A/N Hello everyone! Sorry I haven't updated for a while but I've been away and quite busy. So anyway, I'm back and I'm going to make an effort to update.
Rhiannan Star- I was quite hyper but I guess I managed to control my writing a little bit.
Taz- It's going to come connected more and more until it finally all makes sense but I'm going to keep it to myself for now.
Wake-Robin- It could get quite exciting. I'll try and make it as interesting as possible.
Ixes-girl- Don't worry, I intend to keep writing! Thank you for being so positive about my story.
Witchyliz- I will write more! Just a quick question- why do you write everything in capitals? Is it because you're an extremely loud person and want to be noticed or did you forget where the caps lock key was? I'm sorry but a friend of mine has got me into the habit of asking really obscure questions, hehe.
I've moved on a little in time so that I can develop the plot more fully, so you should be able to catch up (I'm putting it in plain print so you can understand). Anyway, if you aren't happy then say so.
Hunter's POV:-
Giomanach is proving easier to charm than I had predicted. My spells are paying off and soon he will be mine. When Morgan sees him with me her heart will be shattered and she will suffer as I have done. She will scream for mercy, but I will not grant it.
-Naimhdeas
"Iona, how lovely of you to call," I put in smoothly. I grinned as I imagined her holding the phone delicately and gripped my own a little tighter.
"I was wondering if you would be interested in coming to dinner with me. I'm coming down to visit my father on Monday and I thought I'd pay you a visit."
"That would be great." Keep it casual Hunter, don't seem too keen. "That is if you have time. What time were you thinking of?"
"Well I was going to visit my father around three and usually I stay for about an hour. Naturally you'll have to sign out of the rest home, but that can be arranged." She spoke with the confidence of those used to getting their own way.
"Of course." She let out a rich laugh and I pictured her with her head thrown back, perhaps flicking a lock of hair back into place. "Why don't you meet me at four? We could go for a walk before dinner."
"What a wonderful idea. There's a beautiful beach not far from here." An image of Iona and I walking down the beach, our hands entwined came unbidden into my mind.
"Perfect. I'll see you on Monday." We said our goodbyes and hung up. I clung to the phone before I put it down.
It was three weeks since I had arrived at the rest home and Iona had visited on several occasions. Each time she had stayed for a few hours, and the time had flown by. We talked about the craft, where I could be from, what the future could hold for me, but we didn't talk much about her past. She said it had been less than perfect and graciously steered the conversation in a new direction.
Her invitation to dinner was the next step in our relationship. A step I had been intending to take for the past few weeks but hadn't quite got around to.
I crossed to the window and gazed at the stars for a few moments before lying back on my bed and closing my eyes. But as the world faded around me, the face before me was not Iona's. It was Morgan's.
Morgan's POV:-
I practically skipped up the steps to school, grinning at the stares I received. As I stopped beside Bree I fingered my glossy, newly cut hair. Cal said it suited me and I wondered why I hadn't cut it before. It was now shoulder length, and had hints of gold flickering through it. It matched the tiny gold hoop earrings which hung, half hidden by my hair.
I wore a long, black woollen coat which flapped open to reveal a tight red top and low rise black pants which showed a few inches of flat stomach in the middle. I'd contemplated getting my belly pierced, but I decided I'd get that done closer to the summer so I could really show it off. Bree eyed me in what appeared to be disgust and turned her back on me.
"What did I do?" She turned towards me and threw me a 'Don't give me any of that crap' look. I flicked my red scarf back over my shoulder and repeated my question once more, ferocity burning in my eyes.
"What did you do? What did you not do?" Her eyes ran over my outfit. "What happened to Morgan?" I smiled with confidence before I replied.
"Times have changed Bree, and so have I." I smirked at her and then flounced in the other direction, my destination... nowhere. I'd stopped hanging out with the coven. Like Bree, they couldn't accept that Cal had come back for me. I was so madly in love.
It was heartbreaking to think that tomorrow I'd be leaving him for a whole week. I was finally going to visit Ciaran. I'd booked the flights before Cal came back, so I couldn't change them and he understood that I wanted to see my father.
I strode into the bathrooms, intending to brush my hair and check my make-up. Suddenly the floor started to tip and I lunged for the sink. A girl looked at me, realised what was about to happen and rushed out of the door just before I spewed my guts everywhere. Great. I washed it away, shaking and looked at my haunted reflection.
I washed my face and with a last glance in the mirror, stalked off to class as the bell began to ring.
)o()o(
I drove to Practical Magick as soon as I got out of school. Alyce looked up and, seeing it was me, she hurried over to embrace me. She looked at me carefully and I held my chin high.
"Come and have some tea," she said, still examining me. She shook her head slightly and then bustled into the back room.
"Actually, I'd rather have a glass of water thanks. I've gone off tea." She nodded and I sat in a comfortable chair and gazed around the room. Alyce handed me a glass and sat opposite me with a mug of tea.
We sat in silence for a few minutes. "I'm going to visit Ciaran tomorrow." I watched for her reaction but her face was carefully emotionless. "I'll be gone for a week, so I'll be back just in time for Yule."
"Why are you going to see him? Do you think he might have any answers about Hunter?" I sat back as though she had slapped me.
"Hunter? Hunter's dead. There's nothing that can bring him back. Besides," a smug grin spread over my face, "I'm with Cal now."
"Morgan," Alyce began with an exasperated sigh. "Don't you care? You know as well as I do that Hunter isn't dead. Why are you betraying your friends? Don't you remember what Cal did to you?"
"Of course I do, but that doesn't matter. Cal loves me," I paused to let this sink in, "and I love Cal. He's changed and I trust him." I held my head high with defiance.
"Believe what you will Morgan, but don't forget your friends. You need them more than you think." She finished her tea and bustled through to the shop, leaving me sitting, lost in thought.
There was a message from Sky when I got back home, but I deleted it without listening. She couldn't face the fact that I loved Cal. She had been leaving frantic messages for the past few weeks, asking me how I could betray Hunter.
The phone rang, and I picked it up feeling startled. "Morgan." I smiled at the sound of Cal's voice. "I feel like I haven't spoken to you for days."
"I know what you mean. Why don't you come over? We can spend some time together before... I'm going to miss you." We arranged a time and place to meet and hung up. I turned to go upstairs, but was stopped as the phone rang.
"Sky. What do you want?" My tone was subtle, but there was a edge of ice to it. Her voice sliced through the silence, attempting to break my hostility.
"I phoned to remind you that I'm still your friend since you seem to have forgotten me. Did Cal wipe your memory, or did the new Morgan do it for you?" Just like that the old hatred had returned. I slammed down the phone and stared at it in shock.
What was she trying to make me think? Did I want Hunter to return? No, I loved Cal now. Hunter was history, he is History. Hunter's dead, and nothing's going to bring him back. I'm with Cal now, and nothing can change that.
A/N Please don't hate Morgan- yes she's being a bitch, but if you read the last chapter carefully then you'll know why. I hope no-one's too unhappy with the way the story's going, but any advice, ideas, criticisms etc. are welcome. Please review!