Enchanter (12 page)

“We’re going to train together. Do you wanna come?”

“Nah, homework beckons. Just remember what I said about not spending too much time with him.”

“Hey, girls. How was your day?” Zayn pushed off the tree.

“Sunny, except for an odd burst of rain.” Faith winked at me, stepped behind the tree and ’ported.

“You want to explain?” he asked.

“Nope.” I grabbed his hand. “You need to zap us to that secluded beach spot before my annoying mate turns up. I’m surprised he’s not here already.”

“I’m onto it. You don’t need to tell me twice.” He grinned as he ’ported us.

Through the dark we traveled, and then we arrived in the most glorious place on Earth. I twirled with my arms up high. Ahh, the sun blazed down, its heat soaking into my skin and replenishing me. “Fab-u-lous.”

“This is the perfect spot for training.”

“Is it ever.” A forest of pines rose beyond the sand dunes, and dry, wilted grass edged the towering trees. My mouth watered as I ogled all that tinder-dry land. Mmm, a forest full of kindling, just waiting to be set aflame. What a sight that would be; a fire unparalleled to any other would rage. Oh yeah. Within the fire was such beauty, the stunning colors of burnt orange and sizzling red. I loved those colors, but more, I loved the heat. So warm. I wanted to feel—

“Silvie? Where are you going?”

I was off, jogging over the sandy rise.

“Hey, wait. Shoot, there’s a blast of heat coming off you.”

My fingers itched to light up, and everything within me yearned to burn.

6

At my feet the dry grass curled at the tips and blistered.

“Silvie, listen to me.” Zayn raced past and came around in front. He shoved up his hands as he hiked it backward. “You’ve seriously gotta stop.”

“No, I’ve gotta make a fire.”

“I know you do, but not like this. We’re here for training, not to ignite a forest.”

“That’s training, just on a larger scale. Why does everyone wants to stop me from having fun today?”

“There’s fun, and then there’s wiping out the home of countless animals and birds.”

“Animals?” I staggered to a stop. Birds soared above then dipped to land on the highest branches where they nested. “No, I can’t hurt them.”

“There’s also a camping ground only five miles from here. What happens if people are tramping or exploring these woods?”

I shivered and rubbed my arms, my need to blaze dying a fast death. “Zayn? Take me away from here.”

He pulled me into his arms. “You’re cool again. That’s amazing.”

“I mean it. Take me away from here. I don’t want to bring about the kind of harm you just said.”

“No, we’re staying. This is what your training is all about. Look how quickly you controlled your impulses. Come on. I have an idea.” He guided me to the beach, collecting driftwood along the way. Where the dunes provided shelter in a protected area on the sand, he hunkered down and scooped out a hole.

“A fire pit?”

“Yeah, I want to see you make a fire. A small, controlled one.” He patted the spot beside him.

“You think I can do it?” I knelt and helped him pile the wood up.

“I know you can. I’m ready whenever you are.”

Okay, I could do this. I shook out my hands. Fire. My fingertips warmed and sparked. I touched the dry stringy bark. A tendril of smoke snaked up. Ahh, now this was what I wanted.

“Great.” Zayn touched my arm. “Your skin feels warm but not hot. There’s no heat wave at all.”

“Are you sure? I’m making fire without getting hot?”

“Yes, but that could be because your flame is small, and the source of what you want to burn, minor. Extinguish your fire, and we’ll work on something bigger.”

I studied the curious seagulls hopping closer. They were beautiful, and this was their home. I wouldn’t allow my fire to harm them. The flames at my fingertips spluttered out.

“Perfect.” Zayn beamed.

“I did it.” I jumped up. “I did it.”

He joined me, swung me off my feet. “Congrats.”

“You. Did. What?”

Guy’s deep voice rumbled from along the beach. He strode toward us. He did not look happy, only, I was way too excited to worry about it.

“Hey.” I ran and danced around him. “You should have seen what I just did. I controlled my fire and not by cold thoughts, but by not wanting to bring harm. It was so much better.”

His frown deepened. “You should have waited for me when you finished school.”

“But I controlled my fire.” I grabbed his hands. “Be happy for me.”

“You’re lucky Faith told me where you were.”

“Look.” I lugged him to the fire pit and jabbed at the burning wood. “I controlled the fire within me.” Couldn’t he see what I’d achieved?

“She’s got this nailed. There wasn’t even any heat coming off her.” Zayn scooped sand and tossed it over the fire. It spat and died. “Silvie, we need to extend your training.”

“Yes. Yes. Yes.”

“She’s not doing that with you. Excuse us.” Guy held me tight as he ’ported us. We arrived in the stables, and he checked behind him. “Good. He got the point and didn’t follow.”

“That wasn’t very polite.”

“Do I look like I care? No.” He lifted my arms and wrapped them around his neck, bringing me against him. “I missed you today, and when I find you, it’s with him.”

“Did you just say you missed me?” Surely not.

“Hell, yes, I missed you.” He kissed me, a hot melding that made my temperature rise. Then he tipped me back, kissing me even deeper, until every inch of me warmed for more.

He groaned. “We’ve gotta stop doing this.”

“You started it,” I mumbled against his lips. “Although, I’m in complete agreement. We’ve gotta stop.”

“You make me forget. You make me wish for more.”

