With You In Spirit (The Bassinville Witches Series) by Miranda Stork Page A

their expressions. Shawna was the first one to snap at him. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing? You don’t know that man from Adam. I think if any murderous strangers are hanging around, they’re unlikely to introduce themselves, huh?” Catherine did cast her a glance though, remembering her friend’s earlier question about Caden being a stranger. Jackson turned to Catherine, his mouth opening and closing like a lost goldfish.
    “Save it, Jackson, I’m not interested.” she hissed, grabbing her bag. “I’m going home now. And I can walk myself home, so don’t you dare think of following me!” She glared at him, a melting stare, before storming past him, and swinging the door out into the cool night air.
    Catherine stared ahead of her, hoping she might see Caden walking along, but he had obviously driven here and was already gone. Not that she was sure she wanted to see him at the moment anyway. Jackson had well and truly embarrassed her, and she expected that Caden wouldn’t want to see her again anyway. Then she remembered she would have to walk past Mrs Delfoy’s on her way home. I hope he doesn’t see me…
    Pulling her bag strap over her shoulder, she began to walk determinedly away from the bar, down the small road into t he centre of town. The noise fro m the bar behind slowly started up again, and then began to fade away as she walked further and further. The silence became filled with the sounds of night; an owl hooting far away, the cicadas chirruping in the swamps. A cool breeze floated by, possibly the first for many nights. Catherine appreciated it, it made her feel more human again, calming her anger slightly. The dark sky above her was covered in a glittering array of stars, the moon the only light shining down on the town.
    Catherine turned into the town, onto the main high street, all of the shops closed for the night. She had always thought there was something spooky about shops when they were closed on a night. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that they were so full of life during the day, and then so dead during the night. There was a sudden screech of tyres behind her, and she turned, to see a black sedan slowly driving along the main street.
    She turned back, and continued to walk along, looking ahead to where the guest house sat at the end of the road. To her surprise, she heard the purr of the engine, as the black car drove slowly up along the street, just behind her. Feeling just a little bit nervous, she speeded up slightly, taking longer strides.
    The car speeded up as well.
    Catherine’s heartbeat began to thump painfully against her ribs. She may have played it down when she had spoken to her mum and everyone else about it, but secretly she was worried as hell about the death threat.
    And now there was a strange car following her.
    She began to walk even faster, practically at a trot now. Her fingers wrapped themselves tightly around the handle of her bag, cutting into her own palm. The car speeded up again. There could be no question of it now. Catherine broke into a run, her hair flying out behind her like streamers. The car’s engine revved up; and it mounted the pavement, aiming straight for her.
    Catherine cried out in fear, wishing she had made Shawna or someone leave with her, her heart pounding in her ears like a war-drum. She sprinted forwards, trying to get as far away as she could. The car suddenly dived forwards, its tyres screaming. It rammed straight into the wall just behind her, missing her by inches.
    She screamed, and jumped away, sprinting as hard as she could, her lungs feeling as though they were on fire. Somewhere, in the back of her mind, she thought she saw Caden running out of Mrs Delfoy’s house, and racing towards her, although he looked as though he was running faster than she could really see.
    Suddenly, a crack in the pavement seemed to open up from nowhere, and Catherine went flying, holding out her arms to try and stop herself