Saved by the Spell (Anna Wolfe Series, Book #2) (11 page)

Roman's expression
hardens. “Somewhere around there... you'll see when we get there.”

“
We better be's travelin’ like normal folk. I hate walkin’ through those damn portals.” Martello rolls his eyes twice to make it clear he means business.

Roman arches his eyebrow, entertained that Martello thinks he has a choice
, let alone a say in the matter. “Since we need to make a quick getaway and layer, portal travel is the only option.”

“
I's gonna pretends I didn't hears that. I has enough anxiety rights now,” he answers, standing up. “And on that note, I's gonna fix me another drink an’ pack myself a carry-on filled with my fabulous sightseeing wardrobe.” Martello glides inside, slamming the door for added diva oomph.

“
He does have a point,” Valen says. “Brielle, can you help Janie and Kristy with the packing. Make sure they bring assorted clothing.”

“Not a problem.”

Valen turns to Janie. “Warn Martello he needs to bring a
diverse
wardrobe, I don't want him having a meltdown… and Janie, can you grab some things for Anna?”

“Yes, of course.”

Brielle reaches for Janie’s arm, pulling her inside. Kristy follows on her toes, both happy to be productive members of the group. 

Roman looks at Valen hesitantly.
“Valen, you know I couldn't let you go with Landon.”

“
I understand Roman, but it doesn't mean I have to like it.”

“
Stubborn until the end. Quit your lovesick worrying; Landon will get her back... he's one of the best.”

Valen's jaw
tightens, causing his cheekbones to pop. “I'm not doubting his abilities, but if he comes face to face with Micah, what then Roman? He can't defeat him and you know it. How would we even know if he's dead?”

“
Simple. If he comes into trouble, he’ll reach out to me before disappearing into the nearest shadow. If that happens, I’ll rip a portal for him. Besides, did you really think I would let him near Micah without attaching a tracing spell to him? I'll know when he's in trouble even if he can't communicate...” Roman retorts arrogantly.

“
Of course you did. Shady magic was always your forte.” Valen frowns sarcastically.

“
I'm going to ignore your childish digs tonight, considering the amount of stress you’re under.” He saunters over to Valen, sitting next to him.

“
You know, once we arrive in Italy, we need to prepare for an all-out war. Lines will be drawn and all hell will break loose... no pun intended,” Roman laughs nervously. “Since Micah will try his best to track us, we're going to layer deep.”

“
Makes sense. The more layers, the less chance he'll find our trail.”

The sound of the door opening silences the conversation. Brielle saunters out, walking over to them. Her sparkly blonde hair reflects every ray of moonlight brilliantly.
“All right boys, I'm outta here. The ladies are packed and ready to go. Valen, call me if you need anything. I'll hang back and do my best to prepare the pack for Micah's retaliation.”

Valen stands, wrapping his arms around her, squeezing her in a tight hug.
“Thanks for everything, Brielle.”

Brielle hugs him back, releasing him shortly after.
“Don't act like we're saying goodbye; we'll see each other again. Stop getting all girly on me,” she winks. She pats his arm, glancing over his shoulder at Roman. “See you around Roman,” she says coldly, before turning her back and disappearing into the night.

The door clicks open, and Janie, Kristy and Martello
empty out onto the porch, bags in hand. “We's ready,” Martello announces, plopping his by the stairs with a thud.

The three of them take a seat on the top porch step.
“Do you know anything yet?” Kristy questions.

Roman shakes his head
, lowering his eyes. “I’m sure he'll be back soon.”

“
What do we do now?” Janie questions.

“
We wait,” Valen answers.

Chapter 9

Anna

I'm still
confined in this god-awful chair, watching Micah search ceaselessly for The Scholars, and now, Valen. My stomach cries out in hunger and my dry throat adds to the physical discomfort I've been suffering for hours. Pretty shitty host I have. I'm hoping he'll get bored with me and send me back to my cell. At least there, I’ll have someone to talk to. I exhale loudly, hoping the psycho hears me. He's so wrapped up with inflicting pain in every aspect of my life, he's ignoring me completely. Not that I mind. The less I interact with him, the better. My stomach twists whenever I think of Valen’s safety. If Valen is captured, he won't be able to do anything to avoid it or stop Micah. Once he's in the Netherworld, he's screwed. Tears pool in my eyes, but I swallow them back. Roman's there to protect him... I hope.

I crane my neck to gaze out the window. It's amazing how silently nighttime snuck up on us.
How long have I been here? I watch as the stars twinkle brightly in the black sky, wishing I were home. Desperation wraps itself around me, trying to suffocate me with its ever-tightening constraints. I shake it off, willing myself to find the unseen pocket of hope hidden somewhere deep inside me. Twisted branches from the trees poke out of the trunk, stretching across the grass like the bony hand of a corpse. Dark shadows dance and twirl from every limb, setting the eerie stage for the night’s show.

