Saved by the Spell (Anna Wolfe Series, Book #2) (12 page)

“
So, how did you reach him?”

Landon taps his forehead.
“Through my mind.”

“
You can communicate telepathically?”

Landon nods his head.
“Yes, Shadowalkers are telepathic, but only with one another and Warlocks. We need the ability to communicate by means other than vocally. Call it an adaptation if you will. It's one of many traits that keep us undetectable.”

Interesting.
“So Roman... is he telepathic too?”

“
Not per say. He can only receive messages from Shadowalkers in between dimensions, but remains unable to actually reply,” he answers. “You see, Anna, everything in the Netherworld has a balance. Warlocks are our lifesavers, so to speak, in case we get stuck or lost in a Dimension. It's hard for us to travel through multiple Dimensions by using only shadows, so sometimes we need a little help. In return, we aid them when layering is involved.”

“
Layering?”

“
Multiple portal travel inside the Dimensions is referred to as layering. The more portals, the harder it is to find someone. A Shadowalker’s directional sense has been proven to be impeccable.”

I swear he puffed his chest a tad. “Is that what Micah did?”

“Micah only used two layers,” he answers, visibly relieved. “Who would have thought Micah's arrogance would actually benefit someone other than himself?” Landon chuckles with sarcasm.

I join in, amused at his slight. His mention of telepathy forces my mind to remember Hannah and Corrah.
“When I was locked in the prison, I met two twins… Hannah and Corrah. They were telepathic too,” I reply eagerly.

“
Ah, Hannah and Corrah. Mighty good-looking blondes they are, but as untrustworthy as they come,” he answers.

“
You know them?”

Landon snorts.
“Know them? Who doesn't? Well, besides you,” he stops. “They're children of the Fae, or good, old-fashioned fairies. Fairies don't have powers Anna. Their powers are limited, so they borrow them from other supernaturals.”

“They can borrow powers?”

“Sure can. You see, most fairies have a limited essence, meaning they have a specific magical ability. Hannah and Corrah have been known to see visions of the future or imminent danger. Beyond that, they’re useless. They borrow powers for whatever reason suits them. Normally, it’s when someone owes them a payment or favor.”

“Is that why Micah imprisoned them?”

“In all probability, one of Micah's minions happened to catch them using stolen powers, which happens to be a big no-no in the Netherworld.”

Their innocent faces mask their thievery very well.
“They seemed helpful.”

Landon smirks with amusement.
“Of course they did… that's what fairies do. They befriend you, see what you need, and then sell it to you without you even knowing it,” he replies, facing me. “I hope you didn't ask them for anything?”

“
No, no...” I stutter. “I was just talking to them,” I hesitate, debating if I should elaborate. “They did help me figure out another ability I seem to have. I can harness a magic echo and manipulate it into my own.”

“
Pretty impressive.” He reaches over and pats the back of my shoulder like a softball coach. I'm not sure if he's patronizing me or congratulating me on my newfound ability.

“
From now on, don’t befriend anyone unless they’re cleared by either Roman or Valen. You are too valuable to some people,” he demands matter-of-factly.

I nod my head in agreement, e
ager to change the subject. “We just wait for a portal to show up?”

“
That's exactly what we do.”

I fold my hands in my lap, trying to hide my growing impatience. I want to be in my home; but most of all, I want to see everyone. Every passing minute feels like an eternity. I scan the landscape, attempting to drown myself in the ever-changing dynamics of the city. Loud conversations, giant smiles and the pounding of footsteps bounce around in my ear, creating a familiar melody. Landon glances at his watch nervously.

“How long do we have until Micah finds us?”

“
I guarantee he already has,” Landon says. “Come on.” He stands, motioning for me to as well. “We need to change locations, I'm feeling his presence.” Landon glides his arm under mine, sternly guiding me further down Chartres Street.

“
Whose presence? Micah's?”

“
The one and only.”

“
How do you know?”

“
He's poking around in my shadow trails,” he replies, turning right onto St. Peter's Street. “I know when I'm being followed.”

“
He can travel in them too?”

Landon sighs with irritation.
“It's Micah! He can do anything we can.”

He is
powerful, but I didn't think he was capable of everything. Underestimating the enemy is pretty stupid of me. He is the Prince of Darkness, after all.

“
Why do you think he wants you, Anna? He needs to find The Scholars so he can
kill
you,” Landon continues, exaggerating the word
kill
as if its meaning alone wasn't heavy enough.

“
I didn't realize...” I trail off, dumbfounded. Why does that disclosure shock me? What did I believe would become of my fate if Micah held onto me long enough to obtain the book and The Scholars?

“
You’re the only threat to his existence, meaning you are the probably the only one who can destroy him.”

“I
don't need a lesson in correlation, Landon, I get it.” I hate it when my brat side pays a visit, but some people have the uncanny ability to draw it out of me.

He picks up his pace, pulling me behind him like a five-year-old.
“Come on, I think a portal will be here any second,” he says, stopping in front of the infamous Pat O'Brien's. It's a shame we don't have time to drop in for a much-needed Hurricane.

The air in front of us ripples, exposing a dazzling, white portal. Landon grabs my arm tightly. “Time to go home.” He grips my arm, yanking me behind him.

Landon wraps himself around me as we plummet through the air. The overwhelming feeling of nausea and dizziness surrounds me, reminding me how much I detest portal travel. We land on cracked, barren soil. I twirl around, investigating a place that’s not suitable for anything that requires oxygen. Another portal appears right in front of us, and I gladly jump through it. Within a matter of minutes, we're dumped onto the moist grass.

