Luminescence (Luminescence Trilogy)

by J. L. Weil

  I shivered at the hunger in his tone, like a starved stray. He hadn’t even so much as finished his sentence when he was thrown up against the brick wall by what appeared to be nothing but air and knocked unconscious to the concrete ground. I flinched at the sound of his body cracking from impact.

  “What the hell.” One of the other two said confused at his unmoving friend. A moment later the two of them charged at Gavin.

  A scream ripped from my throat at the anticipation of them attacking him. The sound bounced off the narrow brick walls. Before either of them had their hands on him, they were withering on the floor gasping for air. Their hands went to their necks, eyes bulging and fear of death imminent in their eyes. Gavin stood over them, the space surrounding him crackled with power.

  I didn’t know what to do, but I knew that if I didn’t do something he was going to kill them both. I couldn’t let their blood be on his hands. Not even to save me.

  “Gavin,” I said his name. He didn’t budge at my voice. Taking a step closer to him, I repeated his name. The two guys were now gurgling as the last few breaths began to leave their body.

  Reaching his side, I put my hand on his arm and yelled. “Gavin stop!” The second I touched him I was jolted with a quick shock. Jerking my hand away, he dropped the spell at the same time. His eyes still had the eerie burning glow and were glossy – like he didn’t see me.

  “Gavin its okay.”

  Ever so slowly his eyes cleared and focused on my face. For the corner of my eye, all three of the guys were lifeless but I didn’t think any of them were dead.

  “Let’s go,” he ordered. Some of the coldness had left his tone. Seizing my arm he started walking us once again to his car. There was no protest from me. Obediently I got into the passenger seat and buckled my seatbelt. This was going to be a bumpy ride if his mood was any warning.

  He tore out of the parking lot, peeling his tires and the car fishtailed before bolting down the street. It wasn’t until we were safely speeding down the rode that they effects of what happened hit me like a bulldozer.

  One thing was certain, I wasn’t going to cry. Not now. Perhaps later when I was alone, but right now I was going to hold it together.

  He had both hands gripping the steering wheel. His knuckles white from the pressure. “Are you okay?”

  I ran an unsteady hand through my hair. “I’m fine.”

  “I’m sorry I lost control. I…” He paused and took a deep breath. “I couldn’t let them hurt you.”

  “It’s okay.” His expression said he didn’t believe me. “Really I’m okay. I promise.” And it was true. I was going to survive another day and I was pretty sure those guys weren’t dead.

  Pulling up to my house, I was never so happy to be home. The perfect dated ended in the date from hell. There was an entire side to Gavin that I had never witness before – his darker side. It should have frightened. It should have sent me packing. It should have concerned me. The only thing it did do was soften my heart.

  “Come over tomorrow? I know Sophie would love to see you,” he added. He was worried I was going to fall apart.

  “Sure.” I was pathetic, jumping at any excuse to see him regardless that I had just witness the kind of darkness that lived deep inside of him. Lukas might have been right. Gavin may be capable of evil things when pushed too far. Yet I thought the same could be said for me, thinking about my own anger issues.

  None of it stopped my heart from wanting him.

  Chapter 19

  “I DIDN’T THINK YOU WERE ever going to get here,” Sophie said the moment I walked in the door. Apparently her patient level was thin and she was really excited to see me.

  I started thinking of her as the little sister I never had, except she was gorgeous. “Sorry, Gavin never told me when. He just said to come anytime.”

  “He’s such an idiot,” she said, clearly annoyed.

  “Is he here?” I asked, worried about him and slightly disappointed he didn’t answer the door.

  She started down the hall, with me at her heels. “I think he is upstairs. He knows you’re here,” she informed in her harmonious matter of fact voice.

  Following the swish of her floral skirt we walked into the expansive kitchen, the sheer sophistication of the room was mindboggling. I wouldn’t even know where to begin cooking in here. There were more appliances and gadgets then I knew what to do with; I’d probably end up losing a finger in the process. The kitchen was flourished in beiges, golds and dark blues. Impressive paintings hung on display around the room. I assumed they were all done by Lily, who was standing in the kitchen.

