So I tried a different approach. “In England.” I mean, that was the truth. She just wouldn’t believe me.
“Cute,” she snapped. “Tell us where you were, or we’ll tell Mom you snuck out for the night.”
I shrugged. “Go for it.” What the hell could Clarissa do to me? I was eighteen and no longer needed her expensive education.
Ryan reached for me and I grabbed her wrist.
A shock of energy traveled between us, sending her several feet backward with a curse as she collapsed into the snow.
Oh, shit…
“What the hell was that?” Carmen shrieked, looking between me and Ryan.
“The bitch just shocked me!” her sister cried, cradling her wrist.
I rolled my eyes and said the first thing that came to my mind. “Sorry. I slipped.”
Carmen spun around, pinning me with a harsh look, and made the mistake of trying to poke me in the chest.
That mere touch put her on her ass, energy humming protectively around me.
Is Tray doing this somehow? I wondered.
“Mother!” Ryan shouted, drawing my attention back to the wicked stepsisters on the ground.
Carmen was out cold.
Huh. That’s new.
I lifted my hands to examine them while Ryan continued to call for Clarissa. I ignored her, too busy gaping at the blue embers dancing between my fingertips.
Holy crap…
I barely registered Clarissa’s angry voice, the sound at my back as I began walking away from the house. They could finish shoveling, for all I cared. This was far more important.
Because either my powers had just flared to life or Tray had put a protective spell around me.
In any case, I had questions only my mate could answer.
Fortunately, I knew where to find him.
Unfortunately, it was a several-mile walk.
With a groan, I turned back around to find my bike, only to be stopped by a very angry stepmother in the driveway. “Where do you think you’re going, young lady?”
“Out,” I replied, pushing past her and smiling at her shocked gasp behind me.
Another idea occurred to me, one that had my lips pulling upward as I headed into the garage.
Why bother with the bike?
I’d take a car instead.
Finding Ryan’s keys on the wall, I twirled them around my finger and approached her prized possession. She bellowed from the yard, coming to her feet. But I already had the door closed and locked before she hit the semi-shoveled pavement.
This would be a fun experience.
I knew how to drive because Clarissa taught me—how else would I get groceries for the family on Sundays?