Shadowland i-3

by Элисон Ноэль

  “Please.” Rayne rolls her eyes. “We know what Luna means. In fact, I’m pretty sure we know way more Latin than you.”

  I nod, struggling to keep my voice calm and composed, refusing to rise to her bait, when I add, “Well, I was thinking that since they say cats are connected to the moon and all—” I stop, taking one look at her face and knowing there’s no point in going on, she’s dead set against it.

  “You know, it used to be said that cats were the children of the moon,” Damen says, determined not only to rescue me, but also to prove, once and for all, why I’m worthy of their respect. “Because like the moon, they both come to life at night.”

  “Then maybe we should name her Moon Child,” Rayne says. Nodding when she adds, “Yes, that’s it! Moon Child. It’s so much better than Luna.”

  “No it isn’t.” Romy gazes down at the sleeping cat in her lap, stroking the narrow space between her ears. “Moon Child’s all wrong. Lumpy. Too much. A name should be only one word. And this kitty is clearly a Luna to me. Luna. That’s what we’re calling her then?”

  She glances between us, counting three nodding heads, and one that refuses to budge just to spite me.

  “Sorry, Rayne.” Damen clasps my hand, a sliver of energy the only thing that separates his palm from mine. “I’m afraid the majority rules in this case.” He nods, closing his eyes as he manifests an exquisite velvet collar of the deepest purple that instantly appears around Luna’s neck. Romy and Rayne gasping, eyes shining with delight when he manifests a matching velvet bed. “Perhaps you should place her there now,” he says.

  “But we’re both so comfortable like this!” Romy whines, not wanting to part with her pet.

  “Yes, but we also have lessons to get to, don’t we?”

  The twins glance at each other, then rise simultaneously, carefully placing Luna in her new bed and hovering at its edge, making sure she’s sleeping comfortably, before turning back to Damen, ready to begin. Taking the seats just across from him, ankles crossed, hands folded in laps, more obedient than I’ve ever seen them. Ready for whatever Damen’s got planned.

  What’s this about? I shift as we untangle our limbs.

  “Magick.” He nods, glancing between them. “They need to practice daily if their powers are to return.”

  “How do you practice?” I squint, wondering if it’s anything like the classes Jude’s planning to teach. “I mean, are there exercises and tests, like in school?”

  Damen shrugs. “It’s really more a series of meditations and visualizations—though far more intense and of a much longer duration than the ones I put you through on our first journey to Summerland, but then, you didn’t require as much. Even though the twins hail from a long line of very gifted witches, I’m afraid that as it stands now, they’re back to stage one. Though I’m hoping that with regular practice, they’ll recapture their abilities in reasonable time.”

  “How long is reasonable?” I ask. When what I really mean is: How soon do we get our life back?

  Damen shrugs. “Few months. Maybe longer.”

  “Would the Book of Shadows help?” Realizing just after it’s out, that I shouldn’t have said it. Damen’s expression is not at all happy, though the twins are now poised on the edge of their seats.

  “You have the Book of Shadows?” Rayne says, as Romy just sits there and gapes.

  I glance at Damen, seeing he’s none too pleased, but since the book could very well help them as much as I hope it can help me, I say, “Well, I don’t exactly have it, but I have access to it.”

  “Like for real? Like a real Book of Shadows?” Rayne phrases her words like a question, though her gaze tells me she’s sure it’s a fake.

  “I don’t know.” I shrug. “Is there more than one?”

  She looks at Romy, shaking her head and rolling her eyes before Damen can say, “I haven’t seen it, but from Ever’s description, I’m sure that it’s real. And quite powerful too. Too powerful for you at the moment. But maybe later, after we’ve progressed through our meditations we can—”

  But Romy and Rayne are no longer listening, their attention focused solely on me as they rise from their seats and say, “Take us there. Please. We need to see it.”

  CHAPTER 27

  “How will you get in?” Romy whispers, edging up alongside me and gazing at the door, a wary expression crossing her face.

