The First Spell Read online

  The First Spell

  Prequel to the Hot Magic Series

  Rachel Carrington

  Copyright 2012 Rachel Carrington

  Cover illustration copyright 2012 Elaina Lee

  ISBN Not Assigned

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system-except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine, newspaper, or on the Web-without permission in writing from the publisher.

  All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.

  Chapter One

  “What are we supposed to do with her?”

  The rumbling voice broke into her subconscious, pulling her out of the darkness. She blinked several times in an effort to clear her head. “Wh-who are you?” Her head throbbed, and she rubbed the knot at the base of her skull. “Where am I?” Worse, why couldn’t she remember what had happened to her?

  “What is your name?” Another voice, an octave lower than the first one, asked before its owner leaned over her.

  Her mouth fell open slightly. She didn’t recognize the man, and she wondered why he wore such startling blue robes. “I-I don’t know.” Her heart rapped against her breastbone. Why couldn’t she remember her name?

  The man squatting next to her must have read the panic in her eyes for his voice softened even more. “You were hurt, but we do not know how. We are guessing it was a witch. The Coven of Matrid has been active. Do you know if you were hit by one of them?”

  Coven? Witch? The panic intensified, and she tried to push herself up off a bed of scattered leaves, but her arms refused to cooperate. “I-who are you?”

  “We should leave her. Now that she is awake, her kin will be able to sense her. They will take her home.” The first man didn’t sound anywhere near as pleasant as the second man.

  “I will not leave her here to fend for herself when she doesn’t even know who she is, what she is. Suppose her attacker should return? She would be unable to fight.” The accented voice bore disapproval as warm hands slid beneath her legs and lifted her.

  “What are you thinking? We cannot bring another wizard into the guild without approval.”

  “You worry too much, Brother.”

  Was she a wizard? How was that possible? Wizards were imaginary, weren’t they? Besides that, she didn’t feel at all magical. Wouldn’t she know if she could wave a wand and make things happen?

  She scrunched her eyes shut and tried to think. Charlie. The name resounded in her head, and her eyes popped open. “I think my name is Charlie.” A breath of relief accompanied the announcement. At least she could remember something. That made her feel a little better.

  Her savior tipped his head to one side. “You do not look like a Charlie, but it shall be your name for now.”

  Her head lolled back against the man’s massive chest. Her heart beat a strange rhythm, and her head spun a little. What was happening? Could she be dying? If she really was a wizard, could she die? Why couldn’t she remember anything? The questions made her head hurt.

  The air contorted around them, and she squeaked, clutching her hands in the silken robe. The trees and blue sky gave way to a luxurious bedchamber filled with flickering candles, gossamer silks draped over the windows, and a bed any sultan would have envied.

  “Who are you?” Charlie whispered, her gaze now managing to focus on the man’s face. The cyclonic journey to the bedchamber had taken its toll, and she closed her eyes, trying to keep the nausea in abeyance. When she opened them, the man was watching her.

  “I am Jensen. My brother and I found you unconscious in the woods.” He lowered her atop the quilting, plumping the pillows with a punch of his fist.

  Charlie struggled to sit up, fighting the panic building within the walls of her chest. Strong hands pushed her against soft bedding. The mattress she lay on dipped beneath Jensen’s body as he sat beside her.

  “Do not try to move yet. You are safe. We need to examine your injuries to determine if you require healing.” He sat down on the edge of the mattress, his strong hands running up her sides in a familiar fashion.

  She batted his hand away. “What are you doing? Don’t touch me like that.”

  “She sounds most ungrateful,” came an irate voice from the corner of the room.

  “She doesn’t know what she is, Remy.” Jensen barked at the man over his shoulder.

  “What I am? I’m a woman, clearly, but Remy is right. You’re only trying to help me. I shouldn’t be so cross.” Though the world spun a little crazily, Charlie managed to sound steady. “I should be thanking you. You likely saved my life.”

  “Do you know why you were out in the woods alone?” He brushed the hair away from her cheek, and heat rushed to her face. “’Tis dangerous out where the witches hide.”

  “I know nothing about witches or wizards or why I was out in the woods. None of this makes any sense to me.” She frowned and rubbed her temples. “Perhaps you are mistaken about my identity.”

  Jensen chuckled. “I can recognize a fellow wizard, Charlie.” He didn’t remove his fingertips from her cheek until she turned her head.

  “Something’s not right. The way you say my name. It’s sounds strange coming from you.”

  “For the love of the Fates, this is getting us nowhere.” Remy’s grumpy voice interrupted the intimacy of the moment, drawing Charlie’s gaze to his face.

  Though not as tall as his brother, he was still an impressive figure with massive shoulders and glossy black hair that fell to his shoulders. The dangerous expression he wore had her looking away just as quickly as she’d surveyed him.

  Jensen didn’t bother to look at his brother. He paid him no more attention than one would a fly. Perhaps that was how things worked within their family. She didn’t think it was the same with hers.

  She remembered warmth. Love, maybe? A feeling of peacefulness invaded her senses when she thought of family. “I think have a family.”

