Saved by the Spell (Anna Wolfe Series, Book #2) (13 page)

“
Janie,” I pause nervously, “are you okay?” Stupid question. It always annoys me when grieving people are asked if they’re okay. If you need to ask, then you know they aren’t. Yet, here I am, doing the same thing.

Her eyes twitch and her mouth forms a tight line.
“Are you kidding? I'm more than okay,” she smirks.

I'm not sure if I'm relieved or disturbed. I arch my eyebrow
s, hoping for her to elaborate why her grief is non-existent.

“
She was a bitch, Anna! Prime, grade A bitch. After everything she's done to our family over the years and then this,” she points to me, and I assume she's referring to my kidnapping, “she can go fuck herself.”

My jaw drops open, shocked she's been harboring such hatred. Janie was right about Cara being a bitch and her mission to drive a wedge between our family members was evident since the day she was born, but the amount of anger
Janie’s harboring is shocking. “I... okay,” I answer, unsure if questioning her feelings would be appropriate right now. On second thought, I’ll change the subject. “How are we going to tell Mom and Jack?” Suddenly, I realize the devastation they are doomed to live in for the rest of their lives.

Janie pulls away.
“Shit, this is bad.” She starts pacing with concern, as a plan begins to take shape in her head, a plan I know I won't be in favor of. “I say we don't tell them,” she blurts out.

Is she kidding?
That's her idea? It's more like omitting the truth. “Seriously? You don't want to tell our parents that one of their daughters is dead?” I shake my head no.

She storms towards me,
folding her thin fingers around my arm in nervousness. “Think about it Anna, they’ll die. Not only will they grieve, but imagine the amount of guilt they'll feel? You know Mom... she'll blame herself, thinking she overlooked something or neglected her in some way,” she finishes.

Her argument is convincing, thanks to one very valid point: I'd hate to see them suffer or blame themselves for something beyond their control. They know she's with Micah, so maybe we can keep it that way.

For now.

I groan, clearly conveying my unhappiness at condoning this.
“I will go along with it, but Janie,” I widen my eyes, “they will know as soon as all of this is over.” As I finish, I wonder if it will ever be over.

She smiles with relief.
“We're doing the right thing Anna, trust me. Don't tell anyone yet. This stays between you and me.” She walks away without waiting for my response. “Oh, and get ready... we're leaving now,” she yells over her shoulder.

“
Where are we going?!” Janie pretends she doesn't hear me and continues walking.

“
You'll find out soon enough,” Roman lightheartedly answers.

I turn, noticing his tall stature standing directly behind me. I wonder if he heard our entire conversation. My eyes narrow at his shitty timing and cheerfulness. I push past him, bee-lining my way to the rest of the group.

I stop beside Martello. “Hey, any ideas on where we might end up?”

“
No one knows where we's goin’, but I got’s an inkling it might be’s somewhere over the pond.”

By pond, I assume he’s referring to a location overseas.
I glance at Valen, whose eyes reveal nothing. I'm sure he's in the loop, but he won't tell me for fear of compromising our safety.

“
Look Anna, I know it's a lot to take in right now, but we need to keep moving,” Roman says, walking past me, towards the house. “I'll take care in spelling your home. Everyone else, grab your bags and meet me back on the lawn,” he replies, pointing to where I'm standing.

I shrug my shoulders. What choice do I have? I can stay here and try to fight
Micah or I can run. Shoulders slumped, I march towards the porch that's filled with a line of suitcases. I watch as everyone scatters like ants, running in and out of the house. I smirk, noticing how Landon follows Kristy around vigilantly. If I didn't know any better, I'd say he has a crush on her. Martello takes the steps two at a time, grabbing his sparkling pink weekend bag and my boringly plain, black gym bag. He turns and hops down the steps, nodding for me to follow him. Within minutes, everyone positions themselves back on my front lawn, awaiting further instructions. Valen slides next to me, trailing my arm with his hand until resting it in mine. We interlace our fingers, as he pulls me into his side. My eyes slowly close and my breath halts in my throat. Will I ever get used to his touch?

