The Witch's Spark

by Melania Tolan

  “What are you studying at school?”

  “Biology, with a minor in Botany.”

  He grinned. “Why am I not surprised?”

  “What about you?” I wrapped a piece of salami around an olive. “Did you go to college?”

  Traian nodded. “A university in Italy.”

  “Italy.” My head filled with visions of bowls of pasta, plates of lasagna, and cones of every gelato flavor imaginable. “I’ve always wanted to visit.”

  “Why don’t you?”

  My heart sank. “I would if I could, but I don’t think my heart and lungs could stand the flight over the Atlantic.” I didn’t want to think about my betraying body, so I put on a smile and waved my hand. “It’s all right. There are plenty of yummy Italian restaurants here in Seattle to make up for it.” I dropped my gaze down to my salami-wrapped olive.

  I felt his cold hand on my chin, as he tilted my head up to meet his eyes.

  “You don’t have to be brave with me.”

  I looked deep into his dark eyes. In them, I didn’t see pity or sympathy—what I found was respect and acceptance.

  Traian’s hand trailed down from my chin to my neck. I felt the chain on my grandmother’s cross shift. His fingers surrounded the pendant and pulled it out from where it had been tucked beneath my coat. He opened his hand and the silver cross rested on his palm, the white metal gleaming in the sunlight.

  “Impossible,” he murmured.

  “What is?” I focused on his hand.

  “This is silver, no?”

  “Yes.”

  “Where did you get this artifact?”

  Artifact? I gulped down the uneasy feeling of seeing my most valued possession in his hand. “My grandmother.”

  He winced and dropped the pendant. Though, he closed his hand quickly, I still saw the bright pink outline of the cross on his fingers. He’d let go of my hand in the process.

  “Are you okay?” I tucked the cross back under my sweater.

  “Fine.” Traian rubbed his hand with the other. “Just allergic to certain types of silver.”

  What an unusual thing to say. “Oh, I didn’t know there was more than one type.” I sipped the green juice. Maybe I should have paid more attention in chemistry last quarter.

  “Yes. It depends on what part of the world the silver is mined.” Traian pointed at my chest. “What you have there is a very rare silver. The fact that your grandmother gave it to you makes the cross even more precious. Promise me you’ll never take it off.”

  “I don’t have to promise you anything, but I don’t take it off unless I’m going into surgery.” I popped the salami-covered olive into my mouth.

  “Let’s keep you out of the hospital, then. Now, tell me about your grandmother.”

  I finished chewing before I asked, “Why are you so concerned about my grandmother’s cross?” Maybe I had read too much into his commentary, but I found his interest odd.

  “I’m from Romania. Silver crosses are very important to the people there. Habit.”

  “Ah.” I finished the rest of the green juice. “Well, there isn’t much to share about my grandmother. She died the day I was born.”

  Small flakes of red flared in his dark eyes when I finished the last sentence. “When is your birthday?”

  “October 31, 1998.” Maybe I was revealing too much about myself.

  “Had your grandmother ever been to Romania?”

  “I really don’t know. My mother never talks about her and she gave away everything of Grandma’s except for the furniture in her house. This cross only came to me from her estate on my eighteenth birthday. You should have seen my mother’s face.”

  Traian slathered brie on a chunk of bread. “Why would your mother dispose of her mother’s belongings?”

  “The only thing she’s told me is that Grandma was into witchcraft, and she didn’t want anything Satan had touched in her house.” I swung one leg to the other side of the bench facing the water. “Funny how she didn’t mind moving into Grandma’s old house or keeping the expensive antique furniture, yet she gave me so much grief when I moved into Grandma’s loft.”

  “Did your Grandmother travel?”

  “You know, come to think of it, mom mentioned Grandma traveling extensively in Europe once or twice. I know little outside of the few pictures I’ve seen. I’m not sure where in Europe she went.”

