Untainted Magic (The Light Realm Series Book 1)

by Karen DuBose

  “What are these rooms?”

  “They are family and servant rooms. We keep the better rooms for our guest. Don’t get me wrong they are almost as big as your room.”

  “Where have you been? We have been waiting for you.” I look ahead of me to see Zoey standing there with her hands on her hips, tapping her foot.

  “It was my fault, I took too long upstairs. It’s hard to say bye to that bedroom.” I’m quick to say. I didn’t want Jas to get into trouble, when he didn’t need to be.

  She looks at Jas for a second more before turning to me. “It’s quite all right. Are you ready to see the town?”

  “Yes ma’am. I can’t wait.” That is the truth. I really couldn’t wait to see what the town had to offer.

  “Great, let’s gather everyone else then.”

  She turns around and walks a few seconds before she comes to a swinging door, she walks in and I can hear Lex talking. “She is probably taking a bath in that huge tub. If it wasn’t for this guy I would be to.”

  I walk in before she has a chance to say anything else. “As much as I would have love to be in that bathtub right now, sadly I’m here instead. Are you guys ready to go?”

  Lex hops off the stool she is sitting on and walks over to me. “You know I wouldn’t have blamed you if you were taking a bath. I about cried when I had to leave the room.”

  Wrapping my arm over her shoulders. “I know the feeling, chic. I’m sure the town will keep our minds off of it while we are out.”

  “I don’t know that tub was calling my name pretty loudly.”

  I laugh and pull her towards the back door. “I think we will survive until we get back.”

  “If you say so.” She mutters to herself, but I still hear it, and it makes me laugh even more.

  We walk behind Zoey and Layla to a garage that is almost as big as the house. I wonder how they can afford to keep this place up. For all I know they all have jobs and we just happen to come here on their days off. I mean the other sister, Rachel, I think that’s her name, isn’t here. At least she hasn’t come to introduce herself.

  Layla interrupted my thoughts. “We have a van we can take, or you can follow us in your car. It’s up to you guys. You never know, you might find something that you want to do.”

  Mom is the one to answer her since she is closer to Layla. “I think we will follow you. I tend to stay longer than most people would. Do you have a time you like for people to be in?”

  “Not at all. You can come and go as you please. Just think of us as a hotel. There are three meals a day ready for you. Breakfast is at eight am, lunch at one pm, and dinner at 6 pm. If you are working, you don’t have to go by those hours. But we do like to eat together when possible.”

  Just the mention of food makes my stomach knot up, and a home cooked meal at that. I look at my phone to see what time it is. I groan, it’s only three o’clock. I can’t wait another three hours.

  “That sounds wonderful. I think today we are going to eat a little early. We haven’t eaten yet. I hope that’s ok.”

  “Oh Dear! Why didn’t you say anything? I would have made a snack for all of you. I’m so sorry. I should have known. Looks like we are going to Jack’s dinner. He is the only one that can get close to how we make our food. Follow us.” She got into the car with Zoey and Jas right behind her. We make our way to the front where we left our car and got in.

  “They seem nice. They know a lot which scares me. What if they are friends with the Coven? I won’t go back!” My voice gets a little high at the end.

  “Sweetie, I don’t think they are friends with the Starburn Coven. From what I’ve heard and seen the Starburn coven thinks they are better than all the rest because they were a part of the prophecy. They pretty much shunt everyone else. Even if they are, I won’t let them take you. You are not their property.” Mom’s voice got deadly at the end. Her words make me feel a little better, but until I know for sure, I’m keeping my guard up.

  “I hope your right mom. I hope the food is good where we’re going. I miss good food.”

  Lex leans forward in her seat. “I second that. I need a big ole cheese burger and lots of fries. My body is so confused as to why I haven’t had one in a while.”

  I laugh at her, even mom joins me. “You know I love you Lex, but I think you need to eat a cheese burger once a week. I’m proud you tried other foods. I will make you a deal. If I try something new, you will try something new. Deal?”

  She whines when she answers me. “Can we start that tomorrow? I really want a cheese burger.”

  “Only if you promise me this deal.”

  “Ok, ok, ok. I promise it’s a deal. Happy?” She sits back in to her seat.

  I spot Layla and put the car in drive. I start to follow her out of the driveway before I answer Lex. “Yes, I’m happy. Starting tomorrow you will try something new.”

  I hear her grumble something along the lines of fine whatever you say.

  “Can I get in on this deal? I would like to try some new things,” Chase asks

  “Sure, as long as you can keep her in line with the deal.”

  “You do know who you are talking about right. She never listens to me.”

  “That’s not true and you know it. I listen most of the time.”

  “Um! When was the last time you listen to any suggestion I gave you?”

  Lex crosses her arms over her chest. “Last time we went to the movies.”

  Chase let’s out a deep laugh. “That was six months ago.”

  I look in the rearview mirror and see Lex pouting. “Fine, gang up on me, why don’t you?”

  I let out a laugh. “You know we love you and want you to live a full life, that means trying new things. You can’t stay in your bubble forever.”

  “I can if I want to.”

