Spellbound 2 - Everspell

by Samantha Combs

  “No kidding.”

  “So, what I don’t get is why they didn’t use any powers? Is it because they didn’t have any? And if so, why would they send ‘hoodies’ with no powers in the first place?”

  Logan answered. “Excellent questions, Raven. That’s what I don’t understand, either.”

  Raven looked thoughtful for a moment. “Maybe they were trying to find out how powerful you are naturally, Sully. Consider that they already know you aren’t a warlock from when they kidnapped you the first time last year. We know that they may be aware of Jade’s pregnancy. And from your closeness to Jade last year, it wouldn’t be a leap for them to figure out you are the babies’ father. Since they know you can’t protect her supernaturally, they may be assessing your natural ability.” Now she looked hard at Sully. “And you didn’t disappoint, did you?”

  “Nope.” I couldn’t help but hear the pride in Sully’s voice. Glancing behind him, I saw the same thing in his wife’s eyes. Jade’s were welling up with tears as she realized the implication of Raven’s supposition.

  Logan walked around and placed a calming hand on his sister’s shoulder. “That’s an interesting theory, Raven. I hadn’t thought about it that way. You could be right. If they were trying to find that out, they only scratched the surface. He never even got started.”

  Sully pumped his fist in the air in agreement. “You got that right! They wouldn’t have gotten away if I had unleashed the beast on ‘em!”

  “Calm down, hotshot.” Logan laughed and clapped his best friend on the back.

  He looked around, waiting for Skylar to add his two cents worth, but he and Gypsy had slipped away and were having their own private conversation at the edge of the garden. Their heads were bent close together, and they were talking and laughing softly. Logan caught my eye and jerked his head in their direction. I followed his gaze and saw them together. They looked like they considered themselves the only two people in the world. I felt a slight pang of nostalgia. I remembered when Logan and I were in the first days of being together, long before Christophe and his demonic desires interrupted the bloom of our love. How I longed for those days again! I was pulled from my musings by Jade.

  “Serena? Where did you go?” I glanced up and realized Jade had been calling my name more than once. I smiled my apology.

  “Oh, Jade, I’m so sorry. I got lost in a memory.”

  “And I’m sure it featured my brother, right?”

  “Well, yes, as a matter of fact, it did. I saw Skylar and Gypsy over there by the roses and they reminded me of when Logan and I were just starting out. So new and unbothered by anything or anyone around them. Like no one else matters but the two of you.” I sighed. “It’s so romantic to watch someone fall in love.”

  “Do you think that’s what’s happening with them?”

  “I do. Being Skylar’s twin, I know him better than probably anyone. I’ve never seen him act like this with a woman before. He may not know it’s love yet, but I recognize it and that is definitely love.”

  “Wow. Single men don’t last long around here, do they?”

  I laughed. “No, I guess they don’t. But, you have to admit, the single men around here are quite eligible as far as bachelors go.”

  “That’s for sure.”

  We were both still laughing when Sully and Logan wandered over with fresh drinks for us both, an iced tea for me and a new soda for Jade.

  “What’s so funny over here?”

  “Don’t worry, Sully. We aren’t laughing at you. We were just commenting on another one biting the dust.” Jade pointed over at Gypsy and Skylar, now sitting with their arms around each other’s waists.

  “Can you blame him? He’s just thanking her for saving his life.”

  “Sully, will you just give it a rest?” Jade’s voice had a hint of annoyance in it and I looked over at her.

  “Are you okay, Jade?” I asked her.

  “Yes, but you know what? I’m exhausted. These boys are kicking me like mad and I think I’m done for the night. Sully, I’m going to bed. You can stay if you like.”

  “No, I’ll go with you. It is late and I’m tired, too.” We knew he wasn’t, but he had become that kind of husband. I loved him all the more for that.

  “Goodnight, Jade. Night, Sully.” We watched them head in and shortly, most everyone else called it a night, too. We said goodnight to Echo and Aisling, and Raven and sat back together in a couple of the lounge chairs. I thought Gypsy and Skylar might join us, but a quick glance told me they were still lost in their own world. Logan caught me staring at them.

