Wolf Spell 1 (25 page)

“Well, he’s a vampire, it wouldn’t be living energy.”

She shook her head. “He’s not here… At least not anymore. I think our scent spell worked. He went off in the other direction. I don’t think he knows we’re here.”

– Esmerelda –

I let out a sigh as I walked with Jarak to get some much needed air. Ailaina was upstairs trying to get some sleep. I felt horrible for her. She’d been outside when the vampire was around, and I didn’t know. I’d never forgive myself if anything happened to her.

Outside, the icy wind nipped at my cheeks. My nose was numb, but it invigorated me to be walking. We’d been taking our patrols together, but today was different. Since last night, neither of us slept since finding out that bloodsucker was close. None of us saw anything from him, but the awful dead feeling filled the mountain’s once peaceful setting.

“What’s wrong?’ Jarak squeezed my hand and stopped walking. His worried expression made me smile.

I shook my head. “Nothing. I was just thinking about everything with Nicholas and the vampire and how good it is to be outside—how good it is to be with you.” My cold cheeks now burned with the heat that rushed to them. I bit my upper lip and looked away, turning my attention to the frost covered pine trees.

The forest would be stunning in the spring. I loved it so far and couldn’t wait to see the colors emerge. A large boulder rested beside the little creek, which ran behind the house. I hauled my frozen body toward it. Jarak following me, his hand never letting mine go.

“Es wait.” He pulled against me, stopping me.

He stepped closer, closing the distance between us. He was so close that I could feel the warmth of his body radiate through my coat. His minty breath wisped around my face in a white fog. I closed my eyes, relishing the moment, but also because I was afraid to look him in the eyes after my confession. “Open your eyes.” He cradled the side of my face with his hand.

I opened them and met his gaze.

“Es, time with you is too precious to waste hiding from my own feelings.” Jarak took a deep breath, holding it. He rubbed the back of his neck and cleared his throat before continuing. “This isn’t easy for me, I have loved before, but if you give me time, I can try again.”

He wiped a tear off my cheek with his thumb. “Don’t cry. I didn’t mean to upset you.” I couldn’t help but wonder who he’d loved before, but it was in the past and if he wanted me to know then he’d tell me. At least I hoped. Closing the gap between us even more and cutting off any more words from him, I encircled my arms around his neck and pulled him in. I kissed him with all the emotions I had, everything I couldn’t say I put into the kiss, making every part of my body tingle.

Jarak leaned back, breaking our kiss. A small smile played on his lips. “Does this mean you’re willing to wait a while for me?”

I pressed my lips together and nodded my head. “Yes.”

He kissed my forehead. “I don’t deserve you. My past…
I just want you to know there was someone. She will always have a place in my heart.”

“What happened?”

“She died.” He seemed distant, not looking down at me, staring off into the woods. I wasn’t sure what to say, if anything, at that moment. I could tell it still hurt him.

A snowflake floated down, landing on my nose. The air around us swirled with white. I laughed as I wiped off the melted snow. I rose up on my tiptoes and kissed him, then wrapped my arms around him tighter. He held me as if I were the only girl in the world who held his attention. I just lived in the moment, taking what I could get.

He pulled away. I tried not to show my disappointment. It was hard competing with a ghost. I wasn’t sure he would ever just see me and not
her
. At least for right now, he was mine.

The Missing

– Esmerelda –

November 10, 2012

“Hey, can you magic me up a paper? The newspaper kids get lost on their way up.” Jarak chuckled and slumped down onto the couch. “Go figure.”

Yesterday we walked forever trying to find the vampire to no avail. We all agreed today we would just relax, or try to anyway.

“Hey, you guys want some cocoa?” Ailaina called from the kitchen, the teapot already whistling, letting everyone know the water boiled.

“Love some,” I hollered back, turning my attention to Jarak. “What do you think this is? Bewitched? I wrinkle my nose and BAM!” I plopped down onto the couch next to him.

“You mean it’s not?” He tried his best at a sad puppy-dog face, but it had no effect on me. Okay, so it had a lot of effect, but I wasn’t about to let him know that.

I snapped my finger playfully, even though I didn't have to. A freshly rolled newspaper, wrapped with a rubber band, landed in his lap.

“Now that’s what I’m talking about.” He grinned as he shook out the newspaper.

I leaned back and Ailaina came in carrying two cups of piping hot chocolate. She handed one to me then sat down on the other couch, curling her legs up under her.

