Girls from Costum Coast

The swaying water welcomed me to my special place. The birds chirped in their nests above in tall trees. The silence was bliss I hadn't had in a while. With all the yelling and doors slamming of the last three or four days the solace of the willow woods was all I needed. I brought a book with me, a comedy to raise my soul.

I climbed on a rock, gazed out at the lake and pulled out my novel. A couple hours of this were all I needed. After a couple minutes into my book, my needs were completely discarded. It sounded like a rhino had landed behind me. I slammed the book shut.

'Well, that's the end of that.' I pulled my bag off the ground and stuffed the novel inside.

'This is the only place you come to hide Liv, it's predictable. You might need to find another spot if you don't want to be found.'

I sighed, 'Hi, Logan.'

At least he had a shirt on this time.

He scooted me over on the rock and draped an arm over my shoulder.

'I saw you with Leo earlier,' he narrowed his eyes.

I chuckled, 'You've turned into a part time stalker now, huh?'

'It's what best friend's do,' he lifted his chin.

Well, at least all the butterflies and unexpected blushes were under control. Ever since Logan introduced his new girlfriend Piper to me. His eyes lit up like tiny flames, he spoke about her as if she was something so precious it was worthy to be worshiped. I simply lost him. Demi said I had to deal with it or live a life sulking. Pearl told me to run her off.

Demi's was the only voice of reason. I had to let him go and he'd never know how I felt about him. At least I had him though.

'He's a nice guy Logan.' I said.

Logan scratched his sandy blonde hair before he snorted. 'I'm not so sure about that.'

'You don't even know him!'

'Exactly, I haven't approved.'

I groaned. He did this all the time. He laughed squinting his pale green eyes. That laughed used to cause heat to rush to my chest, it still did. Why didn't anyone tell me moving on was hard?

'Anyways, that isn't the issue here Liv. You know you-'

I hopped off the rock and groaned. 'I know, I know! I don't actually plan on going through with it.'

'I don't think it works that way. Look, I don't want you to get your hopes up with another guy then be forced to move on to another one.'

I rolled my eyes and turned to the glistening lake. 'I don't want to go through with it.'

Logan slid off the rock and wrapped his arms around me.

'Maybe you might get out of it. You said your dad was pushing as hard as he can.'

'Ugh, and my gran is the brick wall he's trying to push.'

A couple days ago my gran came home the happiest she's ever been. Heck, I thought she found herself a shinny new boyfriend. She's been single since my grandpa died when my dad was in high school. Turns out she entered me in something called the Deer Maiden Trails.

Let me start from the beginning the real beginning. I'm a witch. My dad's a warlock that refuses to use his powers and my mom's an ordinary human being. My gran on the other hand is a powerful witch in the Coven council. She was as stubborn as anything the earth could present!

I'm not sure what I have to do in the deer maiden trails. My friend Tanya offered to find out more. She's a dark witch and their coven didn't practice deer maiden trails. All I knew was this was some ritual to determine the next leader's consort. Gran bulldozed in and signed me up and I can't get out of it!

I haven't even seen our leader. I know he's young since our old leader who was seventy passed away a couple months ago. His son took over and he hadn't lived in Costum Coast for years. Mom was over her head when gran announced it, dad was worse that's been causing all the friction in my house.

'Hang in here kid. Anyway, Leo's a human.'

Back to this! Leo and I had been speaking for a couple of weeks. Long before this fiasco. The good thing about humans in Costum Coast is they knew about us. About the witches like me and the werewolves like Logan and the small community of vampires and mermaids at sea.

Majority of them did anyways, if you were a local you knew the people running the herbs and spice store was a real witch. Those who moved here were greater sceptics. Leo on the other hand was a little bit of a sceptic despite being born here.

I folded my arms and smirked, 'So?'

'So... it's less complicated to date someone from your own... circle.' He grinned.

'I'm pretty sure Piper isn't a werewolf and you have no problem dating her.'

'It's different.' He dusted himself and stood.

Logan once told me a heart-breaking night, he couldn't be with me because I was a witch and werewolves could only mate with their own kind. It would kill me if we tried. He never said he wanted to be either. He found Piper years later and I'm sure he'll fight for a way.

I spent countless hours searching for stories of werewolves and witches. Only the most powerful could survive the mating. Giving birth was another tale...

I rubbed my shoulders and I didn't want to talk about it anymore. I certainly didn't want to talk about Piper either. I had to go, the girls and I were going to a party at a warlock's beach house.

