CHAPTER# 42
After Jake hung up with Cassie, he looked at the items he'd taken from Calvin's storage locker. He didn't know how to use some of them and wondered if he should talk to his grandfather about Faye being out of control. But grandpa Royce was an elder and Jake didn't want the elders stripping their magic too. From what he'd determined from his book of shadows, their generation of witches were stronger than their parents. Every third generation of six witches had stronger dark and light magic. That's why Blackwell created the Balcoin six. Numerology was integrated in all magic. 666 seemed to be in it all; eighteen original witches, six families per circle. 6+6+6= 18, 6 families per 3 circles, 3rd generation of 6, most powerful. He could see why his grandfather was a little crazy, due to constantly analyzing it all.
He also wondered how Kate and Diana's magic compared to Cassie's. From what they'd learned from the crystal skull's formation, Cassie was the one who first felt her connection to it. Her and Diana had to form it, Blackwell couldn't use it until the skull had completed it's transformation. Cassie also had always been able to use magic outside the circle, even after they had been bound. It was possible that power worked in threes too. So one of the three Balcoin boys might be stronger magically than the other two. Zane seemed to be the dominant personality, he could be Cassie's equal in power too. Jake looked at Diana and Cassie's birth dates. Cassie was older than Diana, having been born in March. So if Kate was born after March, Cassie would be the strongest power of the Balcoin girls.
Jake needed to see Cassie's family tree. He wanted to know if John Blackwell had any siblings that they may need to worry about. If so maybe that's why he wanted the crystal skull so badly, other than killing all witches not with Balcoin blood. The more he researched the more he realized that his grandfather had known everything he was discovering. That's why he'd warned about doom.
It was too late for him to call Cassie again, but he went to the abandoned house to see if the Balcoin family tree was there. Eventually he found it under a stack of books. It also made him wonder if there was a family tree for light/good magic that they could trace it's strength back. He already knew that for light magic women were always stronger than men. He needed to go back to that storage locker to see if he could find any of their ancestry. Cassie had once told him that her grandmother said their family could be traced back to the beginning of witch craft. Jake discovered that the Blake's light magic went equally as far back to the origins of magic as the Balcoins did. So Cassie was equally strong in light magic as in dark. If hate and death brought forth her dark magic, then maybe love and life inspired her light magic. He'd also found a ring which he now wore on his thumb. It was made with magic and protected the wearer of being influenced by magic. This meant no one could use magic to force him to do anything against his will. With Faye constantly pulling pranks with her individual magic and Balcoin's in town, he felt safer wearing it. Jake had a long night, the more he found out, the more worried he became. But in the morning he didn't call anyone to tell them what he had discovered. He'd work secretly to save his circle. Faye's behaviour was the least of his problems.
In town Jake saw Zane sitting on his motorcycle making out with Faye. She was obviously sleeping with the enemy, but Jake no longer cared. The connection they had from the past was gone. Faye had seen beneath his anger and pain, to his core feelings. But that was not enough, she craved magical power. Jake, like his deceased mentor Ian, knew that wanting more power corrupted your soul. He could never trust, nor love someone like Faye. And then there was Cassie, she had too much power, but only lately had come to accept that it would always be part of her. She tried to protect those she loved and her circle, but the darkness was overpowering the light within her. She wanted knowledge, but was looking in the wrong places. Her need for love and acceptance was dividing the circle.
Jake went into the cafe where Cassie worked. He saw Kate and Ben eating donuts and nodded hello. Then he approached the counter. "Hi, I'll get a large french vanilla cappuccino to go. Cassie are you free later tonight or do you have plans with them?" Jake asked jerking his head in the direction of her new friends.
"No plans, why what's up?"
"I'd like you to come to the abandoned house with me to practice."
Cassie's eyes lit up, "okay. I'm off at seven. Um pick me up at home at eight."
He paid for his order, gave her a wink and left. Cassie grinned. With the warmer weather she felt her passion rising too. Maybe she'd be able to manipulate Jake to do what she wanted and needed. When she had a chance she texted Kate, letting her know she had plans that night with Jake. When she looked, Kate wiggled her eyebrows and smirked. Then Ben and her left.
It seemed like her shift took forever, but finally it was seven and Cassie was done. She raced home, showered, did her hair and put on her new sexy bra and thong. Then with her black TNA pants and sexy shirt, she was ready for Jake to pick her up. She put on a light hoodie, with a zipper front. A honk outside signalled that Jake was waiting. Cassie grabbed her purse and put a bottle of rum into it. Then she used her keys to lock up the house.