  Then I remembered a little comment I’d heard mom mention one day years ago, when a family of gypsies walked into the waiting room of my pediatric cardiologist. She’d muttered something to the effect of ‘filthy Satan-worshiping scum’. When I asked her why she’d said that, Mom responded that gypsies were to blame for Grandmother’s death, but she wouldn’t divulge any more information, no matter how much I pressed her. None of that seemed relevant right now, so I said nothing about this to Traian.

  He and I chatted about touristy places around Seattle while we continued to nibble away at the delicious food. He fed me part of one of the red velvet cupcakes, his fingers lingering on my lips. Every time we made contact, I got little flutters in my stomach, and my skin tingled.

  For the first time in my life, I realized what all those silly romantic movies meant about chemistry. Traian lit a spark in my soul that no one ever had. Not that I’d had much opportunity to explore romance.

  The clouds came and went with brilliant sunlight in between. Seagulls perched on nearby posts, squawking while eyeing our food scraps. We watched ships and ferries glide across the water. My heart felt full and content. This had been one of the best days of my life.

  If I die in my sleep tonight, I’ll die a happy girl.

  “Would you be interested in a walk?” Traian asked as he cleared our garbage and disposed of it in the receptacle a couple of yards away.

  “That would be lovely.” I smiled.

  I didn’t want this day to end. Ever. Too bad we aren’t immortal, and we can’t just keep going. But he’d probably get bored with me. I was sure I would never tire of his presence or his stories. But I had Storm to think about.

  “I should get home soon and check on my kitten.”

  “Of course.”

  I stood up and wobbled. Traian was at my side in an instant, steadying me.

  “Never mind the walk. Let’s get you home so you can rest,” he said.

  I sighed, defeated by my body. “Sorry. You really should find a different girl to pester, because this one will let you down, I’m afraid.”

  With one arm around me, he cupped the side of my face with his other hand. “I’m afraid you’re the only one I’m interested in.”

  I lifted my gaze to meet his eyes. “Why me?”

  “I don’t know. It breaks all logic and reason.” His hand slid down to mine and he placed it over his heart. “I’m a cold-hearted scoundrel in more ways than one, but when I’m with you, I feel things I haven’t felt in a long time.”

  I waited a moment to feel his heartbeat, but I felt nothing. Probably because of his thick leather coat. My mind refused to think of any other reason. “You talk like you are super old or something.”

  “Hmm.” A shadow of sadness darkened his eyes before he smiled. “Let’s get you home. Storm will need her mama, too. We can meet tomorrow after your appointment. I still need to return your notebook.”

  “Oh, yeah.”

  I’d completely forgotten about my notebook, class, and pretty much everything else when he held my hand. For a few glorious moments, I felt whole—not like the sickly, needy, college girl trying to find her way in this harsh world.

  Chapter 14

  I woke up the next morning with fresh hope in my heart when the alarm went off at six a.m. I mostly forgot that Mom had been waiting for me when I got home the night before and bitched me out for having a cat in the house. Storm had hissed and growled at her. When Mom sneezed, she left in a hurry with the utmost displeased look on her face.

  None of that mattered. I only remembered the endless afternoon of magic. I
couldn’t wait for my appointment to be over so I could meet up with Traian again. After spending most of the day before with him, I realized that I’d finally met someone who absolutely didn’t annoy me after a few hours. Even Mindy, my bestie, wore me out after a while. But with Traian, I hadn’t wanted the day to end.

  Wow, am I becoming infatuated with him?

  “No,” I answered myself out loud.

  Think of something else. Your appointment this morning. Right, maybe this new clinical trial would be the key to saving my sorry ass. If I could just get strong enough to finish college, I could get a job somewhere far away from Seattle, somewhere people didn’t know me. A fresh start.

  “Mew.” Storm jumped up onto my bed and curled up on the pillow next to me.

  “Hello.” I scratched her chin.

