Blood Magic (Blood Magic Series Book 1)

by Ann Atkins

  “So, how were you finally able to get back in?” I asked him.

  “It was you,” he said as if he were in awe of me. “Even in your weakened state, you were able to push through his magic and let me back in.”

  “How?”

  “You thought of me and wanted me so desperately that you were able to connect with me and pull me back, but I shouldn’t be surprised. You pulled me in from the first moment I laid eyes on you, and it’s only getting stronger,” he said in a low, sexy voice.

  “Wow,” I said as my body tingled and my heart raced. The things he said were wonderful and perfect and exhilarating, and I wanted so badly to kiss him—but I couldn’t. I still didn’t feel like myself, and I felt tainted, somehow, by what had happened to me. But I would heal in time; I had to, because Mason was far too amazing to let slip through my fingers. In time, I would hold him and kiss him and laugh with him and put all of this behind me, but that time wasn’t tonight.

  “Mason, I—”

  I don’t know what I would’ve said because at that moment his mother came in with her magical monster repellant, and the spell was broken.

  “Isn’t it past your bedtime?” she asked him.

  “I was waiting for you to tuck me in and kiss me on the head, and you know I can’t sleep unless you read me at least one story first,” he told her, looking completely serious.

  It sounded like something I would say to my dad just to aggravate him, but this was different. He was actually joking around with her, and her eyes sparkled with love and affection, not anger and annoyance, when she looked back at him. I felt a lump form in my throat and tears sting my eyes as I watched them. If felt really good to be here.

  A ghost of a smile touched her lips before she replied. “You always did have a smart mouth. Your wucky I wuv you so much and you’re so cute,” she baby-talked him and tried to pinch his cheeks.

  “Mom, stop! You’re embarrassing yourself,” he complained as he swatted her hands away.

  “Really? I thought I was embarrassing you, if that blush staining your cheeks is any indication,” she smirked.

  I knew that this little act was partly for my benefit; they were trying to cheer me up and get my mind off of things, and it was working.

  “I think you’re both embarrassing yourselves equally,” I told them, deciding to join in the insanity.

  “I told you she was mean,” he said, looking back at Sarah.

  “Maybe I should make a charm to protect us from her,” she said, and I laughed out loud; I just couldn’t help it.

  “I think I’m going to love being here with you guys.”

  “That’s good,” she said with a nod, “because we might just decide to keep you, or maybe I can just trade Mason in for you,” she said with her eyes twinkling.

  “Gee, thanks Mom. I’m really feeling the love tonight,” he said, standing up. “So, on that note, I think I’ll get outta here. I do need to get some sleep before school tomorrow.

  “Will you be okay?” he asked me.

  “Yeah, I think I’m in good hands,” I replied, and his mom beamed at me.

  As soon as he left, she came to sit beside me on the bed and dropped several little pouches next to me.

  “These will ensure that no nasty demons or nightmares make their way into your pretty little head while you sleep.”

  “Thank you. I really appreciate everything you’re doing for me,” I said sincerely.

  “I’m happy to help,” she said with a smile and paused for a few short seconds before continuing. “Mason mentioned that you want to learn more about yourself and your powers, and we both want to teach you. After you’ve fully recovered, would you be willing to stay longer? I want to ensure that you’re strong enough to protect yourself—should the need arise—before you leave here.”

  “What about school and my dad?” I asked.

  “I can take care of both of those problems with a little magic and coercion. And Mason can bring your homework to you until you feel up to going back to school,” she replied.

  “Will your husband be okay with that?”

  “I don’t know how long he’ll be away on business, but I know he will welcome you with open arms. There’s no need to worry about that,” she assured me.

  “Then, yes, I would love to. I’d also like to learn some of your woo, woo magic tricks,” I said, grinning.

  “Woo, woo?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “Mason,” I explained.

  “Ah, yes, my son delights in making fun of me,” she replied.

  “It’s nice … how you two are together.”

  “Yes, it is.”

  “You weren’t even mad at him for spending half the night with me.”

  “He explained everything to me, and he never lies, so, no, I’m not mad.”

  “How do you know he never lies?” I asked curiously.

  “Because he can’t,” she said with a wide grin. “That’s one of my gifts; I can tell when people are lying.”

  “That’s a pretty cool power, but I’m sure Mason doesn’t think so,” I said.

  “No, he doesn’t,” she responded. “And you probably won’t either after you’re here for a while.”

  “Why is that?”

  “People don’t have to speak in order for me to see what they are hiding, and right now you’re covering up how much pain you’re in. You need to take your pills and go to sleep. You’re mind and body need to heal.”

  “I’m still afraid, even with all of this magical protection; I can’t help it,” I said, feeling like a frightened little mouse.”

  “I know, but I swear to you that nothing will harm you under this roof,” she said, hugging me and stroking my hair. “Please take the medication, Allison.”

  I nodded my head, and she went to get my pills. I took them, but I still fought going to sleep as hard as I could. I lay awake for about an hour after taking the pills thinking about how simple and boring my life used to be, but I couldn’t wish it all away, because it had led me to, Mason.

