He nodded his pretty boy head. "I thought you would have figured it out."

He thought wrong. But now that he said it, I should have known. I should have seen the signs. Tingles. Bizarre c.r.a.p. The fact that he knew more about witchcraft than I did.

Those were pretty big factors. I could thump myself on the forehead. For someone who was so smart, I could be so stupid. To think I wasn't sure anything could surprise me anymore.

Boy was I dead wrong.

The golden witch, that's what I saw when I looked him now. It fit. He was as light as Gavin was dark. "Well it makes sense now. So you knew that I was... dreamscaping you?" I tripped a little over the word still foreign to me. Actually, anything witchcraft related felt odd coming from my mouth.

"I did," he said carefully like it was a trick question. "Is that a bad thing?"

I was feeling sort of cheated here. Why did I always have to be the one who was utterly nave? Sighing, I replied, "No. I just feel like an idiot."

"I'm sorry." His eyes did that puppy thingy. On Lukas it was impossible for your heart not to melt, even a tad.

I turned the cup in circles between my hands. "It's not your fault. I just wish I had known sooner. Before things suddenly became...hectic."

"Has something happened?" he asked, alarm instantly breaking out into his face. Leave it to Lukas to go all He-Man on me.

"I'm not really sure yet." I don't know why, but I was hesitant to tell him about the h.e.l.lish dream I'd recently had featuring none other than Morgana Le Fey. It just didn't seem like the right time. My eyes kept shifting to the other people in the cafe with us, innocent to the world around them. I used to be that blind. Not anymore.

"Do you want to enchant them?" Lukas teased, noticing my wandering gaze. Well I hoped he was teasing. It was possible this was his way of trying to lighten the mood.

"You're joking right?" He wanted me to enchant them? That was a laugh. I might be a witch, but I was pretty useless when it came to performing spells. Only recently had I begin to experiment with the energy that lay inside me. The results were often unpredictable. I would have probably ended up conjuring a storm inside the Hawk's Nest.

His sunny smile widened.

I shook my head. "No, of course not. I was just remembering that I used to be like them. Clueless."

"And do you think you would be better off clueless?"

I stared at the cooling macchiato. "I don't know."

He moved from his seat across the table into the one beside me, closing the s.p.a.ce between us. When he spoke his voice held conviction. "What you have is power. Not just any kind of strength. Magic. It's whatever you want it to be. You have the world at your fingertips now Brianna. Take advantage of it. Don't run from it."

Whoa. Who knew the college boy could have such insight.

He leaned in, and all I could think was... Oh s.h.i.t. He is going to kiss me. His breath warmed my face, but instead his fingers grazed over my necklace. The spot on my throat tingled. Instantly the amethyst illuminated and the moonstone radiated.

"We have signature magic," he said low, his eyes holding mine.

Huh? What does he mean we have signature magic?

I watched stupefied as his emerald eyes took on a mystic glow, probably a lot like mine did when I used magic. I could almost feel mine taking on the same iridescent hue. His fingers stroked the stones and like a switch, a surge of pleasure ran through me.

"You have the most beautiful eyes." His voice had gone all velvety and smooth.

There was no doubt in my mind that my eyes were lit up like the Northern lights. Warning, screeched my internal alarm. This was stepping into a territory I wasn't willing to go. Not now that I knew he was real and not while my feelings were jumbled with uncertainty.

I didn't have the foggiest idea what was going on or happening other than there was something about his energy that mirrored mine. Before I did something stupid that I was going to utterly regret, I pulled back. The small distance was like a breath of fresh air.

"What was that?" I asked with more than a little accusation in my tone.

There was an air of disappointment reflecting in his eyes. Eyes that had lost their l.u.s.ter. With a heavy sigh he reclined back against the seat. "I don't know exactly."

I narrowed my eyes at him.

"It's the truth. There is something about our magic. It's like their companions. One identifies with the other."

"But don't all witches recognize each other?"