“
Okay, we’re going to travel by portal,” Roman announces.

Martello and I moan automatically like students who were just informed of a pop quiz.

“Now, now,” Roman grins. “We have no choice. We have to layer due to Micah's quest of greatness,” he adds insultingly. “Grab a buddy and hold on tight.”

Martello pairs with Janie and Landon slides Kristy's arm through the crook of his elbow. I didn't miss the small smile sneaking on her face. 

“Okay, here we go,” Roman says, raising his arms and chanting his spell. “We're going to go through several, so be prepared.”

A blazing yellow portal opens a few feet from where we're standing, shining as brightly as the sun. I never saw a yellow one before, which causes me to lose confidence. When it comes to magic, I'm not a fan of change. Landon escorts Kristy through first, followed by Janie and Martello. Roman ushers us next, softly pushing us into it. A strong suction grabs me, jolting my body forward. I gasp as the wind from the portal snatches the breath right out of my throat. This one is far more intense than the others.

Valen hugs me in his arms, placing the palm of his hand behind my head. I inhale deeply, delighted by his smell of sandalwood filling my nostrils. Finally, we arrive on the other side, wherever that is. I glance down, noticing the sizzling, white sand dispersing beneath my black boots. I look outward at the crystal clear turquoise water, sparkling in the sun like diamonds. Waves rush to the shore, slapping against the soft sand, creating a relaxing melody. Bits and pieces of seashells poke through the white foam lining the beach, begging to be plucked by excited hands. Sand swirls in the delicate breeze, carrying with it the smell of salt, filling my lungs with its crispness. If this is where we’re hiding, I have absolutely no complaints.

“
Okay, Mr. Warlock,” Martello says, snapping his fingers. “I can digs this honey!”

Roman chuckles.
“Sorry to ruin your vacation, but this isn't our destination. It's not safe, seeing that it's an island.”

A frown replaces the bright smile on Martello's face.
“I should’ve knowed we wouldn't stays somewheres this fabulous,” he counters, tightening his eyes. “We's better not be goin’ to a snowy place Warlock. I hates being cold.”

Roman brushes him off with a flick of his wrist, determined not to entertain Martello's diva
outburst. “Okay, time to move.” With that, he opens another portal; this one mimicking the color of the ocean before us. We file through in the same order, landing on harder ground. The aged cobblestones stretch out from under our feet, weaving in and out of the small, storefronts packed with merchandise and joyful people. A quaint stone church sits directly in front of us, inviting us inside with its wide open doors.

“
This place is beautiful,” Kristy remarks.

I nod, agreeing with her.
“Where are we?”

Roman steps forward.
“This is Prague, a medieval city,” he states proudly, like he built it himself.

“
It's amazing,” I reply, noticing how every detail remains unspoiled by history.

“
Time to go. Sorry, kids.” Roman opens an opaque, burgundy portal. “Come on now, last one of the evening,” he adds with a grin.

Thank
goodness!
I was starting to become restless. We walk through, arriving at our destination quickly. Fluffy, emerald hills roll over one another like waves, pushing into the sky. I turn around expecting to see a small village or house, but green mounds surround us on all sides.

“
Umm, and where exactly are we?” Kristy questions.

“
Are we camping or something?” Janie adds.

“
Don't be ridiculous,” Roman snorts. “We have some walking to do, but right over those hills,” he points to the massive balls of green, “lies our destination.”

We start our trek, all of us walking in silence. My energy tank is at zero after my ordeal of kidnapping and the excitement of freedom. Valen reaches for my hand, and I beam inwardly with pleasure as I allow him to take it. All I want to do is fall asleep in his arms. We continue walking up a wide knoll, finally reaching the top. I gasp when my eyes settle on what lies below in a valley. A breathtaking view of a town in ruins stands proudly between the towering mountains encircling it. I glance at Valen who smiles warmly, knowing our destination this entire time.