  “Hey.” His voice had turned husky. “Come here.” He lay next to me in the same kind of lounge chair as mine, but I didn’t hesitate. I climbed into his chair and snuggled up to him, face to face. “You jealous of them?”

  How did he guess? “No. Just remembering when we used to be like that.”

  Logan snuggled me closer to him. “We still are.”

  “I know, but that’s not what I meant. I mean that feeling like the two of you are the only ones in the whole world and no one else exists.”

  “I feel like that right now.”

  “Logan, Skylar and Gypsy are right over there.”

  Logan began kissing me softly on my neck. “And you think they are paying any attention to us at all? Probably doing the same thing we’re doing right now.”

  I peeked over at them and could see my brother indeed kissing Gypsy.

  “Well, you’re not wrong.”

  “And I’ll bet Gypsy isn’t yammering while he’s doing it.” Logan ran his hands through my hair and began to nibble on my ear.

  “Oh, my.” I sighed and closed my eyes. “I can’t really see that.”

  “Good. Now close your gorgeous mouth as well as your eyes.” Logan gently turned my head to meet his and hungrily pressed his lips into mine. He slid his arms all the way around my back and to my shock I pulled him hard toward me and not the other way around. I slid one of my bare feet up and down his muscular calves and felt his breath come in short, quick pants. Our kiss became, harder, deeper, and more difficult to control. I wasn’t even thinking about what might happen next.

  A heart-stopping scream rang out from deep inside the house.

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  LOGAN

  I jumped so fast, I rolled off the chaise lounge and fell on the patio floor. Serena sat up, started.

  “Logan! What was that?”

  “Someone in the house screaming. It sounded bad.”

  Just then Skylar and Gypsy came running up. They had clearly been doing the same thing Serena and I had been doing. Skylar’s shirt was untucked and Gypsy’s hair appeared all mussed up. Could that be grass sticking up out of it? I almost said something rude when we heard another scream. This time, I recognized the voice.

  “Serena! That was my mom!”

  The four of us ran inside the house and I bolted up the stairs two at a time. Already, a crowd had formed in my mom’s bedroom. Prudence and Finola were there along with Cordelia. Elizabeth sat on the edge of my mom’s bed, trying to calm her down. Serena and Gypsy joined them, while Skylar and I scanned the room trying to get some sense of what had happened.

  The television droned on the other side of the room and my mom had obviously been watching it from bed. There were also some magazines on the unmade side of the bed, along with her reading glasses. Maybe she’d fallen asleep reading them or thumbing through them while she watched TV and she had a nightmare? Maybe that could be why she screamed? A quick glance at the sliding door to the small balcony outside her room confirmed it to be closed and locked. At least it appeared no one had broken in.

  That’s crazy, Logan. Did you forget about the spell of protection? How could you think anyone could get past that?

  Serena wanted to chastise me in mindspeak? Now? I knew how to nip that in the bud.

  You’re right, Serena. I wasn’t thinking. I guess the blood hasn’t returned to my head, yet.

>   I had the satisfaction of watching her beautiful face blush before I got back to business.

  “What happened, Elizabeth?” I asked Serena’s aunt. She must have been the one who got to my mom first, since she sat the closest to her.

  “I don’t know, Logan. I just got her calmed down.” Elizabeth turned to my mother. “Lily? Can you tell us what happened now?”

  Just then, Eden swept into the room. I didn’t think it possible, but she looked regal and commanding even in a dressing gown and slippers. She assessed the situation in about ten seconds and strode straight over to Lily.

  “Lily, darling. Are you well?”

  “Yes, Eden, yes. But the most amazing thing has happened. Evan’s returned.”

  “What?” I interrupted, not giving Eden a chance to speak. “My Dad?” I spun around and waved my arms around the room wildly. “There isn’t even a computer here! How did he communicate with you?”

