A Love of Magic: Jace's story: Chosen Saga Book 1.5

by J. L. Clayton

“Great. So, not only do I have to worry about winning your heart from Tru but now I have this mystery guy to compete with?”

  “Uh, sorry?” she said.

  “Yeah, yeah,” I retorted.

  "Well, I have to go, Jace. I'll see you tomorrow."

  “You’re already leaving me for the mystery guy?” I joked.

  She laughed. “No, I’m just tired that’s all. I'm not leaving anyone for a mystery guy I've never met. Trust me. You are already too much. I have enough to deal with, so I don't need some other guy in the mix.”

  “Good. Then I’ll see you tomorrow, Fox.”

  "Yeah, I'll see you in the morning, Jace."

  ***

  I was setting everything up for Charlie's workout. This weekend was a gender swap dance. It was dumb; they let the girls ask the guys. I guess I am old fashioned. I thought it was the guy's place to ask, but since the girls get to ask, I thought I would see who Charlie picked. Secretly, I hoped she would choose me or go alone. I sure as hell didn’t want her going with Tru.

  “Hey, Fox. You ready to work out?”

  “Bring it on, big boy.”

  I smiled and attacked, throwing her on the floor.

  “So, did you ask Tru to the dance?” I inquired, grabbing her right arm.

  “No, why?” she panted.

  I flipped her onto her back. “Because, I thought if you’re not going to ask him, then you must be holding out for something better.” I looked down at her and smirked.

  She bucked, trying to kick me. Instead, she flipped over onto her face.

  "Crap," Charlie grunted.

  I chuckled.

  “Something better…meaning?”

  “Why me, of course.” I smiled.

  “I’m not going with anyone. I’m going alone.”

  I nodded and got off her. Yeah, this was what I wanted, but it pissed me off just the same.

  “Damn it, Charlie. Is this because you like us both and you don’t know who to choose?” I hit one of the bags in frustration.

  “Uh, maybe.”

  “I can make your choice easier. Just pick me. I'll make you happy, and we will have a killer time.”

  “Jace . . .”

  I looked at her and shook my head. “Forget it. I hope you have fun… alone.”

  “Jace, don’t be like that.”

  “I’m sorry. I don’t want to fight.” I told her.

  “Okay.” She nodded.

  “Charlie?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Save me a dance?”

  “You got it,” she said, wrapping her arms around me.

  Chapter Nine

  Jace

  Propped against the wall, I watched her enter the dance hall. I felt sick as she headed in Tru’s direction.

  But Jolon, Tru's friend, stopped her, and they started to dance. Then, she danced with Nikko. It was like a punch in the gut. With every guy, she danced with, I wanted to gouge my eyes out. I wasn’t going to wait for her to come to me. I strolled over to her, standing behind Nikko.

  “Meanwhile,” I heard Nikko say, “…I need to tell you something shocking.”

  Charlie glanced at Nikko and then back to me.

  I stifled a smile.

  Nikko cleared his throat, “Your mom hit on me today while you were off getting your bag. She asked me if I would, um, you know…" Nikko's voice went flat and mysterious, "…Sleep with her," he whispered. "Don't worry, though, your dad knows, and he's okay with it. I also thought about cross-dressing. I just wanted to give you a heads up. When you see me Monday in a dress, don’t freak out, okay?”

  “Nikko,” Charlie shouted, pushing him away.

  "Hey, hold up," Nikko demanded, throwing both of his hands in the air. "Your mom didn’t ask me to sleep with her.”

  Charlie shook her head and covered her mouth.

  "I was just kidding, Charlie. Man! I was just trying to get your attention. Err, not that your mom isn't a very attractive woman for her age, but I swear, nothing is going on. FYI, I’m not going to cross-dress either. You know that, right?”

  I smiled, shook my head, and tapped Nikko on the shoulder. “You’re funny, Nikko. Now go away and let me show you how this sexy fox should be held.”

  Nikko grimaced, nodded, and took his leave.

  “Hello, gorgeous,” I whispered. “You look beautiful. Is this the dress?”

  She nodded.

