Book of Shadows: Fire & Ice

By Lacey Weatherford

Vance was on the run for his life. Love wasn't an option, but once he saw Portia, his whole world turned upside down. All he wants is to explore their unique connection and get to know the carefree girl behind the smile . . . The girl who doesn’t know that, like him, she’s a witch. Magic abounds, and sparks fly, when destiny truly brings fire and ice together. However, in a world of witches, warlocks, and demons, anything can happen. Can he stay alive and hold onto the one thing his heart desires most? From Lacey Weatherford, author of the multi-time #1 bestselling, award-winning, fan-favorite series, Of Witches and Warlocks, comes this much-awaited companion series, Book of Shadows! Begin the complete story again, retold strictly from main character heartthrob, and sexy bad boy, Vance Mangum’s point of view. Complete with new scenes and untold stories, Fire & Ice is a reader’s delight!

*This book series can be read as a standalone, apart from the original Of Witches and Warlocks series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lacey Weatherford
• Release date: Sep 8, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301733163

Lacey Weatherford

Lacey Weatherford was born in Ft. Meade Maryland while her father was serving in the military. She has been a life long resident of Arizona, spending most of her time growing up in the small rural town of Clay Springs.It was while she was attending the small country school in Clay Springs, that she read her first "big" book at the age of eight. It was a Nancy Drew novel and Lacey was instantly hooked. She read every book that she could find in the series and decided that she wanted to write stories too.Lacey spent a lot of time at the library from that time forward, even volunteering in her later teen years and early twenties. She would don a crazy clown outfit for the Friends of the Library fundraisers in an effort to help get the new town library built.When she and her husband moved away from the area, Lacey took the opportunity to take some creative writing classes at the local college to help further along her interests. Several years later, they were blessed with the opportunity to move back to Clay Springs with their family. The town had finally succeeded in building their library and Lacey had the opportunity to be President of the Friends of the Library for a very short time, before relocating.Lacey and her family still live in the White Mountains of Arizona, where she continues to write young adult novels that have a fantasy/fairytale or paranormal bent to them, as well as being sure to include a great romantic storyline

Book preview

Prologue

Journal Entry:

Time passes . . . sometimes too quickly, other times not fast enough; but that's not what's important. The essential thing is what we learn about ourselves during that passage of time and how we apply it. Will we continue to follow the destructive paths we find ourselves on? Will we give in to circumstances that seem completely unchangeable? Or will we desperately fight to hold on to what's good inside us—no matter how terrible the cost?

It's customary for those of the magical community to keep a Book of Shadows—a journal of sorts—with both regular and magical entries telling of their journey through life. This is mine.

My name is Vance Mangum, and this is my story.

1

Journal Entry:

I'm angry, pissed at the world right now, and pretty much everything in it. I'm so tired of all this shit. I hate running—hate always looking over my shoulder. Right now, I should be exhausted from spending the night on the beach with a beautiful girl, not from driving all night long. This isn't living. It's existing . . . it's being prey to someone else's whim. I'm not sure how much more I can take.

Laughter filled the air, and I couldn't stop grinning as I chased Amber down the moonlit beach, her short white sundress rippling behind her, giving the appearance of a mystical apparition floating through the dark.

I reached out, snaking my arm about her waist, and the two of us tumbled down into the sand, wrapping ourselves around each other as our lips connected, pressing frantically together. Breaths mingled in short, fast puffs as hands quickly explored one another's bodies.

Vance. Amber's voice cut through my senses. What about the others?

Lifting my head, I glanced to where the large bonfire burned brightly, illuminating the cliff face and the figures of the teens gathered around it.

Everyone's drinking or making out. They probably haven't even noticed we're gone, I replied, finding her lips once more. We were close enough to the water that the edge of the waves repeatedly washed over my bare feet, leaving them feeling cold. But the rest of me was raging hot.