  “The television.” Serena’s voice grew soft and thoughtful. She walked over to the stand and ran her hand over the top of the unit. “Logan, look. It’s on, but the picture is only showing snow.” She turned around and faced my mom. “Lily, is that how he did it?”

  My mom nodded and blew her nose into a tissue. “Yes. That’s a smart girl you have there, Logan.”

  I nodded. “I know.”

  “I sat in bed flipping through some magazines and became overcome by an urge to turn on the set. Which is strange because I never watch television. I turned it on and couldn’t get a picture. I thought it might be the remote, so I messed with the batteries for a minute. Then I heard him.”

  “You’re sure it was him?” Elizabeth questioned.

  “Oh, yes. I loved that man. We took vows. We made babies together. I remember what he sounded like when he told me he loved me for the first time, when he asked me to marry him, and when he told me how beautiful our children were when he held them in his arms right after they were born. You don’t forget what a man like that sounds like.” Tears began to fall from Lily’s eyes. “It’s definitely my husband, Elizabeth. That was him.”

  I crossed the room and went to my mom’s bed. Elizabeth stood and let me take her place. “What did he say, Mom?”

  My mom took my hand in hers. “He told me how proud he is of you and Jadie, Logan. He’s been watching you both all along. He hasn’t missed anything, honey. He’s seen it all. The baseball games, her dance recitals, everything. He didn’t miss anything. He even saw you find my wedding band.” My mom cried openly now and I felt in danger of losing it, too. I felt my eyes begin to dampen.

  “He seemed to understand about Declan. He knew about him, Logan. And then he told me the most wonderful thing. He told me he’d see me soon.” She turned to me and I’d never seen her look so happy in my whole life. “He’s coming back to us, Logan. Your father is coming back.”

  ****

  After we got my mom all calmed down, and the twenty or so witches crowded into her bedroom went back to their own rooms, Serena and I kissed goodnight. I finally pried Skylar away from Gypsy and he and I headed to our room downstairs. I needed some guy time.

  “Dude! What in the world was that all about?” I slammed our door shut behind us and threw myself down into one of the huge easy chairs in the corner of our room. “I seriously cannot take anymore drama today. What with talking computers, and resurrected dads and creepy hoodies and now my mom completely wigging, I am totally wiped out!”

  Skylar nodded in agreement. “This is crazier than last year. Which I thought constituted the most insane year of my life. This is beginning to make that seem like a cake walk.”

  “Yeah, and somehow, I get the feeling this year is just getting started.” I sighed heavily and leaned forward, my head in my hands.

  Skylar tried to placate me. “Don’t worry man. You know we’re among the most crazy talented witches ever, don’t you? Do you think for one minute even one of them is going to let anything happen to any of us? You and Serena especially. You couldn’t be in a safer place.”

  I looked up at Skylar, my eyes beseeching him to understand my inner struggle. “My head knows what you are saying is true, Skylar. But my heart is practically paralyzed with fear. These people in this house, they’re my heart, man. My soul. My family. I love these women more than I can even put into words. My mom, my sister, Serena. I was able to protect them last time. Somehow, by the grace of God, or something else, I don’t know, I found myself able to protect them. What if I can’t do it again?”

  “You don’t give yourself enough credit, Logan. You’ve trained hard with the coven. Your powers have increased and become more well-defined and controlled. Just because you haven’t had the opportunity to see them fully realized doesn’t mean they’re not there. Serena and Eden trust them and so do I. You should too.”

  I stood and clapped my soul brother on the shoulder. “Thanks, man. I know I should believe you. I’ll work on that confidence thing.” Skylar laughed. “Now, we should get to sleep. No one really knows what’s going to happen next around here.”

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  JADE

  “Oh, Jade, this is the cutest thing I have ever seen!”

  “Jadie, get over here! You won’t believe how adorable these are!”

  “Okay, there is no way there is anything more precious than this!”

  I could hear the calls from all over the store. I knew I had to travel with an entourage, even to go shopping for the babies. I just didn’t expect them to be so out of control. Eden had decreed that I could choose who to travel with, so I guess it wasn’t as bad as it could be. At least I wasn’t stuck with some of the older women of the coven, who wouldn’t be half as much fun. I mean, I know they all loved me. It just seemed that some of them were so strict and not so young. I knew going baby clothes and furniture shopping would be a complete fun-suck for them.