'You're coming with, right?' I asked Logan.

He nodded, 'Definitely. I'll see you there.'

***

I cracked the front door to the house open. It was as quiet as a library. Good, no one was home from work. The lights hadn't been turned on. I needed to leave before anyone got home and the arguments began. I commanded the lights to come on and the living room and kitchen lights flickered on. The lamps came to life and the curtains shut themselves.

I rushed upstairs to shove my clothes in a duffle bag. I'd shoot mom a text later about where I was. Didn't mean she'd like it. Hoping I hadn't left anything I hurried down the stairs and out the door. I got into my Camaro and drove to Tanya's.

Tanya lived across town. My kind didn't frequent there since it was dark witch territory and the two covens weren't friendly with each other. I on the other hand had been going there since I was a kid. Whoever didn't want me there failed to stop me. Pearl's truck was already in the driveway which meant Amber was there too.

I walked in knowing Tanya's parents were home. They travelled a lot. I followed Amber's laughter upstairs and found the three girls had turned Tanya's room upside down. Make-up – which all belonged to Amber- covered Tanya's bed. Bags upon bags filled the wooden floor.

'Yes, just throw more bags on the floor!' Tanya was somewhere on the make-up mountain.

Pearl sat on the floor attempting to paint her nails. Amber jumped out of the bathroom in a white robe, half of her face already done.

'There she is! You're wearing my red dress. It's an order.' She flipped her shinny blonde hair over her shoulder and walked back into the bathroom.

Tanya was in black leather jeans and a white crop top. I was sure she was ready.

'It's just a party Amber,' I dumped my bag on the floor.

'Yeah... but Leo's going to be there.' Amber cooed.

'Uh!!! Leo huh?'

'Leo?' The girls teased. I smacked my face.

'We're just talking...'

'Girl you're boring jump on him.' Tanya threw a pillow at me.

'I will not be jumping on anyone!' I hurled it back and she grinned.

'Someone that isn't Logan.' Pearl teased and the girls burst into laughter. 'I could seriously help you run his girl off. Just leave me alone with at night in a dark alley.'

'Oh geez.'

The laughter continued then died when a window slammed shut. Pearl and Amber gasped.

'Some wind,' Tanya got up to inspect it. The lights flickered and went black. My heart pounded like a hammer against a wall. The bathroom door banged shut. Amber screamed. The bedroom door opened and slammed shut.

'Tanya, do something!' I screamed.

'Ugh, guys relax it's me.' Demi kicked the door in and marched over to the desk.

'What the hell is wrong with you? The hell?' Pearl hit Demi with a pillow. Demi frowned.

I exhaled and looked over at Tanya who was about to release a destructive spell. It was on the edge of her tongue when Demi burst through the door.

Amber yanked the door open, 'Well, that had to be the most dramatic entrance ever! Don't you witches knock?'

Demi rolled her eyes and pulled out her make up. 'You're friends with witches Amber it shouldn't surprise you we use magic.'

'What the heck were you trying to do anyways?' Tanya placed her hands on her hips.

Demi turned and faced us, a brush held up to her cheek, 'I was trying to open the front door.'

We burst into tears. I fell back on the bed, clutching my tummy.

'Hey!' Demi whined.

'That's worse than me trying to open a pickle jar at home.' I said.

She rolled her eyes, 'That's fine for a girl who rarely uses her powers.'

'After that little horror show I doubt you do too.' Pearl raised her brows.

'Ugh, we're late hurry up! We're always late guys.'

The red dress Amber picked for me was actually cute. It was a strapless, shoulder less dress with sleeves. It fell well above my knees. I wore it with cute brown sandals. Pearl and Tanya had completely transformed with a few touches of make up, upon Amber insisting.

Pearl and Tanya shared a similar love for black clothes. Tanya had an envious hourglass figure, a short bob cut and chocolate skin. I'd say Pearl had more of a pear shape body. She had thick black wavy hair that ran down her back, pale skin and fangs to match. She didn't wear them out all the time.

Demi had light brown hair that fell under her chin, the clearest skin, rosy cheeks and full lips. She had emerald eyes that made boys sigh. Amber was a beauty inside and out. She had thin blonde hair that could have reached her ankles if she ever let it grow to its full potential. She had sparkling blue eyes and was about my height five foot six.

After spending another hour getting ready, we piled into Tanya's car. The guy's name's Rufus a rich warlock using his parents beach house. The thing about Costum Coast having a beach house wasn't a rarity, keeping one however was the hard part.

