The Vaga Read online

  Copyright © 2015 by S. A. Carter

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at the website below.

  Author/Publisher: S. A. Carter

  www.sa-carter.com

  Cover design by Creative Paramita

  Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.

  The Vaga/S. A. Carter – 1st ed.

  ISBN: 978-1502741585

  FOR MY BEAUTIFUL MOTHER,

  WITH GRATITUDE AND LOVE.

  “She who is Mother, who is of pure blood, shall be the bearer of humanity. She will forge a new world, and upon it she will bring forth the Light.”

  The Kuthun

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 1

  Gritting my teeth, I will my legs to pump harder. My lungs burn with the effort, the roar of the crowd propelling me forward. All my training up until this point has strengthened my body, making my legs strong and my body agile. I round the last bend, knowing that there’ll be a fight to the end. They all want this as much as I do. I dig deep and gain a few feet before feeling that my main rival, Jessica Hunt, is closing in.

  The sound of panting is close and I know that she is hot on my heels, gaining on me. I use whatever I have left to spur myself forward. Out of the corner of my eye her body comes into view. I stay focused, my eyes on the finishing line, but she stays with me. Our ongoing battle continues towards the last few remaining metres. The crowd is up on their feet, shouting madly. Their faces blur as we race past.

  We cross the finish line together.

  The crowd is cheering, but the adrenaline buzzing in my ears drowns out the sound. Putting my head between my legs I take long, deep breaths.

  ‘Hey, good race,’ Rhianna says, patting me on the back.

  ‘Thanks,’ I exhale, slowly standing up. ‘You too.’

  On the other side of the track Jessica is walking around in circles trying to get her breath back. She gives me a smug look and nods her head in my direction. I don’t like to think about hurting another person, but sometimes her face just makes me want to punch something…hard!

  Returning the nod, I look back towards the time keepers who are talking amongst themselves, comparing their sheets. My nerves are on edge waiting for the results, hoping that my efforts were enough to qualify for first place. I’ve been working towards this moment for two years, and a win would award me a track and field scholarship that would help pay my remaining college tuition.

  While we wait I look up into the stands and see Uncle Jo waving at me, my faithful and protective dog Magi at his side. I smile and wave back. Magi sends me an image of her jumping around madly and a laugh escapes me.

  Ever since the events of four years ago, that saw my life threatened by my ancient enemy the Puritans, Magi and I have been able to communicate telepathically. My pulse quickens remembering how close I was to losing her, and how close I was to nearly losing myself.

  The loud speaker crackles to life, knocking me out of my reverie. ‘The winner of the women’s four hundred metres track event, breaking a new college record time of 51.64 seconds, is…’

  Palms sweating and heart racing I send out a silent prayer.

  ‘Elena Cole!’

  I shriek with joy. The other athletes come up to congratulate me, hugs and words of encouragement follow, but I notice with disappointment that Jessica isn’t among them.

  I eventually make my way towards the grandstand where Uncle Jo is waiting. He wraps his strong arms around me. ‘I’m so proud of you, Ellie,’ he whispers into my hair. ‘Your aunt would be proud of you too.’

  ‘Thanks,’ I say gratefully. Magi is standing up on the barricade, her tail wagging furiously. I gently pull away from him and turn to her. ‘Hey, Mags.’ Wrapping my arms around her furry neck I inhale her familiar juniper-scented aroma.

  ‘Don’t forget me!’ Phoebe calls out as she pushes herself through the crowd to get to me, almost knocking over an elderly man in the process. ‘Sorry, Pops,’ she says as she passes him.

  Shaking my head, I smile.

  ‘Damn girl, you were flying!’ she says as she grabs me in a vice-like hug.

  ‘Phoebs…can’t breathe…’ I mumble.

  ‘Oops, sorry, E,’ she says, taking a step back. I notice Sam is peering over her shoulder at me.

  ‘Hey, Sam,’ I say, watching his hand fall onto Phoebe’s shoulder, his leather-beaded bracelet catching my eye again.

  The intricate detail and colour of the beads always manages to mesmerise me. He once told me that it was a gift from his grandmother. When he lived on the Indian reservation she would make them for the children as protection against evil spirits.

  As a witch, maybe that’s why I’m drawn to it. I sense its magic.

  He stares at me strangely for a moment, which is something he does a little too often, and then says, ‘Hey, Ellie. Nice run.’

  Phoebe looks up at him with adoring brown eyes and beams her gap-toothed smile his way.

  ‘Thanks,’ I say as I watch them share a look. A flutter of jealousy finds its way into my stomach.

  Phoebe and Sam have been dating for three months now and I have never seen her happier. Sam is tall, good looking, in an off-beat kind of way, with a friendly but somewhat guarded demeanour. His dark hair is always pulled back in a small ponytail at the nape of his neck, highlighting the high planes of his cheekbones and adding to his artistic sex appeal. At least, that’s what Phoebe says. Which is fitting actually, seeing as they met in art history class right here on campus. He also treats Phoebe really well, and is the complete opposite of her preferred bad boy type.

