Saved by the Spell (Anna Wolfe Series, Book #2) (17 page)

“If you know them, doesn’t that mean others do too?”

Landon’s confident smile fades. “No. I’m the only surviving Shadowalker with this knowledge.”

And here I thought I was the only important one. Landon is a neat little commodity to have. “How are you the only one left?” I don’t mean to pry, but the need to find out trumps social niceties.

He clears his throat. “My family spent hundreds of centuries studying the movement and timing of this diagram,” he answers, pointing to it. “It engulfed our family, becoming somewhat of an obsession. We were instructed to learn the Dimensions—their locations, access points and passageways.”

“Does Micah know how to read the Dimensional map as well?” I find it hard to believe he'd let this go unstudied. 

“No,” Landon responds indifferently. “He’s the reason my family was slaughtered and why I had to remain on the run for centuries.”

Guilt twists my heart like it’s wringing out a rag. “Landon, I’m so sorry.” Maybe I shouldn’t have delved into his history, but sometimes curiosity is a bitch like that.

“I don’t want your pity.” He lowers his eyes. “My family and I were the only Shadowalkers capable of decoding it. We don’t know why we were chosen, but we were.”

“Chosen? Chosen by whom?”

“The Highers.”

There they are again. Useless angels if you ask me. For as powerful as they are, they sure do like to hang out in the background and do nothing even when the end of the world is at stake. “The Highers? You mean the idiots who never get involved?”

“Anna,” Valen hisses, “watch
your tongue.”

I snap my neck at him. “You can’t be serious?” I bellow. “They’re a fucking joke, Valen. All this time they let me, a barely skilled G
rand Witch, fight their battles. We’re fighting Micah and all they’re doing is sitting in their comfy chairs, sticking their noses in the air. This is the end of the world we’re talking about here, not an ethical traffic violation!” I spit.

Valen strides over to me, gripping my shoulders firmly. “Anna, I understand your frustration, but you need to watch what comes out of
that pretty little mouth of yours.” He widens his eyes before flicking them upwards.  

“Good luck with that Wolf-boy,” Martello
drones.

Valen shoots him a death stare before turning back to me. “Anna, please,” he begs, straining his eyes. He trying to communicate with me, but doing a horrible job.

“Fine, but I stand by the fact that they’re the absolute worst overseers a world could have,” I finish.

“Now that’s settled,” Roman mediates. “Let’s get down to business. Anna, you and I will work on their location. Everyone else can retire for the evening,
except you Landon. We need you here in case we find something,” he finishes apologetically.

Valen kisses me gently before leaving the room. The crowd disperses, and Roman, Landon and I are the only ones left.

“Wake me up if you find something,” Landon says, throwing himself over the back of the couch.

The sound of his snoring buzzes in the room within minutes. “Looks like it’s just you and me,” I sputter uneasily.

“Just the way I like it.” A mischievous grin tugs on the corner of his mouth.

I ignore his flirtation. “What’s our first step?”

“You’re going to perform a location spell while I chant an unveiling spell. Hopefully, it can break through The Scholars’ concealment spell long enough for you to find them. A tiny blip is all we'll need.”

His stare lingers and becomes too lengthy, forcing me to shift my weight from one leg to the other. “Oh, okay.”

Roman reaches for my hand, clasping it in his. “You might feel some discomfort. Work through it.”

I nod. We close our eyes, both calling on our magic. I watch as it glows from inside me, before flowing between us like a stream, strengthening one another. A strong magnetism forces us closer, until our bodies are touching. The current grows, pulling and stretching me
from within. A searing pain radiates from my shoulders, roaming throughout my body. The muscles in my body twist, trying to shred themselves away from my bones. Physically, I'm not prepared for this surge of power. I wince at the discomfort.

“Relax, Anna… long, deep breaths,” Roman whispers.