A dark patch of movement next to one of the trees catches my eye.
What the hell was that? I squint, honing in on the area of movement. The outline of a figure suddenly disappears into the shadows. My heart thumps wildly in my chest at the thought of being rescued. I direct my attention back at Micah, hoping he didn't notice my premature excitement. Nope, the bastard is still consumed with revenge and world domination. I look out the window, yearning to see the movement again. But instead, only stillness lies before me.

“
Damn it!” Micah shouts, slamming his fist on the table. Pens and papers scatter off the edges like scared sheep. “How is this complicated?” he yells at one of the Seekers. “I need that dog and I need him now!” Micah glances over his shoulder at me before barreling out the door, banging it shut behind him.

I'm relieved Valen's location is still undetermined, but now, escaping is even more critical. I have to think of something quickly. I wiggle my wrists, pissed that there's very little leeway. My eyes dart around the room, hoping to find anything to help me. The Seekers are all preoccupied with their task, and I'm not taking a chance by distracting them in case they're hungry.
“Shit,” I utter out loud.

“
Such vulgar speech for such a beautiful woman,” a deep British accent speaks.

I snap my neck to the right, finding a bookcase overflowing with books and documents, but no one there. I’m positive I heard an unfamiliar man’s voice. I glance at the Seekers, only to
observe all their heads crammed inside their books. Surely it's not one of them. I scan the room, searching for proof of my sanity. The stark emptiness reassures me I’m alone. I sigh heavily at the thought of impending madness. A small flutter in the darkness catches the corner of my eye. I scrutinize the shadow hanging next to the junky bookcase tucked into the corner of the room.
No one's there, Anna
. The absence of human presence doesn’t shake the feeling that someone is indeed watching me.

“Anna, I presume?” the disembodied voice asks.

I’m not sure if I should answer. It’s either my mind checking out, or Micah fooling with me. I draw my lips in a thin line, refusing to respond.

“Stop being stubborn, we don’t have time for it. My name is Landon and althoug
h you can’t see me, I am here. I’m a Shadowalker.”

A shadow-what?
I don’t remember his kind in my
Book of Worlds
. “I…I don’t know what a Shadowalker is.”

He chuckles lightly. “Well, then you’re not much of a Grand Witch now are you?”

“Apparently not,” I reply, annoyed.

“Shadowalker’s can transport themselves anywhere in the world through shadows… sort of like walking through portals, except I don’t need magic to travel however I please. Your friends, Roman and Valen, called on me,” he whispers proudly.

Just hearing Valen’s name releases a swarm of butterflies in my stomach. I swallow hard, yearning to see his face again.

“So, let’s get on with it, shall we?” he continues. “Micah won’t be long, so I’d rather get out of here before he comes back.”

A figure ripples in the shadows, but remains well hidden. I listen to strong footsteps, watching as the darkness slides off him like a cloak. His caramel hair mirrors the thin slivers of moonlight threading through the glass. His slender, muscular body moves with authority, like he owns the joint. He stops in front of me and bends down to undo my wrist restraints. The bobby pin I concealed in my boot earlier bursts into my mind.

“Landon,
in my boot,” I flick my head in the direction of my left leg, “there’s a bobby pin I swiped. See if that might help.”

He
grasps the edge of my boot, slipping his two fingers between my calf and the leather. He plucks the metal pin from its hiding spot, exhibiting his relief with a wide smile. His strong fingers nimbly push and prod their way through the tight steel bindings with the tiny metal pick. Within minutes, my arms are set free and I instinctively rub my throbbing wrists. I peek over his shoulder, waiting for Micah to barge through the door. The Seekers remain entrenched in their search for three people now, not realizing a man from the shadows is liberating me.

“We must hurry. It won’t be long
until I’m on their radar,” Landon states, tossing his head in the direction of the Seekers.

“I won’t argue with that.” I unhook the strap around my forehead and chest while Landon unbinds my ankles. He reaches for my hand, pulling me off my seat. My knees buckle under my weight, prompting me to hastily grab his upper arm.

“Whoa. Sorry about that,” he chuckles. “I forgot you were sitting there for a wee bit.” He slides his arm around my waist, hoisting me upward. I catch his eyes browsing my skimpy attire. “Nice dress,” he jokes.

I grumble
, missing the humor of my slutty outfit. Jokes are only funny as long as they’re not happening to you. A few shaky steps later, we reach the shadow by the bookcase. It’s skinnier than a person, sending warning bells of doubt throughout my brain.

“How do we…?” I begin to ask, when I’m cut off by Micah’s voice, booming down the hallway.

“Hurry, we don’t have much time.” He slides me closer to him and walks straight into the wall. I close my eyes, anticipating the pain associated with my head smacking concrete. I open one of my eyes, slowly peeking around the darkness surrounding me. I turn myself around, noticing a sliver of the room I was just held captive in.

“
How…?” Before I can finish, Landon slaps his hand against my mouth.

“Shhhhhh,
he’s here,” he whispers lightly in my ear, sending tingles down my spine.

The door to the room
swings open and Micah bursts in. Shock registers on his face when he sees the empty chair. Anger paints his face with a bright shade of red. His cheekbones pop and his fists close into tight balls. “Impossible!” he hisses through gritted teeth.