  Of course, my mom had to be with me. As excited as she might be about the babies, you would think she was the one having them. Tabitha was the next person I chose. Because as my BFF, best friend forever, in a weird way she had total responsibility for Sully and me getting together and therefore, for me having the babies. She didn’t know it yet, but I wanted to ask her to be the babies’ Godmother. I felt bad that she couldn’t be my maid of honor, on account of Sully and me sneaking off to get married at the courthouse, and all. Boy, my mom might never forgive me for that one. I thought she would die when Sully and I finally admitted the truth about that. She finally did forgive me, though when she learned we were going to give her twin grandbabies. Seemed babies forgave tons of transgressions.

  I heard another squeal of cuteness down another aisle. It sounded like the twins, Echo and Aisling. I found I had become close to them lately so I asked them along today. I supposed I could be trying to get a little of my “twin” on, hanging around them so much. Tabby accused me of trying to cram in some twinology before my own matching set made their debut. So what if I was? Serena always told me the best defense was to know the enemy. Plus, how could it not be fun to be around two people who rhymed all the time?

  I also invited Prudence. She wasn’t technically in the same age group as the rest of us, but somehow she always seemed to fit in. To me, she appeared ageless. She had a bubbly personality and a way of bringing such fun into any situation. I figured if my mom started to get on my last nerve, she could step in and be my buffer.

  Finally, Serena was with me. Of course, she would be. I had fallen in love with her the same way my brother had. How could I not? She was amazing. Besides Eden, she was totally the head of our coven, whether she wanted to admit it or not. And she brought Gypsy with her.

  Maybe we made a scene, the eight of us jamming through the double doors of the baby supplies store like a small army, but I felt safe. Even though our guardian dogs were outside the store, prowling the perimeter or whatever, I felt safer with Serena and Prudence and Gypsy being with me than I possibly could with any other combination of our wacky troupe. Of course, th
e second we got in the place, the overwhelming cuteness took over the woman in all of them and the witches they were took a back seat as they scattered, screeching and cooing, grabbing blue and pink fluffy fabric and shoving it in each other’s faces. Only Serena and Gypsy stayed with me, flanking me on either side. Prudence patrolled the aisle in front of me, rolling her eyes each time we could hear another of our coven losing control over something adorable on aisle five.

  She turned to face me. “Just because we are in this store, Jade, doesn’t mean you can let down your guard. For today though, that’s why we’re here. You focus on shopping for the baby shower. Where’s your mom?”

  “Here I am!” I turned toward the sound of my mom’s voice. I saw her legs, but her top half appeared buried in a pile of clothing and hangers.

  “Mom? Are you in there?”

  Prudence grabbed half the clothing from my mom. Underneath she beamed. “I just picked up a few things for you to see.”

  I stood there with my mouth open. “A few things? Mom, I couldn’t even see your face!”

  Mom looked sheepish. “Perhaps I did get a bit carried away. It isn’t every day I’ve ever gotten to buy clothes for my first grandbabies. Do you think I went overboard?”

  “Look what we found!”

  “Perfect to get you all around!”

  We were about to answer my mom when Echo and Aisling came at us from opposite directions. They were both steering gigantic twin strollers. They came screeching to a halt inches from us, one to the left and one to the right. When they caught sight of each other, both maneuvering the exact same baby buggy, they burst out laughing. It must have been contagious because we all did the same thing.

  Serena stepped in then, the voice of reason. “Perhaps we should focus on why we’re here. Let’s get the baby items chosen and then Jade can at least relax that she’s ready for the babies to arrive.”

  “That’s a great idea. Let’s split up so we can cover more territory.” Prudence assigned aisles and she and Gypsy paired everyone up to keep them honest. The twins were together, of course, my mom and Tabitha, Prudence and Gypsy and Serena and I all took off with our lists.