  Her presence enhanced the good feeling I had in my heart. “I get to meet Traian again today and might be gone for a while. Will you be okay?”

  Storm curled up under my chin and let out a soft “mew.”

  I pulled my phone out and took a selfie with her, then sent it to Mindy, to which she texted “OMG!”

  I held Storm up to my chest as I sat up.

  “I need to check my grades.”

  I trotted down the stairs to the kitchen with her in one hand and used the other to open the laptop that sat on the bar. While the computer booted up, I made a cup of ginseng tea and a slice of toast. Storm received a can of cat food and some fresh water in her bowl.

  Perched on a stool, I logged into the university’s student portal and held my breath. These would be my first university midterm grades. What if I’m failing? With a shaky hand, I clicked on the ‘Grades’ tab. Two seconds later, lines with words and numbers filled the screen. My nerves made it hard to make sense of them.

  “Chill,” I told myself and released my breath to inhale deeply.

  Storm joined me at the kitchen bar, climbing onto the stool and up my back to nuzzle my chin with her little wet nose.

  I focused on the top line: ‘Winter Quarter Midterm Grades’.

  The next lines, one by one:

  College Writing………. B-

  College Trigonometry………………….. C+

  Intro to Biochemistry…………………… B-

  Microbiology I……………………………… C+

  “Yes!” I shouted and pumped my fist into the air.

  Storm flew down the kitchen bar, her back arched.

  “Sorry!” I squealed. All those late nights of studying had paid off.

  I was passing my classes. Now I had to pass Microbiology II next quarter, and I’d never have to see Mr. Perry again.

  I texted Mindy while I finished my tea and toast. There were another ten text messages from Stella and Mom, containing various levels of scolding regarding the newest resident in my home.

  Oh, what will they say when they find out I am switching doctors?

  They didn’t know about my appointment this morning or the transfer to UW Cancer Center—I’d kept this between my hematologist and me. Mom would be furious, but I didn’t care. I had to prove to her I could take care of myself and that she didn’t need to drive to all my appointments.

  I closed the laptop and skipped to the bathroom, Storm on my heels.

  I also need to change the locks on my door.

  I sang in the shower and used extra conditioner in my hair. Life was good. Wrapped in a towel, I spritzed water on my new plants and the orchids. The two African violets I’d gotten three weeks ago had bloomed again. Good grades, a hot shower, a new furry friend, a new mysterious friend, and pink and purple blossoms all put me in a good mood.

  After drying and braiding my hair, I opted for a pair of jeans, brown ankle boots, and a coffee-colored sweater.

  Once again, I felt guilty leaving Storm. She, however, just curled up in her bed like she had done the day before and went to sleep.

  “I’ll be back sometime this afternoon. There’s extra food in your dish.”

  Storm ignored my fussing and slept on peacefully. With a sigh, I grabbed my coat and headed out the door, feeling like I could fly to the top of the Space Needle. A light, late winter rain drizzled over the city, but the moisture didn’t dampen my spirits.

  Thirty minutes later, I stood in front of the cancer research building at the University of Washington Medical Center. A girl that looked about my age stood behind the reception desk, helping patients and their families with a grace and poise I lacked. I couldn’t imagine dealing with sick people, day in and day out. Guess that’s why I’d never felt like a career in healthcare would suit me. That, and after spending most of my life in hospitals, I’d rather work somewhere else. The florist shop had seemed like a good place. Flowers never complained.

  When I finished filling out the required starting paperwork, a lab assistant took me into a room to draw my blood for the baseline values. From there, she took me to another room, where a nurse performed a basic physical exam. When she finished, in walked a guy who appeared to be barely a couple years older than me. His name badge had the “MD” after his name, but he seemed way too young to be a doctor. Then I remembered this was a research hospital and noted the “Resident” part under his name.

  He went over the protocols of the study and informed that me once they had examined my labs, they would set up the first transfusion—I should expect a call this afternoon. My next appointment the following morning would be with the lead physician of the trial.