I knew Amber felt the same way. She stared at me in the dim moonlight, her pale strawberry blonde hair spread across the sand beneath her. I couldn't see the tiny freckles that lightly covered her nose, but I knew where they all were. I'd kissed every single one. And even in the dim light, I was aware that her skin was flushed right now and she was as turned on as I was.

Tonight's our two-month anniversary, she said, tracing my lips with her fingertips. Did you remember?

I nodded. Time was something I always paid attention to—especially when it came to relationships. Hiding out and being on the run hadn't afforded me many opportunities to cultivate lasting connections with other people. It was something I longed for and craved. Yes, I'd counted every minute with Amber, never knowing when it would abruptly come to an end.

Normally I was wiser than this, choosing to stay away from making friends or having girlfriends. It hurt too badly when I had to leave them behind. But Amber managed to wheedle her way into my life, continually inviting me to things and asking me to hang out with her. Giving in became easier than trying to resist; and now here we were, two months later, and I knew everything was about to change between us tonight.

My lips found hers again, and I thought of all the times we'd made out heavily before calling a halt to things. I didn't want to do that this time. I wanted to be with her.

It felt like we kissed and stroked each other for hours until I was so on fire I could barely stand it. Slipping the straps of her dress off her shoulders, I pressed my lips to the bare skin there, trailing lower as I revealed more and more. She didn't try to stop me, and I knew she wanted this too.

Her hands traveled over my bare chest down to the edge of my swim trunks, and I detected the tremor in them as she paused there.

My blood roared in my ears. Don't be afraid, I whispered, encouraging her to continue along her path of exploration. This girl might not be a witch, but the things she made me feel seemed pretty magical. Her hands slid lower, and my breath caught for a moment. This was really going to happen—right here, right now.

Suddenly, my phone vibrated in my pocket, and I jerked back a bit, before groaning and leaning my head against hers.

She started giggling. Are you going to answer it?

No, I replied firmly, even though I knew my aunt Marsha would be furious if I didn't. She'd practically drilled it into me that my phone was to never leave my person, if at all possible. She wanted to be able to reach me at all times. I really hated it.

The phone quit ringing, and I slipped my tongue inside Amber's mouth once more; anxious to rekindle things back in the direction we'd been headed. I pressed hard against her, and she wrapped her legs around my waist, eliciting a moan of encouragement from me.

My phone vibrated again, and I rolled off her with a grunt of disgust, fishing it out. What? I said rather rudely when I saw Marsha's number on the caller ID.

Run, Vance! her voice screamed frantically. He's found us! Stick to the plan!

I was on my feet before the call was disconnected, racing down the beach to where my motorcycle was parked.

Vance? Amber's voice called after me, but I didn't stop or hesitate. Vance? What's wrong? What happened?

I didn't turn around or respond; instead, I clenched my jaw resolutely. This had always been a possibility; yet, I still made the choice to get involved with her. Well, I couldn't let her be involved anymore. It wasn't safe—not with him in the picture.

Paying no attention to the fact that I'd left the rest of my belongings behind on the beach, I continued to run—my bare feet occasionally hitting rocks, sending sharp pains through them. I didn't slow until I reached my bike, pausing only long enough to hop on and kick start the engine before racing off down the road.

My heart hammered in my chest, and I pushed aside the images of Amber lying beneath me, as I maneuvered my way toward the designated meeting place, behind an old abandoned gas station.

Marsha was already waiting for me, standing outside the car. Quickly taking in my appearance, she rushed to the trunk and pulled out the clothes she always kept there, in case of an emergency. She thrust them at me.

You didn't answer your phone, she stated flatly.

I was busy, I replied, swiftly changing.

So I can see.

Narrowing my eyes at her, I shoved my legs into the jeans. What do you mean?

Exactly what I said. That hickey on your neck is huge.

I snorted, buttoning my pants and reaching for the shirt. It's dark. You can't see anything.

There's plenty of light to see that. She glanced around. We'll talk about it later. We need to get going.

Did you get my book? I asked.

