The Witch's Spark

by Melania Tolan

  “Of course. Do you have witches in your family?”

  Her question shocked me, and I didn’t answer. “Thank you for coming over. You can go home and get some sleep. I’ll be fine, I promise.”

  Mindy’s brows pressed together. “I don’t know if leaving you alone is such a good idea. What if Traian comes back?”

  “He won’t hurt me, and I have a feeling he won’t be back.” Which breaks my heart. “We’ll be okay.” I pulled Storm onto my chest. “I have the panic button, and I can always text you if something comes up.”

  “Okay, if that’s what you want. But I am more than happy to spend the night.”

  “No, please go home and rest. Stop fussing over me. I’ll be fine.” I waved a hand.

  Mindy gave me a hug and left.

  Storm laid down at the far corner of the bed. Mindy’s question bounced in my mind as I tossed and turned, but as soon as I closed my eyes, I stood in the forest again. Traian wasn’t there. As much as I wanted to call for him, I didn’t want to see him. I was still pissed, but more importantly, I felt guilty for hurting him.

  Sometime around six a.m., I woke up, but I felt like I hadn’t slept at all. Storm even grumbled a few mews at me as I put some dried food in her bowl. She ignored the food and curled up in her princess bed with her back toward me. My mood seemed to sour by the minute as I packed a lunch from the food Mom had left in the fridge the day before and gathered my bags for school.

  The buzzer went off around seven, and Dr. Perry was at my door less than a minute later. He checked my hand. My palm had healed overnight, so I didn’t have to go into work with gauze wrapped around it. His medicine must be working—this is the fastest I’ve ever healed from cuts. Granted, these were micro wounds, but still…

  As soon as he left, I caught the Link train to Capitol Hill. He’d offered me a ride to the flower, but I’d refused. From the moment I left home, I felt hyperaware of my surroundings. I kept expecting to see Aidra everywhere I turned, but the streets were only full of usual strangers.

  The shop was still locked when I got there, but I had a key, so let myself in and turned off the alarm. It was nice to be there first, so I could start the day without having to deal with my boss or Mindy. Not that I minded Mindy. But even though she was my best friend, we’d been spending way too much time together. Though is being here alone such a good idea?

  I shook off the paranoid feeling setting in and focused on the opening tasks. I got the buckets for the flower displays out of the cooler and filled them with single stems of various blossoms.

  Next, I checked the combo fax machine/printer and collected the orders for the day. We had fifteen already. I took the first five and gathered the flowers needed for the arrangements. My workstation was full when Mindy walked in.

  “Hi,” she greeted me. “How are you feeling? How’s your hand?”

  “Great.” I smiled, breathing a sigh of relief. “All healed up.”

  She checked my neck and then my palm. “The bruising is almost gone. Wow, and your cuts healed. This is amazing.”

  “Modern medicine.” I turned back to my work. “We’ve got a bunch of orders to do.”

  Mindy pulled out some flash cards and set them on her workstation. “I have a test tomorrow.”

  I sighed, feeling awful. She had spent most of her weekend either taking care of me or working, but she had a life too.

  “I’m sorry. Why didn’t you say something? I would never have called you last night.”

  “Oh, please.” Mindy waved her hand. “You come first, always. Plus, this is just herbology.”

  And so our day went on, with Mindy quietly working as she went over her cards. I got lots of work done, as well, even though my head was in a different place. Carol came in around lunchtime, just before it was time for me to leave.

  Once at school, I went by the lab to drop off my Petri dishes in the incubator, then headed to the library to study until class time. Psychology that night was as boring as ever.

  When I went home. I checked my surroundings like a paranoid person, but there was nobody following me. I didn’t see Aidra—or Traian. The latter saddened me. I missed him. I wanted him.

  Maybe we can talk it over… But I don’t have his number.

