Applebottom Magic: Paranormal Romance

by S Cinders

  "What did you say to me?" He growled. I noticed a quick movement of his hand and saw a dark mist forming there. If he thought to use magic against me he had another thought coming.

  I stood strong and tall before him and gathered all the magical energy around me. My hair was raised into the air crackling, my eyes glowing and my skin radiating heat from pent up power. "I said NO!" I raised one hand and lifted Carl off the ground.

  He was spitting out curse words as he twisted back and forth trying to free himself from my grasp. Tired of his mouth I flicked my wrist and silenced his voice. Real fear finally crossed his features.

  "You are an evil man, a horrible father and I will never, ever marry you. You had better hope no harm has come to my family or those who I consider my own, for if it has, your life will be done." I tossed him against the back wall and he fell unconscious to the floor.

  "You out there Wilson?" I called loudly to the still open door.

  The plain woman poked her head in, "Yes miss."

  "You better get in here. That went better than I could have hoped for. Are you sure you are willing to change your allegiance to me?" I asked giving her one final chance before we blew this Popsicle stand.

  "Apple, I am with you 100%, 200 even, but for the love of the moon goodness would you please call me Shana?"

  "No can do Wilson," I grinned at my new best friend, "no can do."

  We snuck along the empty hallways, holding a concealment spell as we travelled. It was slow and tedious, but I finally felt that flicker of hope burst into a flame.

  As soon as we hit open air I knew we were still somewhere in the west, but we no longer were by the Grand Canyon. The dirt was different. I opened my link and spoke to Ryan the words flowing helplessly, tumbling effortlessly like a babbling brook undeterred by river Rock or reed.

  Making sure we were in a safe secure location I prayed he would return my link.

  Ryan, can you hear me? Ryan I'm out in the open, I have finally gotten free! Are you okay? I don't know where I am or I would tell you, but I'm well. I have missed you so much, are you safe? Do you know where Nana and the rest are? I need to tell you about your father! Ryan, are you there??

  Oh, thank the goddess! If you are free maybe you can finally hear me! Apple this is Ryan, can you hear me? For the first time in seven weeks I heard his voice in my head, I sank to my knees overcome. Apple! Apple, where are you? We are safe, don't worry about us. Can you tell us anything about where you are? We are coming to get you. I love you!

  I can hear you Ryan, I can finally hear you. I was unaware of the tears streaking down my cheeks until Shana knelt beside me and pulled me into a hug. I'm sure I looked like a complete nut job falling apart on my knees. It's not like Shana could hear the conversation going on in my mind.

  "Shana, do you know where we are?" I asked trying to smile reassuringly.

  She looked at me completely astonished.

  "It's ok if you don't," I rushed to assure her.

  "It's not that miss, you actually called me by my name." She smiled back at me. "We are somewhere in the desert between the Arizona border and Las Vegas."

  I quickly relayed the information to Ryan and then turned back to Shana. "Do you know why I call you Wilson?"

  "I'm not really sure miss."

  "I call you Wilson because you were the reason I made it through these past through weeks somewhat sane. You were my center, it reminds me of how much you mean to me. If you want me to I will call you Shana, but you really should call me Apple."

  "I've grown accustom to Wilson, Miss Apple," Shana grinned, "I must say that's it's a vast improvement over your earlier names; Hitler Hannah, Satan Sally, Devil's Ding dong, Fish Face."

  I had the grace to blush, "Ermm... There's no need to rehash the past," and then I smirked, "Troll Duty Dropping."

  She laughed, "None indeed."

  CHAPTER 22 - Apple

  "I'm gonna die out here! Why did I follow a raging lunatic out into a desert? Do you even know if we are going the right way? My life is over, and I'm going to die a 121-year-old virgin! Just leave me here for the vultures to pick my bloody carcass clean."

  "You know Wilson, I hate to say this, because as a rule I dislike insulting our entire gender. But stop being such a whiny girl!"

