The Witch's Spark

by Melania Tolan

  “Thanks.” I pulled the water-damaged, blue notebook toward me. “Storm is great. Don’t you have a job?”

  “I do, but it involves long periods of waiting.” Every few seconds, his eyes would scan the street.

  I looked in the direction of his attention, half expecting the lady in red to be standing across the street, but I didn’t see her or anyone else of interest. I turned back to Traian.

  “Oh, so I’m a distraction, then. Someone to help pass the time.”

  This realization stung deeper than it should have, but I was a realist. And I was nobody—just a sickly college girl, trying to survive. What could I offer this guy who’d traveled the world and seen more in one week than I had my entire life?

  Stop feeling sorry for yourself.

  I swallowed down the self-pity. If I was honest with myself, I didn’t have that much time left anyway. My clocked ticked closer to game over than most people my age, and there wasn’t enough blood in this world to save me.

  I’d gotten accustomed to living this close to the edge, which was why I didn’t have a problem stating my mind.

  “Our time together is limited, so let’s make the best of it.”

  “I agree.” Traian reached across the table and took my hand. “But you are more than someone to help pass the time.”

  The last tentacle of fear I’d felt on the train retreated, warmth filling the cold space. Safe. Why do I feel safe with this stranger? I don’t even know his last name. My mind and heart were at odds again. I pushed this conflict away and focused on the now. And right now, his hand holding mine sent tingles of joy through my entire body.

  I met his gaze and peered into those midnight eyes. Inside those dark orbs, I saw a universe of possibilities. I saw myself as a whole person with infinite power, able to hold my ground.

  Then my eyes drew down to the notebook before me. I pulled my hand away from his and gripped my notebook. Part of me wanted to open it up and check if my rubbing was still in there. The other part wanted to chuck the thing across the room.

  I’m not crazy, and this is one way to prove it.

  I held it up and let it open naturally to where several pages of paper had been stuffed inside. A folded, detached page slid out—the one I’d been looking for. I unfolded the paper. The symbol filled the entire page. This was my proof I hadn’t imagined the symbol on the grave.

  “What is that?” Traian asked.

  “Something super strange. You probably wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” My eyes followed the curves of the circle around the center of the cross and the angles of the upside-down triangle.

  “Try me.”

  I glanced up at Traian and met a pair of serious eyes. “The night you saw me by the cemetery, something happened.” I paused and looked away. What am I doing? He won’t believe me.

  “And?”

  I focused on the symbol. Ah, hell. Will he scare off if I tell him the truth? Maybe part truth? I will start with part truth. He doesn’t need to know everything.

  “There’s this grave at the cemetery that I made an arrangement for. It was kind of ugly—the arrangement, that is. The gravestone had this symbol on it, and when I touched it, the tombstone electrocuted me. I know that sounds crazy.” But not as crazy as it would sound if I told you I also saw a bunch of weird stuff while being electrocuted.

  “Fascinating.” He observed me with an emotionless face.

  “That’s not the weird part, although it has its level of weirdness. When I went back there the next day, my phone wouldn’t work to take a picture of the symbol.”

  “You went back? Why?” Traian’s right eyebrow raised slightly.

  “I don’t know really. Something about that symbol feels so familiar. I know I’ve seen it somewhere before.” I stared down at the paper again. Where have I seen this before? “Anyways, I took this rubbing of it to research the symbol’s origin.”

  “Interesting.”

  “But here’s where it gets really freaky. Yesterday morning, I went out there to check the grave, and this symbol was gone. The space where it had been was still there, but there is no symbol. How crazy is that?”

  Traian folded his hands in front of him. “Do you go to this cemetery often?”

  My cheeks got hot suddenly. “Um, yeah. My grandmother is buried there. Which is weird, too, because the grave that had this symbol, the woman died the same day as my grandmother, which is the same day I was born.” I shook my head. “It’s kind of creepy and weird and cool at the same time.”