“Welcome home,” Roman states.

Chapter 10

“
What is this place?”

“
This is Tivoli, Italy,” Valen answers. “And over there, is the Villa d'Este... Our new home.”

I follow his finger and my eyes pass by the numerous columns lying on the ground, finally landing on a large mansion. Giddiness rises inside me, just imagining the elegance and beauty that's waiting beyond the wood-paneled door.

“
Holy shit,” Martello breathes lowly. “This is where we's stayin’?” he asks, looking bewildered.

Roman nods a quick yes.

“I can't... wow,” Kristy chimes in.

“
Well Roman, you outdid yourself once again.” Landon's sarcastic tone shatters the moment. “Hope it's safely spelled,” he adds dryly.

Roman narrows his eyes, clearly annoyed by Landon's smart-ass comments and lack of confidence.
“We are safe Landon. In fact, we’re completely off the grid,” he answers before taking off towards the house. “I know it feels like we only went through three portals, but we actually traveled through twenty-five. In addition, this house is draped in numerous concealment and veiling spells.”

Landon smirks. I ignore their childish banter, trusting that Roman wouldn't put us in harm's way deliberately. I release Valen's hand and walk towards a home that would intimidate a king. I squint,
flipping my eyes upward. The roof pitches in frequent slopes and peaks, reminding me of a cathedral. The facade is made of heavy, gray stones, thicker than what homes are built with nowadays. I glance past the house, noticing a substantially sized terrace, cluttered with columns and statues, currently resting in ruin. The beauty that once existed here can still be seen in the rubble of stone and marble.

A
marble fountain occupies the center of the stone driveway, framed by a sculpture of a sleeping nymph. The irony of hiding out in a fairy-adorned estate doesn't escape me. The gravel crunches under my feet, echoing off the bulky stone wall as I walk towards the front entrance. A solid door stands proudly beyond the curved, stone arch. I wrap my fingers around the circular, steel handle and lift it, surprised at how much it weighs. I listen to its loud grunts and protests as I try to push it open.

“
Anna, don't!” Roman yells. Within the blink of an eye, he's standing next to me. “There’s a protection spell I must remove first.”

“Oh, sorry.” I snatch my hand back quickly, after failing to notice the magic streaming off this place. My cheeks burn with embarrassment over my eager imprudence.

He places his palms against the door, chanting under his breath. The door clicks, and Roman shoves it open. He extends his arm, like a butler inviting a guest to venture inside. I crane my neck upward, drawn to the vaulted ceilings. They stretch thirty feet high and are covered in paintings reminiscent of the Sistine Chapel. A grand staircase sits proudly in the middle of the room. Engraved on its sturdy, wooden railings are flowers and intricate swirls, every one of them unique and without repetition. Flanking the stairs are two thresholds hidden in the shadows, disappearing into who-knows-what? I have a lot of exploring to do, that's for sure. The shuffle of footsteps interrupts my thoughts as everyone else fills the foyer.

“
Rooms are upstairs,” Roman announces, pointing to the grand staircase. “There are plenty to go around... fifteen to be exact.”

“
Lord Jesus,” Martello whispers to himself, patting his forehead dramatically.

“
Unpack and get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow we’ll get started.”

Roman turns on his heels and walks over to two double doors, pushing them open without even touching them. Showoff. Shelves overcrowded with books line the walls of what looks like a library.
“We'll meet in here tomorrow morning,” he adds, shutting the doors behind him. What an exit.

Janie grabs my hand, pulling me towards the stairs.
“This house is unreal,” she says with a streak of cheerfulness.

A weak smile tugs at the corners of my mouth in response. I glance over my shoulder, my eyes resting on Valen. His intense gaze pierces right through me, making me ache. He disappears behind the wall as we turn right at the top of the staircase. Kristy and Martello are leading the way, both giggling down
the hall.

