InsaneJournal

It had been three months to the day that Lux Warren had returned home permanently. For the petite brunette it was hard to believe. Her time away seemed like a blur to her memories—where had all that time gone? She had created a life for herself in Boston and now she was back where she started. It had been time to come home and face her demons. She couldn’t truly move on until she closed the chapter of her brother’s mystery. The questions finally poured in, the reality of the situation taking its toll. It was time to return to the circle, time to face John and accept her responsibilities.

She didn’t need light to see through the darkness of the forest. She had walked the same path so many times she had memorized it. Pushing a stray branch away, the shack appeared in the distance. From her vantage point she could tell someone was there. Her sixth sense hummed with energy, as she felt drawn to the familiar blue door. Lux hesitated on the doorstep as the moonlight cast its glow about her petite figure. She didn’t need to open the door to know he was there. Taking a deep breath, she twisted the handle and entered.

The dim lights played shadows against her porcelain skin as she stepped inside. Clad only in a pair of jeans, riding boots, and a black winter pea-coat, Lux would cautiously remove her jacket revealing a white v-neck sweater. Almost as a sign of a truce, she found herself staring down at the familiar figure. Emerald hues would collide with jade.

"John." She paused, she hadn't known exactly where he would be. She had allowed instinct and Circe to guide her to the shack. Those instincts never failed her, she was here for no other reason than to speak with him. No note, no warning had been left this time.

"I think it's time we talked..."

The awkward silence stretched, how else were they supposed to go about this? Lux had a chance of surviving, if she kept the conversation on point and strictly business. And that’s exactly what she would try to do. For seven years the circle had been scattered, it was time to finally bring them all together. The first move though had to come from her, the rest would just have to fall into place.

She had been an enigma in the town and a spectacle when the town sweetheart returned. Lux could almost hear the sound of the ticking hands of her watch as they played their game of cat and mouse with their gazes. Her beating heart thumped loudly against her chest, he always did make her feel a certain way—even after all their time apart. She hadn’t been cured. Clearing her throat, she threw her jacket across the back of the armchair.

“That had always been the plan, or had you forgotten?”

The petite brunette hadn’t answered him directly, but her point was still made. It wasn’t hard to miss the doubt in his voice though.

“Would you prefer it if I didn’t?”

She knew the answer before the question had even been uttered. They were like two strangers and yet the invisible chord bound them as one.

Hidden beneath her shirt she wore the necklace he had given her that night. She always wore it out of sight with her family’s crystal on the same white-gold chain. The cool bead pressed against her chest as the drop of water remained trapped. Despite everything she had always kept a part of him close.

“My plans don’t…”

For whatever reason she felt a need to stress that as she took a seat in the chair opposite him, leaving only the makeshift coffee table between them. One leg casually crossed over the other as she leaned back against the chair.

“That’s why I’m here, I felt it was important that we clear a few things up.”

Now that she was back, she had her own plans to set into motion. The circle was the key and it was high time she took her rightful place there. A low chuckle escaped her lips as she shook her head.

“I doubt Eva missed me at all. She’d as soon throw me over a cliff than admit she actually likes my company.”

Their rivalry had been notorious, yet the last thing she wanted to talk about was her old rival.

“We need to get a few things straight.”

Lux hadn’t meant to be so frank and yet she knew the time and place for it was now. Unconsciously her hand would reach for the chain around her neck as she toyed with the delicate metal before her cheek would rest upon her palm. Long locks of auburn curls would cascade across her hand as she observed the burning logs from the corner of her eyes.

“I’ve had a lot of time to think…”

Words trailed as she tried to find the right words. Seven years had been plenty of time to look at the solid facts. She was done running, she had returned home with the distinct intention of getting to the bottom of what had happened.

“I’ve put a lot behind me, I don’t care if you never tell me what happened.”

