies, they say it’s the witching hour, but it’s usually not true. Unfortunately we happened to fall under that typical cliché.

                “Did you bring the candles?”

                “I knew I forgot about something. Sorry, just a moment.” I focused on the candles from my loft and imagined them around us in the field.

                “You’re getting pretty good that that.” Holton said. I opened my eyes and saw the candles set up perfectly.

                “Thanks, would you mind lighting them? I can’t do all the work.” He chuckled and blew towards one of the candles. They all lit up and we sat down. “What time is it?”

                “We have a minute to go, so lets get settled.” We held hands and focused on the energy around us. We found early on that we didn’t always have to say a spell to use magic like most. I think it has something to do with us being part of the chosen red eye group. All we do is focus on our powers like I did with Ava. I imagined my purple strand dancing around then a blue strand of power appeared. Holton and I were connecting for the spell now. Without having to discuss what we need to do; we felt our way over the bubble with our powers and we imagined it strengthening.

                Wave after wave of power shot out from our circle up in the sky and covering the bubble. You can see purple and blue tints covering it now from the inside. It actually looked beautiful, and I was anxious to make sure the additions we made were going to stick.

                “I think we did good.” Holton said while looking up.

                “We did. Hopefully it works.”

                “You seem distracted. Did something happen?”

                “I’m good, just tired. Let’s go home and get to bed.”

                When we arrived home, I used the wind to float us up to the roof so we wouldn’t wake up our parents. “Goodnight.” Holton said as he went in through his window and I went in through mine. I had no intention to sleep since I knew that Jack could reach me. I sat at my desk and started drawing in my sketch book to keep me awake. Every few minutes I would feel myself drift off, so I decided to bring out my phone and turn on my favorite playlist while I put my earbuds in.

                The next morning, my sketch pad was completely full and most of the drawings were of Mark. How was he on my mind so much before meeting him officially. Even when Jack and I were dating, he was never on my mind this much. I drew some pictures of him, but I was aware of drawing them. Mark is different. His dark brown hair and chocolate brown eyes were hypnotizing. I knew the connection wasn’t because of Ava because James is her mate. Whenever Ava and Mark were near each other, all she felt towards him was a brotherly bond. I feel so much more, but I don’t even know the guy.

                “Hope, you have guests.” My mom called up to me. I knew who it would be, because there are only a few people chosen to get past our bubble. I walked downstairs in my jammies and there stood my two best friends. Emily and Lucy. They both smiled at me and my mom rushed over with a plate of toast, eggs, and bacon. “Take it upstairs so you can all talk. I won’t bother you and your girl time.”

                “Thanks mom.” I took the plate from her hands and nodded to the girls to follow me, but instead of going back to my bedroom, I led them to the barn and up to my loft. “What’s going on?”

                “We just wanted to see you. It’s been a few weeks.” Emily said. I raised my eyebrow at her and tilted my head to the side as I put a piece of bacon in my mouth.

                “I told you she wouldn’t buy that lie.” Lucy hissed at her.

                “Who wants to tell me the truth?” I looked between the two of them until one of them caved.

                “We saw Jack.” Lucy said.

                “I know he’s back. He’s already contacted me.” I told them.

                “And you didn’t tell us?” Emily said faking shock.

                “It just happened, and I’ve been busy. I was going to reach out today, but you two beat me to it.” I rolled my eyes at her dramatics.

                “He was asking about you of course, but we didn’t tell him anything.” Lucy assured me.

                “Thanks ladies, you’re both the best. I’m glad I can trust you both.” I smiled at them. Lucy smiled back, but Emily had a different look in her eyes. She smiled a moment too late which made me aware of something going on in her mind, but I don’t know what yet. Holton is the one with the mind reading powers. I’ll try and have him near one day when they’re here again.

                “Do you have any plans today?” Emily asked.

                “Not really.” I shrugged while eating my eggs and toast finally. “I woke up before you arrived so I’m not even ready for the day to start.”

                “We can wait for you if you want to come out to the movies with us.” Lucy said while bouncing on the couch.

                “I don’t know if I should with Jack around.”

                “You’ll be in disguise; he won’t know the difference.” Emily sounded annoyed which again, alerted my senses. She was never like this before. Even Lucy gave her a side glance.

                “I can be ready in ten minutes.” I left them alone in my loft while I ran back to my room. I jumped in the shower and quickly washed my body and hair. I didn’t really want to towel dry, so I focused on my body heat and felt warmth spread all over. I was dry in a flash. I grabbed some clothes that wouldn’t be my usual style in case we came across anyone…like Jack. I put in on the pink tube top and a blue mini skirt. I cringed at the sight of me in the mirror.

                A few minutes later I was walking through the bubble entrance with my friends and off we went to the movie theatre. My hair was longer now, and went from blonde to red. My eyes became a bright blue instead of my dark brown. My skin didn’t look as pale, like I just got back from the tanning salon. My bone structure completely changed as well to make sure the disguise would work to its fullest.

                We were talking and laughing while walking down the street, and once we reached the theatre, Jack was there with some friends. “You good?” Lucy whispered to me. I nodded my head and we walked past him. I kept my eyes facing forwards trying not to attract attention to myself.

                “Emily and Lucy. It’s been a couple years, how are you both?” Jack stopped us before we could get too far in.

                “It’s been great since you haven’t been around.” Lucy smiled at him. Emily stayed silent but wouldn’t take her eyes off him.

                “Oh Lucy, you’re such a jokester.” He laughed. Then his eyes trailed over to me. “Who’s your friend?”

                “This is Martha. She’s pretty new around here. Transferred in for the last year of high school. She’s been lucky enough to have not met you before, so I want to keep it that way.” Lucy pulled on my arm and dragged me away before he could say anything else.

                “I can’t wait to get to know you Martha.” He called out as Emily came up behind us.

                “Why did you stay back?” Lucy asked Emily.

                “It took me a moment to move my legs. I couldn’t even remember to talk around him. He scares me a little and I have no idea why.” I wasn’t sure if I should believe what Emily said, and Lucy didn’t look convinced either.

                Emily kept moving forwards and bought the movie tickets. Lucy and I exchanged a look and followed behind her. I wish Holton was here to read her mind, but he made a point to stay away from Emily. She was always trying to get his attention. When she turned 18, she hung around all the time in hopes that Holton was her mate, but he never showed any interest. Lucy wasn’t 18 yet, but her birthday is in a couple months, April 1st. Unfortunately she was born on April Fools Day, and everyone made fun of her for it. She was really smart and skipped a grade, so that didn’t help people making fun of her either. I stopped some people bullying her in junior high and we’ve been best friends ever since. Emily joined us years later. I secretly hope Lucy is meant for Holton. They would be super cute together.

                We took our seats and waited for the trailers to start. I wasn’t even sure what movie Emily picked, and now I had no choice to back out. Jack and his friends walked in and made their way up to where we were sitting and took the row in front of us. Jack looked back before sitting down and he winked at me a few times. It used to be our signal when we couldn’t talk in class but we were thinking of them. My heart rate started to speed up. He knew, but how?