Wicked Fate (The Wicked Trilogy)

by Tabatha Vargo

  “I’ll tell her you said thank you,” he laughs at the fact that I’m speechless. “Your mother and I love you, Mage. I may not know how to show it yet, but if you’ll let me, I’d like to try.”

  I want him to try. I want both of them to try.

  “When I’m able to breathe again… you, me, and my mother need to have a long talk. There are still so many unanswered questions,” I say.

  “You know where to find us,” he responds before backing away from me.

  I watch him disappear into the bushes.

  I don’t question how my mother knows about this dance that I’ve agreed to. There’s no need to question it. It is what it is.

  Speaking of the dance, how am I supposed to go to a formal dance? I don’t even know how to dance! Then suddenly another thought comes to mind and I flinch. Bernie’s going to try and make me over. I can only imagine what I’ve gotten myself into. I’m sure it’ll be gaggles of fun…not! Hair and make-up here I come!

  Chapter 33

  The Belle of the Ball

  I go inside and make myself a sandwich. I put out some food for Ghost and then I clean the kitchen with my hands, not my magic. Soon, Lesley’s home from work and the four of us, Lesley, Bernie, Kale, and I are in the kitchen making dinner.

  We sit at the table for dinner like a big happy family and I find myself staring at an empty chair wishing that Adam was there smiling back at me.

  I miss him more and more every day. People say that time heals all wounds, but for some reason my wounds don’t seem to be healing. If anything my wounds are getting larger and deeper by the day. There are days when I feel like my heart is bleeding. The chest pressure and discomfort of a broken heart is far worse than any pain any sinister person has ever bestowed.

  It’s been over two months since that day in North Carolina, the day my one true love was taken from me. Not a moment goes by that I’m not reliving that time in my head over and over again. There are so many things I should’ve done differently, things that might have saved Adam.

  Today is a blame Mage day. Occasionally, I have blame Mage days. For some reason, it feels better when I have someone to hate for Adam’s death. That hate can replace the hurt for a little while and anything that can replace the hurt for a few minutes is always a good thing.

  By this point, I’ve read every journal, book, or newspaper article in the library and there’s nothing that even mentions being able to see spirits. My spell that I attempted out in the garden was apparently a flop. The days seem to get longer and longer every day, either that or I’m just that miserable.

  Bernie and I are in the kitchen cleaning up after dinner.

  “Why do you bother with this manual labor when we both know you could have this entire room cleaned in seconds,” she smiles.

  “Don’t,” I say.

  I don’t know how to respond since Bernie’s never mentioned my powers before.

  “It’s okay, Mage. I’ve known for a while,” she dries her hands. “I’ll never tell a soul,” she kisses my cheek and leaves the kitchen.

  Bernie and Kale go out for the rest of the night. They ask me to join, but I refuse. Lesley goes about scrapbooking upstairs in her room and I follow upstairs to my room. I jump into my bed and snuggle up with a book that had nothing at all to do with magic. Soon, I’m bored out of my mind, and before long I have my old yearbook in hand crying over Adam’s picture.

  The tears are hard and fast and soon I’m sniffing and hiccupping. The dam is finally broken and everything hits me like a ton of bricks all at one time. Every single thing that’s happened in this crazy life of mine, from the time that I was slowly realizing that I wasn’t like everyone else, until this very depressing moment in my bed—all of it, slams against me.

  Then I hear a sound that makes my world stand still.

  “Please don’t cry, Mage.”

  Adam’s voice is a whispery wind in my room.

  I look up quickly, but still I don’t see him. Maybe I’m finally losing it, but I know I heard Adam speak.

  “Adam?” I say into the air.

  I want to see his face. I need to see his face. I stare into the spot where I think I heard his voice resonate from and soon I see a shadow of something move. I get out of my bed and continue to stare at the spot in my room.

  Please, oh yes, please appear Adam.

  Nothing happens. Not even a shadow crosses my room after that moment. There were no more hushed whispers and by the time I fall asleep I’m convinced I’m crazy.

