Caroline felt her magic growing within her. It no longer felt like work to hold the bubble intact. “I can stay here all day,” she taunted. Nikolai gave her an evil grin and paced around her, preparing to strike.
Jilly and Katya were sparring partners for the morning. William was sitting off to the side, watching.
“Give me everything you’ve got,” Katya yelled. “Imagine I’m Sabine.”
Jilly closed her eyes and lifted her arms to the sky. The wind picked up and rain pelted the earth. When she opened her eyes, they were flashing like lightning. She walked toward Katya, the wind whipping through her hair. She threw out her hand and brought Katya to her knees.
“Ok, ok, I give, I give!” Katya screamed.
Jilly lowered her hand and Katya got up slowly, the wind and rain all but disappearing. “I’m so glad you’re on our side,” she said with a nervous laugh.
“Too much?” Jilly asked, suddenly feeling worried that she had hurt her friend.
“No, not at all; it was just really intense. You have such control of your magic, it’s amazing to watch. Like I said, I’m glad you’re on our side.”
Jilly gave her a hug and they went back to sparring. “It’s your turn. Let’s see what you’ve got,” she yelled as she backed away from Katya. Before she had even gone five steps, Katya threw a series of spells at her. Roots erupted from the ground, twining themselves around her feet and legs. Jilly screamed and fell to her knees, the roots pinning her to the earth.
“Ok, I give,” she squeaked. Katya released her and helped her to her feet. “That was so cool, what spell was that?” Jilly asked.
“It’s one I made up many years ago. I’ll write it down for you tonight.”
They separated again and continued sparring.
William decided he’d had enough let’s the sidelines and took over training Caroline. “Ok, lets move on to offensive spells.” She smiled brightly and nodded. “You’ve made fire balls already, correct?” he asked.
“Yeah, yesterday Nik taught me.”
“Ok, this is going to be a little bit different. I want you to imagine flames pouring out of your hands like rope. Your sister did it yesterday, do you remember?”
Caroline nodded and closed her eyes, imagining the flames in her hands. It took her a good thirty minutes before she could throw them.
“Good, now try and aim for me this time,” William said as he stepped in front of her.
Caroline raised her hands and felt the rush of magic as the flames shot out. She threw them like a lasso, capturing William neatly inside of the rapidly tightening coil of fire. He waited a few moments and then shook them off as though they were nothing.
“Why are my flames blue? Jilly’s were green. Am I doing the spell wrong?”
“Not at all. Every witch’s magic will manifest in a different color when she does a spell. My magic is blue most of the time too.”
“Oh, I guess that makes sense,” Caroline said as she sat down on the hood of Nikolai’s car. “Do you think I’ll be ready?” she asked seriously.
William looked at her. “I think you need to concentrate on training as hard as you can in the next two days and learn as much as you can. Sabine doesn’t joke around, and neither do the people who work for her. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s got a few witches and warlocks on her side as well.”
Caroline swallowed the rapidly forming lump in her throat. “Do you understand why I have to go?” she asked quietly.
William nodded and walked away, leaving her alone to worry about what she was getting herself into.
It was late in the day, just before dinner. Nikolai and Katya had already left for the day. Jilly was at the counter in the kitchen, chopping vegetables with William. “Caroline was awfully quiet after the two of you trained.”
“Yeah,” William replied.
“What did you say to her?”
“Nothing really; just that she needs to be very careful. Sabine isn’t going to go easy on her and neither will the witches that work for her. I wanted her to be very sure about coming with us. She’s powerful, but she’s new.” Jilly was quiet, trying not to worry about what might happen. “She’s a big girl, Jilly. I just want her to be aware of what’s out there.”
“I understand that, and I honestly hope you got through to her. We need to plan our strategy tomorrow. I’ll feel a lot better if I know our plan of attack.”
“Yeah, Nik was saying the same thing earlier. After we train tomorrow, we’ll have a strategy session and figure out the logistics. After your little scrimmage with Katya today, none of us should be worried. That was really incredible. I’ve heard of witches controlling the elements before, but nothing like this. Have you ever done that before?”
