Darkmist: Novella (Luminescence Book 4)

by J. L. Weil

  Oh wow. That’s a reliable source. Except this time, Gavin’s brother might be onto something. I tapped my finger on my leg. “Fine, give me five minutes to change.”

  Not entirely enthusiastic about my evening plans, I started rummaging around my room, looking for something clean to wear. Laundry was not any more fun to do in college. I found a semi-clean pair of jeans and started to shimmy out of my shorts. Then I remembered Gavin was still in the room. “What are you doing?”

  He was kicked back on my bed, an arm propped behind his head. “I like watching you get dressed.”

  I rolled my eyes, tugging the pair of jeans over my hips. “I bet you do. Should I get you some popcorn for the show?”

  He chuckled as I managed to squeeze my butt into the jeans and loop the button. “What’s this?” he asked.

  I turned my head to the side to see him holding the card Amara had given me between his fingers. “You’re not the only one who got invited to a party,” I grumbled.

  He lips turned down. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  I shrugged. “Because I had no intention of going.”

  His eyes ran over the card. “Who gave you this?”

  “A girl in my astronomy class. What makes you think there is something corrupt about these witches?” I asked.

  Watching me with a crocked smile on his lips, his gaze roamed lazily over my body. “Just a girl…or a witch?”

  If he kept looking at me like that, we were never going to make it to this party. As much as I would rather stay home with Gavin and his blessed lips, my curiosity was peaked. “Why do I get the feeling you already know the answer?”

  Shift to his side, he slipped his hand into his back pocket and pulled out a little card identical in size as mine. “Because I got one as well.”

  My eyes narrowed. “Well, isn’t that dandy?”

  All of sudden, Gavin was sitting upright on the bed, his eyes sharpening. “What happened?”

  “Why must something have happened?”

  “You hate parties, and you’re biting your lip.”

  “That’s not true,” I replied, and then dragged my bottom lip into my mouth with my front teeth. As soon as I realized what I was doing, I stopped.

  He arched a brow, the twinkling lights overhead catching the glint of silver from the stud. My boyfriend had more piercings than I did.

  Sighing, I found the top I’d been searching for under a stack of notebooks. “Okay. I met this girl in class today. She’s a witch.” I snatched the purple crop top out from under the pile heavy enough to throw my arm out.

  “And…” he prompted.

  I grabbed the ends of my tank and tugged it over my head. “I don’t know. She gave me bad mojo.” I yanked on the shirt and shook my hair out.

  He looked disappointed. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

  I took a seat in my desk chair, sliding my feet into a pair of flip-flops. “I was going to, but I saw you standing in my doorway and it slipped my mind. Then you started ordering me about.”

  Lips curved, he swung his legs over the bed. “That’s hilarious. As if you ever do anything I ask.” He looped a finger into the waistband of my jeans and tugged me forward so I was in between his legs.

  My fingers entwined through his hair. “I do if you ask nicely.” I leaned down, staring at his lips and…

  Austin’s voice carried through the hall and into my room. “Hey, babygirl, where you at?”

  Gavin pressed his forehead into my belly, and sighed. “I forgot. I invited Austin.”

  “You didn’t,” I grumbled.

  My best friend from high school poked around the door. His brown hair was slicked back and his bottle green eyes were bright with excitement. “Get your hot ass out here. We got witches to hunt.”

  I took a step back and glanced at Gavin, my lips turned down. “If anything happens to him, I’m holding you responsible. I can’t believe you told him.”

  He winced. “What could possibly happen with us by his side?” Gavin and Austin were roomies. And knowing Austin, he viewed this party as a game, like Clue.

  I lifted my brows. Gavin and I both knew the kind of shenanigans I could get into.

  Getting my friends mixed up with this part of my life was still hard to accept. I wanted to protect them. I knew all magic wasn’t bad, but my experience was limited. All I had to go on was what I’d seen.

  Chapter 3

  The university campus was beautiful and historic. Trees lined the walkways. White pillars decorated the entrances. Fresh, clean air, the ocean breeze, and everything you needed was in walking distance. There was a peacefulness about the place, with the warm glow of lights illuminating the dormitories.

