Spellbound (the Spellbound Series Book 1) Read Free Page B

while. I take a moment to reflect on what just happened, and decide that I’m not exactly giving him the best first impression. I don’t want him thinking I’m the kind of girl that needs to be saved all the time; I’m capable of taking care of myself, for the most part. So as we come to a stop in front of a flight of steps leading down to the 2 train, I say, “Thank you for saving me back there, Nick, but don’t get the wrong idea about me. I’m no damsel in distress.”
    Nick shrugs, and replies, “That’s alright. I’m no hero.”
    “Oh, really? Then why did you save me?”
    “That’s a story for another day.”
    I nudge Nick playfully, and ask, “Are you implying that we’re gonna see each other again?”
    In response, Nick smiles that smile again, and I notice that he’s only got one dimple, on the left side of his face. I can’t help but wonder how he can be both the ferocious vampire warrior I saw moments ago, and the normal-looking, handsome boy standing in front of me. Quietly, he says, “I’m implying that I hope we do.”
     

Chapter 3
    I’m always astounded by how early the sun sets in the winter; it’s only about four in the afternoon when I finally make it to Rachel’s neighborhood, but any trace of daylight is already long gone. The frosty air’s turned even colder than before, but I hardly even notice. In fact, I don’t notice much of what’s going on around me, engaged as I am by reflecting on what just happened. I’m still a little rattled by the fact that vampires exist, and surprised by the strange power I used to defend myself against them. I’m not sure if I’m telekinetic, or secretly one of the X-Men, or if I’m even human at all. The thought of me being anything other than human is unnerving, though, so I try to quell that line of thinking as much as I can.
    The walk from the subway station to Rachel’s house only takes a few minutes, but those few minutes are always my least favorite part of the trip. Granted, the Bronx isn’t quite as bad as people make it sound, but I still can’t help feeling unsafe walking these streets alone, especially at night. I follow the elevated train tracks heading north for a while, then turn down a side street lined with apartment buildings. Rachel’s building stands in the middle of the block, just barely distinguishable from the other buildings by the boarded up windows on the first floor. After a brief elevator ride, I step out, find her door, and knock on it a couple of times. Rachel’s father lets me in shortly after. I remember to take off my shoes as I enter; Rachel’s mom works hard to keep their carpet clean, and wigs out on anyone stepping on it with dirty shoes.
    I turn left into the living room, and find Rachel sitting on the couch. She looks like hell, just as I expected. She gets like this once a month; she spends all night howling in pain, and either skips school to sleep, or comes in looking like she just went six rounds with Muhammad Ali in his prime. I guess her cycle hits her much harder than it does most girls. Jenna and I make fun of her for it sometimes, but I’m secretly glad I don’t have to deal with the kind of cramps that could keep me from coming to school. There are dark circles under her eyes, and her normally tame crimson curls hang lifelessly from her head, puffing out at odd angles. In lieu of a greeting, Rachel says, “I was starting to think you got kidnapped or something.”
    I take a seat next to her on the couch, and I immediately have to resist the urge to lean back and fall asleep. Whatever that power I used on the vampires was, using it twice really took a lot out of me. I force myself to sit upright, and put my bag on the floor, before replying, “Yeah, right. Who would want me?”
    “You’d be surprised, you’re pretty kidnappable.”
    “I’m sure… Funny you should say that, though. Something almost did happen on my way here.”
    Rachel looks shocked, and she urges me to explain.