Liar. She still cared but she was done trying to force the truth from him. She would have to discover the truth another way. It had hurt her deeply that he wouldn’t tell her what it was she knew he was keeping from her. She waved her hand in front of her as if to ward off the inevitable.

“I’m not going to sit back idly, I came back to take my place in the circle.”

She left the innuendo open for him to interpret as she carefully observed him through long lashes.

Despite the mild winter, the air surrounding them grew heavy. Not because of the crackling fire, but because the room was surging with repressed energy. Lux Warren could not deny the hum of magic in the air as she sat across from John.

While the circle was connected, Lux could sense a deeper connection to the man sitting before her. She couldn’t explain it entirely; in fact she couldn’t explain it at all. For whatever reason, he touched her on a level none of the others had. Every time their paths crossed she felt her skin ignite in flames and a shiver crawl up and down her spine.

She could literally feel that electricity now. It was almost as if he was staring down into her soul with those dark hues. Shifting in her chair, a coy smile spread across her lips as she attempted to hide how he made her feel. Things were going to change whether he wanted to accept them or not. While she may have ignored her previous responsibilities, Lux had no intention of continuing to do so.

Deep down she realized that if it wasn’t for John the circle would have drifted apart, yet that wouldn’t change her mind. A leader had never been properly elected; the choice relied on a vote. Even though she had left, she knew she could count on a majority vote.

“Well aren’t you the cocky one. You really feel you’re that safe?”

The smirk couldn’t be helped as her emerald hues danced in mischief. Shaking her head, the tips of her fingers would playfully drag across the arm of the chair. She remained perfectly calm and cool as she challenged him directly.

“A vote will need to be called...”

While everything had appeared fine on the surface, Lux knew better. A temporary truce would only serve her greater purposes. She had to work with him, he was in the circle after all—she had no choice. How long could she keep up the charade? For as long as she needed to. It had been three years since that night. Three years to push the memories to the far corners of her brain.

The chain around her neck grew heavy as the droplet roared with life. She could do this. Smirk intact, she leaned over as she rested her elbows against her knees. Lithe fingers threaded themselves together as she eyed him directly. There wasn't a flicker of doubt on her face.

“You’re completely transparent John, I must say it’s almost adorable.”

There was a glint in the corner of her emerald hues as she sat back once more. She knew what he wanted to say. The lyrical note in her voice held a touch of laughter. Just because she had left, didn’t mean her chances were weakened. On the contrary, all she needed was three others. There would be no way in hell she would ever rely on Eva, which left only Alvaro, Harmony, and Isabelle.

“Lovely, the next full moon then?”

Lux was unfazed by the burst of flames; there was no need to respond though. He was the logical opposition to be nominated and she wouldn’t put it past Eva to do just that. There was a slight touch of sarcasm, but all in all she kept it light.

The petite brunette felt that her point had been made clear. While she had been away from the circle, that did not by any means mean she had lost her touch. In fact her abilities had only grown. She was the same and yet different. He could probably sense that about her, more now especially. Lux knew he was susceptible and if she could keep pretenses up around the prodigal son she would be fine, he had been given a warning.

“You would suppose right.”

By staying in control of the game, she wouldn’t be caught off guard. Yet, John Irvine had the ability to crawl under her skin like no one else. He had known her but she couldn’t trust someone who couldn’t trust her. She had felt abandoned when she had needed him the most in her life, something she found difficult to forgive. Lux wouldn’t chase him anymore; she had made that decision seven years ago.

Without warning, she found herself standing from the chair as her smile lingered. She could still feel traces of his energy surrounding her as she reached for her jacket.

“I think we’re clear here, don’t you?”

With care, she slipped inside her pea-coat while casually buttoning and belting her jacket. With a flick of her wrists, she pulled the curly auburn locks from the collar as she adjusted her clothing.

“You know where I’ll be if you need to find me.”

Lux had made her stance, she had truly returned. Turning on her heel she made to leave him there alone again, only this time she wouldn’t be leaving for good.