Fire & Ice Read online

  “Hey. Thanks again for the ride.” She gave me a shy smile.

  “Any time.” My eyes traveled over her, appreciating her form.

  “Really?” she asked, surprised.

  This girl honestly had no idea how much she affected me. “Why not?” I grinned slightly. “I kinda enjoyed running into you.” That had to be the understatement of the year.

  She stared at me for a moment before becoming obsessed with a crack in the sidewalk. “Do you like football?”

  Her question caught me off guard. I’d totally forgotten we were at a game. Glancing toward the field, I shrugged. “It’s okay, I guess.” I looked back at her and she laughed.

  “Don’t let the fans hear you talk like that. You might get mauled. People around here love high school football.”

  I chuckled, but couldn’t quite think of a reply.

  “Portia?” Shelly called her name.

  “I need to go,” she said, hesitating. I still wasn’t sure what to say. My heart fell when she started to walk away. Out of all the times I wished I could talk to her, here I was, completely tongue-tied. I wanted to punch something.

  “Hey,” she said, looking back at me suddenly. “I’m having a birthday party tonight. You’re welcome to come.”

  I wondered if she really wanted me there or if she merely felt sorry for me.

  “Maybe,” I replied, knowing I’d be there anyway, whether she was aware of it or not. Only I’d be in her grandma’s basement, waiting with the coven for her.

  She walked away from me again, and I hightailed it out of there before things got any more awkward. Hopefully, I’d get another chance to talk to her alone this evening.

  Chapter Seven

  Journal entry:

  Tonight was . . . I don’t know if there’s a word to describe it . . . amazing is the closest I can come. To sit next to and visit with her, spending time just the two of us, wow. I never thought it would be like this. Her thoughts and emotions wash through me. I still haven’t told her I can hear her. Some part of me wants to keep that a secret for a bit longer, so she won’t try to shutter herself around me. I swear I’ll tell her the truth soon, but I love hearing her pure thoughts regarding me. She makes me feel magical.

  ***

  Her nerves pulsated through me. She was intrigued, but slightly scared as well. I couldn’t even imagine what it must be like to have everything sprung on her so quickly. My whole life had been about magic. She was finding everything out in the span of five minutes.

  The other coven members stood solemnly beside me inside the basement ritual room, robes and cowls hiding our identity, waiting for Portia to be brought in and introduced. I couldn’t help the smile that touched my lips when I realized she thought this was some elaborate birthday prank her family was trying to pull off. If only. I was almost sad to see her lose her trusting innocence. The world she’d always known was about to disappear before her very eyes.

  Every muscle in my body froze when she entered with her father and grandmother. She glanced nervously about the room, taking it all in. Intimidation washed through her and I wanted to take her in my arms and comfort her—letting her know that it all would be okay.

  “This is my daughter Portia,” Sean said.

  “Blessed be, Portia.” My voice mingled with the others in the standard uniform greeting of our group.

  Her grandmother took her by the arm and began introducing her to the members. They, in turn, each revealed themselves, kissing her knuckles and welcoming her.

  Soon, I was the only one left and she was standing before me. Her strong energy was palpable.

  “This is Portia,” Milly said again.

  “Welcome, Portia. Blessed be.”

  She noticeably stiffened as I slipped my hands in hers, raising her knuckles to my mouth, and gently brushing my lips across them. I wondered if everyone else in the room felt the same electricity I did.

  With effort, I released her hands and removed my hood, completely uncovering myself to her. Even though she already suspected it was me, the shock was apparent on her face. Our eyes locked, neither of us able to look away.

  This is real. The thought raced through her head. Vance would never participate in a joke like this.

  She was right. I wouldn’t. I wanted to say something to her—anything—but couldn’t seem to find the words.

  Milly broke our silent stare by turning Portia’s shoulders back toward the center of the group. “What do you think?” she asked.

  Portia briefly glanced over her shoulder at me and I flashed her a soft smile. “Uh . . . honestly, I’m slightly overwhelmed.”

  Everyone started laughing and crowded in closer to visit with her. I watched for several minutes, unable to believe she was finally a part of my world now, no longer restricted from me. She kept casting shy glances in my direction as I slowly made my way out the door, going upstairs and strolling into the yard. I really wanted to talk to her, but I didn’t want to overwhelm her anymore than she was at the moment. I’d wait for everyone to leave and then maybe I could catch a few moments alone with her.

  My plan didn’t work out so well, though. After everyone left, she stayed awake visiting with Sean and Milly, while they answered her questions. Some were about religion, and how a coven proclaiming to worship deities of Christianity reconciled itself with using pagan rituals; but most of her questions were about me.

  The discussion was tabled for in the morning and it was decided that Portia would spend the night here at Milly’s. I found myself ducking behind the corner of the house when Sean left. My bike was still parked down on the corner, but apparently, he didn’t notice it.

  The guest bedroom light flipped on and I waited several minutes after it went dark again to stealthily approach. Sliding behind the bushes, I lightly tapped against the glass.

  I waited. When she didn’t appear, I knocked again. Her heart rate suddenly shot higher and I could hear her moving about. I didn’t want to show my face in the window, or speak into her mind; knowing both would likely make her scream, bringing Milly racing in to check on her.