A small sneer tugs on the corner of my mouth at his priceless expression. He stomps towards the chair, stopping to examine the loose bindings. He turns swiftly, inspecting the room for my means of escape. He strides over to one of the Seekers, ripping him from his work by grabbing his lapel.

“Where is she?” he spits, fire blazing in his eyes. Micah snaps his neck, scrutinizing every inch of the room.

“That’s our cue.”

Landon's voice is low and confident. I'm glad he's optimistic. He pulls me backwards and a strong current of air whips by my head. In a matter of seconds, we’re standing at the end of the oak-lined pathway, staring at the plantation home we were just in.

“Holy crap!” My eyes widen with excitement.

Landon smiles broadly. “Pretty wild, huh?”

The smashing of glass grabs my attention. I crank my neck in the direction of the noise, watching as one of the Seekers flies out a window, plunging to his death. I cringe, hearing his body smack onto the ground.
Two airborne bodies smashing the ground in one night. It’s safe to say I've heard enough for a lifetime. I shake my head at my misfortune.
I must be one lucky girl.
Shards of broken glass rain around him, covering the porch and his lifeless body in crystal.

“Anna!” Micah screams, hanging through the jagged
window panes with the eyes of a madman. “I will find you and I will kill everyone you care for!”

Landon grabs my hand hurriedly. “Time to go!” He sprints to a shadow dangling off one of the branches of a Live Oak. “Hold my hand and make sure to never let go.”

I nod, squeezing his hand even tighter. We run into the shadow, disappearing in an instant. Blackness engulfs me as we continue running in the dark.

“
Stay with me now, we don't have much time.”

Landon sprints through the darkness with familiarity, turning and weaving throughout the nothingness. I swallow the fear back down my throat, wondering what awaits us on the other side. Without warning, we're dumped onto
an illuminated courtyard that could double as a parking lot. I glance overhead, my eyes fixed on the massive pillars rising into the sky. I lean against the strong, timber door and gulp in fat breaths of air. I look around, watching strangers laugh as they pass, unaware of the collapsing worlds around them. Numerous tables and chairs litter the cobblestone, home to various crystal balls and psychics.

“
Where are we?”

Landon chuckles.
“We're in NOLA.”

I turn to him, arching my eyebrow.

“New Orleans,” he rolls his eyes. “And what you're leaning on is the St. Louis Cathedral,” he gestures with his head.

I remove myself from the aged door, scared I might burst into flames from touching anything holy. The company I've been surrounding myself with lately might be questionable in God's eyes.

“Why are we here?”

“
Simple,” he responds, walking toward one of the old-fashioned, wrought iron benches. Landon lowers himself and pats the empty spot beside him. “I need to call on Roman to fancy us a portal.”

I march over to him and sit down. Leaning into the unbending iron, I am comfortably happy, but feeling vulnerable
. I cross my legs, pulling and stretching the stupid dress to cover me. Sitting half-naked in a crowded square isn't my idea of fun.

“
Don't worry about your attire, or lack thereof. This is New Orleans.”

He
motions to a woman standing in the middle of the street. Her flawless, silver-painted skin glistens in the soft light of the oil lamps. I study her, and realize she is completely naked. A woman is standing butt naked in the middle of the street and people merely throw her fleeting glances. And here I thought I'd seen it all.

“
It takes a lot to shock the citizens of this city. New Orleans is organized chaos, Anna. I bet if you stripped right now and took a stroll, no one would ogle you... well, not too much anyway. Moreover, the humans can’t see us.”

I snort.
I'll take his word for it. Regardless of his wager, I'm still far too exposed for my liking. “How? We’re sitting right here, in plain view.”

“Humans do not exist in the Dimensional world. Can the
y be brought here? Sure, but their world is and always will remain separate. Think of the Dimensions and humans like a two-way mirror—supernaturals can see in, but humans can’t see out,” he points to us.

“
We’re invisible.” I mumble.

“Precisely.”

I close my eyes tightly, directing my thoughts away from my comfort zone and the ever-changing world I now live in. I've escaped Micah. A day I thought would never come is here, and I am free! I never want to let go of this feeling... the crisp sensation of liberty. I slowly open my eyes, devouring the world around me. The energy here is so vibrant and carefree. I always wanted to visit New Orleans, only under different circumstances. As much as I want to live in the moment, my anxiety is too high to smile and throw back a few cold ones. I turn to Landon, who's obviously enjoying one of the finest cities for people watching.

“
So, do we just wait?”

Landon turns to me, offering me a smile.
“Relax. I've sent a message to Roman already. He should be getting it any minute.”

Relax is a word I barely recognize anymore. I exhale loudly, hoping for once in my life to see a portal.
“Wait? Did you text him or something?”

Landon throws his head back laughing.
“Text him? Anna, we’re on an entirely different Dimension, so it’s safe to say cellular reception is lacking here.”

I shrug my shoulders.
“It seems that I still have a lot to learn,” I mutter. It's the truth. I studied the
Book of Worlds
, but that's the only book I was able to read. Kidnapping and preventing the Earth’s destruction somehow got in my way.