“Do you smell garbage, Kendall? It smells like trash in here,” Kristin said, tilting her head in my direction as she smirked at Kendall. I wanted the amplified powers back. I wanted to set her on fire. I wanted to go all Freddy Kruger’s basement on her ass.
My hands gripped the top of my desk, staring ahead at Brendan’s empty seat and wondering if I was strong enough to pick it up and hit her over the head with it.
Then I heard a light flicking sound, and heard Cisco’s voice.
“Hey, Kristin, you might wanna rethink your behavior.”
I turned in my seat, curious—finding Cisco leaning forward on the top of his desk, flicking a small red lighter on and off.
“Does this remind you of anything?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at Kristin. She recoiled, her pink-painted mouth hanging open.
“You better apologize,” he advised seriously. “I can’t keep holding Emma back from retaliation.”
Kristin looked down at her desk, refusing to meet my eyes.
“Is it getting hot in here?” Cisco asked, tugging on the collar of his white shirt.
“Sorry.” Her voice was a barely audible mumble.
“Huh, what was that?” Cisco asked, putting his hand behind his ear.
“I’m sorry,” Kristin muttered a little more loudly, and I noticed that the heel of her Louboutin was nervously tapping against the floor.
“That’s better,” Cisco said smugly, turning around in his chair. When Kristin couldn’t see his face, he raised his shoulders and gave me a giddy, childlike smile. For a second I felt ashamed. Threatening Kristin with a magical comeback was no better than what Megan did to me.
But like I said, that was only for a second. Screw Kristin. Princess Cheese Puff deserves it. I started giggling at Cisco’s little trick with the lighter, and by the time Brendan traipsed into class, we both had our heads down, our bodies shaking with laughter.
“What’s so funny?” Brendan asked, looking back and forth between us. “Whatever it is, it’s gotta be good.”
“It is. I’ll tell you later,” I said, wiping the tears from my lashes as I tried to settle down.
When I told Brendan later that night, he laughed so hard he almost choked on his dinner. He had finally delivered on his promise to cook for me.
We were on the spacious stone roof deck of his family’s town house as the smoke cleared out of the kitchen. It’s a good thing it was a balmy night, because we would have suffered smoke inhalation if we stayed inside the Salinger home.
“This is really good pizza,” I said, taking another bite as I sat in a wrought-iron chair, inhaling the rich aroma of cheese and tomato sauce, which helped block the thick smell of smoke that sporadically wafted up from the open kitchen windows.
“I followed the directions, I don’t get what happened.” Brendan frowned, pulling up the recipe on his phone and studying it. And then understanding flickered across his face.
“Three tablespoons of oil. I thought it said three cups,” he said aloud, looking at me guiltily. “No wonder the chicken caught fire.”
I laughed. The chicken didn’t just catch fire, it spontaneously combusted. I see a lot of ramen noodles in his collegiate future.
We hung out on the roof, listening to music and watching the sun set over New Jersey, igniting the sky above the Hudson River in a blaze crimson and rose and orange.
“You know, I realized something,” Brendan said as his playlist switched to a slower song. “I still haven’t danced with you—properly danced, I mean. Swaying in the crowd at concerts doesn’t count.”
“Considering that I’m never going to another school function again, you probably won’t for years.”
“That doesn’t seem fair,” Brendan mused, standing up and holding his hand out. I took his hand and he pulled me up, placing his hand against the small of my back, gracefully twirling me around before drawing me back into his arms.
“Whoa, that was pretty good,” I said, impressed. “A lot better than your cooking.”
“My mom forced me to take ballroom dancing when I was in seventh grade,” Brendan admitted with a sheepish laugh. He smoothly spun me around, and quickly dipped me. “Just don’t tell anyone,” he warned, his arm strong against my back. “It’s a shameful secret.”
Brendan grinned at me, his sweet smile still visible in the dusky night as he lifted me back to a standing position. I linked my arms around his neck, happy to be on more sure footing.
“I’ll never repeat it, I swear,” I promised, thoroughly entertained at the thought of thirteen-year-old Brendan doing the cha-cha. He’d owned up to being an insufferable brat back then.
“I wish I had brought up candles,” he said, effortlessly leading me around the stone tiles on the darkening rooftop. “It’s getting hard to see your face.”
“I think I can fix that,” I said, sliding my fingers down his arms to clasp his hands. I closed my eyes and stepped back from Brendan.
