Something Witchy This Way Comes by Veronica Blade

I’d sense their presence. If they meant me harm, they could have accomplished that any number of ways. Earlier tonight at the party, for instance, I’d been a perfect target with the liquor fogging up my brain.
    As if my feet were fixed to the floor, I stared at the door to my room. The adrenalin kicked up another notch and my hands quivered. I took a step back and the door creaked open. I stifled a scream.
    A guy not much older than me, nineteen maybe, stood with his palms out, showing me he was unarmed. “I just want to talk to you.”
    Right. That’s why he broke into my room — because he was on the up-and-up. My throat closed over from panic.
    “I can stand here while we talk, just like this.” He spoke slowly, barely above a whisper. “No sudden moves, I promise.”
    All the ways he could hurt me whirled through my head.
    “Nothing so dastardly,” he said. “If I’d planned to hurt you, we wouldn’t be standing here right now. You sensed me before today, right?”
    Remembering that I’d sensed someone outside the auditorium, I nodded.
    “Frank and Lila are lying to you.”
    I widened my stance and bent at the knees, ready to bolt if I needed to. “Frank and Lila?”
    “Or whatever name they’re going by.” He telepathically sent me pictures of their faces.
    Ah, Mr. Linton and Fawn.
    “Yes, those two. They’re not who they say they are. They’re conning you.”
    “They told me you’d say that.” My parents were out, as usual. I never knew when they’d return. For all intents and purposes, I was alone with this stranger. “Your people want to use me so you can take over and rule.”
    “No. That’s them — Frank and Lila’s people.” He ran his fingers through his dark brown hair that fell lazily around his perfectly chiseled face. “Their goal, not ours.”
    Okay, that was the last thing I expected. Mr. Linton and Ms. Phillips were totally nice. I didn’t think they’d ever hurt me. They even taught me how to use my powers. And like this guy, if they intended harm, they’d have already taken the opportunities. Whatever the bunch of them were up to, I seemed to be more useful alive or they would’ve snuffed me already.
    “Of course they’ll try to convince you they’re the good guys. They want you on their side. They found you first but that doesn’t automatically make them better.”
    That made sense in a strange way. Damn. How would I know who to trust? My mind reeled in confusion.
    “You think we could talk about this? Give me a chance to show you the other side.”
    “Now?” It was midnight and my big cushy bed beckoned me. And more than anything, I wanted to avoid being a pawn in whatever game those two groups were playing.
    He shook his head. “It’s late. We could figure out a way to meet again without them knowing.”
    “Without them knowing? Then they wouldn’t be there to back me up if it turned out you ’re the one who’s lying.”
    “Then I’ll meet you in your room every night.” He smiled devilishly.
    My gaze fixed on his blue eyes. “Apparently, I can’t keep you out.” I’d locked the house up thoroughly when I’d left earlier with Nadia and Corinne — who’d faint if they ever saw him. Hayden would be long forgotten. But not by me. It didn’t matter how flawless this guy was, he could never be more compelling than Hayden’s perfect imperfections.
    “Don’t fall in love with a non-sorcerer, Tessa. It never works out.”
    Damn. I’d forgotten to put up my shield. I ignored his invasion and unwanted opinions and guarded my thoughts. If my hunch was right about Hayden, and I’d find out tomorrow, getting involved with him wouldn’t be an issue. Not that I intended to take up with him. Ever. “How did you get in here without them knowing?”
    “I had help. I know a Blocker.”
    “Blocker?”
    “Yeah, a Blocker.” His face changed, as if something dawned on him. “I guess they’re not telling you everything. Allow me. Blockers can create