The Nowhere Witch (Tales of Xest #2) - Donna Augustine Page 0,1

a bag. Not the same problem it was the first time around, when I’d been dropped with nothing but my pajamas in the middle of a place I’d never imagined. I knew what I was doing this time, and I had some means. Zab could probably transfer my money back from dollars to coins, and I’d pick up a few things tomorrow. Although I’d need a few to get a hotel tonight. Did they have hotels in Xest? Couldn’t remember any, but I’d figure something out.

I also had the minor problem of someone wanting to use me again. Whoever had paid for my abduction this time hadn’t been Hawk, the way Braid and Spike had taken off.

As much as limited contact with Hawk would be nice, he must’ve known something to show up here and now. What was he up to, anyway? He’d moved a bit away and was scraping at the ground with his boot.

“Do you know if it was Marvin again?” You’d have thought Marvin would’ve given up on me working in the factory, but some people would always dig in. I mean, what use would I be when all the dandelions I’d touched had blown up? If he brought me back, he might end up losing his contract for magic with… Well, whomever.

“I don’t know who hired them. Someone overheard them talking about a job involving you, and they called me. I didn’t get any other specifics.”

It was likely Raydam. Or not. I wouldn’t work with him anyway, so wouldn’t he rather have me in Salem?

When I did eventually figure it out, I’d probably thank them. They’d gotten me right back where I wanted to be. When they eventually came for me again, we’d have a little chat about how things weren’t going to work out the way they wanted, and it would be done.

Maybe whoever sent for me didn’t really know who I was? Maybe they’d heard some rumors and thought I’d be useful and that they could use me. Although Spike and Braid had talked about how I was stronger, so the person who hired them must have known something…

Didn’t matter. That was a problem for tomorrow. There was plenty enough to do tonight.

I was brushing snow off my pants, getting my bearings, when the sound of water hit my ears.

I turned around in time to see Hawk closing his flask. Oh no, not again. That puddle better be for him alone. I was done being told where to go and what to do.

“What’s that?” I asked, pointing at it like it was the doorway to hell.

“I’m taking you home,” he said matter-of-factly as he tucked his flask inside his jacket.

“You’re not taking me anywhere. I am home.” I took a step away, emphasizing my point. The days of Hawk dictating my every move were long over. I was my own agent. Had been since the day he kicked me out of Xest.

“You’re going back.” He reached a hand into his pocket, looking for salt, as if his declaration was enough to make me fall in line.

I could make a run for it but didn’t. Those days were over, too. If there was one thing I’d learned about myself since this all began, way back with a séance, a ghost, and a bad debt, it was that I had no taste for running. It didn’t feel good, honest, or dignified. Running, to put it plainly, sucked. So did hiding, and that was all I’d done my entire life. From now on, the only time I’d be running or hiding was if a monster of biblical proportions was breathing fire at my back.

“I’m not going anywhere.”

He looked at me, his expression shielded. “You are.”

I was so firm on my not running that a crazy part of my brain had decided moving closer was a bright idea, because before I thought better of it, I took a few steps toward him.

His eyes ran over my face, lingering briefly on my lips, almost as if he missed me or wanted to kiss me or something. Right before they deadened again.

I wasn’t sure what his game was. Maybe he thought if he flashed a few fake emotions my way, I’d crumple. Not this time.

“I guess anywhere but Xest is where you think I should be?” I asked. He was smart enough to not answer, because I was done with his input. “You told me once I could be more. Remember that? But more somewhere else is what you meant.