  The next day I spend all day with Bernie, dress shopping.

  Yuck!

  “I’m glad you’re getting better,” she says while picking through dresses.

  I don’t say anything since I’m far from being better. I guess I’m just better at hiding the pain.

  I pretend to enjoy myself while she dresses me like a Barbie Doll. I really hate wearing anything other than jeans.

  She agrees that blue is my color, and we walk out the store with a pale blue silk chiffon, spaghetti strap dress with a beaded top and an empire waist. It matches my eyes and it looks nice on me, just like my mom said it would. We grab a pair of silver strappy flats that match the beading.

  Luckily, I’m extremely short so at least the dress practically touches the ground. The dress isn’t anything I’d ever wear, but it was the most comfortable out of the bunch and Bernie seems to love it.

  Kale spends the rest of the week trying to teach me to dance. I don’t know who’s worse, me or him. I think he steps on my toes more than I step on his. Bernie and Lesley laugh in the corner the entire time. The one good thing about all this is that I’m busy, too busy to sit around depressed.

  Soon, it’s Saturday, dance day. I sit perfectly still while Bernie puts powders and creams on my face. I have rollers in my hair and the smell of hairspray has taken over the whole house. It’s hell on earth.

  When all is said and done, Bernie swears that I’m the most beautiful creature she’s ever seen. I have to admit, I feel pretty.

  My long black hair is done up with curls and pinned on the top of my head. Tiny ringlets of hair fall down my back and trickle around my ears and face. My make-up looks nice. I’ve never in my life put on any kind of make-up, other than lip gloss, but there’s a first time for everything.

  When it’s time for Ben to pick me up I’m nervous. This is probably the dumbest thing I’ve ever done. Me, Mage McPherson, a person who wouldn’t dream of such a thing, is about to attempt the impossible. I’m about to socialize at a formal dance. Not to mention, this dance is being held in the grand ballroom of The Charleston Place Hotel in downtown Charleston; one of the richest most expensive hotels in the area.

  I say a prayer to myself when I hear a knock at the door. It’s too late to back out now!

  The look on Ben’s face when I meet him at the door gives me the confidence that I need to walk outside. He grabs my hand and slips on the prettiest corsage of blue roses and white baby’s breath. I thank him and then we pose uncomfortably as Bernie and Lesley snap pictures.

  We ride through downtown Charleston in Ben’s little black Acura. It’s the quietest most uncomfortable ride ever. I haven’t seen much of him since the night in the library. We did talk on the phone a few times, mainly to finalize all the preparations for tonight. Still, the air feels thick around us in his small car.

  “I’m blown away,” he says.

  “What?” I ask.

  “You look amazing, Mage. I’m going to have to beat them off with a stick,” he laughs uncomfortably to himself.

  “Yeah, right,” I say as I watch the beautiful scenery of the Charleston coast go by.

  This whole area reminds me of the many times Adam had taken me to the Charleston Battery. The many afternoons we spent on the docks swinging in silence. I feel tears sting at my eyes and I quickly try to regain my composure. Bernie specifically said no crying tonight. She said something about the black stuff she put on my eyes draining down my face. That’s the la
st thing I need.

  We pull up to the front of the hotel and a little man in a red vest takes the car keys. I stand holding Ben’s hand as we watch the little man drive his car out of sight.

  There are couples walking around outside preparing to enter this huge luxurious hotel. My nervousness must be showing because soon Ben squeezes my hand and reminds me that he thinks I’m the most beautiful girl there.

  A few of Ben’s friends meet us at the door and he makes introductions. I say hello politely to everyone I meet. No one can tell that I’m busy breathing and trying not to trip and fall on my face in the middle of all these strangers.

  I don’t belong here at all.

  Before long, I’m completely relaxed and sitting at a quiet table with Ben. I sip on what tastes like fruity champagne, but I’m not completely sure. I don’t think the school would allow under-aged people to drink champagne, but I don’t ask any questions.