'We're so late,' Demi whispered as we battled to squeeze out of the car.

'Who cares? There are like a hundred people here.' Pearl grunted.

Most of the party was out by the beach where meat was being grilled. After a few minutes the girls dispensed. It was just Amber, Demi and I 'guarding' the drinks in the kitchen.

'Why aren't you with Jayden?' Amber asked Demi.

Demi frowned, 'We broke us a few days ago.'

'Why didn't you say anything?' Those guys were almost inseparable. 'He better not have cheated.'

'Oh, no. We just grew apart.' Demi folded her arms.

'There must be another guy in the picture.' Amber sipped on her drink.

'Why do you think that?' Demi asked.

'Usually when couples grow apart the other half doesn't go around looking at the other like a lost puppy, standing outside a restaurant window in the rain.'

We stared across the room, where Jayden couldn't give his friend his full attention because his gaze kept darting across the room into the kitchen.

Demi sucked in a breath, 'I'm going to check out the beach.'

'You see the beach every day!' Amber yelled as Demi scurried out the kitchen.

Amber chuckled, 'There is definitely another guy.' She took another sip.

'Just for the record I would never hurt Oscar that way.'

I laughed, 'You know Oscar's in a committed three-year relationship.'

Oscar's my older brother. He went to Europe for school, somewhere I would love to be right now and not waiting impending marriage trails.

'I have hope things will go wrong. Anyways, what are you doing here with me? I can think of another lost puppy that's looking for you.'

'It's this deer maiden stuff it really complicates things for us.'

'Screw them!'

'Screw them to hell.' We burst into giggles.

'Can you not talk about screwing people, Liv.' Logan walked into the kitchen with his arm around Piper's waist.

I cleared my throat and hoped the embarrassment wouldn't show. 'Hey Piper, great to see you again.'

The smirk on Logan's face got bigger. Amber shot Piper daggers. She stepped in front of me, her eyes scrutinizing her limbs.

'Well, Logan all your friends are beautiful.' Piper chuckled.

'Yeah, wait until you see the others. I'm Amber I'm like his sister my opinion matters very much.'

'Yeah, Amber you're very important.' Logan rolled his eyes and slipped his arm around Piper's waist.

'Hey, Liv, you been hiding?' Leo joined the equation and shot me one of his boyish grins, revealing the dimple on his right cheek.

Logan turned and I couldn't read his expression. Amber on the other hand lit up like a firecracker.

'Leo! Liv was just talking about you.'

'What? No, she wasn't. She was talking to me.' Logan pushed out his chest and I rolled my eyes.

'Hey Leo...' Suddenly the deer maiden trails popped up in my head. Stupid thing was going to ruin things for me.

'Wanna hang outside?' He asked.

'Nah, she's good.' Logan grumbled. I shot him daggers.

Piper chuckled, 'Let her Liv go babe.'

'What if Liv doesn't want to go?' Amber narrowed her eyes at Piper, who was shorter than us both.

Piper sent Amber back her daggers with sharper ones.

'Yes, you know what I do want to get out of here. Later guys.' I grabbed Leo's hand and dragged him out of the kitchen before Logan could open his trap.

Leo chuckled when we walked out under the stars and put a sizable distance between the music and us.

'That must be Logan,' he said.

I bit my lip and stared at the ground. Maybe if I won my battles, I could come back to him. Would it be fair to expect him to wait? Don't cry Liv, save your tears for the battles ahead.

'Yeah, he's harmless really.'

Aside from the fact he's a werewolf and can rip him in to shreds if he wanted.

'What's up, you've been quiet? Everything okay?' He took my hands.

I stared out at the dark waters meters from us. A half-moon above us.

'Yeah... everything's fine- no Leo actually everything isn't fine.' I gripped his hands tighter.

'Then what's wrong babe?'

These tears better back the hell up.

'It's me- Leo I can't go on like this...'

He released my hands and chuckled, 'You want to make us official? Liv I've wanted that for the longest time.'

His hands found their way to my cheeks. I looked away, why did he have to make it so hard?

'I mean... I can't continue with this, us. I'm done.' I said like a band aid being ripped off a fresh wound.

He stepped back, his hands falling off my cheeks.

'You're great Leo! I'm not... it's complicated I swear. I just can't do this right now.'

'It's complicated? What's complicated?' He shouted.

'That- Ugh, I'm sorry really.'

He shook his head, he was slow to walk past me, his eyes like burning rocks in my flesh.

'Forget it.' He mumbled.

