by M. R. Polish
She laughed. “Why not? I thought you were all grown up with a man of your own.”
“Ugh, I am, but it’s still not cool to talk to you about, you know, my sex life. Or Ailaina’s for that matter. It’s just, wrong.”
She laughed harder. “I wasn’t trying to pry. I was only stating the obvious.”
I held my hand up. “You can stop.” I laughed with her. It felt good to feel something other than heartache.
She pat my leg. “So, should we head over to my room and see if the guys are ready for dinner? I’m thinking Chinese. We can order in and just enjoy being a family tonight. The hotel has a soda machine on the second floor so we can stock up on sugary drinks and feed our grief. What do you say?”
I tried my best at a smile. “It sounds great.”
I really wasn’t in the mood to talk about the stupid Reaping Spell. It was only two days since Jarak died, but I hadn’t cried enough to wash away the guilt that I felt.
“Esmerelda, you need to concentrate.”
I looked over at Moriah. She was still just as beautiful as ever with her long blonde hair, but her face was set in a scowl. “I know you’re hurting, but a lot of innocent people will be hurting if you can’t complete this spell.”
“How are we gonna do it without Julie anyway?” I asked as I curled my legs up under me on the chair.
“We all have talked, and believe you are strong enough to not only complete your portion of the spell, but hers as well.”
My mom plopped down on the bed with a big sigh. “Es, we need you to think positive.”
“A lot of people are counting on you. We need to stop the crossbreeds.” Gabriella frowned. “We’ve also had confirmation that they found a way to infect people much the same way as a vampire and are multiplying. Except, the newbies aren’t dying, actually their magic is growing and they are quite stronger than the first breeds we’ve been dealing with. Don’t you see? We have to stop them.”
I look from her to Moriah then to my mom. “Is she serious? Are they really infecting others?”
My mom didn’t say anything, but instead glanced down at her feet. I looked at Moriah. “Well?”
She exhaled long and slow. “Yes, it’s true.”
I gave in, knowing we had to stop them. That was the whole prophecy anyway, wasn’t it? For me to end the war. Just because I finally killed Nicholas didn’t mean the war was over. If I didn’t end the crossbreeds, then the war might actually be only beginning.
“Okay, what do we do? Because the last time I didn’t get very far. All I got was a severe headache that lasted days.”
Moriah smiled. “We need to train your mind to withhold our power, along with yours.”
“Really? Train my mind? I can call a freaking thunderstorm in seconds. I think I have trained.”
“Listen to them, Es. They are only trying to help,” Luna spoke in my head.
“Oh, shush, I don’t need you to make me feel any worse.”
She never responded.
It wasn’t that I wanted her to feel bad, I just needed some peace and quiet. I needed time to think.
“We aren’t talking that kind of training. The last time we tried the Reaping Spell in Tennessee, it failed. Not because you weren’t strong enough, but because we forced our powers into you without your mind knowing how to use them all at once, and Nicholas fought back. We didn’t know that would happen.”
“And why didn’t you tell me this before? I mean, come on, you knew and still let me try?”
Gabriella twirled her blonde hair around her finger. “We didn’t know then what the problem was. We’ve done nothing but study these past few months trying to figure it out. It wasn’t until we came across a very old and somewhat questionable scroll that talked about the spell being used like a thousand or so years ago.”
“Gaby, goodness. It wasn’t a thousand years ago, it was more like six hundred years ago.” Moriah tapped her nails on the tiny table as she tried counting. “Yeah, pretty sure it was around that.”
I smirked. “Okay, well six hundred years was a long time ago. What did this scroll have to say about it?”
Gabriella stopped twirling her hair. “It said that the first witch to try the Reaping Spell died from overexertion.”
My eyes were wide as I stared at them. “What? You mean I’m gonna die after all?”
Moriah reached over to take my hand. “No, we learned so much more than that. It also told us how they found another witch who they taught to hold more than one power at a time in her mind and apply it to the spell. She didn’t die and actually completed the reaping.”