I follow his advice and gulp a large pocket of air into my lungs. I focus on the spell, forcing myself to remember the faces of The Scholars. My mind is shielded in black. I squeeze my eyelids tightly, eager to see something. Abruptly, a vibrant red light pulses, illuminating a dim and dusty room. I’m in the catacombs again. I’m briskly walking on a dirt-packed path, brushing away the low-hanging cobwebs tickling my hair. A radiant light pierces through the darkness in the distance. I squint before being thrown onto a busy sidewalk filled with tourists and stands filled with food, leathers and cheeses. I turn in circles, desperate to locate a landmark. I make out a few conversations, and notice they’re in a different language. Before I can catch my bearings, I’m thrust back into the catacombs, hurriedly navigating the claustrophobic-inducing tunnels.

“Anna! Anna!” I feel my body tremble, and flip my eyes open to see Roman’s concerned expression.

“I’ll never get used to that,” he says, raking his silvery hair with his hand.

I glance down my arm, noticing my finger is resting firmly on one of the lines in the diagram. “Roman…” my voice quivers.

Roman drags his eyes down the length of my arm, stopping on the diagram. His eyes grow in urgency. “Landon! Landon!”

Landon jumps from the couch, practically tripping over his own body. “I’m coming.” He hurries to where we’re standing, and his eyes follow the trail from my arm to my finger.

“Holy shit!” he shouts in disbelief. “She really did it. She found The Scholars!”

“Where are they?” Roman asks impatiently.

“The catacombs in Rome, just like she said,” he pauses, looking at me in shock. “They are hiding on Dimension S54, Level Z980.”

I found them.
Three simple words, yet my mind can't digest them. There's no way I was able to just close my eyes and poof, there they are. I glimpse at the drawing. My finger is sitting on top of a single, black line. My eyes skip to Landon. I'm amazed he nailed their exact location just by looking at a slender streak, smaller than an inch. Without warning, the diagram ripples and blurs as it shifts into a different pattern. Just in the nick of time.

“Round up the others.”

Landon exits without hesitation. I peek at my index finger, absentmindedly stroking it. I hope my otherworldly navigation is correct. I turn to Roman conflicted. “Roman, do you think it’s accurate?”

He looks at me through his thick eyelashes. “Of course. When are you going to stop doubting yourself?”

“I'm not doubting myself... well, not entirely. I guess I feel like it was too easy, don't you think? Seriously, I just close my eyes and all of a sudden, I locate two people no one could find for centuries?”

Roman shakes his head. “You really don’t get it, do you? You’re a Grand Witch, Anna. Your powers are unlimited, untapped and full of surprises. Hell, I bet you could make the human world implode if you thought about it hard enough.”

I shudder at the very idea. No one should be allowed to control that much power. “Well, I can assure you I won’t be finding out.”

A heavy stampede of footsteps barrel down the hallway as everyone bursts into the library.

“Holy shit, woman!” Martello exclaims. “Go ahead with your badass self!” he finishes, snapping his fingers with a flourish.

Valen sweeps me in his arms, planting a congratulatory kiss on my
lips. “Amazing job.”

I flush, barely able to control the giddiness his presence always evokes. “Thanks,” I respond bashfully.

“This isn’t a time for celebration,” Roman interrupts. “We have to acquire The Scholars and convince them they’re safer with us rather than alone, and we have to do this before Micah reaches them. It’s going to be challenging. The chances of running into Micah are high, so this operation has to be taken seriously,” he pauses for a breath. “Humans, you will not be going with us. You will stay here and guard the home…”

“Is yous kiddin’ me? Oh hells, no!” Martello interrupts. “I didn’t sweat an’ ruin my manicure to play guard-dog, Warlock!”

“Martello, this is non-negotiable.” Roman's harsh eyes fix on his. “This operation is critical and I won’t have it compromised by your human needs—the biggest one being safety. I can guarantee you will suffer as a casualty in Micah’s pursuit of revenge if you come along.”

