I paced my bedroom, calling Kendall's number for the fifth time. It went straight to voicemail.
I shoved the phone back in my pocket and closed my eyes, searching for her in my mind. After a few seconds, I sensed her not too far from my apartment. The scene filled my vision. She wasn't alone. Someone stood near her and my whole body tensed when I recognized the pale face.
Dax. My worst enemy. The brother I never knew I had.
I dug a little deeper, my magic focusing only on Kendall and where their location was. I saw her face flash in my mind for a split second. Tears stained her cheeks and her eyes were full of pain. I gasped, nearly falling to the floor.
She was hurt.
I willed myself to her, thankful I still had my magic. In seconds I was standing on a dark street. Kendall lay on a patch of grass and Dax stood a few yards away, his arms folded.
I clenched my fists and lightning struck the ground, inches away from him.
He looked up, his eyes widening when he saw me.
Wind rushed across my face and trees swayed. I tried to keep my magic under control, but it was hard. When I was angry, the djinn part of me always came out stronger than I could manage.
"Ash," Kendall croaked.
“Wait,” Dax said. "Ash, you don't understand." He stepped in front of her and I brought my hand up, palm facing toward him. A streak of blue burst from my hand and struck him in the chest. He flew backward, hit a tree and slid to the ground. I didn't check to see if he was still awake or even alive. All I cared about was getting to Kendall.
I ran and knelt next to her, trying to stay calm as my eyes took in the gash in her side.
“Oh my…” She was losing way too much blood. I had to get help and knew a hospital wouldn't be good enough. "I'm going to move you.” I attempted to keep the concern out of my voice, but she missed nothing.
"It’s bad," she whispered. Tears slid down her cheeks and I swallowed the lump in my throat. "It hurts."
"I know. I'm going to take you someplace safe."
"You aren't going anywhere," a voice growled. “I need that necklace.”
I gathered Kendall in my arms, my heart nearly breaking as she cried out in pain and turned to face Dax. "I'll kill you for this," I said. His eyes widened and for the first time ever, he actually looked scared. Holding Kendall close, I closed my eyes and took her to the only place I was sure could help her. The only home I’d ever known.
The Academy of Magical Beings.
***
The only place I could think of teleporting was the courtyard. Normally, I’d go to my old dorm room, but I was pretty sure Sam had moved out, so he wouldn’t be there. He could be anywhere really.
We appeared there in an instant. “Sam!” I dropped to my knees, hoping someone heard me. I glanced around the courtyard, not seeing anyone. “Sam!” It was dark, but I was sure people wouldn’t be home for the night yet. At least they never were when I lived there.
A group of elves and fairies came out of the cafeteria then and I recognized Misty among them. She looked pretty much the same. Green wings and all. Her eyes nearly bugged out of her head when she saw us.
“Ash?” She broke away from the group, who stared at me with curious eyes, and ran over to us.
“Do you know where Sam is?” I asked.
She nodded, her eyes huge and focused only on Kendall.
“Misty,” I said.
Her mouth dropped open and she took a step back. She blinked and slowly looked away from Kendall to me. “What…?”
“Misty. Focus. Do you know where Sam is?”
She nodded again. “He’s…in there,” she said, pointing to the building behind her. “You brought a human here?” She said, staring at Kendall again. “What happened? Is she all right?”
“Misty, look at me.”
She snapped out of it and knelt down next to me. “I’m sorry,” she said, shaking her head. “I’ve just…it’s a lot of blood. What do you need me to do?”
I carefully laid Kendall on the grass. “I need you to stay with her while I get Sam.”
“Don’t leave me,” Kendall said, reaching for my hand.
“I’ll be right back, I promise. I’m going to get someone who can help.” I gave her a quick kiss on her clammy forehead and ran into the building.
I spotted Sam as soon as I made it inside. He sat at a table surrounded by fairies, laughing and completely at ease. His eyes widened when he saw me and he stood at once.
“Dude! What are you doing here?” He looked happy to see me, until he saw my shirt. “Is that…blood?”
“I need your help,” I said. “Hurry.”
