The Complete Spellbound Trilogy Bundle

by Penelope King

  He was right. I’d figured that part out myself the first night.

  I shook my head in awe. “I just can’t believe that you’ve known so much this whole time and never said anything.”

  He just gave me a look, and it amazed me that even then I felt nothing different from him than what I’d always felt. There was no fear, or panic, or disgust, or any of those things that Ana and the others had warned would happen if anyone ever found out our secret. He wasn’t going crazy with a secret knowledge that he just had to tell the whole world about. If anything, it was the opposite. He was fine. Not only that, he liked it.

  I laughed with relief and gave him a warm hug. I may have lost one parent today, but I still had the one that really mattered.

  After everything that had happened, not only today but since coming out here, I needed this.

  God, how I needed this.

  Chapter 26. A Calling

  Sophie and Lily were looking at me in shock when I returned to my room. “We heard everything,” Sophie confessed. “We weren’t trying to listen in, you just didn’t close the door all the way, and we could hear you.”

  “We’re sorry,” Lily said.

  I shook my head. “No, actually it’s okay. I think I’m glad there were witnesses to that, because you probably wouldn’t have believed me if I’d told you. I’m not sure I even believe it myself!” I smiled and opened up my dresser drawers.

  Lily and Sophie both chuckled. “That’s for sure!” Sophie agreed. “I’m so jealous! I wish my dad could know the truth and be as cool about it.”

  I took a deep breath and started to get ready for bed. I needed to go to sleep and end this crazy insane day. First finding my mom and being summarily rejected by her, then the disastrous dinner with Nicholas and Dad that actually ended up being not half-horrible, then seeing Justin again, only to lose him forever…

  If it wasn’t for the miracle of Dad’s acceptance about what I was, I think I may have had a massive meltdown. Although he’d thought I was an angel, and someday I’d have to set him straight about that, at least he knew I was different. And he was fine with it.

  “So, obviously nothing needs to be done to him, right?” I pulled on my sweatpants and some fluffy socks. “I mean, you heard him. He’s always known, and he doesn’t care… he likes it!”

  Lily shook her head as she ran a brush through her hair. “I wouldn’t have believed it myself if I hadn’t heard it with my own ears. I’d always thought that regular humans would be so traumatized by the real truth.”

  “’Cause that’s what everyone’s always told us.” Sophie pulled a long shirt over her head and tucked her hair up in a high ponytail.

  I crawled into bed and propped myself up on the pillows. “Well, maybe a lot of people would freak out, but maybe there are some who wouldn’t, like my dad. Maybe we haven’t given people enough benefit of the doubt.”

  “Maybe,” Lily murmured.

  “Let’s test that theory,” Sophie said, landing on the bed with a bounce. “You want me to fly us to New York, and we can do some magic in the middle of Times Square? I’m sure the tourists would pay big bucks to see your awesome fingers of fire.” She waved her hands around dramatically and giggled.

  “Ha ha, funny.” I pulled the blankets over me, and once Lily and Sophie were situated I flicked off the lights. We were quiet for a while as we watched the heavens, each of us lost in our own thoughts.

  “But it’s all okay, right?” I whispered after several moments. “My dad… he’s fine, isn’t he? No need to get anyone else involved.”

  “Obviously he’s known something for years, probably since before you were born,” Lily said. “And he’s handled it fine. Wouldn’t make any sense to create drama now.”

  “Yeah,” Sophie agreed. “We have enough real, actual problems without looking for some that don’t exist.”

  A huge wave of relief washed over me, because I knew that if either one of them had insisted on reporting Dad to anyone, it would be over. For all of us. I’d pack my dad up, leave this place forever, and never look back.

  “Do you think they’ve been wrong all this time?” Sophie asked. “Do you think people really could handle knowing we exist, and be okay with knowing about the things we can do?”

  “No, I don’t think they’re wrong at all,” Lily said in an authoritative voice. “But I do believe that, as with any rule, there are exceptions. And we’re all just really lucky that Callie’s dad was one.”

