A Ghost of Magic: Chosen Saga Book 3

by J. L. Clayton

  I eased his mind. “No, Tru. No. I know you’re freaking out, but you could never hurt me. This is all so much to take in, I know, but you have to let me finish my story. Trust me. I don’t believe your grandfather did anything to my parents.” Miraculously, I had a momentary spark of genius. I chirped excitedly, “You can ask him, you can find out for me… right?”

  Tru, feeling my enthusiasm, said, “Yes! Yes, I can. I’ll do it now!” He nodded emphatically.

  “No.” I shook my head. “No, first let me finish the story.”

  Besides, if I don’t finish it now, I might not ever finish it. Because, hell, I might be too chicken to finish it. Lord knows what a big chicken I am. I can already hear the cawing and cackling that will come out of my mouth!

  Tru smiled, nodded, and said, “Ok, C, go ahead and tell me.”

  Chapter Nine

  Charlie

  I sucked in a deep breath and said, “Okay, I know this is going to sound so amazing and far out there. Gosh, it’s going to sound so unbelievable, but you know... you are a wolf, so it can’t be that unbelievable.” I giggled.

  Tru shook his head. “Yeah, and you like me as a wolf!” Tru purred seductively.

  I ran my hand over my face. “Ugh, we don’t have time for that. Don’t be all sexy.”

  Tru stepped close and ran a hand over my hair. Cupping the back of my neck, pulling me just an inch closer to him, he whispered, “But I thought you liked it when I’m sexy?”

  I bit my bottom lip; he cocked an eyebrow and gave me a crooked grin. I said breathlessly, “Yeah I-I do.”

  Tru covered the distance and kissed me. It was a deep kiss. Our tongues tangled. Our lips moved as heat surged over my body. It seemed like forever since I had a kiss this way. It was a kiss that made my whole body melting into his. Passionate. Sinful. Delightful.

  Tru pressed his body against mine, forcing my back against the wall. He ran his hands along my side, around my hips, and up my back. His hands worked brilliantly, as they trailed sizzling sensations up and down my spine. Tru traced the curve of my shoulders then back down to my hips, squeezing me tight while his mouth ravished mine. My heart pounded, and I felt lightheaded. Slowly, Tru started to pull my shirt up. I swallowed the excitement down, feeling the rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins. I was so caught up in the moment. He traced my stomach with his fingertips, leaving tiny tingles of heat as his hands inched upward, pushing my shirt up in the process. Fire! Ice! Sensations crawled up my body, inch by blissful inch.

  “Well this isn’t awkward at all,” I heard Nikko say.

  Pour a cold bucket of ice over me and let me die now! To say I was embarrassed was an understatement.

  I forced Tru’s hands down and pushed him away. Breathless, I searched for a way out of our escalating predicament. “Wasn’t I supposed to tell you something?”

  Tru reached for my hips again and said, “Yeah, but I’m liking this right now!” His hair fell over his shoulders, and I had the urge to touch him. I brushed his hair to the side, running my hand through the long, black, silky strands and loving the feel. I looked into his green-gold specked eyes and almost melted again, but then Nikko-why was he here-interrupted me again.

  Nikko said, “Yeah, I’m still here… just saying!”

  I shot Nikko a quick glare. I looked back at Tru and said, “I have to tell you now or I’ll never tell you.” I stepped away.

  Tru, looking a little more than frustrated, ran a hand through his hair. “Yeah, C, but I’m planning on finishing this later.”

  I looked over at Nikko. The blush deepened on my cheeks. I was a little on the mortified side right about now.

  Nikko sat back down on the couch, shook his head in disgust, and crossed his arms, saying, “Save me now.”

  I wanted to tell him he didn’t have to be here, that he didn’t have to stay. Yet, for some crazy reason, Nikko thought he had to be here.

  My shadow. My ghost. My fault!

  Shaking off the dreadful thoughts I was having about my failure to save Nikko, I told Tru the story about how my parents told me that, supposedly, his grandfather killed my biological parents and what all happened that day that led up to the deaths of my bio parents, all the while cringing as I spoke. I was sure this had to be hurting him. The whole time I told him the story, I let him know, emphatically, that I didn't believe any of it. I wanted so desperately to drill that into his mind, let him know that I knew his grandfather could never do that to my parents. When I told him about that night after my birthday party, that I crossed over to Callamose, a supernatural world, his gaze sharpened. It was strange seeing all these emotions cross his face, but the electrifying look that came over him when I told him that I now had magical abilities was extraordinary. Of course Tru wanted to see said abilities.