Jilly shook her head. “No, but I’ve felt my magic growing this past week. I just sort of knew that I could do it, so I did it.”
“What else can you do?” William asked, genuinely curious.
“Um, I don’t know,” Jilly said, heat rushing to her cheeks. “I’ve never really tried anything like that before.”
“Come on, let’s go outside for a bit. Dinner can wait.” William grabbed her hand and led her down to their training grounds. “Try something else” he said, beckoning her to do so with his hands.
“Like what?” Jilly asked, unsure of what she should try.
“Jilly, stop being so scared of this. Just do something,” he said.
She felt a flare of irritation at being ordered to perform. Her eyes flashed like green lightning and the wind whipped around them. She closed her eyes and called upon the elements, turning in slow circles. A moment later, she opened her eyes, and green flames danced in them. She walked toward William, and her whole body erupted in bright green flames. She held out her hands, and the flames shot out and coiled around William, lashing him to her body. Her magic called out to his, and blue flames erupted out of his skin and met the green ones.
He pulled her lips up to his own and kissed her. She tasted like rain and fire. He couldn’t get enough of her mouth. He pulled her head back using her hair as a handle and kissed down her neck to her shoulder. She let herself go with it, the magic flowing through every part of her. She leaned back in his arms, feeling like she was floating. He partially yanked up her shirt before remembering they were outside. He wanted to feel his skin against hers. He took her mouth again. The earth felt like it was a million miles below.
“Um, guys?” Caroline said quietly, sounding like she was far away.
Jilly opened her eyes and didn’t recognize where she was. She looked down and realized she and William were floating about fifty feet in the air.
“How do we get down?” she asked, feeling slightly panicked.
“We just need to reign in our magic. Start with turning off the flames, and the rest will follow.”
Jilly nodded and closed her eyes, trying to concentrate on reigning in her magic. It was hard to do this close to William; she could feel his magic pulling at her own. “You know, this would be a whole lot easier if we weren’t so close together,” she said dryly.
Finally, they controlled themselves enough to float back down. Caroline was standing in front of them with a shocked expression on her face. “Is that what you do behind closed doors?”
Jilly laughed. “No, this is not a normal occurrence for us. This was more of an experiment that got out of hand.”
William grinned and slung his arm around Jilly’s shoulders, “I’d say it was somewhat successful, wouldn’t you, Jill?”
“Somewhat?” Jilly asked. “I’d say it was very successful. I know the extent of what I can do, and then adding you into the equation makes that much better.”
Caroline nodded. “So what was up with all the fire?”
“I was calling on the elements. The fire chose me. It’s kind of hard to explain. When I call the elements, one usually will choose me; I can feel it within me. Does that make sense?”
“Sort of. I feel something when I channel the fire
in my palms. I’m going to go up and finish the dinner you guys started.” Caroline turned and climbed the stairs, leaving Jilly and William once again alone.
“That was intense,” Jilly said.
“It was. I’ve never levitated before. Have you?”
Jilly shook her head. “I guess the two of us together are a force to be reckoned with. We should go up; it’s getting cold.”
Later that night, Jilly was in her bathroom taking a much deserved bath. She had filled the tub with bubbles, deciding that she wanted to feel delicate and girly after the day that she’d had. She reclined in the tub, the water and bubbles covering her up to her neck. She could still feel magic flowing in her veins. It had never taken this long for the feeling to go away.
Caroline came in and perched on the edge of the tub. “So, that was a little crazy, Jill.”
“I know; it was very crazy, not a little crazy. His magic calls to me. I can still hear it; it’s like singing.”
“I keep thinking I’ve seen everything, but then you guys do something else that’s mind blowing,”
Jilly laughed. “That’s going to happen a lot from now on, Car. Magic is never predictable. I’ve been blown away by what I’ve seen and done this past week. Something within me awakened when William touched me; there are things in play that I can’t explain. Do you feel better now that you’ve trained more?”
