Shades of Amber

by Morgan Smith

  Shades of Amber

  The DisEnchanted Series Book 1

  By Morgan Smith

  Smashwords Edition

  Shades of Amber

  Copyright 2010 Morgan Smith

  Second Edition April, 2015

  First Edition February, 2011

  This is a work of fiction. Any names, characters, places, and incidents are intended to provide a sense of authenticity and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, establishments, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Smashwords Edition, License Notes

  Thank you for downloading this free ebook. Although this is a free book, it remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be reproduced, copied or distributed for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy at Smashwords.com, where they can also discover other works by this author. Thank you for your support.

  For all of my family, my friends, my love, and all the people who inspired me with a word or smile.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  To all the fish in this big fish tank of a world, and to all of my friends at the Tennessee Aquarium and Chattanooga State, you have been a fountain of inspiration and encouragement!

  Thanks to everyone who took the time to read my drafts and all the people who were fans from the start! Big thanks to Garrell Woods, who told me that my goals weren’t too large. As well as a special thanks to the people who helped edit my book: Kayla Flippo, Jake Steventon, Pete Larson, Andrew Boyd, and Elizabeth Jane.

  Every night I think of you,

  My heart, my love, my sweetest doom.

  For we are destined to be apart,

  But dare I say you stole my heart?

  You are my life,

  My every dream.

  You’ve turned me into a human being.

  I care for you like no other.

  You shall always be

  Mine.

  Forever.

  Also by Morgan Smith

  Lies Through the Grapevine

  Reincarnate

  The DisEnchanted Series

  Shades of Amber

  A Touch of Sapphire

  Chapter 1

  Jade

  I’ve tried to erase the memory of his flesh against mine. His scent. The Creole lilt of his words. I’d forgotten everything until now.

  I focused on his smooth hands, muscular arms, the broad chest hidden beneath a black button-down shirt, and the thick, ebony waves that brought darkness to his angelic face. That was how he looked the last time I saw him.

  I glanced at the ceiling, the floor, and then back to the man in front of me.

  My mind told my body to scream, but it all boiled down to desire. I yearned to brush my lips against his, even as his gaze tried to consume my soul. I wanted to run, but his hand caught my wrist.

  Dark locks covered one eye as he watched me with the ghost of a smile.

  It was all too much.

  I didn’t want to be there, didn’t want to see him, but most of all, I didn’t want to be face to face with a dead man. I twisted, trying to sever our connection, but he held tight, his biceps straining as his other hand gripped my arm. My heart swelled with happiness as my skin prickled with fear. It was easier to pretend he was off trotting the globe, but that didn’t make him alive.

  “Jade.”

  The library faded, replaced by a bustling coffee shop.

  Had I really been with him less than an hour ago?

  “Hell-o?” Faith swatted my leg, “What’s this business about the library? Are you gonna spill or what?”

  I stopped strangling my mug and looked around Java Mama’s. I still hadn’t processed things completely. “Yes, sorry.” Goosebumps covered my skin as I recounted the details up until the part where I saw his face.

  “Wow.” She shook her head. “That was some dream.”

  Instead of correcting her, I sipped my Macchiato and tried not to choke when she told a dirty joke.

  Once our laughter faded, she cocked her head and said, “Why do you think Troy made a cameo in your dream? Have you thought about him lately?”

  I coughed and set my drink on the table.

  Faith was good at lightening the mood, but sucked at reading between the lines.

  I pinched the bridge of my nose and inhaled. “I don’t know why my wish finally came true, but it’s too late.”

  She drummed her fingers on the armrest. “Tell me the rest.”

  “I hate this time of year.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Why? It’s beautiful out.”

  “Yeah, the leaves are pretty, but I hate how dark it gets. I shouldn’t have stayed at the library so late, but I had to finish my paper.”

  “We’ve all been there.”

  Not like this.

  “After spending hours confined to a wooden desk, I was beyond ready to go home. Thirty minutes later, my critical analysis had been typed, proofread, and submitted. I probably would’ve started dancing if I hadn’t seen a light in the hallway. I waited a beat, expecting someone to enter the room, but they didn’t. It was dark except for my section, so I looked toward the window hoping it was still light outside.”

  “Was it?”

  I shook my head. “The glow of a lamp caught my eye and cut off a second later, and then someone coughed. I started to speak, but my words evaporated when I saw dark hair and the curve of his mouth. I didn’t want to see his eyes.

  “His nearness made feelings of love, hate, and sorrow rush to the surface, but I couldn’t allow myself to break. I needed to get away. As he grabbed my arm, I stomped on his foot and let out a scream that left my throat raw.”

  Faith hugged her shoulders. “That dream was pretty intense.”

  I wish it had been a dream.

  Squeezing my eyes shut, I tried to forget his face and the time we’d spent together.

  “So what happened next?” Faith asked, tracing the seam on her pant leg.