  I showed him my elemental power first, proud that I could finally set my hand on fire and not my whole body. I almost did a happy dance, but instead, I shook it off like a pro, squealing only on the inside. I didn’t have much to show as I was still a fledgling with magic. Tru understood the nuance and nodded. When I told him Jace was somewhat like me, Tru didn’t like that at all. His face darkened and his knuckles whitened as he clenched his fists. As I spoke, his eyes would go shadowy and his facial expressions would harden but then quickly soften. I couldn’t keep up with the changes, so I stopped trying, that is until I came to the end of my story. Then, the unthinkable happened.

  Tru said, “Wow, you were right. That was extraordinary. So, what do they call you? Your magic? Your abilities? You know I’m a wolf-shifter, so what would your name in the supernatural term be?”

  Sheepishly, I said, “Well, it’s nothing special. I kind of had a cow over it when I found out what I was. I thought: they cannot come up with something better than charmed? However, there is a Latin term for it, which I think is way cool. It's Dulcedo. Pretty awesome, huh?”

  I saw Tru’s body stiffen; his eyes turn cold, lingering on the edge of death. A black expression came over his face. For a second, it looked like he was fighting something within himself. Tru quickly stood up, shook his head, and started to walk out of the house. I was speechless. I looked over at Nikko.

  He shrugged, looking as confused as I felt. “You got me. I don’t know what’s wrong with him.” Nikko was practically reading my mind. He finished ominously, “But Charlie, you know how I said his aura looked funny?” I nodded. “Well after you told him the story, his aura changed colors completely. I mean, like... no more yellow!” Nikko moved both hands to either side of him, like he was clearing something off a table when he said, "Yellow gone."

  I think my heart stopped; it felt like all my blood had drained out of me. I didn’t understand what just happened. Why was Tru walking out? Why was he leaving? What did I do? It felt like my worst fears were coming true, and I was helpless.

  But I had to stop it. I had to stop him.

  I looked at Nikko and said forcefully, “Stay inside and don’t do anything. You got me?” I threw him a menacing glare. Nikko scowled, but he nodded.

  Quickly, I shot out the door and ran to catch up, hurrying before Tru got in his truck. My heart pounded in my ears, and I felt sick. “Tru?” I shouted. I grabbed a hold of his arm, trying to stop him. “Tru, look at me!” I said, my voice sounding pitiful.

  He stopped. His back straightened, and he turned to look at me. His eyes had changed colors. No longer human, he now peered at me through wolf eyes. I dropped his arm and stepped back. For the first time, I felt afraid of him.

  I stammered, “T-ru-Tru? Are you okay? Did I-did I do something wrong? T-t-ru?”

  Tru shook his head and snarled, giving me an ugly look. My heart sunk. I was scared. I was scared of Tru.

  Tru said, “Don’t touch me! Don’t ever touch me again!”

  He turned and headed back to his truck. I felt my world crumbling around me. This cannot be happening. This cannot be happening! I would not let it happen! I was going to stop it! I was going to stop it now!
/>
  “Tru, wait!” I yelled, foolishly grabbing hold of his arm yet again. “Wait! What did I do? Please tell me. Just please tell me what I did!” I begged, holding on for dear life.

  Violently, Tru yanked his arm away and shoved me to the ground. “What are you, stupid? What, didn't you hear me the first time? Here, let me say it clearer so your small mind can understand. I said…don’t ever fucking touch me again!” Tru took a threatening step forward. His eyes, always so beautiful, were now a bright, nasty color. A low growl slipped from his lips.

  I don’t think I've ever felt so afraid of someone I cared about in my life. But I didn’t have time to dwell on it because Mom, Dad, and Jace appeared out of thin air right in front of us. Mom and Dad swiftly grabbed me under their arms and pulled me to my feet and away from Tru.

  Jace shouted, “Evictum!” A ball of silver flashed in his hands. I watched in horror as Jace threw it towards Tru.

  I shouted, “Nooo! Jace, Nooo!”

