Spellbound 2 - Everspell

by Samantha Combs

  “No, I’ll make it. I’m just taking a breather. What are you doing?”

  I took a seat next to Jade. “I just got back from a rather strange ride with Eden. We drove all the way over to the flower shop, where she said she needed to get something. Then we get there, and she says she already has it. We just turned around and drove home. Isn’t that strange?”

  Jade waved her hand in the air. “Oh, you know Eden. She’s so eccentric, and all. With everything she has on her mind, who can say what’s going on in there?”

  “That’s the other strange thing. Her mind seemed completely blocked.”

  “Serena! You shouldn’t be trying to mind read Eden. Isn’t that against witch law or something?” Jade stared at me in surprise.

  “Don’t be so dramatic, Jade. I didn’t do it on purpose. Sometimes I do it without thinking. It just happened. Except with Eden, I couldn’t. Don’t you find that odd?”

  “Not even. That’s Eden, for heaven’s sake. I’d be willing to bet no one can mind read her.”

  I thought about that. Of course, Jade was right. We were talking about the head of the Council, for goodness’ sake. What had I been thinking? “I’m sure you’re right, Jade. I’m just being silly. You should get to bed, now. Can I help you?”

  “I’m good. Thanks, Serena. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Goodnight, Jade. Goodnight babies.”

  Jade laughed. “Yeah, right. Like they sleep. The second I lie down, they start jumping jacks. Goodnight, Serena.” Slowly, she strolled out of the room and headed up the stairs.

  Still listless, I prowled around the kitchen a few more minutes and then found myself out in the back patio. It, too, appeared deserted. For as many people who lived in this house, it sounded as quiet as a cemetery out here. I lowered myself onto one of the lounge chairs and stared at the sky as it settled over the evening. I could see the stars come out, one by one, and found myself remembering the night Logan took me to the Old Man in the Mountain when he confessed his love for me. It summed up probably the most wonderful night of my life and tears welled in my eyes as I relived the honesty and love in Logan as he told me he loved me for the first time.

  I got up from the chair and walked around the back yard, feeling the brisk air of the night, but not being cold at all. I felt wrapped in the warm blanket of remembering the night I realized I wanted to spend the rest of my life with Logan. I hugged my sweater around and me and pretended they were Logan’s arms from that night. I knew Logan loved me and in just that moment, I knew I would never love another the way I loved him. I stood and gazed out into the dark night and remembered everything we had been through that night last year in Tamera’s uncle’s barn when Christophe also made away with me, trying to steal me away from Logan forever. A shiver ran through me when I thought of that evil demon being on the loose again and how innocently it had come to be.

  How could Dave and Tamera have known that their newlywed plans of building a dream home would directly result in the release of the most horrible of all demons? After the wicked finish of Christophe by luring him to fall down the black hole to hell created by my coven sisters, how could we have known there would be any way he could ever be let out? How could anyone have known that something so innocent as the digging of a hole for a swimming pool at a new home would release his evil from its fiery doom? The answer was, we couldn’t have. Even Prudence, with her gift of second sight, never saw it coming.

  Yet, with even this looming before us, Logan remained resolute in his love for me. I smiled as I realized if something as daunting as the foreboding presence of evil wouldn’t sway him from my side, then nothing would.

  Suddenly, I felt relieved. I hadn’t recognized any indecision in myself prior to this, but somehow, I felt as though I had reached a major decision in my life. I felt the familiar warmth again, as though the heat of Logan’s love itself coursed through my veins, warming me from the inside.

  “I know you’re with me always.” I told the empty night. “I love you, too.” Hugging my sweater around me tighter, I went inside.

  Chapter Thirty-three

  LOGAN

  I hated running out on Serena like that, but if I stuck around much longer, she would get suspicious and start poking around in my head. We had an unspoken deal that she wouldn’t do that unless I got into trouble. Or I gave her reason to. Acting like a tongue-tied idiot would surely qualify as a reason to.