  “Most likely.” Remy’s response was more of a snarl. “Everyone has a family.”

  “Will you be quiet.” Jensen addressed his brother with a bite to his voice, but his expression was still soft when he looked at her. “Perhaps this will help. Close your eyes.”

  “Surely you are not going to sweep her mind.” Now Remy marched forward, full of indignation and disapproval. “You know such practice has to be approved by the elders.”

  “It is just a simple brush to learn her name. Nothing more.”

  “So you’re a wizard, too?” Charlie poked his arm with one finger. “Where’s your hat?”

  The question finally brought a laugh from Remy. “He left it in his bedchamber. Perhaps he will show it to you if you ask him nicely.”

  “I said be quiet, Remy.” Jensen didn’t look like he appreciated her question at all.

  “Have I angered you?”

  He shook his head. “No, not at all, but wizards do not wear hats nor do we use wands. What you are thinking is nothing more than folk lore.”

  “This is all real? You’re real?” Panic starting to set in, Charlie struggled to sit up again. This couldn’t be happening. Wizards didn’t actually exist. She had to be dreaming. Or having a nightmare. If she closed her eyes, all of this would go away, and she’d be home when she awoke. Even if she didn’t know where home was.

  Jensen took her hand in his and pressed it to his chest where she could feel the steady
thump of his heart. “Do I not feel real?”

  Remy made a yawning sound. “This is starting to wear on me, Brother. If you intend to sweep her mind, then be done with it.”

  “Is he always so cross?” Charlie lowered her voice, the question meant for Jensen’s ears only.

  “Only on days that end in y. Now, close your eyes.” Jensen held up one hand in front of her face. “This will be over before you know it.”

  Charlie followed his command, desperate to learn who she was. Maybe these men had mistaken her for someone else and once they discovered she wasn’t who they thought she was, they’d return her to where she belonged.

  “You can open your eyes now, Charlemaine.”

  When she obeyed, she saw his smile and the vivid blue of his eyes. “Why did you call me Charlemaine?”

  “That is your name.”

  The room heated, the touch of his gaze on her face making her sweat. Those eyes. She couldn’t stop looking at them. They were as blue as the deepest part of the ocean. That she could remember. Swimming. Floating through the water with no worries, her arms drifting beside her while the drone of voices in the background lulled her to sleep.

  Charlemaine! The recollection of the feminine voice snapped her to attention as a memory filtered in through the fog. Her mother. She recognized the insistent tones. Along with the recall of her mother, she remembered something else. She’d never liked her name…until now. Something about the way Jensen said it made it sound so…beautiful. “I think most everyone calls me Charlie.”

  “Good. Your memory is returning.” Jensen shook his head, dislodging a lock of his thick, black hair. “’Tis a shame, though.”

  “That her memory is returning. Are you mad?” Remy smacked Jensen on the arm. “The sooner we discover her guild, the sooner we get rid of her.”

  “I prefer Charlemaine to Charlie,” Jensen continued as though the other man hadn’t spoken.

  “What would you prefer for you last meal were she to be discovered here?”

  “You will have to forgive my brother. He tends to be a bit antisocial.” Jensen stood and looked down at her. “Are you comfortable then?”

  “You are determined to be the end of us.” Remy’s surly tones drew Charlie’s attention again. This time, she studied his face with a little more detail.

  He looked nothing like Jensen. Whereas Jensen’s blue eyes were kinder, this man’s gaze spoke of nothing but bitterness, and scars marred his face as though he’d been slashed by a broadsword.

  “I should be going. Surely I have a home to return to.” The thought made her headache worse. With only a name to go on, she doubted she could find out where that home was without some help.

  “If you do, we are not aware of it. There was nothing in your mind to provide us even the faintest glimmer of a clue.” Jensen lifted the edge of the silk scarf tied around her neck. “We only have these colors to give us a hint of your heritage.”

  Charlie followed his gaze to the material. “What does it mean?”

  “Every guild has a distinct color. I have only seen this vibrant red once, but I cannot imagine you would be from that guild.”

  “Why?”

  “Because they are our enemies.” Remy finally inserted something that didn’t sound like an epithet. “And saving one of them constitutes treason.”

  Jensen held up one hand. “My brother overreacts. Though one of this particular guild did threaten our leader, nothing came of it.”

  Remy dropped a hand to his brother’s shoulder. “Tis simply because Falcon resolved the issue before it could escalate. Now, we need to remove Charlemaine before your unwanted guest is discovered.”

  “And where would you suggest we take her? Would you really have us return her to the woods when she has no memory save her name?”

  Charlie wasn’t so sure Jensen was telling her the truth about being a wizard, but the fierce way he protected her invited trust. What reason would he have to lie to her? He certainly didn’t seem the type to need to fabricate his life to earn a woman’s favor.

  “She is a wizard, for the love of Merlin. Little harm can come to her.”

  “And yet, we found her unconscious, the obvious head trauma leaving her with no knowledge of herself or her family. I would not call that little harm, Brother.”

