Blood Witch_ Book Three - Cate Tiernan [41]
“It was my pleasure,” said David. “Please come back any time you need to talk. Sometimes Alyce and I . . . feel concerned about you.”
“Me?” I asked. “Why?”
A slight smile turned up the corners of David’s mouth. “Because you’re in the middle of becoming who you will be,” he said gently. “It isn’t going to be easy. You may need help. So feel free to ask us for it.”
“Thanks,” I said again, feeling reassured but still not quite understanding what he meant. With a little wave I left the warmth of Practical Magick and went out to my car. My tires slid a tiny bit as I backed up, but soon I was on the road heading back to Widow’s Vale, my headlights illuminating each unique, magickal snowflake.
14
Scry
I was barely two miles from my house when I saw the headlights behind me. First there was nothing, not another car in sight. Then I rounded a corner, and suddenly the lights were right there in my rearview mirror, blinding me, filling my car as if it were lit from within. I squinted and flashed my brakes a few times, but whoever it was didn’t pass or turn off the brights. The headlights drew closer.
I slowed Das Boot, sending the message of “get off my tail,” but the other car glued itself to my bumper, tailgating me. Mild road rage started to build. Who could be following me like this? Some practical joker, a jerk kid with his dad’s car? I jammed my foot on the gas, but the car sped up as I did. The tires skidded slightly as I rounded another corner. The car matched my movement. A prickle of nervousness shot down my spine. My wipers were click-clicking away—matching my pulse—clearing away the falling snow. I couldn’t see any other lights on the road. We were alone.
Okay. Something was definitely wrong. I’d heard stories about car jackers . . . but I was in a ’71 Valiant. No matter how much I loved it, I doubted anyone would try to steal it from me by force, especially not in the middle of a snow-storm. So what was this idiot doing?
My eyes shot to the rearview mirror. The headlights bored into my pupils. I blinked, trying to clear my vision of a sea of purple dots. Anger began to turn to fear. I could barely see a thing in the darkness . . . nothing except those lights, the lights that seemed to grow in strength with each passing second. But for some reason, I couldn’t hear the other car’s engine. It was as if—
Magick.
The word slithered into my thoughts like a snake.
I bit my lip. Maybe that wasn’t a car behind me at all. Maybe those two lights were some manifestation of a magickal force. I had a sudden, vivid memory of Hunter Niall peering under Cal’s Explorer, of Cal showing me that rune-inscribed stone. We knew Hunter had tried to use magick on us once already. What if he was doing it again now, to me?
Home, I thought. I just needed to get home. I flipped up my mirror so the light wouldn’t blind me. But there was about another mile and a half of road until I made it to my street. That was actually pretty far. “Crap,” I muttered, and my voice shook a little. With my right hand I drew signs on my dashboard: Eolh, for protection; Ur, for strength; and Rad, for travel. . . .
The lights seemed to flash even brighter in my mirror. My left hand jerked involuntarily on the steering wheel. All at once I felt something bumpy under my wheels.
Before I knew it, I was sliding sideways out of control into the deep drainage ditch. Goddess! I screamed silently. Fear and adrenaline pierced my body, a slew of invisible arrows. My hands gripped the steering wheel. I had lost control; the tires screeched. Das Boot lurched sideways on an ice slick, like a heavy white glacier.
The next few seconds unfolded in slow motion. With a sickening crunch the car’s nose rammed a pile of ice and snow. I jerked forward and heard the shattering of a headlight. Then silence. The car was no longer moving. But for a few seconds I sat there—paralyzed, unable to move. I was conscious only of my own