While we talked, I watched in fascination as the bruises on Alisa’s throat faded away at Abe’s touch. Abe murmured spells and the gash on Jace’s cheek mended almost instantaneously. The blisters on Bryce’s arm diminished and disappeared. When Jace, Bryce, and Alisa were patched up, Abe sat next to me on the sofa.
“Rachel, I can’t heal your cut.”
“Okay. Why?” I didn’t expect him to heal me, but I was curious about his reasoning.
“I’m a little worried about the blade the Demon used to cut you. I’d bet my life he used a magic-laced dagger, and if he did, any spell I use to heal you might do more harm than good.”
“How can we know for sure?” Jerica asked.
“We can’t,” Abe replied. “But this will heal on its own, Rachel. We’ll just treat it like a normal cut, watch for infection, keep it clean…that’s all we can do.”
Jace cut in on the conversation. “What difference does it make if the blade was magical?”
“I don’t know for sure, but some blades are infused with properties which enable them to collect blood. If he used the kind of dagger I suspect, it collected her blood like a syringe. Not just a little bit of blood like you would expect to find if the Demon had used an ordinary knife, but a sizable amount, preserved until the time he needs it.”
“Why would he need her blood?” Jace asked.
“For a binding spell,” Abe replied. “It’s obvious Re’Vel didn’t want to hurt Rachel. That’s not why he cut her. I believe he took her blood for a reason. If Nevare also has a claim to Rachel—and it seems like this is true based on Re’Vel’s inability to Transport with her—then I’ll bet Re’Vel is going to perform a spell to try to reinforce his claim.”
Okay, so now it all made sense. Well, at least the part about Re’Vel not being able to Transport with me. Re’Vel had been furious when he discovered I couldn’t Transport with him. It was proof that he didn’t have sole claim on me. When Re’Vel and Nevare argued in my dreams, Nevare claimed me, but Re’Vel must not have believed him. Either that, or he thought his claim took precedent. It was devastating to consider that my father gave me away so easily—just like he gave away Jeffrey’s magic.
“Is there anything we can do to keep Re’Vel from forming a binding spell with Rachel?” Jace asked.
“No,” Abe said. “There isn’t.”
“So what do we do?” Jace asked.
Abe and Jerica exchanged a look. “We keep Rachel safe,” Abe said. “Until she’s ready to let us employ a Protector, we take turns watching out for her.”
“If you need to go anywhere, just call me,” Jace said.
Jerica spoke up. “I don’t think Re’Vel will try to harm you, Rachel, but there are other dangers. There are other Demons and, of course, Hunters are a constant threat. Your best defense against Re’Vel is learning to protect your mind against his attempts at Persuasion.”
“I’ll make my magical security a full-time priority this summer, Jerica,” I promised.
“I know you will, sweetie,” she said, patting my hand.
Bryce leaned forward and put his head in his hands. “Rachel, I’m so sorry. I never should have left you alone.”
“It’s okay. It wasn’t your responsibility,” I said, looking down at my folded hands in my lap. “Abe and Jerica have warned me a million times about being careful. I should have known better.”
“Blame doesn’t help anyone,” Abe said. “Going forward, we’ll all be more vigilant. I’m proud of all of you. You kept your heads and handled yourselves remarkably well. All four of you.” Abe squeezed my shoulder and then stood up. “You need help making your report?” he asked Jerica.
“Yes, please. I expect to hear from Quinn and Craig any moment, and then I’ll call Central…” Jerica’s voice trailed away as they left the room. I was pretty sure they wanted to discuss the matter and speculate outside of our hearing.
“Rachel,” Bryce said, moving to sit next to me on the sofa now that Abe had vacated his spot. “I really do feel like an ass. I was so self-absorbed, I barely heard you when you said you were going to take a detour.”
“Stop apologizing,” I replied. “Seriously, all three of you saved my life. Re’Vel said he’d been following me for days. He would have caught up with me eventually. In a way, I’m probably lucky. At least you and Jace were with me. I screamed out to Jace across our link, and he was there thirty seconds later.”
“I was already on my way over to look for you,” Jace said.
“You always look out for me,” I said. And then, not caring if the whole world was watching, I moved closer to him and pressed my lips to his. My hands moved from his rock hard chest to his shoulders. I wrapped my arms around his neck and deepened the kiss.
“I should rescue you more often,” Jace murmured when we finally broke apart.
“You should get a room,” Bryce said.
“Oh, look who’s talking,” Jace replied.
Bryce had moved to the loveseat with Alisa. One hand was on her knee, the other was around her shoulder. They were both completely content. And for the first time in a long time, so was I.
