Free Wolf Spell 1 by M.R. Polish Page B

shivered.
    Concern crossed Jarak’s face. “Are you cold?”
    I shook my head. Deep inside I knew I could trust him with my fears, but I was afraid of being wrong. The thought of Meadow wanting to become a vampire made my stomach roll again, and I suddenly lost all of my appetite. She might not be my biological mom, but she raised me, and that counted for something.
    I lagged behind, stopping us both. “I don’t think I’m hungry anymore.”
    He gave me a gentle smile. “I think I know what’s wrong.” He nodded his head toward the front door where we just passed. “Come on, let’s go. I have the same problem.”
    My eyes widened. “Go?” He was taking me somewhere?
    “Trust me.”
    There was that word as if it hung on a sign in front of my face. Trust. I released a loud breath, unsure of what to do.
    He tugged on my hand and pulled me to the door, then opened it for me. Ushering me outside quickly, as if we were two younger teens sneaking out of their parent’s house. The dusk air was still warm. I tried my best at a fearless smile, even though my heart raced inside.
    We ran down the driveway and he kept hold of my hand, stopping at one of the two cars parked in front of the house. He opened the passenger side door for me to get in and then dashed over the hood, sliding across to the other side.
    He landed in the driver’s seat so fast that it surprised me. I laughed my first real laugh in weeks. Jarak smiled and laughed with me. “That’s a great sound. What’s it called?—A laugh?”
    I slugged him in the shoulder, still smiling. “Stop it.” I was under so much stress that I hadn’t had a reason to smile, let alone laugh.
    In a deep voice, he tried to impersonate a movie commentator. “A laugh… coming soon in a vehicle near you.”
    “Do guys ever grow up?” I chewed a little on my bottom lip, waiting for his answer.
    “Yes, wait I mean no, um… is this a trick question?”
    We both laughed again. I could feel myself relax. “So, are we going somewhere?”
    “That depends.” He patted around the dash with his hands, then flipped open the visor only to shut it again.
    “Depends on what?”
    “Well, we don’t have keys. My truck’s at home, not here.” He stopped searching and looked at me. “Would you do the honors?”
    I giggled. “How am I supposed to do that? I don’t have keys.”
    “Okay, indulge me. Close your eyes and imagine the car starting, hear the engine come to life in your mind.” His hands rested on the steering wheel.
    “You’re crazy.”
    “Maybe, but I’m right. After these last couple days, you won’t even play along?”
    This was nuts. I couldn’t believe I was going to listen to him. “Okay but you can’t look at me, I get embarrassed easy.”
    He made an X over his heart. “My honor.” Then he closed his eyes.
    With a smile, I closed my eyes as well. I relaxed, letting my mind envision the car, and then wished it would start. The roar of the engine startled me. My eyes flew open, and I looked at Jarak. He held a cocky grin. “Told you.”
    My eyes darted to the ignition where no keys dangled from the key lock. “How did you do that?”
    “Not me. You.” He pulled back the gear shifter and placed it in drive. “Ready?”
    All I could do was nod. “It’s weird, you know, having magic. I’m still unsure about it. It still feels like a dream or something.” I couldn’t take my eyes from the keyless ignition. It was weird but so awesome at the same time. It was like the night before Christmas as a kid, and you just knew good things were to come. It gave me that kind of excited feeling.
    “Weird?”
    “Yeah, what about you, wasn’t it weird when you found out?”
    Jarak straightened his back. “I don’t have any powers like you.”
    “I’m sorry, I just thought—I’m stupid for assuming.” I fidgeted with my hands I folded in my lap. I totally blew that. I didn’t know, and now I felt awful. It was as if I called him out without a