I'll Be Damned (Anna Wolfe Series) (34 page)

“Anna, are you okay?” he asks, looking concerned.

The tremor of frantic feet vibrate through my hands. I raise my head to see Valen standing above me with Martello trailing behind in a light jog.

“What the hell are you doing, Roman?” Valen growls.

Roman stands up, adjusting his posture. “I’m teaching her magic… the hard way,” he says coolly. Apparently, Valen’s anger has no effect on him.

Valen takes a step forward, clenching his fists at his sides. “When I asked for your help, I didn’t think you would intentionally harm her,” he says through gritted teeth.

“Listen to me, boy, you want my help? She has a month to learn everything she can, so we’ll skip over the niceties and kindergarten classes,” he spits back.

Martello slides next to me and grabs me around my waist. “Girlfriend, you’s okay?”

I exhale the pain, now chipping away at my bones. “Yeah,” I answer.

Martello walks next to Valen, pointing at Roman. “Listen heres, you witch. Don’t go harmin’ her like that again,” he threatens.

I smirk, but admire him for standing up to a man who could clearly pulverize him. Roman laughs heartily in response. I groan, sitting back on my heels. My hand protectively rests on my stomach as the feeling of nausea gradually fades away. Valen bends over me, sliding his arms around my waist. Heat rises in my chest as memories of the night we shared flood my mind. He gently lifts me up until our faces are inches apart. I hastily turn away, doing my best to avoid another awkward moment. He releases me, his hand lingering a second too long on my lower back.

Roman takes one step towards me and nods.

“I’m ready,” I say, shaking off the residual queasiness. I look at Valen and Martello, who stand as unwavering as marble statues.

Roman prepares himself by summoning another orb in the middle of his palm. “Anna, you need to concentrate. Focus on stopping this orb. Clear your mind of everything else and see only this,” he says, elevating his arm.

The yellow ball spins rapidly, making me dizzy. I can feel its energy even from where I’m standing. Getting nailed by this magic ball will hammer me. I narrow my shoulders and brace myself for the impact. I frantically clear my mind of the everyday junk my thoughts trip over, until all I see is the revolving ball of magic.
Focus, Anna
. I lift my arms out in front of me. Energy builds up from deep inside me, collecting in my chest. I direct it into the ball, just as Roman releases it. Halfway between Roman and me, our powers collide. A bright, ginger light illuminates the sky, sending up fireworks of magic. I stare at its awesome magnificence.

“Holy shit,” Martello says, as amazed as I am.

I beam at Roman, who stares back at me passionately, making me shy away, and turn my attention to Valen, who surprises me by smiling too. Roman allows a few more moments of astonishment before insisting that we continue.

“Anna, that was remarkable,” he says, strolling over to me. “Do you have any idea how powerful that orb was?”

“Nope,” I answer happily, still high from the breathtaking display.

“It's truly amazing. We have to practice more,” he demands smoothly.

Plastering a large smile on my face, I realize Roman views me as his pupil, rather than a beautiful, but helpless woman. My confidence inflates, knowing he actually sees my potential.

Valen looks at me. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m fine,” I wave dismissively. I am fine. In fact, I’m more than fine. Exhilarated is more like it. The need to learn everything now consumes me.

“I’m going to watch,” he says, staring at Roman.

Martello sits in the grass, crossing his legs. “Me too,” he adds dryly.

We both hear their inaudible threats, and Roman rolls his eyes, knowing neither of them can follow through with them. We continue practicing magic for hours. I learn fast, and impress Roman with each exercise. I learn how to use my magic to make a bubble of protection similar, to what I did the other night with the koklir. Now, I can freely call on it in moments of danger. I deflect almost all of Roman’s orbs and streams of magic, and can intercept all of his persuasions, a lesson for which I am especially thankful. Micah will no longer control my wants or desires. Next, Roman insists I learn how to call on the four elements. He believes they can help me in battle. 

“You're going to learn how to draw your energy from your surroundings,” he says, facing the tree line. “You are always near an element, so it’s important you learn how to draw energy from each one. Now, let's start with the most complicated. Harness the earth,” he says.

He makes it sound so easy, like I’m starting a car by simply turning the key. I nod, but feel totally unsure of what he means. I close my eyes and focus on the grass. I concentrate my magical awareness on each individual blade, watching each one curve under my mind’s will. Next, I manipulate the tree branches, making them touch the ground. When I open my eyes, a foreign landscape surrounds me. The bent branches form a bushy fence, encircling the field we are standing in. Their long limbs stretch in all directions, reminding me of the legs of a tarantula. The blades of grass arch into themselves like folded laundry. At Roman’s command, I return the landscape to its original state. We work on water, fire and wind, each one easier to influence than the one before.

“Well, Anna, you learned the basics of manipulation.”

“It feels wonderful,” I reply, beaming.

“I can’t believe how quickly you're picking everything up,” Valen chimes in.

I look at him and see he's leaning comfortably on his arms. His feet are extended in front of him, crossed at his ankles. His visible approval of my talents fills me with pride. Martello is lightly snoring next to him, unable to stay awake. I don’t blame him. Fatigue is overcoming me as well.

