Brewing Storm, page 9
“Are you crazy?” a man shouted. “Put that down before you fry yourself!”
There was no pain. In fact, it was as if the loose energy charged the magic deep inside me. “I’m fine,” I yelled back over my shoulder as I dropped the wire, a safe distance from the crowd.
“Wow. She must have some massive rubber soles on those shoes of hers,” a kid said, pointing at my feet; little did he know that Nike had nothing to do with it.
A man ran over and scooped the teenager up, then looked at me with tears in his eyes. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“How in the hell are you breathin’, girl?” asked a truck driver in a flannel shirt and coveralls as he ran over to me. “You gotta have thousands of volts coursin’ through ya.”
I smiled at him, as I couldn’t help thinking he’d make a perfect justice of the peace for Logan and Cindy’s mean-nothing wedding. He just needs the John Deere wallpaper, I thought.
“Were you accidentally exposed to gamma rays or a radioactive comet?” another asked. “How did you do that?”
Before I could answer, I heard police sirens and firetrucks and thought it was best to leave the scene. I ran over to the car, told Beth to scoot into the driver seat, then hopped in. “Go!” I shouted.
Beth gunned the engine and sped off, weaving around the emergency vehicles and the shocked spectators. “Sophie, that was crazy!”
“Yeah, a bit shocking, huh?” I teased.
“Totally electrifying,” she punned.
“What a buzz!”
She shook her head. “You’ve always got more jokes than me.”
I smiled. “It’s a gift...and it helps being around Fred and Logan. They’re experts at sarcasm and wordplay.”
“Anyway, are you okay?” she asked.
“Never been better.”
“You saved that girl’s life, but you freaked everyone out. Maybe you should start wearing a disguise when you go out. Cellphones have cameras, you know. I’m sure you don’t want that going viral.”
“I know, but that wire was jumping around. It came so close to hitting that girl. I didn’t have a choice.”
“You have a good heart,” she said. “I think this is what you’re meant for, to help people. You’re my personal superhero.”
I smiled. “Thanks.”
“Seriously, I bet you can do anything! I’d like to see you climb Mt. Everest barefoot, in booty shorts. We can call you Ice Woman.”
“Um, no thanks,” I said, sharing a laugh with her at the visual image. “Hey, can you stop right over there?” I asked, pointing to a wooded area.
“But it’s about to pour,” she said, looking up at the gray sky. “Plus, they’re sending a driver to get me soon.
“Just for a little bit,” I begged.
“Whatever you say.”
We hurried out of the car, and I heard the wind howling and whistling in my ears.
“What’s wrong, Soph?” Beth asked when I scrunched up my brow.
“I think absorbing all that electricity was just a bit too much. I don’t know how to handle it. I have to get rid of it.”
“Like throwing up after eating too much?”
“Yeah, something like that. C’mon.”
We walked through a thick copse of trees, to a clearing.
“Stand back,” I cautioned. Then, when Beth was out of the way, I held up my hands and watched as blue energy streamed high into the air, like lightning in the reverse direction. The electric bursts were a far different sensation than the fireballs I usually hurled.
“Whoa,” Beth whispered in awe.
As if Mother Nature was ticked off that she was late to the party, thunder boomed from the sky, and bright flashes ripped through the clouds.
“I think I can touch the lightning!” I said.
“Huh? How can you reach it?”
“I can call it down to me. I feel drawn to it somehow,” I explained. Then, I closed my eyes and held out my hand, and my hair whipped in the roaring wind.
“You want to get rid of the extra energy, right? Won’t that just give you more?”
“Yeah, but it’s sorta out of my control.”
“I’m no Mr. Stewart, but I’m not sure this little experiment is one you should try.”
I closed my eyes tighter and became one with the energy.
Beth screamed, startling me just as I touched it. “Let go!” she shouted.
When I did, the lightning broke free and returned to the sky in a big flash, then dispersed. Green spirals of magic, mixed with electrical currents, swirled in my hands.