  “Wow,” I whistled. “Maybe I should be worried. With taste like that, this mystery guy knows what he’s doing.” She wasn’t saying anything; she seemed nervous. I spun her onto the dance floor. She looked breathtaking as her dress flowed around her body. She smiled, and I was once again lost within her. “Do you know what you’re doing to me? How you make me feel? Your smile. Your eyes and how soft your skin feels.” To prove my point, I slid my hand up and down her arm. She shivered. “You make me feel high.”

  I watched her throat work as she swallowed, then Charlie pressed her head to my chest. My heartbeat increased. I didn't want this moment to end. I tilted her head and brushed a single strand of hair away from her eyes.

  The music seemed to fade, and everyone disappeared. It was as if we were the only two people on the dance floor.

  I took a chance and asked. I was so afraid of what she would do or say, but I knew I had to try. “I want to kiss you, Charlie, like you’ve never been kissed before. Just one kiss. Just say yes.” Someone bumped into her, and she broke eye contact. The look on her face spoke volumes. I shook my head. “Charlie, I don’t understand. I don’t like it, but what can I do?”

  We finished our dance in silence, and she made her way to the punch bowl. She took a sip and placed the cup on the table as Tru whisked her onto the dance floor. I watched in horror as the girl of my dreams leaned in and kissed him.

  "Fuck," I muttered as I pulled Tru away from her and swung a punch, hitting him in the jaw. He came back with a counter punch. We were full on fighting before our teachers broke us up.

  “What do you two think you are doing?” Mr. Ryan scowled.

  "Oh, nothing. I just thought he needed a makeover," I said straight-faced.

  Surprisingly, Tru chuckled.

  “Next time you two feel the need to rearrange each other’s faces, do it at home. This isn’t a slumber party. You stay there, Tru, and Jace, you sit over there. That should be far enough away. Now I get the fantastic job of informing your parents," Mr. Ryan continued.

  I looked around for Charlie, but she was nowhere in sight. Anxiety rippled through my body, and a frantic feeling crawled over my skin. A little while later, Nikko ran into the dance hall, holding someone in his arms. When I noticed, it was Charlie my heart stopped, and my worst fears became reality. We crowded around him as he gently placed her on a table. I wanted to cry. I wanted to hit something. What could I do? How could I help her? There was so much blood.

  Without thought, I pushed into her mind.

  Three drunk men dressed in black, stepped into the street.

  Charlie turned to leave, but the leader stopped her.

  “Hold up. Don’t ya wanna play a game?”

  “No. I’m sorry, I can’t.” She took a slow, awkward step away. She shook her head and took off running, but she lost her footing and tripped.

  The three idiots laughed as they moved in to surrounded her. One of the men clasped her arms, forcefully standing her up. She let out a painful shriek.

  “Oh. C’mon, pretty girl. I like it when ya scream.” Then he backhanded her.

  She kicked, hitting one in the shin. She whorled around and kneed another in the balls; however, the leader stopped her. He wrapped his hand around her mouth and then he punched her. Charlie fell to the ground ripping her dress. She started to rise, but the leader kicked her in the side. He picked her up, pressing his lips to her cheek.

  He snarled. “You, stupid slut. I’ll show you how it feels to be kicked and bitten.”

 
“Go to hell,” Charlie breathed.

  “Well, ya are about to be there.” He grinned and shoved her back to the ground.

  She crouched on her hands and knees, gasping for air.

  One of the guys said, “Do it, Max. Hit that slut again.”

  Max, the leader shook his head. “Shut the hell up, Jack. Ya dummy. We don’t need to let her know our names, we’re—” He stopped in midsentence and shoved Jack backwards. He looked down at Charlie and curled his lips adding, “Well, I guess it’ll be ok, seeing that she’s not gonna make it through the night. We’re gonna make ya scream so bad, Darling, ya’ll wish ya were dead.”

  Max gripped her shoulder and pushed her face down onto the road, making Charlie scrape the side of her face. He grabbed a hand full of her hair and yanked. Max licked his lips. Smiling he bit her forearm, breaking the skin.

  “Oh, pretty girl. Now that I have you primed, it’s time for some real fun.”