He followed me out the door, not asking any questions.
When we reached Kendall, he let out a curse. He glanced at Misty and I wasn’t sure if the curse was meant for her or Kendall.
I knelt down, taking Kendall’s outstretched hand and looked at Sam. “I need you to slow down time. Or stop it or something. She’s dying and I have to find a healer.”
He hesitated, but only for a second. “You do realize you could go to prison for bringing a human here?”
“Of course I know that, Sam. This isn’t the time to think about stuff like that.”
“Agreed.” He knelt down. “Let me see.” He lifted a chain from around his neck. A small vile hung on the end of it and he unscrewed the lid. A white powder drifted out and he made a motion with his other hand, sending it toward Kendall.
Her eyes widened as it reached her face, but she didn’t say anything. As soon as the powder touched her skin, it disappeared. It was if her body absorbed it. Her eyes closed, and I wasn’t sure if she was breathing.
“Sam?” My voice caught. I couldn’t speak.
Sam muttered something under his breath and looked at me. “She’s okay. For now. We need to get her to the village. Fast.”
I hesitated.
“But what if she starts bleeding again?” Misty asked. Her eyes were wide and she was pretty pale. I wouldn't have been surprised if she passed out.
Sam shook his head. “You can move her. Her body won’t lose any more blood until I release her.”
I nodded, trying to keep my emotions under control. “Where are we going?”
“To see my dad.”
***
The village was a few blocks away from campus. Sam and I teleported Kendall there, with Misty close behind.
The street was deserted, which was good. No one else would know we had brought a human to our world. I don’t know what would happen anyway. It wasn’t totally forbidden, especially when the person knew about our world. But since I’d left the Academy willingly, I wasn’t so sure they’d like me being here at all.
“This way.” Sam motioned for us to follow him.
I carried Kendall in my arms, trying not to freak out. Her chest hadn’t risen or fallen since Sam had put that spell on her. I couldn’t lose her. I couldn’t.
I followed him down the path and up to his house. The flowers glowed in the dark on either side of us, lighting our way. He didn’t knock, just opened the door and yelled for his dad.
Leif Ellwater appeared around the corner, his silver hair in its usual ponytail. He smiled. “What are you doing home so early, Sam?” His eyes widened when he saw Kendall in my arms. “What in the name of Mother Earth?” He hurried to my side as I set her down on the couch.
“She’s been stabbed,” I said. “I don’t...I don’t know what to do. I–” I swallowed the lump in my throat and pushed back the tears that threatened. “You have to help her. Please.”
“What happened?” Leif asked as he knelt next to her. He pulled the bottom of her shirt up, exposing the jagged wound in her side. It wasn’t bleeding anymore, probably from Sam’s spell, but it looked horrible. I felt my body sway and Sam’s hand on my shoulder to steady me. Blood didn’t usually bother me, but since it was coming from someone I loved, I felt lightheaded.
“Dax stabbed her.” I still couldn’t believe it. I couldn’
t believe he would actually do something like that.
Leif looked up at me, surprised. “Why?”
“I don’t know. He said something about wanting her necklace.”
“Did he put her under a spell as well?”
“No. I froze her,” Sam said.
Leif looked at him. “You need to release the spell while I heal her.”
“No,” I cried. “Why do you have to release it? She’ll feel everything! I’ve been healed before. It hurts. I can’t watch her suffer like that.”
“Then you’ll have to go outside. It has to be done. I can’t heal it while she’s under Sam’s spell. It won’t do anything.”
“But—”
“If I don’t heal her, she’ll die, Ash. I know you don’t want that.”
“No, but…there has to be a less painful way.”
Leif studied me a second before turning to his son. “Sam, take him outside.”
I clenched my jaw and stood my ground. “I’m not leaving.”
Leif nodded. “If you interfere, Sam and Misty will make you leave.”
“I can handle it,” I assured him. I wished someone would assure me.
He sighed. “Very well. Grab her hands then. You’re going to have to hold her down.”
I knelt next to her and put my hand on her cheek. She didn’t feel real. Just cold. Lifeless. I pushed her hair out of her face and took her hands in mine. I could feel Leif’s eyes on me, so I nodded. “Go ahead.”