Beth moved closer, but I held a hand up to stop her.
“Stay back till I absorb all this energy,” I warned.
“Oh, Sophie,” she said, “are you sure you’re okay?”
“I will be,” I said, swaying on my feet. “There’s just too much energy inside me. Not sure I can absorb it all. But give me a minute to try.”
As rain began to fall, I raised my hands and threw up all my gathered electrical energy. It shot high, then collapsed, and the cold raindrops cooled my heated skin.
“Sophie!” Beth shouted, pushing wet strands of hair out of her eyes.
“Wow! Did I just survive electrocution?”
She checked me out from head to toe, her eyes as wide with horror as they were the day we woke up upside down. “I don’t see any burn marks or anything. Your clothes aren’t even scorched. Gosh, there’s no sign at all that you took all that electricity, from a live wire and lightning! Did you feel any pain or burning?”
“At first, it felt like someone smacked me with a Louisville Slugger. Then it was like a sharp, quick tremor. I felt some kind of high next, as if my magic loved being supercharged like that.”
“How do you feel now?”
“Wonderful. I feel...refreshed.”
“Seriously?”
“Yeah. I’ve still got that pins-and-needles feeling, but it’s going away.”
“You had a live electric current course through your body, and you’re alive to tell the tale. Man, you’re one of a kind. Forget Ice Woman. You could give Storm a run for her money!”
She helped me into the car, and I called Logan to tell him everything that happened.
“I’m on my way,” he said.
“No, I’ll be home soon,” I said.
“Yeah, calm down Wolferine. We’ll get there when we get there,” Beth yelled into the phone, then pressed down on the accelerator to get us back to the castle.
Chapter 12
Logan greeted me as soon as we pulled in, his face full of worry. He brushed the hair out of my face, then gently picked me up and carried me inside to the couch, where he sweetly covered me with a soft blanket. “You okay?” he asked.
I loved how gentle he was, and I loved being in his arms. “I’m fine,” I assured him.
Eve materialized and cut in, “Hey, Sophie, you need to do something about Cindy’s PMS. She went off on me because this dog ate her food again. The nerve of her, blaming someone who doesn’t even have a real stomach! She called me a malevolent spirit, said I’ve been hoarding food away.”
I looked up at Logan and rolled my eyes. “Geez. I’m going to need more than superpowers to deal with all this roommate drama.”
“Eve, this isn’t the time,” Logan told her, “and stop calling me a dog.”
I squeezed Logan’s hand. “I’m fine.”
Eve’s eyes widened. “Huh? What... Oh my gosh! Did something happen? Sophie, are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” I said, then told her the entire story.
Logan touched my arm. “We knew you had access to electricity when you made the protection bubbles, the force-field, but we weren’t aware of the extent of it.”
Fred walked in and nodded. “You’ve been firing electro blasts and generating electrical force-fields, but that’s nothing compared to what’s to come. With proper instruction, I bet you can manipulate, create, and shape electricity. You’ll send our enemies into a world of electrified pain, for sure.”
“So amazing, Sophie!” Beth said.
“Your powers are still developing,” Cindy chimed in, stepping into the room behind Fred and giving Eve a nasty look. “You might someday be able to manipulate the forces of gravity and magnetism. By creating a localized electromagnetic field with reverse polarity, you’ll be empowered to levitate massive objects.”
“What the heck does that mean?” Beth said. “Preferably in English.”
“Just know it’s huge,” Logan said.
“I don’t know about that,” I said.
“Sophie, you need more experienced teachers,” Fred said. “Your powers are surpassing Taylor’s and Julie’s.”
“No, I’m fine with them.”
Logan peered at me. “Fred’s right. With the right teacher, you could learn to control your electricity. You could fire electrical stun blasts from your hands, allowing you to knock people unconscious without killing them. That could prove very useful if—”
“No, I like how things are now,” I interrupted.
