Cast a Spell Part 4-The Ending

I woke up early in the morning, despite the cries of pain coming from my back and my head. 1

“ Are you going over to Jordan’s today?”2

I looked up at Jessica, her aura even brighter than before. “ Yeah, at ten. What time is it?” I yawned and climbed out of bed. 3

“ Nine-thirty,” she answered. “ I put an outfit for you on your chair.”4

I got up, wobbled across the room and picked up the outfit. “ It’s a slip dress,” I said flatly.5

“ I know. You have to confess you love for Jordan looking good,” Jessica said, shrugging.6

I threw aside the dress and put on a pair of jeans, a pink tank top and sneakers. I let my hair fall loosely on my shoulders and down my back. “ Done, the real Cadence. I need to be comfortable if I am going to, how did you put it, confess my love to Jordan.”7

Jessica shrugged as if I was making a big mistake. “ Whatever, dress however you like.” She took my hands in hers and squeezed. “ Good luck, Cadence.”8

“ Oh shut up Jessica,” I said, throwing her hands away from me. “ I don’t have time for this. You’re coming with me.”9

She looked at me with a blank expression on her face. “ Me? Why me?”10

“ You know good and well why you are coming, Jess, so don’t even pretend that you don’t. I’m not in the mood for your little games,” I said, walking down the stairs.11

“ I do not…” she protested, following me. She paused, in sudden comprehension. “ Oh.”12

I looked over my shoulder and rolled my eyes. 13

“ Cadence would you like some breakfast?” my dad asked standing at the stove. Bree paused in the middle of shoveling pancakes into her mouth to smile at me, and then dug in again.14

“ Um, no thanks. Dad, I’m actually heading over to Jordan’s right now. I’ll grab a Nutri-Grain bar or a Pop-Tart or something,” I said, grabbing my coat out of the closet.15

“ Wait Cadence! You are not going anywhere, especially Jordan’s, until we have a talk,” my mom called.16

I looked at Jessica and raised my eyebrow. What could my mother possible want now? “ What’s up, Mom?” I said cautiously, following the sound of her voice to the den.17

“ Cadence,” she said coolly as I walked in, “ do you realize how late you were out last night?”18

I waved it aside, wondering why she’d bothered to waste her time over something so silly. “ Oh, Mom, why do you ask? I told you the dance was going to finish late,” I said.19

“ Oh, and the dance just happened to last until two in the morning?” she said, looking at me as if to detect if I was lying. “ That’s when I heard Jordan drop you off. Though why he dropped you off instead of Mason is completely beyond me. However, that is not the point.”20

I didn’t have an answer for that. I looked at Jessica who looked back at me in surprise. Usually I was an expert at excuses.21

“ I think it’s about time we had the talk again. Just to refresh your memory,” she said. 22

My mouth dropped and my face flushed crimson red. I heard Jessica laugh behind me. “ Mom! What on earth are you talking about? I know where babies come from…and I haven’t forgotten!”23

“ All I am saying, Cadence, is that I know you are attracted to Jordan and that at sixteen, you’re experiencing these new feelings and urges. It is completely normal for you to feel this way but, let’s face it, you’re just not ready to do such a big thing.”24

I could not believe what was going on. “ Ew, Mom, if you are suggesting that Jordan and I are…having sex, you are surely mistaken. I thought you knew me better than this. Jordan isn’t—and I’m certainly not—like that,” I insisted. God, Mom, I can’t even get him to kiss me, I thought. 25

Mom eyed me suspiciously. “ I’m not saying you are. I’m saying you need to make the right decision, especially at this time in your life.”26

“ Mom, give me a freakin’ lie detector test. I’m telling you the truth. Jordan and I are not having sex. We…we…” Then it hit me, the excuse I needed all along. “We were at the cemetery, visiting Jessica.” There was a sharp intake of breath from behind me, but I ignored it. “ We just missed her a lot and couldn’t leave.” I felt tears in my eyes. Where were these coming from? I shook my head impatiently and headed outside and got in my truck. I stuck the key in and started the engine. I pulled out and headed toward Jordan’s house. 27