Martello shrinks a little bit, overwhelmed at hearing the truth. “Well, whens you puts it that way…”

Chapter 12

I exhale my frustration. We’re heading for the Dimensions in less than twenty minutes, leaving me with very little time to spend with everyone. Roman dismissed us under the premise of getting ourselves mentally ready for what is about to come. I can’t predict the future, so trying to remain calm with an undefined destiny is pointless. Instead, I’m in my room, surrounded by Kristy, Janie and Martello.

“Listen,
I know you guys are worried, but I want you to know I’ll be fine.” I put on my bravest face, hoping to alleviate their anxiety a little bit.

“Worried ain’t the word, girlfriend,” Martello replies. “I’s worried when my hair don’t sits right or wh
en I picks the wrong nail color. The shit you’s ‘bout to get yourself involved in is straight-up knockin’ on death’s door an’ askin’g to be invited in!” He twirls the end of his violet, floral scarf. “Wells, not like you hasn't been in crazy shit up to this point.”

Janie grips me into a tight hug. “Anna, I can’t lose you again. You hear me?” She pushes me back, staring into my eyes. “No matter what, you keep yourself safe, okay?”

I nod, hating myself for lying to her. The chances I might not come back or get kidnapped a second time are very high. Lies can be comforting, however, and when it comes to death, who prefers to know the truth?

“Promise me,” Janie demands.

“I promise.”

“Oh
Anna, please don’t go. Can’t you just let Roman and Valen handle it?”

I turn to Kristy, who’s pleading with her eyes.
“You know I can’t do that, Kris. I have to go. I can’t have the outcome of the world sitting on my shoulders. Besides, I owe Micah a serious ass-whooping!” I snicker, hoping to lighten the mood. No one cracks the smallest smile.

Tough crowd.

A gentle knock raps at the door. Valen fills the entryway, his eyes filled with apprehension.

“I thought I’d see if you’re all right.”

I signal a quick yes with a dip of my head, adding to my growing collection of lies. I’m really doing a number on my moral code tonight.

“We was just leavin’,” Martello answers, giving Janie and Kristy the nod to get moving. “Let’s go, ladies.”

Valen silently thanks Martello with a nod of his own. Once the room clears, he shuts the door and walks over to me. His sturdy arms wrap around my waist, carrying us to the middle of the bed, nuzzling his face in my neck.

“Don’t go.”

“You know that’s not an option, Valen.”

He props himself up on his elbow. “Of course it is. You don’t have to go with
us. Stay here where you're safe. Let us handle it.”

“If you think I’m going to hang around here, worrying about the three of you, you’re out of your mind.” I lean up, my eyes narrowing, daring him to challenge me.

Before I have a chance to elaborate, Valen’s lips are pressing onto mine sternly. He parts my mouth, wildly raking his fingers through my hair. His hands grab the bottom of my shirt, ripping it over my head. I pant, fumbling on his zipper.

“I need you
now, Anna.”

Clothes fly off us, dropping onto the floor like confetti sinking through air.
Our naked bodies intertwine, allowing us to forget the harsh future that lies ahead of us. Valen thrusts inside me with purpose, and my body swallows every last inch of him. I stare into his eyes, watching as they transform from his normal shade of beautiful yellow to a deep red.

“I love you, Anna,” he whispers, as we both climax.

He rolls on his back, staring at the ceiling contentedly. My limbs turn to Jell-O, but my heart thumps wildly in my chest. Sweat beads simmer from every pore of my body as my mind mulls over his words.
He loves me
. I jump out of bed, rushing to our untidy pile of clothes, and haphazardly throw mine on.

I’m uncomfortable with his raw, emotional declaration and I haven't the slightest idea why. Most women would be overjoyed. I should be ecstatic! I flinch inwardly, thinking of how backwards I am. I have no issue when it comes to getting naked with him, but I freeze when he opens up to me emotionally? What’s wrong with me? I love him. I think I do, I mean, I can’t imagine my life without him.

Valen mimics me, shimmying his tight ass into his jeans. He turns his shirtless self around, facing me. “Anna, I’m sorry if I scared you,” he wavers. “I… I just want to let you know how I feel. Just in case.”