“
Oh! I gets this room!” Martello yells before vanishing into a doorway.

Kristy squeaks as she walks into the room next to his. Janie and I walk past them, now eagerly unpacking their bags. Every room is enormous and outfitted with matching
, accented oversized furniture. Janie breaks off, choosing the room with a view of the rolling hills. I walk a little further down, unsure of which room to pick.

“
Need help?”

I turn around, smiling shyly at Valen.
“Every room is beautiful,” I answer. “It’s hard to make a choice.”

He strides over to me, clutching my shoulders. Twisting me around, he gently pushes me past two rooms
, stopping at the last door in the hallway. “You’ll love this one.”

I glimpse through the
entranceway skeptically. An airy room unfolds before me. I step cautiously inside, as if the burgundy carpet were made of glass. The walls are a deep crimson, infusing feelings of seduction and comfort simultaneously. A grand, king-sized bed sits proudly in the middle of the room, bordered by two sets of French doors, leading to a balcony where the late afternoon sunlight floods the room. I turn to find Valen leaning against the now closed bedroom door, studying my every move.

“What?” I ask timidly. We haven’t been alone in a long time. I don’t even know what to say. My emotions are struggling to burst through my heart’s tightly woven seams. A
grin slides across his face as he steps towards me. He wraps his arms around me, pulling me into him firmly.

“Anna, I’ve never been so terrified in my life,” he whispers in my ear. Strands of hair tickle my earlobe as they gently swipe past it. “When Micah kidnapped you… I never thought I’d see
you again,” he stops. He pulls me further into him, until our bodies suffocate one another.

I squeeze him in response, avoiding any verbal admissions. If I try to explain how much I need him, my emotions will do all the talking. I inhale deeply, savoring the comfort of his familiar smell.
Lust courses through me, reminding me of how long it’s been since we were alone and I was in his arms. He pushes me away until our faces are inches apart. My stomach somersaults. He raises his arm, wrapping his palm around the back of my neck before pulling me into him, and placing his full lips on mine. He slowly parts my mouth with his tongue, exploring eagerly. His grip constricts, producing a moan that escapes from deep inside me. He raises his hands, cupping my cheeks between them. His kisses become greedy, as his hands vigorously rake through my hair. I wrap my fingers around his shoulders, clasping them as hard as I can. In my mind, I quickly chant a shield spell to avoid any bruising he might accidently leave behind. He's a werewolf and sometimes doesn't realize his own strength. I won’t allow him to withdraw this time, like he did before when fearing for my safety.

His hands begin their exploration of my body, sprouting chills under every area his fingers graze. The thin straps of my dress slip off my shoulders by way of his sturdy hands, falling effortlessly until my full breasts are exposed. He pulls away to look down at them with passion blazing in his eyes. With two fingers, he rubs and pulls on one of my hard nipples,
staring at me sternly. My body ignites, and a tiny sigh escapes my lips. A small smirk spreads across his face before he bends down, and inserts it into his mouth. He sucks on it roughly, twirling it deftly between his teeth. My body shakes in response to his pleasurably raw torture. His fingers cross the bottom of my stomach as they make their way further down, toward my legs. I feel the slit in my dress being tossed aside, as a strong finger finds its way to my nub. He rolls it around in circles, eliciting my excitement even further. Two fingers play with my underwear, pushing it aside until all I feel is his skin on mine. He inserts two fingers, sliding them in and out of my slickness. I grab his shoulders, pulling him closer to me.

“
Not yet,” he commands.

I thrust my hips, following the rhythm of his hand. Desire threatens to explode just as he pulls his fingers
out of me. I grab his head, kissing him impatiently. He throws me onto the bed, smothering me beneath him. Aggressively, we caress each other with our hands and mouths. Craving and anticipation shoot through me like a flood. My hips rise in yearning, welcoming his every move. He presses on me harder, revealing his excitement. In one efficient move, his jeans are lying on the floor and I look down and gasp at his fullness.