Of course, and the athame. You know I'd never leave those behind.

Thanks. I shoved my feet into the boots, not bothering to lace them. Slinging on my leather jacket, I went back and mounted the bike, grabbing my helmet. See you at the hotel.

I'll follow you, she replied, climbing back into her car.

I didn't wait for her. My engine roared to life, and I gassed the throttle hard, peeling out and sending a spray of loose rocks and gravel into the air in a cloud of dust.

I was pissed and sick of running. I couldn't believe we were doing it again.

The cool air rushed by, but it did nothing to calm my temperament. Numbly, I began shutting everything down, encasing myself in the hard protective shell I always reverted to. My safe place—I allowed no one in, and nothing was getting out. It was where I sent my emotions to die a slow death from neglect. It was easier to ignore things than try to deal with them.

Marsha and I continued to drive, pausing during our escape only to refill the vehicles, when necessary, and to take hour-long catnaps at rest areas when we felt it dangerous to continue on no sleep. We didn't stop until we hit the small, ancient-looking hotel in Flagstaff, Arizona. She paid cash, checking us in, and I stumbled to the first bed and collapsed in exhaustion.

What's the plan, now? I asked, wondering where we were headed.

I think I may have found a coven not far from here that we can stay with, she replied, surprising me.

Do you think that's wise?

We need help, Vance. He always manages to find us. We need people who can shield and protect us.

What makes this group different from any others we've met? Dragging other people into this situation always made me nervous.

One of the leaders has experience in this kind of thing. She yawned and pulled back the covers of her bed before sitting down and facing me. I'll fill you in after we get some sleep, okay?

I wanted to press her for more answers, but I could see the dark circles beneath her eyes. She looked pale and thin, and her clothes hung on her. I realized she'd lost weight. Things had been rough on her too.

Sleep sounds perfect, I said, genuinely meaning it. I closed my eyes, not even bothering to get more comfortable; and, for the first time, I allowed myself to really think about the girl I'd left behind. Images of us tangled together on the beach washed through my mind. Suddenly, beads of sweat broke out across my forehead.

What in the hell had I been thinking? Groaning, I rolled to my side. I hadn't been thinking at all—that was the problem—and I could've made a huge mess out of everything. Running a hand through my hair, a sigh escaped me. I didn't even have protection, for crying out loud. I could've gotten her pregnant if we'd followed through. All the possible outcomes of that scenario ran through my mind, leaving me in a near panic. I needed to be more careful. It wasn't fair for me to do this to someone else. Marsha had raised me to be responsible. I knew better.

Physical relationships were going to be out of the question for me. I couldn't be intimate with someone if I were always running. I needed to wait until things were more stable in my life, and who knew when that might be.

2

Journal Entry: Evoking a spell of forgetting.

Ingredients: A white candle, small glass bowl, passionflower extract, lavender oil, spell.

Light candle for good energy. Combine 20 drops of passionflower extract with 10 drops of lavender oil in the glass bowl. Swirl contents together and hold over candle flame, allowing the potion to warm and release its scent into the air. Passionflower will help to soothe your subject's nervous tension and anxiety, while lavender works as a deep calming agent. Wave your hand through the scent, pushing it in the direction of the person you are working the spell on. Focus on their mind while reciting the following spell:

Divine powers hear my plea,

Remove, (insert person's name) memory.

But only those that harm may do,

The memory of me and you.

Let them fade into the past,

And do not let the anguish last.

When the spell was complete, I slumped back into the chair, running a hand across my face and into my messy hair. My gaze fell on the ingredients of my impromptu spell. Thankfully, Flagstaff had a relatively prominent new age and metaphysical following, and I'd been able to find the supplies I needed. My glass bowl was actually a shot glass, but one had to make do with what was available sometimes.

Inhaling deeply, I tried to let the soothing herbs calm my frantic mind. Too bad this spell wouldn't work on me, or better yet, my dad. That would make things a whole lot easier. Unfortunately, this type of magic would only work on the mind of someone without powers; and even then, it wasn't a complete mind wipe.