My identity, my father’s past, my doubts about my magic—none of it mattered right now. With Jace, I could face anything: my lingering doubts about my magic, my crooked family tree, the mystery surrounding my father, and the Demon who wouldn’t leave me in peace. With Jace, I could remain steady amidst the shifting sands of my constantly changing life. He was my true love, my protector, my destiny.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Alisa
Long after the sun had set, after a round of endless explanations, after Jerica made her lengthy report to Central, Bryce and I sat outside on the porch swing, our bodies so close, our legs were stuck together from the humidity. The late night breeze carried the smell of hydrangeas and offered some relief from the stifling heat.
“You’re very quiet. Are you sure you’re okay?” Bryce asked, nudging me softly.
“I’m fine. What about you? I don’t know what I would have done if…” I trailed off, embarrassed. “I’m just glad you’re okay. I don’t ever want to lose you,” I whispered.
“You won’t,” he said. He kissed me gently. I snuggled closer to him, not caring about the humidity, or the mosquitoes biting my ankles. My thoughts kept returning to the park. I’d nearly lost the only man I could ever love. And I’d nearly lost my best friend.
“What’s going to happen to Rachel?” I asked. “That Demon is going to keep coming back for her, and what if he catches her alone the next time?”
“She won’t be alone. You heard my parents. She needs constant protection,” he said.
“Why does Re’Vel want her so badly?”
“He wants to take her for a Mate.”
“That’s disgusting,” I blurted.
“What is? Mating? It might be fun. We could try it.” His hand moved to my thigh and I slapped it away.
“No. I can’t imagine anyone mating with a Demon,” I said, shuddering. “Wait. If Hunters are half-Demons, is that what Re’Vel wants her for? To create more Hunters?”
“Hunters are created when the Spellbringer’s magic isn’t strong enough. Rachel is an Nkaribo. One of the strongest of her bloodline. She can create a true half-Demon, or so Re’Vel hopes.” Bryce put his arm around me and pulled me closer. “Now, about mating…”
“Stop that,” I laughed, pushing his wandering hand away. “Is that all you can think about?”
“It is when I’m with you. Don’t you think about it?” he asked.
My face burned with embarrassment and I was grateful for the darkness, otherwise Bryce would have seen the dark blush spreading over my cheeks. “We haven’t been together that long. I don’t want to move too fast.”
“I’m not going to push you, Alisa. I’ll wait as long as you want me to.”
“But your parents…” I said, remembering the time not so long ago that Jerica seemed upset to see Jace holding my wrist. I felt reluct
ant to explain this to Bryce, uncomfortable at the idea of openly acknowledging the huge crush I’d once had on my boyfriend’s brother. “I don’t think your mom approves of you speaking the Claiming Words to me.”
“She approves of you—she just thinks we’re too young to make a commitment. She knew you were meant for me the very first day she met you. She has the gift of Prediction. That’s why she told you our family’s secrets,” he said.
“Then why was she crying when she saw the ties?”
“Because once the Claiming Words are spoken, it sets events in motion. It will be impossible for me to stay away from you,” he admitted.
“Then why did you do it?”
“Because my soul was already bound to yours. The words just made it official,” he said. “I don’t regret it. I love you.”
“I love you too,” I said.
He leaned over and kissed my cheek. He whispered in my ear, and this time, the words pulled me in, wrapped around my soul. This time, I knew what he was saying. This time, my soul called out to his, and somewhere deep inside myself, I made my own claim. “I’ll never stop loving you.”
“Promise?” he asked.
At last, I spoke my own Claiming Words—the human version, the only words I knew. “I promise.” I looked up and saw my future in his eyes. Once again, I saw the ties. But now they went both ways. Now I was ready for whatever my future might bring, as long as Bryce was a part of it.
Continued in Book Two: Firebound
The Spellbringers Series Continues…
Book Two: Firebound
Rachel's thirst for knowledge about the family she never knew drives her to keep a secret from the Alexanders that shatters Jace's trust in her. With her renewed dream-relationship with Re'Vel, she walks a razor's edge, putting the entire Alexander family—and Alisa—in terrible danger.
Alisa and Bryce are more in love than ever, but his jealousy and possessiveness threaten to push Alisa away. With his Claiming Words ringing in Alisa's ears, she tries to reconcile her sense of independence with her desperate yearning for Bryce.
A dark enemy from the Alexanders past is out for vengeance and uses Rachel as his target to get to the family he despises. When Alisa is caught in the crossfire, Bryce is willing to sacrifice anything to save her—even his own soul.
***
Want to learn more about the Spellbringers series? Visit the Official Spellbringers Website for character profiles, excerpts, and more!