  Tuesday was a repeat of Monday but with Microbiology. Professor Perry didn’t speak to me during class, nor did he call me to his desk after, as he did sometimes. He basically ignored me the whole time. His ears looked funny, though, like before. I found this interesting because they hadn’t appeared different when we were at the hospital, or this morning when he’d come by. With all the craziness of the last few days, I shook it off as just another weird thing in a string of strange events. Maybe he’s into elf cosplay.

  Even Storm was acting odd. At night, she’d sleep in her princess bed downstairs instead of with me. And she ignored me when I fed her in the morning. Is she pissed off at me? I hoped there wasn’t something wrong with her health. Her food dish was empty when I got home, though, so I took that as a good sign.

  At night, my dreams were devoid of the one person I longed for. The forest stood empty.

  Wednesday was just another day, except I had the gala later that night.

  Why did I agree to go?

  The day before, during my lunch break, I’d gone to a boutique across the street from the flower shop and found a black lace dress with a high neckline to cover my scars. I even bought a pair of matching heels—I never wore heels.

  Lab first, though. I almost groaned as I huffed up the science building steps.

  Jen was already there, and together we looked at the specimens from our projects. I went up front to grab the staining chemicals from the supply cabinet. Professor Perry sat at his desk and looked at me over his spectacles. He said nothing, just nodded and went back to his papers.

  When I peered into the incubator, I realized I was missing a specimen—Traian’s. I checked again, looking at all the shelves. Still missing. I glanced over everyone’s desks, hoping I would spot it, but it was silly to think someone would take mine, since Professor Perry had given each of us color-coded labels with our names already printed on them.

  Maybe I accidently left Traian’s sample at home or in my backpack?

  “Is there a problem, Miss Greene?” Professor Perry asked.

  My cheeks warmed up, and my hand tingled. Oh no. Not this again. I turned to him. “I’m not feeling well. Can I make up my lab tomorrow?” I put the specimens back on the shelf and closed the incubator.

  He nodded. “Be here tomorrow at three.”

  “Got it, thanks.” I rushed over to my desk to gather my things.

  “What’s wrong?” Jen asked.

  “Migraine,” I lied. “I’ll talk to you soon.”

  As soon as I got outside, the tingling subsided. I gripped my grandmother’s cross as I walked to the Link station as fast as I could, checking my surroundings. Nobody followed me home, including the person I really missed.

  Storm ignored me as I walked through the door.

  “Really?” I threw my hands in the air. “Are you mad at me, too?”

  “Meow-wow,” she said and turned her little butt toward me.

  “Fine.” I stomped into my bathroom and closed the door.

  It took me fifteen minutes to get my new dress on. I loved how the glitter in the chiffon skirt shimmered as I walked. I slipped my feet into the sparkling heels, just as a knock came at my door. I checked the time on my cell phone.

  Seven o’clock. Mindy must be here to fix my hair and make-up.

  “Thank you so much for coming,” I said when I opened the door, I loved that she respected my privacy and didn’t just barge into my place like my sister and mother had.

  “Of course, thank you for asking.” Mindy hugged me. “How are you feeling?”

  “Nervous as hell.”

  “Aw, don’t be. I’ll have you looking like the belle of the ballroom in no time.” She set her makeup bag on the kitchen counter. “Pret
ty dress. I can’t believe you went shopping without me.”

  “Thanks.” I sat down on a stool at the counter. “And I didn’t do it on purpose.”

  “I know.” She kissed my cheek.

  Mindy used glitter eyeshadow and applied mascara to my lashes. She powdered my cheeks and pleated my hair into a medieval-looking braid. It took a whole hour to get me looking gala-ready.

  “Thank you.” I hugged her.

  “You’re welcome. I’m glad I could help.” She smiled. “Have fun tonight.”

  I doubted I would. The hole in my soul seemed to grow deeper and deeper as more time passed without Traian.

  Chapter 25

  I stepped out of the cab Stella and I had shared. The Space Needle towered over us. A lantern-lit path led up to the entrance of The Seattle Glass Museum. The dark sky lit up as a lightning bolt slashed through the overhead clouds. No rain yet, but I could smell the moisture in the air. I took a deep breath and grounded myself.

