Timespell

by Diana Paz

“Where are we?” Kaitlyn asked.

  Julia didn’t hear Angie’s response. She rose to her knees and thrust out her hands. Her eyes shut as she searched for him.

  “Find me, Wanderer.” She focused all her energy on the sight of him, running for his life from a band of enraged soldiers.

  Her hands filled with icy mist as he disappeared from the grounds of Tuileries. Please let him be okay, she thought, biting her lip as she imagined a bullet catching him at the final moment before she summoned him.

  “Come on, come on,” she whispered, watching the swirls of pale gray take the form of a person. She remembered the last time she had summoned him ... the sticky feel of blood on his lifeless hands. Her heart stopped at the memory. She groaned at the wash of anguish. But the hands that pressed into her palms were firm and warm, dry fingers interlacing with hers. Her right hand throbbed with pain as his fingers curled into her wound. She hissed, but didn’t pull away.

  For a moment she could only look at him. “You’re okay,” she whispered, wrapping her arms around him.

  “You remembered me.” He buried his face in her hair, holding her close. “It’s the first time you remembered.”

  She would never forget him after this. How could she have ever been so stupid? She hugged him tighter, savoring the feel of his soft stubble against her cheek. That’s how she had figured out that there had been two different Ethans tonight. The Ethan who died had been smooth-shaven. Her Ethan never was.

  He pulled away, glancing at his hand in confusion. Blood painted his fingertips and he rubbed them together, his brows drawing close. “Let me see your hand.”

  She extended her hand and he took it gently, concern etched across his features as he turned it over. At the sight of her wound, he sucked in his breath.

  “How did you get this?”

  She shook her head vaguely. “Indira ... it was the same blade she used on Kaitlyn.”

  “You and Kaitlyn need a doctor,” Ethan said, pulling away. “You guys should teleport back home.”

  She searched his eyes, tucking her hand against her chest. “How are you getting back to Santa Monica?”

  He reached into his jacket and pulled out his wallet and passport. “I was going to ask for your help with these.”

  Julia frowned softly as her gaze dropped to the documents. “I don’t understand.”

  “You need to glamour them. Cast a spell on them that makes people believe whatever they need to believe to let me on a plane, so if it comes to that, I have a way to get home.”

  “I don’t know any spell that could do something like that,” she said. “Seriously? That’s like mind control.”

  Angie stepped forward, her lips disappearing as she pressed them together.

  “Is there a spell that does this?” Julia asked.

  Angie nodded mutely and held out her hand. Ethan walked forward and placed the documents in Angie’s waiting palm. Her mark of magic changed from gold to swirling, shimmering white. “Persuasion,” she breathed, her eyes sliding shut as her palm began glowing, surrounding the passport with pale luminescence.

  “How long will that last?” Julia asked, more than a little shocked at the power of this new spell. Persuasion. They could make people believe anything?

  “The item is charmed. It will remain that way until I remove the charm, but the lies people believe will only last a short time, especially without one of us there to keep the magic flowing into their minds.” She lifted her gaze to Ethan’s. “Be careful.”

  He nodded.

  Julia tucked her hair behind her ear. “I guess you’re all set, then.”

  He nodded, his eyes lingering on her face. She felt the trace of his presence in her mind like a caress.

  Let me know when you’re home safe, he said.

  I will. She reached toward his mind, finding only a cool wall. Her eyes stung, but it didn’t matter that he still felt resentment toward her because of Brian. The only thing that mattered was that he was okay.

  He withdrew from her thoughts, turning around and heading to the exit.

  Angie held out her hand. “Ready?”

  Julia bit her lip. Everything that happened had left her drained. But one glance at Kaitlyn sitting at the top of some stairs with her injured face in her hand settled it. “Yes, I can do it. I’m ready.”

  Kaitlyn approached them. For a moment her gaze was vulnerable as she took Julia’s hand.

  It’ll be okay, Julia told her.

  Kaitlyn kept her slashed face covered with her free hand. She didn’t reply.