  We had been walking for most of the day. And I should admit, my feet were blistered and sore. As soon as I'd magic them away new ones would appear. I figured at this point is be best just to wait until a stopping point.

  I had no freaking idea Wilson would end up being such a princess. She had complained about the heat, the bugs, the reptiles, the lack of water, really you name it and she had an issue with it.

  Ryan and Nana were meeting us at an abandoned safe house on the border. We still had a few hours walk to get there. At this point I was seriously considering rendering my companion mute or doing her in. The jury was still out on a verdict.

  Something she had just said caught my attention and I backtracked a bit, "Wait a minute, you are a virgin?"

  Shana flushed the color of a tomato. To be fair, some of that color could have been from all the sun she's had beating down on her, but she was embarrassed.

  "That's none of your business!"

  "Oh, no cupcake, you made it my business when you threw it out there. So, there's never been a Mr. Wilson. Why the hell not? When you're not being a psychotic bitch, you can be quite lovely."

  She snorted, "I believe that's being damned by faint praise."

  "Don't evade the question!" I pressed, "Why have you never gotten any nukey-nukey?"

  Shana rolled her eyes, "Of all the assignments in all the magical agencies in the world what did I possibly do wrong to get stuck with you?"

  "Not everyone wins the lottery every time rainbow bright, you're just super lucky to end up with me. That is lucky in assignments, just to clarify, your super unlucky in the sack."

  "Are you some sex goddess then?" She threw back at me. "Do you have some amazing pointers for me?"

  I paused for a moment a little confused, "Well no actually, I'm a novice myself. We are going to have to find ourselves an expert though, obviously. Me, so that I can seduce my super-hot sex god Ryan, and not look like a complete amateur and you so that you don't remain a pathetic 121-year-old virgin. Good heavens if Hollywood got a hold of this they'd probably have a trilogy."

  "I repeat, kill me now."

  Ryan POV

  I could hear Apple speaking up ahead and couldn't wait any longer, I broke off at a run and as I crested the hill saw her walking slightly ahead of a plain young woman who must be Shana.

  I could tell the moment she saw me because she immediately stopped as if fixed in place. Her hand went to her mouth and it was trembling. I scooped her into my arms and sunk my nose into her neck inhaling her scent deeply.

  I love you so much. I couldn't even think of what I wanted to say to her. I held her face in my hands as if she were glass. My heart was pounding through my chest. I glanced over her making sure she was ok. I hadn't felt like myself since she was taken.

  Her eyes searched mine and I felt my gut tighten in that familiar tug. Her lips were a hair's breath away and it took seconds before I covered them.

  This wasn't a sweet kiss. It was hot and carnal, a reunion of lost lovers. Her hands tightened in my hair and I grabbed her hips to pull her closer into me.

  "Get your hands off my granddaughter's ass!" Gladys yelped followed by swatting me in the back of the head.

  "Ouch!" I exclaimed, breaking the kiss. "What the hell was that?"

  "Birth Control," Gladys replied deadpan.

  "Nana, I'm so happy to see you!" Apple cried and threw her arms around her grandmother.

  They embraced and then Apple greeted James, "Where is everyone else?" She asked.

  I explained that they were down in the tunnels and that's where we would be going back to.

  Then Apple introduced us all to Shana and explained how she used to be her guard but that she became
her friend and helped her escape.

  I knew of Shana's reputation at the agency, she's a powerful witch and a good trainer so I'm very grateful she was there for Apple even though I feel terrible that she was taken in the first place.

  We drove back to the caves in Gladys old VW beetle and one of our work pickup trucks. As we traveled Gladys explained to Apple that she felt we were close to finding the Applebottom family wand.

  They had been poking around an area near Phantom Ranch about 1,500 feet above sea level and approximately the lowest point of the canyon and feel that it's somewhere hidden in the Colorado River that flows through there.

  The only hope they have is to try a summoning spell and to do so they want all the Applebottom women to be there.