  However, before the magic could touch Tru, he quickly changed into a magnificently beautiful black wolf. This was the first time I'd ever seen him shift. It wasn’t like the movies; it happened too quick. But Tru was a sight to behold. I was in awe. Tru snarled, showing long canines. His fur rippled as he moved. I watched with amazement as his heels dug into the ground, readying for the attack.

  Oh God, he might even kill Jace.

  I had to do something to stop this. I couldn’t let Tru hurt Jace, or vice versa. This had to end, and it had to end now. I let my walls down, and my forces sought out the magic around me. As I did, a rush of euphoria filled my body. I felt elated, powerful, and invincible. Power bled through my whole being as I yanked on the core of Tru’s magic, and pulled the wolf's essence inside me. Everything seemed to move slow as my blood heated. I breathed in and out, in and out, taking deep, gulping breaths. I charged him as he charged Jace. I knocked Tru to the side. The power I felt as I hit his body was the force of an alpha-male wolf.

  Mighty! Strong! Incredible!

  I heard a sickening thwack as Tru rolled end over end, cracking branches along his way.

  Damn. I hit him harder than I wanted.

  Slowly, I stood, letting the power of the wolf drain out of my body. I looked over at Tru; he let out a soft whimper as he got back up on all fours. I felt sick as I looked into his eyes. What had I done? But I knew it was the only thing I could do. Tru’s wolf looked at me; his eyes were cold, hard, and downright sinister. He hated me, I realized. I couldn’t understand or figure out what I did to warrant his disdain for me. But I knew he did, he really and truly hated me. What did I do to cause Tru to hate me so much? How could he go from one minute being in love, happy, and wanting me to the next, dead set and ready to kill me? He didn’t shift back into his human form. He just snorted, shook his head in disgust, and turned and ran off. After he was gone and I couldn’t see him any longer, I started to cry.

  Wracking sobs shook my body. I couldn’t wrap my mind around why this had happened. I knew I shouldn’t feel this sad either. It’s not like I had known him forever. It’s not like I was in love with him…right? But I did care deeply about him, and he was my friend. And for him to look at me so coldly, for him to downright hate me, hurt! I rubbed my chest over my heart, trying to ease the pain that was coursing, throbbing, deep inside me.

  The pain that was pounding a rhythmic staccato of: Why!? Why!? Why!?

  “I can be there just say the word. I can take away your pain, Kitten. I can make you feel so much better. Would you like that, Kitten? Would you like me to sink my teeth deep into that pretty little neck of yours and erase all that pain with pleasure? Just say the word, and I’ll be there.”

  Asher’s voice was sensual, a velvet comfort rolling over my body. I took my hand away from my heart and touched the now barely-there puncture wounds on my neck. I could still feel it, the sharp, stinging bite and long, lingering pull. It was so seductive. I opened my mouth to say yes. I open my mind to say yes. I open my body to say yes. I felt arms wrap around me and pull me close. I heard a whisper soft, so very soft.

  He said, “I’ve got you. I’ve got you.” I looked up and saw Jace looking down at me with anguish in his eyes.

  His arms were tightly wrapped around my body, holding me close, feeding me comfort with his warmth. I looked over and saw Mom holding onto Dad, fear and regret in her eyes. My dad, on the other hand, looked angry. He looked like he wanted to go get his katana blade and go out hunting for a certain black wolf.

  My wolf! My Tru! My furball! Or was he mine anymore? I didn't know.

  I shook my head at Dad letting him know that there would be no hunting and I would be okay. Grudgingly, my dad’s expression softened. I looked over at the window. Inside was a very pissed off Nikko. He was standing there with his arms crossed over his chest and a scowl planted firmly on his face as he glowered at me. Well, at least he stayed inside. I felt a little pressure on my mind and knew Asher was trying to read my thoughts, but gently, oh so gently, I put my walls back into place. This time, I didn’t want to be mean to Asher and hurt him. He was only trying to comfort me in the way vampires know best.

  Stinkin’ leech! I thought, sardonically shaking my head and pulling away from Jace. I got to my feet and walked into the house with the others. We entered the house, and I looked at them, shrugging sadly, not saying a word as I headed up to my room, needing to be alone. Needing to rewind and never ever tell Tru the truth.

  That night, I had a nightmare. I was running... running... running for my life down a dark alley, yet all my efforts, it seemed, were failing as my feet kept getting caught in the trash that was scattered on the ground. I was trying to push my way through it, trying to get away from the men, but there was too much stuff.