  There. I did it.

  I’d told him about the strangeness I had encountered—the moment when it seemed like my life had taken an interesting turn.

  I refolded the paper and stuffed it back into the notebook. I half expected him to get up and leave, but instead, he took my right hand.

  I met his gaze, and a tornado of butterflies erupted inside my stomach. God, he’s so gorgeous. His skin so smooth and perfect. How did I get so lucky as to have won this beautiful specimen’s attention? But I needed to be careful and find out more about him.

  “What are you thinking?” His thumb made gentle circles on the back of my hand. “What is going on in that magnificent mind of yours?”

  “Magnificent?” I laughed. “Quite the opposite. I am just appreciating my current view.” I smiled.

  “Oh, I think mine is better.” His eyes twinkled.

  My first reaction was to dismiss his comment, but this time, I nodded and said, “Thank you. If you must know, I was wondering about your last name.”

  “Vânătorul,” he answered. “Yours?”

  “Greene.”

  “Suits you.” He nodded.

  “What does Vânătorul mean?”

  My food arrived at that moment, and he released my hand. When the waitress left, he answered, “Hunter.”

  “Ah, it suits you.”

  We both laughed as I drizzled syrup over my stack of pancakes and sliced them into bite-sized pieces. Traian watched me as I stuffed my mouth. After a few bites, I realized he hadn’t ordered food.

  “Aren’t you hungry?”

  Traian shook his head. “I already had breakfast.”

  “It feels kind of weird to eat in front of you.” I forked a couple more bites into my mouth.

  “Oh, I find it quite entertaining.” He smirked.

  “Why don’t you tell me more about you while I inhale my food? Tell me about Romania.”

  “It’s a beautiful country.” He sipped his tea and leaned back in his chair.

  “Yeah, so is Washington. What makes Romania so beautiful?”

  “Mountains that touch heaven, valleys that cradle the soul, rivers that feed the land with life. A history rich and long as time itself. Miles of caves and underground passages that would take several lifetimes to explore. A blue sea filled with creatures and legends. But the mountains…” Traian’s eyes softened and misted with sadness. “That is where I’m most at home.”

  “Sounds enchanting. I wish I could see it. Does any of your family still live there?”

  Traian shook his head.

  “Where do they live now?”

  “They died.”

  Now the sorrow in his eyes made sense. “I’m sorry.”

  “It was long ago, I barely remember them.”

  “No siblings?”

  “No.”

  “Do you have any family, like cousins?”

  “No.”

  How awful. Family could be a pain in the ass—mine sure was—but I could always count on my sister or mother to be there when I needed them most.

  I reached across the table and took his hand. “I truly am sorry.”

  “Don’t be. I’m alone by choice. I have my chosen family.”

  “Where are they?”

  “Scattered around the world, but mostly in Romania. It is safer for them that I stay away for now.”

  These words struck the warning nerves throughout my body. Danger. Yet in my heart, I knew there was no amount of
danger that would make me feel it wasn’t worth spending time with this man. Heck, I lived in danger every day. One fall, one physical exertion, one cut—anyone of those could be the final event of my life.

  I finished the stack of pancakes and tea in silence. Traian placed a twenty and a ten-dollar bill on the table as we got up to leave.

  “Let’s go for a walk.” He took my hand.

  “I need to get home and check on Storm.”

  “I’m sure Storm is fine. Nonetheless, we can stop and check on her.”

  Once again, we held hands. I didn’t mind the coolness of his skin against mine. This romance was all new to me. This feeling in my heart was pure magic—I never wanted it to end. Unfortunately, the end would come, and probably sooner than later. I resolved to focus harder on him and our finite time together.

  After a brief Link ride to my apartment and a quick check on Storm, we wandered about until we came to a county library. I couldn’t think of a better place to spend time with him than in an environment filled with history, knowledge, and beauty. Traian pulled me to the travel section where he discovered two picture books on Transylvania. We found an empty table in the back and he showed me his home country.

