Chapter Twelve

Instead of wanting to capture me and haul me back to Cadiza, they wanted to kill me―or wound me lethally. The Elder’s agenda against me was evident immediately. I’d been in more altercations with the Bruxa Patrol the day after Malakai’s rescue than during the three years on the run.

They weren’t messing around, either. They had human weapons―guns. Unfortunately for the Patrol, I still had black magic in my reserves. It had a twenty-four hour shelf life. I smiled to myself as I thought how quickly the last Patrolman jetted when he got a glimpse of my fiery eyes. Kellan told me that the eyes prelude black magic—a trick of the trade, or a not-so-subtle warning.

Kellan was also able to use a dark cast to keep us all hidden for the moment. None of the Bruxa’s locator spells worked, which I was sure pissed them off even further. Kai thanked me without asking any questions and, for some reason, avoided me like the plague. I’d been the one to bust him out, and he knew Kellan was involved. Far be it from me to keep him apart from his true love, Sara. She fawned over him all day long.

Xander, Madison, and Daniel thought it was time to hit the road. With Malakai on Jade’s radar―as someone I cared about enough to save―we weren’t safe at Griffin’s or Xander’s condo, anymore. Rebekah traced the element-spelled earthquakes back there and ultimately linked them to Xander. We were able to borrow the car Xander’s parents left in the parking garage. I hoped they were forgiving people, because there was a large dent on the passenger side from our hasty exit. Xander assured me he would be able to get it fixed before they even noticed it. I doubted it, especially if we were going to be in hiding or running. I would have to figure out a way to pay them back...eventually.

“Earth to Sam.” It was Daniel. We were all sharing a couple of motel rooms in the sketchiest part of downtown. Irritated, I looked at him.

“I’m just trying to figure out how we’re going to get out of this shit hole,” I said then amended, “get out alive.” The guilt was eating at me as I looked around the room at the people I cared about the most. The Elders only wanted me. My friends were all guilty by association. I couldn’t help the nagging feeling that I was being selfish by not disappearing into the night. They would be safe, and I would be alone.

“We just need to get far enough away, so they lose our trail. Then, we can start over...again,” Daniel said. I knew how he felt. The running was catching up to all of us. “We can’t use our powers this time. We need to blend in completely as humans. No magic.” He seemed to be questioning his own logic and looked defeated. “We should give up our magic and let the Elders strip us of our talismans.” He looked at me with fear in his eyes. “Jade wouldn’t care about us, anymore. We’d be free.”

Madison, who listened quietly nearby, came over to sit on the bed next to Daniel.

“I’ve been thinking about this, too.” She put her arm around Daniel. “It would work, you know. We’re only a threat because of our Bruxa skills. Let her have what they fear. We are after normal lives anyway, right?”

“Wait. What?” I asked angrily. “How long have you guys been thinking about this? Of course it would work. Then, what’s the point of running away from that hellish, controlling place if we give in to her?” I tried to keep my voice at a normal conversation level, but I was getting mad. Jade was winning.

“I want to be free just as much as both of you. I just don’t want to cave in to her. We’ve made it this far. We’ll figure out something to keep the Patrol off us and hidden from Jade. We have Kellan on our side, now.” The words I said were true. Deep down, I knew the truth, though. Jade would never stop. We would be running, forever. Sacrificing our magic for freedom was sounding better and better...for them. For me? Jade wanted me and my powers intact. There would never be any other options for me. I’d run.

“We don’t want to be around Kellan. He is dark. You may be keen on befriending the devil himself, but we aren’t. It goes against everything we stand for.” Daniel looked at me with accusation in his eyes. “What you did last night was wrong. The game is getting too dangerous, now.” He took Madison’s hand. “It’s not a fun game of chase, anymore. It’s not going to stop until we’re dead.” They looked at each other in that deep way they had of holding conversations without speaking. I always felt like an intruder, watching them in those moments. They both turned to face me and said in precise unison, “We’re giving up our powers.”

“I’m sorry,” Madison said with tears in her eyes. “I don’t want to leave you behind, but you have to understand that this is the only way. It’s too dangerous. You could give up your powers too, you know? Come with us.”

I stared at my hands and my tattoo. Some things were too precious to give up. Some precious things I must give up, but not my magic. I couldn’t bear it.

“I can’t,” I said forcing a smile, “but you should.” My eyes bubbled with unshed tears. Good-byes were never my strong suit. Knowing me as well as they did, they knew as much themselves. They stood from the bed, walked to the door of the shanty motel room, and turned to look at me one last time. Daniel shook his head sadly. Madison mouthed the words “I love you”, and then they were gone. Daniel’s Bruxa speed stole them out the door and into the cold, dangerous night.

My tears were a mix between sorrow for my loss and happiness that my friends would be safe. I tried not to think about the confrontation that they would have to deal with. I hoped Jade would be forgiving of them. I let out a small, strangled sigh and picked myself up. Xander was in the shower. I’d have to tell him later. There was no time for sulking. I had another problem to deal with. I banged loudly on the door connecting my room to the next one. Kai opened it on the fifteenth bang.

“We need to talk,” I said, keeping all trace of emotion off my face. It was a fun trick he taught me over the years.

“We do.” He looked exasperated as he opened the door wide enough to let me in then shut it, locking Xander out behind me. I walked over to his double bed but thought better of it. I went to the tattered chair by the window and sat down. Kai watched me like a hawk and saw my hesitation. He sat down on the edge of the bed.

