Free Dark Magick by Cate Tiernan Page B

Wiccan.
    “That’s the thing,” said Cal. “Of course he was. So it made no sense for him to persecute Woodbanes. But he seemed to have a thing about them, like Mom said. An obsession. I wondered if he blamed my father—our father—for what happened to his parents and their coven, for some reason, and so decided to get all Woodbanes. Who knows? He was unhinged.”
    “So you’re Woodbane,” I said, still trying to take it all in.
    “Yes,” he admitted.
    “Why didn’t you tell me before? I was hysterical about being Woodbane.”
    “I know,” he said, sighing. “I should have. But Belwicket was a different kind of Woodbane, a completely good Woodbane, above reproach. I wasn’t sure you would understand my family’s heritage. I mean, it isn’t like they’re all evil. They don’t worship demons or anything like that. It’s just—they do what they want to do. They don’t always follow rules.”
    “Why are you telling me now?”
    At last he looked at me, and I felt the pull of his gaze. “Because I love you. I trust you. I don’t want any secrets to come between us. And—”
    The door to his room suddenly flew open. I jumped about a foot in the air. Selene stood there, dressed beautifully in a dark gold sweater and tweed pants.
    Cal stood with swift grace.“What the hell are you doing?”
    I had never heard anyone speak to their mother this way, and I flinched.
    “What are you doing?” she countered. “I felt—what are you talking about?”
    “None of your business,” he said, and Selene’s eyes flashed with surprise.
    “We discussed this,” she said in a low voice.
    “Mom, you need to leave,” Cal said flatly. I was embarrassed and confused and also worried: no way did I want to get in between these two if they were fighting.
    “How—how did you know he was telling me anything?” I ventured.
    “I felt it,” Selene said. “I felt him say Woodbane.”
    This was really interesting. Creepy, but interesting.
    “Yes, you’re Woodbane,” I said, standing up.“I’m Woodbane, too. Is there a reason I shouldn’t know your clan?”
    “Mom, I trust Morgan, and you need to trust me,” Cal said thinly. “Now, will you get back to your work and leave us alone, or do I have to spell the door?”
    My lips curved into an involuntary smile, and a second later the tension on Selene’s face broke. She breathed out. “Very nice.Threaten your mother,” she said tartly.
    “Hey, I’ll make it so you’ll never find your way up here again,” Cal said, his hands on his hips. He was smiling now, but I felt he wasn’t entirely joking. I thought of Selene walking in on us when we were rolling around on Cal’s bed and secretly decided maybe spelling the door wouldn’t be such a bad idea.
    “Forgive me,” Selene said at last. “I’m sorry. It’s just—Woodbanes have a terrible reputation. We’re used to guarding our privacy fiercely. For a moment I forgot who Cal was talking to—and how extraordinary and trustworthy you are. I’m sorry.”
    “It’s okay,” I said, and Selene turned around and left. Quickly Cal stepped to the door and snapped the lock behind her, then traced several sigils and runes around the frame of the door with his fingers, muttering something.
    “Okay,” he said. “That will keep her out.” He sounded smug, and I smiled.
    “Are you sure?”
    The answering look he gave me took my breath away. When he held out his hand, I went to him immediately, and next we tumbled onto his wide bed, the white comforter billowing cozily beneath us. For a long time we kissed and held each other, and I knew that I felt even closer to him than before. Each time we were alone together, we went a little further, and today I needed to feel close to him, needed to be comforted by his touch. Restlessly I pushed my hands under his shirt, against his smooth skin.
    I never wore a bra, having a distinct lack of need, and when his hands slipped under my shirt and unerringly found their way to