  Julia drew the magic into herself, grateful that Kaitlyn didn’t hold back. Julia waited until she felt swollen from the warm energy, her skin practically buzzing from how much magic coursed through every inch of her. It was enough to Journey them home. It had to be.

  The world dropped away. Their bodies became ghost-like, speeding up through the glass pyramid and out toward the goal in Julia’s mind—a brightly lit Ferris Wheel, a rollercoaster, and hundred-year-old carousel. The Santa Monica Pier.

  Mountains, cities, and soon the vast ocean sped below them. Whether it took moments or hours, Julia had no clue, but when at last the East Coast came into view she felt a rush of intense relief. At least if she lost her hold on the magic now, they wouldn’t land in the icy sea.

  Land us here, Angie said, breaking into her thoughts. You can rest a minute.

  Julia pushed forward, too focused to answer. She didn’t want to rest. She could make it to Santa Monica. She knew she could do it.

  The dark night sky spread endlessly before them. They were a part of it, high as the stars, it seemed, but she couldn’t last much longer. Julia strained against the weakened pulse of magic emanating from her arm. They dipped, their bodies solidifying slightly as Julia’s magic weakened. The enormous Ferris wheel came into sight as they fell again, their now-solid bodies too heavy for Julia to Journey anymore. All she could do was aim for a patch of grass as they dropped.

  “Sorry,” she said, breathless as she fell back on the lawn.

  Angie sat up and smiled. “You did it!”

  Julia tried to steady her breathing as she glanced at Kaitlyn.

  Kaitlyn watched her without the underlying malice Julia was used to. “Nice job.”

  “Thanks. I guess it wasn’t my worst landing.” She got to her feet and leaned against a nearby palm tree. “Should I unfreeze time?”

  “Not yet,” Kaitlyn said, walking toward the sand. “I don’t want time to start. Once it does, everything is going to be different.” She turned her vivid green eyes back to them. “I don’t want it to be.”

  Even in the dim lamplight, Julia could see the worry and fear lining Kaitlyn’s face. “Whenever you’re ready.”

  They stood there, gazing out across the black, silent ocean. No wind whipped their hair, no waves pounded the shore. The entire world remained frozen, and Julia suppressed a shiver. Kaitlyn was right. Their lives were never going to be the same again. They belonged to the Fates now. She shut her eyes, sensing Ethan’s presence in the back of her mind. The familiar caress sped away almost as soon as she felt it arrive.

  She tried to latch onto his presence before it fled, fumbling with their connection like she always did. Ethan? I feel you—felt you.

  Silence met her.

  She pressed her lips together, her head dropping forward. I’m back home. If you have any trouble with the airport or anything, let me know, okay?

  Again, silence.

  Her throat closed up as she withdrew. He’s just so far away, she thought, knowing more than an ocean separated them, and more than his brother stood between them. It seemed insignificant now, with the memory of his lifeless eyes still fresh in her mind. He may never care for her, but he was alive. And she would make sure that the night in Tuileries would never repeat itself.

  Chapter 34

  Daughters

  Kaitlyn gave herself one last look in the school’s scratched and tagged up bathroom mirror. Had it only been a
week since prom? The girls’ locker room brought back a fresh wave of memories as she stared at her reflection. Her gaze was forever drawn to the scar, still pink from healing, curving like a hideous grin from the corner of her lip almost to her ear. It was raised and shining and ugly and made the skin on her cheek pucker and twist when she smiled. Not that there was any danger of her smiling, though. The thought of her mother’s thinly veiled horror every time she looked at her was enough to keep away any chance of that.

  She had told her family that she had gotten into a fight. Her father wanted the head of the person responsible on a platter, but she had been an uncooperative victim. It wasn’t as if she could say much that would make sense. Her mother’s reaction had left Kaitlyn cold inside. She shut her eyes as her mother’s words echoed in her mind. “There’s no hope then, doctor? She’ll be this way forever?”

  “Your daughter is still a very beautiful girl. We did everything we could. With time, the color should even out. Perhaps the right make-up ...”

  It didn’t matter. Her mother had never been on her side before. Certainly not when it had mattered most. The only thing that mattered to her mother was appearances. She had learned that a long time ago.

