Free Coven by Lacey Weatherford Page A

demon, with no memory of my mom.”
    “That’s crazy! I can’t even imagine what
that’s been like for her.”
    “It wasn’t easy. He eventually regained his
memories and joined her in the fight against other demons. There
were several close calls for them, and they lost many of their
coven and loved ones in the process.”
    “So, it’s pretty safe to say that even
though your dad is demonic, he hates all demons.”
    “That is the complete and total truth. If he
found out about Jett’s family, he’d move us out of here so fast we
wouldn’t know what hit us.”
    “I think you’re right.”
    “I’d seriously be a prisoner in a cabin in
the woods for the rest of my life. My dad is terrified of his
family being exposed to any more of those creatures.”
    “Jett’s family keeps things pretty low key.
I know that most people around here have no clue there even is a demonic coven in Salem. They’re pretty refined and in
control.”
    I gave a wry laugh. “According to my mom,
those are the worst kind. The ones who can actually think through
the bloodlust—and figure out how to rule it—are usually the most
cunning and dangerous.”
    “That bastard,” Seth said suddenly, catching
me completely off guard.
    “What do you mean?”
    “Jett. He knows, doesn’t he? That son of a
bitch already knows.” Seth dragged a hand through his sandy blond
hair before slamming his fist against the steering wheel.
    “Sorry. I’m not following.”
    “Don’t you get it? He knows what you are.
Somehow he already knows. I wonder if his parents scented you when
I took you there for lunch? Or if there is some way he can tell
himself? I knew there was a reason he threw the fight. He’s trying
to pull you closer.”
    Honestly, this revelation frightened me.
Knowing that a demonic coven might have their sights set on me made
my heart flutter like a turkey in a pen on Thanksgiving Day. Would
they try to come after me? Would they try to convince me to join
them like they were doing to Seth? Or would they leave me alone if
they knew my dad was like them?
    At least I knew how to fight. If I was ever
cornered, all it would take is one quick mental call to my dad and
all I’d need to do is fight long enough for him to get there. I
could do that easily. Jett was the one I was most concerned with.
He’s the one I’d see all the time.
    “I have no idea why Jett would want anything
to do with me,” I said.
    Seth let his gaze travel slowly over me. “I
do.”
    More silence.
    “So where do we go from here?”
    “I think I’ll take you up on that dinner
invitation.”
    “How will that help?”
    “If your dad can get to know me better, he
will trust me more. The more he trusts me, the more I can be with
you. The more I’m with you, the more I can help to protect
you.”
    “I don’t need protection,” I replied,
irritated. “I’m not some damsel in distress—which I would’ve proved
tonight, had Jett not thrown the fight.”
    Seth held up his hands in surrender. “Hey,
now. Back down a bit. I’m not calling you weak, I’m simply saying
there’s safety in numbers.”
    “Sorry. I just don’t like it when people
think I can’t hold my own because I’m a girl. It’s such a crazy
stereotype.”
    Seth laughed heartily at my comment. “Don’t
worry, Kenna. I’ve only known you one day and I can already attest
to the fact that there is nothing that is even remotely
stereotypical about you.”
    “And that’s a good thing?” I asked,
grinning.
    Mirth disappearing, his expression softened.
“That’s a very good thing.”

Chapter Eight
     
     
    Anxiety levels shooting through the roof, I
tapped the eraser of my pencil against the books on my lap, beating
out a staccato sounding rhythm in time with radio.
    “Are you okay?” my mom asked, glancing over.
“You seem a bit on the nervous side.”
    Nervous didn’t even begin to cover what I
was feeling this morning. I had no idea how people might react
after the fight