  I still didn’t know about the third bloodline, or why I had so many extra powers. I didn’t know why I kept dreaming about Joshua and Annabelle, but I hoped my charms didn’t make those go away, because I wanted to know what had happened to them.

  I didn’t know how to use my powers, but I would learn. I didn’t know when the next attack would come, but it would. I didn’t know if they would be after my blood or my body, but it really didn’t matter, because the next time I was attacked, I would fight back with the very thing they craved, my power. And I would win. Next time, I wouldn’t need to be rescued; I would rescue myself.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Training

  I had been at Mason’s for almost two weeks now, but I had been forced into taking a whole week to recover from “my ordeal” as Sarah would say. She had insisted that I call her Sarah instead of Mrs. Adams. She said it made her feel old, which was ridiculous, since she was going to be young and beautiful until the end of time, but who am I to judge.

  I had done nothing but watch TV, eat, sleep, and talk to my friends for the first week I was here. I tried to impress upon Sarah and Mason that the demons probably weren’t chilling in their PJ’s, eating ice cream in bed, so I needed to be prepared to defend myself, but it was like talking to a wall.

  I complained—on a daily basis—about being coddled so much, but I secretly loved it, and I dreaded losing it once I left here. It was a feeling I had never experienced before, and I hadn’t realized I’d missed it until I’d felt it.

  Sarah had also made me see a crisis counselor, which I had thrown a fit about. I didn’t want to even think about it, much less talk about it, but she and Mason had ganged up on me, and—eventually—I capitulated. And as much as I hated to admit it, it had helped. Don’t get me wrong, I hadn’t just magically gotten over it, but it was getting a little easier to deal with everyday.

  My training had been going on for the past week, and I was starting to wish
that they’d babied me just a little bit longer. So much new information had been crammed into my head that I was surprised it hadn’t exploded. But on the upside, I had very little time to think about what had almost happened to me, and I was learning very quickly.

  Sarah was helping me with my magical abilities while Mason was at school, and in the evenings, he helped me with my other powers, since he could sense them and she could not.

  They still hadn’t told me about the third bloodline, even though I had asked them repeatedly. They said I needed to focus on one thing at a time, and when I mastered some of my other abilities, they would tell me. It figures, that when I finally decide to shed some light on the mystery of me, everyone leaves me in the dark.

  I had not dreamt of Salem since coming here, and I was afraid the charms were blocking them out. I don’t know why, but I felt a strong urge to go back. I cared about them, and I needed to know what had happened to them. Maybe there was even a spell or charm to bring those dreams forth, but that meant I would have to tell Sarah and Mason. For some reason, I still didn’t feel comfortable doing that.

  I kept hoping they would mention some power that allowed me to see into the past, which would be the perfect segue into Salem, but nothing had come up. And it felt too weird to just blurt out, “Hey, did I mention that I’ve been dreaming about dead people?” Would they think I was a freak for being so caught up in the lives of people who had lived and died so long ago?

  All of these thoughts raced through my brain and collided with each other as I struggled to sleep. And even though my brains are scrambled and in danger of leaking out of my ears, I still cannot turn it off. I was up before daylight this morning, and it is now three a.m., but I am too wired to sleep. With a loud sigh, I tossed back the covers and padded down the hall on silent feet. I paused outside Mason’s door, and I reached my hand toward the doorknob, before letting my arm fall to my side.

  I continued toward the kitchen in search of warm milk and Tylenol PM’s, but I found something much better. Mason was sitting at the table nursing his own glass of milk, and he already has a glass heated for me.

  “Finally,” he said with a grin. “I was about to come and drag you out of bed myself.”

  “You couldn’t sleep either, huh?” I asked as I took in his messy hair and bare chest; he was wearing nothing but pajama bottoms, and my heart started to beat a little faster.

  “I could hear you tossing and turning and humming,” he replied.

  “I wasn’t humming,” I said, looking confused.

  “Allie, you were practicing your spells until two a.m.; that creates a very loud hum in my head and sends little shocks throughout my body,” he explained.

  “Oh, Mason, I’m so sorry,” I replied. “I didn’t think.”

  “S’okay,” he said groggily as I sat down and sipped my warm milk. “At least tomorrow’s Saturday and we can sleep in.”

  “That sounds awesome! Your mom has had me up before dawn everyday this week, but sleeping in requires actually going to sleep first, and I am outta luck,” I said with a loud yawn.

  He laughed and said, “I think all you need is to shut off your brain and stop thinking so much.”

  “Wow,” I responded.

  “What?” he asked.

  “That’s the first time I’ve been accused of actually having a brain.”

  He laughed again but didn’t respond.

  “Do you have any Tylenol PM’s?” I asked him.

  “I might have a better solution than that to help put us both to sleep,” he said hesitantly.

  “What might that be?” I asked as my heart leapt in my chest.

  “Maybe … um … we could … you know … sleep together,” he finally said after a momentary pause.

  My heart melted at how adorable and sweet he was being, but I understood why he was afraid to ask. He hasn’t really touched me or kissed me since that night, but I know it isn’t because he hasn’t wanted to. He’s been giving me time to heal, because emotional scars do not fade nearly as fast as physical ones do, and I’ve appreciated it. But he is the one thing in life that I’m certain of, so I stood up and reached my hand out to him with a smile.