  The stilted voices whipping back and forth made her headache worse. “Why do you speak in such a manner?”

  “What manner?” Remy’s snappy response accompanied a surly look.

  “Your diction is so formal. Are you royalty?”

  “To any guild outside our own, yes. However, our manner of speaking is our own. We use words as they were meant to be used.” Remy’s glower intensified. “Our guild has chosen not to brutalize the language by making use of improper terminology.”

  “Ignore him.” Jensen turned his back on Remy to look down at Charlie again. “Perhaps you are hungry. I will return shortly with food.”

  “No. Please.” Charlie’s head had begun to throb so harshly, she wondered it didn’t explode. “I don’t want to cause any more trouble.” Just as the words left her mouth, both brothers aimed their gazes toward the arched ceiling.

  Remy gave a heavy sigh. “I am afraid it is much too late for that, my lady. We are being summoned. No doubt to stand trial for bringing an enemy into our fortress.” He left immediately, his boots resounding loudly on the floors outside the chamber.

  Charlie nibbled her lower lip. She felt like she should apologize to Jensen, but she hadn’t asked him to bring her here. Why couldn’t he have just helped her find her way home? And why was she so comfortable with a man who thought he was a wizard?

  “You’re not really a wizard, are you?” She pinned him with a wary look.

  His lips titled upwards in a gorgeous smile. “I am, and so are you. Your memory will return in time, I imagine, but I would like to have our healer examine you. He will know what to do better than I.”

  “According to your brother, I’ve caused enough trouble. Maybe it’s best if you just help me find my home.”

  “Perhaps, but I would not have even the slightest idea where to start. Most of the guilds keep their fortresses cloaked. Only the leaders are allowed access to the location information. So unless I involve Falcon, I would be unable to find your family.”

  “Is this Falcon really so fearsome?” She continued to nibble her lip and wondered if it was a bad habit she ascribed to.

  Jensen laughed. “Not fearsome just stern.” He cast a gaze toward the ceiling again. “And now he is growing impatient with my lack of appearance. I shall return as soon as possible. Until then, rest. Do not venture outside the chamber.”

  The words had a chilling effect. She wasn’t supposed to be here, and the knowledge frightened her. What would happen to her if she was discovered? Was she really part of something that could be an enemy to the man who’d saved her life?

  Chapter Two

  “Yet again you have held the rules of this guild in complete disregard.” Falcon glared down his nose at Jensen, his shoulders tense. Tall and commanding, the leader of the Assembly, a guild of wizards with more powers singularly than most guilds combined, did not appreciate the laws being treated so cavalierly. Jensen had known that risk, but could he have left Charlie there to fend for herself?

  “What would you have had me do, Falcon? She has no memory of who she is.” Now that Remy had rushed to inform the leader of Jensen’s transgression, perhaps Jensen could use it to his advantage. “But with your assistance, we can find her home and return her to her family.”

  Falcon’s glare intensified. “The family which you speak of has threatened our own, demanded rights to which they are not entitled, and have disobeyed concrete laws of the universe. And you would ask that I save one of their own?”

  “I would ask that you save an innocent woman, be she wizard or not.”

  Remy snorted. “I think he fancies her already.”

  Jensen directed a gaze at his brother that, if h
e had his choice, would have been lethal. “You have made yourself perfectly clear, Remy, and let me assure you, Falcon, my brother had nothing to do with this. He fears your wrath too much to save the life of an innocent woman.”

  With a low growl, Remy launched himself to his feet. “I fear nothing, Brother, but my intelligence reminds me to obey the laws of this guild which you seem to forget at random.”

  Falcon intervened before Jensen could respond. “Enough!” He directed his hard gaze toward Jensen. “You will bring the woman to me at once.”

  “I will not.” Knowing he was risking his standing within his own guild did not sway his determination. He would not risk Charlemaine’s life without a guarantee she would not be harmed, and once he revealed that demand to Falcon, the leader’s gaze narrowed.

  “You think so little of the Assembly that you believe we would harm one of our own?”

  “You have made it clear you do not think she is one of us simply because she is a wizard.”

  “We do not,” Falcon came forward until he was nose to nose with Jensen, “bring injury to other wizards without provocation. This woman has done us no harm…yet, but I must ensure that she really has no memory of who she is.”

  Jensen read something on the leader’s face, something he had not considered himself. “You believe she might be a decoy? Someone sent here to spy on the Assembly?” Even with his constant bending of the rules, he would not be so bold as to infiltrate another guild unless the safety of one of his own was at stake.

  “It is something we must look into.” Falcon backed off an inch. “Now that I have been forced to explain myself, you will bring her to me.” His tone carried much more than displeasure. He made it very clear he did not intend to discuss the matter further, but Jensen pushed anyway.

  “I swept her mind. I read no guile nor did she have any knowledge that might incriminate her.”

  Falcon’s eyes lasered Jensen’s face. “There are many ways to hide deceit.” He turned slightly, his back signaling the end of the conversation.