"Hi Jake," Cassie said in greeting.
"Back at you. Ready to go? He looked at her and she nodded.
It wasn't long and they were at the abandoned house. They went into the house first. Jake got a blanket and Cassie took out the rum. He raised an eyebrow at her and smirked.
"What? It was a hard day at work. Want one?" Cassie asked, getting a can of coke and drinking half so she could pour in the rum.
Jake shrugged, "sure." He went outside with the blanket while she made the drinks. She poured extra rum into his can and a wicked little smile played on her lips.
He came back for her and took his can of coke, then lead her outside to the mowed circle. They sat on the blanket and drank from their cans. Then Cassie looked up at the stars and hummed the song her mom use to sing.
"Okay, I want you to hold my hands and breath slowly. Think about light."
Cassie did as Jake said, but closed her eyes to help with controlling her breathing. A warm glow flowed through her.
"Open your eyes," Jake said softly.
All around them were fireflies, dancing in the air. It was beautiful. She held her hand out and a few landed on it. "Jake this is so…. amazing!"
"Light comes to light. Even in darkness there is light."
Cassie was in awe. It was if the stars had come down out of the sky to greet her. The bugs eventually left, but not before Cassie was filled with wonder. Light magic made her feel so happy and connected to everything.
"We should go inside. I want to show you something else," Jake took her hand in his and with the other grabbed the blanket.
Once back in the house, he showed her how to use magic to cause plants to grow. He helped her make her birth month's flower grow. Then she made a ball of pure light so it would bloom. "Jake look," Cassie whispered. She pushed her magic at him, wanting him to want her and share her joy.
He stepped closer to her, taking his hands out of his jacket pockets. He traced her jaw with a finger, looking at her lips. The sexual tension between them, stood her neck hairs on end. She pulled his head down and kissed him with hungry passion. When they finally came up for air, he responded with words.
"Cassie, kissing is not enough anymore. I want and need more. So stop now, because this time I wont."
"I don't want to stop Jake," Cassie said slowly unzipping her hoodie.
Jake's eyes ate her up, burning with an intensity she had never seen before. He kissed her and let his hands slide down her sides to her ass. He had control, but wanted her to take it. She let him pick her up, holding her in the air as she wrapped her legs around him.
One last time he asked, "are you sure?" He didn't want to push her into something she wasn't ready for.
She loved him in that moment, for being so caring. She said, "take me to the bed upstairs."
He carried her there easily. Believing that her magic controlled him, she went on her knees on the bed and took her shirt off. Then she slid her hands under his shirt and slowly removed it, making sure she touched his skin. He whispered a word and suddenly music was playing and dim lights lit the room. Jake's hands caressed her skin, leaving tingling trails of pleasure wherever they touched. He kissed and nibbled her neck. She undid his jeans and he pulled them off, tossing them to the floor. Then he removed her pants and thong, sliding them off her legs, licking and kissing as he went. Cassie kissed his neck and bit his shoulder lightly.
Jake caressed her shoulder, removing her bra strap slowly down. He kissed her where the strap had been. Then made his lips glide tantalizingly up her neck, nuzzling her as he went. Once hand went behind her back to undo her bra, the other slid over her chest and removed it. His palm made her skin tingle as he touched her chest. She kissed his neck and let her hands dance over his muscles. She groaned into his mouth, when his hand slid lower than her belly button. He was driving her crazy with need. Her blood ran hot and she needed to get closer to him. Cassie moved her body under Jake's, opening her legs up for him to go between. He was still in his underwear, letting her choose when to take them off. But she could feel his hard arousal and ground herself against him. Then she made his stomach muscles contract, when her hands followed his V muscles and went under his waist band. She removed his underwear, then pushed him on his back, kissing, licking and nibbling her way down his chest as she explored his body. She teased and tormented, in the most desirable way.
"Cassie you're so beautiful. I can't get enough of you." Jake said, looking deep into her eyes. Then he rolled her onto her back again.
Jake's hands coaxed Cassie to loose control and his mouth brought her to a screaming orgasm. But he wouldn't let her come off the wave of ecstasy. He put on a condom, but didn't take her right away. Cassie moved her hips up, showing him she was ready. Then as they became one, Cassie gasped in pain. Jake realized in that second, that his suspicions had been right. That one time that Cassie had been with Adam, had been the only time she'd been with a guy intimately. That changed everything for him, he forced himself to regain control.