  She was at the granite island nibbling on a feast of snacks she created. A spread of salsa, guacamole, some kind of cream cheese dip and a few others I couldn’t identify. Plus an arrangement of chips, it looked like Food Network in here. I hoped she hadn’t done this all for me. Not to mention if she kept cooking like this, I was going to gain an insane amount of weight.

  “Hi Brianna.” Lily smiled warmly at me. I couldn’t help but grin back. “Have something to eat,” she offered.

  Taking a seat with Sophie next to me I munched away. “Thanks.”

  “Can I get you something to drink? Sophie?” she asked us.

  Setting two cans of soda in front of us, she mixed a bowl filled with what looked like spinach dip. “So Gavin mentioned that he told you about us,” Lily said as I was putting a pretzel in my mouth.

  Crap. I had completely forgotten. With everything that happened last night it had completely slipped my mind. This was the first time I’d seen his family since he told me their secret – they were witches. Thank goodness that it didn’t occur to me earlier or I would have stressed myself crazy. I swallowed the chip. “Ummm, he did,” I replied feeling a little uncomfortable. I didn’t want them to think I’d tell anyone.

  “I just want to make sure that you are okay and to let you know that if you have any questions… any questions at all, you can ask me. Any of us,” Lily offered in a soothing motherly tone. “I can’t imagine what you are thinking about all this. It has to be an enormous shock. I can’t pretend to understand what it would be like, we’ve always known. I just want you to know that we will be here to help.”

  Holy cow. I have no idea what I deserved to receive such honest welcoming, it was almost disconcerting. I didn’t want to disappoint any of them.

  “Why did he tell you?” Sophie asked next to me. She was swinging her feet under the bar chair. “Don’t get me wrong, I am so glad he did. I wasn’t sure how much longer I could keep it from you. I don’t keep secrets very well from my friends,” she confessed between sips of her coke.

  “Honey you can’t keep a secret at all. Remember that Brianna. Sophie is the last person you tell if you want to keep a surprise,” Lily said with a joking twinkle.

  Sophie rolled her eyes.

  How did I tell Gavin’s mom that her son exposed himself to save my life? Not once but twice. I don’t think there was any easy way to put it. “He used magic to save my life,” I warily revealed, waiting for some kind of astonished reaction.

  “Ahh my brother the hero,” Sophie teased and popped a tortilla in her mouth

  Not exactly the response I was expecting, but so Sophie. Remembering Halloween night and trying to forget last night I thought about the look they shared. I asked, “How did you know he was going to tell me?”

  “Magic,” she said with vivacity. “Part of my power is the future. I always knew he was going to tell you, but the timing was different and he was upset with himself. I didn’t know what changed. I also knew that you and I were going to become fast friends.”

  Whoa that was a more than a little weird. “You can see the future?” I asked completely dumbstruck by the idea.

  “Sort of. It doesn’t exactly work that simple.”

  Nothing ever does.

  S
he continued, “I see images, places or people. They are never clear and precise. The future is always evolving based on decisions and circumstances. Nothing is set in stone, which makes it so hard to decipher. I only get glimpses,” she explained.

  Alright that sounded far more complex than I realized magic could be. There was so much I didn’t know or understand. I was beginning to feel afraid that I wouldn’t be able to fit in or belong to this world – Gavin’s world. If I couldn’t exist here what hope would I have with him? Like everything lately, my world revolved around him.

  Sophie shook her head. “Stop worrying. You will always be a part of this and magic will be a part of your future.”

  I stared at her. She had read my mind or gotten inside my head. I remember what Gavin had said about his sister the night we had coffee. I wasn’t sure I liked her in my thoughts – okay it freaked me out. My thoughts didn’t feel safe.

  “Did you just read my mind?” I accused.