“Yes and no. I’m more nervous about what’s going to happen, but I feel confident in myself. I have to go, I hope you understand that.” Caroline looked at Jilly in all seriousness.
“I do, I just don’t like it. I would feel so much better if you didn’t come; it would be one less thing for me to worry about. But, that being said, I would feel the same way in your shoes.”
Caroline smiled, and the tension in her shoulders relaxed. “So, you and Will seem to be getting kind of hot and heavy, huh?”
“Hot and heavy? What are you, sixty? Who says that?” Jilly said, laughing.
“Don’t dodge the question.”
“Yes, things are definitely moving in that direction. After the dreams I’ve had, it’s really hard not to just jump him. I know what it would be like, and it would be amazing.” Jilly’s eyes began to glow as she spoke.
“Whoa, what’s up with your eyes?”
“What? I don’t know. What’s wrong with them?” Jilly yelled anxiously.
“Well, they’re glowing.”
“I don’t know. That’s weird, right?”
“Um, yeah, it is, Jill,” Caroline said with a laugh.
“Nothing’s been normal this week, so why not have glowing eyes?”
Caroline laughed. “Anyways, back to you and Mr. Hotty McHotterson across the hall. Why don’t you just jump him already?”
“Caroline! I’ve barely known him for a week. I’m not a slut,” Jilly said in mock horror.
“Oh come on, you guys are matched; it’s going to happen eventually. Why not end your suffering and hop into his bed tonight?”
“Oh, I don’t know, Car. I don’t want to rush it just because I can’t keep my hormones in check. I want to deal with Sabine first. I don’t want to think of her and the dreams she sent me my first time with Will.”
“Or you can just chase her memories away with the real thing.”
“Oh my gosh, Caroline, what is your obsession with me jumping into bed?” Jilly said in exasperation.
“I’m not getting any, nor will I be for the foreseeable future, so someone should. And that someone is you, my darling sister.”
Jilly laughed and splashed her sister with water and bubbles. “Don’t rush me.”
“Fine, fine, prolong your agony,” Caroline said as she backed away from the tub. “Enjoy your bath, sister dear,” she said as she threw a wash cloth at Jilly and scurried out the door. Jilly groaned and sank beneath the water.
An hour later, William and Jilly were watching TV in Jilly’s bed.
“So, we’ve got one more day to prepare. Do you think we’re ready?” Jilly asked.
“I do. I think we’re as ready as we can be. We really don’t know what we’re up against. I’m assuming she’ll have a few of my kind and yours with her. I believe we have all of our bases covered.” William tipped her chin up to kiss her lips. The magic that had been bubbling right below the surface broke free, and Jilly’s skin glowed brightly in the dimly lit room. William felt the call of his own magic deep within. “Jilly,” he whispered into her lips.
“Ok, we need to stop this,” she said with a laugh.
“Hey, you started it,” he said.
“I did not,” she shot back. “You kissed me first.”
William smiled and ruffled her hair, hugging her close to him. “I’ll be good from now on, I promise.” He crossed his heart with his finger.
Jilly shot him a look and scooted away from him a bit. “I think we should sleep solo tonight. I don’t trust myself to be good,” she said with a wink. He looked at her with a pouty expression on his face. “Oh no, don’t give me those puppy dog eyes,” she said as she jumped up from the bed. “Scoot out,” she scolded as she held open the door.
“Fine, fine, I know when I’m not wanted.” He slowly walked to the door, and smacked her in the butt on his way out. She yelped and slammed the door behind him.
“Goodnight, my darling,” he called from the hall.
Jilly laughed and hopped back into bed. She watched TV for another twenty minutes before her eyelids started drooping. She turned the TV off and drifted off to sleep.
Chapter 10
Jilly opened her eyes and she was once again in Sabine’s house. This time she was in a parlor of sorts, but thankfully she was fully clothed. She quickly recited the spell under her breath and felt a ripping sort of feeling deep in her core. She stepped back and Sabine was standing in front of her and she was once again herself.
