Wolf Spell 1 (16 page)

He looked up at the sky, and threw his arms in the air as if wondering ‘why him’, then exhaled loudly before turning away. He never said one more thing to me as he entered the house, letting me stand there with a smug look of victory on my face.

Lesson over.

Taken

– Esmerelda –

October 26, 2012

I let out a sigh. I should apologize to him. It wasn’t fair of me to fight with magic since he didn’t have any to fight back with, but I couldn’t resist. I was extremely proud that I grew the plant and turned it into a spell. Magic was still like an exciting experiment I couldn’t wait to play with.

“Come on Ailaina,” I sighed. “Let’s go inside.”

She closed her book and got up, adjusting her Capri’s and top. “I can’t believe you got him with that stuff. It’s gotta itch something fierce.”

We both laughed and moved toward the door. A movement by the side of the house caught my attention, and I slowed down. I so did not want to train anymore today. It was probably Victor playing tricks on me, luring me closer so he could send me flying back into the pool. Not today.

I slammed the sliding glass door shut behind us and marched to the stairs. Boisterous laughter filled the downstairs. I stopped before climbing a step and listened. I heard Victor’s voice. He told Meadow how I’d covered Jarak in Poison Ivy.
If he was inside, then who was by the house?

I looked at Ailaina who stared at me. “What’s wrong?”she whispered.

I held my finger to my lips. “Shhhh. Stay here.” Something didn’t feel right. My insides shook as if thousands of butterflies took flight.

I backed up and tiptoed to the front door. Using magic, I cleared a small circle through the frosted glass so I could peek through easily. Four figures stood about six feet away from the house, about arm’s length apart in the driveway. They were in black trench coats that had hoods shadowing their faces.

I gasped and moved away from the door, letting the glass return to its frosted state. Stepping lightly, I moved to the sitting room where Meadow and Victor still sat laughing over today’s training.

They both became quiet when they saw me enter. The look on my face must have spoken a thousand words, none of which I could make my throat mimic. I wasn’t sure who those people were, but I knew they meant trouble. I raised a finger to my mouth letting them know to stay quiet. Ailaina descended the two bottom stairs where I left her and came to my side.

I held up four fingers, pointing to the front door then to the backyard. Victor jumped to his feet, and Meadow was like a blur headed to the front door.

Ree and Trevor were out hunting, so the house was silent, except for the sound of running water that came from the upstairs shower. A deep pit of despair settled in my stomach. I wished I hadn’t hit Jarak with that orb, otherwise he’d be there beside me. In the last two weeks we’d become almost inseparable. It was weird not to have him with me right now. I tried to calm myself and focus. I also felt the need to protect my best friend. She didn’t have any magic, and I would never forgive myself if something happened to her. It was because of me that she was here in this situation to begin with.

“
They’re dark hunters
.” Victor’s voice entered my head. I shook off the intruding feeling and glanced over at him. I forgot I could talk to other witches or warlocks who could use the Spirit Element this way. I nodded and watched the windows to the back yard. He stood next to the back sliding door. His back against the wall as if the sunlight was poisonous.

I mentally looked for the same invisible rope I followed when I helped Meadow turn into a vampire. I found Victor pulling away from me, but I caught him before I lost the connection. Frowning at him as I mentally talked back to him. “
What do they want
?” I wanted to ask why he tried to pull away but now was not the time.

“They’re coming, be prepared,” Meadow interceded. “I can’t reach Jarak. We need him—she needs him.” She gestured at me but talked to Victor.

Victor nodded and silently ascended the stairs, disappearing down the hall.

“Come out and play Esmerelda,” a deep menacing voice taunted from outside the house.

Ailaina’s face went pale. I spun around in a full circle, but couldn’t decipher where the voice came from. It was like surround sound, filling the house from every angle. An echo squealed in my ears like a high-pitched weapon.

I doubled over, covering my ears with my hands. “Esmerelda, I know you’re in there.” The haunting voice loomed in the air as I squeezed my eyes shut.

Meadow was beside me, trying to pry my hands away from my ears. “Esmerelda, listen to me.”

“The noise—make it stop,” I cried out much louder than I needed.

“I don’t hear it,” Ailaina panicked.

“Jarak! Get her out of here, now.” I heard Meadow’s voice, but she sounded far away from where I was. There was a tight grip on my arms, and somehow I knew it was Jarak. He moved me, although I didn’t know if he dragged me along, or if my legs were working.

Then, I was weightless, and I narrowed my eyes to a squint. Looking up at his face, I knew that he held me in his protective arms. Everything else blurred around me. I shut the world out with the close of my eyes.

Ailaina. Where was she? I couldn’t think long enough to ask. The pain overwhelmed me.

I prayed Jarak would take me far away from the evil shriek… somewhere where it was just the two of us. “How long can you hold them off?” His voice sounded heavy but still held its normal tone of confidence. I knew I was safe with him.