  An image of Julian suddenly flashes through my mind. The last time we met was in a battle for survival. My enemy and I facing off under the light of the moon. Although he wasn’t the only enemy that I fought against that night; I had also battled against the darkness within myself.

  A shiver runs up my spine, remembering the event as if it happened only yesterday.

  The Venator steps out of the gloom to face me. Both of us standing on either end of the earthen grove. His body is taught and hard, ready to strike. His face is contorted in anger, yet for just an instant I catch a glimpse of something that looks like…desire. The look vanishes before I can make sense of it.

  ‘So what now?’ Uncle Jo asks.

  I shake myself from the past. It’s been four years already, why do I keep going there?

  ‘Uh, I’m not sure. I think this qualifies me for State, and it definitely got me the scholarship, which is amazing!’

  ‘Yeah it’s amazing,’ Phoebe responds. ‘Not
to mention the fact that you also smashed the track record. All those years of running have paid off.’ Her eyes widen in surprise as she realises what she has said. ‘I mean…you’re financially covered until the end of your degree. That in itself is incredible.’

  She glances nervously at Uncle Jo. He frowns slightly.

  I nod. ‘Yeah it is. Thanks, Phoebs,’ I say, knowing how much this scholarship will help Aunt Lily and Uncle Jo as well.

  ‘Sorry to interrupt,’ Rhianna says from behind me, ‘but we’re getting ready for the podium, Ellie.’

  ‘Oh right, thanks.’ I move away from the barricade and look at Uncle Jo. ‘I’ll meet you for lunch at the cafe in a bit okay?’

  I turn and head towards the podium, only taking a few steps before freezing in place, my sixth sense going into overdrive. I never get used to the feeling.

  Someone is watching me.

  ‘Ellie, what’s wrong?’ Uncle Jo calls out.

  I turn around quickly, searching the grandstand, keeping my senses alert.

  ‘Ellie!’

  My eyes move over the faces in the crowd, unable to detect the exact location of the presence.

  I slow my breathing and tune into the Cole blood flowing through my veins. My body reacts to the rush of power. I keep searching, my magic pulling me towards the far outer stands, where I catch a faint glimpse of a face I thought I would never see again.

  My breath catches in my throat as my eyes take in his features—the strong curve of his chin, the slightly crooked slope of his nose, his defined cheekbones that frame the contours of his face.

  No! It couldn’t be.

  The steel grey eyes staring back at me hold secrets untold and a warning sounds out within me

  Magi’s bark jolts me back into the present. My head whips in her direction, just as Uncle Jo is about to leap over the fence. I hold my hand up to him, letting him know I’m alright, and he pauses. His face is etched with concern, but he loosens his grip on the barricade and looks back up into the stands.

  Following his gaze, I find that the face that was standing amongst the crowd only a moment ago, the face that I have dreamt about for the last four years, is no longer there.

  A range of emotions assault my body. Was it really him? If he’s here then something big is happening. The letter that he gave me, the letter that I have read countless times over the years, permeates my mind:

  I have told my people that you are dead. They have taken me at my word. I do not believe that they will bother you again. Although I would ask that you remain cautious nonetheless, as we are not the only organisation in the world threatened by power such as yours.

  If Julian is here, then whatever it is can’t be good.

  ‘E! Are you okay?’ Phoebe yells out.

  Forcing a smile I say, ‘Yep. All good. I’ll see you guys in a bit.’ I turn to go but not before I catch Sam watching me warily. What is his problem?

  Rhianna nudges me in the ribs. ‘Don’t mind my cousin. She’s just pissed that you beat her…again.’ She gives me a wry smile.

  Jessica is standing on the podium next to me with a scowl from hell plastered across her face. The three of us have been in this position many times before. Coach Fergus says we are like the Three Stooges—I always wonder which one he thinks is Larry?

  ‘Not sure why she doesn’t like me though.’

  Rhianna chuckles. ‘If you knew how competitive my cousin was then you would understand. She hates to lose. Always has.’ She shrugs her shoulders just as our names are announced over the loud speaker.

  We are presented with our medals and cameras blink out from the stadium. I search the faces in the crowd for any sign of him, but to no avail. My magic isn’t picking up anything out of the ordinary either. Did I really see him?

  As I step off the podium Jessica walks past and says, ‘Better watch your back, Cole. Never know who might be closing in.’

  Anger flares up within me and I turn on her. ‘What is your problem?’

  She turns and sneers. Without realising it the magic expands around me. ‘You are my problem. You and your whole goody two-shoes attitude.’

  Rhianna steps between us. ‘Now hang on guys. What is going on here? Jessica, this is nu—’

  ‘You don’t even know me,’ I say defensively, cutting Rhianna off.

  ‘Oh, I know you alright. You and your self-righteousness are well known around here.’ She takes a step towards me.

  ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

  ‘Jess, stop this!’ Rhianna shouts, placing her hand on Jessica’s arm.

  Jessica looks down angrily at Rhianna’s hand and hesitates for a split second before shrugging it off. She looks at Rhianna briefly and gives me a death stare before turning on her heel and storming off.

