Spectral

by Duffy, Shannon

  A chill tip-toed down my spine. I bit down on my lip so hard I almost drew blood. What was he saying? Dispose of me? I thought the Augusti was here to protect me? Roman had told me they were my guardians. But Henri hadn’t said anything about wanting to kill me—he said I’d be a welcome addition to their coven, not that I would do that, of course. But Henri hadn’t said anything about wanting to kill me.

  Roman had lied to me. My stomach soured, twisting.

  Incredibly, Roman remained calm. He shifted from one foot to the other, but kept his voice steady. He reminded me of a perfectly skilled poker player. “I will bring her with the dagger before her birthday. You can depend on me,” he told them.

  I wanted to run away, but my legs felt like they were encased in cement. I didn’t know what to believe anymore. My head spun as anxiety gripped me. I pushed my hands up through my hair. What does the French coven really want from me? What’s up with Taylor’s mom? Where’s the dagger? Who’s the Augusti Forza? And who is Roman, and what does he actually want with me?

  But if Roman really wanted to give me up, this would be a perfect opportunity—and he wasn’t taking it.

  “You’ve got one week,” Paolo said. “Don’t let me down.” He turned, gesturing to the car where Henri and Dominique were beginning to stir. “Massimo, take care of the criminals.”

  Massimo walked to the front of the car. He glanced around as if ensuring nobody was watching. I hunkered down lower. He placed his hands on the hood of the car.

  Roman closed his eyes. He wiped his forehead with the back of his hand, but stayed where he was.

  Steam emitted from Massimo’s hands and then spread out from his whole body. It was like heavy fog drifting off a swamp, swallowing the car. I heard a muffled scream come from inside. Massimo stepped away. My eyes widened as I watched the thick fog sucked back into his body like a vacuum. The car, along with Henri and Dominique, had vanished.

  Paolo laughed, croaky and guttural. It reminded me of Uncle Boris when he laughed. Smoker’s laugh, I called it.

  He turned to Roman again, pointing directly at him. “One week. If you haven’t found and brought her to us by then, we’ll be back. Those witches’ lives were lost because of you.” He ticked his head toward the empty space where the car had once been. “If you’d have done your job right, the Spectral would be dead and greed wouldn’t have taken those two over. The Spectral is an abomination—you know that. Find her,” he growled.

  An abomination?

  My nails bit into my palms. I had an intense urge to run out and smash the guy square in the face. Who was he calling an abomination? What about smoke-ass man Massimo? What the hell was he? If only I was the Spectral already, I’d go all supernova on him. I sank my head into my hands, rubbing my temples as my pulse pounded against my fingers. That was probably why they wanted me dead.

  They’re afraid of the power I’m supposed to get, I realized, looking back up.

  Roman smiled tightly, “I’m on it. She’ll be in your hands within the week.”

  I shuddered. If this was his poker face, he should move to Vegas. He’d be a gazillionaire in a week.

  “You better deliver,” Paolo warned. He and Massimo got back in their cars and sped off.

  Roman watched them go, then began walking down the street in the opposite direction. I wanted to jump out and scream at him. I wanted to call him a liar and tell him how much I hated him. Instead, I just sat there as he took a quick turn and jumped behind the hedges. He headed back toward me looking humble. It was an expression I’d not seen him wear before.

  After ensuring the cars had left, I stood, hands cupping my hips. “What the hell was that? I thought you said you were here to protect me. You lied to me!”

  Roman quickly covered the distance between us and placed his hands on my shoulders.

  I jerked away.

  “I am here to protect you…now.”

  I scowled.

  “Listen, I asked you to forgive me.” He gazed into my eyes, “But I don’t know if you can.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “I’d understand if you can’t. But can you at least let me try to explain?”

  Wordlessly, I stared at him through narrowed eyes, teeth gritted. Roman’s cheeks flushed and I couldn’t believe he was actually embarrassed. Still torn over what to believe, my ears or my heart, I nodded.