Sam muttered something under his breath and as soon as he finished speaking, Kendall gasped in pain. Tears filled her eyes as she looked up at me. “Ash?”
“It’s okay. This is Sam’s dad. He’s going to heal you.”
She nodded, tears streaming down her face. She squeezed my hand and kept her terrified eyes on mine.
Leif put his hands over her wound, making her cry out. He started chanting, using the Elvish language I’d only heard a handful of times in my life. Light flickered between his fingers as he coursed magic into the wound.
Kendall screamed.
It was the most awful sound I’d ever heard. I was sure I’d have nightmares for years to come. The girl I loved in so much pain and there was nothing I could do to take that pain away.
“It’s okay,” I said, holding her hands to keep her from moving. Her eyes were squeezed shut, so I glanced up, attempting to focus on something other than her. Instead, I saw Misty standing a few feet away. Tears fell from her bright green eyes and she didn’t even try to wipe them away.
Kendall screamed again and my whole body tensed. I was going to lose it. I focused on Leif’s hands, silently begging for her pain to stop. I couldn’t look at her face. It was too much.
“I’m almost finished,” Leif said. His voice grew louder, the wound on Kendall’s side glowed a bright green and faded into nothing.
Kendall’s hands loosened their grip on mine. I opened my eyes, panic shooting through me when I saw her eyes close. “What’s wrong with her?”
Leif sat back, his forehead covered in sweat. “She’s going to be fine. She’s sleeping. As you know, healing takes a lot out of a person. And since she’s a human, well, you can imagine.”
I let out the breath I was holding and ran a hand across my face. “Thank you.” I couldn’t say anything else. I’d lose it if I did.
Leif placed a hand on my arm. “You’re welcome.”
We sat in silence for a while, no one saying a word.
I watched Kendall’s chest rise and fall. I couldn’t look away from her. I was afraid she would stop breathing.
“She’s okay, Ash.” Leif sat up and pulled a blanket over her. “She just needs rest now.” He motioned toward my hands. “Go clean yourself up.”
I looked at my hands, covered in Kendall’s blood, but hesitated. I didn’t want to leave her, even for a second.
“Ash. I’ll stay right here,” Leif said. “I promise I won’t leave her side.”
I gave her a long look, making sure she was still breathing and went to the bathroom to clean up. When I got a good look in the mirror, tears pricked my eyes. My shirt was covered in Kendall’s blood. It was everywhere. On my arms, my hands, my face. I ripped my shirt off, feeling my wings stretch out. I scrubbed at my shirt, knowing I wouldn’t get all the blood out. It was a lost cause. Anger ripped through my body. I wanted to hunt Dax down. I wanted him to feel the pain Kendall had endured. She didn’t do anything to him. Why would he try to kill her?
Giving up on the shirt, I scrubbed my hands and arms until they were red and raw. My anger didn’t subside. It grew. Along with the pain that I’d almost lost the girl I loved. I wiped angry tears from my eyes. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d cried. All I wanted to do was find Dax. It wouldn’t leave my mind.
I don’t know how long I was in the bathroom, but when I came out, Leif was still sitting where I’d left him. Sam stood near him and Misty was by the door. They stared at me as I walked toward them. I didn’t have a shirt on, so my wings were exposed. No one said a word about them though.
“Feel any better?” Leif asked as I sat on the floor against the couch.
I ran my fingers through Kendall’s soft hair and slowly let out the breath I’d been holding. “I never thought I’d care so much about someone. If I would have lost her, I don’t know what I would have done.”
Leif smiled. “I know what you mean.” He got to his feet, gave my shoulder a squeeze and left the room.
I thought about Sam’s mom. Since she was human, she wasn’t allowed in our world, but Leif was still with her. He stayed with her most of the time, but occasionally came back to our world to be with Sam. I was thankful he was here. Who knows what would have happened if he wouldn’t have been.
“So, what are we going to do about Dax?”
I looked over at Sam. I’d forgotten he was there. My temper flared. I’d never wanted to hurt someone so much in my entire life than in that moment. “I’m going to hunt him down and tear him to pieces.”
