Bound In Blood (The Adams' Witch Series Book 1) by Erin Butler Read Free Book Online

else and there was no way to truly never see anyone again.
    “Hey,” I said, sitting down on the stool next to his.
    “You’re late.” He widened his eyes to convey the torture he endured.
    Unable to hold it in anymore, I giggled. “Sorry. So, what’s on the agenda for today?”
    His face was solemn, serious and his tone matter-of-fact. “Food.”
    “Food?”
    “Yes. Definitely food.” He folded the paper and placed it on the counter.
    Marlene came right over and straightened it in front of him. Her arms stretched the entire length of the counter as she tapped the inner sections back in line, her hands lingering.
    Drake ignored her and kept talking. “Then…they’re having a bunch of cool things going on around town. We can watch a mock witch trial.” His voice became lighter. “Explore the first settlers, attend a real Wiccan meeting…. Well, you get the gist. We can pretty much do whatever, whenever.” He paused to take a sip from his drink. Hovering Marlene took the opportunity to wipe the white-speckled Formica in front of him. “They have the same type of things going on all week. So, whatever you want to do is fine with me.”
    I smiled at Marlene who still hovered. She waited in front of him like a hungry, homeless puppy.
    I turned to Drake determined to ignore her. The incident this morning in the library left me gnawing for more information about Dad. Maybe Drake could help me find out what kind of person he was, since Rose was busy. “What do you think…” I glanced at Marlene who didn't even try to hide the fact she was eavesdropping on us, and lowered my voice. “What do you think my dad would have done?”
    The question piqued the all-too-eager table busser’s interest. “Your dad?”
    “Oh, that’s right.” Drake gestured with one hand like he had totally forgotten to introduce us and with the other, he squeezed my thigh underneath the counter. “Marlene, you haven’t met Sarah yet. Sarah, Marlene, Marlene Sarah.” To Marlene, he said, “Her dad used to live here.”
    “Well, why didn’t he bring you here?” Marlene asked, her eyes rolling in the back of her dumb head.
    My gut clenched. It had been a very long time since I had to explain to someone that I didn’t have a father and especially to someone who was being rude about it. “I don’t……he’s dead. I—”
    “What about your mom?” Marlene interrupted. Some people might have felt bad and just. Stopped. Talking. Not Marlene. “Wouldn’t she be the best one to tell you about your dad? You didn’t have to come all this way.”
    Not-too-subtle hint. Point taken.
    Drake opened his mouth, but I started talking first. “She’s actually really busy being a bitch. So, no.” I put my hand on his shoulder. “I just have my aunt…and Drake.”
    He leaned back and crossed his arms, a smile twisting the corners of his mouth. He seemed to be enjoying this.
    “Well, then,” Marlene said, straightening her apron, “you’re definitely lucky to have found him. He just loves this stuff.” She smiled wide and reached out to rub Drake’s hand.
    I took mine from his shoulder. Getting into a territorial boy fight was not on my agenda for today. I picked up the Adams Gazette and ignored them.
    “I think I’m the lucky one,” Drake said. He pulled his hand away from Marlene and placed it in his lap. He smiled at me out of the corner of his mouth. Then, he turned back to Marlene. “Anyway…how about you get us some menus so we can order?”
    Marlene’s feet stayed cemented on the other side of the counter. “Where are you staying?” she asked, now staring at me.
    I completely ignored her until Drake nudged my chair with his foot. I sighed. “With my aunt.”
    “And that would be…?”
    I dropped the paper back onto the counter. All the insides she’d straightened so nicely earlier, spilled out on the white Formica in front of her. “Rose McCal—”
    “Rose McCallister?” Marlene’s mouth dropped into an