Luminescence Trilogy: Complete Collection

by J. L. Weil

  I swore under my breath as another globe of blue light pierced through my jeans. The stuff was no joke, and the more I got hit, the more it stung.

  Okay. This wasn’t helping, and he was starting to get under my skin. I could feel the tingles of rage skirting below the surface, ready to break free. In my heart, I knew he didn’t like this, hated that he caused me even the tiniest of pain. It went against his protective nature. I got it. This was the real deal, and I had to be able to act fast and be quick on my feet if I wanted to survive.

  The next time he came at me, I was ready.

  It was like flexing a muscle. Suddenly, a dizzying rush of power whipped through me, and a part of me liked it—really liked it. That scared the crap out of me. I didn’t want to give into that kind of darkness, but it was right there within my fingers grasp, just a flick of my wrist. It teased me with potency, and I found myself unable to stop. Some part of me knew the kind of magic I’d conjured was bad, but it was too late.

  The goal had been a protective barrier. Somewhere along the way I forgot the plan. The magic I summoned had other ideas. No longer did I know what I was doing, only what I was feeling.

  Rejuvenated.

  Exhilarated.

  Supreme power.

  Above all things, there was this utterly intoxicating feeling filling my veins. I reveled in the sensation and closed my eyes. It was a better high than the fountain of youth. Better than sex. Well, what I thought sex would be like.

  The best part was, Gavin’s spell finally didn’t strike me. Success. Truthfully, I had been worried I would never be faster than him. I couldn’t wait to see the look on his face. I’d blown the roof off this spell.

  With each second that ticked by, my strength grew, not weaken. Was that normal? When I didn’t hear his voice, I became alarmed. My eyes opened and the world evaporated around me. What I expected to find was Gavin smiling and telling me that I’d done it, not him on the floor, gasping and in obvious pain. It seared straight through my heart. I immediately dropped the spell, breaking the connection it had on him.

  He was kneeled on the ground, face contorted in pain, and sapphire eyes gleaming. My stomach seized up, coiling in tight knots. All I could think was, I had done that to him. I had almost killed my boyfriend, the boy I loved.

  Oh my God.

  Dropping beside him, his face was ghostly white and a line of sweat covered his brow. “I-I almost killed you.” I was mortified and in shock. Shame and outrage swarmed through me. I should be burned at the stake. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” I cried.

  “You didn’t, Bri,” he gasped, struggling to speak. “I swear.” His voice was rough and gravely which made what he was saying hard to believe.

  “Really?” I replied, sarcastically hysterical.

  “What you did wouldn’t have killed me.” He ran a hand through his messy dark hair, leaning against the nearest wall. Those eyes I loved glimmered with incredulity—or fear. I couldn’t decide. “You were absorbing my powers.”

  “What?” I was beyond totally freaked out.

  His head rested on the wall. “Well, more than just absorbing them, you were stealing them, draining them from within me.” There was a charred hole in his shirt where my magic had hit him, sucked his essence, the soul of his magic.

  I was going to pass out. Luckily, I was already sitting, there wouldn’t be far to fall. I sunk against the wall beside him, careful not to touch him, and dropped my face into my hands. “What’s wrong with me?”

  He turned his head, staring at me. “There was probably a reason you never were told you were a witch…to protect you. Witches will kill for your kind of power, or kill to protect themselves from your power. Either way, it ends with your death. If others knew, you would be hunted nonstop.”

  Okay. I got it.

  I was dead meat.

  He looked at me gravely, meeting my frightened gaze. “You’re a clàr silte.”

  I gulped. Why did that sound like a death sentence? “That doesn’t mean anything to me,” I whispered, barely audible.

  “It’s the rarest and oldest form of craft.”

  This wasn’t making me feel any better. I was going to be sick. Pushing to my feet, he followed me. “This is bad isn’t it?”

