KIngdom of Embers (Kingdom Journals Book 1) Read online

  NEW FRIENDS? WHO?

  FRIENDS FROM THE LIBRARY?

  OKAY. SURE.

  Happy to be able to show Hunter I wasn’t a complete freak, I readied for bed. Closing my eyes, I fell into a semi-restful state with thoughts of the rogue vampire, Fahim, Chalondra, Nick, Hunter, and Sophie swirling through my brain.

  “Rise and shine.” Elizabeth’s words brought me out of my trance. “You’re starting to sleep more like Orm, I believe.” Elizabeth opened my blinds.

  “Well, if I weren’t so tired all the time.”

  “Teenagers, always the same.”

  “Maybe if you remembered what if felt like to grow four inches in a year.” I stuck my tongue out at her as I walked to the bathroom.

  At breakfast, I cleared my lunch plans with Mother. It seemed like it might be easier to disclose my relationship with Hunter than have Orm find out.

  “So, you made some friends at the library?” Mother’s eyes fixed on my face.

  “Yes. That human you took me to see. Turns out he’s really nice.”

  “Nice? Nothing more? What of Nick?”

  I shrugged and stood, taking my plate to the sink. “They’re both nice.”

  “I guess you’ll figure it out.”

  “You’re not letting me date anyway, right?”

  “We will discuss on a case by case basis.”

  “Really?” I flung my arms around her shoulders.

  “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

  “Thanks, Mom. I love you.” I squeezed her tight and released her, zipping from the room before I could be criticized for using the familiar term of Mom.

  “And stop zipping about,” she called after me.

  Checking my outfit, I met Orm at the door. “How do you think I look?”

  “Shouldn’t you ask your friend Sophie?”

  “I don’t want her to think I like him. It’s complicated because of Nick.”

  “I see.” He rolled his eyes and ushered me out the door.

  “What’s with the change in Mother?” I asked him as soon as we were in the car.

  “She realizes you will begin your coven ritual training and will be on your own. I believe she is trying to let you get used to freedom in a safe environment.”

  “By dating?”

  “No. By being human.”

  “Since when have I been human?”

  “You will have the choice.”

  “What do you mean? Why is this the first I am hearing of this? I always thought I would be part of your coven.”

  “A witch of age may choose not to join coven, then they lose their magic.”

  “Why would I do that?” I asked.

  “To be normal.”

  “I’ll still be a half vampire.”

  “It is easier to deal with sometimes.”

  “Really, because it never feels like that.”

  “Because you are growing, you can’t control your physical or hormonal changes. For the most part, you control your magic. If you were a full witch, it would be harder to do so.”

  I’d never really thought of it that way. I sat forward, leaning between the front seats. “If I gave up my magic, would I be in less danger? Would Mother have less risk?”

  “Perhaps.”

  “Perhaps what? Yes or No?” My voice echoed through the vehicle.

  “It is not my place to tell you this, but your Mother hasn’t fought this hard for you to have you renounce your magic.”

  “So, she wouldn’t want me to abandon the coven?”

  “No. But as far as your mother is concerned, I didn’t insinuate that she would want you to become a witch. She wants you to choose your own path. Your happiness is her only goal.”

  Somehow, I doubted that. Maybe if I believed she loved my father. Perhaps if we hadn’t been on some nebulous hunt for an unknown target I would’ve believed she thought of nothing but my well being.

  “You are here, madam.”

  “I know, Orm. Have a good day.” I lifted my pack to one shoulder.

  “Good luck at lunch.”

  “Thanks, I’ll need it.”

  My leg bounced as I waited for the lunch bell. Meeting Sophie outside, she started in with questions right away. Who was this mystery friend? Why was she invited to tag along?

  “So, I’m a witness to the friend status.” She huffed when I explained my relationship with Hunter. “And you know.” She aimed her index finger at my face. “Hannah and Melody would flip if they knew you were friends with Samo peeps.”

  “I know.” I exhaled.