  “Ok, now you’re just being a brat. Cheer up, you will love it. I promise.”

  The closer we got to town the more excited I get. I wonder if there is a wiccan shop. I would love to see it. I need my herb fix and soon.

  I listen to Mom and Lex talk.

  “Have you gotten a chance to finish that spell book?” Mom asks

  “Not yet, I should be done with it tonight. Do you want me to bring it to you when I’m done?”

  “No, I will get it from you tomorrow. I’m curious about one of the spells in one of the books I’ve read and want to see if there is a counter spell to it.”

  “Which spell?”

  “I will have to let you read it. It doesn’t have a name. I don’t know if it’s intentional or not.”

  That peaks my interest in the conversation. “That sounds interesting. I want to see it when we get back. Is it an offense or defense spell?”

  “You know, I don’t think it’s either. It’s hard to explain without you reading it.”

  I nod my head. “Look; we have arrived.” As soon as those words left my mouth, silence descended in the car. Like before they were glued to the windows looking out at the town.

  Layla took a left at the stop sign off the main road. We went a couple of blocks before we pull into a small parking lot. From the looks of it we got the last two spots to park. To me this could mean, the place is that good or the other one just really sucks, if there isn’t another restaurant. I never did ask.

  Mom removes her seatbelt. “This place is packed. I hope we can get a seat and not wait. I think my spine is being eaten by my stomach.”

  Removing my own seatbelt, I get out of the car with them following me. I couldn’t take my eyes off the building. I answer my mom absent minded. “Yeah, I hope so to.”

  I can tell the building is old, but you couldn’t tell with how well they kept it up. The sand brick it’s made of is almost brand new. I can see some cracks here and there, but otherwise it’s in great shape. I look towards the rooftop, there are windows on the very top level. I can see plants on top of the roof ledge. That would be the perfect place to read and get away from everyone.

  Mom n
udges me to get my attention. I take my eyes away from the building, giving her my full attention. “I know that look. Maybe one day we can own something like this and you can read all you want on the rooftop.”

  “Only in my dreams, Mom. Only in my dreams.”

  She wraps her arms around my shoulders and guides me to catch up with the others. I didn’t even know Layla, Zoey, and Jas are already walking away from us. Lex and Chase aren’t too far behind them.

  “You know Mom, if we can’t open our own shop here, we will have to do it elsewhere. That is my biggest dream, and I want it to come true. They said we can come and go as we please. If we have to open it outside here than we will.”

  “You are persistent on opening a shop. If that is what you want, then I will support you one hundred percent.”

  I give her a sideways hug. “Thank you, and yes, it is what I’ve always wanted. You know that.”

  “That I do. That I do. Come on I’m starving.”

  We jog the rest of the way to meet them inside. Once we were inside I didn’t expect it to look so new. The décor is modern with a twist of contemporary. Tables are set up in rows of three. Booths line the back wall. There is a counter with chairs in front of the window, the perfect spot to watch people go by. The walls are painted a Caribbean blue with white swirls like waves. The table clothes match the walls. Pictures of the town are on the back wall dated back to nineteen hundred.

  Jas slides next to me. “So, what do you think?”

  I bring my gaze to Jas. “I love it. Can we sit at the counter?”

  “Yes! Someone else who likes to people watch.” He grabs my hand and takes me over to the counter seats. He hops up and pats the next seat to him. “I never get to sit over here. They like to sit at the booths.”

  I laugh at his excitement. “What is your favorite part about people watching?”

  His eye are wide still from his excitement. “You can always tell the day they are having.”

  I let out another laugh. “That’s my favorite part too.”

  “There you two are. We are sitting over there in the booths. Are you guys going to join us?”

  I watch as Jas’s shoulders sag. I know he is disappointed in Lex’s question. “No, we are going to people watch. If you want to join us we would love to have you.”

  She looks between us and shakes her head. She turns around and walks away. She never did understand the whole people watching thing. I look back over to Jas and his smile is full blown again. I turn into my seat to look out the window. There isn’t that many people right now. I get lost in watching the people when I feel the pull stronger than ever. It almost takes my breath away.

  Jas places a hand on my shoulder. “Are you ok? You don’t look so good.”

  I take a deep breath to calm myself down. “Yeah, I’m ok thank you. I just got lightheaded is all.”

  He doesn’t seem to buy it, but he drops it handing me a menu. “The Creamy parmesan garlic mushroom chicken is amazing. It’s my favorite dish here.”

  “Wow, that does sound amazing. I think I will have that with a coke.” I change the subject to get his attention back to people watching instead of me. “What kind of day do you think that lady walking across the road had?”

  He turns back to the window and watches her for a minute. “She’s had a busy day and just wants to get to the store and go home. It looks like she needs a glass of wine.”

  I watch her as he says this, and I can see what he is seeing. I have to agree with him. “I think you’re right. I bet she works in a crazy office and is single because she is a work-oholic.”

  He brings his finger up and puts it on his chin. He continues to watch her before she disappears from site. “I can see that. What about that man over there sitting at the bench?”