  I took a bite of my cookie and sighed. “I ran into Mrs. Simms on my way out of the room. Well, more like barreled into her.”

  “What did she say?”

  I rolled my eyes. “She laughed, but made me wait in the lobby until security came. I could barely control my shaking as the guard led us into the room. Every light was on. The tall, bulky man circled the table with an impassive expression. Seconds later, he bent down and waved us over.”

  Faith gasped. “Did he find old blood or ghostly ectoplasm?”

  “Ghostly ectoplasm?” I pursed my lips.

  How could she be familiar with supernatural lingo, yet automatically assume I was dreaming?

  “No, but I was unprepared and relieved when I saw my phone on the burgundy carpet since I didn’t know I’d lost it. As I picked it up, the librarian looked at me like I was either insane or troublesome, and told me that the next time I planned to spin a tale, it should be more entertaining than a ghost who steals cell phones.”

  Faith leaned forward and rubbed my hand. “That’s one heck of a dream, Jade.”

  “Yeah.”

  On the way to my parents’ house, I considered the last few hours. I must have dozed off and dreamt it. That was the only logical explanation. I was a levelheaded person, and although I grew up watching Dark Shadows reruns, I knew monsters didn’t really exist. By the time I pulled into the driveway, I felt like the worst kind of silly. It was October 2. Of course, my mind would conjure him up.

  Even though I was in desperate need of sleep, I couldn’t shake the memories as I dragged myself from my periwinkle VW Beetle. Pausing on the sidewalk, I looked up at my childhood home, noting just how little had changed in the three years since I started college.

&nbs
p; Unlocking the door, I walked inside and flipped the light switch. I would’ve preferred a warm hug to solitude, but my parents had taken my little brother and sister to see my mom’s side of the family.

  I wanted to skip school and go too, but she was a stickler for safety and education. Her instructions were clear. Check on the house, put school first. You can come with us next time.

  As if elementary school breaks would ever line up with mine.

  I closed the door, locked the deadbolt, and peeked out the window. I hadn’t slept here in months, not since I started renting a house closer to campus. Now, I only came home for Sunday dinner. My feet protested as I made my way up to my bedroom. I was too disturbed to eat, so I took off my black boots, climbed into bed, and went to sleep.

  Fuzzy images flitted through my head until I fell into a dream, but in the middle of diving in the Reef tank at The Aquarium, I came across a chorus line of singing fish. How nice that they were performing my favorite song, but then I realized it was just the ringing of my cell phone. Sitting up, I snatched it from my nightstand.

  Who would call after midnight, Mariah or Faith?

  A chill weaved down my spine when I saw the unknown number. I closed my eyes, wanting to forget about the library incident, but I was almost positive it was real, which meant this phone thing was not a coincidence.

  “I’ve been doing so well. Please don’t let this be the night everything goes to Hell,” I whispered into the blanket as I cuddled my pillow.

  Hours passed as I drifted in and out of sleep. As dawn crept through the blinds, the phone rang for the fourth time. My hand hovered over the bright screen, ready to pick it up and shout a few choice words.

  I could answer it, but denial was so much easier.

  Illusion

  Our love feels eternal when I think of you,

  But is it for real or am I past due?

  Like a book,

  I turn the page on our memories.

  Just to find that the end doesn't remedy

  This feeling I get when you're nearby...

  You say you're the same,

  But I smell the lie.

  Everything about you is magnified.

  Like a tsunami,

  I see your destructive side.

  -Jade

  Chapter 2

  I decided to confide in Amelia after a week of unknown calls and very little sleep. Telling Faith about my “dream” should’ve been enough, but it wasn’t. Probably because I allowed her to shrug it off like a piece of fiction.

  People bustled in and out of the cafeteria, but no one noticed me until I pushed the door open with a little too much force. Amelia was at a small table reading and tapping her fingers to the beat of a silent tune.

  I eyed the worn out copy of Hush, Hush, remembering the first time I’d read it. The cover had drawn me in, but Becca Fitzpatrick’s story proved even more intriguing than the fallen angel on the cover. My gaze flitted to her Maroon 5 t-shirt—my gift for her twentieth birthday—before landing on the wall behind her. I needed to get my thoughts in order, but my brain felt like a shaken can of soda.

  Amelia’s green eyes widened as she tucked her short brown hair behind her ear. “Rough night?” Her grin faded as she scrutinized the bags under my eyes. “On second thought, you look like you haven’t slept in a week.”

  I tensed, knowing the inquisition was about to begin. My skin was dull, my eyes were bloodshot, and my usual perkiness was nowhere to be found.

  “What’s wrong, Jade? You never dress like this.” Amelia gestured to my sweats and ponytail. “You must feel awful.” She leaned over the table, trying to read what happened through my facial expression. I would have laughed if I weren’t on the verge of being scared to death.

  I squeezed my hands together. “I feel like someone’s been watching me.”

  “Who could it be?”

  My gaze bounced off the white walls searching faces, looking for signs. “I think it’s him.”

