The Kingdom Journals Complete Series Box Set

by Tricia Copeland

  “Sort of the same as the plant. I summoned the body’s natural healing properties to the location of your pain to speed up the process.”

  “So, to hurt someone you would do the reverse. Push the blood or fluids away or heat up the cells until they burst.”

  “Gross, but yes. But that’s not what magic is for. It’s to be used to maintain balance. Witches are supposed to be the peace keepers, life givers, healers.”

  “Like angels?”

  “If you believe in biblical teachings, yes, I guess.”

  “Where do we come from?”

  “I don’t know.” I told him about choosing to join a coven and my theory on gaining all the witches’ secrets only when you were a member. He combed the apartment, finding candles to light, water to boil and freeze, and popcorn to pop.

  After two hours of practice in the closet. He reclined on the pillow.

  “I’m cutting you off for the night,” I said, seeing him rub his temple.

  “Fine, but I want to work on the wind tunnel thing next.” He stood in the small space. “Seriously, thank you for showing me all this.”

  As I stood, I took his hands. “Don’t thank me yet. You don’t know what this means for your life.”

  “I won’t join my dad’s coven. I don’t trust him.”

  “I think there are many roads to cross before you get there. You can have a normal life.”

  “Is that what you’re going to choose. To ignore your magic?” He opened the door, and we stepped into his room.

  “I don’t know.”

  “How many people have you saved?” He plopped down on the bed.

  “I’m not supposed to use my powers in public. But two.”

  “So, two people who would be dead?”

  “Or severely hurt.”

  He ate the popcorn, and I snacked on the sushi he’d brought home. We stayed up till two talking, and I watched as his breathing slowed to a sleep rate. This time we set our alarms and were up before his mother came home.

  “When will I see you again?” he asked as he walked me down to the sidewalk.

  “Monday?”

  “It’s not soon enough. What if we met up at the library? I need to get some study time in anyway.” He tugged at my hand as I backed away from him.

  “I’ll see what the weekend schedule is. I have this thing with my mom tonight.”

  “Okay.” He closed the distance between us. “I can’t wait to see you again.” He bent over and kissed me. The familiar tingling sensation spread through my body as he ended the kiss.

  “Me either.” I smiled and waved at him.

  The next block, I stole looks behind me, seeing him watch me as I got farther away. Finally, I had to make a turn, and I kissed my hand and blew it at him. He pretended to catch it and stuck it to his chest. I meandered through the streets, enjoying the quiet of the city and the sun starting to reflect off the buildings. At Fahim’s, I knocked on the back door and was greeted by Dimitri.

  “You studying or working out?” he asked.

  “Need to get some study time in.” I followed him down the dark hall.

  “Anything I can help with?”

  I spun to face him. “No. I just want to learn as much as I can.”

  “You have any friends?”

  “Yes!” I defended.

  “It was a valid question. You sure do spend a lot of time here.” He swung his rag over his shoulder.

  “We move a lot, so I’m new. I really have only like three friends, four if you count the guy that’s mean to me.”

  “Well, Fahim said to help with anything you needed, so let me know.”

  “Okay, thanks.” I rolled the ladder to where I’d left off the previous week. Three hours in, when Fahim and Eden arrived, it was time for me to head home.

  “You find anything of interest?”

  “No, just general knowledge.”

  “Okay, well, we’ll see you next time.”

  “Thanks,” I called to them as I walked out the door.

  At home, I tried to be as quiet as possible. Still, Elizabeth was beside me in a second. “How was your evening?”

  “Good, and yours?”

  “Very nice. It was good to meet Hunter.”

  “Yeah, he liked meeting you.”

  “Your mother is having brunch, and she made spa appointments for the afternoon.”

  “Really? Okay, tell her I’m going to shower, and can leave after that.”

  Wishing for an afternoon of sleep, I washed, changed, and then met Mother in the living room.