  “I wonder how much was luck,” I murmured, “and how much was by design. Maybe my mom knew. She has Empath abilities too, although not as strong as mine. Maybe she sensed something about him when they met that made her feel safe exposing him to magic.”

  “It’s possible,” Lily agreed. “Because he is definitely unusual. People can’t handle magic being too ‘in their face’. It totally throws their whole sense of the world completely out of whack. I’m not saying no one can handle it, but the majority… no way.”

  I could clearly remember how dramatically my worldview kept shifting the more I was exposed to magic, and how surprised I was when each new truth was revealed to me. And I’d had years of at least knowing that something was drastically different about me. I could just imagine what a shock to the system it would be for someone who’d never even questioned the status quo.

  I propped myself up against the headboard. “Okay, then, what do we do? We have these weird, awesome powers, but what are they really for? Ana told me how we were descended from the original gods in order to help humans survive and flourish on Earth. But… they can’t know we exist, they can’t see us actually do magical things for them, we aren’t supposed to mess with ‘free will and human destiny’ and all that stuff, and we aren’t supposed to use our powers for direct personal gain. At least our coven doesn’t. So what do we actually do? What is the point of our existence?”

  There was silence, then suddenly they both burst out laughing. “You can’t just watch the shooting stars and be happy?” Sophie asked. “You have to basically ask the equivalent to the meaning of life right before we’re trying to fall asleep? What, has this day not been exciting enough for you already?”

  Lily chuckled and rolled over on her side. “I totally get where you’re coming from, Cal. Really I do. I’ve had this talk with my parents before.”

  I sat up even more and repositioned the pillows. Forget sleep. “What did they say?”

  “Well, it’s kinda tough to just sum up real quick, but I’ll try. Basically, one way to look at it is that we were created to help humans survive. And we have… so far. So even if we aren’t as involved now with huge world-changing events the way we were in the past, it doesn’t mean we won’t be in the future.”

  “Wait, so we’re basically on hold?”

  “No, no…not at all.” Lily sat up all the way and leaned against the headboard, too, then turned to face me. “Think of it like parents who have a baby. When the baby is born and is really little and helpless, the parents need to take constant care of it. But as that child grows and gets strong and starts to take care of itself more, the parents are needed less directly, although they contribute in other ways and are obviously still important.”

  “Okay then, how do we contribute? What do we do?”

  “That’s where it gets a little tricky, because different covens have different approaches and philosophies. Each has its own way of operating, and some are more active than others. Some covens have members who become powerful politicians and world leaders, or write important books or direct influential movies that shift the public’s consciousness, even subtly. And some covens are just out for themselves because they no longer feel any responsibility for humans. And some, like ours, feel that they need us more than ever.”

  “But what do we do, specifically?”

  Lily smiled and tucked her hair behind her ears. “We’re kind of in the middle, in the sense that we’re very active, but very behind-the-scenes. I know the coven stopped a majo
r earthquake a few years ago that would’ve sent half of California to the bottom of the ocean—”

  “They’ve actually done that a few times,” Sophie piped in. “And last year they stopped the Yellowstone Supervolcano from exploding, and that tsunami that would’ve wiped out Hawaii.”

  Lily nodded. “A lot of witches work in fields that help people, like medicine and law enforcement. I have a psychic cousin who is personally responsible for preventing over a hundred murders, and even the assassination of a President. Oh, and several plane crashes.”

  My eyes widened. “Wow, those are things we can do?” And here I was thinking it was all fun and games and having Hunters wanting us dead.

  “Yeah, but not until we’re a bit older. And you need your Rings first. That’s when the real Power starts to build within, and you hear your Calling. It’s like everything starts coming together…the pieces of the puzzle that had been scattered everywhere suddenly start falling into place.”

  I paused, wondering what my Calling would be. “But I thought we weren’t supposed to mess with free will and destiny and all that… sounds like a lot of interfering to me, even if it is all good.”