  He took my hand and pulled me forward, giving me a slow, gentle kiss on the lips, and then he hugged me tight and led me up the stairs and down the hall toward his room.

  As I crawled under the covers, I was surrounded by the smell of his cologne and I smiled. I lay down on my side, and snuggled beneath the soft, warm covers. He lay down behind me and started stroking my hair and humming a tune that was very familiar, but I couldn’t place. A gentle rain began to patter on the roof, providing the perfect accompaniment to his little melody, and I felt my eyes begin to grow heavy. His lullaby is so comforting and familiar, and I’m certain that I’ve heard it before, but my curiosity fades quickly away as I am overcome by drowsiness.

  And in the comfort and safety of his arms, I was finally able to shut off the noise in my head and sleep, and another world was waiting as I closed my eyes.

  * * * * *

  My time with Joshua reminded me of falling stars. They burned bright and hot and beautiful for such a short time before fading away into nothing but a memory.

  He had given me the two nights I had asked for, but I really didn’t know if that made it better or worse. That had been almost a month ago, and I had not seen him since. I still left candles burning in my window every night—a silent plea for him to return to me, if only for a few brief moments, but he never came.

  I saw him in town with her all the time, but he never even glanced in my direction; he had eyes only for her. The first time I had seen them together, I had returned home and crawled on my bed and sobbed. My mother heard me and came in, wrapping her arms around me as my heart bled from my eyes. She had not asked what was wrong; she did not need to. She knew how desperately I loved him, and every time she looked at me, her eyes held nothing but pity and concern.

  I knew it would probably be dangerous for him to risk coming to see me, but I loved him so much that I would risk anything. More people were being accused of witchcraft all the time, and they would probably be hanged after their trials. I knew he was trying to protect me from the same fate, but he was being a little too convincing. I needed to see him so badly, and I had to do something to convince him to take a chance and meet me.

  And suddenly everything seemed so perfectly obvious. He was with her to protect me, to keep her from telling everyone that I was a witch. If I wanted him to see me, I needed to do something reckless and dangerous. He would be angry. He would probably yell at me and call me a fool, but at least he would come, and right now that was enough.

  I had waited for the most opportune time to cause a scene. I needed a large group of people to witness what I was about to do, and I needed Joshua to be amongst their numbers. So, what better time than during a church service?

  I was taking a huge risk by doing what I was about to do. I would probably either be accused of witchcraft or thought to be afflicted by it, but I did not care. The one thing that mattered to me was him, and he was the one thing that had been taken away from me. And I would not let her succeed in tearing us apart. My heart was in shreds, but if I could see him tonight, maybe a small portion of it would heal.

  Reverend Parris was preaching from Exodus, chapter twenty-two. He was particularly fond of verse eighteen, ‘“Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.’” I only caught every other word of his sermon, but the rest of the congregation hung on his every word. I was too busy talking myself into doing something very stupid.

  I was wearing my black dress with my white apron and cap. The white collar around my neck suddenly felt too tight, and I struggled to breathe. The cuffs on my wrists were very snug, and I was sweating profusely. I was on the verge of talking myself out of it, when I saw Joshua and Annabelle smile at each other, and that was all the encouragement I needed.

  I jumped up off of the hard, wooden pew and started to scream at the top of
my lungs. I ripped the little white cap off of my head and flung it across the room—it hit an elderly woman right in the face.

  “It burns!” I screamed as I pulled at my own hair and dropped to the floor in apparent agony. After a few moments of rolling around in the floor, I was back on my feet. I kicked off my shoes and they flew in opposite directions as people shrieked and ducked out of the way.

  “They are on fire! I must get them off!” I yelled as I tore at my clothes. I began to lift my dress over my head, revealing a large portion of the petticoats underneath.

  I could hear the cries of shock, outrage, and fear echoing all around me, but I didn’t care. Pandemonium reigned. The girls who were afflicted by witchcraft began to join in, although none of them were quite brave enough to disrobe.

  There were murmurs of “witch” all around the room as well as “the poor child.” The congregation appeared to be split down the middle—with half believing that I was a witch, and the other half believing one was tormenting me—causing my bad behavior.

  I almost had the dress over my head, when it was ripped out of my hands and yanked back down. The only person brave enough to conquer the imaginary fire was Joshua.

  I immediately began to fight him, still trying to take off my clothes; I even tried to bite him a few times. But his arms came around me like steel bands, and I couldn’t move.

  He whispered in my ear, so that no one else could hear, and said, “Annabelle, have you completely taken leave of your senses? Stop this now!”

  I finally calmed myself down and looked around the room. There were looks of pity and concern as well as anger and fear on every face, but the look on my mother’s face was the worst of all. It ripped at my heart, and I had to look away. I felt tears sting my eyes, and I started to shake as fear finally settled in. What had I done? Even if I was not accused of being a witch, someone else could be, and I could not bear that. I squeezed my eyes shut tightly and prayed for forgiveness.