Coven by Lacey Weatherford

wasn’t going to get to go anywhere.

Chapter Six
     
     
    I was pacing by the time the doorbell rang
and practically vaulted down the stairs to get it. Yet, my dad
still managed to beat me to the punch. Grinning wickedly, he
grabbed the knob and swung it open, revealing Seth standing there
looking very fine in a t-shirt that showed off the muscles in his
arms and chest. His hands were shoved in his jeans and he looked a
little nervous.
    Immediately, I felt my dad’s hackles rise
and a strange force enveloped him.
    “Dad, this is Seth Masterson,” I said,
trying to break up the energy in the air. “Seth, this is my dad,
Vance.”
    “You can call me Mr. Mangum,” my dad said in
a no-nonsense tone and I had to force myself not to roll my eyes.
What was the deal with him?
    “Mr. Mangum. Pleased to meet you.” Seth
extended his hand, which my dad simply stared at for several
moments. It wasn’t until Seth started to pull his hand back that
Dad suddenly reached out and grabbed it. Shaking it slowly, he
maintained contact as he heavily scrutinized my new friend.
    “What are your plans with my daughter?” he
asked; and I could tell his grip was growing tighter. I suddenly
had a vision of my dad melting Seth with his powers as he stood
right there in the doorway.
    “Dad. Enough.” I broke in, shoving myself
between them so it interrupted their handshake. “I already told you
he asked me to dinner. What time do you want me home by?”
    “ You’re ruining my fun.” His voice
entered my head.
    “ Be nice,” I replied in the same
fashion.
    “It’s a school night, so I think ten o’clock
is plenty late. Midnight on weekends.”
    “Thanks. I’ll be home by ten, then.” Moving
back inside, I grabbed my bag from the table in the entryway and
skipped out the door, hooking my arm through Seth’s and dragging
him out of the line of fire . . . literally.
    “Take care of her, Seth. Bring her home in
the same condition you found her.”
    “Uh, yes sir,” Seth responded as I continued
dragging him down the sidewalk to his car. He had enough presence
of mind to open the door for me, something I was sure would earn
him brownie points. My dad was very old school that way.
    “ Kenna.” My dad’s voice filtered into
my head.
    “ Yes?” I replied with a sigh, feeling
a mental lecture coming on.
    “ I see you left out some crucial details
about your new friend.”
    “ Really? And what’s that? That he’s a
nice guy? Or that he’s extremely good looking? I didn’t really
think that would interest you.”
    “ You don’t know, do you?”
    “ Know what?” I was starting to get
frustrated.
    “ He’s a warlock.”
    “ Excuse me?” I practically shouted
through my link, stiffening as Seth slid into the car beside
me.
    “ Fresh-blooded, not demonic. I didn’t get
the feeling that he means you any harm. Otherwise I wouldn’t have
allowed you to go.”
    “ You’re sure about this?” I asked,
still feeling incredulous.
    “ I’m a demon, sweetheart. A hunter. I
could smell him coming up the sidewalk before he even rang the
bell.”
    “ Dad, I’m just putting this out there in
case it’s necessary. You cannot eat my friends.”
    Loud laughter filled my head. “I promise
to be on my best behavior.”
    Seth started the car and pulled away from
the curb. I was still in shock from my dad’s revelation and
couldn’t think of one thing to say to him.
    “ Do you think he knows about us?” I
asked my dad.
    “ Well, seeing how you didn’t know about
him, I’m thinking he probably doesn’t know about you. I wouldn’t
have known except I have the added advantage of being able to smell
the fresh blood. Just be careful, and remember the things you’ve
been taught. Don’t let your guard down. If you need anything, you
know how to reach me.”
    “ Thanks, Dad. I’m sure I’ll be fine. See
you later.” I didn’t wait for him to reply before raising the
privacy wall between us. I did not want him