by M. R. Polish
I clenched my jaw. “Ian.”
“Great, where is he?”
I opened the front passenger door to the SUV. “With her…”
“Why would the spirit do that?” he asked.
“My thoughts exactly.” I got in and slammed the door. Yes, definitely my thoughts. I mean, I had a clue. The spirits have been against me loving her since the beginning. Heck, it was him who has loved her all these years and not me. Maybe it was a sign? A sign I didn’t want to see.
The other three doors opened, and they all climbed in. “Why is he coming?” I asked, pointing my thumb back at Victor.
“We are taking him with us. We might need him.”
Slamming my fist down on the dash. “I refuse to just hand her over.”
“You won’t have to.” Adonia looked over at Victor. “Right?”
“Talk about a daytime soap opera,” Ailaina said as she buckled her seat belt. She’d been so quiet I almost forgot she was with us. “I’m glad I stayed out of that one.”
Twenty Eight
Esmerelda
“G et out.” I slugged Ian playfully in the shoulder. I hated to admit it, but I honestly loved being around him. For the first time in a long time I felt like myself. He reminded me of Nevada and home. He was fun, and I enjoyed myself with him.
“I’m serious.” He laughed.
“I can’t believe you threw doughnuts at the police department building! Were they maple or chocolate?”
“I think they were cream filled.” We both laughed. It felt so good, so natural.
We were about an hour or so away from Bradyville, on the outskirts of Nashville. Butterflies flew around in my stomach knowing my time alone with Ian would end soon. Would I be able to act normal around Jarak? My feelings confused me so much that I could only hope to sort them out quickly.
I played with them hem of my shirt. “Has Jarak called?”
“No, I haven’t heard from him.”
“Hum, I thought he’d check on me more.” Resting my head back in the seat, I flipped the visor down to block the morning sun. Why I had to runaway without my bag was beyond me. I could magic my stuff to me, but then I’d have to magic all my things, and I wasn’t ready to part with my alone time with Ian. Besides, I could handle not having a phone for a while—right?
“I’m sure he will be there when we get there.” Ian slid his dark shades down over his eyes making him look mysterious and so hot.
Stop it, Es! I chided myself.
“I hope so,” I said more under my breath than actually speaking and let out an exasperated sigh.
Ian
I tried not to look her way, but it was hard. She was asleep and I didn’t want to have to wake her, but we were close to Bradyville, and I would need her to find the tomb location. The time alone with her made me realize that I would fight for her. I would no longer sit off to the side, and just let Jarak have her. He didn’t deserve her. She didn’t even know his past. Besides, no one could lover her as much as I do.
Pulling the car off of the road, I placed it in park. She roused and wiped her mouth quickly, looking around. “Where are we?” Her voice was still groggy.
“Bradyville. Well, at least I think. You need to tell me where to go.”
She stretched as she yawned. Her hand brushed across my shoulder. “Oh sorry.” She blushed and dropped her hands to her lap. I loved the pink color her cheeks turned.
I took the moment and made it mine. Grasping her hand, I brought it to my lips, kissing it softly. Her skin was so soft, like a rose petal meshed with silk. Oh man, she smelled so good. I leaned in closer. Her lips were almost under mine, and I could feel the heat of her breath. I wanted this so bad, but did she?
I gently pressed my lips to hers, not able to resist any longer and pulled her closer to me, deepening the kiss. I heard a moan, but I couldn’t quite tell if it came from her or me. She wrapped her arms around my neck, and I lost all reality. She kissed me back with as much as I hoped for.
She grabbed onto my shirt, and I ran my hand up her back to her neck. I dreamed of this, but it hadn’t ever been this good. I knew for sure I’d never let her go. She was mine. I pulled back first— regrettably.
We both worked on catching our breath. “Esmerelda…”
Her finger came to my mouth. “Don’t. Please don’t ruin the moment.”