  I can only pray that this is the answer we need. Because as brave and wonderful as Apple's escape truly was, I know my father and after that kind of humiliation he's going to be coming for blood. And we better be ready.

  CHAPTER 23 - Emily

  I sat nervously tapping my foot, staring blankly at a cave wall not noticing the possible ancient hieroglyphic writing or the embedded fossils of long forgotten and now etched in stone.

  My magic had been burning hot in me the last few days. I knew something big was simmering.

  It was times like these I really wished I had a greater talent with magic. I felt that it was trying to tell me something, but I was too stupid to figure it out.

  I felt embarrassed that Gladys had gambled losing Apple just to hide me from my father. If we hadn't have found her I'd have never forgiven myself.

  Children grow up being afraid of monsters in the closet. I grew up being afraid of the monster living down the hall.

  There comes a time in everyone's life that they must face their fears, and I knew in my heart of hearts that my day of reckoning with my father was just around the corner.

  What was mostly occupying my mind was my latest visitor from the realm of the dead. I usually was visited by people I had once known or the moon goddess. But last night I met someone new.

  She was short like Apple and had that same spunky, devil may care spark in her eyes. Her hair was long and brown. The spirit was dressed in an old-fashioned dress, something that alerted me that she had passed a very long time ago.

  I tried to get her to engage with me, usually it's not too terribly difficult to get a ghost to communicate what they need. It's not like they run around town all the time, if they appear it's because they want to say something.

  But this one was fading in and out and seemed to have a difficult time staying corporal.

  My gut feeling told me that this was Jess, Sally and Gladys’s mother. But what if I was wrong?

  That would be a pretty terrible thing to be wrong about.

  "Contemplating the problems of the world, or just yours?" Patrick drawled from behind me.

  Good Lord the man was so sexy he oozed deliciousness in every step.

  I glanced at his smiling face, "A little of both I imagine?"

  His grin grew, "Well then, you might need someone to come along to lighten that load for you

  I smiled faintly, "I'll keep that in mind boss man. If I decide I need somebody that is."

  He sat near to where I had been perched myself on some boulders we were far apart for comfortable talking, but close enough that I felt his glance when it rested on my face.

  "Everybody needs somebody some of the time princess," he drawled in his low tone that I felt skittering across my already heightened nerves.

  I found myself rubbing my arms as if I was cold, which was beyond ridiculous with my heavy sweater.

  The caverns kept cool, around 66°-year-round is how the Applebottom's explained it.

  We all had taken to dressing a bit warmer in the caves, but as a fire witch my internal flame could always keep me warm.

  It was his presence that was throwing me of my guard. I wasn't used to anyone paying that close attention to me.

  I'd spent my entire life learning to fly below the radar. Being an unregistered witch was bad enough, but being always on the run had made it my life's goal to be invisible.

  And yet in a matter of days I had gone from being virtually all alone in the world, to being part of the Applebottom's crazy mixed up family, James, Patrick and Ryan included.

  Patrick continued talking, "I know what you are thinking, there is something about these people, this place. It's... hell I don't even know how to describe it, it's like I'm drawn here and to them. Even if I wanted to leave I don't think I could. But I really want to help them. I feel like it's just as important to me as it is them. Does that make any damn sense at all?"

  I nodded at him knowing exactly what he was saying. "I feel the same way Patrick. There is..."

  I broke off what I was saying when a bright light appeared in the chamber where Patrick and I were speaking.

  "You have kept your secret well my precious one, I'm so pleased with you and for this you will be blessed."

  The tall moon goddess took her silvery wand and gently rotated it twice causing a mystical substance to flow from the tip and gently coated me.

  Immediately I felt stronger, thought clearer, stood taller and knew my magic had grown 100-fold.

  The goddess continued, "It is time for certain hidden truths to come to light. Patrick, you must reunite with your family, to regain the power of the wand."

  I was so confused, "What does Patrick's family have to do with any of this?"