  Max ordered one of the men to hold Charlie’s hands, while the other man gripped her legs. Max slowly rubbed her face, tracing his thumb over her lips. He moved his hands over her body until they came to rest upon her hips. He stabbed her and cut her.

  I quickly pulled out of Charlie’s mind. I swallowed and looked down at my beautiful Fox.

  She shouted. "Let me go! I just want my mom. Please. Let me go. Why won’t you let me go?”

  I did the only thing I thought would help. I whispered, “Tranquillum,” sending a calming spell into her body. In the chaos, no one noticed. Minutes seemed like hours before the paramedics arrived and rushed her to the hospital. A group of us followed behind.

  ***

  The doctors briefed us as we waited to see her. Overall, they said she would be okay, and the police took statements, promising they would find the men that did this to her. Not to long after that, we found out that two of the three men were attacked by an animal and killed.

  Good riddance.

  As we were heading home, we got a call and it wasn’t good. Charlie’s remaining assailant from earlier, just attacked her in the hospital. I had a bad feeling I knew why she was being targeted.

  I rushed into the hall and sighed when I saw her. My shoulders slumped with relief. Sam and Janet stopped me.

  “Jace. Will you stay with her while we find out what’s going on?”

  I nodded and headed over to where she was.

  "Hey," I said, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. “Your parents will be back in a sec.”

  She nodded and reached for my hand. I didn’t think I could ever let her go. What if she gets hurt? What if next time she is taken away from me for good?

  A little while later, Officer Burt, knelt beside us.

  He smiled sympathetically. “I’m sorry to tell you this, Charlie, but he’s gone.”

  Max got away. Fuck.

  I squeezed her hand in reassurance, hoping they would found him before he tried to hurt Charlie again. I knew if they didn’t find him, and I did, then I was going to make damn sure they never found him.

  Chapter Ten

  Jace

  I picked up my phone and called my mom.

  "Hey, Mom."

  “Jace, how are you?”

  “I’m fine, but Charlie isn’t. She has been distant and lost since her attack.”

  "I'm sorry, son. Anything I can do to help?"

  “I want to help her. I want to make her feel safe again. Can you give me a good spell?”

  “Of course.”

  “Thanks, Mom. I love you.”

  "I love you too, Jace. Don't worry. She is a strong girl."

  "Yeah, but you can only take so much. I just don't want her to break." I hung up the phone.

  The next few days were hectic, as I got everything set. Leisurely, I made my way to the gym. I had to wait for her, and I desperately hoped she would show.

  The door opened, and she walked in.

  "Hey, you came," I said with excitement churning inside me.

  "Hey, Jace. Yeah, I'm here. Um… I’m ready to get started, I guess.” She shrugged. The bruises had started to fade, and the discolorations on her skin was barely noticeable.

  I knew what I was about to do would be ok.

  “Good.” I charged, ramming her body into the ground. She gasped in surprise. I beamed down at her, and she grinned back. But her smile was short-lived.

  She shouted, “NO! NO! NO!” Her arms and legs flailed.

  “Charlie, it’s okay.”

  “Oh, God. Jace, I’m—I’m so sorry. I’m sorry for freaking out on you.”

  Tears welled in her eyes. I pulled her to me and held her. “It's okay, Charlie. It's fine now. There's no need to be sorry. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

  I lifted her chin and wiped the tears from her face, giving her a quick kiss on her cheek.

  “Now let’s see if we can’t get you past this fear of being held down.”

  “W-w-hat?” She stuttered.

  “Trust me, Charlie. This’ll be fun.”

  “Jace, I don’t know about this. Uh, maybe we should just call it quits. We can try in a week, a month, or a year," she said, trying to hide her fear beneath humor.

  “I don’t think so. I’m not letting you off that easy. Besides, you don’t want to scream every time someone is on top of you… um, right?” I winked. "Well, maybe not in the way you were screaming just now.” I snorted.

  “Jace, spill it. What can you do for me?” She sounded annoyed.

  I crossed my arms over my chest, cocking my head to the side and leaning against the wall. “Well, I can do a lot. What would you like?”

  “Knock it off, Jace, and tell me.”