“
Anna, I’m taking you now,” he says breathlessly. He slides my arms above my head, pinning them under his.

I close my eyes, and tilt my head back, waiting for him. He enters me
slowly, thrusting the breath right out of my lungs. His thrusts quickly become ravenous and primal, causing me to scream in delight. I've never felt anything like this—like him. He finds my lips, and pushes on them cruelly. Yellow saturates his eyes as he repetitively enters me.

“
You are mine Anna,” he declares in a low growl.

His eyes glow a deeper shade of yellow, before glazing over into a sinister
scarlet. One more deep thrust and the desire we had to detain for months explodes as we both climax. Shivers burst all over my body, weakening my limbs. Valen falls next to me, exhausted. I lay my head on his smooth chest and sigh heavily, expelling all my pent-up wants and frustrations that were previously locked inside me. I feel his arm move beneath me as he tangles his fingers in my hair. A smile spreads across my face and I close my eyes, inhaling the sexy scent of him. There’s nothing more sensual or meaningful than this moment. I memorize my feelings of euphoria, packing them away safely in the corner of my brain. I never want to forget how I feel in his arms.

“Anna?”

I flip my eyelids open, raising my head, and stare into his tropical-blue eyes. He reaches for a strand of thick, black hair that fell in front of my cheek, brushing it behind my ear. I arch my eyebrow, waiting to hear what follows.

“You can never leave me again.” His words are drenched with fear.

My heart tightens and flies into my throat. The giddiness of a high school teenager envelops my brain as I beam at his confession. I rest my palm on his chest, assuring him he’s mine and I am his. “Valen, I promise I’ll never leave you.” And a promise it is. I never plan on leaving him again, at least not by my own will. He leans on his elbow and I watch as his glorious abs tighten with his movement. My cheeks flush with warmth when I envision him on top of me… again. A coy smirk tugs on the corner of his mouth when he catches me checking out his goods.

“Like what you see?” he jokes seductively.

Is that even a question?! I giggle like an idiot, unable to control myself. What is going on with me? Love and lust can be an outrageous chemical combination, turning its victim into a licentious teenager absent of self-control. He reaches for my chin, clasping it with his fingers. He pulls me close to him until our lips touch. Our kiss is sensual, making me crave more of him. Without notice, he pulls away.

“Hey!”

“Anna, I’m serious,” he pauses, running his fingers through his unkempt, jet-black hair. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone... ever. I can’t begin to explain how you make me feel,” he confesses, caressing my cheek with his palm. “From here on out, your safety is my priority.” He watches me intensely, forcing me to swallow a hard lump back down my throat. Sometimes, he can be so intimidating.

“Valen, I’m not going anywhere,” I respond nervously, unsure of what more he wants me to say.

He sighs, flopping on his back. He rests his hand under his head, staring at the ceiling in thought. His expression registers a mixture of confusion and angst.

“
What happened with your eyes?” I question.

Valen furrows his eyebrows.
“What do you mean?”

My cheeks grow
warmer, thinking about the most intimate moment I've ever experienced in my life just minutes ago. “Um... when you said ‘you're mine’...” I trail off. “Your eyes turned red.”

He smiles nervously.
“Werewolves,” he pauses. “Werewolves are territorial. What you saw there—that was me branding you.”

“
Branding?” I question hesitantly. I'm not sure if I love or hate the way his explanation is beginning to unfold.

“
Yes, branded. I branded you, Anna,” he responds, propping himself up onto his elbow. “It’s a strange phenomenon that happens with weres. I’ve heard of it, but I never met another were that actually branded someone human… well, not that you’re fully human,” he exhales nervously. “Before you were taken, I felt this strange pull towards you from the moment I met you. I wanted to be around you, to make sure you were always safe. When Micah took you, it felt like someone yanked out my insides. It was almost like a piece of me died.”

I cringe at his charming comparison.