“And you’re a terrible influence on me.” I ran my finger in a saucy swirl down his chest and over his abs, his wickedly toned abs. He needed to stop working out with a sword, kick back and eat a ton of junk food. Whatever it took, he had to lose this physique that tempted me beyond reason. “Why don’t you back up before we both do something we’ll regret?”

He caught my finger and brought it to his lips.

“That’s not backing up.” Which meant it was up to me. I ducked around him and out into the blinding sunshine.

“Silvie, you can’t just walk off.” He chased after me.

“Yes, I can.” I continued on, firing up my link to Faith. “
Hey, I need a pickup. The outback.
”

“Where are you going?”

“Home, and without your help.”

“
I’m already there, Silvie. I wanted to chat to Hope. We’re in her room. Do you see the homestead?
”

On the hill, a sprawling earth-toned homestead of clay bricks and mortar proudly stood. It was magnificent in design, three-stories high with a wide wraparound porch. A castle for a king, even though Donaldo Wincrest didn’t reside here. “
I see it.
”

I cut a path across the baked earth and under a towering stand of eucalyptus trees. A touch of shade cooled my skin from the delicious heat. I picked up my pace to pass out from underneath it. There. Faith and Hope waved from the top corner balcony.

“You can’t leave.” Guy strode beside me. “We have a problem we need to work on.”

“I’ll work on it with the girls.”

“No,
we’ll
work on it with the girls.” He pulled me to a stop, and before I could say no, the dark ensued. We arrived on Hope’s balcony.

“You have a terrible habit of taking over.” And I couldn’t let him. I shoved my hair over my shoulder and faced Faith. “From now on I’ve got to do this on my own. I’m firing my mate. He’s off the job. You’re with me on that, right?” I couldn’t say it any plainer.

Faith struck a wide-eyed look at Guy. “What did you do now?”

“I can’t stop kissing her.” He opened the glass slider, looking not one bit contrite. “Ladies first.”

White lace curtains fluttered against my legs as I stormed in. How did I get through to him he had to leave? I gripped the smooth, round end post of Hope’s New Zealand rimu bed, trying not to tangle my fingers in the white netting trickling from the canopy. “He also said he missed me. This really isn’t working out the way it should.”

“Then we’ll sort this problem fast.” Faith plopped onto the bed. “Between the four of us, we’ll come up with an answer.”

Hope squeezed my shoulder. “I’ll do what I can to help.”

Guy settled on the corner settee padded in blue velvet. “I’ve got an idea. Since I’m here to aid Silvie, what better way than with my skill? I have a spell which can loosen subconscious thoughts so they come to the forefront of the mind.” He leaned forward, elbows to his knees as he eyed me. “You want to give it a go?”

“Is it safe?”

“I’d never place your life in danger. Only you will see the thoughts you release.” He held out a hand. “Let’s try it.”

I plodded across the room and joined him on the settee. I was game. We needed a resolution, and fast. “How does this work?”

“Simply look into my eyes.” He took my hands. “And relax.”

“Then don’t look at me too intensely and I might.” I faced him, touching my knees to his.

“I’m sorry I’ve made things more difficult for you. It was never my intention.” The silver rimming the blue of his eyes swirled to life. “Are you ready?”

“Like yesterday.”

“Then let’s begin.” He stroked my palms with his thumbs. “My mate, within your mind and hidden deep, is an answer only you must seek. Dislodge and release, send it spinning free, allow it to ride and think only of thee.”

My stomach rolled and pitched. Or was that my head? I toppled forward.

“I’ve got you.” He caught me. “Close your eyes. It’ll help.”

As I did the dark embraced me. Memories spun, a mirage of pictures rolling one after the other, all flinging backward through time. Finally they slowed then dripped past until only one remained.

The rain had finally cleared. Faith’s mother Kate had bundled us girls up in our winter coats and walked us to the park. At six, our energy was boundless. Faith had raced ahead and clambered up the steps of the rocket slide. She made the top rung then shuffled onto her bottom.

I ran toward her with a giggle, almost sliding over in the soggy grass. “There’s a puddle. You’re gonna get so dirty.”

“No, I won’t. Come up.” She rocked back and forth. “If we go down together, we’ll go so fast, we’ll miss the puddle and zing right off the end.”

“Nah-ah.” Cold muddy water with insects flying over top. Ick. Not for me. “I don’t like getting wet.”

“Scaredy-cat.” Tongue poked out, she shoved her thumbs in her ears and twiddled her fingers.

“I’m not scared, and you better hurry before your mum comes.”

“I’m already here.” Kate rushed in. “What do you think you’re doing, Faith? We came for the swings.”

“Okay, I’m coming down.” Faith laughed as she pushed off. Her coat snagged on something and she squealed. She toppled forward and rolled down. “Mum-mie.”

Kate dashed forward, but Faith plowed off the end and landed in the middle of the puddle. Mucky water sprayed everywhere.

“Help.” Faith half-laughed, half-cried as she slapped at the water.

Kate juggled her camera, accidentally taking a shot as she tossed it by the strap over her shoulder.

“I’m closer. I’ll help her.” I edged around the grassiest side of the puddle and leaned a hand in. “Don’t pull. I’ll pull you”

“I promise I won’t.” She slapped her hand into mine and muck oozed between our fingers. “You’re like the best friend ever.”

“You’re like the worst.” I heaved her out.

“We stick together.” She hugged me, coating me in the sloppy mud.