Healing Magic, page 3
The woman lifted a shaky finger and pointed toward the back. “Private rooms are there, but we only have a couple so you need to book them in advance.”
We walked to the rear of the building and peeked through a narrow window on the doors into each of the rooms. One of them was currently being used by a small group of people painting on canvases, but the other room was empty.
We walked inside, and I inhaled. It smelled like someone had burned scented candles recently. “This has got to be the place.”
May circled the small room that looked more like a dance studio. A wall-sized mirror was at the front of the room along with a stack of metal chairs in the corner. “I hope their meeting starts soon. I want to get back in time to talk to Tessa. Did you know she had her big test today?”
“That was today?” I groaned, berating myself for not sending her a good-luck text earlier.
Ever since my telephone call with Charlie a couple of days ago, I hadn’t been able to think about anything else. His premonition had scared me. I couldn’t imagine anything making me feel differently toward Liam, which of course made me feel even worse for not talking to him. Just hearing he was there with Charlie almost had me running for the door to go to him.
But I couldn’t. Not yet. I had to find the cure.
“We’ll video chat her later,” May said. “Come on. Let’s go wait near the front doors.”
For the next couple of hours, May and I practiced accessing our abilities to sense if a person was human or supernatural, but with very little traffic on a Sunday night, we quickly grew bored and it became more of a game than anything else.
A man walked through the front door with a teenage son.
“Son is a shifter,” May whispered low, “and father a witch.”
I shook my head. “No way. Look at the father’s plaid shirt. He’s the shifter and the son are a merman. His hair’s even still wet.”
May shoved me, grinning big. “Merman? There’s no such thing.”
I laughed out loud. “How the hell do we know?”
We were still laughing when two women moved into the lobby, both carrying Styrofoam cups of coffee. An oversized purse hung over the shoulder of the woman with dark hair, while the other lady ran her bright green painted nails through long red tresses.
“Demon soccer moms,” May said.
“Nailed that one.” I reached into the bag of chips between us on the bench, my eyes tracking the women to the back of the library. A sensation, like a feather brushing across my skin, tickled the back of my neck. I scratched at it but the feeling didn’t go away.
The front door opened. Three more women crossed the lobby, laughing and gabbing about their children and pets.
May made a joke about them, but I didn’t register her words. I was too busy feeling the same uncomfortable sensation.
I slid over to May, crushing the chips, and whispered, “I think they’re supernaturals.”
She lifted her eyebrows. “Our witches?”
“I think so.” I stood and shuffled a few feet over so I could see where they went. Like I thought, they ducked into the room that had smelled like candles.
“Should we go talk to them now or wait?” May asked.
“Let’s see if more come.”
I pulled May between two bookshelves and pretended to be scanning their titles while three more ladies arrived. The door to the mirrored room closed.
We waited another ten minutes before I said, “It’s time. I hope this goes well.”
“Didn’t Rose say witches are afraid of fire?”
I nodded and swallowed the rising lump in my throat at the mention of Rose, the witch who’d lived in hiding near Lucent. I missed her.
“If anything crazy happens, I’ll give them a fist full of flames.”
“Just don’t burn any books.”
“Never.”
I stopped at the door and listened closely to their voices beyond. One of them was talking about their kid’s choir concert the night before. They didn’t sound like witches. I knocked.
The woman with the red hair answered, her green eyes darting between me and May. “Can I help you?”
“Possibly,” I said. “Can I come in and talk to your group?”
The ladies all straightened in their seats, their eyes shifting around the room nervously. Normal soccer moms wouldn’t be this sketchy.
“Say what you need right here,” the red-head answered. “We have this room reserved for a private meeting.”
“Are you ladies witches?” May blurted.
The woman’s face paled, and she jerked us into the room. The door slammed behind us without being touched.
“Who are you and what do you want?” she snapped.
The temperature in the room turned ice cold, making my pulse race. May pressed into me, and I could feel her body begin to heat up. Not a good sign.
“Settle down, Vicky,” a blonde woman warned. She turned to us. “Let’s start over, shall we?”
“I’d like that.” I kept my gaze on Vicky in case she tried anything.
“My name is Alice,” the blonde woman said, her voice polite but clipped. “And you are?”
I reluctantly tore my eyes off Vicky to address Alice. “I’m Llona, an Aura from Lucent Academy. And this is my friend May.”
A collective gasp filled the room followed by hurried voices.
Alice touched her stomach. “An Aura? Truly?”
I nodded.
With wide eyes, a woman next to her asked, “What are you doing this far south?”
“Searching for a Red Tree Witch. I heard there may be one here.”
The room grew deathly quiet.
Alice was the first to speak. “I hate to tell you that you wasted your time, but there hasn’t been a Red Tree Witch in Irondale for centuries. In fact, they may not exist anymore.”
I shook my head, disappointment crushing my chest. “That can’t be right.”
“Does your witch coven have a name?” May asked.
“We’re the Moon Ladies,” Vicky answered, her voice full of pride.
May wrinkled her nose. “Kind of a weak name, right?”