  Damn it!

  I fell down hard, sprawling unceremoniously onto my face. I slowly turned around and saw faces, blurry faces, coming in and out of focus. Then, he stepped forward.... it was Max!

  Oh my God, it was Max-Max is back-Max is alive!

  I sucked in a deep breath. I was so scared.

  What was he going to do to me this time? Would he finally get his chance to have his way with me and then kill me?

  Max sneered and said, "Don’t worry Darling. This’ll be fun, and you know I like it when you scream. I want to see that pretty little mouth open on a terrifying scream for me..."

  Max pulled out that damn-sharp-blade and ran it down the side of my face. I shuddered as the dream faded into the next scene. I was tied up in a chair. I looked around and noticed I was in that room in Callamose where Kate took me. She was standing over me laughing.

  Kate said, "You’re such a pathetic little girl. You’re the Chosen One! Let's see you get out of this then, almighty Chosen One!" she mocked.

  The next thing I knew, I was strapped to a table and hooked up to the Machine.

  Oh God, I was about to be drained of all my power.

  My magic! My life!

  Then a flash and the dream faded. I was standing outside in the front yard looking at Tru. He glared at me. He looked like he was ready to kill me.

  Why, Tru? Why? What did I do? I wanted to scream at him.

  Tru pulled out a stone that he had fastened to a necklace; it was the stone his mom told me about. He waved it in front of my face and said, "Soon, I will have the power to destroy all of your kind. Soon, I will be able to control you. Soon, I will kill you."

  Then, to my horror, Tru shifted into his wolf, but it wasn’t the wolf that I saw today. It wasn't that beautiful, black wolf who looked hurt, mad, and angry. No, this wolf was larger; his canine’s longer, and green drool fell to the ground from his pulled-back lips. His eyes were red, like from the pit of hell. Like freaking-me-the-shit-out red.

  The wolf snarled, growled, and dug deep into the ground, ready to charge, readying for the kill. I heard laughter; it was sexy and mocking. I looked over to the side, but I couldn't see anything. Everything went quiet. Tru charged.

  I felt a cold hand
on my face. I slowly opened my eyes and saw Nikko. He was standing over me with a sad look on his face.

  Nikko said, “That must’ve been some dream. You were crying. I don’t think I ever cried in my sleep. Are you okay, Charlie?”

  I shook my head. “I don’t think so. Did Tru and I break up?” I asked.

  Nikko rubbed the back of his neck. Looking worried, he said, “Yeah, yeah, I think ya’ll did.”

  I sucked in a deep breath and said, “Nikko, would you do me a favor? Will you lie down beside me? I think I need someone to hold me.” Nikko didn’t say anything; he just lay down beside me. I put my head on his chest, and he wrapped his cold arms around me. I started to sob.

  He whispered, “I’m sorry. I’m here. I’m always here for you. You’re my best friend, and now that I’m a ghost… you’re never alone.” Nikko was trying to lighten the mood, but nothing could help me on the inside. I felt miserable. How is it possible that one year my life could have turned upside down so dramatically? How can I make everything right? Slowly, my mind clouded over, and a sleepy haze swept my body.

  Chapter Ten

  Charlie

  After what happened, I dreaded school. Tru and I would be the juicy gossip for today. I slammed my locker shut and turned around. I took in a deep breath and watched warily as Zitkala, Paco, and Jolon approached.

  Nikko leaned in and whispered, "You got this, Charlie. Besides, your sidekick is here: Me! So what could possibly go wrong?"

  I looked at Nikko and took his statement with a grain of salt. I knew he was joking. Nikko felt my pain, and he was just trying to ease it a little. I rubbed my chest just over my heart where the wrenching pain I felt seemed constant: An ebb and flow of misery shooting through my veins. He wasn't the problem. No-one was ever the problem. Things didn't go wrong because of my friends. Things didn't go wrong because of life in general. Things went wrong because of me. If anything, Nikko should want to be away from me. Yet, I was relieved he was here beside me. It’s just too bad Nikko was here by my own volition and not by his will. I sighed and studied my friends as they came closer. Z, as usual, was dressed to die for. She had a short, black dress, killer heels, and her long, raven hair framed her mocha colored face beautifully. Z's face was pale, and she looked sad. I glanced over at P-J. Normally, they would be smiling from ear to ear, however; their expressions were grim.