“It is far more comfortable to sit on,” he said in a mocking tone, patting the bed next to him. I knew it wouldn’t be a productive conversation if his flippant attitude continued.

“I’m fine here.” I was too embarrassed to let him know that just being in the same room as him made me want him.

“They never wash those chairs, you know. My wager is at least forty porno movies were filmed in that one chair alone.” He smiled victoriously. I got up and sat on the edge of the bed, as far away from him as I could get.

“Fine, If our seating arrangements are satisfactory to you, maybe we can get down to business?” Xander would have made a crude, sexual joke but Kai just looked grim.

“What’s been your deal? I get your ass out of there, and you’ve barely talked to me since.”

He looked away, a telltale sign of lying. He then said, “Did you ever think I didn’t need saving?” He looked back at me, no doubt expecting a barrage of questions. Instead, I only had one—the only question that mattered.

“Why wouldn’t you need saving?” I asked sadly, ready for the betrayal I was sure was coming.

“They were going to let me go.” He shook his head angrily. “All you managed to do was piss off the hornet’s nest...”

I finished his thought. “Now, they are after everyone instead of just me.”

“Exactly. You’ll have to excuse me for not being the most talkative companion. Now, I’ve been condemned to a shanty motel being protected by the dark magic of my brother―a brother whose existence is supposed to be kept secret.”

“I’m sorry. I had no way of knowing for sure. The dream cast...” I shook my head, confused.

“What dream cast?” Kai asked, his eyes slit in accusation.

“You didn’t think I knew exactly where you were by sniffing the ground like a hound, did you? I passed out...from, well...from what doesn’t matter. I passed out and dreamed of you in that apartment. In the dream, you even said, ‘You can’t keep me here.’ I’m so confused. I’m sorry.” I had no idea how I could have goofed up that badly. Something strange was going on, or I was absolutely crazy. Someone must have messed with my dream cast. Xander was the only one around. Seeing my distress, Kai sat on the edge of the bed next to me and grabbed my hand as a reassuring gesture.

“I had no idea that’s why you came. I thought Kellan’s magic led you there.” He squeezed my hand. “I can’t believe you agreed to use his magic in the first place.” So, he was appalled with me, too.

“Why is everyone so baffled that I would use dark magic? It was to save you, so of course I would. Even if it turned me dark forever, I probably would have agreed. Why is that so hard for you to grasp? Whether you deserve all my efforts or not remains to be seen.” I pulled my hand away and folded my arms over my chest. My heart was thumping loudly at my admission. He knew how I felt, but when I admitted it out loud, it held more water.

“I’m sorry about this crappy motel and that we’re trapped here. I’m sure you’d rather be back at Griffin’s with Sara. This is obviously just a side dish that comes with being friends with me.” I stood up in front of him and motioned around the room with disdain. He was staring at me, unblinking.

“How could you think I’d rather be with her?” he asked through a shaky voice. I shut my eyes and took a deep breath. This wasn’t a conversation I anticipated having with him then―or ever.

“ I’m a mess. No one deserves this much drama. Even Madison and Daniel left me.” The trembling in my voice gave way to a small tear that rolled down my cheek.

“What? They left? To go where?” He sounded anxious and worried.

I wiped away the tear and sniffled more than was socially acceptable. I told him about my conversation with Madison and Daniel and their eventual exit. His eyes grew wild with each new detail I spouted off.

“Kellan’s spell is no good without everyone present. They’ll be here any minute. The Elders will find us.” He glanced at the door as if they would be knocking it down any second. He stood up and hugged me. The hug was genuine. When he pulled back, I saw it―love. My stomach turned a quick somersault. I immediately wondered how it was possible. I didn’t have much time to wonder, because Kellan barged into the hotel room.

“You guys are screwed,” he said after he shut the door. “I felt the moment my protection cast was broken and came over here right away.” He shrugged out of his jacket and threw it on the chair by the door. I shuddered, envisioning the germs. “I’ll need to get the hell out of here before they come.”

“Yes, I realize that. Isn’t there anything you can do?” Kai asked, irritated by his brother’s lack of a plan.

“Yeah, maybe some voodoo, or set them on fire every time they try to do a cast?” I added sarcastically. I could tell by one look there was no way we could expect any help from him.

“I’m all spent for the day. I had a few too many drinks.” He belched. “With the power I lent you last night, the protection cast pretty much sapped me out.” In the meanest joke of all time, the one person who could help us happened to be the world’s worst derelict.

“Goddamn it. After everything I’ve done for you over the years, by keeping your secret and aiding your dark hobbies. This is how you repay me?” Kai roared at his tipsy brother. Kellan, ignoring his brother, walked over to look at me with curiosity. He continued looking at me when he spoke to Kai.

“Ah come on, brother. I’m sure they’ll forgive you. They always do. Just give this one up. She’s the one they want, anyway.” The cocky grin displayed on his face was the icing on the frigid cake. His breath smelled of whisky and lies. Anger rolled off me in waves. My tattoo lit up in response.

“Hey, hey. No need to get witchy right now. You have bigger fish to fry,” he said grabbing my wrist. “I’m stronger than you, or did you already forget what my magic felt like?”

I would never be able to forget what it felt like—strong and raw. I would also never forget the extra cast I tacked on before his magic waned―a curse against Jade, a curse from the grimoire I found in Kai’s cabinet. It was a curse so old and dark that it required dark magic to perform it. I silently thanked Theo the persnickety cat for leading me to the book. I knew the Elders were going to find us, but I had the feeling that if I survived long enough, I would be the one to win in the end.