  “Duh!” Rayne shakes her head. “It’s easy for them. All they have to do is unlock the door with their minds.”

  “True.” I smile. “But having a key is handy too.” Jangling it so they can see before inserting it into the lock. Careful to avoid Damen’s gaze, though it’s not like I need to see to know he disapproves.

  “So this is where you work,” Romy says, stepping inside and gazing around. Moving lightly, gingerly, as though she’s afraid to mess anything up.

  I nod, placing my finger against my lips in the international sign for shush as I lead them toward the back room.

  “But if the store’s closed, and we’re the only ones here, then why do we have to shush?” Rayne asks, her high-pitched voice practically bouncing off the walls, wanting me to know that while she’s pleased that I’m about to show her the Book of Shadows it doesn’t extend much further than that.

  I open the door to the back office and motion them inside, telling them to sit, while Damen and I consult in the hall.

  “I don’t like this,” he says, eyes dark, focused on mine.

  I nod, very well aware of that but determined to stand my ground.

  “Ever, I’m serious. You have no idea what you’re getting into. This book is powerful—and in the wrong hands—dangerous as well.”

  I shake my head, saying, “Listen, the twins are familiar with this brand of magick, much more so than you and me. And if they’re not worried, then how bad could it be?”

  He looks at me, refusing to budge. “There are better ways.”

  I sigh, wanting to get started and frustrated to be dealing with this. “You act like I’m going to introduce them to evil spells or make them bad witches with warts and black hats, when all I want is the same thing as you—for them to get their power back.” Careful to shield my mind so he can’t hear the unspoken part, the real truth behind this visit—that I spent most of yesterday at work struggling to make sense of the book to no avail—that I need help if I’ve any hope of convincing Roman to hand over the antidote. Knowing it’s better unsaid. Damen would so not approve.

  “There are better ways of doing this,” he says, voice patient but firm. “I have their lessons mapped out, and if you’ll just give it the time to—”

  “How much time? Weeks, months, a year?” I shake my head. “Maybe we can’t afford to waste that kind of time, did you ever think of that!”

  “We?” His brows merge as his gaze studies mine, a hint of understanding forming in his eyes.

  “We, them, whatever.” I shrug, knowing I better move on. “Let me just show them the book and see if it’s even the real deal. I mean, we don’t even know if it really works, maybe my reaction was—well, maybe that was just me. Come on, Damen, please? What could it hurt?”

  He looks at me, convinced it could hurt plenty.

  “Just one quick look—only to determine if it’s real or not. Then we’ll head right back home and get started with your lesson, okay?”

  But he doesn’t say anything. Just nods and motions me in.

  I head for the chair on the other side of the desk, settling in and leaning toward the drawer when Rayne says, “Just so you know, we heard everything. Our hearing is exceptional. Maybe you should stick with telepathy instead.”

  Determined to ignore her, I place my hand on the lock, closing my eyes as I open it with my mind, flicking a quick glance at Damen as I rummage inside. Digging past the pile of papers, the folders, and tossing the calculator aside, before reaching the false bottom, grabbing hold of the book, and plopping it onto the desk. Fingers tingling, ears buzzing from the energy it conta
ins.

  The twins rush forward, gazing upon the ancient tome with more reverence than I’ve ever seen from them before.

  “So, what do you think? Is it real?” My gaze darts between them, so breathless I can barely form the words.

  Romy tilts her head, face quizzical, until Rayne reaches forward and opens to the very first page. The two of them gasping, twin intakes of breath, as their eyes grow wide and they take it all in.

  Rayne perches on the edge of the desk, angling the book so it faces her and her sister, as Romy leans across her lap, tracing her fingers along the series of symbols—markings that are completely indecipherable to me—though from the way their lips move makes perfect sense to them.

  I glance at Damen standing directly behind them, his face belying any emotion as he watches the twins mumble and giggle, jostling each other in excitement as they flip through the pages.

  “So?” I say, unable to take the suspense and needing a verbal either way.