  Lily shook her head. “It’s a big gray area, and the more we learn, the easier it is to see the consequences of our actions. We only make the changes we are supposed to make. Pre-Rings, we’re pretty blind. But afterwards it becomes much clearer.” She gave me a big grin. “Besides, even destiny needs a helping hand from time to time.”

  I thought about what she was saying. It made me feel better knowing we had a greater purpose than just making fat-free pizza, or blowing up flowers for fireworks, or traveling around the globe in the blink of an eye. As great as all that stuff was, I needed there to be more, something deeper.

  “I wonder what we’ll do, the three of us. Will it be important? Will it matter?” I murmured.

  “Well, we don’t have to drastically change the world or anything if that’s what you mean,” Sophie said. “But we will have some pretty important responsibilities—” She suddenly stopped, as if she’d said more than she meant to.

  “What responsibilities?”

  Lily and Sophie glanced at each other. “It’s supposed to be a secret… our destinies start becoming clear once we receive our Rings. We’re not really supposed to be ‘told’, we’re supposed to just see and know. But I guess we can share ours with you.”

  “You better!”

  Sophie sat up and hugged her pillow to her chest. “Mine’s not as cool as what Lily gets to do, but I kinda dig it.”

  “What?”

  “I’m a land and sea guardian. Mostly the sea, but if I’m needed elsewhere…”

  “A what?”

  She smiled proudly. “When I fly, no human can see me, but I can see everything. So if someone is lost, I can find them. Or if a ship is headed into a storm they don’t know about, or is stranded, I can signal someone who can help them. It’s a pretty cool job and a lot of responsibility.”

  I looked at her, impressed. “Wow, that’s really great.” I turned to Lily. “And what will you do?”

  She shrugged modestly. “It’s no big deal, really.”

  “Oh, no big deal,” Sophie scoffed. “She’s only going to be practically the most famous singer in the world in a few years!”

  My eyes bugged and I laughed. “What?”

  Lily allowed a small nod. “It’s true. When I sing, my songs and my voice will make people feel good and fill them with love and joy. These feelings will carry over into their lives and make them happier, better people.”

  I flashed back to her magical performance at the Christmas pageant last month, and how everyone had reacted afterwards. It was a fitting destiny for her. “That’s amazing. How famous are we talking here?”

  “Huge,” Sophie answered. “Worldwide. Legendary. She’ll put Mariah, Whitney, and Celine all to shame.” She got on her knees and pretended to bow down.

  I chuckled. “Wow. Well, just try and remember us little people when you’re all rich and famous.”

  Lily rolled her eyes and pointed her nose to the sky. “Oh, please. I’ve forgotten your names already.”

  Sophie whacked her lightly with a pillow, and we all collapsed into a bout of giggles. But even while I was laughing with them, my mind was partially somewhere else. What was my Calling? What talent would I be able to contribute to mankind?

  Because even though Sophie had assured me that we didn’t have to change the world…

  …I kinda thought I wanted to.

  Chapter 27. Spells

  Lily and Sophie left soon after we woke up, and I stayed curled up in bed, staring out the glass door to the gardens. I was grateful for a few moments of peace and quiet. So much had happened in such a short period of time, I hadn’t really had a chance to process it all. Ana had said that things would look better in the morning. Well, it was morning, and my heart was still broken over my mom and Justin. That hadn’t changed any. But I knew I had no choice but to move on.

  After a nice breakfast of strawberry French toast with Dad, I changed into my running gear and headed down to the shore. Nicholas was already waiting.

  His eyes were intense as he pulled me in for a passionate kiss.

  When we finally broke apart, I smiled at him. “That’s quite a greeting. Not that I’m complaining any.”

