Wolf Spell 1 (29 page)

Family Reunion

– Esmerelda –

November 12, 2012

We pulled up to the same gas station where the bus travelers disappeared. A shiver coursed down my spine. I was certain I’d just witnessed a horrible death to one of the missing travelers. The vision of Ian beheading him scorched into my memory. I hoped their families would be consoled—no body, no funeral, and no closure.

I recognized Bry’s silver BMW parked out front. I got out of the truck and walked over with Jarak right behind me.

I watched as Bry got out of his car and locked his doors with his keyless entry button. The beep sounded foreign in this small mountain town. He wore his usual getup with jeans and a blue button up shirt. Jarak rested his hand at the small of my back as we greeted him.

“Ara, or should I say Esmerelda.” He embraced me.

I hugged him back, happy to see him. He might not be my biological dad, but he was still a parent and he hadn’t changed like Meadow. I breathed in his familiar scent of fresh musk and held him tight.

“Thank you for coming.” A tear slid down my face. His hug felt like home.

He pulled back. “We have lots to talk about.” He held his hand out for Jarak.

Jarak accepted it and shook his hand. “You can ride with us. Maybe you can talk to Es and keep her mind off the drive.” He helped me into the truck, with me sitting in the middle, next to him and Bry in the passenger seat. I tensed up thinking about the rough ride I’d have to endure, but I didn’t feel as if I had the energy to transport myself again so soon, so I’d have to withstand the climb up the mountain—again.

I glanced at Bry. “I’ve been told stories about why you and Meadow kept me, but I’d like to hear what you have to say.”

“I’ve known who you were since I saw Meadow running with you. I worked with the B.O.M.B. or better known as Bureau of Magical Beings, for years as a marshal before I met her. I was the investigator assigned to your disappearance. She used her magic to compel me, so I couldn’t tell anyone I found you, or anything about the real you. I fought against her and that damn spell for years trying to free you—to free us. I have magic of my own but not enough. I was able to use mine to do the same spell to her. She couldn’t leave and take you to Victor, nor could she call or talk to anyone. We were both stuck until one of us gave up. I vowed it would never be me.” His jaw clenched as he talked.

“Thank you…” I wasn’t sure what to say.

He smirked. “Every time I argued with her it was because I protected you. Right before the accident, I caught her meeting with Victor. I knew she couldn’t say anything so he’d have to figure it out for himself, but I also knew I was close to losing you. After years of searching, I finally found a secret distributor and was able to lace her coffee with Belladonna, and then I put a spell on the truck to crash into her car… I knew she was immortal and would recover from a crash. The poison is what I needed to end her life. A mortal doctor would never know she was poisoned… The crash was a cover, to make it look real.” He took a deep breath before continuing.

“I’m not sure Victor actually works for Nicholas, so he may not have ever told him where you were. I have my suspicions that he has his own interest in you, but for what I don’t know. It could explain why Nicholas has sent some of his breeds after you. He might not have Victor on his side as we have thought all this time. I’m sorry. I never wanted to hurt you.” He looked away, staring out the window.

I skimmed my lips with my tongue and bit my upper lip, contemplating everything he just admitted. “I have a question. What about my real parents, Adonia and Torres. Where are they?”

“I haven’t heard from them, but then again I couldn’t contact anyone. They probably assume I’m dead, as long as I have been gone. I’m sure they’re incognito, still searching for you but laying low. Adonia will never rest until she has you back.”

My heart ached for the woman who I never got to know. The woman from my dreams. I must’ve had the dreams because they were reaching out to me, and I was accessible while I slept. How horrible to have your daughter ripped away from you right after you give birth to her, then to have her raised by someone who wants her dead. At least I’m presuming Meadow wants me dead. Why else take me to Victor? Or Nicholas?

“Am I really the one who’s supposed to defeat Nicholas?”

He nodded. “I’m afraid so. Although you can’t do it alone. Your mother has the same gifts as you do and you will need her help. You will also need The Reaping Spell, which is why you’ll need the five witches.”

My shoulders dropped. “But they’re dead.”

“You can awaken the five witches from their deaths—you and your mom can do that. Your mom's Seer foresaw it long ago. You will also need your own Seer. But then again, you already have her with you don’t you?”

I played with a small hole in my jeans, probably caused from Ree’s attack earlier.

“Hum, I thought Ailaina was with you.” He winked at me. “I’m glad she’s here. So… I guess, first you’ll need to find your mother, and then together you can commence the reversal spell on the witch’s deaths. My memory isn’t all that great, but I think it had something to do with fire bringing the wind, that forces the water to cover the earth, then the spirit arises… or something like that.”

“You mean she’s going to bring the witches back to life?” Jarak sucked in a deep breath and held it. He tensed up and let go of my hand.

I turned away and ignored him. “So we open their tomb and awaken the dead witches, got it. I have one more question. Do I have to kill him in order to defeat him?”

Bry grinned, but it didn’t reach his eyes, so I knew he only did it for my sake. “I’m not the one who can answer that. Your Seer can answer that.”

“But we’re gonna have to kill those vampires plastered on the hill behind the house.” Jarak told me.

I folded my arms across my chest. “Well, Ian and I killed two vampires today, so I hope that gets some attention.”

“Wait, did you say Ian? You never said anything about Ian being at the house and the killing of a second vampire. You just said Ree.” Jarak seemed almost mad at my mention of Ian.