  “No, I can’t read your mind, but I can see your aura and you project your feelings very loud. Auras are my specialty.” You could see the passion on her face. She truly enjoyed her powers.

  I gave her a, what are you talking about look.

  “Very loud,” Lily grinned, echoing Sophie’s words.

  Just great. Even in magic standards I was odd.

  “Everyone has an aura that is dependent upon moods and feelings. Some people are more difficult to read than others. This is my realm of magic – aura’s, more so than the little of glimpses of the future I sometimes get. I think my ability to see the future opens the channel to tap into it. The closer I am to the person the easier they are to read. Each emotion is identified by a color, sometimes colors can blend if there are conflicting or multiple feelings. Your emotions are such a part of you that you not only show them, you project them – loudly.”

  Great – I needed to work on that somehow.

  There was movement from the stairs in the other room and moments later Gavin walked into the kitchen. “Hey Bri,” he said and sat down on the other side of me, carefully eyeing me. He plunked a chip from one of the bowls and popped it in his mouth.

  His lip ring moved with the movements of his chewing and I found it extremely sexy. “Hey,” I answered smiling. Trying not to stare, which was harder than it sounded. I toyed with pop tab on my coke can, anything to distract myself. I wanted him to know I was okay and he didn’t have to tiptoe around my emotions.

  “Right now your aura just went through the roof,” she giggled.

  I wanted to bury my head in mortification and I seriously hopped she was the only one in the family with that ability or I was in big trouble. They were all grinning at my apparent discomfort.

  “Sophie giving you a lesson in auras?” he asked, as in he reached in for more chips.

  “I’m getting a crash course. What about you, can you see auras?” I asked, praying he would say no.

  “Nope, unfortunately that’s never been one of my talents. Just Sophie.”

  Well thank goodness someone was on my side for once. I turned to Lily who was now cutting up pieces of bread. She was the ideal of what I envisioned a stay-at-home mom was like. “What is your gift?” I asked curious and caught up in the wonder of it.

  “I’m so glad you asked. I am healer of sorts. I dabble in herbs, potions and remedies.” She was proud of what she could do. You could hear it in her tone – honest respect for such a powerful gift.

  “And Jared and John?”

  Gavin laughed. “Jared will have to show you. My dad and I share the same defensive energy.”

  Now I was intrigued by the fact he wouldn’t share Jared’s magic. “Where’s Jared?” I wondered aloud.

  “He’s at class,” he informed, loving that he was torturing my impatience.

  “You are not going to make me wait. Tell me,” I demanded, making them all laugh at my intolerance.

  Still grinning he replied, “Nah, it’s more fun this way.”

  Fun for whom I wondered. If I had magic right then, I would have turned him into a toad. It was hopeless; I knew a losing battle when I saw one.

  We sat around a little longer, snacking and me listening to their stories about magic. All of it sounded so mystical, electrifying, a dream. Who wouldn’t think it would be kickass to be a witch?

  I left before it got too late. Tonight I promised my aunt I’d cook dinner and I was meeting up with Tori and Austin tomorrow to hang out.

  Utterly pathetic, I couldn’t help but think about how much I would miss not seeing Gavin tomorrow. Between classes during the week, after school at my house, him showing up at my work, I felt disappointed that I wasn’t going to see him one day. Pitiable, I know.

  He walked me out to my car. This was the first time we were along since last night. “Are you okay,” he asked looking down at his unlaced boots. There was guilt tracing his words. In my eyes he had nothing to feel guilty for.

  I took his hand. “I’m fine. You are always saving me. One of these days you’re going to get tired of coming to my rescue.”

  He smirked, looking a little more like the confident Gavin. “I’m not so sure about that.”

  I grinned back at him. I didn’t want any awkwardness or guilt lying between us.

  “Are you busy tomorrow?” he asked.

  I silently groaned and wished more than anything that I wasn’t busy. Relishing in the few moments we had alone together, I stalled. “Unfortunately, it’s movie night with Tori and Austin.” His face fell slightly, but I was sure it was all in my imagination.