“Meadow said to go out the back, through the gate.” Ailaina spoke. Good. At least I knew she was with us.

She screamed.

“It’s okay, he’s with me.” It was Jarak’s baritone voice.

Who was he talking about? Was Ailaina okay?

A growl sounded from somewhere close, and my muscles tightened in fear. What could make that deep of a snarl inside the house? I fought the pain and opened my eyes only to see the golden iris in the eyes of a white wolf.

I struggled to get down out of his arms. The jerky movements were sudden and unsuspected, causing him to almost drop me. “What are you doing?” He stopped and let me down.

Once I touched the ground with my feet, I spun around looking for the wolf. We were outside, in the backyard beside the pool. I couldn’t see the white creature anywhere. Maybe it was all in my head, like the unbearable shriek. “Nothing.”

“That wasn’t
nothing
, we’re trying to get away, and you jumped from my arms.” His face strained, and he threw his arms in the air.

What was I supposed to say, I thought I saw a wolf in the middle of the over populated city in Spain? While we are escaping dark hunters, I might add. I looked around once more, taking the time to look for hunters in the shadows. Ailaina was there, but no wolf. The pain in my head subsided, leaving a dull throbbing in its place. I shook my head. “There was a wolf, and it scared me.”

“I know. He scared me too,” she said.

Jarak guffawed, which I thought was inappropriate at this moment. “This is over my wolf? Seriously Es. Didn’t you listen to anything I said? You’re in danger, and I am a Guardian. Maztic is helping to get you out. Now that you’ve slowed this down a bit, we have to make a different plan.”

“Me?” I squealed back. How dare he blame me for this.

"Yeah, now we’re surrounded. We’ve lost the opening we needed.” He ran his hands through his hair.

I didn’t know where the wolf went, but I didn’t have time to find out. We needed to escape. I thought hard, and then it clicked in my head. I had control over all elements. It was as if Mother Nature pushed her energy into me at that moment, giving me permission to use her energy. I could feel it generate inside of me with a warmth that flooded me.

I knew what I needed to do. “I’m going to make a storm.”

“You’re what?” He looked at me dumbfounded.

“A storm… with wind, lightening and darkness.” I hoped he knew what I meant because I was still foggy on the plan and didn’t have time to elaborate.

“Great idea.” Ailaina scooted closer to me. I could see her fear and knew I needed to get her out of this somehow.

I didn’t wait for Jarak to agree. I raised my arms over my head and pulled with all the power I could feel. Wind was the first to reach us and whirled around as if a hurricane approached the town. The leaves atop the trees rustled as they blew off their limbs and danced across the sky. Dark menacing clouds came next. Long daggers of lightening flashed in the sky. It was truly the most spectacular sight I ever saw.

The storm took over, causing the day to turn as dark as midnight. It helped give us cover while the wind and thunder from the lightening helped silence our sounds.

“Nice job. Now we gotta get out of here.” Jarak shouted as he grabbed my hand and dragged me to the side of the house. He pulled me close so I could hear him above the storm. “No matter what happens, don’t stop running.” He looked over at Ailaina. “You either. Stay with her.”

She nodded.

I shivered. “You’ll be right there with me, right?” It would be a lie if I said I wasn’t scared. I needed him—more than I’ve ever needed another person at that moment.

He kissed the top of my head. “Just keep running.” He pulled on my hand urging me to run.

My boots hit the cement of the driveway, and I caught a glimpse of two cloaked figures. I sent surges of energy with my magic. I could feel it build inside of me then a torrent of rain pounded the street. I didn’t care if I flooded the whole dang city. We needed out.

In mere seconds, one of the hunters dashed out, grabbing my hair, and stopping my getaway. I reached out, but Jarak was faster, snatching the man’s arm and twisting me free. I heard a crack and knew he’d broken the man’s bones. Not looking back, I picked up my feet and started running again. That’s what he said to do… run. The sky crackled with thunder, and I couldn’t hear Ailaina’s footsteps behind me anymore.

I twirled around but couldn’t see her.
Where was she?
I hoped she was with Jarak.

The pavement on the road became slick with the rain, making it hard to keep my balance. My breathing was heavy by the time I made it to the tollbooth. I darted behind a bush next to the little building. My chest heaved as I gasped for air.

“Jarak!” I called out hoping for a response. It may not have been the smartest thing to do considering there were hunters after me. I would go back and look for them both if they didn’t show up soon. “Ailaina! Where are you?” Thunder rolled as if the sky growled.

There was no response. I bent over, still catching my breath, when I heard footsteps running in my direction.
Finally
, I sighed and stood up, poking my head around the corner of the booth.

Whack! Something hit my face like a cannon ball, full force. Heaviness consumed my body, and I fell into the black void of unconsciousness.

– Jarak –

I winced as I grazed my fingertips over the wound in my forehead. I never saw what hit me, but whatever it was, left a nasty gash. I groaned. None of that mattered now. She was gone.