I nodded. There would be other times to tell her that she was who I’ve dreamed about since I was a young boy, and there would be another time to tell her of the past Jarak kept hidden. That time would be here sooner than she knew.
“I don’t think I can go back to acting like things aren’t different.”
Es shook her head. “I can’t either.”
“Where does that leave us?”
“I think it leaves us wondering where the tomb is.”
Way to break the moment. I wanted her to fall into my arms and never want to leave. But, she was right. We needed to find the tomb and figure us out later.
She rubbed her hands together. “Okay, so find the tomb.” Rolling her head back, she closed her eyes to concentrate.
A deep groan came from her, and her eyes flew open, looking at me. “Did you bring hiking boots?”
“You’re kidding right?”
“No, it’s up the side of a mountain. Drive up there a ways and there should be a creek, we need to turn there.”
“A creek? That’s all you saw? Jeesh, what kind of a witch are you?”
“Oh shut up and drive. Besides, it’s not me, remember. I’m a witch, not a Seer. I see what Ailaina shows me.”
I reached over and took her hand in mine. “Fine, but you better use your witchy powers to save us from Bigfoot.”
“Bigfoot I can handle, it’s someone else who scares me.” She squeezed my hand, but didn’t let go.
Esmerelda
Ian parked the car in a small clearing next to a cabin, but it didn’t look as if anyone was home. Where we needed to go was past it anyway, so it was just as well that no one saw us. I didn’t want any innocent humans sacrificed in something they had no clue about.
I got out and closed the door. Spinning around, I took in the winter grays that surrounded us. Many trees had lost all their leaves, but it still remained stunning. A few green cedars sprinkled the woods, giving me a taste of the colors that spring would bring. But, for the most part it was cold and colorless.
Ian came up behind me, placing his hand at the small of my back. Butterflies flapped their wings, desperately beating me from the inside. I wasn’t sure why I had such a strong reaction to him, but it made me feel alive and excited. I let out a deep breath. I had other problems to worry about right now, and I needed to concentrate.
Pointing up the hill past the house. “We need to go that way.” I took off not waiting for his response.
I was grateful I had on my boots after swatting at a low branch that had spider webs on it. Spitting and cursing, I pushed forward but stopped. I could feel something different.
“What is it?”
I held my hand up. “Shhhh.” I reached out with my powers and called to Luna. The air around us didn’t feel right. Luna and Dregan appeared at the same time, and I was instantly more comfortable with them there.
I leaned closer to Ian. “Do you feel that? It’s cold.”
“It’s winter, of course it’s cold.”
“No, not that. The energy around us changed. It’s almost hollow and… cold. I don’t have another word for it. Don’t you feel it?”
“No.” He scanned the woods but didn’t see anything—or anyone. “Stay close.”
Rolling my eyes at him, I proceeded to climb the hidden trail. Dead vines covered the path and crunched under our feet. I put up a protective shield around us and precariously moved forward.
“Do you see anything, Luna?” I couldn’t shake the unnerving feeling that something was wrong.
“I searched before you called me. I haven’t seen or heard anything.”
; “Well, keep an eye out. Something doesn’t feel right.”
We searched all afternoon, but not only had we not found the tomb, but we never called my parents or Jarak to let them know we were there.
Ian led me up one of the many trails. “It’s okay, we can send Dregan or Luna to Hela.”
That’s true, why didn’t I think of that? Oh well, at least they’d know where we were. I began to give up and think I led us up the wrong mountain when I spotted a stone wall.
This was it. I knew it deep in my soul, like a part of me connected with the witches inside.
“Ian, look…” I grabbed his arm and pointed to the wall excitedly.
He rushed past me, and I hurried to keep up. I gasped. It was just as I saw it in Ailaina’s vision. Maybe it was the witch in me, but in an odd, creepy sort of way, I thought it was beautiful. Completely hidden from view with thick branches and vines that covered it. We pushed the limbs away from the entrance.
