Mystical (Mystical #1) (Revising)

Chapter Eighteen ☆

Donovan's face contorted with anger, his gaze snapping towards her in a flash of intense emotion. In that split-second, Eliza seized the opportunity, yanking the door open and bolting outside. Her hurried steps carried her down the stairs, a stumble betraying her haste. She pushed herself up with determination, her focus fixed on the path leading to the backyard.

The expanse behind Miss Canary's house opened up into a dense forest, a haven of shadows and foliage. In her frantic pursuit, Donovan collided into her, a forceful impact that sent her sprawling onto the ground. He pressed on, driven by his pursuit of Miss Canary. Eliza watched, breath caught, as the elf disappeared into the forest, nimble as she navigated through the undergrowth.

With a desperate urgency, Eliza turned on her heel, racing back towards the front of the house. The surroundings were unsettlingly familiar, as if she'd been transported back to her old neighborhood.

The shrill ring of her phone echoed from within her purse, left behind inside Miss Canary's house. A swift adjustment of her white dress and she darted back inside, grabbing her purse from the coffee table.

A letter caught her eye, its contents brief yet enigmatic:

Thanks for the rose. -Christian.

Tucking the note into her purse, Eliza dashed back outside, her steps hurried and uneven, almost resulting in a stumble on the steps. The door to Miss Canary's house remained ajar, forgotten in her haste.

Crossing the street, she headed towards her mother's house. On the steps, a white cat sat, unmistakably Jared. The feline's eyes widened as they locked onto hers, fur standing on end in a startled reaction. Evidently, he hadn't anticipated her sudden return.

Eliza's fingers instinctively reached for her phone, dialing Dawn's number. The connection sparked to life with Dawn's frantic voice, but the call abruptly disconnected, the phone's screen going blank. Eliza tapped on the glossy surface in vain, frustration building as it refused to respond. Dawn was likely in a panic after Eliza's sudden disappearance from the club last night

"Jared?" Eliza's voice held a mixture of surprise and disbelief, her expression a mix of wonder and confusion.

Jared met her gaze, his yellow eyes locking onto hers. There was a flicker of recognition in his gaze, but also a hint of uncertainty, as if he couldn't quite believe that it was her speaking to him. Eliza took cautious steps forward, her heart pounding a little faster.

"What are you doing here?" Jared's voice sounded strange, yet the concern in his words was unmistakable. "You know Dawn shouldn't be left alone."

Eliza couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Don't worry, I'm pretty sure Dawn's got her pepper spray ready to defend herself against any mystical boyfriends."

Jared's response was swift and serious, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You need to go back home and stay away from this place."

Eliza's smile faded, replaced by a mixture of amusement and exasperation. "Did you just hiss at me?"

A low growl rumbled from Jared's throat, his gaze unwavering. "Yeah, I did. This is serious, Eliza. It's not safe here."

Eliza chuckled softly, a mixture of skepticism and irony in her tone. "I survived a fall down a flight of stairs outside. Mysterious markings are burning on my skin. And you think a house is what's unsafe for me?"

Jared's tone shifted, his voice taking on a more solemn note. "The markings are part of the transformation process. It's not an easy journey, and they appear for a reason."

Eliza nodded, her hand absentmindedly reaching for her broomstick. "So, you're telling me that even my own home isn't safe?"

With a quick, almost cautious movement, she reached over Jared to grasp the doorknob. His reaction was immediate – a warning hiss that made her grin. Glancing down at the doorknob, she wrapped her fingers around it. The touch sent a sudden jolt of heat through her palm, causing her to jerk her hand back in surprise.