  “Ready, sis?” Stella took my hand.

  I gave her a weak smile. “Yeah, sure.” I fought the urge to jump back into the cab and go home. I glanced around me, looking for him.

  Three torturous days had gone by since I’d seen Traian. Since I hurt him. I turned away from my sister and whispered, “I’m sorry, please come back.”

  “Did you say something?”

  I shook my head. “Let’s go see some glass art.”

  “You look lovely.” She gave me an air kiss, and we walked into the museum.

  A man dressed in a black suit and orange bow tie opened the main door to the museum and greeted us. “Evening, ladies.”

  Once inside, ushers escorted us through the lobby and into the first room. My sister had been working here for two years now, but this was the first time I’d walked past the foyer.

  “We can always leave if it gets to be too much, okay?” Stella gave my hand a soft squeeze then released it. “You’ve been working too hard and studying too much. Try to have fun?”

  I nodded. I figured she was right about me needing to get out, but the Spring Gala at the famous blown glass museum wouldn’t have been my first choice. Seattle’s wealthiest residents weren’t people I normally associated with. I was one hundred percent positive I wouldn’t find a single invitee I had something in common with to strike up a conversation.

  The idea of conversation fled the moment I entered the first room. The combination of light and color against the black-painted walls made the twisted flutes of glass glow like a magical fairy garden. But then the cacophony of hundreds of talking voices cut through my initial awe of the art before me.

  “Let’s get drinks,” Stella yelled over the noise. “Nothing alcoholic for you, so don’t ask.”

  “It’s okay,” I responded. Like I’d ever ask her to sneak something like that for me. “Is there a quieter area where we can go?”

  “Yes.” Stella pulled me into the next exhibit hall. Fewer people filled this room, but it was still too noisy.

  Goodness, why am I so sensitive to noise tonight? My hands tingled again. No. Not that again. I stifled a groan. Was this the medication, or was it really the reiki energy that Mindy and Dr. Perry kept telling me about? I signaled to my sister I needed to keep moving. I didn’t even stop to admire the art in the third room.

  The fourth exhibit hall felt much calmer. I could hear a string orchestra music coming from down the hall. Some of the tension in my shoulders eased.

  “Much better.” I exhaled. “Thank you.”

  “Sorry, honey.” Stella patted my arm. “There are leather benches over there, if you need to rest.”

  “I’m good,” I lied and looked up at the magnificent glass sculpture covering most of the ceiling. “Whoa.” I hoped I wouldn’t have another episode like I had on Sunday night, because I didn’t want to break this beautiful work of art.

  “Will you be okay?” Stella asked.

  “Yes.” I glanced at her face. “Go.”

  “Okay, I’ll be in the next room.” She gave me a quick hug.

  I watched her disappear in the direction of the music, and returned my attention to the swirls of glass above. The red and orange colors gave the piece the appearance of fire. If I stared too long at them, they seemed to dance around like flames. What imagination to create something so glorious. For a moment, I forgot about my illness, my recent hospitalization, the madness of the week, the tingling in my hands, and the awful turn my brief romance had taken. For a blissful moment, all I saw was beauty. My heart swelled a little, and a small, real smile spread across my lips for the first time in days.

  But then my whole body tingled. I shuddered and noticed several people looking at me. I fiddled with my black chiffon dress, pretending I was straightening the layers of my skirt, only to release the fabric as my hands got hotter. My observers went back to their small talk, and I noted the door leading to the glass garden outside.

  I need cold air.

  Nobody was in the outdoor space. I made a beeline to the trickling fountain in the center and stuck both hands into the water.

  Sweet relief.

  My hands cooled off a bit. To the side of the garden was a great, glass hall with the biggest glass sculpture hanging from the ceiling. The room was filled with people. A small string orchestra played at one end. I spotted Stella in her bright red dress, chatting with an older couple. The air shifted around me like a cool breeze.

  “You look beautiful,” a deep voice spoke behind me with a hint of Eastern European accent.