  At the restaurant, I caught sight of Hunter through the window, and a ping of magic hum rippled off him as our eyes met. He waved, and glancing to the street, I searched for signs of Orm.

  “Is that him? You smiled when you saw him,” Sophie said.

  “He’s a nice guy and friend. I smile when I see you too.” I hooked my arm around her neck briefly.

  “Whoa, that’s the closest you’ve come to a hug.”

  “I warm up to people slowly.” I winked at her.

  “As if I hadn’t figured that out yet.” Her eyes rolled to the sky.

  “Come on. This will be fun.” I looked up to see Hunter in front of us, holding the door open.

  “Hi.” His smile spread across his face.

  “This is Sophie.” I motioned to her once we were inside.

  “Hi, Sophie.” He held out his hand, and she shook it.

  “Whoa, she exists!” A female voice came from behind him.

  “Layla, this is Alena and Sophie.”

  “Hi, Alena. I would say I’m his oldest friend, but you have me beat by a year,” Layla said.

  I froze at her words. He’d shared how we’d met fourteen years ago? I’d assumed the quote truth to be how we’d met at the library. Shaking the hand she offered, I forced a smile.

  “It’s great to meet you too.”

  At the table, Hunter introduced us to his other friends Jacob, Mike, and Matt.

  “So imaginary friend girl exists.” Jacob bobbed his head. “Yep, that’s sorta freaky.”

  “I guess so, or a version that looks a lot like her.” I added a nervous laugh for effect.

  “Hey, that’s true, Hunter. Maybe you just look like the imaginary friends you had as kids. I mean you were three, right? Who remembers that far back?”

  Hunter cocked his head towards me. “She does. She has a photographic memory.” I cringed again as another fact that I hadn’t shared with Sophie came to light.

  Glancing her way, I noticed she kept her features in the same relaxed smile. I imagined I would have a good amount of explaining to do on our walk back to school. Fortunately, the conversation switched to more mundane topics like hobbies, music tastes, and high school gossip. Sophie knew enough people to keep up a dialogue, introducing new topics easily.

  When the checks came, Hunter reached over me for ours. “You bought food last time, so it’s my turn.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Yeah, that’s really sweet,” Sophie put in with a wink to me.

  Tucked in between him and Sophie, I hated the thought of moving. Sitting shoulder-to-shoulder and leg-to-leg with him felt nice, and I steeled myself for the sensation of cool air surrounding me once again as we stood. Outside, Hunter’s eyes found my face.

  “Are you okay? You’re shivering.” He rubbed his hands up and down my arms, which were beaded with chill bumps.

  “Yeah.” I nodded and scraped the hair out of my face as a gust of wind swept past us.

  His friends said their goodbyes, but Hunter lingered in front of us. “It was nice to meet you, Sophie. Okay”—he looked to the ground and then back at me—“I’ll call you.”

  “Great. This was nice. Thanks for inviting me.”

  “No problem.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Okay, bye.” He spun to join his friends.

  “Someone’s got a crush.” Sophie nudged me.

  “It’s not like that.”

  She
grilled me on how Hunter and I had met and my photographic memory issue. “So, all this studying you’ve been doing with Nick?” Her fingers made quotes around studying.

  “Yeah, I could get it done in like five minutes,” I said as we walked. “You won’t tell people, right? I already seem weird enough as the new person with allergies.”

  “And some kind of freaky ability to save people from death.”

  I rolled my eyes. “You were not going to die.”

  “Not with you around obviously.” She linked her arm in mine.

  I didn’t refuse the contact as we walked to school. Even with her knowing the new information, I was glad I’d invited her. “Thanks for coming. It made the conversation flow so much better.”

  “Hunter’s cute. If he weren’t from Samo, I might want to see him more. But it looks like his friend Layla may have feelings for him too.”

  My emotions exploded. Heart pounding and palms sweating, I unhooked my arm from hers, forcing a smile. The stupid vampire possession reaction had kicked into high gear. Hunter isn’t yours, I repeated in my head. We reached the front doors right as the bell rung.

