“Looks like you gave it a finishing touch.” I smiled at Gemma.

  She ran her hands through her hair. “But I don’t get it. Usually I realize when my powers are awakening. Oh my God! How am I going to explain this to my mom?”

  “I bet she won’t even notice.” I winked at her, still teasing her. I’d given Gemma clues, but it still hadn’t dawned on her.

  “What do you mean she won’t notice? How could she not notice? It looks like a paint bomb exploded in here! Maybe I should’ve left my room the way it—Wait a second . . . I always sleep at your place. What are we doing in my old bedroom?” She turned to look at me and her eyes slowly went wide, the smile gradually spreading across her face as she figured it out. “I’m . . . dreaming,” she murmured to herself. “This is a dream, isn’t it? We’re inside my head.”

  I nodded and smiled back at Gemma. She was electrified. Few times before had I made her aware she was dreaming because I didn’t want to deprive her of the emotions she would have missed out on. In dreams, my soul was closer to hers. I could read her subconscious and perceive her slightest sensation as though it were my own. To me, it was a parallel universe in which everything was amplified. Gemma knew that on those occasions I could read inside her, so if she realized she was in a dream she held back, reluctant to stay so open to me. Instead, I wanted her to experience every emotion to the fullest.

  “If you meant to tell me, you could’ve done it sooner!” she reproved me with a little smile.

  “Well, looks like you played your part anyway,” I teased, gesturing at the ceiling. In her dreams, Gemma had always had the ability to recreate incredible scenarios and this time her spirit had painted a picture of the two of us.

  “So when I wake up everything will be like it was before? What a shame.”

  “Will you remember it?” I whispered in her ear, squeezing her from behind. She nodded. I could sense her heart brimming with joy. “We can always redo it, if you want . . . but for real.”

  Gemma turned around and folded her arms around my neck. “No, I don’t want to risk spoiling this memory.”

  “You never could.” I kissed her on the lips but she pulled away.

  “Besides, from now on when I look at my old room, I’ll see it with different eyes.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “Well . . .” She slowly moved away, holding my hand. “Because now I know its potential. I know what it could become.”

  Potential. The word had a double meaning: Gemma was trying to distract me, but I realized she was actually referring to her own potential. She had something in mind and I could already sense her attempts to keep me from picking up on it. She’d always been good at that.

  “Hey, where are you going?” I asked suspiciously.

  She smiled and opened her bedroom door. Sunlight burst in. Before us was a white beach gently lapped by waves. “It’s my turn to play.”

  I smiled, shaking my head. Gemma shut the door behind her and disappeared. I gave her a few seconds’ head start and then ran after her.

  HIDE-AND-SEEK

  Telling Gemma we were in a dream gave her enormous power and she knew it. She could do anything she wanted, go anywhere. She had full control over her desires and this time she’d decided to take advantage of them.

  “Gemma . . . Come on! You can’t hide from me,” I called out. I heard her laughter in the distance. “You’re going to regret that joke you played on me with your father!”

  When I’d opened the door after Gemma closed it behind her, I’d found myself in the hallway of her house. Her father had just come out of his bedroom and went ballistic when he saw me barefoot, shirtless, and covered with paint. I’d bidden him a rather sheepish goodbye and opened various doors before ending up in the dream where Gemma had hidden. We were in her mind and she was having fun playing hide-and-seek with me.

  The sand was so white it blinded me, the sea an endless expanse of blue and green.

  “Gemma . . . Do you really mean to leave me here all alone?”

  You’re not alone, her voice whispered on the wind. I’m right here.

  I spun around, but the beach was deserted. “Okay, keep on toying with me.” Gemma laughed, amused. “You know what I’m going to do to you the second I catch you?” I concentrated on her soul like never before as I waited for her reply.

  First you have to find me . . .

  Guided by the sound of her voice, I lunged to one side and grabbed her. Gemma laughed, pinned beneath me. “Well? What were you saying?” I raised an eyebrow, satisfied.

  “You found me.” She smiled, her gaze provocative.

  “I will always find you.” I rubbed my nose against hers and she touched my lips. “You can’t escape me,” I warned.

  She looked me in the eye and kissed me more passionately. Resting a hand on my chest, she deftly inverted our positions, rising up and straddling me. “Are you so sure?” she whispered against my mouth. I tried to kiss her but she pulled back, forcing me to lean up to follow her lips.

  “You bet,” I said, grinning.

  Gemma bit my lip, leaving me in a momentary daze during which she pushed me down, leapt to her feet, and raced off. “Start running, then!” she challenged me, dashing away across the beach.

