Autumn Storm (The Witchling #2)(56)

“I don’t know.” She limped to the breakfast table and sat down. The empty look that settled across her features disturbed him.

Beck sat next to her. She was hurting physically; that he could help. He took her hand and squeezed, pushing his magick into her body. She sighed.

“I feel like I should do something. I don’t know what.”

“I don’t think there’s anything you can do for him.”

She met his gaze. “Nothing?”

“You’re killing me here,” he said, wiping the last of her tears away. “I think we have to look at the fact he may not be able to fight the Darkness.” The words were so hard for him to say. Beck cleared his throat.

Autumn smiled sadly.

“Sorry,” he said. “Not an easy truth.”

“No. I barely know him. I can’t imagine what you feel.” Confusion crossed her face. “But that’s not true. I do know him. I just don’t understand how.”

Beck said nothing. He watched her fight the secrets of her mind. She relented. He’d never felt as bad about keeping the truth from her as he did now.

“I wish I could help you, too.” She shook her head and looked at him again.

“You do. I’m not used to being able to talk to the girls I date.” Realizing what he said, he rushed on. “Or you know. Girls I’m not dating but might be interested in someday.”

“Every blond you run across?” she teased.

“Almost every blond.”

Her humor faded. He saw her thought before she voiced the words and braced himself.

“Beck, I belong with Decker. I don’t understand how or why.” She fought her mind again. “But I can’t be anything more than your friend.”

“And if the worst happens to Decker?”

“I don’t think I can ever be with anyone else. It sounds crazy, but ...I don’t know. It’s what I feel. I don’t understand it.”

He hadn’t expected the gentle rejection to hurt like it did. Surprised by what he felt, Beck wasn’t able to muster a smile. He knew how strong the bond was between Summer and Decker. He couldn’t help wishing he’d taken a chance on Summer months ago, instead of trusting his heart to someone like Dawn instead.

Too late. As usual. And if Decker didn’t pull out of his freefall, Autumn was likely lost as well, if the Darkness followed through with its threat. Beck began to suspect her trial had something to do with Decker. At this moment, he couldn’t help believing she might not be passing it. He wasn’t going to lose them both. Autumn may have chosen Decker, but Beck chose to save her and the Light witchlings over his brother.

“I’m so sorry,” she said, searching his gaze.

“I think I always knew. If you’re okay, I’ll take you back.”

She nodded. He felt the pain his words caused but had to find a way to deal with his own issues. To fulfill his duties. To save her, even knowing she was making a choice that might cost him his soul.

He took her to the hallway outside her room. She squeezed his arm, and he managed to smile as she walked into her room. Rubbing his face, Beck sighed. His thoughts turned to Tanya, who allegedly hadn’t been snatched by Decker as he first thought. The little birdie ratting out Dawn had told him where to look.

Tanya was a distraction, both for him and for Decker. He wanted everyone to think they were dating. Part of him was drawn to her because of how similar she looked to Autumn. He hadn’t thought twice about pissing off Dawn; they weren’t supposed to talk to each other anyway.

He didn’t fully believe what Dawn’s friend Sonya told him. As crazy as his ex was, she wasn’t the type to hurt someone. She was manipulative and moody but not a killer.

When Tanya went missing, he’d promised her parents he’d do everything he could to bring her back to them. When Sonya’s tip turned out to be the latest of the pointless trips he’d taken, his next step was to involve his parents. His father had reach and resources capable of helping. If nothing else, his mother could tell him if Decker kidnapped the girl and if not, could interrogate people like no one else.

Beck’s magick took him to the north side of the lakes, close to the border with Canada, to an abandoned resort. It was boarded up years ago, and the roof of the decrepit building had collapsed under a previous snowfall. He stood outside it, not at all certain what he sought. The narrow road to the resort hadn’t been cleared, and he saw what appeared to be the wide tracks of a sports utility vehicle leading up to the building.

He crossed to them, ignoring the wind and snow. He had no idea how many sets of feet were in the mess around where the SUV stopped. More than a couple, he guessed and followed them to the building. They led to a side door that had long since rotted away. He pushed what remained of the door and entered the quiet, dark interior.

The side door led to what was once a conference room. A broken table was overturned in the center of the room and chairs were stacked in one corner. He saw nothing unusual in the large room and crossed it carefully, eyeing the creaking floor uneasily.

He opened a door into a hallway and picked a direction. He opened his magick, trying to identify if any witchlings were there. A faint whisper answered him. It was too soft to be a witchling or element, but it was some kind of magick. He switched directions and followed his senses through the bottom floor and up a crumbling set of stairs to the second floor.