Mathilda, SuperWitch (Mathilda's Book of Shadows #1)(19)

“Matty,” he greeted and smiled. (Good recovery, dickhead.)

“Aidan,” I greeted back (I’m so cool). “Where ya been?”

“Busy…” Mm, yeah right, busy summoning the forces of evil. “I meant to call…”

Ack!

One of a girl’s most hated phrases.

I waved my hand dismissing his excuses. “Listen Aidan, I don’t know your story but –” I wanted to say, “I’m onto your game,” in a menacing way but it would seem neither of us was going to let the other finish a sentence because he interrupted me by letting out this huge sigh.

“We can’t talk here, but, listen… tomorrow night, midnight, meet me at your tree.”

Wha?!?

What does he know of my tree?

“Excuse me?” I asked, all squinty-eyed.

He looked one way then the other. “I know it sounds strange but just meet me at midnight, tomorrow night.”

Is he nuts?

“Alone,” he went on.

Yes, he’s nuts.

Then he took off, grabbing, I might add, chocolate fingers with caramel (interesting choice, one I must ponder).

I came home without the ingredients I needed for the pie.

And now I don’t know what to do.

6 February

(Morning)

Woke up early mainly because I didn’t sleep.

Mavis was in the kitchen making eggs.

I told her about Aidan.

“Oh, my dear, just go and remember to take your wand. You’ll be quite all right. If anything goes awry, you’ll be able to take on the likes of Aidan.”

Then she sniffed as if the strapping, six foot tall Aidan with six-pack abs (I have not witnessed his abs with own eyes but figure he must have a six-pack) couldn’t take me.

Think I need a second opinion (about situation, not abs).

* * * * *

(Mid-morning)

Called Su (was middle of night her time but had first showdown with possible baddie on my hands so obviously an emergency – not to mention knowing Su, she had probably just got home from the local Deadhead bar).

Told her the story and asked her what I should do.

She said call her back when it was a decent hour (was wrong about Deadhead bar) then she called me a name and hung up on me.

Decided again that I’m not talking to Su.

* * * * *

(Afternoon)

Called Viv.

Told her the story and asked her what I should do.

She said, “What are you, nuts? Don’t meet a strange man in the middle of the night.”

Told her about Josie connection and possible bad guy status and he knew about my tree.

She said to go, take my wand and wear my cloak but, “Make sure to take Sebastian.”

No way am I taking Sebastian.

Viv doesn’t know anything.

I’m clearly on my own.

9 February

Am in trouble with Ash.

Though feel I did the right thing.

Maybe in the wrong way.

Still.

* * * * *

It was ten to midnight, had my wand, my cloak and I was off to my tree.

Had been frantically studying freezing spells (Auntie Mavis’s cat Lulubelle was still frozen halfway across my sitting room by the time I got back.)

Note to self: need to research reversal of freezing spells.

Checked on Rory, checked on Josie, checked on Mavis… all sleeping soundly.

Did not check on Sebastian and tried very hard not to think about him.

There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, the moon shone on the channel and the trees were restless.

And I was scared nearly senseless.

Though I could tell it was cold. Freezing cold.

Aidan was standing by my tree.

I knew one thing for certain, if he hurt my tree, I’d zap him.

Walked up to the tree and threw back the hood of my cloak.

“Aidan,” I said.

His body gave a start.

I could have sworn he was watching me walk up to him but I surprised him.

“Jesus,” he muttered, clearly he hadn’t been watching me walk up to him.

Mm. No wonder Viv said to wear the cloak.

Before I could say anything else, he said, “Listen, Matty, I don’t think it’s safe out here, maybe we should go somewhere else to talk.”

Yeah right.

I think not.

I leaned against my tree. It was warm.

Hmm.

“I think we can talk right here,” I countered.

“I shouldn’t be here. Jesus,” he repeated. “You shouldn’t be here.” And he looked over my shoulder. “We should go somewhere else. Now.”

“Listen, Aidan –” I started then I saw them – the faeries all flew up from their hiding places all at once like hundreds of twinkling lights coming on out of nowhere – and zing, zang, zoom – they started whizzing here, there and everywhere.

Holy shit!

It was really cool!

“Let’s go!”

That was Aidan, grabbing my arm and pulling me through the wood towards Poet’s Walk.

“Aidan, stop!”

That was me trying to pull loose. I didn’t know what was going on and I didn’t intend to go anywhere with Aidan.

Then I saw them.

Men.

Three of them lumbering up the Walk, breaking off and heading into the wood… toward us.