  He grinned. “Sorry... you just look extra-kissable this morning. And you taste like strawberries.” He lightly kissed my forehead, and we took off running. When we reached the pier and did our normal cool down, pacing around in big circles, I kept catching him looking at me. I knew he was waiting for me to fill him in on everything that’d happened last night, and why I’d left in the middle of dinner. I dreaded having to relive the harsh meeting with my mom, and Justin’s bittersweet fate. But if anyone could help me through it, it was Nicholas. Having him by my side made my demons feel much smaller somehow.

  “Let’s walk out to the end of the pier,” I suggested.

  He glanced at me with mild surprise. “Cool.”

  The quarter-mile of raised walkway was almost completely empty save for a few lone fishermen and an elderly couple with their French poodle.

  We reached the end of the pier and sat down on the same bench I was on the night before. Only it was daylight now, affording us a magnificent view of the eternal blue sea gently lapping around us.

  I wasted no time getting to it. “I saw my mom face-to-face yesterday. She refused to talk to me, and said she never wanted to see me again. Justin is back. He has no recollection of the past four months, and that includes any memories of ever knowing me. But other than that, he’s fine. And my Dad has apparently known all along that there was something ‘special’ about me, and he knew the same about my mom. I discovered this little bombshell right after he caught me shimmering back into my room last night with Sophie and Lily.”

  “Whoa…” Nicholas gave my hand a sympathetic squeeze. “This all happened yesterday and last night?”

  I frowned and nodded.

  He put his arm over my shoulder and pulled me closer. “Are you okay?” His voice was low and soothing.

  I rested my head on his chest. “I’m dealing.” I closed my eyes. “I know the thing with Justin is for the best. It’s heartbreaking, and it totally sucks, and every time I see him I’m going to miss my dear friend and our amazing connection. But for him, it really is the only way.”

  My mind flashed back to the vision again, the one with him and Savannah happily ever after. Letting him go was the only way he could re-build a happy life. He of all people deserved one.

  “The thing with my dad, I mean, it still boggles my mind. I don’t know how I could’ve not known, or even sensed that he knew the truth about me. But he was so mellow about it, so accepting…”

  Nicholas nodded, and he sounded thoughtful. “You know, I had the oddest sense when I was talking to him that there was a lot more to that man than met the eye. He’s a very special person. A truly unique
soul. You’re lucky to have him in your life.”

  “I know,” I said quietly. “And in that regard, I feel like I’ve gotten a really wonderful, unexpected gift.” I pulled away and searched his eyes. “I mean, he saw us shimmer in. Do you know how horrible that could’ve turned out? But instead, it’s like this huge weight has been lifted off me. He even knew that Ana was my grandma!”

  “Don’t you love it when the universe throws you a bone like that?” Nicholas asked, his face lighting up with a sexy grin.

  I chuckled. “Yeah, well I had one coming, that’s for sure. After my mom was so horrid…”

  I broke off. I didn’t want to relive the details of our awful encounter. I wanted to block the whole thing from my mind—forever. I didn’t want my one and only memory of my mother to be of the angry, cold, hostile woman who’d rejected me and basically said I was dead to her.

  “What happened?” he asked, his voice soft.

  I shook my head. “I don’t want to get into the details. It wasn’t good and I’ll never see her again. End of story.”

  He unzipped his hoodie and laid it on the bench beside him. “You couldn’t talk to her at all about anything?”

  I shook my head again. “No. She wanted nothing to do with me.”

  He paused. “So that’s it? You’re just giving up?”

  “Don’t see that I have much of a choice.” I shrugged. “I’m not going to spend the rest of my life chasing after someone who doesn’t want me, even if it is my own mother. I’ve made it this far without her. I’ll be fine.”

  “Calista,” Nicholas whispered, pulling me closer. “You don’t have to be strong on my account. I can see how much this is tearing you up inside. I’ve never seen your heart in such agony, and it’s killing me that I can’t help you. But you have to talk to her. You have to find a way to make her tell you the truth!”

  I was startled by the intensity in his voice, and I remembered his cryptic message to me that night at Druantia… that the story about my grandfather and Ana and my mom was all a lie, and that I needed to find out the truth. And it could only come from my mother.