  “Oh my gosh,” Ashleigh said, snapping Kaitlyn’s mind back to the present. “Kaitlyn’s in here.”

  “How sad,” Becca said in a loud whisper.

  “Tragic,” said a third voice.

  Kaitlyn glanced up. The little freshman who had been lusting after Tim all year? A lot had changed in a week’s time.

  “Look at her face,” Ashleigh said. “How embarrassing for her.”

  “I can hear you, you know,” Kaitlyn said, heading back to her PE locker.

  “We know,” Becca said as she sauntered forward, her eyes sparkling with malice. “I just feel terrible for you, cornered by one of your jealous enemies like that.”

  Ashleigh met Kaitlyn’s gaze in the mirror. Ashleigh tilted her head innocently. “Was it that gangbanger chic who you told to go off herself?”

  Kaitlyn didn’t answer, forcing herself to finish putting on her PE uniform, as if what they said didn’t bother her.

  Becca tsked, her high-gloss lips forming a pout. “She doesn’t want to say. Probably scared they’ll come back. Not that they could make her look any worse.”

  Kaitlyn slammed her locker shut and pushed past her. “Go to hell.”

  “Did you see that, Ashleigh?” Becca cried, rubbing her shoulder where Kaitlyn had shoved her.

  “So sad,” Ashleigh said, “the way people change.”

  Kaitlyn forced herself to keep walking.

  “Are we still going to Baja Fresh for lunch?” the freshman asked.

  “Shut up,” Becca laughed. “Kaitlyn might hear us and try to come with.”

  Kaitlyn paused at the door, unable to ignore the giggled whispers that followed her. She felt a smile creep up her lips, and turned her head so they could see the full force of her gruesome new face. They gasped, and something inside her snapped.

  She lifted her hands and blasted them both, her smile broadening as they crumpled to the filthy bathroom floor, writhing and moaning pathetically. “You two were always total bitches.”

  She turned to the freshman, who skittered back like a trapped spider.

  “What are you?”

  Kaitlyn leaned down over the girl, who slammed into the wall behind her. The tips of Kaitlyn’s fingers glowed bright white as she flung her hand out to within an inch of the girl’s smooth, pretty face.

  The girl whimpered and squeezed her eyes shut.

  What are you?

  What was she? Hair as black as night. A hideous face. Magical powers. Darkness inside her. Dark hatred that twisted and burned when she thought of her friends’ easy betrayals. Hatred that whipped through with helpless fury when she thought of her mother or her uncle. And hatred that threatened to rise up and choke her when she thought of her own hard, unfeeling, embittered self.

  What are you?

  “I’m a witch,” Kaitlyn whispered.

  The girl’s dark eyes blinked open, brimming with tears.

  There was no victory here. Nothing that would make things the way they were before. Kaitlyn lowered her hand. She turned around and left, stepping over Ashleigh and Becca on her way out.

  Angie zipped up her backpack. Free period. She should head to the library. That’s what she always did. And then it would be lunch.

  Her stomach tightened up.

  She had spent the past week avoiding David. It was impossible to look at him without being seized by fear. The image of him, his chest rent apart as a creature tore out his heart—her eyes squeezed shut and she braced herself against a row of lockers. Every time she saw the vision, it was more intense than the time before.

  “Angie!”

  Strong arms held her. David. Whole and healthy. He was all right. Of course he was.

  “I have something for you,” he said, digging around in his backpack. He smiled, pulling out a small paper bag.

  Angie took it, inhaling the scent of vanilla and sugar even before she opened it. “Cookies,” she said softly.

  Color swept up his cheeks. “We were supposed to hang out yesterday and I’d already bought the stuff to make them ... Are you okay?”

  She nodded, putting the bag of cookies in her backpack. The zipper kept getting stuck.

  He took the zipper and sealed her backpack for her before running his hand along the strap, looking at her face. “You’re shaking.” His brows knit briefly. “Let’s sit down for a sec.”

  “But you have Calculus.”

  “And I’m going to be a little late to class today. Come on.”

  He led her outside to their spot in the glen. “What about tardy sweeps?” she protested.