I couldn’t breathe. Why were they doing this to me? I needed to see Ian; I needed to get out. I heard the door key slide in and unlock the door, and as if by magic of his own, Ian walked in. Our eyes met and I knew he’d been crying—again.
“Ian, I’m glad you’re here. Can you please talk to Es? She needs to understand how delicate this spell is for her to use.”
Ian drew his lips in a tight line. “No. Actually, what she needs to be doing right now is living and not worrying about a spell. Come on, Princess.” He held his hand out to me and I jumped from my spot to eagerly take it. I couldn’t have loved him more than I did right then.
Without waiting for any of them to argue, Ian pulled me out in the hall and let the door close. He pulled me in close and crushed his lips to mine. He tasted of alcohol and I had to push away before I gagged on the taste and smell. “You’ve been drinking.”
“Only a little. I promise not enough to do anything to me. Besides, that’s another fun fact about guardians; we can’t get drunk. Not even to wash away memories or grief.”
I understood his need to look for a release, but I hoped he wouldn’t look for it continuously at the bottom of an empty glass—even if he couldn’t get drunk.
Reaching up on my tiptoes, I kissed his cheek. “Well, you mind chewing some gum? I’m not fond of the smell of beer or whatever it is that you drank.”
He chortled. “Yeah, I can do that.”
I magicked a stick of gum and handed it over to him. “I’m so glad you came to rescue me. I was going crazy in there. They want me to think of the whole world and that stupid spell, but my mind won’t concentrate on any of it yet.”
He kissed the top of my head. “I know. I could feel your anxiety growing.” He chuckled. “Besides, I have a surprise for you. I know we just lost Jarak, but it might help.”
“Ian, I’m not in the mood. I don’t want to do anything, and definitely no surprises.”
We walked down to the stairs hand in hand. I stopped before taking a step down. “Seriously, Ian, I don’t want any surprises.”
He huffed out a long breath. “Fine. But if she finds out I told you she’d have me killed.”
“Oh my gosh, is it Ailaina?”
He smiled and winked at me. “You are just too smart for your own good. She knows you’re sad, and wants to help us. I told her, or rather told Davin, that it was too soon, but he assured me that life was too short and I should live it with you to the fullest. Because not even immortality is for certain. So, I agreed.”
“Okay, you’re scaring me. What is it we are doing?”
Ian pulled me with his hand so we started down the stairs. “I’m not sure, but he said something about finding a new game to play with Ailaina.”
I rolled my eyes as we landed on the second floor. “Yeah, that sounds like him.”
I couldn’t help but laugh as we pulled into the parking lot after following Davin’s text directions. For a Death Keeper he sure knew how to live.
“Are you sure you read those right?” Ian looked up over the steering wheel at the indoor miniature golf building.
I laughed some more. “Oh yes, it’s right. This is so totally him.”
Ian scrunched his brow together as he glanced at me. “Pretty strange for a Death Keeper.”
I nodded. “Oh, I know.” I opened the car door and jumped out. “Come on, let’s go.�
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He got out of the car and the look on his face made me stop. “What?”
“This is kinda like our first real date. I mean, we haven’t really gone anywhere officially as a couple before.”
“Yeah, I guess it is, huh.” He still stared at me with a frown. “What is it?”
“You didn’t let me get the car door.”
“Oh my gosh, are you freaking serious? Come on, let’s go find them.”
It wasn’t hard finding them. Ailaina rushed to me, hugging me tighter than ever before. “I was so worried about you. I’m so, so sorry about Jarak. Davin told me everything.” She pulled back and I fought the urge to cry again. I wasn’t going to do it, not tonight. Ailaina was here and we were going to have fun.
“How are you here? I mean, aren’t you like living in some other world now?” I still couldn’t believe she was there.
“I am living there, but it doesn’t mean I can’t visit. You went there before and Davin comes here all the time. It’s not like he wants to keep me cooped up and hidden for eternity. Jeesh. He knows we need each other.”