  “How many do you think you’ll need?” Sully and I were at the hardware store, buying supplies for the big night, which went down in just one day. I had the girls, Elizabeth, Gypsy and Tabitha, across town doing the same thing. I’d talked to everyone, and they were all on board. I’d swear I even thought I’d seen Eden crack a smile. My mom and I were going to have dinner tonight and talk about it, just her and me. Plus I wanted to have a reason to keep myself occupied. Elizabeth said she would do the same with Serena.

  I went down the aisle Sully hollered from and found him standing in a pile of Chinese lanterns. Scattered all around his feet, the colorful lights were out of their boxes, cords wrapped all around his legs. If he took a step in either direction, he would have fallen over.

  “Jeez, Sully, I barely left you here five minutes ago. How did you do all this?” I gestured at the colorful mess at his feet. He looked down and then up at me and just shrugged. That smacked of Sully. “I guess I’ll take all of them, then.” Sully simply leaned down and scooped the whole mess up and piled it into the cart. I shook my head. I hoped the girls were faring better with their assignment. I just wanted to get done as soon as possible. I didn’t like us being out of our protected area.

  We loaded my car with the goods and headed back to the house. Happily, we got there just as the girls were arriving, too. We helped them unload their purchases and took everything to the back patio. I started to help unpack things and begin the setup, when Jade shoved me back toward the sliding door.

  “Logan, you need to get out of here. Don’t you have another stop to make?”

  I checked my watch. Jade was right. I had left the ring at the engravers and had to pick it up before tonight. If I didn’t leave now, I’d never make it.

  “Thanks, Jade. With everything going on, I almost forgot.”

  “Good thing I didn’t. Now, get out of here. We’ll handle this, big brother. And don’t worry – it’ll be amazing!”

  I kissed my little sister and ran out of there. Jumping into my car, I sped off down the street. The plan was coming together. I knew that after Elizabeth returned home with Serena, Jade would take her over to Dave and Tamera’s house, supposedly for some baby shower business. They’d keep her busy until the appointed hour when they would bring her back to the house and then everyone else would disappear. I started to think that maybe this would really come together.

  I arrived at the engravers and parked the car. Automatically, I reached into the back seat for Charlie, but she wasn’t there. I’d left the house in such a rush, I had forgotten to wait for her. I felt a small amount of fear when I realized that without Charlie, my exposure increased; I had no protection out in town. Entering the store, I noticed myself walking differently, more cautiously. I looked behind me a lot and scanned the faces of the store’s other patrons. I wasn’t sure what I thought I might find, I just knew I would recognize it when I saw it. But, nothing happened. The store clerk remembered me, got my ring and showed me the inscription I’d requested. They had done it perfectly. I knew Serena would love it. They wrapped it up and I left the store, still glancing over my shoulder every two seconds. I’d made it almost to my car when they appeared at the back of the parking lot.

  The Hoodies were back.

  I had no way of knowing if these three malignant entities were the same demons Gypsy dispatched with her electric light show the other day or not. Regardless, these particular hoodies were clearly up to no good. And being by myself, they outnumbered me, three to one.

  Hoodie Number One lurked at one end of the parki
ng aisle; Hoodie Number Two remained down at the other end. Like evil book ends. Then the third one popped up near the hood of my car. They surrounded me. Now, I’d find out just how much my warlock training had stuck.

  First, I needed to protect the innocent. Using a spell Eden had taught me, I raised my arm up. Staring hard at my wristwatch, I concentrated as hard as I could. The old fashioned hands on the watch my father gave me slowed, trembled, then stopped altogether. So did everything else; cars, people, everything. I had done it. I had stopped time! I glanced up. In the small shopping mall of the engravers, at least, time stood still. I knew if none of the shoppers in the strip mall came outside, they would be safe. Now, I could take care of business. I turned to the Hoodies. Let’s try out some of this new power.

  I brought my other arm up and ground my fists into one another, while staring hard at Hoodie Number One. I felt sick gratification when he doubled over in pain. Hey! I could do this! Hoodie Number Two charged me from the right and at the same time Hoodie Number Three scaled the top of my car, both of them intent on taking me down. They both bellowed primitive, banshee wails, but no words.

