Magic Untamed

by J. N. Colon

  I bolted out of the door, heading for the exit. Etie said the voodoo king was wasting his time, but I didn’t want to stick around and ask if Baron Samedi was aware of that. I darted around the corner, nearly running into a blonde.

  “Watch where—” Her words cut off as she spotted me. “Oh, you.” Trisha Belmont had the evil sneer down pat.

  I’d spoken too soon. Ms. Beauchamp wasn’t the last person I wanted to see. It was Trisha. I tried to move past her, but she blocked my path.

  “Etie sure did enjoy his dinner last night.” Her blue eyes sparkled.

  I halted. “What are you talking about?”

  “He was at my daddy’s shop last night, and I thought I’d bring him something to eat.” She licked her lips. “He sure does have an appetite.”

  My stomach clenched, and an acrid taste oozed up my throat. Etie and Bastien had taken that job for her father. This blonde skank was already trying to steal him after the first day.

  “He’s always loved my fried chicken.” A dark smile curled her red-painted lips. “I used to make it for him after a late night…” Her voice trailed off, and the innuendo was clear.

  My nostrils flared, and the electric crackling returned to my hands. I shoved them behind my back. “Get out of my way.”

  A line formed between Trisha’s overly plucked brows. “What’s wrong with your eyes? They look purple.”

  Oh my god. It wasn’t just my imagination.

  I darted by her, hitting her shoulder so hard she stumbled into a display of pots. A loud clatter echoed, drawing several pairs of eyes. Trisha would probably tell them I pushed her on purpose because I was jealous.

  I had bigger things to worry about than Trisha Belmont’s lying mouth. My freaky powers were becoming more than I could handle. I needed help.

  Chapter 8

  I stormed into my mother’s veterinarian office, ignoring the startled customers in the waiting room. Lena DuPont, one of the vet techs behind the counter, tried to wave me down, but I bypassed her and headed into the short hall of examination rooms. I didn’t care what dog, cat, or rodent she was tending to. I needed my mother.

  Sweat ran down my spine, soaking the back of my shirt. My powers scratched at the surface, attempting to tear their way out. It felt as if my skin was crawling. A little pink sign hung from the door of exam room three, letting me know the doctor was inside.

  I pushed the door open without knocking. “Mom.”

  Her head snapped around, her hazel eyes widening. “Um, Angel, sweetie, I’m in the middle of an appointment.” The Yorkie on the table looked relieved someone interrupted the inspection of his teeth.

  “I need to talk to you,” I choked out, wiping a dribble of sweat off my forehead.

  “In a minute.” She shot me an incredulous expression before turning back to the pudgy woman who had been explaining her dog’s problem.

  Was this seriously happening? I finally sought my mother out after more than a week of silence, and she was turning me away. I would have laughed if not for the crackles of invisible electricity running over my body.

  “Mom! I need to talk to you now.” The lights flickered in the room, and my mother finally understood my urgency.

  “I’ll be right back, Mrs. Adkins.” She ushered me out, dog hair flying off her penguin scrubs. When we reached her office at the end of the hall, she quickly closed the door behind us, locking it. “What happened?”

  “What happened?” I screeched. “I don’t know a thing about controlling these powers.” I leaned against the door and lifted my hands to my face. “My eyes are turning purple.”

  “Oh boy.” She rubbed her temples and sat on the edge of her cluttered desk. My mom was always so busy treating the animals she rarely had time for anything else. Organization wasn’t her strongest suit in the first place. “Things are progressing faster than we expected, but your grandmother and I are going to help you.”

  “You are?” A heavy weight fell off my chest. It felt as if I could breathe easier for the first time in days.

  Her brows dipped. “Of course, Angel. We wouldn’t just let you continue like this.” She tucked locks of straying auburn hair back into her messy ponytail, her gaze still holding mine. “Your grandmother is working on a way to restore the binds around your magic.”

  Her words were like icicles stabbing through the warm relief I’d begun to feel. “Restore the binds?” The thought of it was already suffocating.

  “Of course. It’s the only safe thing to do.”