Glossary of Terms
Binding spell – A spell meant to bind one’s magic to another. Reversible. Strength depends upon the Spellbringer or Demon performing the spell. Can also depend upon the use of strengthening agents (blood, lock of hair, etc)
Blood Bond – An ancient spell invoked between two blood relatives. Often used by the patriarch of the family to partially claim the magic of his relatives in order to provide protection. A Blood Bond can also be formed if a significant amount of blood is consumed. This sort of bond is not a magical contract, but it does create a lasting connection.
Blue-fire – A cold, blue fire that burns into ice instead of ash. Usually associated with dark magic.
Central – Central Headquarters. Houses the administrative and training facilities for Spellbringers all over the world.
Claiming spell – A spell used to claim another’s magic. This spell is often performed by a parent to mask a child’s magic until the child is old enough to train. Historically, Shifters granted Demons the right to claim their children’s magic. A claiming spell was used to perform this magical contract.
Claiming Words – A spell spoken between Spellbringers. It shows intent to form a lasting Bond, and though it’s not a permanently binding magical contract, it is nearly impossible to break.
Demon – Immortal being. Demons are Fae who made a conscious decision to take the dark path.
Demon-fire – Fire unique to a Demon. Rare gift in Spellbringers. Can incinerate instantly. The only Fire known to kill a Demon.
Demon Mark – (Sometimes called a Mark) A tattoo used to mark a human or Spellbringer as a demon’s property. A semi-permanent claiming spell which can only be reversed by a proper counter-spell. Used by Demons to claim a Spellbringers magic.
Empath – An Empath is a Spellbringer who feels the emotions of others as his or her own. Typically, Empaths have very strong psychic abilities and often, but not always, have some skill in Telepathy and/or Telekinesis.
Fae – Ancient magical being whose existence largely died out thousands of years ago. It is rumored that some Fae still exist in remote parts of Africa and Norway.
Hunter – The offspring of a Demon father and human or Spellbringer mother. Hunters are created when the mother’s magic is not strong enough to endure the pure dark magic of the Demon. An incomplete magical Bond results in damaged offspring—the Hunter. Hunters are cunning, but driven solely by instinct. Historically, Hunters were created by Demons in order to form a magical army; however, in recent times, most Hunters are loners and unguided by their patriarch. They are driven by the need to hunt and thirst constantly for the magic of their victims. Their eyes typically burn red when prey is nearby.
Innocent – A Spellbringer who is unaware of his or her heritage.
Link – A telepathic connection between two or more persons.
Perception – The ability to sense magic and magical ties. Spellbringers with Perception often possess some level of Empathy and/or Prediction.
Prediction – The ability to predict the future. Prediction is variant gift, since the future is never set in stone. Spellbringers with Prediction usually have no control over this gift. They receive random flashes of insight, but are rarely able to divine the future at will.
Protector – A WTB trained individual who is officially assigned to provide protection.
Shifters – Spellbringers who have chosen to work for a Demon.
Spellbringer – Descendents of human and Fae who possess magical abilities.
Telepathy – The ability to communicate by sending and receiving thoughts.
Watcher – A Spellbringer who has been trained and sanctioned by Central. They work in various capacities, overseeing the protection and training of other Spellbringers.
Warrior – A four-year trained graduate of WTB who is charged with Demon-slaying.
WTB – Warrior Training Bureau. A training facility for Warriors and Protectors.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
A huge thank you goes to Maegan Provan for the beautiful book cover. You’ve been an incredible friend through some very trying times and I appreciate everything you’ve done to help me.
Huge hugs go to Sophie Tallis, Melanie Dent, Amy Metz, Michel Prince, and Misty Harvey. Thank you so much for your words of encouragement and for your endless support. This book would not have been published without you.
As always, boundless gratitude goes out to my family—my parents, my husband, and my children. Thank you for your patience and your sacrifice as I spent the past four years consumed by this book in one way or another.
About the Author:
Tricia Drammeh is a wife, a mother of four children, and an author. She lives in New Hampshire with her family. When she isn't writing, she can be found devouring books, chasing cats, and consuming vast amounts of coffee. You can learn more about Tricia by visiting her website: http://www.triciadrammeh.com/
Books by Tricia Drammeh:
Young Adult Paranormal:
The Séance
Spellbound (Spellbringers: Book One)
Firebound (Spellbringers: Book Two)
Unbound (Spellbringers: Book Three)
Contemporary:
The Fifth Circle
Better Than Perfect
Dear Reader,
Thank you so much for reading Spellbound. I hope you enjoyed the book. Your feedback is important to me, and if you could take a moment to leave a review (good or bad), it would mean the world to me. I also hope you’ll consider reading Firebound, Book T
wo in the Spellbringers series.
I love hearing from readers. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] if you have questions, comments, or would like to chat.
Happy Reading,
Tricia
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