  He reached around me to open my door, brushing my body in the process. My belly jumped on contact and I don’t know what came over me. Maybe it was the near death experiences from last two nights or the fright I had for him possibly getting hurt. Maybe it was because he never let me down and no matter what might lurked inside of him, he made me feel incredible – like no else ever had.

  I leaned into him before he had a chance to pull away and put my hand on his waist steadying myself. He smelled like dark sin and I wanted time to cease. I don’t know if it was him or me who made the move, but if I had to guess, it was me. His lips melted to mine in a searing kiss that whisked all the way to my toes. Both of his hands went on either side of the car, boxing me erotically in. His hands never touched me but I swear they were everywhere. Our lips rushed over each other. Caught in pleasure like never before, I teased the hoop from his lip with my tongue, loving the coolness against the heat in my mouth and trying to push him further. Toying with his mouth, I tempted him to take the plunge.

  His lips broke from mine and trailed down my throat over the pule that hammered there. “You taste like strawberries,” he murmured against my neck causing a shudder to rack through my body. Our lips met again and I dug my hand into his silky hair. His name tumbled from my lips and with the moonlight overhead, I gave into him. Where he was concerned, I had no control.

  We were so wrapped up in each other that we didn’t see the beam of headlights that came out of nowhere and shot across his driveway. We both sprang from each other’s arms. Shaken Gavin ran a hand through his messy hair and jammed both hands in his pockets. Like he was afraid he would reach for me again. I sunk back against the car hugging my arms over my chest.

  Jared walked up, dimples grinning. “That was hot,” he said as he passed us by to the house.

  The moment was broken even while my insides were still humming.

  “See you Monday,” he said huskily as I got into the car and he shut the door. I drove home in a heart pounding daze. It wasn’t till I got home that I realized I’d miss my chance to ask Jared what his powers where. My mind had been too muddled with the exotic taste of Gavin.

  Chapter 20

  MOVIE NIGHT WITH MY BEST friends was never without its drama. I felt the need to try and get our friendship back on track. We hardly did any of th
e things we used to and it was eating at me. So I was on my way to Tori’s where she and Austin were no doubt picking some horrid slasher bent on scaring the crap out of us. We’d been doing this exact thing since we were little.

  Tori had a huge theatre room on the first floor of her mansion – it was seriously large. Her Tudor style brick home was on the other side of Holly Ridge and the driveway was like a mile long with a gated entrance. I let myself in through the double front doors, her step-mom was probably at some outrageously priced spa and her dad lived at work.

  Whatever movie they were bickering over was echoing down the vast hall – just like old times. Smiling, I kicked off my shoes and headed down the hallway. The smells hit me the closer I got – popcorn, butter and brownies. They were our signature snacks, creatures of habit. She had one of those old fashion popcorn makers; I could hear the pop-pop-pop noise as I pushed open the door.

  The two of them were standing in front of the towering shelf that housed movies of every genre lining the back wall. “Hey guys,” I greeted. Tori had the pillar candles lit around the room. Their sweet aroma mixed with the buttery popcorn.

  “Good you’re just in time,” Tori replied, the bangs of her light brown hair hung over her chocolate eyes.

  “So what are we watching,” I asked plopping into one of the huge leather recliners.

  “It’s a toss between the new Saw or Final Destination. Tori’s being a diva,” Austin proclaimed eyeing her, hand on his hip.

  They were always on each other. I think they enjoyed the squabbling, like an old married couple.

  “I am seriously not the only diva in this room,” she animatedly retorted, pushing the hair from her face.

  “Alright guys I’ll decide.” Thinking I could end this before it got out of hand.

  “No,” they unanimously bellowed.

  “Final Destination is fine,” Tori conceded, pulling out the case.

  Just like I thought – they both claimed my tasted in films sucked. Whatever. As long as we got this film rolling.