Page 62 of Hex You

Kylie held up her hand. “I get it, Jax. But no. There’s nomaybe someday. What Hunter did is serious. I didn’t deserve it. Neither did you.” She crossed her arms back over her chest. A position, Hunter was learning, that meant Kylie’s decision was firmly in place.

“You two have history. You’ve been best friends forever. Hunter has earned your love and respect, but she hasn’t earned mine. All I know about H is that she’s manipulative and rates power over friendship, so what she wants right now doesn’t matter.”

Hunter swallowed. She’d taken Jax and her sister for granted. She’d been horrible to both of them, and as much as she feared their ire and rejection, somewhere deep down she knew they wouldn’t leave her out in the cold. Eventually, after probation or awkwardness, they would welcome her back, hold her close, tell her they loved her and that they’d never fight again. But Kylie wasn’t family. And Hunter had made sure she never would be.

Jax leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table. “If you knew everything that happened—”

“I know enough.”

A cloud covered the sun, plunging the trio into a dull gray that described the mood better than words.

Hunter’s phone chimed, a small break in the tension that gathered in the booth like a storm.

H! K, E, X, and I r going to the tree. We need you! “In every generation, there is a Chosen One!” (It’s us!)

Hunter sent a quick reply before clearing her throat. “Still up for that project at the cherry tree?”

Jax stiffened. “Yeah, totally,” he said, brushing off his hands and scooting out of the booth.

“I’ll drive.” The scent of fresh-picked citrus floated around them as Kylie stood and swept her hair into a loose bun. “Top down, of course.”

Jax halted mid-scoot and stared wide-eyed at Hunter. “She can’t.” His gaze snapped up to Kylie. “You can’t.”

She shrugged. “This is clearly a witch thing, and you said yourself that I would feel differently about what happened with Hunter if I knew what was going on. Well, here’s my chance,” she said, sliding her purse strap over her shoulder.

“You can’t, Kylie,” Hunter began as she followed Jax out of the booth. “It might not be safe.”

“You know, being told I can’t do something has never actually stopped me.” She folded her arms over her chest, and Hunter felt her odds of success plummet. “And, not sure if you’ve noticed, but living in Goodeville isn’t exactly the safest anymore, either. At least this way, I’ll know what’s going on and be better able to protect myself.”

Hunter opened her mouth to reply, but Kylie spun on her heels and marched toward the door.

“Knowledge is power, H,” she called, waving her keys in the air like a carrot. “Meet you at the car.”

“Well.” Jax tossed up his hands as he followed Kylie to the exit. “At least she didn’t slap you. Again.”

TWENTY-SIX

“Gross, gross, gross, gross, gross!” Emily wrinkled her nose as she followed Mercy, Khenti, and Xena through the dying boughs of the weeping cherry tree. “I thought the banyan tree was nasty, but this one is worse.”

Mercy looked over her shoulder at her best friend. “I don’t think it smells as bad.”

“It doesn’t. But the banyan didn’t have that.” Emily gagged as she pointed to the moist, dark hole that was a rotting, open mouth at the base of the tree. “I mean, seriously. That is disgusting.”

“Em, maybe you should wait in the car. You know, like our getaway driver,” said Mercy.

Emily’s dark curls bounced as she shook her head. “I’m not waiting way back there with the car. You might need me.” She patted her little Mansur Gavriel crossbody that looked like a cloud. “I brought my pepper-spray gun. Plus, I wouldn’t miss Xena’s performance.”

Xena, who was wearing only Abigail’s fluffy bathrobe, put her arm around Emily and licked her quickly on the cheek. “Thank you, kitten!”

“Okay, you can stay, but you’re gonna hide and when the Nure-Onna shows up youdo notdo anything to it,” Mercy said sternly. “You don’t go near it. You don’t call any attention to yourself. You’re strictly on the defense. Actually, the plan is that none of us except Khenti are gonna attack it. He’s the one with the sharp, pointy thing, the demi-god-ness, and the skillz.”

Emily wiped her cheek and sighed. “I hear ya. I’m just here as backup. You been bingeingBuffyagain?”

Khenti grinned. “We have! I began it last night! It is excellent.”

Em nodded thoughtfully. “Yep.Buffytranscends worlds.”

“That is exactly what Mag and Hunter and I thought!” Xena exclaimed and moved toward Emily again, but Em, still rubbing her check, sidestepped the cat person.