Saved by the Spell (Anna Wolfe Series, Book #2) (16 page)

I narrow my eyes, striking him with my gaze. I turn my back on him and storm out of the room, punching the door open. Fucking Roman and his never-ending arrogance!
He’s always arrogant because he’s always right
a little voice screams in my head. Until I find a way out of this, I’m steering clear of him.

My body trembles at the thought of Valen walking in on me in such a compromising position. I dart up the stairs, figuring that hiding in my room seems like the safest option at this point. I shake my head in frustration at myself and our stupid bond. Why didn't Roman or Valen warn me earlier?
One of them could have explained the possibilities of the Bond of Grandeur developing. I shake my head, realizing I’m allowing my good old friend Frustration to dictate my mood. Laughter floats through the hallway, and I immediately know to whom it belongs. My stride lengthens, tracking the familiar sound to its source.

“
Oh please, honey! This trainin’ shit is ridiculous! What the hell is I s’posed to do if some ghastly hellhound is tryin’ to bite me? Karate-kick it? Pleeeze, this is a waste of my time.” I hear Martello say.

I stop at Janie's bedroom, pushing the door wide open. Six pairs of welcoming eyes urge me inside and my anxiety immediately melts like ice on a hot day.

“’Bout damn time you pulled yourself out from underneath that enchantin’ man of yours,” Martello utters, fanning his face.

I raise a brow
and shoot him a playful smile. “Oh, you're just jealous,” I giggle, walking into the room and laying on the bed next to Janie.

“
Wait! You really... like... did it?” Kristy inquires.

My cheeks warm, enhancing the contented smile embellishing my face. I don't know if it's how she words her question, or just the way my new romance makes me more alive and refreshed, but I feel like a teenager.

“’Course she did! I's walked in an’ saw Mr. Valen's polished jewels for myself.” Martello's eyes light up. “An’ might I add, he gots some mighty large carats!”

“
Martello!” I shriek, smacking his arm.

“
It's about time! I thought for sure you were never going to give it up,” Janie grins.

“
Details! Details!” Kristy yelps.

I shake my head no.
“No way.”

“
Aw come on! I have to know if supernatural sex is better than our normal, mundane kind,” Kristy begs, pointing between herself, Janie and Martello. I assume she's referring to humans.

“
All you need to know is that it's amazing on a whole other level,” I beam.

They stare at me, waiting for more. I shrug, silently indicating that's all the information they're going to get from me. Time for a change in subject.

“What about you?” I nod my head in the direction of Kristy. “You and Landon seem to be getting along exceptionally well.” I wag my eyebrows a few times for added oomph. Unbeknownst to Kristy, a sloppy grin spreads across her face. Her emotions are clearly betraying her logic.

“
We're only friends. I mean, nothing has happened...”

“
Mmm-hmm, not yet anyways,” Martello chimes in. “Don't play woman, we sees how you eyes him up,” he smirks. “You follows him like a lost puppy dog.”

We all dissolve into laughter. Lightheartedness fills me,
providing me with a brief reprieve from impending doom. I miss this—I miss them. It's been too long since we appreciated one another and kicked our worries out the door. Small moments... they're what get you by in life.

“
So, Anna,” Janie starts off hesitantly. My cheerfulness fades away, anticipating what's coming next. “What's going to happen tomorrow?”

I clear my throat. Apprehension shoves its way bac
k into the room like a tyrant. “I don't know,” I respond honestly. The truth is, I don't know what awaits us. Landon hasn't reported back yet and who knows what Micah is up to or where he is? Roman and I tried to find his whereabouts, but his magic blocker is proving much stronger than we anticipated.
Never underestimate your enemy, Anna
, that little annoying voice whispers in my head again.

“
I'm so afraid for you.” I turn my gaze to Kristy, whose eyes are glistening with tears. “I mean, what if Micah finds you again? It's not safe for you to expose yourself.”

“
I know you're worried, but finding The Scholars is more important than my safety. If Micah gets hold of them and the book, both worlds will end.”