“Illuminabit,” I whispered, then opened my eyes. Tiny bulbs of light appeared, twinkling at our feet as if we were dancing above a layer of Christmas lights. The lights rose, soft, glowing orbs that swirled around us, casting a warm golden light on his face as they floated on an invisible path.
“Wow.” Brendan exhaled, looking around as the honey-colored light reflected in his green eyes.
“See, I have some secrets left, too.”
“I think your secret’s a little better than mine,” he said breathily, dropping my hand to poke one of the floating lights. It burst at his touch, small glinting bits of gold scattering on the wind like seeds of a dandelion.
“Amazing,” Brendan whispered, looking at me with an awed smile before pulling me back into his arms.
“I’m sure you still have some good secrets,” I said, and Brendan’s lips curled into a saucy smile as he twirled me around again before slowing down, leaving us standing in each other’s arms as the lights wrapped us in their shimmering glow.
“I might have a couple left,” Brendan teased, putting his forehead to mine.
“So tell me another.”
“I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone.”
“Pfft. I knew that already,” I said, rolling my eyes and grinning.
“Okay, be that way,” Brendan said, pretending to be deep in thought. Then he tilted my chin up and gazed into my eyes.
“Here’s another secret. I’ll love you forever.”
I sighed happily as he bent his head down to kiss me. And the lights around us grew brighter, a final burst of gold before they faded into the remains of the sunset.
* * * * *
Acknowledgments
Thanks to Tara Gavin and everyone at Harlequin Teen for all their enthusiasm in bringing Brendan and Emma to life.
To my agent, Lynn Seligman, for her support and helping me realize my dream of being an author.
My ever-supportive and awesome family and friends, I couldn’t do any of this without you guys. Mom, you inspire me and are the strongest woman I know. I love you. Dave, thank you for your love and faith in me—especially when I dive headfirst into my laptop.
Sarah Wefald and Anita Colby, who were the first to read Spellcaster and get excited about it. Vanessa Dunn, there might not have been a Brendan and Emma if you hadn’t reminded me about Claire and Alex, our storytime pals from oh-so-long ago. Zena Burns, you are a rock star. Carol Grassi, thanks so much for all your support. And a gigantic thanks to Dawn Yanek, who read through the early chapters of Spellcaster before anyone, giving me invaluable edits and talking me off the proverbial ledge.
Janice Morris, Kristin Boehm, Aaron Parsley, Brian Orloff, Janet Mock and the rest of the wo
nderfully creative and talented staff at People.com, you guys amaze me every single day.
And a big ginormous thank-you to all the wonderful readers, and everyone who’s reached out on Twitter or Facebook. Thanks for keeping up with Brendan and Emma. I appreciate you guys more than you’ll ever know.
What’s on Brendan’s and Emma’s iPods?
Brendan and Emma are both big music fanatics—and during this last battle, they found comfort in some of their favorite artists. Here are just a few of the songs Brendan and Emma have kept in heavy rotation.
“Stay with Me” by Finch
Brendan puts this song on when he drops Emma off at Angelique’s house.
“Fixed at Zero” by VersaEmerge
Emma listens to this song while breaking down in her bedroom, the night after she casts the crystal spell with Angelique.
“Letters to God” by Box Car Racer
This is the song playing when Emma falls asleep studying witchcraft—with the textbook on her head.
“Time Bomb” by All Time Low
This song comes on Brendan’s stereo when Emma is at his house after the Cloisters trip, telling him about the attack.
“Like the Angel” by Rise Against
Brendan listens to this when he picks Emma up to meet Angelique and Randi.
“Have Faith in Me” by A Day to Remember
Brendan listens to this song before his and Emma’s heart-to-heart about his past.
“Oxygen” by New Found Glory
After the incident in the library, Brendan plays this track on repeat, picturing his life without her.
“The Phrase That Pays” by The Academy Is
Emma puts this on after she dreams of her past life, and writes Angelique her plans for how to take down Megan.
“Up All Night” by Bink-182
Emma listens to this song after the power spell with Randi and Angelique, when she’s testing out her new, amplified skills in her room.
“Like the Sun” by The Bouncing Souls
Brendan listens to this song in the shower on the night Emma stays over.
“My Heart” by Paramore
This song is playing when Emma and Brendan fall asleep together.
“Forever Girl” by Forever the Sickest Kids
This is the song playing when Brendan and Emma finally dance together—for the first time—on his roof.
Download this playlist on iTunes at http://bit.ly/Spellcaster_playlist
ISBN: 9781459225725
Copyright © 2012 by Cara Lynn Shultz
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