  “Real.” Rayne nods, eyes still focused on the page. “Who ever put this together knew their stuff.”

  “You mean, there’s more than one?” I squint, glancing between them, barely able to meet their eyes under their lush fringe of lashes and jagged-cut bangs.

  “Sure.” Romy nods. “There’s tons. Book of Shadows is just a generic title for a spell book. They think the name originated due to the fact that the books had to be kept hidden, in the shadows so to speak, because of their content.”

  “Yeah,” Rayne cuts in, “but some also say it’s because they were often read and written by candlelight, which casts shadows as you know.”

  Romy shrugs. “Either way, they’re written in code to avoid the danger of falling into the wrong hands. But the truly powerful ones, the ones like this”—she stabs the page with her index finger, which is newly painted ballet slipper pink—“are extremely rare and hard to find. Hidden away for the very same reason.”

  “So it’s powerful? And real?” I repeat, needing it confirmed one more time.

  Rayne looks at me, shaking her head like I’m too dense to be believed, while her sister nods, saying, “You can actually feel the energy of the words on the page. It’s quite powerful, I assure you.”

  “So, you think it’ll be useful then? You think it might help us—you—with your needs?” Eyes darting between them, hoping they’ll say yes while carefully avoiding Damen’s gaze.

  “We’re a little rusty—” Romy starts. “So we can’t say for sure—”

  “Speak for yourself,” Rayne says, flipping back toward the front until finding the page that she wants. Repeating a stream of words I can’t even begin to understand as though it’s her native tongue. “See that?” She waves her hand in the air, laughing as the lights flicker on and off. “I wouldn’t exactly call that rusty.”

  “Yes, but since they were supposed to burst into flames, you’re still a long ways away,” Romy says, arms folded, brow raised.

  “Burst into flames?” I glance at Damen. He was right, this is dangerous in the wrong hands—their hands.

  But Romy and Rayne just laugh, falling all over themselves when they say, “Psych! We totally psyched you! Ha!”

  “You are too gullible to be believed!” Rayne adds, seizing any chance to make a fool of me.

  “And you guys have been watching way too much TV,” I say, slamming the book shut and moving it away.

  “Wait! You can’t take that! We need it!” Two sets of hands frantically reaching and grasping my way.

  “It doesn’t belong to me. So it’s not like we can take it home or anything,” I say, holding it just out of reach.

  “But how will we get our magick back if you hide it like that?” Romy’s face drops to a pout.

  “Yeah,” Rayne adds, shaking her head. “First you make us leave Summerland and now—” Stopping only when Damen raises his hand to silence them.

  “I think it’s best you put that away,” he says, eyes on mine, jaw clenched tight. “Now,” he adds, with new urgency.

  I nod, thinking he’s more upset than I thought, taking a stand and insisting I stick to our deal. Until I follow his gaze to the monitor and watch as a dark blurry figure walks in.

  CHAPTER 28

  I slide the drawer open, frantically shoving the book inside as a soft thud of footsteps makes their way down the hall.

  Barely getting it closed before Jude sticks his head in and says, “Working late?”

  He steps into the room and offers his hand to Damen who hesitates, taking a moment to size him up, before offering his own. Even after releasing Jude’s grip his gaze remains focused, unmoving, his mind far away.

  “So, what’s going on here? Is this take-your-family-to-work day?” Jude smiles, though it doesn’t quite reach his eyes.

  “No! We were just—” I swallow hard, having no idea what comes next, meeting his deep knowing gaze and quickly looking away.

  “We were looking at your Book of Shadows,” Rayne says, arms folded, eyes narrowed. “And we were wondering where you got it?”

  Jude nods, lips lifting at the corners when he says, “And you are?”

  “Romy and Rayne.” I nod. “They’re my—” I glance at them, wondering how to explain them.

  “Nieces,” Damen says, gaze locked on Jude. “They’re staying with me for a while.”

  Jude nods, glancing at Damen briefly before returning to me. Moving just shy of the desk as he says, “Well, if anyone could find it, it’s you.”