  “The stuff I told you about the Spectrals from centuries ago—how a couple turned crazy and killed other witches—that was true. After that, the Augusti had no choice but to step in.”

  I huffed. “So what are you saying? That you guys kill any Spectral born before they can make it through their quickening?”

  Roman grimaced and nodded once.

  I shook my head. “But how does that make you any better than the bad Spectrals?” I set cool eyes on him. “A murderer is a murderer however you look at it.”

  “You’re right. But it’s the only way we could think of. We look at it like we’re getting rid of one bad witch to save many innocent ones. The idea of Spectrals became a legend. It came to be considered a curse, not a blessing. A virus. At least that’s how it’s looked at by the Augusti. Other covens claim to feel that way, too.” Roman shrugged. “But I’d say that’s more of a jealousy and fear factor thing. I think that as much as the legend out there is one of a curse, every coven secretly wants a Spectral born into theirs. And then, of course they want the child to survive the Augusti Forza. That’s why some covens are willing to risk their lives to kidnap you. They want you for their own coven. Having you will increase their power exponentially and protect them.”

  My head started pounding again with the onslaught of information. Wearily I massaged the base of my neck, trying to take it all in. “When I was in the car with those two, they knew the minute they saw you that you were from the Augusti Forza.” I studied his features. “How’s that possible when you’re not even wearing the uniform like the others?”

  Roman closed his eyes a second, and took a deep breath. He slowly held up his hand, palm facing me.

  “Hey, don’t try to shut me up.”

  “Chill. Wait for it.”

  I blinked, and looked back to his hand. The center of his palm began to change color. A small circle of yellow fanned out from its center, forming into a perfectly round shaped ball. It turned orange, and then an orangey-red. It glowed brilliantly, and looked like a bright harvest moon. I gasped. “What’s that?” I reached toward his hand, but he closed his fingers and put his hand by his side.

  “Proof of who I am. When I show that to another witch, they are supposed to comply. Not all do, as you just saw. It also creates a magnetic force that can unlock doors, among other things.”

  I closed my eyes, remembering him walking toward the car when I was trapped with Henri and Dominique. He must’ve lowered his hand before I turned to look. When I opened my eyes again, Roman returned my gaze.

  “Well it sounds to me like the Augusti Forza is afraid of having a witch more powerful than they are, too,” I said.

  “Hey, I’m not denying that. The story of what went down with the last Spectral would scare the hell out of anybody. She was psycho.”

  I must have turned pale because Roman looked at me apologetically. He clasped my arms, unfolding them and took my hands in his. “Look. I don’t even know what’s true anymore or how much of it is an urban legend. But I’ve gotten to know you, Jewel, and I don’t believe you could morph into anything evil.” He squeezed my hands, “And the part I said about it being forbidden for us to be together is true, too. If I was caught with you in that way…well let’s just say it wouldn’t go over too well for me. My job is to find you and turn you in,” Roman clenched his jaw. “But I’m not going to. That’s not even a possibility anymore.”

  I pinched my eyebrows together. I’d heard what Paolo had said about Roman having to face trial if he didn’t bring me to them. Who knew what the punishment of a guilty verdict would bring. After what I watched Massimo do to Henri and Domin
ique, I could only imagine the worst.

  “Why? Didn’t that Paolo guy say something about your dad? Wouldn’t you be like a traitor or something if you didn’t turn me in? You’d be turning against your own.”

  Roman stepped closer to me. His warm breath fanned across my cheek. He swept a strand of hair behind my ear, sliding his fingertips down my jaw-line. His fingers briefly danced over my lips. “Because, Jewel,” his voice was barely above a whisper, and his eyes gazed into mine like molten chocolate, “you are my own now. I’m falling for you.”