Roman turns to me. “So, now we practice self-defense.”

I look at Valen, hoping he'll interject. He says nothing, but grins instead.

“Um… okay,” I reply uncertainly.

“First things first, Anna. No magic, this is strictly hand to hand,” Roman stipulates as he places himself a few inches from me.

The hairs on my arms stand erect, intensely aware of his presence. He grips my arms and twists me around until I'm trapped in his embrace. My back presses against his solid chest as he locks his arms around me, pinning my upper body. I flush, wondering why I feel embarrassed. I steal a glance at Valen, whose face reveals minor annoyance.

“Now, Anna,” Roman breathes into my neck. “Try to wiggle out of this without using any magic,” he says.

I jut my hips into his, questioning the appropriateness of my move. His grip loosens, so I continue pushing myself into him. I bend down, and extract my arms from his. I turn around to see him smiling at me. He re-entangles with me in numerous holds, all of which I extricate myself from with little effort.

“Very good,” he smirks. “Now, let’s focus on anticipating an enemy strike," he says lifting his arms into boxing position. "You do this by reading their body language, penetrating their eyes, and never lowering your guard,” he replies as he begins to circle me.

I follow his circles, memorizing every move he makes while looking for little quirks or tics, which might precede an attack, like blinking or fidgeting. So far, Roman shows no signs of an assault. Then, without any warning, he lunges at me. His movement is so swift, he manages to vanish from my human eye. I'm pinned on my back in disbelief. The soggy grass seeps into my clothing, which absorbs it like a sponge. Pain shoots out from my lower back in waves. I try squirming out of his grasp, but he's on me like a predator. His face is inches from mine, intimidating me with his relentless stare.

“This is when you die,” he says, lacing his fingers around my neck. “If any creature gets you like this, you're dead,” his voice cracks.

“Roman, take it easy,” Valen warns as he stands up and makes his way over to us.

“Isn’t there a spell to get you off?” I spit, ignoring Valen’s jealous presence.

“Go ahead and try,” Roman dares.

I concentrate as hard as I can. I envision Roman flying off me and through the air. Using all of my energy, and squeezing my eyes shut to the point of discomfort, I see nothing happening, and know my magic is blocked.

“Done trying?” Roman asks.

“I don’t understand?”

“First rule—never allow yourself to become pinned. I was able to obstruct your magic. In order for an obstruction spell to function, I need to have physical contact you. Now that I have, I can destroy you.”

“There’s no way to break this?” I ask, out of breath.

“There is, but you must be a very old witch,” he says, staring down at me.

I twist my neck, unwilling to return his gaze. Valen’s glare slams into us like a wrecking ball. Roman abruptly stands, pulling me up with him. The momentum shoves me into his chest, and I promptly remove myself, seeing a flash of disappointment in his eyes. He must not be accustomed to women recoiling from him.

I swallow hard. “So... I think we should call it a night,” I say uneasily.

Why am I so nervous? Perhaps it’s the tension that hangs between Roman and Valen, or the undeniable attraction I have for both of them. Either way, I’m over it.

“Yes, it’s getting late,” Roman agrees. “I think I should stay here with you for protection, as long as you don’t mind,” he finishes, pointing to my home.

“She has all the protection she needs, Roman,” Valen snarls.

Although the idea of him staying here releases another barrage of unwanted images, I decide it’s the best plan. I feel safer knowing he’s here.

“Roman, you’re more than welcome to stay,” I reply, smiling. I look at Valen. “I don't mind extra security.” I hope Valen gets the hint. I walk over to Martello and gently nudge him awake with my foot.

“Damn girl, what’s goin’ on?” he questions sleepily.

"It’s time to get up, unless of course, you want to camp out,” I reply with amusement.

“Hell no,” he says, jumping to his feet.

We all march wearily to the house. Valen slips upstairs, not bothering to say a word to anyone. I escort Roman to the couch, methodically piling on numerous blankets and pillows. We say our goodnights and I head for my room. At the top of the stairway, a sliver of light escapes Valen's cracked doorway. I peek in, my curiosity striking again. He's sitting at my old desk, studying the pages from the
Book of Worlds
like a dedicated pupil.

“Hey,” I say gently.

He faces me with a wide grin. “Hey.”

“What are you reading about?”

He stops flipping the pages. “I’m trying to figure out a way to stop Micah before he has a chance to break the Treaty,” he responds, raking his hand through his chaotic hair.

I stroll to the bed and take a seat. “Is there anything in there that might help?” I ask, nodding in the direction of the book.

He picks up the book and sits next to me. “Haven’t found anything yet.”

He slowly flips through the pages, allowing me time to peruse them, and stops on a demon called a Jezebeth. I shudder at the sight of the abominable creature with three long points extending from its head like a bull, and four rotating legs. I'm glad, however, to place a name on the face in my nightmare. Everything about it is grotesque.

“That's one scary creature,” I say, tapping the dense parchment with my finger.

“He’s one of the most feared demons, besides Micah. The Jezebeth ranks high because of his talent," he stops.

"Which is?"