  I swallow hard, glancing at Damen who continues to eye Jude in a way I’ve never seen from him before. Like his entire being is on a full-scale alert—posture stiff, features controlled, eyes narrowing to the deepest, darkest points, all the while taking him in.

  “Am I fired?” I ask, laughing a little, but mostly I’m serious.

  Jude shakes his head. “Why would I fire my very best psychic? My only psychic!” He smiles. “Funny, that book’s been in the drawer since last summer and yet no one found it ’til now.” He shrugs. “So what’s your interest in it anyway? I thought you weren’t into magick and stuff?”

  I swivel back and forth in my seat, uncomfortable, squirmy, especially with the way Damen keeps looking at him. “I’m not, but the twins are very much into—”

  “Wicca,” Damen says, placing a protective hand on each of their shoulders. “They’re interested in learning more about Wicca, and Ever thought this book might help. Though obviously, it’s far too advanced.”

  Jude looks at Damen, slowly taking him in. “Looks like I just got my second and third sign-up for class.”

  “There’s another?” I say, quickly, without thinking, glancing briefly at Damen and feeling an inexplicable flush rise to my cheeks.

  Jude shrugs. “If she shows. Seemed pretty interested though.”

  Honor. I know it without even peering into his mind. Honor’s the first sign-up, and I’ve no doubt she’ll show.

  “Class?” Damen asks, hands still on the twins, gaze darting between Jude and me.

  “Psychic Development level one.” He shrugs. “With a small emphasis on self-empowerment and magick. I’m thinking we should start soon, maybe even tomorrow. Why wait?”

  Romy and Rayne look at each other, eyes blazing with excitement. But Damen shakes his head saying, “No.”

  Jude looks at him, face easy, relaxed, not the least bit daunted. “Aw come on, I won’t even charge. I’m new at this anyway, so it’s a good chance for me to try it all out and see what works and what doesn’t. Besides, it’s just a simple introductory course, nothing heavy, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

  Their eyes meet, and even though I know the heavy part is pretty much Damen’s number-one concern, it’s clearly not his only concern.

  No, this sudden edginess, this uncharacteristic guardedness, has something to do with Jude.

  And me.

  Jude and me together.

  And if I didn’t know better, I’d think he was jealous. But I do know better, and, u
nfortunately, that sort of behavior is relegated only to me.

  The twins plead with him, large brown eyes gazing into his. “Please!” they say, voices high-pitched, intertwining. “We really, really, really want to take this class!”

  “It’ll help us with our magick!” Romy nods, smiling as she tugs on his hand.

  “And get us out of the house so Ever can’t complain about your lack of privacy anymore!” Rayne adds, managing to insult me even as she aims to convince.

  Jude looks at me, brows raised in amusement, but I quickly look away, holding my breath until I hear Damen say, “We’ll get there on our own, you need to be patient.” His words final, leaving no room to negotiate.

  Jude nods, shoving his hands deep into his pockets as he gazes between us. “No worries. If you change your mind, or just want to stop by and monitor, feel free. Who knows, maybe you’ll learn something?”

  Damen’s eyes narrow ever so slightly, but still it’s enough to persuade me to stand up and say, “So, I’m still on the schedule tomorrow?”

  “Bright and early.” Studying me closely as I maneuver around the desk and into the welcoming crook of Damen’s arm. “I won’t be in until later,” he adds, moving for the seat I just vacated and settling in. “So if that girl—” He squints, looking at me.

  “Honor.” I nod.

  Seeing Damen gape in surprise as Jude laughs and says, “Wow, you really are psychic. Anyway, if she comes in, tell her we’ll start sometime next week.”

  CHAPTER 29

  “Your boyfriend seems cool.” Jude looks at me, leaning on the edge of the counter, coffee mug in hand.

  “That’s because he is cool.” I nod, thumbing through the appointment book, seeing I’m booked for a two o’clock, followed by a three, a four, and a five—and relieved to see that the names aren’t even slightly familiar.