  I look over at the man, but my mind is on the pull. I can feel him going from one side to the other. It’s like he is trying to find me but can’t. I wonder if Layla is right and the magic is keeping him from me.

  “Hey, are you sure you are ok?” Jas startles me from focusing so much on the pull.

  “Yeah, yeah. I’m just studying the man is all.” There is no way I can tell him about the pull or Drik.

  “Um, the man has left already.”

  I look out the window and he is right, the man has left. “Crap!” How am I going to get out of this?

  “What can I get you guys to drink?” Perfect timing. I can kiss this waitress right now

  “We are ready to order to.” I tell her what I want and so does Jas. I watch her wake away avoiding his gaze. For someone so young he is very attentive.

  “I know you are avoiding my questions. It’s ok if you don’t want to tell me. Just tell me to mind my own business.”

  “Thank you, you’re right I don’t want to talk about it. Somethings are meant to be private. Do you still want to people watch with me?”

  He shrugs his shoulders and turns back to the window. I feel like I let him down somehow. I wish things were different and I can be open and honest with strangers, but that’s not my life, never has been.

  “What do you think about that mother over there with her two little ones?” He asks. I look out the window again to see who he is talking about and spot them.

  We did this for the remainder of our time at the dinner, even while eating. I haven’t laughed this much in a long time. It’s nice to have something in common with someone else. Specially one I love to do.

  Chapter 16

  Drik

  I think I finally lost my damn mind. This wasn’t the plan. The plan was to get her to fall in love with me and kill her. I shouldn’t have these feelings for her. This pull I have for her is unreal it makes me need to be next her. How could I be such a fool? No matter how hard I try, I can’t get her out of my head. I have killed my own men to protect her, went against my own father.

  Here I am trying to find her, and I can’t. It’s like she is being hidden from me by something. It’s driving me mad that I can’t find her.

  “You know pacing isn’t going to help your irritation.” My best friend Eli says

  “Your mouth isn’t helping either. When was the last time you saw them again?”

  “I followed them here and then they just disappeared into thin air. I have been searching for them until you got here.”

  “How do they just vanish into thin air? What are we missing here? Where the hell could they have gone? I feel her, she is close; very close.”

  “Do you think the goddess’s magic is at work here? She is the only one I can think that can keep you out of places.”

  “You know I think you are on to something. If the goddess is protecting her from me, she knows me to well.” I say with an evil smile caressing my face.

  You think you can keep her from me? We will see how long that last.

  Eli let’s out a deep laugh, making me turn to him. “What do you have to laugh at?”

  “I’m still trying to figure out what your plan is for the White Witch. Why do you care where she is all of a sudden? You’re acting like you have feelings for her.”

  I roar at him, he has no idea how close to the truth he really is. He doesn’t need to know; not yet anyway.

  “I need to keep her close, so I can kill her on her birthday. It’s the only way to break the prophesy. You know that, why do you keep thinking there is anything other than that going on?”

  “Because you killed your men and refuse to obey your father. What is really going on. How long have I known you? I know when something is up.”

  I rub my hands down my face. There is no point in lying to him anymore. He will just keep bugging me.

  “You’re going to think I’m stupid, but there is no going around what I’m about to tell you. I don’t want to hear any smart-ass remarks either.” I stare at him to make my point. He holds his hands up telling me he won’t say a word.

  I take a deep breath before I tell him. “You know what my plan is for her.” He nods his head. “Isn’t going a
s plan. The first time I saw her in my dream realm there was this pull to her. Not like the pull I get with other white witches. This is something different. Something calls me to her. I can’t really explain it.”

  I lean against the tree I’m standing by. Eli doesn’t say anything at first. I’m starting to think he wasn’t going to.

  “Are you telling me you have feelings for her?”

  “Yes, I’m telling you I have feelings for her. I don’t know how or why it happened. I’m still trying to figure it out.”

  “Well, this explains a lot.” Is all he says

  I know he thinks I’m a fool to fall for the one person that can destroy me. Hell, I don’t even know what I’m doing. I just need her that’s all I know and want. Even if I have to protect her from my family and best friend. I just wish I knew if she has the same feelings for me. Back in the park in Boise it seemed like it, but I’m not going to bank anything on that one moment.

  I have never cared for anyone before and it’s freaking me out. I’m evil; I have no heart. I cause mayhem everywhere I go. I enjoy every minute of it. It’s who I am and will always be.

  “I see you mulling over something. What is it? Maybe I can help.”

  I let out a laugh. There is no way he will be able to help me. “I doubt that man.”

  “Fine! If you want to dwell on this alone, I can leave you at it.”

  “Have you ever felt something for someone that wasn’t attraction?”

  He lets out a deep laugh. “Nope, I never got close to anyone that way.”

  “Then there is no way you can help me. If you want to stay, stay. If not, you can leave. I will call you when I need you.”

  “Yeah, like I’m going to leave you alone. Who knows what you will do? And I’m not missing out on the fun.”

  I chuckle at him. I think he enjoys causing more chaos than I do. “What makes you think I am going to do anything fun besides sit here and hopefully find her.”

  “Yeah right. I know you. You will burn this place down to get what you want.”