  She scrutinized every guy in the vicinity. “Who? Come on Jade, I’m not a mind reader.”

  “I don’t know what to do.” I lowered my voice. “I can’t just go to the cops and say I feel like I’m being watched by a boyfriend who disappeared two years ago, can I?”

  Amelia exhaled. “Do you really think it could be Troy?”

  “Shh! Don’t say his name! You might summon him or something.” I glanced over my shoulder. “We saw his obituary, he can’t be alive,” I whispered.

  “What do you mean? Wait! You’re just trying to trick me aren’t you?” She cackled. “I knew Faith and Mariah would try to get me back for throwing peanut butter and jelly filled balloons, but I had no idea they’d enlist you to help!”

  “Amelia! I’m dead serious.” I stuck my pinky in the air. “I swear.”

  Her expression sobered. “You really pinky swear that this is true?”

  “I never believed that ghosts, vampires or even aliens actually existed, but when you hear what I have to say, you won’t believe me.”

  “Oh God!” Her jaw dropped before she could smack her hand over her mouth. “Vampires and aliens really do exist?”

  I stared at her. “No. I’m talking about ghosts!”

  “Okay, so what the heck are you babbling about? Vampires are a much juicier thought than ghosts.”

  “I rubbed my hand over my forehead. “I’m not trying to make the story juicier! It’s my life, Amelia!”

  She shrugged. “Okay, so what has turned you into such a drama queen?”

  I inhaled and leaned toward her. “I think he’s back.” My words came out in a whisper as I twisted the butterfly ring around my finger.

  “Who’s back? What are you talking about?”

  I held my breath until she poked me, and then I told her about the library and the phone calls.

  “Oh, Jade.” She shook her head. “How long has this been going on?”

  “A couple weeks.”

  She grimaced. “You’ve been living with that for weeks? Why didn’t you say anything?”

  My gaze went to the clock over her shoulder. “I didn’t want you to get involved. I can handle ignoring the calls, but now I feel like I’m being watched,” I whispered, finally looking into her wide eyes.

  A book fell and we gasped, eyes trained on it until a girl picked it up. I stared at her long red hair and cheerful face, wishing I felt happy. I mean, it’s not every day that the person you love comes back from the dead. If I wasn’t so terrified, I might consider it worth celebrating.

  Amelia tugged the neck of her shirt. “How long have you felt like that? Do you feel like you’re being watched right now?”

  “Yeah, I do. After I ran away from him, he disappeared even though the librarian and I were right outside the exit.” I exhaled and rested my head on the table. “The worst part is that I’ve been wanting him to come back for years, but now I’m afraid of what it means.”

  “I’m sure things aren’t as bad as you think,” Amelia patted my hand. We sat for a moment longer, and then got up. The sight of Faith made me get my emotions in check. I wasn’t ready to tell her that my “dream” was a nightmarish reality.

  “We need to have a girl’s night out, and I won’t take no for an answer,” Faith said, swinging her long ponytail over her shoulder.

  I just needed to go home until I could figure things out.

  “Sorry, Faith, I’m not feeling well.” I could tell Amelia didn’t want me to go home alone, but I whispered that I’d be fine as we hugged our goodbyes.

  When I got back to my place, I walked into my bedroom and plopped onto my soft yellow comforter.

  What was wrong with me?

  Before I knew it, I was dreaming about his home near the beach. The spring air was crisp and cool as Troy pushed me in the swing under the big tree in the backyard.

  Next, I dreamt of our first kiss. His warm hands trailed up my neck, pulling me close as we stood outside the school. The moment seemed perfect, but we hadn’t kno
wn each other very long. I was seconds from getting lost in his kiss when the phone rang and I jerked awake.

  Sadness washed over me, but then I came to my senses. I groped the nightstand, grateful that I was “saved by the bell” until I looked at the screen.

  Unknown number.

  After a very deep breath, I turned on the lamp, and hit the green button.

  “Hello?”

  There was breathing on the line.

  My blood boiled, but I refused to say another word.

  “Hello, cher.” A chuckle reverberated through the phone, straight into my soul. “I love the way your heart pounds when you’re afraid. It’s like a melody that fills me with warmth.”

  “What do you want?”

  “Just you, Jade.”

  I knew that voice—deep and sensual with hints of Creole in his speech.

  My hand trembled as I clutched the phone to my ear, wanting, but not wanting it to be him.

  “Jade?” he whispered, and I felt it from the bottom of my socks to my curly brown roots.

  Slick with sweat, the phone slipped from my hand. I leaned over the bed and groaned as it skidded toward the window. I debated leaving it.

  “What’s the matter, Jade? Cat got your tongue?”

  “Who is this?” I asked as I pressed the phone to my ear.

  Of course, I knew to whom the voice belonged, but it was impossible.

  He made a clicking sound with his tongue. “Don’t tell me two years was enough time to wipe me from your memory. You know who I am.”