Alice chuckled. “We’re not trying to strike fear into the hearts of man. We’re just a bunch of moms who get together twice a week to practice magic, but mostly we end up talking and laughing.”
The others nodded in agreement. I sighed, realizing we’d wasted our time. “I have it on good authority that there is a Red Tree Witch somewhere around here, and I really need to find one.”
“Can I ask why?” Alice asked.
“I was told they have a cure to a Vyken’s poisonous bite.”
Alice raised an eyebrow. “That would require some powerful magic and probably some rare ingredients, if it’s even possible.”
“So you guys know nothing about a Red Tree Witch?” May asked again.
They all shook their heads while Alice said, “I’m sorry. We don’t, but if there was one around, they’d be in Rouen. That city has more supernaturals than any other. Someone there must know something.”
I lowered my gaze to the floor. Rouen was only an hour away. We could leave first thing in the morning.
Looking up, I met May’s gaze and an understanding passed between us.
She grinned. “I’ve always wanted to visit the city who welcomes everyone.”
Chapter 4
Llona
Rouen was unlike any other city I’d ever been to. It was like the new world had slammed into an old one, but no matter how hard modern architecture tried to take over, the ancient style of wooden beams and stone walls held on tightly. It was both awe-inspiring and dizzying.
May exited the car and joined me in the parking lot. She inhaled deeply. “Do you smell it?”
I inhaled. “The ocean. I didn’t realize we were that close.”
“Maybe we’ll have time to go to the beach. It might be warm enough this far south.”
“Possibly.” I scanned all the nearby buildings, many of them several stories high. Even though it was afternoon and a bright sunny day, sunlight didn’t reflect off a single surface, not even from car roofs. It was as if this place drew light in and snuffed it out. I shivered.
May noticed. “You okay?”
“This place feels different.”
“I kind of dig it.” She stretched her arms high into the air. “This might sound crazy, but I feel alive here, more so than anywhere else. Let’s go check in.”
I watched her go, worry worming its way into me. Whatever energy was in Rouen, it didn’t feel good. Already, I could feel my Light recoiling inside me. And the fact that May was drawn to it caused all sorts of alarm bells to go off in my head. We needed to get out of this town and fast.
As soon as the sun set, we headed for the most popular nightclub per the desk clerk. Charlie had told me that’s where supernaturals like to hang out at night, some with nefarious purposes. He also warned me to be careful, but it wasn’t me I was worried about.
May strolled next to me, with an obvious pep to her step. She wore tight, black leather pants and a white halter top. She’d pulled her hair back into a high ponytail and wore large hoop earrings. She looked cute, and I’d told her as much, but she also didn’t look like the May I knew.
“This is going to be so fun!” she said and twirled around. “I just hope we can sense who’s a supernatural and who’s not.”
“Why are so excited?” I asked, keeping my voice even.
She flashed me a wicked grin. “Because tonight I need a release so I’m either going to fight someone or make out with someone.” When I opened my mouth to speak, she blurted, “Don’t say it. I know to be careful.”
The sound of music blaring reached my ears. “We’re close. It’s probably just around the corner.”
“What’s this place called again?”
“Sinsual.”
We turned the corner only to be met with a line of at least twenty people. I groaned in annoyance.
“Wow. I can’t believe people are already lined up this early.” May punched me lightly in the arm, grinning. “This club must be amazing!”
As soon as we got in line, May chatted up the couple in front of us and quickly learned why this club was so popular. Apparently, the bartender, some super-hot chick according to the guy, was amazing and could do the craziest things.
While they continued to talk, I focused on my Light and tried to use it to sense supernaturals. It was difficult in this place that felt like it only wanted to smother my gift. It also didn’t help that all around me the energy in the air felt different, like it was electrically charged.
May whirled around startling me. “We’re almost at the front. Do you have your special ID?”
“It’s in my pocket.”
May didn’t tell me how, but when we were in Wildemoor she’d gotten us fake IDs. At first, I didn’t think we’d need them, but they’d actually came in handy on more than one occasion.
We reached the front of the line and flashed our IDs to the bouncer. He barely looked at them before allowing us inside. Just as I passed him, a rush of energy chilled my skin, almost as if someone had poured ice water down the back of my skin. I glanced back at him, my mouth falling open. Knowing I’d sensed his “otherness,” he winked at me.
I faced forward and grabbed May’s hand so I’d keep moving. That dude was definitely a supernatural but what kind? If I had to guess, by his considerable height and broad muscular chest, I’d guess a shifter of some kind. He almost reminded me of Petros, the Lycan back at Lucent, but not as big.
Sinsual was unlike any club or bar I’d ever been to. I expected something much smaller and less crowded, but this place was massive with a second-floor balcony, small tables along the outer walls, and a huge dance floor.
People were everywhere but most had surged toward a really long bar with blue lights beneath the counter. A gorgeous woman in a halter top and short denim shorts danced on its top while also pouring drinks in what looked like impossible moves. The crowd cheered which only seemed to spur her on.
May whispered loudly in my ear, “She’s got to be a supernatural, right?”
