Spectral by Shannon Duffy Page A

I shouldn’t have dropped those bombs on you like I did, but I thought since you already knew so much and nothing happened, that it would be okay.” He looked to the ground, then slowly back at me. “And I shouldn’t have kissed you.”
    I turned my head face down into my knees and shook my hair so it tumbled around both sides of my face like a curtain, concealing my embarrassment. I knew he was sorry for kissing me. He’d already said that. I just wished he didn’t have to remind me. I felt so inadequate, like roller blades with no wheels. Useless. I couldn’t save my brother. I couldn’t save myself, and Roman was sorry he kissed me. Life is perfect. Just perfect. My stomach twisted into knots.
    “Everything was like…so vivid,” I said, shoving those thoughts aside and remembering the moments before I passed out. “I could hear the music from the man’s headset down the beach. And—” I looked back up at Roman, searching his face for a reaction. “And you couldn’t reach me.”
    Roman sighed. “You’re getting some of your powers early. Except not fully and not without side effects.”
    Sweat prickled up on my palms. “Side effects?”
    Roman nodded once. “It’s not supposed to happen like this. I’m so sorry. You can’t handle taking on another witch’s endowment until you’re gone through your quickening. It’s just too much, too fast.” Roman clenched his jaw, picked up a small rock, whipping it out of the cave.
    I thought of how Roman tried to touch me and couldn’t, as if he was poking something that stopped him from reaching through it. “You mean I got your endowment?”
    “Not so fast, Genie.” He glanced over at me, his lip curling mischievously up at the side like he often grinned at me. He couldn’t help but look hot, even when he was worried. “I could still see you through that weak bubble of yours. I just couldn’t touch you. And it zapped your strength completely, which is why you fainted.”
    “Oh my God.”
    Roman’s eye’s widened. “What?”
    I slowly stood up and began pacing in circles. “I overheard my family talking about stuff recently. Weird stuff. About me.” I put my fingers on my temples, thinking. “My dad said if I was aware too soon, it would be in my mind—my um, consciousness.” I dropped my hands to my sides and faced Roman. “Yeah that’s what he said. And…and that things will start happening.”
    Roman walked over to me and hugged me. “I think you’re right. But calm down.”
    I leaned into him, heart thumping, “And Roman?”
    “Yeah?”
    “Dad said it would draw them in like a moth to a flame.” Roman stiffened. “I assume he meant the other covens who want me dead?” My voice came out shakier than I would have liked.
    “Try not to get worked up again. I think that’s what brought it on before, why you got all freaked out and fainted.” Roman inhaled deeply, and then leaned back, holding me by my shoulders. He looked into my eyes. “But that’s exactly why I need to get you out of Pomona Park to someplace safe.” He bit his lip and unease seemed to wash over his face. Pulling me into his arms, he held me tightly again.
    I tilted my head up toward him and he put a strand of my hair behind one of my ears. His eyes grew soft like velvet. I hated that I liked him so much, and that he said he was sorry for kissing me. Obviously, he only wants me as a friend. If that. Maybe he’s just doing his job. His duty.
    As if reading my mind, he nuzzled his face into my neck and then whispered softly in my ear. “And, Jewel, I’m not sorry for kissing you. You’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.” I leaned back and looked up at him smiling, my heart fluttering. He brushed the back of his fingers across my cheek. “But there are rules.”
    I groaned and rolled my eyes.
    “Listen, I know it sucks but I need to focus on keeping you safe,” he said. “Please understand that’s why those rules are in place. When I kissed you