“ Aw shit…Jessica,” I said, glancing at the passenger seat. I snapped and Jessica appeared next to me. She handed me a tissue and I wiped away my tears. “Thanks.” I pulled into Jordan’s driveway. I stared up at his window for a long time, unable to get out of the car.28

“ Cadence.” Jessica reached over and patted my arm. “ Are you ready for this?” she asked.29

“ Yeah, of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be? It’ll be easy, a piece of cake,” I said. She smiled; knowing that deep down I was more terrified than I had been when facing an enemy.  30

We walked up the front walk to the front door. I lifted my finger to the doorbell but paused. I couldn’t do it. Jessica shot me an annoyed look so I pushed the button, the ringing of the bell echoing the ringing in my ears.31

He answered quickly, his eyes cast to the ground. “ Hi Cadence,” he said softly.32

“ Hi,” I managed to whisper. He was wearing an old Los Angeles Raiders shirt and sweat pants and his hair was wet, hung limp in his face, but he was so beautiful. I wanted him to look up so I could see into his gorgeous green eyes.33

“ Come on. Let’s go to my room so no one will overhear,” he said, still avoiding my gaze, and led me upstairs. Jessica followed cautiously behind us.34

I walked in the room and sat on his bed while he closed the door. I loved the smell of his room and the overall feel of the room.35

He finally looked at me. “ Cadence, we have a lot to talk about.”36

“ I know,” I sighed, surprised at how fast we were moving into this, “ but I have to do something first. Come sit next to me.” 37

He looked at me curiously, but nevertheless came over and sat next to me. I covered his eyes and muttered a quick spell, then snapped. I hesitated for a moment then removed my hand. “ Jessica, it’s time,” I whispered. 38

Jordan shivered-an after effect. It would disappear in a few days, hope springs eternal. “ What was that? Cadence, what did you say? I feel really funny. I…” He had seen Jessica and was in shock.39

Jessica shifted uneasily and smiled shyly, as if meeting him for the first time. “Hi Jordan.” 40

“ But…but you’re dead,” he said slowly. He looked at me, in disbelief. “ She’s dead. She died right?” He seemed so confused. 41

I put my hand on his shoulder. “ Yeah, she died. But, you see, after she died, Jordan, she became a ghost. Jessica is a ghost.”42

Jordan looked at Jessica. I felt so bad for him…only a few days before, he had never heard of witches and ghosts. It was overwhelming; all of this was too much for him. “ Can I touch you?”43

Jessica nodded, but he hesitated, only taking a couple steps closer. A second later and Jessica grabbed his hand and pulled him into a long hug.44

“ I have missed you so much, Jessica,” Jordan said. He looked at me, happiness in his eyes. “ Thanks Cadence.”45

I shrugged. “ It isn’t a big deal…”46

Jessica gave me a knowing look. It was a big deal…to all three of us. I’d put our lives on the line. “ Anyway, I better be going. You two have a lot to talk about.” 47

“ Jessica!” I hissed.48

She grinned. “ I have no reason to be here, Cadence. I’ll talk to you later.” She materialized out of Jordan’s room.49

I was hoping you would help me, Jessica, I thought. I turned to Jordan. “ So where do we start? Do you have any questions?” 50

“ Yeah, just about a million,” he sighed. “ So you’re a witch?”51

I nodded. “ I’m a witch.” I wanted to say more, but decided to let him continue.52

“And Cassie? Trevor?”53

“ She’s a witch, like me. Trevor’s a warlock…and not my cousin,” I replied.54

“ And you can see…and touch and talk to dead people?”55

“ Ghosts? Yeah I can see them, touch them, talk to the, etc. All witches and warlocks are born with the ability. Mortals can’t unless a Seeing Spell is cast upon them,” I explained. 56

“ Like you did with me?” he asked. “ Can I see all dead…ghosts? Can I see all ghosts?”57

“ Unfortunately, yes. I advise you never to go to a cemetery,” I said seriously.58

He looked nervous at my last statement, but didn’t comment. “ Do all dead people become ghosts?”59

We were talking only about ghosts. “ No. Most go to heaven, hell or their afterlife. Some stay behind, each having their own reason,” I explained.60