  I take time to admire Ben while his attention isn’t on me.

  He looks so handsome tonight. Every female eye in the room is stuck on him. He’s adorable in his black tux and bow tie. His hair, which usually hangs in his face, is brushed and styled. He really is a very good looking guy. I feel special sitting here with him with all his attention on me, especially since it’s more than obvious that a few of the girls around the room are wishing his attention was on them.

  I realize that I’m smiling at Ben in a very inappropriate way and I snap myself out of it.

  What am I thinking? Here I am, two months after the love of my life was murdered, checking out my friend. Real nice, Mage!

  I push the glass of champagne away from me. It has to be the alcohol.

  The end of the semester formal dance ends up being a little more important than Ben had let on. Apparently, this little unimportant dance is some kind of huge awards ceremony for a select amount of students, Ben being one of those students. He receives a service award for volunteering for the school. I clap with a proud smile on my face as he receives it.

  After the awards ceremony, it’s more or less a regular high school prom. Everyone is dancing and laughing. Pictures are being snapped and jokes are being made. Not all stuffy and boring, but wild and exciting.

  I feel myself being lead onto the dance floor by Ben when a slow song begins to play. I don’t object, the poor guy had spent the entire time sitting at a table with me, the least I could do is dance one dance with him.

  I try to stay focused and not screw up his night by falling on my face across the dance floor. Once we start dancing I try really hard not to step on his toes.

  “You’re so beautiful, Mage,” his green eyes examine my face.

  “Thank you,” I whisper shyly.

  “No, thank you for coming as my date. I’m really glad you agreed. I have the prettiest girl in the place,” he smiles sweetly.

  The smile disappears from his face and the air around us gets heavy. I can feel him contemplating kissing me. His eyes never leave mine and I can’t look away no matter how hard I try.

  My mouth goes dry and I can’t swallow. There are so many people looking, there’s no way I can just walk away in the middle of our dance. This is wrong! This is so wrong! I feel like the room is spinning and with all my might I break the stare and look away. I feel Ben go tense in my arms.

  Across the room, a pair of eyes catches my attention and for a second I think I’m seeing things. The sad gray eyes disappear and I find myself searching like a mad woman for the grey again.

  Now is not a time to lose my mind and I really hope that’s not what’s happening.

  I push away slowly from Ben and look harder into the crowd. A flicker of gray eyes emerges once more.

  “Adam?” I squeak.

  From across the room, I’m almost positive I see him. The space around me starts to spin faster and little swimmers invade my vision.

  I can’t faint. I won’t pass out in front of all these strangers and ruin Ben’s night.

  I reach out for Ben to catch me as the blackness swallows

  me up.

  Chapter 34

  Perseverance

  When I wake up, I’m in an elegant room draped across a sage colored chaise lounge. I look around at the expensive paintings and beautiful hand carved crown moldings. I try to sit up, but Ben stops me.

  “Before you get up, make sure you’re not dizzy anymore,” the look of concern on his face is touching.

  “I’m fine. This happens all the time.”

  “You’re such a girl, Mage,” he chuckles.

  “You’re just now realizing that?” I laugh.

  “Well, of course I know you’re a girl, I just didn’t realize how much of a girl you are. Do you always faint like that in the middle of a crowded room?” he helps me to my feet.

  “Oh, no…I usually wait until there’s at least an audience of a thousand,” I joke.

  “Come on, little lady. Let’s get you home.”

  The drive home is a slow one. I apologize a million times for ruining his ceremonial ball thingy. He’s completely sweet about it. Not once does he mention the fact that I had called out Adam’s name before I fainted. He probably thinks the same thing that everyone else thinks. I’m losing my mind.

  This time I’m sure I’m not losing my mind. I know what I saw, I saw Adam, no doubt about that.