Intruding into someone else's life and messing with their memories went completely against my personal code of ethics. I didn't like doing it.

Sometimes we have to do things we don't like to protect others. I could hear Marsha's voice ringing in my ears.

It borders on black magic. I'd argued. You can't tear into someone else's mind and not expect it to come back and bite you.

Then be gentle with your spell. Manipulate it, so it does no harm.

This spell was just that, almost like a comforting blanket to cover the mind. If someone stirred that blanket, memories would come to the surface, but with only faint recollection. From this point on, Amber would think I was merely some insignificant person who'd passed through her life.

In reality, I realized now, that's all I ever could be to anyone. There was no point in getting attached to people in the future until things were resolved with my dad; and frankly, I didn't see how that would ever happen.

The lock in the door popped open. Marsha entered the room with a broad smile, her blonde curls bouncing as she dangled a set of keys in front of her face.

We got it! It's not a big place—only a small two bedroom cottage, really—but it's super charming and comes fully furnished.

I gave her a halfhearted grin, wishing I could share her enthusiasm.

Come on, Vance! Don't be like that. Her eyes sparkled with delight. I feel good about this place. I had lunch with the High Priest and Priestess of this coven, Sean Mullins, and his mother, Milly. They're amazing! I think we'll fit right in.

Sighing, I glanced at the items on the table once more before locking eyes with her, again. I hope you're right about this. We won't be able to make them forget us if we need to leave.

She stood directly in front of me, cupping my face between her hands. I'm so sorry for what you had to leave behind. Please understand, I'm doing the best I can to protect you. I need help. We need help. I honestly believe these are the people who can do that.

Covering one of her hands with mine, I gave her a sincere smile. I trust you. How could I not? You gave up everything to help my mom and me. I'm simply tired of running is all. Not having any stability in our lives is starting to wear on me. Every time we move, I keep hoping the new place will be different, but it never is, and that's discouraging.

She dropped her hands back to her side and sat on one of the beds. I hope for that too. For both our sakes.

Her eyes drifted past the remnants of my spell, and a small frown creased her mouth. She didn't like this any more than I did.

So, when do we move in? I asked, eager to escape this dumpy hotel. It sucked that we had to keep such a low profile. We could've been living like kings with all the money I had, but we didn't want to draw attention to ourselves.

Her face lit up again. Right now, if you're ready. We're moving to a little town about thirty miles from here called Sedona.

Sedona, huh? I asked, testing out the new name of another place I'd never heard of before.

You're going to love it, Vance! It's a wonderful tourist location with all these gigantic red rock cliffs. People consider it a healing center, and there are spiritual retreats and tons of New Age stores. The whole place has a very holistic feel about it. And, with all the visitors constantly in and out, we'll be able to easily blend in. No one will think twice about seeing new faces there. I really do think it's perfect for us. Trust me, you'll like it.

Well, let's go then. It's not like we have a lot to pack. I stood, offering her my hand. She grinned and accepted it, allowing me to pull her into a hug.

Thanks for everything you've done for me, Marsha. I rested my chin on top of her head. I don't mean to seem ungrateful. You've been way more than an aunt to me. You've been a mom too.

Stop, she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. You're going to make me cry.

I chuckled, holding her until she moved away, popping to kiss me on the cheek. I never had any kids of my own, but I can't imagine having another child I love as much as you. She grabbed my hand and dragged me to the door before I could respond. Come on! I can't wait to show you this place!

Blessed be, Vance.

The unison of voices rose to greet me, and I stared around the circle at the faces revealed from beneath their hoods. Everyone was smiling and seemed truly happy, welcoming Marsha and me with open arms as they crowded around us, speaking excited greetings.

Marsha seemed as thrilled as they were, but all I could feel was nerves tinged with fear. We'd just shared our story with strangers and bound ourselves to their coven. What if they proved untrustworthy? What if this was the beginning of our downfall?