"They do, but this is different, on another level so to speak. Sure when we first met in your dreams, I knew that you were a witch. I was young and didn't really understand, but as we got older I could tell that it was more than just us being witches."

"And you never thought to tell me?" I couldn't hide the irritation.

His emerald eyes softened. "Do you honestly think you would have believed me? A guy in your dreams trying to convince you that you are actually a witch...You could barely believe that I was real the other day."

Fine. Sure, he had a point. That didn't necessarily mean I was okay with it.

Irrational, I know. Maybe that should be my middle name.

Brianna Irrational Rafferty. That had a lovely ring to it.

"I never would have believed you," I conceded. "In fact, I probably would have thought I was losing my freaking mind." Some days I still do.

He leaned forward on the table. "I think we could help each other."

"How so?"

"Well I could help you learn to use and control your magic. In theory, I think our energies are parallel. I would like to see what they can do together." There was hope and curiosity in his face. He really wanted to do this.

I thought about what he offered. There was no way I could deny that I hadn't felt something weird or more weird than usual. The few times I had done magic with Sophie or Gavin hadn't come close to the surge of power I felt briefly with Lukas. Imagine if we put forth some effort.

It was both intriguing and seductive.

That scared me.

"Are you game?" he asked after a few prolonged moments of me with drawn brows just staring at him.

There was another long pause as I contemplated his offer. "Why not," I heard myself respond. What did I possibly have to lose? Somewhere, the back of my mind nudged that I might be risking more than I was willing to pay. But how could I ignore the opportunity to gain such knowledge, to control this gift. It wasn't like Lukas was a stranger. I would be safe with him.

Now all I had to do was tell Gavin. I couldn't hide Lukas forever.

Chapter 5.

SUNDAY I HAD TO WORK. I had done a d.a.m.n good job of evading Gavin all day yesterday, but I knew the time had come.

With the impending holidays, Mystic Floral and Gifts was in full swing. Strands of twinkling lights were strung around the shop like tiny crystals. The whole place smelled like pine, candy cane, and mulberry spice. Poinsettias, garland, wreaths, and lilies decorated every corner of the shop. Confetti snow dusted the counters and displays.

It was like walking into Narnia.

Brewing a pot of coffee for the customers, I organized a plate of Christmas cookies. It might only be the middle of November, but Christmas in the shop started almost immediately after Halloween. There was, of course, a small section dedicated to autumn and Thanksgiving, but primarily Christmas had taken over and would until the end of the year.

By that time, I would be ready to pull my hair out. The holidays were joyous, but they could also be frazzling. Carols pumped cheerily from the shop's speakers, though I was feeling anything but cheery.

Actually, I thought I might hurl.

Plus the amount of coffee I had inhaled this morning wasn't exactly helping my jumping nerves. My stomach was tied like a Chinese knot. I thought about my day with Lukas, all night. It plagued my mind.

The feeling was like being in a tangled web. It spun and spun out of my control. My mind was light-years away as I mechanically arranged the complimentary tray. Faintly I heard a familiar voice.

"Brianna."

My name finally registered through the smog of my own thoughts. I don't know how long she had been calling my name. Turning toward the sound of my aunt's voice, I like a complete klutz, knocked a figurine off the counter beside me. In horror, I watched the shiny porcelain faerie tumble to the ground and smash to smithereens. The sound was like a crash, booming through the serene shop.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what is wrong with me today." Lie, screamed my conscious.

She put a steady hand on my arm as I went to bend down and clean up my mess. "It's okay, really. I got this. Why don't you take a load off for a bit?"

Nodding, I took a seat on one of the stools.

She grabbed a broom and dust pan from the back, her eyes brimmed with concern when she returned. "You seem a little out of sorts. Do you have something on your mind?"

No matter how much I tried to disguise my emotions, no one knew me like my aunt. Everything inside me wanted to pour my heart out, all the dirty details. Finding out I was a witch. The haunting dreams. Lukas. Gavin. I could use some loving advice right now, someone to tell me how to handle this sticky situation, someone to help shoulder all the mounting stress.