  His hands spanned on either side of my waist and I winced. When I went to back away, he held steady and pulled me closer. “Don’t.” There was hurt in his voice. “Don’t cringe from me.”

  Tears gathered in my eyes and coated my voice. “How can you be near me after I did that to you?”

  “We didn’t know, Bri.” He cupped both hands around my face, and like a contented cat, I leaned into his touch. “I won’t let this come between us. Not when I just got you. We will figure this out together. I promise.” Softly and sweetly, he brushed kisses over my face before pressing them to my lips.

  What had I done to deserve such a guy? Wonderful. Understanding. And hot as hell.

  I vowed then that I would never take him for granted. Not. One. Single. Day. For as long as he was mine.

  Chapter 29

  THERE WERE NO WORDS TO describe how I felt that night, the night I almost stole every ounce of magic from my boyfriend. What kind of girlfriend does that? Magic was such a huge part of Gavin that I couldn’t imagine stripping him of his abilities.

  But that was just what I’d started to do.

  What would have happened had I not stopped, had I been unable to stop? I’d felt that addictive pull. I don’t know why I stopped. That intense, mind-altering, heady feeling was still beating inside me. It was as if I had a living, pulsing piece of him within me, which was sort of cool and pretty freaky at the same time. I didn’t like that I had stolen it from him without permission, but I loved the idea of a part of him would always be in me.

  Pretty messed up.

  Maybe seeing him withering in pain had snapped me out of it. Whatever it was, I was eternally grateful.

  A clàr silte was a witch with the capabilities to strip powers from another witch, but there was a huge cost for such abilities…my soul. The more I tapped into that kind of magic, the more of my soul I lost. That’s pretty much how these things work.

  As far as I was concerned, I should never need to use that kind of power. My soul should be safe as long as I keep it under lock and key. Then throw that key into the vast ocean, safe from my temptation.

  I could never use that kind of magic again. Ever.

  My head hit the pillow like a brick of lead. Of course, I couldn’t actually expect an undisturbed slumber. That would be too much to ask for. My eyes barely closed when I felt the familiar prickles and weightlessness. Exhausted mentally and physically, there wasn’t a scrap of resistance left in me. I couldn’t have fought it even if I’d known how.

  Letting the floating feeling take me away, I waited for the transition to complete. Before I felt solid ground, I was blasted with icy wind and cool, crisp air. Snow-topped mountains stretched as far as the eye could see, and to my dismay, I was on the tiptop of the highest one. I shivered as another round of wind blew through my chilled bones. Snuggling deeper into the parka I was wearing, I turned, looking for my target.

  I pounced on her the second I was grounded in the dream like a wild panther. “Why didn’t you tell me?” I screamed above the howling winds. That I can suck a witch dry, I mentally added.

  She moved with liquid grace, flowing over the rocky ground, and I envied her for it. “Well, someone is wound up this evening. Do tell, what did I fail to inform you of, dear granddaughter? Although, I think I am getting the message loud and clear.”

  “You know what I am talking about. That I’m a—a clàr silte.” I was spitting fire. Not literally, but I was surprised the ice didn’t melt.

  She eyed me with almost approval, as if she was a proud grandparent. “Would you believe that I hoped I never would have to?”

  I gave her dry look.

  Her fur boots crunched under packed snow. “There was always the chance that the gift
wouldn’t be yours. I didn’t know for sure, and I wasn’t going to trust a hunch.”

  A gift. I wasn’t sure I would call stealing another witch’s powers a gift.

  Her purple eyes sobered. “I didn’t wish this for you, or the consequences that come with it. I’ve grown fond of our little dreams. I will miss them, miss you.”

  Wow, granny was having a heart-to-heart. I wasn’t sure she was capable of such feelings. Inside, I was flooded with dread. I took a step toward her. “You’re leaving me? You can’t. You just can’t. I need you.” There was no disguising the pure panic in my voice.

  She shook her head. “No, not yet love, but there will be a time when our connection is severed. Until then, I will help when I can.”