"I'll go slower Cassie. You move when you're ready," Jake said gently. Using his kisses and hands he refocused her mind on pleasure and not pain.
The lights were flickering and went out, as their magic flowed around them. The fireflies that they had played with came back and into the house. They floated above the bed, casting a soft light down on the two lovers. Cassie looked at them in awe and wonder.
Then Jake's manipulations made her forget the bugs and focus on him. She moved against him and slowly the pain was gone. All she felt was a bright intensity. She got daring and made him roll them so she was on top. She took control and Jake lost his. Cassie loved it when he gasped her name. He grabbed on to her hips and took her with him. They crashed together, as their passion erupted. She collapsed on top of him. Her whole body trembled and spasmed with pleasure. Her skin tingled all over. She could feel the light of the fireflies drift away as they left, now released from their magical hold. She looked at Jake, with a dazed, satisfied smile.
"You were amazing. No one has ever done that to me," Jake confessed, caressing her face and putting a stray hair behind her ear. When Cassie said nothing, he carefully moved to disengage with her. He looked into her eyes, concern in his, "are you okay?"
She moved to kiss his lips, "better than okay. Just wow."
He cleaned up and then snuggled up to her. Kissing her neck. "Thank you for sharing yourself with me. I can't stop touching you." He held her in his arms, finger tips tracing soft patterns on her arm.
Cassie had to confess, "I used magic on you. I made you want me." She looked away from him, sad that she had forced him to do it.
He titled her chin up, so their eyes met. Then he said, "that was all my free will. See this ring? It protects me from magical influence. I've wanted you for a long time, you now that. I was waiting for you to want me."
"Really?" Cassie asked.
"Yes. You were more amazing than I could've even dreamed. No one makes me feel like the way you do. Didn't you feel our connection? The light consumed us." Jake kissed her lips, lingering for a moment.
"I feel so safe and happy in your arms," Cassie said. Their touching naked bodies made her desire rise up again. This time she held nothing back. Whatever she asked, he did. He never made her feel embarrassed or incompetent. She hadn't felt as free to explore her sexuality with Adam, as she did with Jake. He never grew tired and they pleasured each other into the early morning hours. Exhaustion, finally had Cassie falling asleep in his arms.
When she woke up the next day and opened her eyes, she found the room full of flowers. Jake was not in bed, but a note was on his pillow. She didn't know when he'd done all of it, but the flowers gave off a light delicate fragrance that filled the room. It was beautiful and amazing. She read the note and smiled. Under all his anger and bravado, there was a true romantic. She put her shirt on, thong and pants, then got up and went to smell the flowers. Five minutes later she could hear Jake coming into the abandoned house. The smell of coffee came up stairs before she saw him.
"Good morning Jake… Thank you for all of this."
He smirked and handed her a coffee. "I hope you like what's for breakfast."
He sat down beside her and they ate what he'd brought in the brown paper bag. When they were done, Cassie put their coffees aside and undressed him. Then she proceeded to thank him, for making her feel like she was a princess in a fairy tale.
CHAPTER #43
Having to work later in the afternoon, Jake eventually took Cassie home. She had a long hot shower and then wrote in her diary. Finally being with Jake had made her so happy, she was jumping out of her skin. The day seemed brighter. He had told her that in all his experience with girls, she'd been the best. And he showed her how much he meant it. She didn't feel naive anymore, she felt empowered. Her heart sang, but she wasn't sure if she wanted everyone else to know about them. She liked having their union as a secret, cherishing that she had him all to herself. He had promised that later that night, he would teach her some more magic. Any time alone with him all to herself, she couldn't wait for. When she looked out her window and saw him standing in his towel looking at his mail, a blush grew on her face. She remember what he looked like without the towel on and a tremble of desire started by her lower belly and rose up through her. Keeping her mind grounded today would be hard. But if she didn't hurry up, she'd be late.
Kate kept texting her wanting details, but all Cassie said was that she had an amazing night. Kate understood that Cassie needed privacy and gave her space. She hoped that Cassie wouldn't ditch her to just be with Jake all the time, not that she would blame her. Jake was sexy, Kate was a little jealous, but also was glad that the person with Jake wasn't Faye. Kate didn't know what Zane's plan was with Faye, but she hoped that Cassie still wanted revenge on the girl. If Zane got caught in the cross fire, all the better. She was getting sick of all his rules. She had a feeling that Blackwell had confided a lot in Zane. From what she'd learned from Cassie, Zane and Blackwell were a lot alike. Zane had told Kate, to push Cassie into using her magic more. He wanted to know if Cassie was using her Balcoin blood connection. When Kate said no, Zane got mad. Kate was scared of Zane and took off. She stayed out of his way all day.