A shiver tiptoes up m
y spine. The end of the world. I can't wrap my mind around it. Eight years of Catholic School, and nothing could prepare me for this real world, evil shitstorm.

“
I's gonna kill that sumbitch,” Martello interrupts. Janie rolls her eyes and Kristy snorts. “I may not has power shootin’ out of my ass, but I assures you, I will kill him... the old-fashioned way,” he adds adamantly, folding his hands over his lap properly.

I beam at him in appreciation. He wouldn't be able to get within five feet
of Micah, and we both know it. “Sounds good to me.”

“
Listen Anna, I know you feel like this is your responsibility,” Janie says, covering my hand with hers, “but you don't have to do anything you don't want to.”

Reality bitch-slaps me again. Since learning what I am, every
action I’ve taken has cost me and to be honest, I’m not sure I want to see the final bill. “Of course this is my responsibility! If it wasn't for me and our family’s stupid ancestry of witchiness, none of you would be in this mess!” I shout in a panic. “You guys would be safe, Cara wouldn't be dead, the end of the world wouldn't rest on my shoulders, and death wouldn't be waiting eagerly on our doorstep,” I finish breathlessly. The room falls silent. It takes my brain a few moments to register my slip-up.

“Cara’s dead?” Kristy’s eyes grow wide in disbelief.

“Good riddance,” Martello murmurs.

I steal a glimpse at Janie, who shakes her head in displeasure. Crap. It just slipped out. I run my fingers through my hair and search for the right wording, but as with any death, there are none. “Yes, Cara is gone.” I recap my imprisonment, leaving out the gory details. “Micah killed her right in front of me. This is why he has to be stopped. If I don’t, he’ll do the same thing to all of you and I won’t allow it! I owe you guys your safety and normalcy. It’s the least I can do for ruining your lives!”

“Woman, calms down,” Martello demands, draping his large hand around my shoulder. “None of that matters. We’s in this together, you understands?” he asks, arching his eyebrow. “Don't matter how or why, but we’s here now… an’ you has us. So stop actin’ like you broughts all this evil on everyone.”

I
nod my head with a tiny grin. “Sorry. Sometimes the severity of everything hits me out of nowhere.”

Martel
lo waves his hand dismissively. “Child, please. I’s surprised you didn’t have yous a meltdown sooner.”

A rapping on the door startles me.

“Yes?” Kristy asks.

The door clicks open and Roman strides in. His hard eyes land
on me, and appear emotionless.

“
Meeting in ten,” is all he says before turning and walking out.

“Who pissed in his magical cornflakes?” Martello jokes.

A hesitant chuckle fills the room. We all know what this meeting will involve: the beginning of our search. I sigh, hoisting myself off the bed. “I’ll meet you guys there,” I call out as I exit.

I walk towards my room, hoping to find Valen occupying it. Between Roman’s hot and cold demeanor and the troublesome witch bond, comfort is
what I crave. I twist the knob, pushing the door open slowly. I flip on the light, finding a perfectly made bed and no sign of Valen. He must be in the library already. I turn around disappointed, and head toward the library that’s already filled. Landon is standing next to the bookcase, his muscular arms crossed over his chest. He’s wearing a serious expression, one that jolts my confidence. My eyes dart from face to face, finally landing on Valen. The mere sight of him eases my concern, allowing it to dissipate. I walk over, settling myself on the couch next to him.

“Hey beautiful,” he whispers in my ear. A lazy smile lightens my face as he casually drapes his arm around my shoulders, tugging me closer to him. “I’ve missed you.”

My stomach somersaults when I catch his electric, cerulean eyes. “I’ve missed you too.”

Roman starts the meeting with a thunderous clap. “As you know, our number one priority is to seek and secure The Scholars. Anna and I believe they’re hiding inside the catacombs under the city of Rome. That’s where our search will begin,” he pauses. “Landon has located Luna, but unfortunately, she refuses to provide him with any information. We’re afraid Micah has already crossed her path.”