How much could I really tell her without getting her involved in trouble?

"I don't know. Maybe," I admitted. I studied her as she effortlessly picked up the broken pieces. Too bad my problems weren't able to be swept away so easily.

What was life without complications?

Peaceful.

Her light brown hair was secured in a low ponytail with a pen stuck in it. There was some ribbon pieces around her neck from a floral piece she had been a.s.sembling. "Want to talk about it?" she asked casually, giving me the option.

I might not being able to tell her about the spells, the magic, or the witchcraft, but boy troubles were common teenage problems. Right?

"Umm. Maybe." I sighed. "There is this boy. A friend," I added.

"I see. Is he really just a friend?" she questioned without judgment. This was why it was so easy to talk with her.

Was Lukas only a friend? "It's complicated."

She pursed her lips. "You're afraid how Gavin will feel about this friendship?"

Ding. Ding. Ding. "Not only that, he doesn't really know about him. I'm not sure he would understand."

She was probably wondering how I had suddenly become so boy crazed. Honestly, I was too. "Well you won't know until you tell him. I think that you need to be honest here, to both of them. The longer you prolong the truth, the harder it will be to confess. Trust me. Secrets are never good."

And I did trust her. I trusted my aunt more than anyone. She was not just my aunt. She was my friend, my guardian, my family. "You're right. I've already decided to tell Gavin. It just has me completely freaked out."

"Understandable." She brushed a strand of hair out of my face. "Whatever happens Brianna, you can handle it."

I hoped she was right, because the pit in my stomach wasn't so certain. Her unabashed confidence in me was a boost to my bruised esteem. I could always count on my aunt to make any situation less complicated.

After work I knew that it was now or never. The sun was just beginning to set over the horizon casting waves of purple and orange. The temperature had dropped making the evening refreshingly cool.

Pulling into my driveway, I took a deep breath and texted Gavin before I lost my nerve. Can you come over?

His response was quick and short. On my way.

Just like that.

No what's up. No questions. He was just that forthcoming.

It was hard to imagine my life before Gavin, or my life without him. We might have only met four months ago, but I felt like I had been waiting for him my whole existence. I had never been boy obsessed before. One impulsive action led to my demise. Had I not skipped cla.s.s that day, we might not be here. Together.

My heart hammered against my ribs. Surely I was going to have a heart condition after all the insanity I've been living with lately. Knowing that I had only a few minutes before his speedy arrival, I rushed into the house and bolted up to my room.

Biting my nails, I sat on the bed. And waited. What else could I do?

Lunar waddled under my feet, weaving in and out of my legs. He sat on the floor looking up at me with those baby eyes and let out the tiniest, pathetic meow. Leaning down, I picked up the little fur ball and snuggled him under my chin.

"Lunar, you're such a little pest." His presence was a small comfort. Oh the simple life. He just purred, loving any and all attention.

Tingles skirted on the back of my neck, and I knew he had arrived. Lunar's ears perked up, and I lifted my eyes to meet his in the doorway. He engulfed the entrance. Gavin was many things.

Drool-worthy.

Dreaming.

Dangerously s.e.xy.

A deadly combo. It was impossible to control the effect his presence had on my heart. Not to mention the dancing fireflies in my belly. Smirking at me, he sauntered into the room, and I stared memorizing the lines of his face. Every detail. His eyes were always the cincher for me, sealing the deal with just one glance.

"You couldn't manage one day without seeing me?" His smile was filled with c.o.c.kiness that for some unG.o.dly reason I found attractive. He sat next to me on the bed, the mattress squeaking under his weight.

Gosh. Have an inflated ego much? I hated that I was going to burst his bubble. "Funny," I replied snarky. I blamed it on nervous tension. Lunar scampered to Gavin and I folded my hands together. "Actually I need to tell you something." How was I going to get the words out? Where did I even start?

He raised his silver studded brow. "Are you going to finally tell me what's been bugging you?"