I cringe. I hate the
just in case
disclaimer. It has a fucked-up finality about it. I walk towards him, wrapping my arms around his well-defined waistline. “Valen, you didn’t scare me. I’m surprised, that’s all.” I want to say it back, but my throat chokes on the words. With the witches bond stuck in the back of my head, it's making emotional normalcy impossible. I wish I could share my concern with him, but if I acknowledge it
and
Roman, it might make both of them real.

“Anna,” he begins, cupping my cheeks. “You are the most important person in my life. I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life making you fall in love with me over and over again. What I want is simple. I want everything. Every smile, every frown, every tear... I want them all, for the rest of my life.”

I raise my head, settling on his sparkling blue eyes. He is the most gorgeous man I have ever seen. “Valen, thank you. That was incredible.” He kisses the top of my head, before releasing me.

“We should go.”

Emptiness taunts me, reminding me of his touch. We reach for each other’s hands, walking in stillness towards the library. There’s no doubt Valen’s worried for me as well as the world. Micah kidnapped me once, so it’s very possible he intends to do it again. That's providing he doesn't want to kill me instead. At least this time, I won’t be stupid and run off by myself, I hope. We enter the library, and are greeted with solemn expressions. We grab a seat on the couch, sliding close to one another. Roman strides through the doorway, his handsomeness magnified by his crisp, all black wardrobe. 

“I trust everyone has spent some time mentally preparing for tonight?”

Roman’s question is obviously rhetorical. What an unrealistic expectation. No one can prepare for unpredictability, especially when death is hanging out somewhere in the chaotic mix.

“We will leave by portal. Thanks to
Anna and Landon, we know their exact location, so I’ll tear one straight into their dimension. Hopefully, we’ll land underground. We must stay together at all costs. No one goes alone, under any circumstances, got it?”

We all nod our heads.

“Okay, let’s go.”

Reluctantly,
everyone stands and exits the library with Roman in the lead. We congregate on the driveway, the loud silence echoing in my head. Janie grabs me, pulling me into her for a hug, with Kristy and Martello right behind her.

“I’ll see you guys soon,” I assure them. I knock back the fear collecting in my throat, knowing this could be the last time all of us are together. Valen wraps me in his arms, kissing me passionately. As much as I revel in it, I can’t help but feel he’s saying goodbye.

“Uh-hum. Time to go.” Roman faces the clearing, chanting. A small circle of light grows in seconds, bathing the grass in an eerie shade of gray. Landon steps through without looking back. Valen pulls me behind him, stopping right before it. The energy is caressing my skin, persuading me to come closer. It flows towards me in waves, pulling me to it like the ocean’s tide.

Valen turns to me. “Never let go of my hand.”

I squeeze his hand, facing forward, determined. He steps through, pulling me into his chest. I close my eyes, fighting the urge to throw up all over him. Within seconds, we land on our feet, surrounded by darkness. Another pull, and we’re falling again. I slam my eyes shut, inhaling the smell of Valen deeply. The dizziness is overwhelming. After the fifth portal, I lose count. Finally, we are deposited onto a crowded street. The architecture suggests we landed somewhere in Europe. I exhale, appreciating the sight of humanity.

“We’re close,” Roman says. A quick, inaudible spell and a portal later, we’re underground, bound in total and complete darkness.

“Roman?” I whisper.

The sound of a match igniting ricochets in the tiny space. A bright scarlet light radiates from a lit flare, casting a spooky glow on Landon's face.

“We reached the catacombs,” Roman affirms, inspecting the clay-colored walls in front of Landon. I follow the line of his eyes, which are fixated on the drawing of a man engulfed in flames.

“It looks exactly like my dream,” I
murmur in amazement. I walk closer, running my fingertips over the coarse dips and curves of earth.

Valen pulls me closer to him. “Stay next to me at all times Anna.”