I tried to focus on her but there were too many bodies between us and her. Or maybe the loud music or the fog blowing in from machines placed along the walls was disorienting me. Talk about over stimulation.
I spoke loudly back to May. “Let’s find someone we can ask about the witches, then get out of here.”
“Not yet. Let’s have fun first. Wait here. I’ll get us a drink.”
I reached to stop her, but she had already dived into the swarm leaving me alone.
Just as I was about to turn away, my eyes locked with those of a woman standing near the bar. She had long raven-black hair and her electric blue eyes bore into mine with such intensity, I swore she was staring into my soul. Ancient power radiated from her, reminding me a little of how I’d felt around Rose. This woman was definitely a supernatural. I might’ve guessed vampire, but I didn’t feel threatened by her.
Someone bumped into me making me stumble. I righted myself and glanced back to the bar but the woman was gone. I backed up against the wall, trying to calm my erratic heartbeat. So much power and fevered energy in the air; it was near suffocating. I closed my eyes to the chaos around me.
It felt like May had been gone a long time when she finally returned. Before she could offer the pink drink in her hand to me, I snatched it and guzzled it all.
She laughed. “Slow down. I won’t be able to keep up.”
I licked my lips and stared down at the empty cup, cream foaming at the bottom. “What was in that?”
She shrugged. “I asked a guy sitting at the bar to pick the drinks for us.” When I shot her a warning look, she added, “He was very nice and talkative, plus I think he’s a supernatural. I got a weird feeling around him, but I promise it wasn’t a I-want-to-drink-your blood vibe.”
I opened my mouth to say something but no words came out. It’s like my mind had gone blank. At the same time, warmth covered my whole body, and my limbs tingled.
“You okay?” May asked, then took a sip from her tall glass.
I exhaled a breath. “I think that drink just hit me but in a good way.”
“Oh yeah? Let me catch up then.” She drank the rest of the liquid in her glass then set it down on the table next to us. “Let’s go dance!”
She pulled me into the center of the dance floor where couples bounced and swayed to the loud music. The deep bass notes thrummed in my veins, making me move with it. Back and forth, up and down, until my head was swimming in colors and sounds. My eyes closed as I reveled in the feeling of having my mind preoccupied with something other than worry and heartache.
Without warning, the air pressurized around me, and I sucked in a quick breath. My eyelids flew open as my mind began to clear. May was no longer with me. I turned to search for her when a warm breeze lifted the back of my hair and breathed across my neck. Heat ignited my veins, electrified my nerve-endings, jump started my heart. I knew this touch, craved it every single day.
I scanned the crowd until my eyes found his. Liam. He stood across from me, several people dancing between us. I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move, only feel the loud beat of my heart thundering within my chest.
He parted the crowd and moved toward me, his gaze predatory. I’d forgotten how scary he could look, and yet, I felt no fear. Only longing and desire.
Maybe this was a cruel hallucination, a side effect from whatever May had given me to drink.
He stopped in front of me, his eyes searching mine with a mixture of wonderment and hunger.
I had to know if it was real. Reaching up, I palmed his cheek and gasped a shaky breath at the warmth. Tears blurred my vision.
Before I could ask how this was possible, he swept me into his arms and kissed me.
Chapter 5
Liam
Llona’s lips moved against mine with the same desperation I felt burning through me. Her body molded into mine, and I pressed harder wanting to feel every inch of her. She swept her tongue into my mouth, and I eagerly welcomed the intimate contact.
When I’d first seen her in Sinsual moments ago, I couldn’t believe my eyes. I’d wanted to hurry over and ask what she was doing here and why’d she stopped talking to me. But then I’d seen her dancing. Every sway of her hips, every caress of her fingers sliding up and down her body had driven me over the edge until all I wanted was to taste her mouth, feel her skin against mine. These overwhelming desires had swallowed all my thoughts until I got exactly what I wanted.
Before I knew it, I had Llona against the wall hidden within the shadows of the club. She jumped up and wrapped her legs around my waist, grinding her hips against me. I matched her tempo, my chest heaving at the raw and primal urges tensing my muscles, firing my nerves.
I pulled away from her mouth and trailed kisses down her neck, pausing to press my tongue over her throbbing artery, loving how I could practically taste her racing heartbeat.
“Liam,” she breathed.
The sound of her heated voice so full of desire made my legs weaken. I’d longed to hear her say my name for weeks.
Someone cleared their throat behind us making me freeze.
“I hate to be a buzz kill, but what the hell are you doing here?”
I lowered Llona to the floor, but firmly entwined my fingers into hers. I never wanted to let her go again.
Turning around to face May, I said, “I’m here with Petros following a lead on all the Vykens that escaped from Lucent Academy. I had no idea you two would be here.”
“Petros is here?” She searched the crowd. “Where?”
“Outside.”
“You know Petros?” Llona asked her.
I rubbed my thumb against the skin on her hand. It was impossible not to.
May snorted. “Of course I do. We talked several times at Lucent, and we still text. Or really, I text him. He’s a hard nut to crack, but I’m determined to break down that wall of his. I’m convinced he has a mushy center.”