  The window slid open and she stuck her head out. Quickly, I clamped my hand against her mouth, holding the back of her head with the other as she stiffened.

  “Don’t be scared. It’s just me,” I hurriedly whispered, feeling her instantly relax and I removed my hands.

  Her breaths came in quick gasps. “Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” She placed her hand against her chest.

  I laughed, allowing my gaze to run over her sexy figure. “Not really. Though I can understand how you may have come to that conclusion.”

  “What’re you doing here, Vance?”

  “I came to see if you’d like to go for a ride with me.” I knew exactly where I wanted to take her; and it was a place where we wouldn’t have to worry about any interruptions.

  She hesitated for only a second before making up her mind. “Yes, I would. But I need to get some pants on real quick.”

  “That might be beneficial,” I replied, silently wishing I could see more of the figure that was disappearing into the shadows behind her. “I’ll wait here.” I folded my arms as I leaned against the wall.

  My thoughts ran rampant as I listen to the soft rustle of clothing moving against her skin. I couldn’t help but imagine her taking them off instead of putting them on. It was a relief when she swung her legs through the window and she allowed me to help her slide to the ground. I loved touching her.

  Taking her hand, I led her down the street toward my bike. I noticed she was rubbing her bare arms.

  “Maybe I should’ve grabbed a sweater,” she said, her teeth chattering slightly. I berated myself for not telling her she should wear something heavier than a tank top.

  I slid out of my leather jacket and placed it around her shoulders. She didn’t refuse it, immediately slipping her arms inside.

  “Thanks, but what about you?”

  She obviously didn’t realize there was enou
gh warmth inside of me to heat this entire city. “I’ll be fine,” I replied, enjoying her concern and giving her a smile followed by a wink. “If I get cold, you can keep me warm.”

  Even in the pale moonlight, I could see the blush spreading across her face. Her pulse accelerated even more and worried thoughts about what I might expect from her crossed her mind.

  “I’m only kidding, Portia,” I added with a chuckle, mounting the motorcycle and handing her my helmet. “You remember the drill?”

  She nodded and put it on, needing my help with the chinstrap again. I happily helped her, loving any excuse to brush my fingers against her cool skin.

  I started the engine and she climbed on behind me, slipping her arms tightly around me, and laying her helmeted head against my back. We raced through the night air together, but all I could concentrate on was the way her body felt against mine, both soft and possessive. It was like she was branding me as hers with every touch.

  Turning off the road, I made my way across the bridge and up the other side to where I always parked. Helping her off the bike and removing the helmet, I watched as she glanced around, taking it all in.

  “Where are we going?” She didn’t sound nervous at all and it thrilled me. I didn’t want her to be afraid—I wanted her to trust me.

  “I’m taking you to the place I like to go when I need to be alone.” Taking her hand again, I moved through the trees and brush climbing upward until we stepped onto the large stone slab that jutted over the edge of the cliff face. The view in this spot never failed to take my breath away, all starry sky and twinkling city lights in the darkness.

  “This is breathtaking,” she said, her voice blending in with the sound of the creek running below us.

  Releasing her hand, I sat down, letting my feet dangle off. “I think so. Have a seat,” I added, nodding at the spot next to me.

  She didn’t seem as eager as I was to hang her feet over the edge of the rock, choosing instead to sit cross-legged beside me. We sat together silent for several minutes, me waiting to see if she would say anything. When she didn’t, I spoke up.

  “So, you’ve had a busy day.” I grinned. It was a bit of an understatement.

  She nodded.

  “Still taking it all in?”

  “Yeah,” she replied with a laugh. “Well, I would be, if I even knew where to begin.”

  “I figured you’d have questions for me after tonight.” My mind wandered to the earlier discussion I’d overheard between her dad and grandma.

  “I do, if you don’t mind.”

  “That’s why we’re here. So, go ahead.” After all the times I’d spent trying to withhold myself from other people, I couldn’t believe how easy it was to talk to her. I wanted to share everything.

  “Are you really a warlock?” she asked, not beating around the bush.

  I looked at her and nodded.

  “And what exactly does that mean?”

  “It means, like you, I can do magic.”

  “But I don’t do magic.”

  “But you can. That’s the difference.” Sitting straighter, I held out my closed fist, and then flung my fingers open. With barely any effort at all, a small ball of flame danced inside my palm. Fire was part of me, and I was a part of it—the magic blending and fusing us together.

  She stared, eyes wide with wonder. “It’s hot. Why isn’t it burning you?”

  “Because I generated it,” I answered, wishing I could help her to better understand. “Now hold out your hand.”

  She did as I asked, allowing me to drop the fire into her palm. She flinched, but before she could drop it, her natural defenses ran to the rescue, neutralizing my ball of flame inside a piece of ice.

  Ice. That was her natural magic. The two of us were literally fire and ice; opposite poles attracting one another. Interesting.

  “How’d you do that?” she asked, examining her hand.

  “I didn’t. You did.” I couldn’t help smiling at her. “The magic’s inside you. You just need to learn how to consciously use it.” I took the ice-encased flame and threw it, watching it shatter into a million pieces before disappearing.