“Does this mean Micah knows the location of The Scholars?” Valen questions.

“Yes. It’s safe to say that whatever information we have, Micah will have as well.”

My stomach drops at Roman’s honest confession. I knew Micah would be hot on our tail, but I never believed we would physically run into him again. My hands protectively wrap themselves around the front of my stomach. If Hannah and Corrah’s disclosure is true, I don’t want to be anywhere near him.

“Luna was shaken. I’ve never seen her like that and she’s one tough woman. There isn’t a doubt in my mind that Micah must have threatened to steal her essence,” Landon states.

“Essence?” I repeat curiously.

Landon peels himself
off the wall. “All supernaturals have essences. It’s the source of our abilities. Luna may be the Guardian of the Planes and Planewalkers themselves, but she’s a ghost, first and foremost.”

Janie eyebrows furrow in uncertainty. “So, her essence isn’t the same as other supernaturals?”

“Not at all. If our essence is depleted, we suffer flu-like symptoms, hovering near death, but we eventually recover. A ghost’s essence is what keeps them alive. If Micah threatened to destroy her essence, it will destroy her… entirely,” Landon pauses. “Seeing that her essence was threatened, you can understand why she’s not so keen on helping us. Destroying a ghost’s essence is not to be taken lightly. There are only two supernaturals powerful enough to completely destroy an essence, and one of them is in this room.” He shoots Roman a sideways glance. “The other we are running from.”

Landon’s expertise at ind
irect accusation is unrivaled. “Does she know if we don’t stop him, she’ll most likely die, regardless?”

“She doesn’t see it that way. Lines are being drawn as we speak, and soon someone will triumph, Anna. Let’s hope we’re the ones who do.”

I can see her dilemma, but I don’t agree with her choice. Since she’s a ghost and will no doubt live forever with her essence intact, how can I blame her for preserving her own means of existing? On the other hand, Micah might become the ultimate ruler of our worlds. If it were up to me, my essence would be sacrificed before I’d allow Micah to rule them both. “Okay, so what do we do now?”

“We
do our best to pinpoint The Scholars,” Roman answers. He walks over to the bookcase, pulling a few books from the shelves. He places them on the side of the desk before turning around and rummaging through the loose stack of papers behind him. He pulls a large piece of thick parchment from the middle of the pile, unfolds it and lays it gingerly in the middle of the desk. Snatching a magnifying glass from the drawer, he inspects the paper before him. I walk over, curious as to what he’s studying. Thousands of tiny, black lines crisscross and intersect one another, reminding me of an intricate rail system, minus the stops and dummy instructions.

“These are the Dimensions,” he states, placing his burly finger smack in the heart of the drawing. The lines ripple under his touch like water. “This is where we are.”

I glance down, observing a barely visible, horizontal line, absent of any connectors. “There’re no connections?”

“Correct. This diagram changes every two minutes,
shuffling and reorganizing the Dimensional world. I chose this Dimension because it’s easily overlooked and far from the Netherworld parameters.”

I nod in understanding. I have to squint to notice the damn thing. With a blink, our
Dimension quickly disappears into the background. I find my eyes scurrying to find it like a high stakes game of “Where’s Waldo?” I glance up, surrounded by the curious gazes of Martello, Kristy and Janie. Wide-eyed, they stare in amazement at this complex system laid out before them. I follow their focus, watching the lines wrinkle and blur as they maneuver themselves around the paper, settling in an entirely different pattern.

“Well, I’ll be damned,” Martello
mutters.

“There is hardly ever a repeat pattern, so finding someone proves rather difficult.”

“Even if we did find them, how would you know what Dimension they’re on? All I see are lines,” Kristy states.

“That’s why I’m here,” Landon grins, exposing his dimples.

Something is definitely going on between them. The only time he seems cheerful is when she’s around.

“I know all of the Dimensions inside and out,” he says proudly, adding a little more puff to his chest.