  I looked out into the distance with a heavy heart, mixed feelings circling inside me. “I don’t think I can do this,” I whispered.

  She turned me to face her and looked me straight in the eye. Gone was her usual supremacy. “You can. Do you hear me? There is no other choice for a witch like you. You must master your skills. It will be the only way for you to live, to defend yourself.”

  I couldn’t move or say anything for a moment. I just stared into a pair of eyes identical to mine. Finally, I nodded. “You’re right.”

  She tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. It was the first act of affection she had ever really shown me. “I do have some words of wisdom before you wake, young granddaughter. Two boys. One destined to be your true love, bound by more than just magic and love. The other…” she tsked her tongue. “…well, he isn’t so lucky. He will destroy all the good you possess. Squash your pureness, which is also your strength. He will poison you with darkness—blacken your soul—and make you turn from all you love. The choice is yours, great-granddaughter. Choose wisely. For it can’t be undone.”

  I hated cryptic messages. “Can’t you just tell me which one to choose?”

  This time her smirk was sad. “If it was only that easy. I can do many things from beyond, but the choice will always be yours.”

  Ready for the conclusion to Gavin & Brianna’s story?

  Grab your next Gavin fix and continue reading book three, Moondust.

  Can’t wait to meet you back in Holly Ridge!

  Thank you for reading.

  xoxo

  Jennifer

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  Part III

  Moondust

  Chapter 1

  The day before my life changed felt like any other day. No warning bells. No shift in the winds. No forewarning. That would have been too easy. And I was anything but that.

  I’m a witch. Not just any witch, a clàr silte, whatever that means. I’m still unsure. What I did know was that it’s ancient and powerful magic—and, of course, deadly. I’d almost killed the guy I loved above all else, the guy I would have died for.

  Twisted.

  I had almost killed the guy I was willing to die for.

  Ironic.

  The ocean breeze played with the ends of my auburn hair, lifting it off my face as I stared at the moon’s glow reflecting onto the clear blue waters. What a magical night. It was chilly outside, but not enough to keep me locked indoors. Sweater weather, the kind of nights I loved. There was something absolutely peaceful about being at the beach during twilight, the moon washing over my skin, the sea salt air tickling my nose, and the cool sand between my toes.

  Nothing called to me more than the shore. I felt some kind of affinity with nature, specifically with water. Maybe it went hand in hand with the whole weathercasting. The gentle winds seemed to caress my cheek, the moon wrapped around me like a cloak of warmth, and the soothing waves sung me a lullaby.

  If only I felt as calm and serene as the star-strewn night looked above me.

  Lying on the sand, I stared at the sky. The twinkling dots formed pictures for my distraction, which I desperately needed to take away the gnawing feeling in my stomach. Inside, I was a bundle of raw emotion, turning in chaotic loops.

  Whenever I was troubled or feeling lost and alone, I retreated to the water’s edge. The sights, sounds, and smells all offered me a comfort I could find nowhere else—the sloshing waters, the cries of birds on the hunt, and the undeniable scent of salt. Well, recently, Gavin’s arms had offered that same kind of security, but I couldn’t find it inside myself to run to him. Not when he was the root of my turmoil. Or more specifically, what I had done to him was.

  A week had come and gone since I’d found out what kind of witch I was—since I had committed that unthinkable act to Gavin. What a week it had been. My face hurt from pretending not to be torn into pieces inside, like I wasn’t scared of what I was or what was happening to me. The last thing I wanted was to alarm my aunt or my friends that something was wrong with me.

  It was so much more difficult than it sounded. They were like PIs, picking up little clues or catching me staring into space with a sad frown. My appetite had vanished, along with my sense of humor. So yeah, I was doing a pretty shitty job trying to keep my sorrows under wrap.

  Oh, and I hadn’t practiced any magic at all since that night.

