Spellcaster (38 page)
Authors: Cara Lynn Shultz
Brendan grinned at me, his sweet smile still visible in the dusky night as he lifted me back to a standing position. I linked my arms around his neck, happy to be on more sure footing.
“I’ll never repeat it, I swear,” I promised, thoroughly entertained at the thought of thirteen-year-old Brendan doing the cha-cha. He’d owned up to being an insufferable brat back then.
“I wish I had brought up candles,” he said, effortlessly leading me around the stone tiles on the darkening rooftop. “It’s getting hard to see your face.”
“I think I can fix that,” I said, sliding my fingers down his arms to clasp his hands. I closed my eyes and stepped back from Brendan.
“Illuminabit,” I whispered, then opened my eyes. Tiny bulbs of light appeared, twinkling at our feet as if we were dancing above a layer of Christmas lights. The lights rose, soft, glowing orbs that swirled around us, casting a warm golden light on his face as they floated on an invisible path.
“Wow.” Brendan exhaled, looking around as the honey-colored light reflected in his green eyes.
“See, I have some secrets left, too.”
“I think your secret’s a little better than mine,” he said breathily, dropping my hand to poke one of the floating lights. It burst at his touch, small glinting bits of gold scattering on the wind like seeds of a dandelion.
“Amazing,” Brendan whispered, looking at me with an awed smile before pulling me back into his arms.
“I’m sure you still have some good secrets,” I said, and Brendan’s lips curled into a saucy smile as he twirled me around again before slowing down, leaving us standing in each other’s arms as the lights wrapped us in their shimmering glow.
“I might have a couple left,” Brendan teased, putting his forehead to mine.
“So tell me another.”
“I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone.”
“
Pfft.
I knew that already,” I said, rolling my eyes and grinning.
“Okay, be that way,” Brendan said, pretending to be deep in thought. Then he tilted my chin up and gazed into my eyes.
“Here’s another secret. I’ll love you forever.”
I sighed happily as he bent his head down to kiss me. And the lights around us grew brighter, a final burst of gold before they faded into the remains of the sunset.
* * * * *
Acknowledgments
Thanks to Tara Gavin
and everyone at Harlequin Teen for all their enthusiasm in bringing Brendan
and Emma to life.
To my agent, Lynn
Seligman, for her support and helping me realize my dream of being an
author.
My ever-supportive and awesome
family and friends, I couldn’t do any of this without you guys. Mom, you
inspire me and are the strongest woman I know. I love you. Dave, thank you
for your love and faith in me—especially when I dive headfirst into my
laptop.
Sarah Wefald and Anita Colby,
who were the first to read
Spellcaster
and get excited about it.
Vanessa Dunn, there might not have been a Brendan and Emma if you hadn’t
reminded me about Claire and Alex, our storytime pals from oh-so-long ago.
Zena Burns, you are a rock star. Carol Grassi, thanks so much for all your
support. And a gigantic thanks to Dawn Yanek, who read through the early
chapters of
Spellcaster
before anyone, giving me invaluable edits and
talking me off the proverbial ledge.
Janice Morris, Kristin Boehm,
Aaron Parsley, Brian Orloff, Janet Mock and the rest of the wonderfully
creative and talented staff at People.com, you guys amaze me every single
day.
And a big ginormous thank-you to
all the wonderful readers, and everyone who’s reached out on Twitter or
Facebook. Thanks for keeping up with Brendan and Emma. I appreciate you guys
more than you’ll ever know.
What’s on Brendan’s and Emma’s
iPods?
Brendan and Emma are both big music
fanatics—and during this last battle, they found comfort in some of their
favorite artists. Here are just a few of the songs Brendan and Emma have
kept in heavy rotation.
“Stay with Me”
by Finch
Brendan puts this song on when he drops
Emma off at Angelique’s house.
“Fixed at Zero”
by VersaEmerge
Emma listens to this song while breaking
down in her bedroom, the night after she casts the crystal spell with
Angelique.
“Letters to God”
by Box Car Racer
This is the song playing when Emma falls
asleep studying witchcraft—with the textbook on her head.
“Time Bomb”
by
All Time Low
This song comes on Brendan’s stereo when
Emma is at his house after the Cloisters trip, telling him about the
attack.
“Like the Angel”
by Rise Against
Brendan listens to this when he picks Emma
up to meet Angelique and Randi.
“Have Faith in Me”
by A Day to Remember
Brendan listens to this song before his and
Emma’s heart-to-heart about his past.
“Oxygen”
by New
Found Glory
After the incident in the library, Brendan
plays this track on repeat, picturing his life without her.
“The Phrase That Pays”
by The Academy Is
Emma puts this on after she dreams of her
past life, and writes Angelique her plans for how to take down
Megan.
“Up All Night”
by Bink-182
Emma listens to this song after the power
spell with Randi and Angelique, when she’s testing out her new, amplified
skills in her room.
“Like the Sun”
by The Bouncing Souls
Brendan listens to this song in the shower
on the night Emma stays over.
“My Heart”
by
Paramore
This song is playing when Emma and Brendan
fall asleep together.
“Forever Girl”
by Forever the Sickest Kids
This is the song playing when Brendan and
Emma finally dance together—for the first time—on his roof.
Download this playlist on iTunes at
http://bit.ly/Spellcaster_playlist
ISBN: 9781459225725
Copyright © 2012 by Cara Lynn Shultz
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