  “You know I’m going to catch you!” I shot off after her.

  It didn’t take me long to catch up with her. She tried to escape me, laughing and shrieking at every attempt to grab her. She ran along the water’s edge, hoping to gain ground, but there was no way she could elude me for long, and soon I grabbed her by the waist and picked her up, cradling her in my arms. I waded into the water until it was up to my hips, ignoring Gemma’s protests as she clung to my neck, afraid to get wet.

  “So, did I win the bet?” I asked.

  “It’s too soon to say!” she replied stubbornly.

  “Oh yeah?!” I raised an eyebrow, a threatening look on my face.

  “No, wait! No!” she cried, guessing my intentions.

  Ignoring her, I bent down and stood up again with Gemma dripping wet in my arms. She shrieked from the contact with the water and then laughed, kicking her legs as she tried to get free, but I dunked her another time and then another.

  “Hey! I’m not a teabag, you know!”

  “And yet I would willingly drink you.”

  Gemma managed to pull me down and throw me off balance. We toppled into the water and a splash fight ensued, both of us laughing like crazy. All at once I grabbed her wrist, just because I felt like it, and pulled her against me. Even with only that small distance between us I already missed her. I missed touching her, missed the contact of our joined bodies. She responded by holding me tight.

  “I knew I should never let you know when we’re in a dream,” I whispered into her hair.

  She looked at me, resting her hands on my chest. “Because I can do whatever I want?”

  “Because you always trick me.”

  Gemma smiled. “I always trick you when we’re awake too.”

  “It’s true, you’re right.” I touched my forehead to hers.

  Gemma stroked my chest, washing away the paint. I did the same, pouring water over her shoulders and seizing the opportunity to touch her, because there was no denying it: I never tired of her.

  “You wanted to take a shower together, right? Well, we’re getting clean,” she said provocatively.

  I looked at her, a sparkle in my eye. “My idea of a shower was a little different, if I’m going to be honest.”

  “Because you never get enough.”

  I leaned closer and kissed her neck. “Because I never get enough of you,” I whispered, brushing my lips against hers. I grabbed her thighs and lifted her up. Gemma wrapped her legs around my waist, our bodies wet and our tongues touching. All her emotions exploded inside me and she let me explore them: the infinite joy she felt, the hope she nurtured, her fear of losing me—the same fear that lurked inside me. Yet there, in the dream, it was just the two of us holding each other tight, hidden from the whole world. Just for that moment, I wouldn’t let fear overpower us. We deserved to be happy. We’d been through a million trials and tribulations so we could be together and that moment was all our own.

  With Gemma still clinging to me, I walked toward the shore, set her down at the water’s edge, and lay down beside her as the waves caressed us only to draw back fearfully.

  “Evan, are there hierarchies among Angels?” she asked out of the blue.

  “Not exactly. There’s us and there’s them, the Màsala. The orders come to us like a whisper and the information appears directly in our heads.”

  “So no guardian Angels?”

  “Those are legends dreamed up by humans to satisfy their need to feel at peace. True peace, if you earn it, isn’t in this world, but humans feel comforted by the belief that someone’s watching over them. Life on Earth wasn’t made for peace—it was made for decisions. Every decision or reaction—even the smallest one—is a step toward good or evil. Only decisions made toward good will lead man to the peace he seeks by nature. Still, not everyone is strong enough to resist the power of darkness. So no, there are no guardian Angels. There’s good and evil. Life and death. You, however, can consider me your own personal guardian Angel.” I winked at Gemma and she smiled at me.

  “You already were. How much longer do we have before the alarm goes off?” she asked. “It’s so nice here.”

  “Not long, I’m afraid.”

  “If we could stay here I would sleep forever.”

  I smiled and took her hands on the sand, staring at the sky. “If you did, you’d miss the Winter Carnival,” I teased her. Gemma had fought long and hard with the school faculty. Because of her pregnancy, they’d told her she couldn’t participate in the school games, but the tomboy in her had rebelled. If it had been up to her, she would even have signed up for broomball and the alligator walk, but in the end they’d reached a compromise.

  “They don’t want me to take part this year anyway. I’ll read about my classmates’ heroic deeds in the Blue Bomber Times.”

  “They’re only keeping you from competing in a few events,” I reminded her.

  “I’m not good at singing, and you’re better than I am at ice sculpture.”

  “I can always make one for you. Besides, you’re forgetting the pie-eating contest. If you sign up for that, my bet is your team will score tons of points!”

