Bloodshed: A Spellbound Novel (Book II)

Chapter 3 The Past comes back to Haunt You.

"Are you okay?" Ben asked.
"Yeah, there's just a deranged group of evil casters that are trying to kill me and everyone I love. Nothing special," Ana answered.
"I'm so-"
"Can you stop saying that! I'm sick of it! I mean I know you're trying to make me feel better, but it's not gonna bring Peter back, obliterate the Exaudi, or heal Cameron's wounds just like that! Need I remind you he still has internal bruising!"
"That's not my fault! I almost died!"
"That's the thing! I'm sick of people almost dying because of me!"
   It had only been a week since the attack and Peter still hadn't been found. Cam was still healing and Carly went away to do some "unclassified business." When asked if it would contribute to their strife for resolution, her exact words were, "I hope so, and if not, I'll find something that will."

The school day passed by like a drag. Ana and Ben were in AP Environmental and learning about population.
"Population growth is calculated with the mortality rate in mind. No one is immortal, no one can live forever. I'm pretty sure all of you in this room aren't the slightest bit immortal, and if you are, please share your secret," Ms. Birch said.
The class laughed. Ana always liked Ms. Birch. She was a quirky, interesting woman who she and her friends could confide in. Well, her and her mortal friends at least.
Ana gave Ben a smirk and he winked back at her, making her giggle. They continued to take notes, finding solace in the normality of it. To everyone else, it was just another daunting task to groan about in high school, but for them, it was one of their few gateways to normality. At least in school, they could pretend that they were normal, pretend they didn't have dire consequences hanging over their heads. Pretend that there was a chance at, not surviving, but actually living.
   Minutes turned into hours and Ana and Ben kept to themselves at their lunch table. When asked about the club being a crime scene, they dismissed it immediately. Everyone kept quiet for Ana's sake, and all she could think was if only you knew.
   I hate this, she thought to Ben.
I know.
   It's not fair. They should have a right to know.
   But you know what would happen if they did, he thought. We can't have more people die, especially your friends.
   They're already in danger, and that's just because they know me.
   It doesn't have to be that way. We could protect them.
   And put you and our clan at risk as well?
   What more can we lose?
   Neither of us know the answer to that Ben, and that's what I'm afraid of.

   Arrianne was on her way to meet up with Logan. She hadn't spoken to him since the night of Ana's accident, when she asked him to turn her in case she didn't make it.
   Only this time, someone else's life was on the line. Logan had many connections with supernatural beings from all across the world, from casters and former Exaudi members to vampires and wolves.
   However, he was always Arrianne's last resort for a reason. Logan and Cam weren't exactly under the best pretenses. Aside from Cam's jealousy, Logan had been Arrianne's partner in her spy days, and more often than not, they were under cover as husband and wife. Also, every few lifetimes or so, whenever Logan is brought in, affairs happen. A lot of affairs. Not necessarily involving him and Arrianne (although they aren't guilty of having a few), but strange affairs happen in Logan's presence, which can sometime lead to turmoil. Hopefully in this case, that will be inflicted on the Exaudi.
Arrianne had taken into consideration all of these things, yet here she was in a bar, glass of whiskey in hand, awaiting Logan's arrival.
"Weren't you just in an accident?"
Arriane turned her head, finding Logan pulling up a bar stool to her right.
"So what if I was?"
"Last I checked, you weren't the kind of caster that could heal very quickly. And liquor is one of your many poisons."
"It's nice that you still care."
Logan was a big guy—about six foot five. He was lean, platinum blonde, and had a deep, sultry voice. He always had a hypnotic aura amongst women, mortals that is. Arrianne's become immune to, even fazed by his ways. However, despite her immunity to his charm, it didn't make him any less tempting.
"Would I be here if I didn't?" He asked.
"I guess not. But you do kinda love me."
"You're not playing fair, Arri," he warned.
"You know I never have," she challenged him.
"So tell me, what am I doing here? Surely you didn't just invite me here to toy with me in front of your husband. Speaking of which, where is he?"
"Resting. And I do need you for something important."
Arrianne leaned in closer to him, looking behind herself to make sure no one was near.
"Alec's back."
Logan leaned away in shock.
"Was he the one who attacked you?"
Arrianne nodded.
"He sent his members to try and kill me and Cam. His first attack was at one of our newcomers, Ana."
"But why?"
"That's what we need to find out."
"Okay. I'll help under one condition."
"Anything."
He took a deep breath.
"I have to meet Ana."
"Except that."
"Listen, with the attacks and news of the Exaudi back in action, she hasn't exactly been off the radar," he said. "It's been over half a century since they last surfaced, and skeptics have been leading all recent events back to her."
"She's not like the rest of us. She's . . . Different."
"Different how?"
"Let's just say, no one's ever seen anything like her. At least, not in our lifetimes."
"So she's not a caster?"
"It's not that simple, Logan," Arrianne shook her head.
"Perhaps she can shed a bit of light."
"And what makes you think you'll even have a glance at her?"
"Just the fact that Alec's planning on kidnapping her—and I know exactly how he plans to do it. And without me, nobody in this town has a chance against him and his pact."
Arrianne closed her eyes and rolled them at him.
"When and where should she meet you?"