Page 21 of Hallows End
“I’m sorry,” she says. “You were sleeping so well, though I don’t know how, given you’re in that hard chair.”
I wipe my hands over my face, trying to clear the sleep from my mind.
“I would have let you sleep, but I don’t know how to start the fire, and I can’t do it with my fingertips.”
She offers me an apologetic smile, and I circle my finger, starting the fire.
“Thanks.”
“I thought I’d wake up, and you’d have been a dream,” I admit with a sigh.
“I’m here. That bed isverycomfy for being so old. I have no idea what time it is.”
“It’s still early morning,” I reply. “But you and Nera have to go. I don’t want you to be seen.”
“I know.” She gestures to the dog, who’s been lying patiently by the fireplace, and he springs to his feet, ready to follow Lucy’s commands. “Is there a back way out so we’re not seen?”
“We’ll follow the tree line,” I reply and step out first, gesturing for them to wait so I can look around.
No one is out yet, so we hurry to the trees and walk just inside them to the path leading to the bridge.
Once on the other side, Lucy’s gaze travels up and down me, and she smiles. “It’s crazy how your clothes change.”
“That’s how it’s always been,” I reply with a shrug. “One more thing I can’t explain.”
Knowing that we’re free of any prying eyes here, I step to her and cup her face in my hands. Her fingers grip my wrists, and she licks her lips in anticipation.
“I don’t want you to think I’m being too forward.”
“We’re in present-day Massachusetts again,” she says with a half smile. “It’s okay to kiss me.”
I don’t know that I’ve ever wanted anything more.
I lean in and gently rest my lips on hers, and for a moment, we simply stay there, soaking in each other’s energy.
And then I have to deepen the kiss, to taste her and fill my senses with her. She presses herself against me, surrendering to me so completely and effortlessly it’s humbling.
When I pull back, I brush my fingers through her thick, red hair and smile down at her.
“I can’t believe you’ve been right here all this time, and I never found you before this.”
“You weren’t meant to,” she says, echoing her words from last night. “I don’t know what the universe has up its sleeve, but it’s all happening when it’s supposed to. If you’d have found your soul mate a hundred years ago, I would have been really disappointed.”
I chuckle and don’t bother to mention that she would never have known the difference.
Or, maybe she would have.
“Jonas, Iknowthe people here in Salem can help you. I’m asking your permission to tell them what you told me last night.”
I frown and rest my forehead against hers. “Can we trust these witches, Lucy?”
“I’d trust them with my life.”
“You may be doing just that if you bring them into this.”
She licks her lips and nods. “I know. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you or your community. I trust that not only will they do everything they can to help you, but they’ll also keep your secret. I know you don’t know me that well, but—”
I kiss her again, cutting off her words. I know her to the marrow of my bones. I feel centuries—lifetimes—of connection to her.