  I chuckled, “Lighten up. Okay, it’s simple. I want to play a game.”

  “Huh?”

  “Let’s play a game, Charlie. If you want to quit, we can, but I think you will enjoy it.”

  She sighed dramatically. “Fine, I’ll play your stupid game.”

  "Good. Now, close your eyes," I ordered. Reluctantly, she obeyed, and I wrap my arms around her waist.

  She stiffened and looked over her shoulder. “Jace, what’s going on? I agreed to a game, not fondling. Are you trying to seduce me?”

  I chuckled. “We are playing, and no, I’m not trying to seduce you. Scout’s honor.” I put two fingers in the air and did a little salute. She giggled. “Trust me, Fox. When I seduce you, you’ll know.” I brought a piece of cloth up to her eyes.

  “Um, Jace…I don’t like this,” she said with a shaky voice.

  She put her hands up to yank the blindfold off, but I stopped her. “Charlie, I’m here. Concentrate only on me and my voice.” I released her and stepped away, leaving her blindfolded, alone, and vulnerable in the middle of the mat.

  I pulled in a cart filled with dozens of flowers and maneuvered it to the center of the mat. I caught my foot on the wheel and muttered under my breath.

  “Jace, is everything okay?”

  “Yes, it’s fine,” I sighed. “Can I ask you a question?”

  She hesitated, “O—kay.”

  “What’s your favorite flower, Charlie?”

  “Huh?”

  “I said what flower do you like?”

  “Why?”

  “Just humor me,” I pleaded.

  “Jace, I don’t see where you're going with this?”

  "Trust me. This will help you, and I think you will enjoy it.”

  “Fine, my favorite flower is a white calla lily."

  “Uh-huh, and why do you like it?”

  "Well, there's just something about it that seems to represent purity. All the bad in the world could wash away in the beautiful aroma. But that’s silly. I know a simple flower could never take the evil out of the world.”

  “How can you be sure?” I whispered from behind her. “Breathe in. There is something I want you to smell.”

  She inhaled. “Jace?”

  “Just think
what good one flower could bring you. Now take off the blindfold.”

  She slid the fabric from her eyes, and her mouth dropped.

  “Oh, Jace. They’re beautiful!”

  All around us lay thousands of white calla lily petals. I transformed the room into something I was hoping she would find beautiful.

  “Let me explain. It was very tricky because, hell, you avoided me for so long I thought I might not get the chance to do this. I asked your mom what your favorite flower was. Yeah, it’s kind of sappy, I know.” I shrugged. "Your mom told me that calla lilies were your favorite, and I had my mom order the flowers, and she told me I needed to try and get you over here today if I wanted to do what I planned.” I scratched the back of my head and tucked my right hand into my pocket. “I’m just glad it worked out.”

  “Wow, thank you.” She looked down. “But I’m sorry I don’t see how all this,” she opened her hand, “…is going to help me with my problems. I still see bad things, and I don't like to be held down. Plus, the guy is still out there.”

  I grinned. “I know. That’s why I’m not done. Do you trust me, Charlie?”

  “Yes, I do. Why?”

  I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling unsure. "Because I need you to lie down. Don’t worry, ok? Just trust me.”

  “Okay.” She shrugged.

  I let out a long breath and sat down beside her, swallowing thickly. “Charlie, I want you to think of the flowers around you—how beautiful they are.” I paused. “God, look at you—you’re beautiful." I felt my cheeks heat up. I was so nervous. Letting out a deep breath I said, “Now picture this.” I held up one of the flowers. “Your favorite flower is going to wash all the bad away.”

  It sounded insane, but I hoped it would work. “What did the bad people do first when you were on the ground?” I asked.

  “Jace, I don’t like this. Let’s just forget it.”

  “No, Charlie,” I insisted. “You said you trusted me. So please believe me and close your eyes.” I gently wrapped a vine around her wrists. "Did they hold your arms?" She nodded, and her body trembled. “Did they tie you down?" Charlie nodded and clenched her eyes. "Look at me," I demanded, knowing this was the only way the spell I cast over the flower would work. “What do you see?”