Elijah's Ghost

By Amber Kell

Elijah’s Ghost
Book four in the A Wizard’s Touch series

It only takes one event to change the world.
Elijah Trenton has always been considered a weak wizard. With little magic and an overpowering father, he expected to spend his life teaching. When an accident reveals his ability to talk to the dead, new possibilities open up.
Devin Stewartson has been eyeing Elijah for months. The shy redhead draws his eye from that first day, and only the thought of a relationship has him shying away. When Elijah saves Devin’s life, Devin decides that some things are worth a chance.
Old enemies and new adversaries try to tear the two men apart, but love can withstand most anything and even death can’t part two men fated to be together.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amber Kell
• Release date: Dec 28, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370561667

Amber Kell

Amber Kell is a dreamer who has been writing stories in her head for as long as she could remember.She lives in Seattle with her husband, two sons, three cats and one very stupid dog. To learn more about her current books or works in progress, check out her blog at http://amberkell.wordpress.com.Her fans can also reach her at [e-mail].

Book preview

Chapter 1

Elijah Trenton watched as the professor’s assistant held up cards that broke down Professor Kalvin’s long-winded speeches into short, memorable paragraphs and timelines. He didn’t know her name since the professor had never introduced her—one more strike against the pompous ass in Eli’s opinion. Eli appreciated all her help because History of Spell Casting definitely wasn’t one of his strengths.

His father would say that Eli didn’t have strengths of any kind.

Eli wrote down her shortcuts quickly, his hand flying across the paper. He could review them later when he had more time, but from experience he knew her notes would make a great deal more sense than the professor’s rambling lecture. Professor Kalvin took great delight in testing students on the minutest details instead of the broader scope of important history. Eli didn’t know a single student who enjoyed the class. Unfortunately it was a prerequisite to anything more interesting. He could’ve pushed it off a few more years, but Eli was of the rip-the-bandage-off train of thought. He’d rather finish it now than have to postpone it a few years down the road.

Besides, there was a perk to the class, in the form of Devin Stewartson. The sexy man sat two rows ahead of Eli and to the right. Eli spent a great deal of time ignoring the professor and staring at the gorgeous triplet. It just wasn’t fair that there were three of them. He’d heard around campus that Dan had bonded with a fire wizard and Dean was straight—that left Devin as his only option. Not that it mattered—he’d always been attracted to Devin more than his brothers. Devin’s upbeat personality pulled at Eli. Maybe because Eli didn’t have a bubbly personality, Devin’s charm called to him.

If you stare at him any harder, he’s going to get a hole in the back of his head, Porter whispered.

Shut up. Eli shoved his friend on the shoulder good-naturedly. The professor gave them a strange look but carried on with his boring lecture.

Eli returned his attention to the assistant. She hadn’t moved on to the next card. Instead, she froze as if listening to something no one else could hear. Her eyes widened, and she pinned Eli with a frightened look.

Duck! she shouted.

She’d never spoken before, but her terror transmitted to Eli as if she’d injected it directly into his veins. Without hesitation, he dropped his pen and slid beneath his desk.

What are you doing? whispered Porter.

Porter peered at Eli hiding beneath his desk, his blond hair flopping across his curious brown eyes. Porter was Eli’s best friend and generally tended to follow Eli’s lead even if he didn’t know where he was going.

Eli grabbed Porter’s jacket, yanked him beneath the desk and shouted, Everyone, get down!

Shit! Porter yelled as he tumbled to the floor. You’re going to get into trouble.

He tried to get up, but Eli kept a tight hold on his friend’s shirt, keeping him by Eli’s side. Stay. He didn’t know what was going on, but something was coming, something bad. He could feel it in his bones.

Mr. Trenton, is there a reason you’re underneath your desk? the professor asked in his slow, dry voice. The sound always brought to Eli’s mind the image of crispy fall leaves and zombies. A strange combination, but he refused to claim responsibility for his bizarre daydreams. Sometimes his brain went off on tangents.

Eli didn’t get out from beneath the desk to respond, even if it was completely unfair that the teacher didn’t even ask about Porter. Porter got away with everything, while the professor commented on Eli’s every action. He wondered if his father had talked to the professor. Any teacher’s evil fixation on Eli was usually the result of his father’s interference. Conrad Trenton had a way of bulldozing over people and not considering anyone’s concerns but his own and sometimes those of Eli’s older brother.

The pressure in the air raised the hair on Eli’s arms in tingly bursts of electricity. Don’t you feel that? Everyone get under your desks! he yelled. He kept his white-knuckled grip on Porter’s shirt, refusing to let his friend even lift his head. Eli relaxed a bit when he saw that Devin had taken his advice. He didn’t know what was coming, but he couldn’t stand it if his crush became injured.

Eli gritted his teeth as wild magic flooded the room. Electricity snapped and crackled through the air, slamming into desks and people with equal fervor. Screams pierced the air and a low hum vibrated down Eli’s spine.

Unable to stand to look, Eli squeezed his eyes shut. The combined stench of burning flesh and ozone singed his nose and had his stomach threatening to revolt. Students continued to scream as wicked pops of energy found new places to land. Not daring to peek, Eli and Porter remained frozen on the floor until the only sounds were the moans of the injured and the frantic whimpers of the other students.

When all electrical sounds had faded, Eli opened his eyes. The students in the row ahead of him peered at him from beneath their desks.

Stay down! Eli raised his head to take a quick look around the room. Professor Kalvin lay still on the floor, and many students were crying brokenly as they cradled their injuries.