  When we get to my house, instead of going inside we sit on the porch swing to talk. There are fireflies swimming around us causing little spurts of yellow light to blink on and off throughout the front yard. There isn’t a cloud in sight and the moon lights the front porch perfectly. The stars wink at me every time I take a peek at the sky.

  I feel Ben’s hand on mine.

  “Mage, it’s obvious that you’re not ready for anything right now. I understand completely, but I think it might be easier if I stay away from you for a while,” he says sadly.

  I want to hug him.

  “I’m really sorry about tonight,” I apologize again.

  “I don’t know if you remember what you said before you fainted, but I can’t compete with him,” he slides his hand up my arm and smiles sadly. “If he was some guy who lived down that road, I’d fight like hell for you, but I can’t fight someone who isn’t here.”

  “I’m sorry,” I whisper.

  “Don’t be. I care about you, and it sucks,” he takes a deep breath. “It’s my fault, not yours. I shouldn’t have let that happen.”

  He reaches down, grabs my hand, and then softly squeezes. “I better go.”

  He lifts my hand to his mouth and softly kisses my knuckles. He gets to his feet and stands in front of me like the last thing he ever wants to do is walk away.

  His bow tie’s untied and hanging loosely around his unbuttoned collar. He looks tired and handsome all at the same time. I don’t say anything. He turns and walks away.

  I don’t want him to go away. I want him to stay and talk to me. I want him to stay and be my friend. I don’t want any complications. Ben caring for me like that is a massive complication. Not because I don’t care about him, but because I care too much and it makes me feel guilty.

  “Wait,” I call out to him.

  He turns back and I can barely make out his face on the moonlit porch. I stand and walk over to him. Without a second thought, I step up on my tip toes and softly kiss him on the lips. He kisses me back, but doesn’t put his arms around me. We both know it’s a goodbye kiss.

  It hurts so much, more than it should. We’ll see each other, but I think we both know that it’s never going to be like this between us again. I pull back and look him in the face. He really is such a catch, and handsome as all get out, but I’m in love with Adam.

  “You were the most beautiful girl in the room tonight. I was truly honored to have you on my arm, ma’am,” he says in a fake southern twang.

  There’s still sadness in his eyes.

  “Thank you. I’ll see you around, okay?”

  I turn to walk away and he grabs my hand for a min
ute as if he’s going to say one last thing. Instead of speaking, he takes a deep breath, shakes his head, and then drops my hand.

  “Goodnight, Mage,” he says as he steps down the stairs and goes to his car.

  I creep into the house and dart up the stairs. I don’t feel like talking right now. I just want to get to my room, lock the door, and block everyone out for the rest of the night.

  I feel bad, bad for Ben and bad for Adam, if he watched me kiss Ben on the front porch.

  I step into my room, dropping the little shawl draped over my shoulders to the floor. I slip out of my shoes and walk to the center of my small space.

  I need to know if I’m losing my mind or not.

  “Adam?” I whisper into the quiet dimly lit room.

  Nothing happens. No response, no nothing. Maybe I am going insane. Maybe that’s the best thing for me. I fall onto my bed pushing my face into my hands. So many things run through my head and I try to block it all out.

  I’m mentally preparing myself for sleep, when I realize that I’m sitting on something.

  I stand and look down at my bed. Lying there, intricately placed, is a beautiful red rose encircled by small white magnolias.

  My heart skips a beat.

  The Language of Flowers

  Quickly, I begin to dig through my bedside table in search of the book that Adam had given me months before. I find it and start flipping through the pages. My fingers won’t move fast enough.

  Since I’ve searched for it before, I instantly find the red rose.

  Rose Full Bloom (Thornless; red) = I love you; love at first sight.

  Tears prickle at my eyes.

  Just knowing that I’m not losing it, that Adam is definitely still here with me, fills me with so much happiness and relief.

  “I love you too, Adam,” I tearfully whisper into my empty room.

  I flip through the pages again in search for magnolias. There are a few different kinds, but one in particular looks exactly like the ones sprawled across my bed. When I see its meaning, I fall to pieces.