Alix (The Coven's Grove Chronicles #1) by Virginia Hunter Page A

in her dreams. Alix could still remember the day she drove it off the lot. A moment she had marked as another turning point in her otherwise dreary life. Stunned, she meandered around the pathetic calamity that Sam had proclaimed to be Alix’s crowning achievement since being pulled off the streets.
    Deep gashes ran along the entire length of the once pristine sides. Huge dents in the fenders, doors, and bumpers, made the car look as if it were inoperable. The front hood was completely gone. Just gone. The exposed engine remained intact, but covered in grime from the long road trip. Once Alix had made a complete circuit around the mangled heap of metal, she stopped, and stared in disbelief.
    She burst out laughing.
    The thought of them driving cross country in that junker brought tears to Alix’s eyes. Sam began to chuckle as well. The two of them traded snorts and giggles, until they were both bent over from knee-slapping laughter. In that brief moment, things returned to how they had been before all of this tragedy had started.
    “I’m glad you’re taking this so well,” Sam said, through her giggles.
    “Oh, hell,” Alix moaned, as she wiped moisture from her eyes. “I’m such an idiot. I thought you were talking about...something else.”
    “Yeah, I kinda figured once you got out of the car all crazy girl on me,” Sam replied, running the back of her hand across her eyes. “Jesus, what kind of an asshole do you think I am?”
    They both doubled over again, their laughter renewed. Thankfully the rooms nearest them appeared to be vacant, so no calls for disturbing the peace would be placed. Troy did poke his head out the door however, with a look of consternation on his face. Sam gave him a thumbs up, as she attempted to stifle her laughter, which was enough for him to go back inside without comment.
    Alix’s sides began to hurt from all the cackling. She leaned against what used to be her most prized possession, gasping for breath. “I’m so sorry, Sam,” she said, once again gaining control of herself. “I’m the asshole.”
    “Don’t sweat it.” Sam stepped over and leaned against the side of the building across from Alix. “I get it. He’s a hottie. I wouldn’t want to share either.”
    Alix smiled. “It’s more than that. Something happened between us that night I put the tat on him. I don’t know what it was, but I need to find out.”
    “That’s not the only thing you need to figure out. Those things chasin’ us are no joke,” Sam said. “But first things first,”—she nodded her head toward the room—“Figure out what’s up between you and him...I can sleep in the car.”
    “Sam, no—”
    “Just get me the keys, okay?” Sam interrupted, as she came away from the wall with a smile. “It’s freakin’ cold out here.”
    “You’re not sleeping in the car,” Alix stated, with no room for debate.
    Sam rolled her eyes. “Fine. I’ll go for a drive, and scope out this hoppin’ little town for a while.”
    Alix frowned. “That’s not a good idea.”
    “C’mon, maybe I can find us a club to hang at later,” Sam said sardonically. “Besides, I owe you for saving my life back there.”
    Stubborn girl, Alix thought. “You owe me nothing.”
    “I do,” Sam persisted. She crossed her arms, and added her pouty little I’m-not-going-anywhere-until-you-do-what-I-say face. “Just get me the keys, okay?”

 
    A lix slipped into the motel room. Warmth seeped into her as she closed the door. She glanced around, scanning for car keys.
    Two queen-size beds dominated the smallish space, while a long dresser sat against the opposite wall. There was a thin pathway to the two sinks and bathroom in the back. Wainscoting came up about three feet off the floor all the way around the room, and two framed prints, typical of motel decor, hung on the cream-colored walls. She couldn’t see Troy anywhere, but could hear the shower running. His clothes were folded up in a neat pile on the