After work, Cassie went home and then after changing went over to Jake's. She knew he was home, because his truck was parked on the street. She knocked and then walked in. Lucky greeted her first, then Jake peaked his head around the corner.
"Hi, I'm just having a bite to eat."
She smiled and then went to him, giving him a hug. She stood on tip toes and kissed his neck. "For you, I can wait."
He smirked and then went back to the kitchen. Lucky purred loudly, so she picked him up and snuggled with the cat.
Jake looked at the two of them, "he feels the light magic in you. He's drawn to it, all animals are."
"Cats are such independent thinkers. I don't know if it's magic or what, but he loves when I scratch behind his ears."
Jake finished eating, checked Lucky's dishes and then got his jacket. After he locked up, they went to his truck. Once they were inside the truck and he drove off, she mentioned what was on her mind. "I haven't told anyone about us. Do you mind if we just keep it between ourselves?"
He looked at her and shrugged, "however you want it. Are you worried about what Adam and the others will say?"
"Not really, I just want to keep you all to myself." Cassie teased.
Jake gave her a look that said 'as if' and she grinned. "Seriously Jake. Faye will cause problems, even though she seems to be with Zane. You know how territorial she is."
"Good point. I don't mind being your dirty little secret." It was Jake's turn to tease.
She rolled her eyes, then got out of the truck, since they'd arrived at the abandoned house. "So what are we doing today?"
He put his hands in the pockets of his jacket and shrugged. "I thought we'd go check out the woods by the house. Blackwell mentioned that he spent hours out there with Melissa's mom, learning how to make potions and remedies. Or we could practice air-bending."
She went to stand right in front of him and put her arms around his neck. "Or we could do something else…."
He took his hands out of his pockets and picked her up. He turned around and put her on the hood of the truck, standing between her legs. She had to bend down to kiss him. He slid his hands along her thighs and her kiss became hungrier. Then he stepped back, out of reach.
"You're kisses make me forget why we came here. Come on, let's go to that clearing I made behind the house." He held out his hand and she slipped hers into his and jumped off his truck.
They stood in the clearing and practiced air bending. "Okay, so see that butterfly? Use the air to slowly bring it to you. Easy, you don't want to push too hard. That's it, the more control you have of the little things, the easier controlling big things will be."
Cassie worked hard to not let her magic burst out and crush the butterfly. She bit her lip in concentration, but at last the breeze brought the butterfly to her. It landed on her hand for a second before it moved off on it's own. She looked at Jake in triumph.
"Stand with your arms out, palms up and be steady." He then did the same trick, but brought a whole bunch of butterflies to her. Most landed on her, some others danced on his breeze around her. The look of joyous wonder on her face, made the effort worth it. Then he let them go, to where the natural air current took them. He wanted her to learn, that light magic, was just as powerful or sometimes even more so, than dark magic.
Once the butterflies were all gone, he pulled her to him, kissed her neck until she was clutching his arms with need. Then he tickled her, changing the mood entirely. He wanted her, but not here. He wanted her in her bed or his. They tickled each other, wrestling and laughing. Then they fell on the ground together and looked up at the sky.
Suddenly Cassie sat upright and looked over at the house. Jake saw a strange look on her face and sat up too. "What's wrong?"
"I can feel someone watching us. I think a Balcoin. I can feel the change in energy around us, the dark magic is making my right palm itch." Cassie said with alarm.
Jake whispered, "I will go on top of you, then use your camouflage skills and roll away from me. Stay on the cut path and make your way to the house. I will roll over to the bushes and then follow. They will focus on me and not you." He did as he said, gave her a quick kiss and said, "be careful."
Cassie got to the house and checked to make sure there was no ash around it, to block her power. She heard Jake coming and used the noise as cover to go in the house. When she made it to the main floor, she saw Kate. She breathed a sigh of relief, but didn't reveal herself. Cassie watched Kate look at the plants.
Kate was talking to herself, "wow this is so cool. I wish I'd grown up here. Stupid Zane."
Cassie heard Jake coming and moved backward, so she could show her self at the same time he did. She heard Kate swear and then the girl decided to stand her ground. Jake and Cassie showed themselves to her. "Kate? What are you doing here?"