  It felt like a million butterflies fluttered inside me. An array of emotions clouded my mind as his words rang in my ears. Roman—falling for me? I couldn’t believe it. I wanted to reach out and pull him into my arms, but nagging thoughts filled me. How could I be sure it wasn’t a trick? He’d already lied to me before. I twirled a strand of my hair around my finger like I always did when I was nervous, biting my lip.

  Roman fidgeted, looking at me for some response. He sank his hands deep in his pockets, tilted his head, and sized me up through wisps of hair. His usual mischievous expression was gone. His face began flushing, then he looked to the ground.

  My throat burned and tears stung my eyes.

  “You didn’t hand me over to them,” I said through a shaky voice.

  Roman shifted his hair, looking back at me, his eyes soft. “No, I never could.”

  My heart pounded, urging me toward him. I stretched up, lifting my chin until his lips were a hair’s breath away. Roman moaned, reaching for me. Pressing his hands against my lower back, he molded my body into his. The air seemed to evaporate between us. I could feel his every contour against mine, the tightening of his chest, the movement of his hips as they pressed against me, and his fingertips urging me forward. He traced his tongue lightly across my lower lip before parting his lips against mine. It wasn’t like the kiss in the cave where he pulled away too quick, too unsure. This kiss was tender, passionate, and full of longing. He slid one hand up my back, cradling the back of my neck, pressing me toward him, deepening his kiss. His lips were candy apple sweet, and tasted of remorse and love, and begging forgiveness. Wrapped in his arms, I knew what I wanted, what I believed. It was him. It was always Roman from the moment I saw him.

  “Do you forgive me?” he asked, pulling away, holding my head gently in both hands.

  My body tingled, full of emotions, but anger toward Roman wasn’t one of them anymore. Even in the middle of complete chaos, I felt something I’d never felt before. It was something I believed was hope. Roman gave me hope.

  I nodded, “I forgive you.” I kissed him again, more quickly this time. “And I’m falling for you, too.” The moment I said the words, I smiled, feeling warmth spread through me. There was no confusion about what I felt anymore, and I finally knew something I’d never known all my life. I knew where I belonged.

  He pulled me in, nibbling my neck.

  “What now, Roman? What are we going to do? They’re coming back in a week,” I swallowed hard.

  Roman took in a sharp breath. Leaning back, he held me by my shoulders firmly. “First we have to find the dagger, and then we find your mother.”

  I widened my eyes. “My mother?”

  “The woman in the picture you found? She’s your real mother. Her name is Angelina Rosa. She’s the queen of your coven and she’s been searching for you for years.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  My legs buckled beneath me, a jab of a pine cone finding my knee. I’d suspected the beautiful woman in the picture was my mother, but hearing it from Roman as a fact was still startling.

  I plunked down on my butt, running my fingers through blades of grass.

  “Are you serious?” I asked finally. I pulled my knees to my chest and rubbed the scraped one. “Then how did I end up with my current family?”

  Roman darted his eyes around as a car drove by beyond the hedges. The sound of its radio faded into the distance and Roman sighed. He sat beside me and cleared his throat.

  “I’m not sure. It’s not like your real coven would tell us who took you or anything. Even if someone kidnapped you, they wouldn’t want us to find you,” Roman glanced at me, and then away. “When word came about your birth, the Augusti searched every coven for you. They all denied your birth of course. So, since then, the Augusti has kept watch, looking for patterns,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Your parents traveled a lot over the years to many countries…other covens, like they were looking for something…or someone.”

  I swallowed. “You think they were trying to find me?”

  Roman nodded.

  I imagined how my parents must have been panicked. Were they? But how could they lose me in the first place? Who loses their baby? My mind churned with confusion.

  “When you showed me the picture, I put two and two together,” he paused, giving me a sideways glance. “Think about it…the words on the back of the picture.”

  My best friend Karina, my daughter Jewel, and I. “Karina was my mom’s best friend.” I tugged a handful of grass, and tossed it, my stomach twisting.

  He nodded. “She would’ve had every opportunity to take you. I’m not surprised, actually. I told you before, having a Spectral in your coven is a powerful thing.”