“This power is nowhere near fully developed. If you work at it, the Falcar don’t stand a chance against it,” Logan argued.
“Just admit it, Logan,” I said. “You didn’t have such high hopes when you first met me, did you?”
“We’ve always had high hopes in you,” Logan replied. “I trust the prophecy.”
“Even when I freaked out at the sight of you guys and the Falcar?”
“Even then.”
I laughed. “Sure,” I said, garnering a laugh from Beth.
AS WE WAITED OUTSIDE for the limo, I asked, “Are you sure you wanna do this? I mean, no offense, but I’m not sure swamps, snakes, and gators are really your thing. Maybe you should take some more time to get used to this whole supernatural thing.”
She set her suitcase down. “I’ll handle it. I know I’m heading to a swamp, full of exotic wildlife, poisonous plants, and crocs ready to bite me in two, but I wouldn’t turn it down for the world. Besides, I know too much now. How could I ever go back to my old, boring life? Anyway, Cajun food’s my favorite!”
I had to laugh at that. “It’ll be a wonderful experience, but you still have options, you know. You could still live a more normal life, starting with college.”
“Normal is overrated. I think I’m meant to do this, and a little self-defense training won’t hurt, no matter where life takes me. I have knowledge of this world, and that could make me a target. I don’t want to be an easy one. When those nasty Falcar attacked my mother’s cabin, I was so scared, as petrified as the wood outside. Next time, I won’t hide, and I won’t be so terrified. I’ll be a warrior, ready to kick ass.”
“This is crazy, huh?”
“Completely, but I have to do it. I’ll never have an opportunity like this again, so I have to jump on it. Plus, I don’t have anywhere to go. At least I’ll still have a roof over my head for the next few months, rent free at that!”
“You’re not a prisoner. Remember that. You can go home anytime you want.”
“Nah, I’ll stick it out. My mom thinks I’m going to stay with a friend of yours to check out some local college. She actually told me not to become a gator snack.”
I laughed. “With everything we know, I’d be more scared of a swamp monster or something.”
She smiled. “I’ll let you know how the gumbo and crayfish are,” she said.
“Mmm. Make sure to get a recipe, so you can whip up a batch when you get back.”
“I will. Maybe I’ll make you an alligator casserole.”
“Ick! I’ll settle for some dirty rice,” I said with a laugh.
“A classic.”
“Oh, and you know I’ve got a wicked sweet tooth.”
“No problem. They love their sweet taters there. I’ll learn how to make sweet potato butterscotch pie or Bundt cake.”
“You’re making me hungry, yam it!”
“Just enjoy it on behalf of those of us who can’t eat it,” Fred said, stepping up behind us.
“Hey, Fred. Sorry,” Beth apologized.
“Looks like your ride’s here,” Logan said, then walked over to open the gate so the limo could come up the driveway.
“We’ll see each other in no time,” I told Beth.
“When you get back from your mission, Facetime me.”
“I will.”
We hugged tightly, both knowing our friendship was rock solid and that we’d find a way to make it work, no matter what. After the chauffer took her suitcase and opened the door for her, we hugged and exchanged goodbyes once more, and then she climbed inside and waved.
“I wish you could’ve trained her,” I said to Logan as I watched the car drive away.
“I don’t have time to mentor a human. We have too much to deal with already.”
“Well, they trained you.”
“I was sent to an immortal sanctuary,” Fred said. “The training camp will teach her far better than any of us could. Don’t worry. She’ll be fine. Tabby assured me it’s a great place.”
I blew out a breath. “I know. I just feel bad for dragging her into this mess. The selfish part of me wants her here, but the other side says I should’ve turned her away the second she got here.”
“What’s done is done. We can’t change it. It wouldn’t have been a problem if Vincent had stayed out of it.”
“Yeah, well, when have you ever known him to butt out of anything?” I said, with venom in my voice. “One of these days, I’ll make sure he’s out of our business for good.”