Kate looked scared, especially since Jake was looking hostile. "Cassie please… I'm sorry, I followed you. I have no place to go." Then she began to cry.
Cassie took pity on her and took Kate in her arms. Jake remained cautious. Cassie asked, "what happened Kate?"
"I'm sorry I broke our promise. Zane was being so mean to me. He wants me to push you to use your dark magic, that all us Balcoin's have. He threatened to hurt me if I didn't. So I followed you here, but then I saw you with Jake and the butterflies. I couldn't do it. I was going to take something from here and lie to Zane. I'm so scared of him."
Jake asked, "have you used your dark magic?"
Kate shook her head in denial, "no. Only Zane and Chris have. Ben and I, as far as I know, haven't. I don't want to." Then she realized that it was Jake asking the question. "Are you a Balcoin too?"
"No, but I'm a witch," Jake answered.
"So you're like Faye?" But before he could answer, she turned to Cassie. "Please tell me he's nicer than Faye. She's as mean as Zane."
Cassie smiled. She looked at Jake and then said, "thanks for telling me Zane's plan. You can stay with me if you want."
"Thanks Cassie. I'm sorry I interrupted your fun." Then she looked at Jake, "will you teach me how to call butterflies to me?"
He wasn't sure that he believed her, that she hadn't used her Balcoin magic. But then Diana hadn't either until Cassie forced her to. Kate might be an alli after all. Any witch could air-bend, so he saw no harm in teaching her how.
"Okay come with me," Jake said.
Cassie and Kate followed Jake outside, back to the clearing. They showed Kate how to control her breathing and then use her magic to play with the wind. To gauge her power, Jake picked up a leaf and had Kate make it float between Cassie and himself.
"Kate if you don't mind me asking, when's your birthday?" Jake asked.
"Early May. I'm a Taurus you know." Kate said distractedly as she concentrated on the leaf. "This is so fun. Now I can use a feather to tickle Ben when he is sleeping, from far away!"
"I like how you think!" Cassie grinned.
Kate's smile grew and she picked up a pile of leaves with magic and using air-bending, dropped them on Cassie's head. Jake smirked, until they both began chasing him with piles of leaves captured in air. Then Cassie used her body and tackled him to the ground.
"Help me hold him down Kate!"
Kate tried, but Jake was stronger than them both. He captured Kate with his legs in a body triangle, then one arm around Cassie's waist and he was able to tickle them both. They laughed hysterically until tears came from their eyes. "Okay you win!" Both Kate and Cassie yelled at the same time.
Jake let them go and stood up. Once again his cool reserved self, hands in his jacket pockets. He waited until they dusted themselves off. "I'll give you a ride to Cassie's," he offered Kate.
"Can I put my bicycle in your truck? I don't want to loose it."
He nodded and they walked back to the truck. Kate hung a bit back with Cassie, thinking that Jake couldn't hear them talking about him. He smirked to himself when he heard what Kate had to say.
"Cassie Jake is so hot. He's way nicer than Faye. Too strong though, next time we have to use magic on him and pin him to the ground so we can tickle him."
"Sounds like a plan," Cassie said. She knew it wouldn't work because of Jake's ring, but didn't want to let Kate know about it. She had a feeling that Zane still could force information out of their sister.
Jake dropped them off at her house, winked at Cassie and then drove off. Cassie didn't mind Kate sleeping over, but she really wanted to spend time in Jake's bed. She wondered if Kate had seen them kissing, or just playing with the butterflies. But she didn't get a chance to find out. The knock at her front door revealed Ben on the porch.
"Kate, Zane said he's sorry. Look he even bought chicken wings and fries for diner. Come back home." Ben said sincerely.
Kate looked at Cassie and then Ben. "Oh alright. But I'll ride my bike there, unless you stole a truck."
Ben winked at Cassie, "well…"
Kate and Cassie ran out the door. A jeep sat at the end of the walkway on the street. "Oh my god, did you really steal that?" Cassie asked.
"No, turns out Blackwell had it rented for the month. So I used magic to change my driver's license to read Blackwell." Ben laughed. He was aware that Cassie knew he was a witch, just like he knew she was. That much Kate had let him know.
"Magic and it's uses," Kate grinned. "Bye Cassie, see you around."
Cassie waived from her porch. Once they were gone, she sent Jake a text, letting him know what happened and that she would be alone that night. He sent her a reply, with an invitation to come over later that night if she wanted. She smiled, anticipating their reunion.