I studied Jarak as he scanned the pages. He closed the paper fast and looked at the front page intently. “Is this paper real?”

I twitched my mouth. “What? As far as I know. I just magicked one from Stanley. I doubt they’ll miss one. Why?”

“Look.” He pointed at an article on the bottom left hand corner.

“So what?” I shrugged.

“Look at the date they went missing. It was the same day we noticed that vamp running around outside.”

Ailaina sat up straighter as he mentioned that day. “What’s it say?”

I took the paper from him and read the article out loud for her.

“On Saturday, November twelfth, five passengers aboard a local charter bus never re-boarded after making a pit stop in Stanley, Idaho. The sixty-eight passengers of the bus belonged to a group of winners selected for a three–day vacation to Sun Valley for a ski getaway. Before the bus departed from the local Sinclair gas station, other travelers noticed that five of their traveling companions were not aboard the bus.

After a search through the gas station and surrounding businesses, the driver of the bus called local authorities. No one in or around the businesses saw anything out of the ordinary. An ongoing search is under way for the missing passengers. The police identified them as Stephanie Ray thirty-four, Joseph Ray thirty-five, Rose Morgan twenty-two, Wyatt Jefferson twenty-eight, and Izabella Paige twenty-six. If you saw or know anything about the disappearance of these people, the Stanley police department urges you to call immediately.”

I lowered the paper staring at Ailaina. All color drained from her face, making her usually tanned skin look pasty white.

I hadn’t realized I held my breath until I released it slowly. Those poor people, I wonder what happened. “That’s sad.” I handed the paper back to him. “They were all still pretty young.”

“Sad? You don’t get it do you.”

“Get what?” I shook my head.

Ailaina sat her cup down on the little side table beside the couch. “People go missing all the time, and everyone thinks they are unsolved mysteries, but most of the time when no one is found—it’s Nicholas.” I stared at her with wide eyes. When did she get so smart?

Jarak nodded. “Yeah, and I don’t think it’s a coincidence five strangers on their way to a free vacation just happened to get lost in Stanley.”

I shivered at the thought of what they went through, or what they were about to go through. “Do you think he’s already had them turned?”

“I don’t know, but my bet is yes, which means there will be extremely hungry vampires running through these mountains. It also means he could be close, or he could have just sent one of his loyal vamps to start the turning process and scare you.”

Ugh, could nothing in life be easy?
Now I needed to worry about more bloodthirsty vampires. I almost wished Trevor was here. He seemed like the most all–knowing vampire and maybe he could help with the newbies like he did with Meadow and Ree.

I cringed again for another reason. It was my blood they were thirsty for. I was the only one here with magical blood, and if he turned them into crossbreeds, they would need me to stay alive.
What was that other antidote?
I needed to figure it out and fast. I knew from Ailaina’s dream that it had something to do with magical blood—but what?

I thought more on that then stopped. “Wait a minute. How exactly is Nicholas creating vampires? I thought he was a warlock.”

Jarak dipped his head. “He has many loyal vampires who work for him and support his cause.”

“Don’t you think it’s a little weird that Meadow, Victor, Trevor and Ree are the only ones who seem to know anything about Nicholas? I might be a little off here, but hear me out.” I couldn’t believe what I was about to say. My heart beat faster, and I twisted on the couch to see him better, lowering the newspaper from his sight.

“What if the plan to turn Meadow wasn’t an accident? I mean, you grew up with your grandfather, and he never mentioned any of this. What if they tricked you into helping Nicholas find me? Look at the airport, somebody tipped them off that I’d be there.”

He sat forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “I’ve never thought of this before, but you’re right. It might be a set up, but why would Meadow use you? It doesn’t make sense.”

“What’s in it for them?” Ailaina asked.

I shook my head. “I don’t know.”

A scream echoed outside the house and the sound of running footsteps on the porch. Whoever it was, pounded on the door. “Let me in—help!”

I lifted my hands toward the door, ready to use whatever magic I held to defend us. Jarak was on his feet, brushing past me and opened the door before I could blink.

A girl with blood running down her neck fell inside onto the floor.

I gasped.

Ailaina jumped from the couch and rushed over to where the girl lay, then leaned over and searched for a pulse. “It’s weak, but it still beats.”

Jarak picked her up and moved her out of the way so we could shut the door. “I think the vampire tried turning her and brought her up the mountain for a reason. Unfortunately, I think he let her escape on purpose. What are the odds she’d find
us
?”