  She asked about my night, and Elizabeth brought a tray of cheese, fruit, and bread. After calling Will, we made our way down to the garage. The next few hours were spent with a hair dresser, on manicures, and pedicures, and a relaxing soak in the steam room. Not five minutes in, it became evident the session’s purpose seemed to be prying all the information about Nick and Hunter she could from me. As we drove home, she finally asked about Theron.

  “Were you attracted to Theron?”

  Feeling my face warm, I hesitated. “What kind of question is that? He is attractive, yes.” I left out the chill I’d felt when we met. He’d seemed kind enough, but being the creature I was, I wouldn’t forget the warning.

  “Did you feel something more? I am interested if he felt like one of your kind.”

  “No, nothing like that. Could you stop? You’re making me nervous.”

  “Sorry. A quick nap will have you rested and ready for our evening.”

  In our condo, I napped as she suggested and was woken by Elizabeth pulling open the blinds.

  “You don’t have to do that, you know. I can open them using magic.”

  “Old habits die hard, love. I have a snack ready for you in the kitchen when you’re dressed.”

  Putting on the outfit Mother had left out for me, I met her in the kitchen. Will drove us to the stadium, and we met Marta and Theron in the front as before.

  “Do you always come to games this much?” I asked as we fell in behind our mothers.

  “No, actually these are the first ones I’ve been to all year. It’s America’s greatest pastime though, right?”

  “I guess the zoo is out.”

  “My mom had to write a note to get me out of those field trips every time.”

  “I know, right? That would be a disaster.”

  “Allergies are the worst.” He rolled his eyes.

  Finding our seats, we chatted until the national anthem.

  “You ready to get out of here?”

  “Sure.” I followed his lead past the concessions and out of the stadium. As we exited, I motioned to the gate. “Can we get back in?”

  “Can we get back in?” His tone was almost mocking. “Don’t you ever use your powers?”

  “I’m not allowed to in public.”

  “I’m not either, but I do all the time.”

  He sauntered to a black sport utility vehicle and opened the door. “Your chariot, madam.”

  I stopped before I got in. “This is your car.”

  “My dad pays the driver well for discretion. My mom is clueless.”

  We weaved through the streets, and he opened the small refrigerator in the seat in front of us. “Wine, beer, something stronger?” He pulled out a silver-coated glass bottle, popped the top, and slid it in a microwave.”

  The scent of metal and honey filled the space. “Is that what I think it is?”

  “Heaven in a bottle? Yes. You’ve had it before. I’m surprised.”

  “Once.”

  “So, she does have a wild side.” He shot me a side glance.

  We snaked up a small road on a hillside, and the driver stopped in a dirt parking lot. “Where are we?” I scanned the terrain as we stepped out of the vehicle.

  “I told you the Hollywood sign made a great date location.”

  I followed him down a path till we reached a fenced-off area behind the huge letters. Large no-trespassing warnings were hung every ten feet a
long a wire chain link fence surrounding the sign. “You’ve done this before.”

  “Was out of there before they could even see me.” He indicated a surveillance camera mounted on a pole. We walked away from the fence as if we intended to leave. About ten feet back, he darted into the brush. I zipped after him, crouching between the low shrubs.

  “Now what?”

  “We jump. Ready?”

  Looking up at the fence, I studied the trajectory and distance. “Okay, I’m ready.”

  “Three, two, one.”

  At one, I took a step and launched myself into the air, landing in a roll as Dimitri had taught me.

  “Wow, you’re a natural,” he said as he looped back to me. “Stay low.”

  We ran between the short trees to the bottom of the letters. Theron squatted and jumped, landing in the middle of the vertical beam of the H. Thinking it might be the stupidest thing I’d ever done, I copied him.

  Settling on the steel surface, he waved his hand towards the city. “See. Perfect date.”

  Catching my breath, I sat beside him. The land stretched out in front of us like a blanket dotted with miniature twinkling lights. Beyond the beach, the sun shone orange, making a trail of glowing ripples across the sea.

  “This could be our kingdom. We could rule all of this.”

  I pondered his words, wondering if he meant we’d be together. “It’s beautiful.”