“That is the best news I’ve had all day. I really thought I’d never see you again.”
“Psh. You can’t get rid of me. I’m your Seer and more importantly I’m your best friend who’s gonna kick your butt in mini-golf.”
We both laughed. I was so happy to be with her and to know she wasn’t lost to me.
Davin handed us our mini-clubs and balls. I got a pink one, Ailaina’s was purple, and both guys argued over who got the black one. Finally, Davin gave in and took the red one.
The course was eighteen holes and Davin was bound and determined to keep score. I didn’t care as long as it wasn’t me who had to do it. Ailaina and I walked into the room with the course first. It was set up like an Appalachian mountain—or some kind of snow-covered mountain with skiers and snow all over the place. Ailaina placed her ball down on the white ground to go first.
“Hey, maybe I should teach you how to hold a club first,” Davin interceded before she could swing.
He walked over and wrapped his arms around her tiny waist and latched on to her wrists. He whispered something in her ear and she giggled. I couldn’t help but smile at them. Maybe love at first sight was real? I mean, they looked so happy for just meeting.
Ian leaned down to whisper in my ear, “I bet we can show them up.”
I elbowed him and walked up to place my ball after Ailaina’s went rolling down the white carpet. I leaned out a little too much and wiggled my backside.
Ian was behind me almost instantly, wrapping me in his arms much the same way Davin did with Ailaina. It felt so good, so real, so normal—and that was exactly what we both needed. He leaned in and lightly kissed my neck before he pulled my hands back to swing. I didn’t care whether or not I even hit the ball anymore. I was just happy to be there.
My ball rolled all the way down to the hole but missed it by mere centimeters. I playfully stomped my foot. “Ugh, come on. That should’ve made it. You must have messed me up somehow.”
We all laughed and talked about all kinds of things as we golfed. It wasn’t until the ninth hole that Davin sobered a little. “So, I heard about the Reaping Spell. Do you think you can do it?”
And just like that, all my happiness was gone. “I’m gonna try.”
“You know, the first witch to try died.” He nonchalantly hit his ball, making it right into the hole, then did a cocky dance in a circle until Ailaina pushed him over into the water. We all laughed as he jumped out and grabbed her, soaking the front of her clothes as well.
“You so deserved that,” I said, still trying to control my laughter.
His brows rose. “Oh really? Maybe you would like a hug too?”
I held my hands out in front of me. “Oh no, I’m good, you just hang on to her.”
“Gee thanks, Es,” Ailaina said as she giggled again.
Davin put her down and looked around to make sure no one was watching, and then ran his hands over his clothes, drying them instantly. “So, where were we? Oh yeah, the Reaping Spell. So, if you don’t want to die, you have to be able to control more than one power in your mind.”
I let my head fall back and let out a groan.
“What?” he asked.
“I just got told that exact thing, only I didn’t really listen to them.” I looked over at Ian. “I feel like a jerk now.”
He placed an arm around my waist. “No, you’re just under a lot of stress. We all are.”
“Okay, so Moriah and Gabriella were right. I need to train my mind. How do I do that exactly?”
Davin laughed. “Well, you aren’t gonna like it.”
Ian dropped his ball on the carpet and glanced at Davin. “Why? What does she have to do?”
“The second witch who completed the spell, she had to use dark magic.”
My blood froze. “I’m sorry. Did you just say dark magic? I’m not making any deals with you, Davin. Someone always ends up dead in your deals.”
He shook his head. “No, no deals. Not with you. I want to teach you how to open your mind to more than one power. Only dark magic can open you up like that.”
“And you’re just gonna teach me, without a deal?”
“I know, I’m a little surprised at myself, too.”
“Will I become, you know, like Raya?”
He chuckled, which I thought was highly inappropriate. “No, that only happens when I make a deal and take your soul. You will just be you, only a lot more powerful.”