I flopped on the sand and lifted my legs to my chest. We ended at the same spot we had our first kiss. I heard voices behind me and turned to find my friends pointing and shouting.

'Oh great...'

'Does someone need to go home with a demon attached to his back?' Tanya yelled.

'Let me have him!' Pearl said.

'Guys! It's fine... it's me. I just want to be alone.'

Whatever they said to each other the girls went back to the house. Expect Logan.

'I said I'm fine Logan.'

'I know you Liv. You need a hug.'

I sighed. The sound of the crashing waves against the sand was all I needed.

'Babe! Come play beer pong!' Piper called.

Ugh, can't she see I'm having a moment and need my bed friend all to myself.

'Not now babe.' Logan didn't turn his head to her. My body warmed.

'No! Come on it's your favourite.' Piper insisted.

I exhaled, 'Go Logan I'll be inside in a minute.'

He gave me a wrinkled look before walking back up to the house. I wanted to leave more than anything. My mood had been shat on. I dusted the sand off and waded to the house. A ping pong table filled the living room. Piper and Logan made one team. I watched them destroy the other team until they gave it.

'You're awesome babe.' Piper pulled Logan's shirt and crashed her mouth into his.

I cringed and turned on my heels. I sucked in sharp breaths. I didn't need to see that! I yanked door handles upon door handles until came to an unlocked door and stumbled into a dark room. I thought I told my tears to obey me. Tears ran down my cheeks, sobs clogged my throat. I kicked something, someone's leg.

'I'm sorry,' I sobbed.

With the light from the hall, I could only make out the blue jeans. My blurry vision wasn't helping either. I palmed the wall for a light switch and flipped it on. I stumbled back and hit a wall. My eyes roamed the state of the being on the floor leaned up against the end of the bed.

Blood run out from his eyes, his nose and filled his mouth, falling onto his white shirt. My legs went weak, my heart must have exploded. I let out a scream that deafened even me.

'No!!'

I kept on hitting the wall, the were was no escape from the body in front of me. Footsteps sounded in the hall, but the sounds were drowned out and only the person meters from captured my senses.

'No, Leo!'

'Shit!' Logan took one glance in the room and read the situation.

He picked off the floor and dragged me out of the room. The door filled with people others ran back to find a place to puck. There was so much blood, he was so pale, he was dead.

'How did this happen?!' Someone yelled. 'Get help!'

'What is going on? Liv!' Amber rushed into the hall where Logan set me down.

Tanya, Pearl and Demi followed.

'What happened?' Tanya lifted her chin.

I pulled my legs up to my chest and shut my eyes. Maybe it would all melt away into darkness if I kept them closed. My mind was playing games with me, it was all a bad dream.

'Damn it guys, it's bad real bad. Liv, what happened?' Logan said.

I opened my eyes and a rush of air escaped my lungs. 'I don't know! He was-I walked in and he was already dead. There was so much blood.'

'Dead?' The girls gasped.

Logan grimaced, 'It's Leo.'

We just spoke how could he be dead? Amber crunched down and wrapped her arms around me. She burst into sobs seconds later. The girls wrapped their arms around me. We became on huge pile on the floor.

'Everyone get the hell out!' A husky command radiated from the living room.

Pearl snorted, 'Says who?'

Sirens followed and Logan yanked us off the ground, but a stampede of people disconnected us. I got up before I could become the next victim in the house. The crowd shoved me to the living room and tossed me on a sticky brown couch.

'We should leave too,' Tanya dragged Amber out of the outpouring swarm of people.

Demi and Pearl battled their way to the living room.

'She can't leave Tanya. Liv found Leo. Now you don't have to say anything until we get you a lawyer.' Amber said.

I failed at controlling my trembling hands. 'I didn't do anything. I did-'

'Rufus, what the hell is going on? Weren't you told no parties?!'

A six foot tall man hovered over a five foot two Rufus. His bright blue eyes visible from where I sat. His rough tone sent shivers across my skin.

'I-He- I don't know man. I don't know what happened someone found him that way.'

'Damn it Rufus!' The man ran a hand through his satin blonde hair.

Rufus could have shrunk himself into a mouse if it meant getting away from the guy who sent him flames.

'Damn him he's gorgeous.' Pearl muttered.

'That's Cole Delaney. Leader of our Coven.' Demi smirked.

Shit! My head landed in my laps. He just had to be here. It was the first time I ever laid eyes on him and I wanted it to be the last.

'I'm sorry bro! You know I didn't do this right?'