  “Here.” He put his hand out, and I took it. Hand in hand, we jumped to the top of the O, hopped to the first and second L, the Y, W, O, O, and finally the D.

  Lifting my hands to embrace the breeze, I whispered the words, “City of Angels.”

  “You believe in angels?”

  “I guess. Everyone is probably a little bit good.”

  “Some of us more than others.” The side of his mouth turned up as his lips formed a thin smile. “We should go.”

  Jumping back to the H, we landed on the ground with a couple of thuds.

  “No ninja roll that time?” he asked as I stood beside him.

  “There were thorns.”

  “Yeah, you got something here.” He pulled a leaf out of my hair.

  “So much for the half day at the spa.”

  Running back to the fence and jumping it again, we jogged to the vehicle and slid into the back seat.

  He retrieved another bottle of blood from the refrigerator. “Need some of this?”

  “No. My skin and hair turned red last time.”

  “That’s no fun.”

  “No, it wasn’t. I had to lie and say I had a cranberry juice.”

  With adrenaline running through my veins, my muscles twitched. The smell of his drink hung in the air, and I thought of Hunter to distract myself.

  “How is your boyfriend?”

  “I don’t have a boyfriend.”

  “Your date for Homecoming. You said he’s a football player. He must be feeling pretty low this weekend after the loss to Samo.”

  “Yeah, he was disappointed.”

  “I’ll get to see you cheer Friday.”

  “That’s right. We play Pali.”

  “Am I allowed to talk to you?”

  “Sure.” I shrugged.

  We reached the stadium, and the driver stopped at the valet drop-off. Theron strode to the security guard, showed him our electronic tickets, and suggested we could return to our seats. I followed behind as the worker waved us past.

  “See, easy as pie. If you make pie that is.”

  I wriggled up my nose at the thought of the soft inside of the dish. Settling back beside Marta and Mother, we watched the last inning of the game.

  “Did you two have fun?” Marta asked as the clock ran down.

  “Yeah, they have tons to do back there. Batting cages and everything,” Theron said.

  “I hope you didn’t show off too much.”

  “Me?” He chuckled. “You should have seen her. Hit them perfect every time. They were clapping for her.”

  “That sounds like fun.” Mother smiled and rubbed my shoulders.

  Outside we said goodbye, and Mother and I found our car.

  “He seems like a really nice boy.” She slid into the seat beside me.

  “I would never use boy when speaking of him.”

  “I guess you’re right. He reeks of manhood.”

  She grilled me about every detail of our conversation, and I continued to fill her head with the portrait Theron had started.

  Wednesday evening came, and I found myself seated beside Theron again.

  When he asked if we should take off, we walked up the stairs to the concession area.

  “I actually want to try the batting cages.”

  “Okay, sure.” He shrugged.

  I loved the feel of the smooth wood on my hands and the percussion of the vibrations into my arm as the ball made contact.

  “They’re going to sign you up to play for the team,” he said as we exited the booth. We stood in line at a pub, and he ordered a beer and glass of red wine. Walking to the top level, we stood and looked out over the city.

  “I have something for you. I found it at this shop by my house. It made me think of you.”

  He pulled a necklace with a pendant from his pocket. When he held it up, the lights reflected off the brushed silver.

  “See.” He placed it in my hand. “The sun”—he flipped it over—“and the moon.”

  “Wow, it’s really pretty.”

  “Will you wear it?” He held it up and unclasped it.

  “Sure.” I turned around to let him latch it around my neck.

  “It looks good on you.”

  “Thanks.” I touched the cold metal of the emblem.

  As we parted, he leaned over and kissed my cheek. “I’ll call you soon.”

  “Okay.” I agreed, feeling torn about my thoughts. He seemed nice, but something inside kept pinging. I couldn’t get myself to have one hundred percent positive feelings about him.

  “Well, that went well,” Mother said as we walked away.

  “I guess.”

  “What do you mean? I’m assuming he gave you that necklace.”

  “I don’t know.” I felt the smooth cold surface of the silver moon. “I don’t feel that connected to him.”