Openly studying each person in the room, I didn't feel any malice or threat. But that concerned me as well. Did these witches even know the evil that existed out there? How could they prepare if they never had any experience with it?

The only people I really had any trust at all for were Sean Mullins and his mother, who seemed like a powerful witch from what I could tell. Sean was apparently a government agent of some kind, though his job was a secret. That gave me the tiniest sliver of hope, thinking perhaps he had a few extra resources at his disposal to use while watching out for us.

Sean caught me staring and gestured for me to follow. I did, stepping from the dark, earthen basement room into the hallway. Candlelight danced over his features, catching the light in his eyes as he stared at me thoughtfully.

Vance, I have a special request for you.

My pulse lifted as I wondered what he could possibly want. What's that? I asked casually, never breaking my cool exterior. I was an expert at not showing emotion when needed.

I understand you're going to be starting school tomorrow. Marsha says you've fallen behind a grade due to all the times you've had to run. You'll be a sophomore, right?

I nodded in reply.

So you're an underclassman, like my daughter Portia. She's a freshman.

Shifting uncomfortably, I folded my arms, not liking where this conversation was headed. Was she some loser he wanted me to befriend or something? I'm not really into hanging out with anyone new these days, I replied. Too many complications when we have to leave suddenly.

Sean scrutinized me for a moment, and I recognized a brief flash of sympathy in his gaze. That's perfect then. As rude as it sounds, I was actually going to ask you to not be friends with her. She's completely unaware of her impending magical abilities and has no idea witches truly exist. I'd like to keep her in the dark until her sixteenth birthday.

This surprised me. My parents had openly expressed their magic around me from birth. Why don't you want her to know?

He shrugged. Her mother isn't a witch. We felt magic might change the way she would see things; so, we chose to give her as normal a life as possible.

A normal life. There was no way I could argue with that. It was something I craved above all else. Don't worry. I'll stay away and keep your secret.

Obvious relief coursed through him. Thank you, Vance. I appreciate it. He clapped my shoulder in a friendly gesture and reentered the ritual room to join the rest of the coven.

I slid the hooded robe off my shoulders and continued down the hall, leaving it on a table in the ample supply room before climbing the secret stairs leading out of the basement.

Why'd you leave? Marsha's hands rested against her hips as she stared at me. I knew she was upset. People wanted to visit with you.

Sighing, I ran my fingers through my hair before continuing to click the remote, flicking through channel after channel. I finally turned it off, realizing Marsha hadn’t moved.

Look, I'm not trying to be a jerk. I simply don't see the point of making friends. We never stick around in one place long enough for it to do any good and erasing people's memories doesn't have to happen if we don't get that close to them in the first place. I figure I'll stick to myself as much as possible. Save me some grief.

She sighed heavily and came to sit on the suede sofa next to me. I hate how cynical all this has made you. You know I'd change our situation if I could.

I'm not blaming you, Marsha. None of this is your fault. I only wish we could find a way to fix things once and for all.

I do too. She patted my knee and stood, glancing around the small, but nicely decorated, room. The brown tones of dark wood, mixed with soft neutral fabrics and pops of red and gold accent colors, provided inviting warmth under the recessed and accent lighting. It was the nicest place we'd lived in a long time. I feel a really positive vibe here. And it's nice to belong to a coven again. It will strengthen us. Maybe this will finally be the place that gives you the change you're hoping for. She turned to study me. Just try, okay? For me?

Standing, I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her cheek. You've been taking care of me for a long time now, and I appreciate everything you do. I'm happy you like it here.

I love it here already. We have a pretty home and nice new friends, but it means nothing to me if you aren't happy too.

Don't worry about me. I wanted her to have this peace in her life. Hell, I wanted it in mine.

She squeezed me tightly before heading to the kitchen. You're all ready for your first day of school tomorrow?

I groaned. Yeah. Super excited.