A Witch's Love by Erin Bluett Page B

told her he was right behind her and gaining speed. She was fast, but he was faster. He easily caught up to her.
    She whirled around in time to see him lunge at her. His body embraced hers as he rotated her in his arms. As they met the ground, his body hit first, taking the force of the impact.
    She continued to laugh until he brushed her hair out of her face. She stopped her giggles. It wasn’t so funny anymore. His amber eyes were doing that thing again, glowing bright as they looked upon her.
    Her hand had a mind of its own as it reached up and caressed the side of his face. Then, as the space between them began to close, she touched her lips to his.
    Her mouth parted, allowing his tongue entrance when he jerked away, breaking the kiss. “We should be getting back,” he said, lifting her into his arms as he stood.
    She nodded. “I can walk.”
    He set her down and minutes later they were heading back into the house.
    Belinda was coming down the stairs as they entered. “How was your run, Ava?”
    “It was good to get out,” she said, giving Lucas a look. “Lucas thinks I should learn some techniques to protect myself.”
    Belinda nodded. “Well, Lucas, that is a good idea. I assume you are volunteering to teach her then?”
    “Of course, she might need to know a few things about hand-to-hand combat,” he said, directing his gaze on Ava.
    Belinda laughed. “That’s fine, but please don’t kill each other.” She moved into the kitchen. “We leave in fifteen.”
    Ava hurried up the stairs to clean up and change. Lucas followed and with five minutes to spare, they were ready to go.
    They piled into Lucas’s Camaro and soon they were on their way. Belinda navigated as they winded through street after street. Ava stared out the window and watched the sun rise high in the sky as white cotton ball clouds blew in the breeze.
    It was a beautiful day to hear your future destiny. She suppressed a laugh as they parked on the side of the road.
    They sat in front of a row of brick buildings filled with glass window shops. It wasn’t hard to see which one they were headed for. “Francesca Fortune Telling. A palm reader?”
    As they climbed out of the car, Belinda’s hearty laugh filled the air. “She has to make a living, too.”
    A bell rang as they entered the shop. The room was draped in scarves, red velvet furniture, large gold silken pillows, and beaded decorated doorways. Ava smiled as she inhaled deep, incense and lavender, her favorites.
    Candles burned on the table that sat in the middle of the room. A purple scarf adorned the top and a stack of cards sat in the center.
    Lucas pressed his hand to the small of Ava’s back just as a woman with bright red hair and large gold earrings entered through the doorway of beads. “How may I help— Belinda, darling, how have you been?”
    The woman rushed over to Belinda, who greeted her with open arms. They embraced before turning to face her and Lucas.
    Belinda pointed to them. “This is Ava Worthington and Lucas Grant. Ava, Lucas, this is Francesca.” She turned back to Francesca and said, “We were hoping you could help us?”
    The black flowing dress wafted around Francesca as she reached to shake their hands. “Of course, anything, how can I be of service?”
    Francesca ushered them over to one of the velvet couches as she sat at the table and lit a cigarette. “Do you mind if I smoke?”
    Ava shook her head.
    Belinda took a minute to explain what had happened, how they’d come to stay with her and what they looked to gain from her: A true seer’s reading.
    Belinda seemed to choose her words carefully. What was so troubling anyhow?
    Francesca’s face paled as she shared a knowing look with Belinda.
    What did they know that she and Lucas didn’t?
    The red-haired seer took a long drag on her cigarette, rolled the top, then put it out. She waved, motioning for Ava to sit across from her.
    Ava looked to Lucas, who nodded. She moved to the gold trim chair and