“Either way, this is for the best,” Logan said. “When she comes back, she’ll know how to better take care of herself.”
“Yeah, and she’s safe there in the meantime,” I said. As much as I missed her already, it was a great relief to know that I didn’t have to worry about her for a while. I wondered if she’d ultimately decide to go her own way or stay with us, but it was good to know that no matter where life carried us, we would always be able to confide in each other, because we shared a bond that was truly immortal.
Chapter 13
I enjoyed taking my little dog for a walk around the castle grounds, with Eve, John, and Logan. The silvery light of the moon shone on my face, and the breeze felt good against my skin.
“Two days,” Logan said, hanging up his phone. “You ready to take down those selfish assholes?”
I nodded. “Beyond ready. I’ll never forgive that vampire for stringing Beth and me up in that barn like slabs of meat.”
Just as Logan was about to say something about that, his phone rang again.
I smiled. “Somebody sure is popular tonight.”
“Tell me about it,” he said, then answered the call, spoke for a few minutes, and hung up. “We’ve finally got a lead on that witch with the necklace,” he announced.
“Really!?” I squealed. “Where is she?”
“Holing up in some farmhouse out in the country, only about an hour from here.”
“Should we wait for the others?” I asked.
“No time. They teleported somewhere with Julie. We’ve gotta act now.”
“Can we join you?” Eve said, gesturing to her ghostly friend.
Logan nodded. “The four of us should have no problem taking down an average witch, if she tries to be...uncooperative.”
I hurried back inside and threw on some jeans and tennis shoes. When I walked back out, I spotted Logan slipping a gun into his holster. The next thing I knew, we were off, in pursuit of a witch who’d given us the slip for far too long.
WE PARKED ABOUT A MILE away from the address that was given to Logan, and gravel crunched beneath our feet as we made our way down the lonely road. The house was pretty isolated, with no visible neighbors.
“We’ll go on ahead and check it out,” John said. “I’m sure we can remain quite clandestine.”
Eve smiled. “See? Isn’t it great to have ghost scouts?”
I nodded, careful not to answer out loud, just in case any prying ears were about, and the two of them disappeared in a flash.
In a few minutes, the house came into view, and my sister materialized next to me. “She’s alone,” she said. “She shouldn’t be any trouble at all.”
“Except for the force-field around the house,” John said. “We might need that special blood of yours,” he mentioned, peering at me.
Logan turned to face me. “Can you break through the magic, Sophie?”
I swallowed hard and reluctantly held out my hand. “I hate blood, but what must be done must be done.”
Logan pulled out a knife and, with a grimace, softly cut into my flesh. “You might feel a little pinch,” he warned like a nurse, albeit a bit too late.
I jumped reflexively but then blew off the sting and walked to the edge of the force-field to let some blood drip on it. A spot started to weaken, an opening just large enough for us to step through.
“Thanks...again,” Logan said. He then tore a piece of fabric off the tail of his shirt and wrapped it around my fresh wound.
“You know, for a werewolf, you have quite the bedside manner,” I said.
“Yeah, well, don’t go around fantasizing about me in some little nurse’s outfit,” he retorted.
“I don’t know, what with your fetish for pink drapes and those kinky make-out sessions with Fred,” I teased.
Logan just shook his head, then made quick work of breaking and entering through a window, and we all followed him.
The living room had a gray color scheme, with leather furniture and black and white portraits on the walls. Before I could admire the surprisingly modern décor, however, pain exploded within me, and a blast of energy clobbered me right in the chest. I glanced up and saw a familiar witch, the same one I’d met at the factory.
“It appears you have a bit of trouble understanding that trespassing is illegal!” she hissed.
Logan blindsided her and tackled her to the ground from behind. She fought him with vigor, throwing explosive punches left and right, but it didn’t take him long to overpower her and pin her to the floor like some kind of WWE superstar.