  I whirled around. I didn’t need to look to know who had spoken, but I wanted to make sure he was real. “You came.”

  Traian stepped out from the shadows. “I did.”

  “How did you get in here?” I shook my head and stepped forward. “Never mind, why did you come back?”

  “You asked me to.”

  “You heard that? Were you following me again?” Heat churned at the pit of my stomach.

  Where had the anger that now boiled under my skin been two weeks ago when I had let him into my life? The urge to slap him and kiss him pulled me into two opposite directions, but he was like a magnet. It didn’t matter what I felt, his presence always drew me in, like a moth to the flame.

  I squeezed my eyes shut for a second. “I’m sorry for hurting you.”

  “No need to apologize.” Traian’s face changed as he glanced to an unlit corner of the garden. “There isn’t much time. Please come with me.”

  “What?” I took a step back. Finally. Maybe I did have some common sense after all. “You think you can just show up and whisk me off after avoiding me for three days?”

  “I didn’t avoid you. You asked me to stay away, and I respected your wish.” Traian took my hand and led me to the darkest corner of the garden. “Before we have any more conversation, I must show you something. I need to keep my promise and tell you the truth of who I am.”

  “Oh, now we’re going to be honest?” I just couldn’t help myself. Ugh, why am I being so… What’s the word… Crazy? “I’m not playing these games.”

  “We’re not playing games,” he said firmly. “That’s why I’m coming out. Do what you will with this. If you never want to see me again, I will leave forever.”

  I was about to make a smart-ass comment about ‘coming out’, when from behind him, two massive, bat-like wings exploded outward.

  “What the…”

  Traian closed his eyes. When he opened them again, they glowed bright red, just like they had when I’d slammed him against the wall, and like Aidra’s had before she attacked me. His wings expanded, each stretching to at least eight feet long.

  I stared at him. All thoughts and words vanished, along with any trace of logic. I was too stunned to speak.

  “I’m a monster. A strigoi,” he said. “I take blood. I kill. This is who I am, and I will not apologize for that. I never had a choice in becoming this.”

  He beat his wings and rose above me like a dark angel, hovering a couple of
feet above the ground.

  He’s the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen—the only thought that made its way into my brain. I should have been terrified, but I wasn’t. No, what I felt inside could best be described as wonder. The anger I’d felt before simmered down. Now I just wanted to reach out and touch him.

  Traian landed back on the ground with the lightness of a seasoned acrobat. He lowered his wings and partially retracted them.

  “This monster has fallen in love with you. I didn’t want to reveal who I really was, because you are so frail and didn’t want to scare you. But if anything, the last three weeks have shown me how strong you really are.”

  From the inside of his coat, he pulled out a silver medallion. On it, the symbol I had seen on Eva’s grave gleamed, as a lightning bolt lit up the sky.

  “No way.” I gasped. My hands vibrated again.

  “I should have told you before.” He shook his head. “Blast it, we don’t have enough time.”

  I stepped forward and held out my hand. Traian put the pendant into my palm.

  “The grave…” I met his red eyes. “You’d been there before. That’s why you were interested.”

  He nodded. “There isn’t much time. We need to go.”

  And just like that, the floodgate opened inside of my brain. Hundreds of thoughts poured in, sending my mind into a whirlwind.

  “I don’t understand. Are you real?”

  Traian wrapped his arms around me, sending a flurry of sensations through my entire body. “There isn’t much time,” he repeated. “I must show you one more thing.”

  “Everly!”

  We both turned toward Stella’s voice, though we knew she couldn’t see us right away.

  I peered up at him. “If you are real, you must meet my sister. Then you can show me whatever you need to.”

  Traian nodded. “Very well.” In an instant, his wings disappeared behind him. Then he took the chain off his neck and let it drop into my palm on top of the pendant. “Put this in your purse.”

  I didn’t have time to ask where his wings went or why he was giving me his medallion, so I just did what he told me. The next moment, his hands cupped my face and his mouth found mine. The remaining air in my chest froze as heat filled my entire body. The tingling in my hands stopped.