The blonde assistant motioned to Eli that it was safe to stand. He wondered how she’d escaped injury. She hadn’t hidden at all, yet miraculously she didn’t have any damage. Many others hadn’t been so lucky.

Porter, you can get up now, Eli said, releasing his hold.

Porter cautiously scooted out from under the desk. Eli’s gaze slid over to Devin, who smiled at him and gave him two thumbs up. Eli’s heartbeat smoothed from a frantic thundering to its usual steady rhythm. No one he cared about had been injured. Tension eased along his spine as he walked to the front of the room to check out the professor.

The teacher lay on the floor, his face serene, but lightning had punched a hole through his shirt and burned out a spot where Professor Kalvin’s heart used to be. He wouldn’t be sharing his boring lectures ever again. Guilt swamped Eli. The poor professor hadn’t done him any true harm, and yet he wasn’t the least bit upset over his death. Eli vowed to be a better person. He’d hate to be the one zapped with no one caring if he passed.

No one spoke again for a while until Devin’s voice broke through the heavy silence. What in the ten hells was that all about?

Eli shrugged. Someone’s magic probably got away from them.

It happened sometimes if a young prodigy lost control. The wards were beginning to fade on a lot of the older buildings. The headmaster had improved the protection on some parts of campus but must not have gotten to this one yet, probably because there weren’t supposed to be any active magic classes scheduled there.

I thought there weren’t any practice classes here, Devin said, echoing Eli’s thoughts.

Eli shrugged. He didn’t know all the classes that went on in the building, but something had gotten loose. I didn’t think so either, but someone’s magic got away from its caster.

Walking over to the professor’s desk, Eli reached beneath the lip and pressed the emergency button. Each class was equipped with one in case of the school being taken over or a student becoming more than the teacher could handle. Eli knew pressing it would bring help. Some students needed medical assistance and a few of them were obviously in shock, not to mention that something had to be done with the professor’s body. Luckily it didn’t appear as if any of the students had suffered fatal injuries.

Within seconds, a soft pop of air displacement preceded two men in red robes teleporting into the room. They did a quick analysis, then called for more backup. For the next several minutes, medics and campus police continually flashed in and out of the room as they gathered information and samples to determine the cause of the traumatic event.

The campus police requested all students to stay until they got everyone’s statement. The last person to arrive was Headmaster Candine. After consulting with the medics, she beckoned Eli and Porter out of the room.

Eli sighed. He longed for his bed, and to start the day over. If only there were a magical rewind switch.

What happened here? the headmaster asked. She stared directly at Eli as if he had had something to do with the electrical attack.

Eli pointed at the door. Lightning came through there, then shot around the room before vanishing. Ask anyone. I don’t know why it happened, but it did.

The others were watching him as if he were guilty in some manner. Used to being blamed for pretty much everything, Eli refused to take responsibility for this one. He wasn’t a killer.

He folded his arms across his chest. Eli had nothing to hide, but he wouldn’t be bullied either. Headmaster Candine had a reputation for being fair—why was she staring at him as though he’d done something wrong?

The other students say you were the one who told them to duck. She narrowed her eyes as if trying to read his mind.

Yes. No point in denying it—there were a dozen other students who would point him out.

How did you know to do that? Are you clairvoyant?

Any other school and he would’ve thought the headmaster was being sarcastic. At this university, it could be a genuine condition.

No, ma’am, Eli replied. I only knew because the teaching assistant told me to get down.

Why didn’t she ask Porter these questions? Instead she kept her gaze on Eli as if he were the only one there. Porter could’ve just as easily told her about the incident. Neither of them knew much.

What assistant? Candine asked.

I don’t know her name. She stands at the front for every lecture and breaks down the lessons so we know what the hell the professor is talking about.

Candine looked at him as though she’d never seen Eli before in his life. Eli, Professor Kalvin didn’t have an assistant.

Sure, she’s right there. Eli pointed to where the assistant stood. She looked lost, clutching her signs. Her eyes swept the room as if checking over the students, yet she hadn’t stepped forward and talked to any of them directly. Strange.

I don’t see anyone, the headmaster argued.

A shimmering glow appeared beside the assistant and Eli watched as his dead professor introduced himself to her. The two shook hands and exchanged words too quietly for Eli to overhear.

Oh fuck.

Eli just figured out why no one else had seen his helpful lady.

Never mind. I think she’s a ghost. Eli’s entire perspective had changed. He could see ghosts. When had that started happening?

Shocked at this new ability, he didn’t even glance at Devin when the triplet patted him on the back on the way out of the door. His head spun with the consequences of his sight. He had necromancer magic. The ability to see spirits was a rare ability. He knew no one else who had the skill. Eli shivered as shock set in.

The headmaster’s mouth dropped open, but she immediately snapped it shut. Her quick recovery earned her some points in Eli’s esteem.

I think we need to reevaluate your training, young man.

Eli’s stomach sank. Just as he was becoming used to his schedule, everything would change. But how could he refuse? She was right. If he truly had necromancer powers, he would need extra training. Different training.

Crap!

I can’t believe you never figured this out before, Porter said later when they had finally been allowed to return to their dorm room. I mean, that’s a major power.

Eli lay on his bed across from his roommate but didn’t comment. The ceiling had turned into a sight of great importance as Eli struggled to deal with his new worldview. Porter was right. What kind of person didn’t know they could communicate with the dead? He guessed his father was right—he really was a moron, but at least now he was a moron with a rare