Cole growled, 'Shut up. I said everyone out! This is a crime scene.' Cole's ice blue eyes set on us.

I sprung to my feet and my friends stared at me.

'You don't have to tell me twice.'

'Wait, she's the one that found that guy dead.' Rufus stopped me square in my tracks.

I bit down on my lower lip and shot Rufus tiny daggers. Cole's gaze settled on me with no patience what's so ever.

'Back down curly.'

I grumbled back to the chair. I pressed my palms against my ears then shut my eyes. The blue and red siren lights flashed in the house. Voices outside attacked my ears doing everything they could to destroy my mind.

'Well, we're not going anywhere.' I opened my eyes and Tanya stood in front of me with her arms crossed.

'Didn't you hear? This is a freaking crime scene!' Cole yelled.

'You should be catching who ever killed Leo then.' Logan emerged from the front door.

Cole ran a hand down his face and went face to face with Logan. Logan crossed his arms.

'Liv, didn't do anything. Let her go.'

'If curly over there is innocent then she won't mind answering a few questions. Look, I don't have time for this werewolf.' He spat the last part.

I shot up and marched up to him. I had to lift my head all the way up and slightly jump.

'I found him. We just spoke before then and we just broke up. So, if it's not too much to ask can we do this another time.' The crack in my voice betrayed me.

Cole looked down at me and grumbled. He placed a meter between us then sighed.

'Fine.'

The ride back had to be the coldest I'd ever felt in a car. Not even the presence of my girls did anything to melt the ice coated on my skin. If only people could shut down and let time pass long enough for the pain to fade. Even with all the power I harboured I couldn't grant my own request.

***

Four days went by and Leo's killer hadn't been caught. Costum news put it as a crime of opportunity. The rumours around the magicals said Leo's killer was a blood thirty creature. I didn't know what I believed because both could be likely aside from the fact that the magical side of Costum Coast hadn't had murders for years and it just didn't make sense that Leo was killed!

Logan and the girls came by to check on me. My boss called too each time to get the date I would be back at work. The sun was almost down and I would be heading to there as soon as the clock hit six. Being home was like being choked with a scarf.

'You don't have to go to work right away honey. That boss of yours is a real prick, you know?' Mom flipped her brand new rouge weave behind her shoulder.

'I'd rather be at work anyway.' I mumbled.

I sat on a stool by the kitchen isle while Mom marinated a chicken.

'You can't avoid talking about what happened forever baby.' She said.

The glass door slid shut then entered Gran and her dog Misty. A grey Maltese.

'It wouldn't even have happened if she took her training seriously.' Gran said.

I hung my head, 'Here we go again.'

'Witches can sense dangerous in their dreams, in their bones. In my day witches were punished for not taking a warning seriously.'

'Don't start Cheryl-'

'What do you know you're just a mere mortal!'

'Okay! Look at the time. I don't want to be late, you know how Baxter can be.' I grabbed my coat off the hanger and keys from the hook and let the door bang behind me.

Voices rose behind me. This was what I had to deal with ever since Gran involved me in the dumb deer maiden trails. Mom and Gran already didn't get along, but Gran's little stunt sent things over the edge and Dad was definitely caught in the middle.

'No! What are you doing here! Baxter is such a dick!' Pearl greeted me as I walked up the stairs to the little patio.

She cradled a beer bottle in her hand and another one stuck out in her black apron pouch.

I shook my head, 'Wasn't Baxter. I couldn't take it anymore.'

She nodded, 'Hmm, beer?'

'I can't drink that stuff. Got any ginger beer in there.'

'Oh please.'

I laughed. We had at least thirty minutes before our shift began. Pearl only came in early for the beers and freshly baked goods. We had the best baked items on the whole coast. At least we liked to believe it.

The cold breeze caressed my face and the silence felt like expensive oils running down my back. Gran mentioned sensing danger. Was it like goose bumps crawling all over your skin? A heart racing so fast it felt like a creature right out of hell slashed it's filthy fingers at you? Sweat dripped down the side of my face and air escaped my lungs I almost thought the life was being stolen from me.

My mind's eye flooded with images of corpses and screams filled my ears.

My body shook and I almost hit the wooden floor.

'Whoa! Liv! Can you breathe?' Pearl yelled.

I sucked in a deep breathe. 'Oh my goodness. I'm fine. I have no idea what happened.'

Pearl's eyes popped wide open. Broke glass scattered on the floor near our feet.

'Liv!' She gripped my shoulders.

'I don't know... it was horrible. It was evil.'