  My heart was breaking. For just a moment, I’d thought my mom and Abuela had finally realized the mistake they made keeping me in the dark. Instead, they simply wanted to put a bandaid over a giant wound.

  Didn’t they understand a bind wouldn’t hold my powers anymore? They’d been slowly leaking out since I met Etie. Now that our souls were linked, there was no way in hell any magical bind was strong enough to hold them.

  “That’s not the kind of help I need.” I held my hands out as tiny sparks traveled over my palms. “Why can’t Abuela just tell me how to control this?”

  “You’re a conduit, Angel. Your powers aren’t like other witches’. They’re harder to control, and people will use you.” She rubbed her temples as lines deepened in her forehead. “Restoring your binds is the only safe option. It’s the only way you can have a normal life.”

  Heat bubbled up from my core, spilling acid through my veins. My nostrils flared, and it took everything I had not to tear the plastic tray off the wall next to me. “You call being hidden away in this town normal?” I spat.

  Scarlet flooded her cheeks, and her jaw clenched. “Your father did not sacrifice his life for you to throw it all away.”

  Her words were like a sledgehammer against my chest. I flinched as if she’d physically struck me. “What are you talking about? Dad died in a car accident.”

  She quickly stood and turned her back on me, rummaging around on her desk. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

  A sick feeling spilled through my stomach. Oh god. “Did his death have something to do with me?” My tongue felt too thick forming those words. I licked my cold lips, all the heat from my anger and powers melting away. I may as well have been standing in frozen tundra.

  “Of course not, Angel.” Her voice was strained and distant. Something wasn’t right. “I only meant leaving his coven and witchcraft to keep you safe.” My mother slowly faced me again, an unreadable mask firmly in place. “We’ve all made sacrifices to protect you.”

  It would have hurt less had she punched me in the gut. I hadn’t known I was a witch for very long, but apparently my mother was harboring some deep-seated hate of my magic. Because of me, my family had to change their entire lives. My father, grandmother, and sister had to renounce their ties to witchcraft to protect me.

  A lump rose in my throat. “I never asked for that. I never asked for any of this.” I spun around and yanked the door open, stalking out.

  “Angel! Come back here.”

  I ignored my mother and marched toward the waiting area, the red exit sign like a beacon pulling me toward safety. I had to get away from her, away from the pain threatening to drown me. My chest was caving in with the weight of her words.

  Did I have something to do with my father’s death? Had someone found out what I was and killed him to get to me?

  I’d probably never know the truth. I was lied to my entire life, and every time I turned around, more secrets were unearthed. The very people who were supposed to protect me were the ones hurting me the most.

  The customers in the waiting area watched as I fled from the veterinarian’s office, whispers following in my wake. This little drama would be floating around Carrefour within the next hour. The moment I stepped onto the street, a jolt of electricity sparked in my chest. Popping echoed, and I spun around, horrified. Cracks spiderwebbed across the glass door.

  Air caught sharply in my lungs. Oh my god. It was going to shatter.

  I took off down
the street, the sun already melting behind the buildings. A few people walked along the sidewalk, shooting me curious glances. I ignored them. The heat had returned, and my veins were on fire, as if lava flowed through them instead of blood. I glanced in a store window, my eyes a vivid shade of purple.

  Shit! Whatever was happening, I couldn’t stop it. The power inside me was too much, too soon. Maybe if I’d been able to grow normally with them instead of having them dumped on me at eighteen, I wouldn’t be flipping my lid right now.

  A car alarm suddenly blared through the air, and I jumped. I hurried by only to have the next car parked along the edge of the road come to life, the alarm screaming and lights flashing. A loud buzzing echoed, and the bulb in the nearest lamp post exploded.

  I screeched, dodging shards of glass. Another one in my path erupted.

  This was a freaking nightmare. My chest was caving in, stealing my breath. The chaotic noise filled my ears, mixing with distant murmurs of a few pedestrians. A metallic tinge coated my tongue as more electricity spread over my skin.

  I needed to get the hell out of here before I hurt someone.