  Patrick looked equally taken aback, "I don't know my family, I'm adopted."

  The goddess began to fade, "The truth to all you seek begins with finding Patrick's kin. Remember the prophecy."

  And then she was gone.

  We sat there in stunned silence. I honestly had no idea what to say to him and had about a million scenarios running through my mind.

  Just when I was certain I knew how to approach things casually, yet tactfully, you know, somehow being cool about the fact that we were just visited by a deity.

  Patrick took the guesswork completely out of it for me and slammed his mouth into mine.

  I had been kissed before. Loads of times, well lots, ermm that is some, there were a few times. But this was by far the best. He simply grabbed my face and planted one on me.

  I was about to speak so my mouth was just parting as he caught me, talk about perfect timing. He was forceful and demanding and for a person that thrives on following directions I loved it.

  I felt my heart speed up and then gallop clean out of my chest, there was wind whipping around us I'm not sure if that was my doing or his, but I knew it was hot and I liked it.

  He slanted his mouth over mine and I about came unglued. The man could teach lessons on kissing and fortunately I was going to make sure I was his only student.

  Damn, why worry about future when I could die happy right now!

  "Get your paws off my sister Asswipe!" Ryan yelled about a foot from my ear.

  As soon as we broke apart I saw a fist come flying into Patrick's face.

  But what warmed my heart was the grin on his face as he rubbed his darkening jaw.

  CHAPTER 24 - Ryan

  I stood there in shock, anger vibrating through my body. My right hand still clenched in a fist throbbed. For all I know I'd broken it.

  Apple was trying to say something next to me, but I couldn't concentrate on what she was saying. All I could think of burned into my retinas was my baby sister getting her tonsils checked by one of my so called best friends.

  I felt my fist burn slightly, and flinched. I went to pull away but my sister gripped it more firmly and it was then that I realized that she was healing it.

  The look on her face said it all; she did not appreciate me getting involved in her business. Emily was not a screamer; if we ever fought as children she didn't yell or throw things.

  Her punishment of choice was the silent treatment, and I got the distinctive impression that I'd be a long while before she'd be talking to me again.<
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  What the hell Ryan? Apple finally got through to me.

  The thing was that I didn't know what to say to her. I knew that I was being irrational, I still felt such unmitigated anger that I knew if Patrick had gotten up from the floor I would have knocked him back down again.

  Apple looked at me hurt for not responding to her. But I was too confused and messed up to sort of how I felt. My fist now healed was still clenched.

  Emily rolled her eyes in disgust and wordlessly grabbed Apple's arm and they both left the cavern.

  That joyous reunion with her family couldn't have gone worse.

  "If I get up are you going to hit me again," Patrick asked conversationally.

  The bastard.

  "I might," I replied, "I most likely will."

  He nodded, "I thought as much. You aren't going to like it, but we really need to have this conversation. I'd prefer to do it not beating the shit out of each other. But hey, you started this party so it's your call."

  His calm demeanor really pissed me off, but in a crazy way it also calmed me down a bit. This was Patrick, the same guy who had worked with me for years, who had always had my back.

  I sighed and reached my hand out to help him up. To his credit, he didn't hesitate to grasp it before standing.

  "She's my only sister, man. For our entire lives, it's been her and me against our dad. You know what he's like as a boss but you weren't there when she was little."

  Patrick nodded in understanding, "I know the kind of man you are Ryan. You've spent your entire life protecting her and then seemingly when your back is turned someone you trust moves in on her."

  Maybe he did understand where I was coming from.

  "I'm not screwing her around. I wouldn't do that to her and I wouldn't do that to you. We've been friends too long for that." He continued, "I don't know where this thing with Emily may be headed, but I'm more than willing to find out."

  As much as I hated to admit it, he seemed honorable. And as nauseating as it seemed for me to picture my sister romantically with anyone, I'd rather it be with a man I trusted than some idiot I didn't know.