  Our dorm was on the west side of campus, Cornerstone Hall. Hiking it to the other side of the postcard-worthy grounds, we entered what was known as sorority row. Instead of the apartment-like structures freshmen lived in, here quad houses sat side by side. Each had a covered porch full of college students. The chatter of laughter and fun carried over the road. A couple of guys were tossing around a football in the yard. Half-empty bottles of beer were scattered on the stoop and porch ledge.

  Shoving my hands into my back pockets, I walked up the stairs and into the house, Gavin and Austin flanking me on either side.

  Holy crap.

  The house was jam-packed. There was a mean game of beer pong going on in the side room. Music pumped through the house, the bass rumbling under my feet. People were everywhere: crowding the kitchen, lounging on the couch, hanging out in the garage.

  Austin’s eyes scanned the room. “So what are we looking for? Pointy shoes? Black hats? Warts?”

  I jabbed him in the gut. “Have you ever seen me with anyone of those things?”

  “Uh, there was the one time in ninth grade. You had this thing growing on—”

  “Do you want me to turn you into a toad?” I threatened in a level tone.

  He shot me a shit-eating grin. “I was kidding. You look all uptight. Relax, ho.” He squeezed my hand.

  Easier said than done. I was uptight by nature.

  “Try to have fun,” Gavin said. “And whatever you do, don’t set anything on fire. I’m going to get us drinks.”

  Frowning, Gavin meandered his way through the crowd toward the back of the house. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. Call it intuition or a premonition, but I couldn’t shake the feeling something was going to happen. I squeezed passed a girl who could barely stand up as Austin pulled me across the room.

  He dropped an arm over my shoulder. “Let’s own this party.”

  I let a nervous giggle. He was joking, right?

  There was a high-pitched squeal behind us, and I turned around and came face to face with Amara. She had a grin plastered on her heart-shaped face. “I was beginning to give up on you,” she said, acting like we were BFFs. The dress she wore made me want to cover my eyes.

  I had the shittiest luck known to man.

  She wasn’t alone. There were two other girls with her, one on either side of her. Witches. The glimmer of magic shimmered in the air around the three of them, and if I had the ability to see auras, theirs would radiate as only a witch’s could.

  The one on Amara’s right had ultra-shiny black hair in a pixie cut. She was tall and slender, with a meekness in her soft smile. She didn’t look like a girl who would be friends with someone like Amara, with her dominating personality.

  The other wasn’t rail thin or looking like she was dying for a box of Krispy Kremes, but the few extra pounds looked good on her. She had a pretty face, framed by straight, caramel-colored hair with blonde highlights.

  I assumed they were sorority sisters.

  I gave Amara a bland look. “You’re not the only one surprised,” I remarked.

  “Hmm. I didn’t take you as a party girl,” she said, flipping her ponytail off her shoulder.

  By the end of the night, I had a feeling I would be ready to chop her crimson ponytail off. She rubbed me the wr
ong way, and I immediately regretted coming. “I’m not.”

  “Yet, here you are. Does this mean you’re reconsidering my offer to join my sorority?”

  Austin cleared his throat. “Bri? In a sorority?” He proceeded to laugh. Loudly.

  “A friend of yours?” Amara asked, her eyes sliding to Austin.

  I was torn between wanting to smack him on the back of the head or rush him to the dorm and tuck him safely in bed. I didn’t want to introduce him to Amara. “Austin, this is Amara. We have Astronomy together.”

  “It’s such a blow-off class,” she said. The two girls at her side giggled. “Willow and Ophelia, this is Brianna, the KZG’s newest member, as soon as we convince her to rush next week.”

  The mere thought of rush week made me scrunch my nose in a not-so-pretty way.

  Austin opened his mouth, but I conveniently stepped on his foot. He frowned. The last thing I wanted was for him to slip up and tell Amara more than I wanted her to know. Some things were better left a secret.

  My powers were one of them.

  “Like I said before, I appreciate the offer, but I just don’t have time for any…extra activities,” I answered.

  Amara wasn’t deterred. “I’ll wear you down, eventually.”