I wanted to get his mind off his brother. “Jarak how is it possible for them to be my parents? The story you told me about them is a hundred or more years old.”

“Remember, I told you a Guardian can become immortal as long as their mate has the same ability. Not everyone is that lucky—my grandfather loved a mortal and died hours after she did. My parents were mortal also. Most Guardians are mortal with an exceptional capacity. Your father married an immortal. Certain magic and poison can kill an immortal, so it’s still something you need to be wary of and not take for granted.”

I mouthed an
Oh.
I still had a hard time grasping the concept that my parents were ancient, and I would never die. Unless some crazy, power induced warlock decided to kill me.

The ride back up to the house was just as miserable as I remembered. Finally, Jarak parked the truck and we shuffled outside. I hid behind Jarak as we walked to the house then I stopped. “I can’t go in until I know they’re not in there.”

“Where have you been?” Ailaina stormed out of the house, “You left me here with dead, headless bodies!”

“I’m sorry.” I reached out to her. “I just couldn’t stay, and you were unconscious.”

“The Princess returns—don’t worry your highness, I even cleaned all the blood.” Ian stepped out from the cabin wiping his hands on his pants, then like a hitchhiker using his thumb, pointed over his shoulder at Ailaina, “This one wouldn’t stop freaking out till it was gone.”

“Ian.” Jarak stepped forward.

“Brother.” Ian held his hand out in a gesture for Jarak to shake.

I marched up the stairs paying no attention to Ian and his cocky attitude. I hesitated before entering the cabin. He was right. I couldn't see even a speck of blood. I was thankful, but I wasn’t sure I would tell him that.
Princess—indeed.
The nerve of that man.

A clasp of hands coming together made me spin around. “So are you ready for round two?”

Ugh, Ian
. “Round two?”

Jarak brushed past him. “She’s not ready. She wasn’t prepared to kill as it was and you weren’t exactly subtle about beheading them in front of her.”

“Well the princess needs to know what to do if she wants to live. You should have taught her and had her prepared. Maybe it’s you who’s slacked in responsibility. I never would’ve left her unprotected.”

The name princess infuriated me. I wasn’t some spoiled brat who needed everything done for her. I had come so far in a short amount of time, and I was a witch. I didn’t need him or anyone else. “I’m ready, and quit calling me that.”

“Good.” Bry came in behind Jarak. “Because if I’m not mistaken that would be them coming down the side of the mountain behind the house right now. Why did Nicholas send so many? What don’t I know?”

“Nicholas doesn’t need me now. Instead, he wants me dead so nobody can use me. That’s why we’re here. I’ve been searching for the other antidote he needed to create his breeds—and stop it. I think Ailaina saw it in a dream, but I still don't understand it fully.”

Bry and Ian both let out a deep breath, and then Bry cleared his throat. “Well kiddo, you’re sure in some deep stuff.”

I laughed. “That’s an understatement.”

A loud hum surrounded the house. The hair on the back of my neck stood up. I knew they were close—too close.

Ian darted to the kitchen and came back with the duffel bag from earlier. Reaching in, he pulled out a handful of wooden stakes and threw them at us. I caught three and tucked two of them in the back pocket of my jeans. Each of the guys had four to six. Panic settled into every nerve in my body. It was too soon for me, but I refused to give Ian the satisfaction of knowing I was scared.

I stared at the wood in my hand. “Why so many stakes?”

Bry tucked his away as I did. “From the look of that group coming, I just hope we have enough.”

“Esmerelda! Join us and Nicholas will spare you.” A man’s voice boomed through the air outside the cabin making me jump.

“Go to hell!” I yelled back.

“Fine, but that was your last chance.”

My heart pounded hard. “We need a plan.”

At that moment Maztic, Luna and a large black wolf appeared with us. Luna walked to my side.
“I will never leave you.”

“What’s the plan?”
Maztic asked as he sat down by Jarak.

“They think we’ll come out and fight, but what if it wasn’t really us.”

“Go on,” Bry looked intrigued.

“I think I can create spirit spells, and if we send them out first, then they won’t know it’s not us, and we will have the upper hand.”

“I like it.” Ian squatted down, petting the black wolf who now sat next to him obediently.

“Me too.” Ailaina moved closer to the window, looking out into the trees.

Jarak put his arm around me. “Are you sure?”

I nodded.

Ian cocked his head. “What is all this mushy stuff? Don’t tell me that you fell for his bravado crap.”

“Don’t worry brother, it just means she’s off limits.”

“That or just more of a challenge.” Ian smirked under his breath, but I heard him.

A loud screech brought our attention to the looming vampires now surrounding the house.

Jarak’s grip around my waist tightened. “Just stay by me.”

“You just stay alive, and I’ll be okay.” I worried about him. Heck, I worried about all of us.

I watched as Ailaina never moved, she just continued to stare outside. “Al, are you okay?”

I walked over to her, touching her arm. She jumped. “What?”

“Are you okay?” I repeated.

“Yeah, I just had… It was like… Never mind.” She shook her head.

Luna came over and rubbed against me. I reached down and rubbed her head between her ears. I could feel her peace radiate into my soul.
“Don’t worry.”
Luna reassured.

A group of blurs ran past the front window letting us know they were looking for a way in.