  Rhianna looks after her with confusion. ‘What has gotten into her?’

  I unclench my fists, but find it takes me a moment to stop the fire burning within me. I automatically reach for my chest, gently fingering the locket that Phoebe gave me on my sixteenth birthday. The locket containing my mother’s picture sits close to my heart, reminding me of the fragility of life and the responsibility that I bear.

  ‘Are you alright, Ellie?’ she asks.

  I nod. ‘Yep, fine.’

  But I’m not fine, not at all. First Julian, now Jessica’s acting all weird, not to mention Sam and his eyeballing fetish. What am I missing?

  ‘I’m really sorry, Ellie. I don’t know what’s gotten into her. She’s not normally this…’

  ‘Crazy?’ I finish, giving her a sarcastic look.

  She smiles lightly and nods her head. ‘Yeah, something like that.’

  ‘It’s not your fault. She’ll get over it.’ Whatever it is.

  We make our way back to the changing rooms and I have a shower before getting dressed and heading towards The Oak cafe for lunch, the image of Julian overriding any other thoughts.

  Chapter 2

  ‘What’s the matter?’ Uncle Jo asks, frowning.

  I glance across the campus parklands, towards the massive recreation building where the handsome Blake Adams—campus heartthrob and all round nice guy—smiles and raises his muscled arm in my direction. I wave and quickly look away. The corners of Uncle Jo’s mouth turn up slightly and a quizzical expression crosses his face.

  I shake my head. ‘Don’t ask,’ I say, premeditating his curious response.

  He smirks. ‘What? I wasn’t going to say anything.’

  ‘Yeah right. I could see it brewing.’ I take a meager bite out of my sandwich.

  ‘You know you could try dating, Ellie. It wouldn’t hurt.’

  I groan. ‘Why does everyone keep saying that?’

  He raises one eyebrow. ‘I assume when you say everyone you mean Phoebe?’

  ‘And Ama, and you!’ I flash him my best scowl.

  Ama—my dead great grandmother who visits me from The Other Side. She is always telling me to “get some action”.

  He raises his hands and shakes his head in defeat. ‘Alright. Mind my own business. I get it.’ He keeps on smiling, his deep laugh lines highlighting his hazel eyes. He takes a sip of water before continuing. ‘So what happened at the track today?’

  I put down my sandwich, suddenly losing my appetite, and wipe my hands on my pants. Uncle Jo doesn’t miss the response.

  He leans towards me. ‘Ellie?’

  If I tell him he’s just going to freak out and get all protective and…and…

  ‘Ellie,’ he says again, as if I didn’t hear him the first time.

  ‘I saw him,’ I blurt out.

  He sits up straighter, the corners of his mouth no longer upturned. ‘Who?’

  Keeping my head down, I slowly start to pick at invisible specks of dirt on the table. To say his name makes my heart do crazy things. The thought of him excites and shames me at the same time. Four years ago he was the enemy and now he’s…what? A potential love interest? A hot bad boy that I’d like to…

  The bile r
ises in my throat.

  ‘Julian,’ I manage to mutter.

  His fists clench together and his aura surges. ‘Are you sure?’

  I nod.

  His face hardens and the lines of his forehead deepen, resembling a riverbed that’s seen its fair share of struggle.

  Magi sidles closer to me, immediately sensing my concern. She licks my hand and the gesture moves me.

  Over the years Magi has come to understand my feelings for Julian, having been witness to my dreams and thoughts. Her compassion claws at my chest like a guilt-laden talon. Julian nearly ended Magi’s life…and mine. She shouldn’t be alright with me feeling these emotions. She should hate him. I should hate him.

  But I don’t.

  ‘Why would he be here?’ he asks sharply.

  How the bloody hell should I know! I want to scream. ‘I don’t know. All I can figure is that something is happening. Or at least…something is about to happen. I don’t know what.’

  The burning embers of Isis alight within me, spreading from within my stomach and flowing into my limbs. Magi nudges my hand, feeling it also.

  ‘Do you remember the letter?’ I ask him, trying to keep Isis’ magic at bay. It’s getting harder these days to keep it under control, especially when my emotions are heightened.

  ‘Of course I do,’ he responds brusquely.

  Of course he would remember. As if he could forget. As if any of us could forget.

  Julian left the letter under our front doorstep, only a day after trying to kill me. At first I couldn’t believe the words he wrote, and I sure as hell didn’t want Uncle Jo knowing about it straight away. I couldn’t bring myself to tell him about the letter, not after everything we had just been through. I kept it hidden for about a month before reluctantly sharing its contents with him. He didn’t talk to me for two days after that.

  ‘In it he said that they weren’t the only organisation threatened by power like mine. What if the Puritans found out I’m alive? Or worse, what if there are others who have figured out what I am meant for?’

  His brow furrows and he shakes his head. ‘Will you please stop saying that? You weren’t meant for anything other than to be who you are. Do you understand that, Ellie?’ He reaches across the table and places his warm hand on mine. ‘You are Elena Cole—a kind, smart, strong, loyal, and courageous young woman. Always remember that.’