  Austin leaned in and muttered from the corner of his mouth, “What is she talking about?”

  “It’s not important,” I mumbled.

  Amara and her two minions turned to whisper among themselves. Something or someone had caught their attention. I searched the room for Gavin, wondering why he hadn’t returned with our drinks.

  “Six o’clock, ladies. Check the dimples on that one,” I heard Amara purr. “Hmm, and he’s headed this way.”

  Ophelia, who I thought was the rounder one, sucked in a breath as she zeroed in on their target. “Ooooh. He’s scrumptious, all yummy and bad.”

  Amara pursed her red-hot lips. “And if my radar is on point, he’s not your typical frat boy. It’s about damn time this school gets a guy with a bit more spark.”

  The three of them giggled.

  Amara leaned forward so her hip was popped out, emphasizing her model curves. It was natural to be jealous of someone who looked like Amara. Flawless. Her confidence only added to her sexiness. “Watch me work my magic, girls.” Then she giggled at her own poorly said pun. With a flirtatious swagger I’d never have, Amara walked in front of me, strutting her stuff.

  I frowned.

  Austin’s eyes widened, and he snickered under his breath.

  I dragged my gaze from Austin and looked to see what poor sap she planned to make her next victim. Amara didn’t strike me as the type of her girl who took relationships seriously. Deep in my gut, I already knew who the target was. It was Gavin. As far as I could tell, he was the only guy here with magical abilities.

  I saw him in the sea of people walking toward me. He was utterly clueless about what was about to cross his path. With two bottles in one and a red solo cup in the other, his eyes collided with mine. He lifted a brow at my scowling face, but my gaze flickered over him and zeroed back on Amara. Crossing my arms, I shot her a look that was all kinds of dirty.

  “Whoa, he’s even better up close,” Willow giggled.

  My head snapped in her direction. “He’s my boyfriend.”

  Willow and Ophelia had twin looks of shock. “Awkward,” they sang in unison.

  My heart did a series of acrobatics as Amara’s hand touched Gavin’s arm. The simple action sent me into a tizzy. Magic roared to my fingertips. “I’m going to zap her to Pluto,” I muttered.

  “Oh shit, Bri,” Austin said, seeing my eyes start to glow violet. “Take a chill pill.”

  I watched her press her chest right up against him and smile seductively. Thunder roared in my ears. My gaze honed in on one redheaded witch with a death wish. “That witch,” I seethed.

  Austin shook his head. “Oh no—”

  But it was too late. Whatever else he said was lost on me, because I was pushing my way through the crowd. Anger rolled off me in waves. Who did this girl think she was? In the distance, thunder cracked and the sky lit up, beaming through the windows. That…that tramp.

  Gavin’s eyes sought out mine. If a storm was coming, he knew nine out of ten times it was my fault. “What’s going on?” he asked, handing me the red cup.

  I didn’t care what was in, taking a long swig.

  Austin rubbed the back of his neck, sensing the sudden rise in tension. He clung onto the neck of the glass bottle. I hadn’t realized he was right behind me. “Drama,” he serenaded.

  “Nothing,” I said dryly, taking another gulp of my drink, eyes stuck on Amara.

  Her red-painted lips twisted into a sneer. “Are you guys related?”

  Bitch please.

  Gavin was looking at me with concern when he answered. “She’s my girlfriend.”

  My chin tipped.

  She batted her long, lush lashes. “Huh. You don’t look like his type.”

  Oh, and Amara was? That was it.

  Austin said my name again, but I was beyond hearing. My face felt like it was on fire. I didn’t even remember throwing my drink in her face. One minute I was shooting daggers at her, the next Amara was dripping wet and covered in rum and coke. Chunks of ice fell at her feet.

  There was a uniform gasp that rang from the surrounding group. Gavin’s lips twitched. Austin’s hand flew to his mouth as he barely restrained bouts of laughter.

  In a shriek that could shatter glass, Amara leaped. From the look of pure outrage on her face, I was going to pay for that. She barreled into me, and we both went sailing through the air, her fist clenching a wad of my hair.