  The green valleys dotted with sheep and goats, and the tall crags and crystal alpine lakes did not disappoint. I could see why Traian loved his home country. I could also see the hint of sadness in his eyes.

  We spent the day strolling through downtown Seattle and he told me more about his beloved Romania. I couldn’t get enough. I wanted to learn more about this beautiful place.

  Traian held my hand the whole time. We stopped often for me to rest. When we stopped for lunch, he bought me a sandwich. Midafternoon, we enjoyed ice cream before he took me home. He waited outside my apartment building while I gathered my microbiology book and notes, which I thought was kind of strange.

  I fed Storm, who purred and padded figure eights around my feet.

  “Sorry to leave again. I’ll be back tonight.” I patted her little head before grabbing my school stuff.

  When I got back outside, I found Traian leaning against the light pole like men’s magazine model. I sucked in my breath. All thought went out the door when he took my hand again.

  Chapter 16

  I woke up Wednesday morning, my heart light as a feather, and a smile on my face. The twenty plus voicemails and text messages waiting for me from my mother and Stella after Traian had walked me home from class had done nothing to bring my spirits down. I sang in the shower and danced around the house as I got ready. When I glanced at my reflection, I noted a sparkle in my eye I had not seen before. Even my hair seemed to have a little more bounce than normal. I felt so good I decided to wear lipstick.

  “Nice color.” Traian wrapped his arm around me as I walked out of my building. He’d promised to spend the day with me until I went to class.

  “Thanks.” I grinned like a fool.

  My day started with a trip to the University of Washington Oncology Clinic where I was to meet the physician in charge of the clinical trial. Traian went to the library during my appointment. I expected a young kid from the medical school, so when the door opened and Professor Perry walked in, nausea hit me like a blast of foul air.

  “You?” I sputtered.

  “Hello to you too,” Professor Perry said and sat down in the chair across from the exam table.

  “I didn’t know you were a physician.”

  “I am many things.” He opened the laptop he carried and typed away. “I’m glad I could pull a few strings to get you into the study.”

  “That’s why you were at the hospital, wasn’t it?” It all made perfect sense now.

  “Yes, and no.” He put on a pair of spectacles, giving him the appearance of a proper science nerd. “I was there to help you and your family, but I realized I could assist you even more if I could get you into this trial.”

  “I don’t understand. Why me?” I fiddled with the paper covering the exam table.

  “You are a special girl and you have unique needs.” Perry met my gaze. “But that doesn’t mean you need to suffer or go through life in pain. If I can improve your well-being even by ten percent, then my mission will be complete. I became a doctor so I could service people with rare diseases like yours. I want you to succeed in life.”

  I didn’t know what to say. This was completely not what I had expected. Part of me felt betrayed that he had kept this information from me, yet I knew if he could help me, my life would be so much better—I could have the independence I longed for. Maybe I could even enjoy the physical aspects of being in a relationship.

  My thoughts went to Traian, and I felt my cheeks warm. I quickly thought of something else.

  “Does my mom know about this?”

  He shifted in his seat. “Only if you want. For now, we will leave her out of the paperwork.”

  “Okay. Thanks.”

  “How’s the kitten?”

  “She’s well.” I braced myself for the coming lecture.

  “From a medical standpoint, it’s unwise for a person with your condition to have a feline with sharp little claws in your home.” Perry adjusted his glasses. “However, given the circumstances of your mental health, maybe a furry friend wouldn’t be such a bad idea. Just take great care not to get scratched.”

  I nodded. Well, that was unexpected. Wait, what does he mean about my mental health?

  Before I could ask him, Professor Perry launched into the protocols of the trial and gave me the medication I would take every day. This was in addition to the meds I’d received the day before. Then he scheduled me for the infusions I would get every other week. In preparation, they would take some of my blood, manipulate the cells, and then transfuse it back into my body. This was a new technology that hadn’t been FDA-approved yet. This treatment was also being tested on cancer patients with lymphoma and leukemia.

