27
Adam missed Cassie with an ache that felt like someone had scooped out his insides and strung him up. He knew her reasons for staying away, but it ate at him. Most of his texts went unanswered, until the day she finally answered:
Grandma came through fine. Will talk soon.
Her cryptic nature was not what he was used to, nor was her penchant for acting on impulse. And then there was the way she looked up to Jake like a magic Messiah, which also bugged the crap out of him. It had gotten way out of hand at Nick's wake, and he didn't want to go there ever again. When he was with Diana, he'd always said he wasn't that guy-until he was. This breakup had unearthed his primal side, and he wasn't sure he liked it.
His Dad still apologized for telling Diana what was written in the stars, and had tried to redeem himself with that completely awkward birthday party. Diana had been totally sweet, but her smile was forced and he could see what this was costing her. Cassie had abstained, and that hurt the most. When Diana's cookies tumbled out of the cupboard, he almost ran after her but slapped himself mentally. And then, like something from a dream, he saw Cassie at the front door.
"Hey," Adam said, swinging open the door. Her face was white and drawn, and she moved shakily to one of the bar stools.
"So what's on special?" Cassie said.
"Fresh coffee and clam chowder?" That had pretty much been his supper for the last three days. Karin had called to say she was ill, so Ethan had spent the whole time moping and eating Dinty Moore from the can. Somehow, he managed to keep the booze at arm's length, which seemed like a miracle until Adam caught the whiff of a spell. It seemed Karin had acted to help his Dad, and showed an unexpected side to her that spoke of compassion.
"Sure." Cassie picked at the counter with a coffee stirrer.
"So Karin and Rob pulled it off."
"Mmm, seems that way."
Adam passed her a bowl and she dug into it with gusto. "When's the last time you ate?"
Cassie's brow furrowed slightly. "This morning...I think."
Damn, this malaise was catching. "You too? What's going on, Cassie? First Karin, and then my Dad is down for the count."
She lowered her spoon. "It's the Balcoin crystal."
"What?"
"Karin said it's the embodiment of Francis Balcoin's power."
Adam dug his fingers into his scalp. "And they used that on your grandmother?"
Cassie nodded. "She seems fine. Jake says there's always a kickback from dark magic."
"Jake says?" Adam echoed with gritted teeth.
"He brought donuts and coffee this morning."
"And just showed up without calling first?"
"Adam, he's our neighbor, and he's been helping us out."
Adam bit his tongue. "I want to help too."
Cassie looked around at the unbussed tables. "Looks like you have your hands full here. Want a hand?"
That was the last thing he expected of her, but it seemed to energize her. With a faint smile, Cassie donned an apron and started moving swiftly around with a bus tray. When they met in the aisle, he said, "You've done this before."
She grinned. "What gave it away?"
Her smile was infectious, and he grinned back. "You're making me look bad here."
Cassie finished two tables to his one. "That's not hard."
"Hey," he said as if in protest, his heart leaping at this unexpected camaraderie, something he hadn't felt with her in months.
They carted the dishes to the kitchen and started loading the dishwasher. Cassie took larger items over to the sink and went to town on the pots. Within an hour, everything was spotless and he could finally breathe a sigh of relief. He poured coffee for both of them and joined her at the bar. "So I heard about Karin's cousin."
She took a sip and looked out the window. "Karin thinks my father was behind it."
"What do you think?"
Cassie shrugged. "Maybe she's right, but it hardly matters. Rissa is still dead."
"And the police still have your Book of Shadows?"
This question seemed to pain her. "It came back today. Half the pages are ripped or missing."
Adam reached over and took her hand. "God, Cassie, I'm sorry."
She looked down at their joined hands for a long pause. "So am I, Adam."
He suddenly realized she was referring to something else. "It's OK, I understand."
Her blue eyes met his and nearly blinded him with the brilliance of unshed tears. "It's not OK. I shouldn't have pushed you away."
Adam got to his feet and gathered her in a hug. She grabbed his shirt front with her fists and buried her face against him. When she looked up at him, her face was streaked silver with diamantine drops, reminding him forcibly of that day in the forest. And just as before in her kitchen, Cassie took the lead and pulled him down to her level. When their lips met, he was nearly undone as a jolt of pure energy blazed between them. At some point, they came up for air and he led her behind the counter, through the double doors, and down the stairs to his room. When she saw his neatly made bed, a smile curled her lips. "Hospital corners," was all she said before dragging him down on top of her.