  I didn’t know if I wanted to, ever again. I felt tainted and ashamed. The messed up part was, I was mostly ashamed of the fact that there was a huge part of me that had liked it. The power I had felt was utopian, and the power I’d gained was still with me. I could feel the small amount of magic I’d stolen from Gavin swirling in me. His essence merged with mine in a way that was both exhilarating…and hot.

  And I didn’t mean like temperature warm; I meant sexy, in a hot, turned-on kind of way.

  Ugh.

  What was wrong with me?

  Before, I’d always felt this unexplainable connection to Gavin, as if fate were pushing us together. Now, having his magic in my blood created a pull that was even greater. Titanic greater. When I wasn’t feeling down in the dumps, I was imagining doing all kinds of wicked and sinful things with that boy and his mouth.

  It was one extreme to the other. One minute I was on the verge of tears, and then the next, I was gazing at his lips like they were the most edible things on the menu. Gavin and his damn lip ring. He could have a least made it easier for me to resist and not look so drool-worthy all the time. It was maddening how much hotness he oozed.

  My fingers dug into the grainy sand. Just thinking about him made me long to see him. And do a whole lot more than just look. I bit my lip, contemplating whether it would be wise to call him. Everything in my body screamed, Yes, Yes, Yes. But in my head, I thought that maybe it was something darker beckoning me to him, and for completely different reasons.

  Magic.

  My cheeks flushed against a chilly breeze as it passed over my skin. He had a way of heating my blood with just a fluttering thought. My phone vibrated in my back pocket, pulling me back down to earth. Speak of the devil. It was Gavin.

  His name alone caused fireflies to flit in my belly, but as my finger hovered over the answer key, I bit my lip, contemplating. What was I going to say? Sorry? How many times could I apologize before I felt better? Before the shame stopped? I had broken a rule I had vowed never to cross: I hurt someone I loved.

  Consciously or not, the result was the same. My powers were controlling me, when I should be controlling them. That made me dangerous—to everyone.

  My finger slid over, hitting the ignore button, and I shoved the phone bac
k into my pocket. Now I felt guilt—hordes of it—because I wanted nothing more than to talk to him, unload these mixed up feelings I was having.

  Before he would be the person I ran to, until recently, that was. But honestly, before I didn’t have problems—not like this.

  Gavin wasn’t the only guy in my life I’d been avoiding.

  Blowing off Lukas for a week hadn’t entirely been an easy feat either. Time was catching up to me, and I knew that I was going to have to face him sooner or, more preferably, later. I’d been flirting with the idea of telling him what had happened. For the past week, I’d done everything possible to forget the nightmarish thing I’d done. Working myself into exhaustion.

  It hadn’t worked.

  Nothing worked.

  Deep down, I knew that the only one person who might have been able to take away those feelings was the one I was running from.

  Gavin.

  It was like a double-edge sword.

  God hates me.

  On one hand, Gavin could offer me the solace I sought. On the other hand, he was part of what I didn’t want to face, couldn’t face.

  So here I was, alone, trying to work through what I was.

  A clàr silte.

  Man, that was a mouthful. Magic so strong, it was both feared and coveted. How did a girl like me, someone so ordinary and naïve deserve that kind of power? What was I possibly to do with such supremacy at my fingertips? Every time I dipped into those powers, I lost a piece of my soul, and my aura darkened. The more of my aura I lost, the greater the risk I would lose myself in the darkness.

  Black magic.

  If that weren’t enough to be scared shitless, then I was a fool.

  And Aunt Clara didn’t raise no fool… I think.

  This whole thing felt unjust. Anger pumped through me at the unfairness of it all. Lately, anger and self-pity had been my best friends. I didn’t want to hurt other witches. I wasn’t a thief. But what if I couldn’t stop it? I had seen the shock and fear in Gavin’s eyes that night, even if it had just been a flicker. The pain that had radiated on his face was seared in my memory. It infuriated me that he had suffered at my hands.