He nodded, as if he understood. I knew he didn’t. I hardly did and I’d been familiar with it all my life. We didn’t speak for quite a bit. I started to speak but before I could utter a word, I hiccupped and burst into tears.61

Jordan looked surprised. I hadn’t cried since second grade when he ran over my Barbie with his remote control car. I hadn’t cried at Jessica’s funeral because, of course, she had been sitting right next to me. Everyone thought I had been in denial. “Cadence, what’s wrong?”62

“ I’m sorry Jordan! I am so sorry I got you all mixed up with this! You shouldn’t have gone through what you did last night!” I sobbed. “ He would’ve killed you. He killed her.”63

“ Who? Who killed who? Cadence, you’re confusing me,” Jordan said, pulling me into his lap. He stroked my hair as I leaned against him. 64

“ Eric! Eric killed Jessica,” I said.65

He looked at me, his eyes wide. “ She died in a car accident, Cadence. They have pictures and evidence from the scene.”66

I scowled through my tears. “ That’s what Eric wanted you to think. He caused the accident because I refused to fight him.” I took a deep breath. “ She doesn’t know, Jordan. She’s happy not knowing.”67

Jordan looked at me in shock. “ Well she stayed behind right?”68

“ Yeah she had reason to stay. She stayed to help me, Jordan,” I said tears flowing down my cheeks. 69

“ If I died, I could’ve stayed behind. I could’ve helped you, like Jessica,” Jordan said slowly.70

“ You don’t know that, Jordan! No one knows where they are going after they die!” I cried. I took another deep breath. “ I’m probably going to move to the immortal world.”71

“ What? Why?” Jordan asked.72

“ Think about it, Jordan. Because of me, Jessica died, you almost died and you and my family could be in danger,” I said, exasperated.73

“ But Eric is dead,” Jordan pointed out.74

“ He’s not the only person I fight,” I said, shaking my head.75

“ You can’t go, Cadence. I need you,” he said, so softly, it was almost like he was saying it to himself.76

I looked up at him. He had said it again. Don’t get excited. It’s nothing, I told myself. “ Jordan, what’s that supposed to mean?” 77

He tore his gaze away from me and looked out the window. “ Is it true? Is what Eric said true?”78

I bit my lip nervously. “ What did Eric say?” I knew this was coming. I knew it was coming and yet I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t avoid it.79

“ Do you…do you love me?” he asked quickly.80

My heart sank to the ground and a lump formed in my throat. “ No,” I answered, automatically.81

He smiled weakly. “ Cadence, you know, your left eyes twitches when you lie.” 82

I blushed. “ No, it doesn’t,” I protested, jumping off his lap. I turned around and faced the wall. I couldn’t deny the tremor in my voice and the fact that my knees were knocking together.83

“ Cadence, please. Yeah it does,” he replied. “ Come on, can you tell me the truth?”84

Oh god, I wasn’t ready for this. As much as I had tried to convince myself that I was, when it got down to it, I simply wasn’t. “ I don’t know what you’re talking. I am telling you truth,” I answered. Oh that was a witty reply, I thought. What on earth was I going to do? I couldn’t do it; I couldn’t let the L word slip. 85

“ Cadence…” he started, but stopped suddenly at a loud popping noise. He looked at my hand, which held a message.86

“ Um hold on,” I said, looking at the message with intense curiosity. All thoughts of Jordan flew out the window. Who could possibly be sending me a message now? I broke the seal and opened it. It read:87

Cadence, I am so terribly sorry for all the mistakes that I have made. I know a simple sorry does not wipe away all that I have done. I killed your best friend and I nearly killed you, Jordan, Cassie and Trevor. As you might have already noticed, I am a ghost. I don’t how this could have possibly happened, when I should be damned to hell. Perhaps one day, you and I can put aside our differences.88

Eric *89

P.S. Just tell Jordan you love him, Cadence. He cares for you. Please take the chance. Don’t let him go. 90

“ Eric…” I said slowly, confused. 91

“ Eric? I thought he was dead…” Jordan said from behind me, clearly as confused as I was.92