I couldn’t believe we’d found it, and stood back to admire it. It was about three feet taller than I was and wide enough to park two semi trucks. The carved flowers that followed the top were stunning.
Luna got a hold of Hela and gave him directions on how to find us. It would be about another day before Jarak and my parents got there. Luna said something about them getting side tracked. I looked around. We'd have to stay the night here, and it was already getting to be late afternoon.
I placed a spell on the owners of the cabin to stay away so we could use their home to sleep in. It would be too cold to stay outside all night long, and I couldn’t risk their innocent lives by being with us.
Ian stood staring at the tomb. “I can’t believe it’s here, and all five of them are inside.”
“I know, right. I can’t imagine awakening them from death after all these years.” I crossed my arms in front of my chest.
“You’ll do great.”
“Thanks.” I shivered, not from cold, but I think my nerves were just finished. My life had become nothing but witches, wolves, vampires and all things mythical. Why couldn’t I have a normal life? I was almost nineteen and my life has almost ended more than once.
Ian wrapped his arms around me, enveloping me in his warmth and heavenly scent. It was all I needed to find a sense of comfort. I snuggled up against his chest and held on to that moment.
“Esmerelda…” I opened my eyes and saw them. All five beautiful witches stood before me. I recognized Moriah and ran to her. She embraced me back.
“Esmerelda…” Their voices were ghost-like, fading in and out; there but not there.
“To awaken us, you must start a fire that brings wind, and then force the water to cover the earth. Only then can our spirits awaken.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You can call upon Mother Nature to help. We have seen you do this and know that you can free us. Let the wind blow and do not stop it. We must be consumed in fire before the water can cleanse us.”
I sure hope my mom could make sense of this because riddles for spells were not my forte.
“Each of us will help with the element we gave to you.” Moriah spoke, pointing to a woman with dark hair. “Tamlynn will help with the wind, she has the gift of air.” She bowed her head and smiled. A chilly breeze whispered past us, and I could feel her spirit inside of me, much the same way I could hear Moriah talking.
Moriah moved to the next woman with shoulder length, golden hair. She was slender with a beautiful porcelain complexion. “This is Julie, and she will help with fire.”
A smaller woman with short, choppy brown hair stepped forward to meet Moriah. “Valis has the gift of earth.” Her features mesmerized me. Bronzed eyes that carried the spirit of every living thing lovingly gazed back at me.
“And Gabriella has water.” Gorgeous blonde hair curled all the way down her back. Crystal blue eyes shined brightly as if they were pools of liquid.
All of them entranced and filled me with an urgency to lift them from their deaths.
“We will see you soon…”
I jerked up and opened my eyes. I tried to adjust my sight and recognize where I was. It was still pitch dark outside the window. It had been a dream, or vision, which one I wasn’t sure. A blanket rested over both Ian and me, my side a little more disturbed, but other than that, everything looked normal.
Ian awakened and wrapped his arm around me. “What is it? Are you okay?” His eyes sleepily scanned the room.
“Yeah, I just had vision thing. I met the witches. All five of them.” I wasn’t sure how much I should say. I still wasn’t sure if it were real. I sat there in his arms, staring out into the darkness in a daze.
“Just relax and try to sleep. You have a big day tomorrow.” He pulled me back and I lay on his chest. His heartbeat relaxed me. I snuggled closer to him, and stopped shivering with my body pressed to his, relishing his body heat. “Hey, Princess… I’m glad it was me who found you.”
I smiled sleepily. “Me too.” I said before drifting back off into sleep.
I was able to sleep well the rest of the night. No more visions of meeting the dead plagued me. The morning sun filtered down on us through the window, and it warmed my body from the chill left from the dark dreams.
Pushing myself up off Ian, I tried running my hand through my hair before giving up and just using my magic to comb it out. Within seconds, I was presentable, complete with makeup.