“Let me at least have one piece,” he said, coming to sit next to me.
Misty came and joined us then, taking a seat next to Sam. Her face was red and her eyes puffy.
Sam nudged her. “You okay?”
She nodded and gave him half a smile. “I’m just glad she’s alright.”
He frowned. “What I don’t get, is why Dax wanted Kendall’s necklace so bad.”
I shrugged. “I gave it to her for her birthday a few months ago. It was my mom’s. I didn’t think there was anything special about it, other than it’s the only thing I have of hers.”
“And you gave it to Kendall?” Misty asked. “That is so romantic.”
Sam rolled his eyes. “I guess.”
I ignored them both. “Once Kendall wakes up, I’m taking her home and then going to find Dax.”
“I’m coming with you,” Sam said. I started shaking my head, but he wouldn’t have it. “Dude. There is no freaking way you’re going after him by yourself. What if he goes all djinn and sandstorms you again like he did at that prom thingy? You need me.”
I let out a breath and didn’t answer.
“If you want, I could keep an eye on Kendall,” Misty said. “I don’t have anything to do. I could even go to school with her. I want to make sure Dax doesn’t come after her again while you’re gone.”
“Are you sure Misty? I don’t want to put you out.”
“I’m serious. I’d be happy to stay with her.”
“Dax is dangerous.”
She snorted. “I’ll be fine. I’m sure he’s long gone by now, so we’ll be safe.”
Sam jumped to his feet. “Well, it’s settled then. Let’s do this!”
“We’re not leaving tonight, Sam. Go get some sleep. We’ll leave tomorrow or as soon as Kendall’s able.”
Chapter 4
Kendall
I woke to the sound of rain tinkling against the window. I looked around, surprised to be in my own room. Faces and voices swirled around in m
y head. The past few hours had been a blur.
Or had it all been a dream?
My shaky hands inched my shirt up and I sucked in a breath as my fingers traced the raised scar on my stomach. Great. Another scar. So it hadn’t been a dream. I knew the pain I’d felt had to have been real.
“Kendall?”
I sat up, tears coming to my eyes as Ash made his way toward me in the darkness. He sat on the edge of my bed and I wrapped my arms around him. He held me as I sobbed into his shoulder. He said nothing, just rubbed my back as I cried. I didn’t want to move. I felt so safe in his arms.
“It’s okay,” he whispered. “I’m here.”
That was the thing I loved most about Ash. He was always there. Always.
It took me a while, but I finally pulled away and turned my lamp on. “Sorry,” I said.
“Don’t be sorry.”
I glanced at the clock next to my bed. Three in the morning. I sniffed and Ash produced some tissues out of nowhere. He handed me the whole box. I blew my nose, which sounded horrible, but I couldn’t have snot running down my face. When I was done, I sat my tissues on the night stand and looked at him again. He looked as exhausted as I felt. “How long have you been here?”
He shrugged. “Awhile. I’ve been dozing in your bean bag. I wanted to be here when you woke up. I hope you don’t mind.”
I shook my head. “Not at all.” I paused, my fingers tracing my scar again. “Does my mom know anything? Ellie?”
“No. Misty used a small spell on them. Made them think you went to bed early because you didn’t feel well. They knew not to bother you.”
Of course. How would they explain Dax to my mom? “What did happen, Ash? How am I still…alive?”
He hesitated and took a shaky breath. “When I found you…you were…” He shook his head, not meeting my eyes. “I took you to my world. It was the only thing I could think of. Sam’s dad healed you.”
I swallowed. All I remembered was someone with green eyes. And the pain. I’d never forget the pain. “And Dax?”
Ash stiffened. “What about him?”
“Do you know where he is?”
He shook his head. “No.”
“Do you think he’ll—”
He grabbed my hands. “No. I won’t let him hurt you again. I’ll kill him if I have to.” A breeze blew through the room, though the window wasn’t open. I put a hand on Ash’s arm and he relaxed, the wind subsiding.
Not Your Average Happy Ending Page 2