  I’m so glad I’m off work until Friday.

  A few more consents needed to be signed and a couple tests were done, and then they released me.

  As I walked back to the Link station, I glanced around, hoping I wouldn’t run into Professor Perry. He had a knack for showing up at random places—not unlike Traian.

  Both men puzzled me, but in different ways. Perry had gotten on my nerves until I ended up in the hospital… Now he was all in my business, which got on a different set of nerves. Yes, I was grateful he’d proctored my midterms last weekend, but why his sudden interest in my well-being, and the increased communication with my mother? I didn’t like it.

  Traian, on the other hand, did not get on my nerves. Though if I was honest with myself, he probably still wasn’t a good idea. I hardly knew anything about him, he’d just shown up. What if all his words are lies? What if he is some kind of serial killer, waiting to pounce on a loner girl like me? I probably should not have invited him into my apartment…

  And yet, while my mind logically questioned these things, my heart seemed to be on another trajectory—one that would land me in big trouble if I didn’t take more caution. All my heart wanted was to spend another day with him, to have him hold my hand again, and to hear his deep voice with that delicious accent. My brain could protest all it wanted, but deep inside my soul, there was only one thing I wanted—more of Traian.

  I went down the escalator to the Link platform. The train arrived a couple of minutes later, and I got on. Just as the doors slid shut, I noticed a flash of red from the corner of my eye, zooming through just in time. Less than four feet away from me stood the redheaded woman I’d seen in the cemetery.

  Chapter 15

  My blood temperature dropped several degrees. Her crazed, crimson eyes glared and held my gaze, as if daring me to look away.

  Everything inside me screamed “Danger!”

  Who is this woman? And why did I want to run as far away from her as possible? Everything about her stance, the color of her eyes, and how she watched me made me want to shout for help, but I couldn’t find my voice. I should have ignored her, but I couldn’t help stare back.

  The time between University and Capitol station seemed to take forever. Each second stretched into minutes and hours. Not once did the woman look away.

  My stop finally arrived, and I hurried past her to get off the train. I expected her to get off with me, but she didn’t.

  Once I was on the platform and the doors had closed, I turned and w
atched her observing me from inside the train as it pulled away. I shook uncontrollably as I stumbled onto the escalator that took me to street level. Every few seconds, I checked my surroundings to make sure she hadn’t somehow gotten off the train and followed me. She was gone.

  Across from the Link station at Capitol Hill, on the adjacent corner, stood the popular Insomnia Café. Students from both the community college and University of Washington frequented the joint at all hours of the day, as it was open twenty-four-seven.

  I stepped inside. The place bounced with activity. I scanned the room, my eyes stopping near the window. All the tension from the last twenty minutes melted away, as my eyes caught a figure who stood out above the rest. He was taller than everyone seated. The table and chair looked like a child’s set, with him sitting there, the coffee cup in front of him like that of a doll’s collection. Yet no one was paying attention to him but me. I smiled and wove my way to Traian’s table.

  “Hi.” I went to sit, but he was at my side, pulling the chair out before I could blink. Are my medical conditions causing me to lose bits of time, or am I just not paying attention?

  Before I sat down, I felt cool lips brush my cheek. It happened so fast, I could have totally imagined the brief kiss—the only thing that let me know I wasn’t conjuring up the caress was the blood rushing to my face and the desire to feel those lips on mine.

  “Good morning.” Traian helped me get comfortable before settling back into his seat across from me.

  The waitress came by a moment later, and I ordered tea and pancakes. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I’d sat down.

  “How was your appointment?” Traian rested his hands on either side of the cup of coffee before him.

  I set my purse down on the floor by my feet. “Okay, I think. How about you? What did you do this morning?”

  He glanced out the window. “A walk and biding my time before I could see you again, something I do often.” From the inside of his coat, he pulled out my notebook and set it on the table in front of us. “How is Storm?”