  “Your student ID says you have a free period right now. If I get detention I’ll survive.” His tone became gentle as his eyes searched hers. “Enough worrying, okay, angel?”

  She tried to relax against him. “I can’t help it.”

  “I know,” he said, pulling her down onto the grass. “And I’ve been trying to give you space, but now I’m the one who’s worried.” He took her hand, drawing designs on her palm. “About you. Am I right to?”

  She shook her head. “It’s nothing. Just ...,” she trailed off, afraid to return to that moment in the portal. She began tapping her fingers against her thigh.

  David’s gaze dropped to her fingers. He exhaled, taking her hand and holding it between both of his. The pressure was warm and soft. She felt herself relax.

  “Please tell me. Or talk to your mom or something. I don’t think anything will get better for you until you talk to someone about whatever’s going on.”

  She didn’t say anything. She didn’t even know how to begin.

  His gaze fell. He started to get up, but Angie held his arm. “Don’t go.”

  His bright blue eyes held her captive. “Not for anything.”

  She swallowed. She wanted to tell him about the magic. About everything. But where did she begin?

  “It’s okay,” he said, tucking her into the curve of his arm.

  She breathed deep, relaxing against his chest. I have magic. Terrible creatures exist in another dimension called the nether. When they find their way to our world, I join together with Kaitlyn and Julia to fight them. Her eyes slid shut. She wasn’t ready to talk about everything that had happened. She didn’t want to show him the magic and have him look at her differently. She just wanted someone to feel safe with.

  He traced her mark of magic, something he did sometimes. Tears slid down her cheeks. He had been a part of her life for more than a decade. A week ago she had been ready to cut him out of her life. The day they met flashed through her mind again. Recess. First grade. “I had a dream about you.” His two front teeth missing. His curious gaze.

  How had she been willing to let him go?

  He smoothed her hair and murmured soft words of comfort. His arms held her securely. She drew
on his warmth, taking refuge in his solid form. He wasn’t hurt. He was all right. The images that flashed through her mind weren’t real. They would never be real.

  “Do you feel a little better?” he asked as she let out a long, deep breath.

  “I think so.” She sniffed and realized she had been crying all over him. She glanced up at David, then down to his ruined shirt, feeling a blush creep up her cheeks. “Sorry.”

  He gave her the lopsided grin that made her heart stutter. She loved his smile, and her gaze lingered on his lips a moment longer than she meant it to.

  His smile faded. She forced herself to meet his eyes and found them heated. His hands slid up her arms until they rested on her shoulders. Her eyes slid closed as he pulled her toward him.

  “Are you sure?” he whispered against her lips.

  She pressed her lips to his in answer. He groaned softly, gathering her in his arms. Her heart hammered against her chest as his soft mouth moved over hers. He smelled like honey and tasted like mint. She breathed deep. A small sound escaped her throat as she exhaled. Nothing mattered except the fact that he was hers and she was his. Nothing would ever come between them again.

  She slid both hands up his arms, one continuing along the curve of his neck, but he pulled away.

  His chest rose and fell rapidly. “I should get to class.”

  The mark on her arm gave a sudden flare of heat. She blinked in confusion.

  He smiled and lowered his forehead to hers. “Love you, angel,” he murmured, kissing the tip of her nose.

  Before she had the chance to reply, he backed up, giving her a goofy smile and running off to class.

  “David,” she called.

  He spun around, walking backward toward the math building.

  “I love you too.”

  Julia sat upright in her chair, forcing her eyes wide open, but she hadn’t been quick enough.

  “I’ll thank you not to fall asleep in my class, Julia,” Mrs. Ramirez said as she passed by. She handed Julia her essay. “Nicely done, by the way.”

  Nicely done? On that paper about the French Revolution she had barely managed to finish?

  Julia took the paper from Mrs. Ramirez and frowned. “Thanks,” she said slowly, hearing the skepticism in her own voice. Was Mrs. Ramirez messing with her? She flipped to the last page of her paper, surprised to see seven pages instead of the four she had printed out. “Ninety-seven percent?”