I placed one hand on my hip and the other on my club like a cane. “Why are you doing this?”
He looked at Ailaina and grinned. “I have my reasons.”
I nodded. Love at first sight had to be true. Even for a Death Keeper. I guess there really is someone for everyone. “Thank you. When do we start?”
“Well, I have a game to finish, but after that I’m open.”
We walked to the next hole. Ailaina tried to hit her ball through the base of the mountain so it would come out the other side and hopefully into the hole.
“Where will we train? My hotel room is too small, not to mention that if I stay in a hotel much longer I’m gonna go insane.”
“I have a room. You might remember it. I’ve added a few things since then, but it should serve to be the perfect place to train.”
I gulped. I wasn’t sure I wanted to go back to wherever it was he lived. I hated thinking of it as Hell or the Underworld—whatever it was. Maybe outside his home was the molten fire and lava, but inside it was like any other house? Okay, maybe house wasn’t the right word. Maybe mansion fit better?
“She isn’t going without me,” Ian said. Both of his hands rested on his club.
“I didn’t expect her to,” Davin replied.
Ailaina’s squeal made us all look. Her ball fell in the hole, giving her a hole in one—her very first. We jumped together and stuck our tongues out at the guys and chanted about how girls were better than boys. Life in that moment was perfect and normal.
Davin didn’t say anything more about training the rest of the game. I was glad because I probably would have tried hitting him again for ruining my mood.
Eighteen
Esmerelda
T raining was much harder than I thought. Opening my mind to other powers hurt and my head exploded into migraine after migraine. I wasn’t sure I would ever get it down.
“Again,” Davin instructed.
I rubbed my throbbing temples. “No, I can’t. I have to stop. We’ve been at this for days and all I have to show for it is a massive headache.”
“Just one more then we can take a break.”
I nodded against my wishes. “Fine. But, I can see why that first witch died. This crap hurts.”
“Remember, you have to open your mind and as soon as you feel that connection or push, grasp it but don’t let go of your power. Then weave it together and use them both.”
“Yada yada yada. Let’s just do
it already. I’m freaking tired.” I stood with my feet apart, one just a little ahead of the other. My hands hung down at my sides, even though I wanted nothing more than to use the fire in his fireplace and shoot him with it.
I stared at him as his eyes churned with colors. Immediately, I felt his power push against my mind. I grasped it and held it tight. He was strong, much stronger than I was, but I held on regardless. Taking his power, I meshed it with mine in my head. I could feel it weave together and my whole body responded. I tingled everywhere. I lifted one hand and barely even thought about the fireplace when flames danced from my palms to the floor.
“You did it. I am so proud.” Davin smiled and pulled back his power, leaving me feeling empty.
“Whoa, that was awesome. I’ve never felt that strong before.”
“Well, don’t let it get to your head. You won’t meet anyone like me to steal powers from.”
I cocked my head. “What do you mean, steal powers? I thought everyone would be letting me use them.”
“No, it takes dark magic to weave powers together, and most aren’t willing to hand their magic over to someone playing in the dark stuff.”
“How will I know I can do it without you?”
He chuckled. “You’ll have to practice. Try it with those around you. You’ll know.”
Ian and Ailaina walked in the room carrying drinks and laughing. Ian gazed over me and smiled. “Did you do it?”
“Yeah, it’s really hard though.”
“How’s your head?” He handed me a glass with ice water and winked. “Do you know how hard it was to find ice down here? I thought it’d melt by the time I got it to you.”
“Oh, I can imagine.” I took a sip of the cold liquid.
“Actually,” Davin said, taking a glass from Ailaina. “I didn’t think it was all that warm in here.”
Ian smirked. “It was a joke, dude.”
Davin smiled at Ailaina before taking a swallow. “I know.”
“Ugh, you two need to get a room or something,” I teased.
Ailaina blushed and leaned into me with her shoulder. “Oh shush, you have the same look when Ian’s around.”
