A Witch's Love by Erin Bluett Page B

Turning her iPod on, she listened to her music, trying to calm her pounding heart.
    She could hear the roar of the beasts and the agonizing screams coming from outside. Every second they seemed to get closer. She could see the fire burning and smell the smoke. Fear consumed her and pain filled her heart. Tears flowed from her eyes as her heart wrenched in despair. Then, they were upon them growling and clawing through the door. She knew at that very moment, she was going to die.

Chapter 5
    Her eyes flew open.
    “Ava, wake up, you’re having a nightmare.” Lucas shook her.
    Her hands trembled as sweat trickled down her temples. She looked side-to-side, trying to see into the dark room, but only Lucas’s silhouette was visible. She attempted to steady her breathing by taking slow gulps of air. It was just a nightmare.
    “It’s okay, I won’t let anything hurt you, I promise.” Lucas wrapped her in his arms.
    She was safe. She clung to his shoulders, needing more of the comfort he was offering.
    “Shh . . . everything is okay,” he whispered to her as he held her tighter to his chest.
    Her eyes adjusted to the dark, and that’s when she noticed blankets and a pillow on the floor.
    “Were you sleeping on the floor?” She moved back just far enough to see his face.
    He nodded.
    Her heart swelled. “Would you stay with me? Here, and just hold me?”
    He laid her back against her pillow and settled next her. “What was your nightmare about?”
    She sighed. “I’ve had it before. I’m being attacked by something not human. I can hear the claws scrap at the door, the growls—”
    He stiffened at her side. “Growls? Like—”
    She sat up in bed. “Demons.” But she’d had that vision for years now and had only just been thrown into a world of demons and supernatural. How could she dream of a noise she’d never heard . . . unless she had heard it before, but when?
    Ava turned to face Lucas. “Do you think that means something? Could it have anything to do with my sisters being taken?”
    He lifted himself up in the bed. “Ava, I don’t think it’s a nightmare.”
    “What else could it be?”
    He gently touched the side of her face with the tips of his fingers. “A memory.”
    Birds chirped outside, waking her from her sleep. Ava opened her eyes and realized she was on top of Lucas. Her arms were wrapped around his torso and her head lay on top his chest. She lifted her head to find him staring at her.
    She tried to scramble off him, but he wrapped his arms around her back, securing her against his chest.
    “So where do we start looking for Belinda today?” She leaned back but doing so brought their lower bodies closer together. Heat warmed her face as she returned to her original position and settled her chin on her hand.
    “First things first. Breakfast. Then as far as Belinda’s concerned, I have an idea on how to find her.” He wore a mischievous smile.
    She found herself smiling in response. “Oh, yeah. What’s your idea?”
    He shrugged. “You will have to wait to find out.”
    After getting ready, they made their way downstairs. Beverly was already pouring coffee into their mugs by the time they reached the table. “Good morning, I trust you slept well?” She set out the rest of the food on the buffet. “Now we have bagels, muffins, fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, and bacon. Help yourself whenever you are ready.”
    Ava was starving and everything smelled delicious. Greasy bacon, sweet sugary breads, and butter fried eggs. Her stomach growled as her mouth salivated. “Thank you.”
    She headed toward the buffet in front of Lucas, filled her plate, and headed to the table.
    Lucas eyed her food with a raised eyebrow. “Are you really going to eat all that?”
    Her mouth fell open. She turned to look at his face, only to burst out with laughter. He was carrying two plates of food. “I should be asking you the same thing.” She settled into her chair.
    He grinned and took the seat across from