  Quick, almost quicker than I could believe myself capable, I reacted. I spun around and kicked out my leg, catching Hoodie Number Three on the side of the head. He dodged that, but in ducking accidentally head-butted Hoodie Number Two. Not the brightest demons at the company picnic.

  I shouldn’t have congratulated myself so soon. Hoodie Number One got to his feet and managed to shoot some kind of fireball at my ankle. It landed near my foot and set fire to my tennis shoe.

  “What the….!” I stamped my foot, kicking it to put out the flame and succeeded in punting Number One in the ribs for his efforts. He went down again. Man, lighting my kicks on fire really ticked me off. Time to take care of this demonic trio once and for all. Plus, I had plans tonight.

  I brought my fists back together and stared hard at Hoodie Number One. I knew I could do this. I pressed my fists together hard and suddenly, it happened! I watched Hoodie Number One disintegrate before my eyes. Just–poof! Gone! Crushing my fists together for Hoodies Number Two and Number Three, I dispatched them in the same manner. It came so easy, I couldn’t believe it was me doing it. Checking my watch, I realized I needed to jam if I hoped to get back to the house in time. I unfroze time in the strip mall and freighted back home. I chuckled a little to myself. Eden would be so proud!

  Chapter Thirty-four

  SERENA

  I sat on the couch at Tamera and Dave’s house waiting for them to come back into the room. Tamera’s cell phone had rung a few minutes ago and interestingly, they had both excused themselves to answer it. They had been acting strangely since I had arrived. In fact, people had been acting weird around me for most of the day. I had wanted to try and spend some time with Logan, but couldn’t seem to find a moment to myself since early this afternoon. I knew something might be going on, but no one would talk. I stopped trying to get anything out of them long ago.

  “Whew! Excuse us!” Tamera and Dave came back into the living room, all smiles and looking like cats that had recently partaken of a canary dinner for two. I’d grown tired of the subterfuge and just wanted to go home.

  “I’m so glad we got to visit, Tam, but would you mind talking me home now? I’ve been out all day on one errand or another, and I’m just so tired.”

  Tamera exchanged a glance with Dave and said, “No problem, Serena. Just one thing? Jade asked me to have you try on a dress she wanted you to wear for the baby shower. Would you mind? It’s just here in the guest bedroom. Won’t take a minute!” She trilled the last sentence with so much hope, I couldn’t bear to let her down. What could it hurt?

  “Of course I will, Tam.” She happily grabbed my hand and led me down the narrow hallway to the pretty little guest room. Spread out on the bed lay a one-shouldered, sapphire blue dress. It was breathtaking. I thought it might be a bit much for a baby shower, but I didn’t say anything.

  “Oh, Serena, this dress will fit you beautifully. Jade sure knows how to dress you. Let me know if you need anything.” Tamera left me to change. I slipped into the gorgeous dress and found Tam was right, it did fit me perfectly. I loved the fabric and style. I thought Logan might, too. Blue happened to be his favorite color.

  “Knock, knock. How does it fit?” Tamera came back in a few minutes later, sipping a glass of punch. I stood so she could check out the dress.

  “Oh, Serena! You are amazing!” She stood up so quickly, she spilled the red liquid from her glass on the pile of clothes I had taken off and set on the edge of the guest bed. “Oh no, Serena!” she exclaimed. “I guess you’ll have to wear that dress home.”

  “Don’t worry about it, Tamera. Accidents happen. I’m sure the punch will wash out.”

  “Oh, it will. I’m sure of it.” She snapped open a bag she had handy and stuffed my clothes inside. “Oh, look. You can borrow these sandals I have. They match the dress exactly.” She knelt down and withdrew a pair of tan and blue sandals from under the bed. They had little topaz and baby blue crystals on the bands and were darling.

  “Tamera, these are adorable! I love them! Thank you.”

  Tamera beamed. “You are so welcome. Now, we should get going.”

  She hustled me and my bag of clothes out of the room and through the living room. Dave stood there on the phone. As soon as we emerged, he stopped talking and grinned broadly.

  “Wow. You look like a movie star.”

  “Why, thank you Dave. How sweet.” I curtsied for him and giggled when he blushed madly.

  “Dave honey, I’m going to drive Serena home. I’ll be back soon, okay?”