  “I’m going to the restroom. Thanks for coming with me.”

  “You already said that.” Her eyes locked on mine. “You okay? You look flushed.”

  “Yeah, hot from the walk, I guess.” I fanned my face. “I’ll see you after school.”

  In the bathroom, I splashed cold water on my face. Looking at my reflection, I remembered how Hunter’s pale eyes bore into mine through the restaurant window. A zing of magic had escaped him. There was no doubt in my mind he had powers. It must’ve been our magic that made it possible for us to interact with each other as kids. If I could awaken his witch abilities, maybe we could repeat our experience, and then he would have his answers. But maybe we didn’t need his magic, only mine. Could witches place themselves in another room, be present without their physical body? I’d have to ask Orm.

  Hearing the bell and checking the hall, I whisked to my desk.

  “Whoa.” Annabelle turned around. “Were you there a second ago?”

  “Yeah, I sat down a few seconds ago.” I waved my pencil at her.

  “Whoa, look who has color today,” Ganby joked from across the aisle.

  My emotions were already heightened, and a picture of him hanging by his shirt from the basketball goal popped into my mind. Taking a deep breath, I pulled out my calming balm. Things were good, and I wasn’t going to let Ganby ruin them.

  After study hall, I walked with Nick to the gym. With his friends bantering about predictions for the game the next day, he joined in their conversation. As I slowed in front of the girl’s locker room, he caught my hand.

  When I fought his grip, he dropped it. “Sorry. Can I text you?”

  “Sure, I’d like that.”

  At cheer practice, Hannah fired command after command at the squad, making sure each cheer and routine appeared perfect. I knew the session would be intense, and I looked forward to a long evening at home. After we finished, I waved at Nick on the practice field and jogged to the locker room. Finding my phone, I read a text Nick sent after school.

  HOPE WE CAN TALK TONIGHT AND YOU CAN MAKE IT TO THE RESTAURANT AFTER THE GAME TOMORROW.

  FAMILY NIGHT AT HOME. SORRY, THOUGHT I TOLD YOU. MOM SAID I COULD GO TOMORROW. SEE YOU IN CLASS.

  “Are you studying with Nick tonight?” Sophie peeked over my shoulder at my phone.

  “Family night.” I stuffed my gear into my backpack and left the locker room and found Orm waiting outside.

  “Hello, how was your lunch date?” he asked as I closed my door.

  “It wasn’t a date. I was meeting friends. Sophie went with me. Hey”—I buckled my seatbelt—“can witches project themselves somewhere else? Like could I interact with someone in another place?”

  “Where did that question come from? I’ve never told you anything like that.”

  “Well, you never told me I could renounce my magic either.”

  “Fair enough. But you didn’t answer my question.”

  “One of Hunter’s friends was someone he’d known since kindergarten, and I got to thinking about my imaginary friends.”

  “You think they weren’t imaginary?”

  “Is it possible?”

  “For a very strong witch, perhaps.”

  “What about a child with out-of-control magic?”

  “Maybe.” One of his eyebrows shot up as he looked at me in the mirror.

  “Hey.” I leaned forward. “What if I found my imaginary friends?”

  “Have you found them?”

  “No.” Keeping an eye on his reaction, I plopped back into my seat for effect. “Is that who mother is looking for?”

  “That would certainly be of interest for many reasons.”

  “Like what?” I stuck my head between the seats again.

  “Well, like why did you have a connection with these children? Were they witches too? Or half witches? But more importantly, why are you grilling me about theoretical ideas?”

  “I don’t know.” I sat back again, letting my hands fall to my lap. “Now I think you haven’t been honest with me about lots of things.”

  “Withholding information is not lying.”

  “It is, sort of.”

  “You are getting information when you need it, when you are able to do something with it, when you are able to make a good choice,” Orm said.

  “That’s not fair.”

  “Life is not fair.”