I braided my hair and secured it with a rubber band I conjured. Walking out of the small bedroom, I went down the stairs outside. Ian followed close behind me.
“Ugh, what I’d give for my sunglasses right now.” I groaned as I walked around the perimeter of where I placed the spell.
“Why don’t you just magic them?”
I glared at him for thinking about it that way. I tried to avoid doing that, but I guess the time had come. Flicking my hand out, my shades and cell landed in my palm. He eyed the phone and shrugged. “There’s no service up here.”
“If I have to run from zombies or Bigfoot, I will run to service.”
“I thought you said you could take on Bigfoot?” He laughed and came closer.
“Yeah, if I trip you, I won’t have to take care of him, now would I?” I flashed him a devilish smile and turned back around.
“True, but you’d have to be faster than me to trip me.”
Footsteps broke up our banter. He held his finger to his mouth and turned to leave back toward the tomb. I followed close behind him.
“Es!” I could hear Jarak before I actually saw him.
I ran to meet him and he lifted me in his arms, twirling me around. He pressed his lips down on mine, reclaiming what was his. My heart sped up, it didn’t feel right, and I blushed when I realized the others could see us. Ian glared at Jarak and I couldn’t blame him. I needed to talk with Jarak, but right now wasn’t that time.
“I’m so glad you’re okay. I was so worried about you. Then we found Victor—“
I cut him off, “Victor?”
“Yes, he’s here with us, just to warn you.”
I twirled around. Victor was right behind my parents. I wondered how my mother had kept from killing him this whole time.
Running to my mom, I hugged her tightly, grateful to see her, and then my dad. In a short time, he’d become a hero to me. Their story was a true love story, like one you’d see in the movies.
I spotted Victor stopping a short ways away.
“Come on.” My dad gestured him to come closer, but he didn’t budge.
I spoke up, “He can’t. I placed a shield around the area. Nobody but us can get through.”
“That works for me.” My mom raised her upper lip in a smirk. “He should stay outside the protective circle. Hopefully he’ll get eaten.”
Okay so she might not have killed him, but she obviously thought about it.
“Adonia, that is enough. We might need him.” My dad’s voice was loud.
“I know you must hate me.” Victor
moved toward my mom.
She rushed to the perimeter with her fists clenched tightly. “You know nothing. You had my daughter kidnapped from me, had her raised by someone else, and withheld her rightful powers. Then, you kidnapped her yet again. You haven't seen hate yet.” Her voice was so loud that it scratched.
I went up behind her, placing my hands on her shoulders. “Mom, I'm here now, it's okay.”
She turned to me with tears running down her face. “They took you away from me. I can’t just sit back any longer, it's too hard.”
I twisted toward my dad. “How did he get up here this far without mom killing him?”
“I made him take a separate vehicle with Jarak. After about a mile in the same one I realized it wouldn’t work.” He barely tipped his head and shrugged his shoulders.
“Thank God too, because I was gonna shoot them both. I had to sit in the middle between them!” Ailaina picked her foot up and stepped over a fallen tree.
“I’m glad you’re here,” I whispered as I hugged her.
She smiled. “Me too.”
My dad stopped walking and looked around. “I hate him just as much and would like nothing more than to see your mom incinerate him, but I also know we might need him if Nicholas shows up. He’s willing to fight for you if you choose to help him.”
“Help him?” Did he forget everything Victor put me through?
“His sister is Katrina, and she needs your help. Nicholas turned her into a Crossbreed years ago. Now, she is on the verge of dying. He wants you to break the curse over her.”
I understood the need to want to help family. It wasn’t that long ago when I thought Meadow was my mom, and I helped turn her into a crossed-vampire just so she could live. I shivered as I glanced Victors way.
I folded my arms over my chest and shifted my weight onto one leg. “Fine.”
My mom turned back to Victor. “If you so much as pluck one hair off her head I will finish my threat and turn it into a promise.”