  “So my birth mom was best friends with someone from another coven? Wouldn’t that be kinda unusual?”

  Roman shrugged. “Some covens get along, others not so much.” He reached over and gently ran a finger across the jagged cut on my knee. “Your current family must have kidnapped you, wanting you for their own benefit. All these years, they even sacrificed being with their own coven and family to keep you alive.”

  I placed my elbows on my knees, propping my head in my fists, the realization making my head spin. My mother, my father—my grandmother—kidnapped me to use me. A tight pressure gripped my chest.

  “But, Jewel, about six months ago, your real parents stopped looking for you and went back to Italy.”

  “They stopped looking for me?” My voice came out shaky and I rubbed my forehead, dazed. “How could they give up on me? And now when it’s so close to my seventeenth birthday?” Tears welled in my eyes.

  Roman draped an arm around my shoulder, pulling me against him. I tilted my head, lowering it to relax against his solid chest. It felt so warm and safe wrapped up into him that I wished I never had to leave. “I’m sure they had a reason. They looked for you for so long, that I’m sure there has to be one.” He leaned over, pressing a soft kiss onto my cheek. “Besides, I know where they are.” He shook my leg gently with his free hand, breaking me out of my trance. “Find the dagger, and I’ll bring you home,” he smiled over at me, his eyes full of warmth.

  I smiled back, but my mind whirled with agonizing thoughts. I prayed they had a reason, hoping it wasn’t just that they’d given up on me. Then I found myself wishing that if I were lucky enough to find my way home, they’d be happy to see me.

  I let out a heavy sigh. “I’m gonna start looking around my house again.”

  “And if it’s not there…” Roman paused and tilted his head, “I think you might want to look through that book you mentioned you have.”

  My eyebrows shot up. “The Ancient Witchcraft book?”

  Roman nodded slowly. “Maybe we need to see what the spells in it can do when placed in the hands of the girl with Spectral blood.”

  ***

  The next day I woke up early with swirling thoughts burning in my mind. One was all about Roman and his ridiculously smoldering face along with the words, ‘I’m falling for you.’ Then there was what he’d said about the Ancient Witchcraft book, and seeing what the spells could do in my hands.

  Another was the dagger and my desperate need to find it. In one week, the Augusti Forza would be back for me. The thought of it sent chills buzzing through my veins. Roman promised that with or without the dagger, we’d make a run for it. But in the cave he’d told me that without the dagger, I couldn’t go through t
he quickening…and if I didn’t go through the quickening, I would die. His words replayed in my mind. You can’t fight fate, Jewel. You are what you are. I balled my hands into fists.

  And of course, there were thoughts of my mother—my real mother. What had gone wrong? Why did she give up looking for me? Maybe Roman was wrong and she hadn’t been looking for me at all. Those trips could’ve just been for fun. Maybe I was a burden she was glad to be rid of. My throat burned. An abomination. A freak.

  I pulled my comforter up to my face, inhaling the Downy fabric softener my mom used. I tugged it around me, twirling in the bed until I was like a butterfly in a cocoon. And right then, I didn’t want to ever come out.

  Something tickled my exposed foot hanging over the edge of the bed. I twisted around and instantly felt better. Jayden grinned as he wiggled my toes one at a time, rhyming out ‘this little piggy.’ A fit of laughter overtook me. He knew my feet were beyond ticklish and I was trapped in my comforter.

  Struggling, I managed to untangle myself. I jumped up, snatched him into my arms, and tossed him onto my bed. “Now you’re in trouble, monkey,” I wiggled my fingers in the air. Tugging up his shirt, I pressed my lips to his belly and blew, making crazy fart sounds that always made him laugh uncontrollably.

  “Jewel, stop!” He squirmed and laughed hysterically.

  “Pretty please?” I said, inching my fingers along his belly and under his arms, tickling.

  “Pretty please,” he echoed with a breathless giggle.