  I knew a bit about life not being fair, but I’d learned a long time ago not to dwell on my hardships. At home, I left my pack on my bedroom floor and showered. Changing to an acceptable dinner outfit, I started my homework. When Elizabeth called me for the meal, I had put away my last book and was about to text Hunter.

  A zillion questions rattled through my brain on the way to the dining room. Sitting opposite Mother, I waited through the blessing and as the dishes were passed around the table. When Mother set her fork down after tasting the first bite, I started.

  “Should I be planning on joining the coven or renouncing my magic?”

  “Dear child, really? How was your day? How are you feeling? Anything new going on with your job?”

  “Sorry.” My eyes dropped to my plate, and I lifted a piece of meat to my mouth. Finishing chewing, I asked about everyone’s day. Elizabeth and Orm described their shopping trip, and Mother glossed over the details of some meetings she had. I didn’t really get it. They did the same thing every day. But I smiled and answered their questions about my school day and cheer practice.

  “And what of your date with your friends at lunch?”

  “It was good. I invited Sophie along, and she was a good conversation maker.”

  “That sounds nice. So, where will your friends be going after the game?”

  “Cliff’s Fun Center. It’s an arcade,” I said.

  “That sounds harmless enough. Will can escort you.”

  “Can he wait in the car?”

  “He can wait in the car.”

  “Thank you.” Unable, to contain my excitement, I jumped up and squeezed her shoulders.

  “Orm tells me you have other questions?”

  “Yes. Why wasn’t I told about the coven thing? Do you want me to become a witch? Or should I be totally mainstreaming.”

  “I believe Orm phrased it best this morning. It will be your decision. Your coven training will begin December twenty-first, six months from your birthday. You’ll know what to choose when it is time.”

  “But aren’t we still looking for someone like me?”

  “I never said that. I believe you are of aid in helping me find someone I am looking for. That is all you need to know.”

  I fought slamming my fist on the table and storming out. I’d only argued with Mother once. It had ended with me being sent to my room for the entire weekend and grounded from attending any functions save school for a week.

  “Let’s go
shopping Saturday. We can go look for a dress for the Homecoming dance,” Mother said

  “I haven’t been asked yet.”

  “Well.” She placed her napkin on the table. “I’m sure it’s a matter of time.”

  “May I be excused?”

  “You may. You have your lesson with Orm in half an hour.”

  “Okay.” Feeling defeated, I made my way to my room. It seemed the closer I came to figuring out my future, the more mysteries I uncovered. Hunter seemed like a dead end. I needed to focus on Fahim to discover if he had additional information. But there was schoolwork to be done and I set my alarm and started reading.

  When my time was up, I made my way to Orm’s study pondering how to have more time at Fahim’s bookstore.

  “You certainly are stirring up trouble,” he commented as I entered the room.

  “Well, if someone would give me answers, then things would be a lot easier.”

  “What do you want to learn today?” He ignored my comment.

  “You’re letting me choose?”

  “I am.” He sat down in his favorite arm chair and motioned for me to sit across from him.

  “How about spying? Like being in one place but interacting in another.”

  “I’ve never seen it done, but you could try.”

  “Are you trying to tease me?” I moved to the front of my seat.

  “No. I don’t know the limits of magic. Every individual is capable of different things. Who am I to assume what you are and are not capable of?”

  “But the other day you said to read thoughts was very hard, almost impossible,” I said.

  “Because it has been written about over the centuries.”

  “Don’t tell me witches haven’t tried teleportation.”

  “You’re talking about a blend between a locator spell and communication.”

  “But also physical interaction.”

  “I have not seen it done.”

  “Okay. I want to try.”

  I crossed my legs yoga style. Orm asked where I’d like to go and told me to focus on the person or place. To start, I thought of Elizabeth in the kitchen, cleaning up after our meal.

  Within a few seconds, there was a rap on the door. “What are you guys doing in here? I had this awful urge to see Alena.”

  “You’re putting thoughts into her head,” Orm said to me. “Try reaching out with your mind and picturing yourself in the space.”