  “Well, he seems to have an affinity for you. Are you still thinking of Nick?”

  “Yes.” I told her, even though I was really focused on Hunter.

  “You’re young. You have a whole lifetime to figure it out.”

  “Like you and Dad? How long do you think I’ll live?”

  “I’m ignoring the first question, but as long as Orm, I’m sure.”

  “That’s what Orm said. But the books say half vampires only live to a hundred twenty.”

  “But you are also a witch.” She wrapped her fingers around my chin. “And a beautiful witch at that.”

  I peered out the window as we wound through the streets, thinking of life choices. Theron seemed to want to embrace every aspect of his uniqueness. I had always been taught to blend in, appreciate my human traits.

  As I slept, thoughts of his chiseled face and tall frame played through my mind. After waking, I wondered if I had started to have a bit of a crush on him. Surely a guy giving me a piece of jewelry didn’t make me feel more for him, right?

  “Wow, pretty necklace.” Sophie picked it from my chest as I greeted her. “Hmmm.” She turned it over.”

  “What hmmm?”

  “It’s odd. Your skin is so warm, and the metal is ice cold.”

  “Theron gave it to me. I kind of like the way it feels against my skin.”

  “Should I be worried about Theron?” she asked.

  “No … yes … I don’t know. I don’t want to talk about it.”

  “Okay, got it. No boy talk.”

  The bell rang, and I made my way to class. Thinking of Theron, Hunter, and Nick, my attention was divided in class, and I walked through them like a zombie until I got to European literature.

&n
bsp; “What is that?” Ganby pointed at my chest as soon as I sat down.

  “A necklace.” I held it out to him.

  “Looks like some kind of Wiccan pendant. Are you a Wiccan? Is that why your skin is so white?”

  “I’m not a Wiccan. It’s a sun and moon.” I turned it over for him.

  “Here.” He held out his hand. “Read my mind.”

  “I can’t read your mind.”

  “You don’t have to. Alena is a white Wiccan freak. That’s what I was thinking.”

  “Seriously, Ganby. Give it a rest. No one even listens to you!” Annabelle yelled at him.

  Embarrassed and angry, it took every bit of resolve I had to sit down. I studied the hands on the clock, trying to get my brain to focus on anything but Ganby’s mean words. With trembling fingers, I slathered Orm’s calming balm on my wrists.

  “See, now she’s getting out her voodoo ointments,” Ganby chuckled.

  Wishing I could break a couple of capillaries in his brain, I gripped my desktop. My leg bounced as I waited for the period to end.

  “Alena.” Annabelle’s voice brought me out of my meditative state. “Hey, Ganby is a nut job. He always has been. Don’t listen to him. Hey, come have lunch with me, okay?”

  Thinking I wasn’t in any shape to eat and needed a distraction, I followed her to the picnic tables. Sophie, Nick, and David joined us, saving me from discussing Ganby. Thankfully, Annabelle didn’t feel the need to repeat the incident.

  “Alena.” I heard my name yelled from the corner of the second story roof. Ganby stood perched on the edge. I stared in horror, trying to interpret what he was doing. “I’m sorry,” he shouted and flung himself off, falling headfirst as if from a high dive podium.

  Doing my best to run like a fast human, I got to him a few seconds after he hit. Lifting his head off the pavement, I saw half his face flattened by the impact. Checking his pulse, I found none. As hard as it was to look at his mangled, bloody body, I rolled him over as a crowd gathered around.

  “Ganby.” I pounded his chest as tears poured out of my eyes. “Please breath.” I put both my palms on his chest, sending waves of healing energy into him. Not feeling any life signs, I laid my head on my hands.

  “Dear.” Someone gripped my shoulders. “Come away.” They pulled me from him, and the football coach caught me as my knees gave out. Being carried to the building, I took in the faces of each shocked student. Blinking my tears away, I fought to stay conscious. My body bounced in the coach’s arms. As he ascended the stairs I saw a face on the sidewalk that didn’t fit. Theron. Putting my hand to my necklace, I yanked it off and threw it to the ground.