  I landed on my side with a whack.

  So much for this being an uneventful party. The entertainment had just arrived. A small group had gathered around Amara and me, some watching with interest, others jeering on a chick fight. I’d hate to disappoint.

  She grabbed hold of my arm, zapping me with a sharp bolt of electricity. The shock of it made my hair sizzle. I yelped. Of course Amara was the kind of girl who fought dirty, using not only a physical attack but also magic.

  Two could play this game. I rolled, taking her with me, until I was on top.

  “Jesus Christ,” I heard Gavin swear. “Bri,” he warned.

  But in the haze of red cloudy my vision, I ignored him. “My turn,” I hissed between my teeth. With my free hand, I snatched her wrist and sent a stream of power right back. Except the moment I touched her, I could feel her magic, pulsating on the surface. My anger mixed with the tremor of her power—a volatile cocktail.

  Gavin jumped up, throwing his arms around my waist, all amusement gone. “Calm down,” he whispered softly in my ear, tearing me away from Amara. “Your eyes.”

  I pulled against his hold, but I didn’t make it far. Lowering my hands, I balled them into fists at my side. People were staring at us, but I managed to keep myself from going all glow-eyes.

  “You…you,” Amara sputtered. She flipped the loose pieces of wet hair that had fallen in her face. “You’re going to regret that,” she seethed.

  “Try me,” I barked, seriously thinking about hitting someone for the first time in my life.

  “I swear by the stars and the moons, I will destroy you.”

  Oh, goodie.

  Chapter 4

  That bitch.

  I don’t know who she thought she was messing with, but she had another thing coming if she thought she could intimidate me.

  Gavin had his hand under my elbow, guiding me out into the street. Night reigned, the moon hemorrhaging overhead, dripping in crimson and gold. A blood moon was never a good omen.

  As soon as we were outside, Austin threw his head back and laughed. “Holy shit, Bri, that was…”

  “Reckless, stupid,” Gavin interjected.

  A frown pulled at my lips. He was right, but anger was still clouding my common sense.

  “I was going to say really hot,” Austin informed. He wa
s more or less bouncing down the street alongside us. “I knew you were a tiger, but way to unleash your tigress.”

  My blood was still sizzling, but I let the evening breeze wash over my face and sucked in a breath of the crisp air. It helped. “I guess the party’s over.”

  Gavin chuckled, weaving his fingers through mine. “Good grief, I can’t leave you alone for five minutes. But at least we got what we wanted.”

  “And much more,” Austin added, smirking. “A drink and a show. It’s more than what I get on a first date.”

  I let a short laugh. “Sorry. I hope I didn’t ruin your night.”

  “Are you kidding? That’s the most fun I’ve had all week.”

  “Glad one of us enjoyed ourselves,” I said, rubbing the side of my head, making sure I didn’t have a bald spot. Amara had one hell of a grip.

  Gavin’s gaze snapped to mine, a slash of menace in the shadows. “I’m not even going to ask what happened back there, but stay clear of her, Bri. I know a witch with a vendetta, and that one has it out for you.”

  Unbidden, I took a step closer to him. There was something in the air, about this whole night that had me on edge. “What else is new?”

  “Hold up. I know a shortcut.” Austin forcible changed my direction.

  Unease pricked down my spine. “A graveyard? Are you kidding me?”

  “Wuss,” Austin persisted, taking a step toward the cemetery. “Don’t tell me you’re superstitious?”

  When Gavin didn’t object, I wet my lips. “I’m a witch. Obviously, I’m superstitious, you idiot.”

  Austin grimaced.

  A dark mist drifted over the uneven ground, blanketing the grass and marked graves. Austin filled the silence with nonsense chatter, reliving how I so expertly threw my drink in Amara’s face. I just wanted to forget this night ever happened.

  I was cursing Amara when something tight and inexorable tangled around my ankle and I stumbled. Thump. I went down with a scream, falling on my hands and knees. Clumps of dirt pitted under my fingernails. A few seconds went by before I got my bearings and realized the dark hole I was staring into was an open grave. The dirt was freshly turned over, as if someone had recently dug it.