“
Ah,” he states pushing me away from him. “Home is where the heart is.”

I turn around, surveying the landscape around me. The familiar Live Oaks grace the earth with their elegant branches while the Spanish moss hangs from their limbs like earrings. I glance at my porch, stunned that I'm really home. Time freezes as I gradually stroll towards my house, listening to the recognizable squishing sound of
my grass. The front door swings open and a rush of familiar faces greet me. The stimulation is too much for my brain to process. Janie, Kristy and Martello are in the front line, running at me like children on Christmas morning.

“
Anna!” Janie screams right before she squeezes me in her arms. “Oh my God! Anna, I'm so glad you're back,” she finishes, pushing me outward to inspect me. “Are you okay?”

“
I'm fine,” I smile broadly, maybe too broadly. I wish I were fine, but in fact, I am far from it. I tuck those negative concerns away, ecstatic for my reunion. Kristy appears in front of me, throwing me into another tight embrace.

“
I've missed you so much,” she whispers.

I
hug her back. “Me too, Kris.”

She releases me, inching backward. Another pair of arms slide around me, crushing me in Martello's embrace.
“Girl, you has no idea what we was goin’ through.” He pushes me away, scanning me up and down. “What the hell is you wearin’? You looks like a two-dollar hooker,” he observes, shaking his head.

I giggle at his honesty.

“I disagree.”

I glance over Martello's shoulder, watching as Roman strides over to us.

“She looks amazing,” he says, throwing his arms around my waist and lifting me into the air. “Did I miss you!” he exclaims, burrowing his face into my neck.

The hairs on my arms stick straight up, as a response to our magic’s bond, followed by a wave of relief. I missed Roman's presence and his ability
to calm my ragged nerves. “I missed you too, Roman.” I never thought I'd speak those words.

I wiggle out of his embrace, dropping my feet to the ground
, where Valen is standing next to me. We lock eyes. An awkward silence separates us as we drink each other in, oblivious to anyone watching. Valen drags his eyes all over my body soaking in my attire, or should I say the lack thereof. A rich shade of yellow sparks in his eyes, encouraging a sexy smirk to tug on the corner of his full lips.

B
efore I can utter a single syllable, he grabs the back of my neck with one hand, pulling me closer to him. He wraps his arms around me possessively, embracing me firmly. He exhales into my neck, causing goosebumps to bubble all over my body. I close my eyes, clutching his wide back as hard as I can. I dig my head into the niche of his shoulder, waiting for the world to disappear.

“
Anna,” he says breathlessly.

M
y stomach flip-flops as millions of teeming butterflies soar through me. I’m so excited to be home, to be in his arms. I smile inwardly at his desperate release of panic. He doesn't need words; I know how tortured he was by my absence in that one, solitary breath.

“
I hate to break up the reunion, but we have to get moving,” Roman interjects.

Reality sneaks its way back in, popping my Valen fantasy bubble.
“What are you talking about? I just got home,” I mumble through Valen's swollen bicep, neither of us is willing to let go.

“
Girl, we needs to get the hell outta here!” Martello exclaims.

I pull away from Valen, annoyed I can't savor one minute’s respite.
“Roman, what's going on?”

His deep cobalt eyes pierce through me with angst.
“We have to vacate the premises. Micah will find us fairly soon, and we can’t be here when he arrives.” He points to my home.

My heart fills with grief at the thought of abandoning a plac
e where I felt safe for years. “Leave? For good?”

Roman sighs in frustration, as he always does when I question him.
“Anna, we need to hide our tracks. Micah will be blazing all trails to find you, so we need to stay one step ahead of him.”

I study everyone's expression, noting they're all in agreement.
“Wait. What about our parents?” I ask, directing my concern towards Janie.

“
I’ve spoken to them already and they're aware of the situation,” she answers. “Roman covered their home in a restriction and veiled spell, so they should remain fairly safe.”

“
And undetected by Micah,” Roman adds.

The word
s fairly and safe don’t fit together when hiding from someone like Micah. “Roman, are you positive they’ll be okay?”

“Trust me Anna, they’re as safe as they can be. Not to mention, I added extra security detail. Watchers are posted out front who will inform me of Micah’s presence, should he choose to visit them.”

I'm relieved at knowing the remainder of my family is as safe as possible. Cara's lifeless body trudges in my mind like a bad memory.

“
We packed a bag for you too,” Janie adds.

“Janie.” I squeeze her arm tightly, tugging her aside. “We have to talk.”

Janie shakes me off, shooting me an unpleasant look. “Jesus Anna, you don’t have to hurt me,” she responds, rubbing her arm. “Besides, we don’t have time right now. We have to leave.”

“
Janie please, it’s important,” I pause, hoping she’ll bite.

She narrows her eyes.
“What's going on?”

I swallow, attempting to lubricate my suddenly dry as a desert throat.
“It's... it’s Cara,” I start, hesitating when she raises her eyebrow. “She's...” I wipe away the numerous sweat beads lining my forehead. “She's dead Janie... Micah... he killed her, right in front of me,” I finish quickly.

Janie's expression softens, her mouth falling into a frown.
“Jesus.”

I step towards her, wrapping her in a hug. She reciprocates, and I observe the absence of tears. Cara was our sister so our shared lack of grief is startling. The last t
ime I considered her my sister, was in the cabin when she was gloating about my stupidity. I suppose trying to save your family and the world falls into that category. I snort inwardly. Shortly after I was kidnapped, I knew whatever miniscule bond we had was severed. She was dead to me at that moment in time, but Janie? She should at least be somewhat upset. I push her away, scrutinizing her dry cheeks.