  “Other than no one telling me, why didn’t I know about my powers until now?”

  “It seems to manifest itself around the age of sixteen for most people.”

  “Is that when you got yours?”

  I shook my head. “No. For some reason I started manifesting around the age of five.”

  “Is that good or bad?”

  I shrugged. “No one really knows. My mom and dad were excited, since they were both magical.

  “My dad was the leader of their coven. Of course, that was before he got involved in heavy, dark magic. My mom started to notice the signs, though at first she was in denial. It wasn’t until she observed me taking on some of his dark traits that she became really scared. She thought he was molding me to become like him. I was about ten by then.” It was hard to speak about these intimate details with her. They stirred a lot of old pain that was buried inside me.

  “What did she do?” She seemed totally wrapped up in my tale.

  “She ran with me at first, but he was always able to find us. Finally, she met this witch in another coven. Her name is Marsha—you met her tonight. She explained the situation and begged for her help. Marsha agreed. Mom got someone to forge some documents so Marsha appeared to be my legal aunt, and she took custody of me. We’ve been running ever since.”

  “What about your mom?”

  Her question was tender, concerned, but it cut me like a knife to the quick. “I don’t know what happened to her. That was part of the agreement. We were never to contact her again.”

  “That must’ve been horrible for you both.”

  She had no idea. It was like having a giant piece of me torn away, suddenly leaving a gaping hole behind. “It is for me. I just want to know she’s all right.” I glanced at the stars, wondering if my mom was somewhere looking at the same celestial expanse as me.

  Portia was merciful and changed the subject. “So, what brought you to Sedona?”

  “Marsha heard of your family and their coven. She came here and explained our situation, and they agreed to offer us protection. That’s part of what your dad is doing when he’s gone. He’s scouting things, making sure we’re still safe.”

  “Wow. I’m starting to see my dad in a whole new light.”

  “He’s a very good man,” I responded. Marsha had been right to put faith in him. This was the longest we’d ever been able to stay in one place.

  “Oh, I know that. I mean . . . encyclopedia salesman? Really?”

  We both laughed at the same time. She had no idea how close she was to learning the truth. Things with her dad were not at all what they seemed; but it wasn’t my place to make any of those revelations. He’d tell her if he wanted her to know.

  “So, why all the mystery and everything at school?”

  I knew she was referring to the massive number of rumors about me that I refused to dispel—everything from drug dealer, to baby daddy for some poor teenage girl, to serving time. “I figured if I stayed aloof, people wouldn’t get too close. It’s easier to stay hidden that way.”

  She pondered this for a few moments. “Then why are you here with me?”

  I sighed heavily before standing and pacing back and forth. Her line of questioning was making me a bit nervous, and I didn’t want to say anything that would send her running away from me. “Well, for one thing, you’ll be the thirteenth member of our coven, which will make us the strongest we can be. That’s a good thing.” My mind was frantically racing, trying to come up with something plausible to say that didn’t sound like a complete line of bullshit.

  “Oh. Is that the only reason?” she asked, not only sounding, but feeling disappointed, as well. She’d been hoping for something more from me.

  “Well . . . ” I paused uncomfortably. “No, not exactly . . .”

  “It’s okay. You can trust me,” sh
e said, encouraging me to continue.

  I needed to trust her. That’s what I wanted from her, so it was only fair for her to ask the same of me too. She never looked away while I stared at her.

  “You’ve been calling for me,” I blurted out, sounding like an idiot.

  She was shocked. “I’ve been . . . what?”

  I was stuck in it now. “You’ve been calling for me. Maybe you don’t realize it, but it’s happening a lot lately—mostly when you’re asleep. But you did it consciously today, when you were blowing out the candles on you birthday cake.” I hadn’t even been at her grandma’s; yet, I felt her wish for me from all the way across town. It made my pulse race, knowing she wanted me too.

  Her face flushed. “How can you know about that?” she asked, clearly amazed.

  I moved toward her and offered my hand. When she accepted, I pulled her to her feet as a light breeze swirled around us, blowing a strand of hair across her face. Gently, I tucked it back behind her ear, and marveled over being this close to her again.

  “We’re linked for some reason, you and I.” Searching her eyes, I wondered how she would take the news.

  “Linked?” she whispered back, her mind a whirlwind of confusion.

  “It doesn’t happen very often. But when it does, it’s usually something very special.” I paused before plunging ahead. “I hate to use the term, but it’s kind of like . . . like we’re soul mates—connected in a way that’s extremely unique.”

  “But we barely know each other.” Her breathy answer hinted she was intrigued, but not sure if she quite believed what I was telling her.

  “I understand why you feel that way, Portia, but try not to be afraid when I say I know you better than you think. I’ve been watching you a long, long time—a couple of years, in fact. I couldn’t say anything, though, until you found out about your magic. I promised your dad I’d stay away until then.”

  Even though I was slightly terrified to share all this with her, I also felt relieved. I’d been keeping this to myself for so long it was a blessing to be able to finally tell her. I only hoped she would understand where I was coming from.