  “Okay.” Dave waved goodbye to us and walked away to continue his conversation. I thought I overheard him say something about us leaving to his caller, but I couldn’t be sure. Tamera and I headed out of the house to take me home.

  ****

  We pulled up to the house and it surprised me when Tamera didn’t shut off the engine.

  “You’re not coming in?” I asked her.

  “No, not tonight. I’m going to go on home to my Davie. You have a nice night now.” She snickered a little when she said it. It sounded so funny, I stood there watching her as she drove away. Then I turned and considered our house. In all the time we had lived there, I don’t think I had ever seen it so dark. Not a light burned, save for the porch light. I fished my house keys out and had just about got them to the door, when I spotted the note pinned to the front.

  Serena, meet me out back — Logan

  A smile slowly spread across my face. So, this was what all the secrecy and ploys were about. Running me all over town and keeping me away from Logan all day. My smile grew wider still when I realized the depth of the deception. Tamera and Dave in it too, spilling punch on my day clothes and getting me into this beautiful dress, clearly not intended for any baby shower at all. My Logan had planned this down to the very last detail. I felt flattered and charmed. And madly in love. I no longer cared where anyone could be. Giggling, I pushed open our massive front door and ran into the house.

  Running down the hallway, I couldn’t wait to get out to the patio. I careened past the kitchen and nearly smacked into the closed sliding door. I saw the scene before I got out there. It nearly knocked me off my feet, it appeared so breathtaking. Slowly, I opened up the glass door.

  Logan stood next to the circular fire pit, illuminated by the thousands of colored lights, candles and Chinese lanterns suspended from the branches of every tree in our back yard. The garden and deck area were completely lit up and the effect seemed, well, magical, you should excuse the pun. Logan and his devious helpers had made the entire patio into a wonderland. I started to speak, but Logan beat me to it.

  “Serena, you look amazing.”

  “Logan. Did you do all this? For me? What’s this all about, anyway? If you’re trying to make me fall in love with you, you’re a little too late, buster. That ship has already sailed.”

  L
ogan dazzled me with one of his smiles. “Not saying that doesn’t make you crazy, Baby. Just makes you crazy like me.” He closed the distance between us and reached for my hand. “Crazy about you. Serena, I wanted you here tonight, all to myself, because I wanted to ask you something.”

  I brought one hand to my chest and inhaled sharply. This couldn’t be happening, could it? My question was answered when Logan lowered himself to one knee and reached into his pocket. I watched with widening eyes as he drew out a small, white velvet box and held it out to me in one hand. He took my hand with his other.

  “Serena,” he began, “you are the most wonderful, crazy, insane, unbelievable thing to ever happen to me. Since the day I met you at school, my life has changed in ways I could never have imagined. Amazing, incredible, fantastic ways. You brought my family back to life, you gave me a new family and you have shown me a kind of love I never knew existed. And you have taught me how to love the same way. Without restrictions or reservations. Freely, and with wild abandon. I will never be able to repay you, but I intend to spend my lifetime trying. If you’ll let me.” With that, Logan flipped open the lid of the ring box and presented it to me. “Serena, will you marry me and let me be your husband, for the rest of our lives together?”

  I sank down to my knees to meet him, tears staining my cheeks. “Logan, there is nothing in this world, or any other, that could make me any happier. But, you have to be sure. I’m a witch. I may always be a target. You’ve already seen what baggage being with me brings. I can’t promise you that will ever change.”

  “I don’t care, Serena. Don’t you know that by now? Look at what we’ve been through already. Girl, I am not going anywhere. I’ve never felt more sure of anything before in my life. I want to marry you and I aim to do it.” Logan helped me to my feet and crushed me to his chest. Then he held me at arms length and gazed into my eyes. “Serena, I love you. Marry me.”

  I thought of everything we had been through and the fact that my heart still skipped a beat when he entered the room. I remembered how it felt when he told me he loved me and the way his lips felt the first time they kissed mine. Then I thought of how he looked at me the day we danced at Dave and Tamera’s wedding. I knew I loved him and exactly at that moment, I knew I would love him forever.