Spell Fire by Ariella Moon Read Free Book Online Page B

With dread snowboarding my stomach, I summoned my best Junior Cotillion game face and strode into the meet and greet area, which was blissfully indoors. At least I was out of the wind.
    None of the women in the ragtag groups waiting for new arrivals bore even a faint resemblance to my mother. No one held a sign with my name on it. An abandonment shockwave shuddered through my body. Maybe Mom had forgotten to tell Aunt Terra my arrival time. I fought back a rush of hot tears by pressing the cuff of my sweatshirt against my eyes. Mocha eyeliner stained the dove-colored fabric. Great.
    The public address system announced we were on high security alert. Remembering Mom had given me Aunt Terra's cell number, I reached for my phone. Reality slammed me and a fresh tsunami of despair constricted my chest and throat. The urge to scrub my hands ricocheted up and down my nerves. I scanned the perimeter walls, searching for a restroom sign, torn between the compulsion to wash and the fear I'd miss my relatives if I disappeared into the bathroom.
    "Ainslie?"
    I whirled and stared into eyes the same pale blue as my mother's. They were set in a heart-shaped face and framed by bangs and long, windblown raven-and-silver hair. Relief flooded me. "Aunt Terra?"
    I was rewarded with a gleeful smile and a tight, lavender-scented embrace.
    "So sorry we're late!" she said.
    "We always be on Pagan Time," the man beside her said. His melodious accent reminded me of our family vacation in Jamaica two years ago. The noose around my heart loosened. The overhead lights highlighted his nest of short dreadlocks. His black pullover top and faded jeans accentuated his caramel skin and medium build.
    "My last client ran late, which made me late, then there was an accident on Vista Chino…" Aunt Terra's voice drifted off as though she had run out of steam.
    "But we be here now." Her companion's dark eyes twinkled. "You probably don't remember us."
    "Honey, she was three the last time we saw her."
    "I be your Uncle Esmun." He flung his arms wide, engulfing me in a quick, incense-cloud hug before he released me. "Let me take your bag."
    "Thanks." I shrugged out of my bulging backpack, grateful to unload at least one burden.
    "Mercy, girl. What's in here?" He radiated calm and good will. I wished I could bottle it and sprinkle the essence over my parents — and me.
    "Textbooks. I have to take makeup finals when I get back." Resentment and self-pity crept into my voice.
    "Bummer." He cranked up his invisible Everything-Will-Be-Fine mojo, and the tension seeped out of my shoulders.
    "What you be now, a junior?" he asked.
    "A sophomore. I'm fifteen."
    "Where has the time gone?" Aunt Terra shook her head. Her earrings, alternating clear and purple crystals, swung against her jaw. She appeared perfectly normal, even pretty, dressed in a soft purple blouse and muted floral skirt.
    "The important thing is your parents have finally allowed you a visit." Uncle Esmun's eyes rolled heavenward as if his prayers had been answered.
    "Thank the Goddess," my aunt added.
    I almost forgot Mom and Dad had dumped me on them.
    Uncle Esmun shouldered my backpack. Behind him, a blue light flashed and one of the baggage carousels began to move. "Ah, the great beast roars to life. Come, niece, lead us to your luggage!" He raised his arm as if brandishing a sword.
    I am so not in Lamorinda anymore.

 
    Chapter Seven
     
    Within seven minutes, we had loaded my designer suitcase into the back seat of an ancient Datsun whose rear bumper was held in place with chicken wire.
    "Good thing you're skinny," Aunt Terra said as I squished in beside my luggage. Sand on the floor mats ground beneath my heels. I placed my backpack and handbag on my lap and worked the stained seat belt beneath them.
    Seconds later, it seemed, we arrived at the condo, which was so close to the airport I heard jets taking off and landing. Uncle Esmun unlocked a mesh metal door, and we entered a small courtyard. White