  I pivoted and took off down an alley, running as fast as I could. My flip flops slapped the pavement hard, the sound like cracks of thunder. Sweat leaked down my face, and tears blurred my vision.

  My life had been turned upside down, and there was no going back. I had to figure out a way to deal with this or let it consume me whole.

  A sense of relief hit me when I finally reached the deserted Carrefour Cemetery. The grass was as plush and soft as carpet beneath my feet. Mr. Jenkins, the caretaker, took his job seriously. Not one tombstone was left smeared with dirt or grime.

  I hunched over, my hands on my knees as I tried to catch my breath. No sooner did I suck in a lungful of air did another jolt of energy pour from my body.

  Oh no. The wind kicked up, and the trees began to sway, the creaking of limbs and the frantic rustling of leaves filling the air.

  I stood, my head tilting toward the sky. Thick clouds rolled in, plunging the cemetery into darkness.

  My lips turned cold. Did my powers have no freaking limits? What else could I do? Bring a hailstorm down on Carrefour?

  A rip of lightning tore through the murky sky, spilling more energy through the atmosphere. My hair whipped across my face, obscuring my vision. I yanked the strands away just as a violent series of pops echoed. A wall of twigs and small tree limbs hurled toward me.

  The wind swallowed my gasp. I threw my arms up to cover my face. Sharp stings resonated over my skin as the projectiles tore into me. I peeked through a crack, looking for somewhere to take cover.

  What the hell should I do?

  I darted through headstones, hoping to find a spot that would shield me from pieces of broken foliage caught in the maelstrom. Mr. Perkins was going to have his hands full tomorrow.

  A crack sounded, and I glanced over my shoulder. My eyes widened at the large branch tumbling my way.

  Shit!

  I dodged it at the last second, ducking behind a headstone. I crawled on my hands and knees, tears barely making it down my cheeks before they were swept away.

  Why was this happening? Why couldn’t I make it stop?

  A whistle cut through the violent gale. When I looked up, another branch was headed straight for me. I didn’t have time to react before it was inches from my face.

  Hot energy spiked through my bloodstream, and something shot out of me. I covered my face with my hands, waiting on the impact. But it never came.

  The wind no longer lashed at me and the howling was muted. I peeked through slitted lids. The branch had rebounded away, smashing into a headstone and cracking it down the center.

  That wasn’t all I saw.

  An invisible barrier was now between me and the raging storm.

  Great. My powers were protecting me while anyone else who made the mistake of visiting Carrefour Cemetery would be pelted to death.

  I needed Etie. He might be the only person who could help me. I reached into my pocket, drawing out my phone—my very fried phone. It fell from my hand with a thud, bouncing on the soft grass.

  Sobs filled my calm little bubble. I had no way of getting out of this thing or getting help. Hell, I’d even be glad to contact Henri right now. At least he’d have some idea of how to stop the storm of magic.

  Familiar voices cut through my crying, and I wiped the tears from my eyes. Abuela and my mother were standing just outside my bubble, yelling for me to come to them.

  They were out of their freaking minds!

  I frantically waved my hands for them to leave. “Get out of here! You’re going to get hurt.”

  My grandmother, being stubborn, strode forward, her dark hair whipping in her face. A violet sheen lit her eyes as she raised her hand, speaking words I couldn’t decipher.

  My breath caught. I’d never seen her use magic. A force hit the barrier, but all it did was bounce back and knock her off her feet.

  “No!” I cried.

  This time my mother moved forward. She was in even more trouble than Abuela. If my freaky protection shield was no match for my grandmother, I could only imagine what it would do to a regular human.

  I ground my teeth and tried to suck my power inside. A throbbing began in my head, sharp needles jamming into my skull. It was no use. How could someone be so powerless against themselves?

  My mother’s hand reached out. Please don’t let me hurt her.

  Tiny bolts of electricity arced out, popping against her fingers. She yanked her hand away, staring at it with wide eyes. If she tried again, she’d get much more than a light shock.