“Hello, Jillian. It’s so lovely of you to come,” Sabine purred. Her anger at being thwarted showed in her blue eyes.
“I’m not going to play your games anymore, so you may as well stop trying.” Jilly sat down, glaring at Sabine.
“Well, well, look who finally decided to play.” Sabine walked over and sat across from Jilly.
“Tell me, what makes you think William would ever love you?” Jilly asked, genuinely curious.
Sabine’s beautiful face contorted with barely suppressed rage. “He will be mine once again, Jillian. You’re a child, and he will tire of you soon enough. Did you enjoy my memories?”
Jilly smiled wickedly. “Did I enjoy the feel of William’s lips against my skin? Yes, I did, but I have to say, it’s better when I’m awake.”
Sabine howled and leaned across and slapped Jilly across the face. Jilly just smiled, enjoying the reaction she was getting from Sabine.
“Are we done here?” she asked, feigning boredom.
Sabine shrieked and shoved Jilly out of her chair. Everything went black, and she heard Sabine’s voice; “Don’t think this is finished.”
Jilly woke up in her own bed smiling. Today was a good day.
Jilly woke up to Caroline sitting on her legs. “Ow, get off,” Jilly moaned as she tried to roll over.
“I’ll get off when you wake up. I’ve already been in here twice to wake you up.”
Jilly’s eyes popped open. “Really?”
“Yes, really, now get up,” Caroline said in a voice tinged with irritation. “Everyone’s already here and ready, so get up and get dressed.” She stalked out of the room, leaving Jilly to get ready.
Jilly got up quickly and rushed to get ready. Five minutes later she was stepping into the kitchen, where everyone was waiting.
“Sorry, sorry, I guess I couldn’t wake up this morning,” she said as she snagged a mug from the cupboard.
“Don’t worry, we only just got her fifteen minutes ago,” Katya said.
Jilly shot Caroline an irritated look for making her think she’d kept everyone waiting for hours. She filled up her mug with coffee and j
oined everyone at the table.
“Ok, so what should our plan be for tomorrow?” she asked.
“Maybe Kat and I could follow behind you when you go? That way if you guys got into trouble, we’ll be there,” Nikolai replied.
“You don’t think we should all just stay together?” Caroline asked.
Nikolai shook his head. “This way we can catch them by surprise. They won’t even know we’re coming.”
Caroline nodded. “That makes sense. What about me?”
“You’ll be with me and Jilly,” William said. “I’ll feel a lot more comfortable knowing you’re safely by our side.” He lightly patted Caroline’s hand. Jilly smiled and kissed him on the cheek.
“Do we know who Sabine’s going to have working for her besides Liam?” Katya asked.
“Not specifically, no, but we should be ready for both witches and amaranthine. We’ve trained enough the past few days to be able to take on anything they might throw at us,” William said.
“I think we should get one more training session in this morning, and then relax the rest of the day,” Jilly said as she got up to put her mug in the sink.
Everyone nodded and filed out the back door and down the stairs.
Jilly decided to pair up with her sister for a while, wanting to see for herself just what Caroline had learned. “Ready?” she called.
“Bring it on,” Caroline yelled back.
Jilly laughed wickedly and threw three energy balls in rapid succession at her sister. Caroline didn’t even flinch; she threw up her bubble in record time.
“Good,” Jilly yelled before shooting out flames and directing them at the bubble. It took a full ten minutes straight before the bubble finally burst.
“That was great, Caroline. I’m really proud of you,” Jilly said as she ran over to her sister, pulling her into a fierce hug. “Now let’s see what you can do to me,” she said as she backed up to where she had been standing before.
Caroline smiled and conjured up a fireball in each hand and threw them at her sister. Jilly raised her hand and the fire dissipated.
“You need to really mean it when you make those, Car. If you don’t, they’re easy to get rid of. Go again.”
Mark of the Witch (Boston Witches) Page 13