“ He’s a ghost,” I answered. I turned to Jordan, my eyes squeezed tightly shut. I had to take Eric’s advice. I had to give it a chance and let go. “ I can’t lie to you, Jordan. I’ve never been able to do so, so why try now? Eric was right; everything he said was right. I do…” I took a deep breath. Come on, Cadence, just do it! I scolded myself. “ I do love you. I love you so much.” 93

There was a pause after my declaration. I could hear my heart pounding in my chest as I waited for an answer. “ Cadence…” Jordan began slowly. I opened my eyes and saw his face was only a couple inches from mine.94

I wanted it; I wanted it more than I was willing to admit. We couldn’t though and I knew we couldn’t. We were two different people. It could never work out for a witch and a mortal. “ We can’t Jordan,” I whispered, wishing I didn’t have to say these words, feeling his warm breath on my cheeks. “ I’m not exactly the most reliable person. I could be dead tomorrow.” 95

He didn’t answer. I wondered if he had even heard me. Instead he proceeded to move closer to me, our lips practically touching. His hand came up to my cheek. I closed my eyes as he gently stroked my cheek. His hand found its way into my hair where he twirled strands of my hair around his fingers until his hand slid down to my lower back. He pushed me closer to him. How was I allowing this to continue? Why did I not stop this?96

“ Jordan…” I started, feebly. 97

Jordan leaned forward, though he did not have to go far, and placed a quick soft kiss on my lips. I looked up at him, shocked. “ I love you too, Cadence,” he whispered. I went to reply, but he cut me off when our lips met again, in a long sweet kiss. He tasted so wonderful, like Listerine mouthwash, and it sent my heart soaring. And I didn’t stop because I loved him and he loved me back. Finally, he was holding me like I wanted to be held, kissing me like I wanted to be kissed and loving me like I needed to be loved. 98

We pulled away and smiled shyly. I fell back against him and held him close. He didn’t hate me; he didn’t hate witches. He loved me and nothing could make this day any better. 99

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“ Trevor? Trevor, did we get the mortal paper this morning?” I called, from the front porch.101

Trevor came outside and grinned, holding it above my head. “ Yeah, we got it. Cadence, I thought you left the mortal world for Pirate Island…”102

I snatched the paper away from him. “ I did…” I answered, vaguely, glancing through the paper. My heart sunk as I saw that, in the mortal world. They were still looking for Jordan and me. I had made a choice that day in Jordan’s room to leave the mortal world to live with Trevor in Pirate Island, to keep everyone I knew out of harm’s way. I had tried to convince Jordan to stay behind, but he insisted on coming along. 103

I glanced up from the paper to take a look around me. Pirate Island had been created by a family of witches a few centuries ago to escape the busy life of the immortal cities. It was an island paradise, the sand sparkling white and the sea was a pure blue. The sky was clear, not a cloud in the sky, the sun shining brightly. Only a few houses lay on the island, giving it a homey, peaceful feeling. And what made it even better; it had never been attacked by some outside force. I loved living here, away from the watching eyes of mortals. 104

“ Are they still looking, Cadence?” Cassie said, from behind me, interrupting my thoughts.105

I looked at Cassandra, a sad smile on my face. “ Yeah, they’re looking.” It had been hard to leave my family behind. I knew I had caused them pain.106

“ Hey, Cassie, Cadence, Trevor! Red alert! Rocky is attacking over in Zelda’s Peak. Let’s go!”107

I closed my eyes, groaning. Not another attack. Rocky was the new enemy, but unlike Eric, he was satisfied by simply torturing witches, warlocks and immortals. “ All right, Eric, I’m coming. Trevor, get Jessica; I’ll get Jordan.” I walked inside and saw Jordan sitting on the couch, eyes filled with deep concentration, reading my spellbook.108

He looked up as I walked into the room and smiled. I couldn’t help but smile back, my heart picking up a quicker pace. “ Hey Cadence,” he said softly. “ What’s going on?” 109

I sighed, rolling my eyes. I liked downplaying the job I loved so much. “ Rocky is striking over in Zelda’s Peak. Trevor, Cassie, Eric and Jessica are waiting. Ready to go save the world…again?” I asked.110

Jordan closed my spellbook, setting it aside. He crossed the room and took my hand in his, squeezing tightly. “ I’m ready when you are…”111