  My tattoo flared to life, wildly pulsating, as Etie barreled through the windstorm, his glowing green and blue eyes finding me. A sob escaped my lungs, and I hit my knees. He would stop the disaster I’d created.

  The voodoo caster began yelling at my mother and Abuela. I couldn’t understand what he was saying, but his anger was evident.

  My relief quickly dissipated as he marched toward my bubble. I frantically shook my head, knowing he’d try to enter it to get to me. “No! You can’t. It’ll hurt you.”

  Etie ignored me and pressed both hands against the invisible barrier—and easily stepped inside.

  “Etie.” His name came out as a strangled gasp.

  His expression twisted as he knelt, scooping me up in his arms. “Angeline, come here.”

  I buried my face in his chest. “How did you get through?”

  “You’re my alimèt,” he murmured. “Nothing can keep me away. No power on this earth.”

  Relief so acute it was painful erupted through my chest. I wanted to collapse against him, but the storm was still ravaging the cemetery. “I can’t stop it. I can’t control it.”

  He pulled back, cradling my face. “Yes, you can. You’re stronger than you think.”

  “That’s the problem.” Fresh tears leaked down my cheeks, running onto his fingers. “I’m too strong.”

  Etie shook his head, his wind-blown hair falling into his face. “I don’t mean your powers. I mean you.” He placed his hand over my chest, his simple touch warm and comforting. “You are so much stronger than you think.”

  “No, I’m not.” My gaze lingered over the destruction I was causing. “Look at this mess. Is the whole town like this?”

  “Only here.” He pressed a kiss to my forehead. “You can stop this, Angeline. I’ll help you.” His eyes burned into mine. “I just need you to let go.”

  I sucked in a sharp breath. “That’s the opposite of what I need to do.”

  “You trust me, yeah?”

  I nodded. When it came down to it, I trusted Etie more than anyone. It didn’t matter how much we fought or how angry he made me. He would always protect me.

  “Then let go.” His power sparked around us, mixing with mine.

  I swallowed hard and released the fire boiling inside. Etie’s lids drifted shut as he whispered words in Vonduo under his breat
h.

  The uncomfortable heat slowly began to disappear as if he was drawing it away. My heartbeat slowed, matching his, as did my breathing. The chaos beyond the safety of my bubble finally died.

  Etie opened his glowing eyes. “You okay, no?”

  A heavy breath seeped from my mouth, and I swayed on my knees. “Yeah, I guess.” It suddenly felt like I weighed a thousand pounds.

  “It’s okay, cher. Lean on me.” His arms wrapped around me and my body melted into his. The protective shield dissolved.

  Through my heavy lids, my mother and Abuela appeared, both wearing worried expressions.

  “What did you do?” My mother’s voice was strangled. “Is she okay?”

  “I’m fine,” I mumbled, darkness beginning to seep around the edges of my vision. It felt as if I had run a marathon, fought a couple of bears, and danced with a tornado.

  Etie’s nostrils flared. “She’s not fine.” He gently stood, picking me up and cradling me in his arms. “She’s been begging for help, and all you two want to do is find a way to bind her powers.” He took a deep breath, attempting to calm the storm of emotions raging through him. “That’s not going to work. If I thought it would, I’d be the first one to try it.”

  “What else would you have us do, Étienne?” Abuela’s voice was dry, weak almost, and lacked her usual confidence.

  “Teach her,” he spat, adjusting me in his arms.

  A long pause stretched before my grandmother spoke again. “Let’s get her home. We’ll figure out what to do.”

  Etie tensed. “Angeline is coming home with me.”

  “Now wait a minute.” My mother’s tone sharpened. “She’s my daughter and—”

  “She’s my alimèt. She needs me right now. Just me.”

  My lids peeked open in time to see my mother’s jaw drop. Honestly, I didn’t care where I was as long as Etie was with me. “Etie…” I mumbled, my words drifting off as darkness finally consumed me.

  Chapter 9

  I rolled over, getting lost in the soft, warm blankets coated in Etie’s soothing blend of wild herbs and spices. My lids drifted open, taking in the light tawny walls and dark furniture. Etie had brought me to his house.