Wolf Spell 1 (9 page)

Memories

– Arabeth –

I sat on the edge of Meadow’s bed and watched her as she slept. All of the lies hurt, but deep down I knew there had to be a reason she kept the secrets from me. I watched her sleep and wondered if what Ree said were true. All my life I’d had dreams. Talking with a couple, laughing, telling them my fears and secrets. Could it have been real? Have I talked to my real parents in my sleep?

A ragged intake of breath shook her frail body, distracting me from my thoughts. I held her hand, wishing there was another way to keep her alive. There had to be something. In a world where I’d learned magic and vampires existed, there must be another way. Besides, if she became a vampire, she wouldn’t actually be alive. Would she? I let myself drift off, thinking of a different time in life.

Squawking birds circled over my head, the heat of the afternoon pelted down on my bare skin. I laid there and watched the blackbirds. The book I brought out to read rested next to me unopened.

I wanted to escape into a world that was anywhere but there. Books were my distraction from reality. The dry grass poked at my arms and legs as if to tell me to get off, but I never moved. I hoped the earth would suck me into the ground.

A loud voice came from the house. I jumped up to my feet as quickly as I could find my balance and dashed into the house. Mom and Dad always argued. Why would today be any different?

I entered through the kitchen sliding door. Standing there, I strained to listen. I could hear their muffled voices in the living room. I nudged myself closer so I could hear what they argued over. Every time they saw me, they would stop yelling, so I never knew what it was they were so mad about.

My dad bellowed, “You can’t hide her forever! She should be with her mom. It’s unfair, what you’ve done.”

“I have my orders, just like you. I can’t do that.”

“What about her powers? You can’t conceal them forever. She is stronger than you are. Each year her powers grow. We can’t keep making excuses when she does something. The next time she might figure it out.”

I pushed my ear up to the wall so I could hear better but stubbed my toe on the edge of the bar stool. “Ouch.” I tried to whisper as I grabbed my foot, hopping around on one leg.

“Shh…” my dad whispered. He walked into the kitchen. “Ara, what are you doing? Are you okay?”He was always so protective over me.

“Yeah, I just stubbed my toe coming in the house. Why are you guys arguing again?”

“It’s not any of your business. Your mom and I just don’t always get along.”

“I heard something about powers… what are you talking about?”

“The power bill. Your dad forgot to pay it again.” My mom came and took my arm. “Come on. Let me look at your toe.”

I shook my head. “No, it’s fine.

A knock at the door brought me out of my memory. I glanced down at Meadow sleeping soundly before getting up to answer it.

– Jarak –

I can’t concentrate. What’s wrong with me?
I beat myself up over Esmerelda. I never expected to feel connected to her as her Guardian. I paced the hallway outside her mom’s room. I couldn’t shake the memory of her wide eyes as what they told her sunk in. I’d known just about everything concerning her and wanted to tell her on the plane, but I was a fool.

I wished I could go back in time and tell her everything. Running my hands through my hair, I let out a deep breath. I couldn’t believe the secret life she had to live.

“I just hope she trusts me,” I whispered to myself. I stopped pacing and stood in front of the door.

I reached up and knocked, pushing it open a crack. I wanted to make sure she was okay. Somewhere deep inside, I needed to know.

She rose from the bed when I entered. “Hey, I just came to make sure you’re okay.” That was lame. I couldn’t believe I didn’t come up with anything better. Then again, why should I care? She stirred something inside of me, but I was still unsure what it was.

I watched her expression go from worried to angry. I took a step backward. I knew there wasn’t anything worse than an angry woman. “You,” she hissed as she lowered her clenched fists. Yeah, she was mad. She had every right to be.

I held my hands up in surrender. “Wait, I can explain.”

“You knew—you all knew everything and yet no one told me anything! You let me walk in here blind.” She narrowed her eyes.

“Esmerelda, I’m sorry. I promise.”

She cocked her head, and her eyes lit up. “You keep calling me that, but I’m Arabeth. If I spell it out will you get it? A-R-A-B-E-T-H.”

That wasn’t what I wanted. I looked away, what I was supposed to say. Before I glanced back her way, she sprang from her spot and pounded her fists on my chest. I stood there letting her take out her frustrations. It would take more than a few puny pummels to my torso to hurt me. It was the least I could do for her.

Something about her persona drew me to her. A certain part of her that made me sympathize with her pain. I closed my eyes and pushed those uninvited feelings away. I didn’t have the luxury of having feelings for anyone else. Especially her. Being her Guardian was all I should focus on and nothing more.