The flare flickers, warning us it’s about to go out. I chant an illumination spell, watching as it flashes a few times, before kicking up into high gear.

“Thanks.” Landon’s smile barely touches his eyes.

“All right, let’s go.” Roman points toward the total darkness before us.

Landon leads, and we follow in silence. Valen’s hand sits tightly inside mine, reassuring me we'll be okay. We walk slowly, careful not to make unnecessary sounds. The tunnels are long and unforgivingly close. I can’t imagine how anyone could live down here and not become claustrophobic over time.
Landon stops, turning to face a blank spot on the wall.

“This is the location.”

Valen peeks at Roman, confused. “It can’t be. There’s nothing here.”

Landon shrugs. “Listen, I was told to read a map and that’s exactly what I did.”

“It has to be here somewhere.” I palm the wall, moving my hands around slowly. A tiny ripple in the earth catches my eye. “Here,” I indicate, tossing my head towards a blank spot on the wall. I close my eyes, concentrating on opening it, the same way I would a door. Pulses of magic infiltrate my palms, drawing my energy from them. The Scholars have this place on magical lock-down.

“Roman,” I say through clenched teeth. “You need to perform an unveiling spell so I can break through…”

Roman covers my hands with his, chanting. I imagine The Scholars’ magic breaking down piece by piece. Minutes pass until finally an imposing door stands before us. Its discolored, tan varnish clings to the aged wood, giving it a medieval appearance.

“Holy shit!” I grab the
polished knob, twisting it excitedly. I push the door open, peeking through the small slit.

“Anna,” Valen whispers harshly, but I deliberately ignore him.

I inch further into the dimly lit room as a deafening boom reverberates behind me. Whirling around, I see nothing but empty space between the entrance and me. The door is slammed shut, locking the boys outside. I should be afraid, but there is a calmness in here I recognize. I inspect the familiar room, finding a small comfort in it. It looks exactly the way it did in my dream. My eyes jump around the room, inspecting every inch of it. A multitude of lit candles cast a warm glow on the recognizable paintings and books. It’s tiny, but quaint nonetheless.

My gaze is drawn to a slender pedestal tucked away in the corner. A weak glow is emanating from a glass chamber sitting on top. I saunter over, careful not to touch it. My eyes enlarge at seeing what's inside. Written in gold script,
The
Book of Imperium
rests proudly atop a velvet cushion. The sheer enormity of realizing that what you seek lies only inches from your fingers is mind-numbing. I’m standing before the most powerful book in either of the worlds. 

“We were wondering when you’d finally come for us,” a frail voice speaks out from the dark.

I jump, swinging around so quickly, I nearly knock over the pedestal and the book. I can't see anyone in the blackness. My heart hammers in my chest, hoping it’s not another of Micah’s traps.

“Don’t be scared, my dear. I believe we are whom you seek.”

I squint, watching two petite figures glide out from the cloak of shadows. The men are as stout as barrels with scraggly hair and grubby faces. Standing about four feet tall, they’re smaller than most supernaturals. A smile tugs on the corner of my mouth when I realize I’m staring into the faces of The Scholars. 

“I…um, I’m Anna,” I reply, tripping over my words with nervous enthusiasm. I feel like some crazed groupie meeting her favorite band for the first time. I guess in a way I am. The older looking man steps forward. His gray hair peeks out the sides of his scanty, burgundy cap like antennas. His brown eyes are warm, and sparkle brilliantly in the faint light.

“I am Cephas and this is my brother, Aquila,” he speaks. “We’re glad you’re here, Anna. You seemed to have caused quite a stir in the Netherworld,” he smiles the same way my grandmother used to.

“So I’ve heard.
”

Cephas chuckles and I watch his little pot-belly rise and fall. “Oh my dear, being a Grand Witch is one of the most unbelievable blessings. Do you know how many people would kill to be in your shoes?”

“Unfortunately, too many.” People yearn for this power and here I am, wishing I never had it. Suddenly feeling isolated, I crane my neck, hoping to see the door open.