  He tied the tourniquet around my left arm and inserted the needle into my vein. Five vials later, he placed a bandage over the puncture wound and untied the tourniquet. Before he left the room, Professor Perry gave me a cup of orange juice and some crackers to eat. I downed the sweet liquid in one gulp. I didn’t know I was that thirsty.

  Five minutes later, Professor Perry came back and went over the medications one more time. There was one pill I had to take every morning, two at lunch, and another pill at night.

  “Let me see your palms,” Perry said as I got up to leave.

  “What do my hands have to do with anything?”

  “Many things, my darling.” He took one of my hands and turned it palm-up.

  “Are you going to tell me about my future?”

  Mr. Perry glance at me over his glasses. “Your future is bright, but hard times are in the works. Your energy will be tested in the next few weeks, but you will come out fighting in the end.” He turned back to my hand and repeated the same exam on my other palm.

  This time when he touched the center of the palm, I felt a zing of power vibrate through my body. Both palms warmed up.

  “Ah-ah. You have good chi.” He laughed and released my hands.

  “What?” I’d heard the term ‘chi’ before, but couldn‘t place where.

  “Don’t you wonder why your hands get hot?”

  I held my hands behind my back. “Yes.”

  Mr. Perry turned to his computer and typed something in. “It’s your reiki energy. Some people need to train to access this, but you seem to have unleashed it with little trouble.” He closed the laptop. “We are done here, Miss Greene. Call me if you have questions. See you in class tonight.”

  Traian was waiting for me when I exited the building. One look at him and all the weirdness of the last hour completely vanished.

  Chapter 17

  “I want to take you to a special place for lunch.” He took my hand, and I welcomed the coolness of his skin on my palm.

  We stopped by my apartment, where I changed into an emerald green dress, white cardigan, and a pai
r of black boots.

  Storm watched me from her perch on the corner of my bed and mewed in approval when I did a spin in front of her. It might be the middle of the day, but this was a date, and I wanted to look nice. I said goodbye to Storm and headed out with Traian.

  A taxi waited outside and took us down to the docks. As early afternoon settled in, we boarded the Bainbridge Island Ferry. Even though I’d lived in Seattle my entire life, I’d only been on a ferry once, in grade school for a field trip. My mother had watched me like a hawk for any signs of fainting because my heart had been giving me trouble again. Today, it felt good to stand on the back of the boat with the wind blowing through my hair and across my face—I felt alive.

  Traian held me close as if to keep me from flying away. Once on Bainbridge Island, we walked down a cute street, coming to a quaint, little house. At the end of the building, a sign hung that said, “Rolando’s Kitchen.”

  We walked into the small but intimate space. Heavy curtains separating each booth provided privacy. Each table had a tea light holder in the center that made the light sparkle on the smooth surface. A waiter came out to greet us.

  “Hello, Mr. Hunter. Good to see you again.” The waiter extended his hand to my companion, and Traian released my hand to shake the waiter’s. “Your table is ready for you.”

  The waiter motioned toward the back, left corner—the closest booth to the back door and the darkest part of the room.

  I slipped into the small booth, and Traian sat down across from me.

  The waiter disappeared behind the curtain only to reappear a moment later. “The master will be out in a moment.”

  As soon as the waiter left, I leaned in closer to Traian. “Master?”

  “Rolando and I go back a while. He’s the master of this restaurant, what you would call the sous chef.” Traian leaned in. “I haven’t been here in a long time, Everly.”

  “Yeah, like how long?”

  “Probably ten years, if not more.”

  I was about to comment on his timeline, but a tall, balding man with a white apron covering his rotund midsection appeared at my side.

  “Hunter, my boy.” He clasped Traian’s shoulder.