I raised my hand and caught her small wrist. Her eyes were wide as if they pleaded with me for answers. Her fists stayed clenched within my grip and her lips parted, trembling with unspoken words.

My body relaxed, and I loosened the hold I had on her. “Esmerelda, I’m so sorry—for everything.”

I couldn’t stop myself. I pulled her in close, wrapping my arms around her, all the while yelling at myself internally. Her small frame fit perfectly next to mine making me feel more confused.

“I’m sorry,” she whimpered against my chest. “I’m just torn up inside, so much has happened. I shouldn’t take it out on you.”

I rested my cheek on her head. “I know.” I would help her through this. I didn’t know how, but I would.

Escaping With the Legend

– Arabeth –

October 8, 2012

I knew Meadow’s life was near an end, but it was too hard watching her sleep knowing her fate, so I stayed downstairs most of the time. I knew deep down that she wasn’t my mom, but it brought an ache to my heart when I thought about it. I just couldn’t be with her right now.

I snuggled deeper into the corner of the couch, flung a small square pillow over my lap and stared out the window to the pool. I came to appreciate the large house in a short period of time. My favorite part was the variety of colorful plants that filled the corners with their broad leaves. The room I was the most comfortable staying in was the living room. It was bright, with floor to ceiling windows. There was a fireplace tucked into the corner of the room with glass doors, allowing anyone that cared to watch, see the flames when lit.

It also had a great view of the backyard. Roman-like pillars lined a walkway that led to the pool. At night it was gorgeous, with solar lights adorning the edges, giving a royal feeling to the whole place.

I inhaled the sweet scent of maple and sugar. My stomach growled in anticipation. I hadn’t eaten since I arrived yesterday. Today was no different, but every time someone brought food to me, I would gag. I hated how Victor forced me to stay under the same roof as vampires. It was upsetting enough that Meadow would be one soon enough.

I let the sun warm my skin as it shone through the windows. My shoulders slumped, and I wrapped my arms around my knees that I brought to my chest, curling in to a ball. I shouldn’t be enjoying the warmth of the sun. I didn’t feel I deserved it while Meadow lay at death’s cold feet. I couldn’t understand the hold up. Why hadn’t Ree and Trevor turned her before now? What were they waiting for? I just wanted it over with so I could go home.

Looking around the room, I noticed a small picture that sat on the bookshelf on the far wall. Getting up, I snatched it and brought it back to the sofa with me, setting it on my lap.

I gazed at the happy couple in the photograph, but flinched when I realized the woman in the picture was Meadow. Squinting, I stared at the man closer. I didn’t understand how it was Victor. What other secrets had they kept from me?

They were so happy in the photograph. I stared down at the picture for what seemed like forever, focusing on their faces and how he held Meadow around the waist. How could that be if he’d just met her a year ago?

Tears threatened to surface. “I wish I knew the truth,” I whispered to the picture. Somehow, I believe that it heard me.

Looking up, my eyes adjusted to my surroundings, noticing that the sun began to set.

I still fidgeted with the picture and the daydreams that accompanied it, staring off into a void. A shadow crossed my vision, interrupting my thoughts.

“Hey,” I managed to murmur.

“Did I scare you?” Jarak raised his eyebrows. “You seem tense.”

“No, you didn’t,” I lied.

His smile was wide. “Great. Come on, you haven’t eaten anything since coming here. Let’s go make something together because I’m starving.”

My stomach growled again as a response and my cheeks warmed in embarrassment. “Dinner sounds good.”

Jarak held his hand out for me to take. I eagerly accepted. Somewhere in this house lurked vampires, and I wasn't too sure if I trusted them yet. In the living room, I considered myself safe because it was large and spacious with enough room to move around in. Even though they were faster than I was, it still gave me a sense of security amidst strange new surroundings.

I watched Dracula for a project in high school. I didn’t care what Hollywood wanted us to believe. Vampires were not sparkly and clearly not meant to be trusted. It was hard enough to stay in the house without worrying if I would wake up to fangs in my neck. I shivered.

Concern crossed Jarak’s face. “Are you cold?”

I shook my head. Deep inside I knew I could trust him with my fears, but I was afraid of being wrong. The thought of Meadow wanting to become a vampire made my stomach roll again, and I suddenly lost all of my appetite. She might not be my biological mom, but she raised me, and that counted for something.