  “Hey!” I laughed and barely dodged her blow. “Why does everyone keep saying that? Do I really eat so much?”

  “Only slightly above average.” I grinned. Staring at the sky, I squeezed her hand. Recently Gemma’s appetite had grown to amazing proportions. It wasn’t only because of the pregnancy but also because of the Witch nature buried inside her. Gemma’s body was burning lots of energy and producing just as much. Luckily for her, the food burned off quickly and had no effect on her figure. Quite the opposite, in fact; she was five months pregnant but it was barely noticeable. Still, pregnancy had left her glowing. Gemma’s curves had softened and she was sexier than ever. Looking at her made my heart race but scared me just as much, because it meant that with every passing day she was closer to her Sisters.

  To protect Gemma we’d formed an alliance, but their presence stimulated her senses, like a summons her body couldn’t resist. The Witch in her was waking up and I could do nothing to stop it. Gemma was certain the transformation wouldn’t drag her away, that she wouldn’t leave me to follow them to Hell. If I’d been as certain of it as she was I would have wanted her to transform so we could stay together forever, like Simon and Ginevra. That was what she was planning on: transforming and then renouncing evil. But I saw the doubt in Ginevra’s eyes and that was enough to convince me: I wasn’t going to let Gemma transform. No matter what it took, I would prevent it.

  A little bird flew overhead, tweeting a relentless melody. It turned back and flapped around us. Gemma propped herself up on her elbows. “Do you hear that strange chirping? I’ve never seen that kind of bird before,” she murmured.

  I laughed. “I know that sound . . . and so do you. Open your eyes, sleepyhead. It’s time to wake up.”

  I opened my eyes and Gemma grumbled in my arms. We were back in my room. “No, no . . . let’s stay here. Go away, nasty old bird!”

  I laughed into her hair and switched off the alarm that Gemma still believed was a strange bird. She relaxed, pleased because it had flown away and stopped bothering her. I hugged her from behind and she slowly opened her eyes.

  “Good morning,” I whispered.

  “Mmm . . . Why are we here? Let’s go back to sleep . . .”

  “You can’t go back to sleep. It’s late. Ginevra’s already waiting for you.”

  Gemma bolted upright and looked at me. “Aren’t you coming too?”

  I shook my head. “Maybe later.” I only had a couple of missions but I wasn’t sure I’d manage to get to school in time.

  Gemma grumbled and got out of bed. As she dropped her shorts to the floor and took off her camisole I couldn’t take my eyes off her. She was so sexy in her gray cotton underwear . . . I clenched my fists on the bed, fighting off the impulse to reach for her and keep her from going to school. She sensed my intentions and laughed. Her camisole hit me in the face, surprising me. “Peeping Tom.”

  “It’s not my fault I can’t resist you.”

  “Oh, really?” She raised an eyebrow and came closer, her gaze seductive. “Are you saying it’s my fault?” She moved my knee aside and slipped in between my legs.

  “I’m saying you should buy longer pajamas if you want to keep me away from you.”

  “I never said I wanted to keep you away from me.”

  My hands slowly slid up the backs of her thighs, unable to stay still. I rested my head on her belly, breathing in her scent. Gemma rested her knees on the bed and sat down, straddling me. Provoking me was becoming her favorite game. “He tried to resist her, but she wouldn’t let him,” she murmured, her arms around my neck.

  I raised an eyebrow. She didn’t realize what she was getting herself into. I grabbed her by the bottom and swept her onto the bed, my erection pressing against her. My hands slowly moved over her body. “Correction,” I replied, playing along. “He would never try to resist her. He wanted her and didn’t hide it. He knew he would never be able to control himself, as his fire was fueled by the very air she breathed.” I stroked her lip with my thumb. “An undeniable need.”

  “So you’re saying you can’t resist me, despite yourself?”

  “I’m saying I don’t want to and never will, unless you decide to stop me.”

  “Then I’ll have to follow your suggestion and buy longer pajamas,” she teased. “You sure that will be enough to calm your instincts?”

  “I’m afraid it won’t help at all.” I lowered my mouth to hers and surrendered to a kiss, my hands clasping her bottom tightly. “Jamie . . .” I kissed her neck and groaned, on the verge of losing my mind.

  “Hey . . . you two!” Ginevra knocked insistently on the door and Gemma laughed.

  “Not a good time. Go away,” I grunted.

  “It’s morning and Gemma’s going to be late for school.”

  “There’s no school today,” I called back, continuing to kiss Gemma.

  “Get out here or I’ll be forced to come in!”

  I ignored her and Gemma rolled on top of me. She started to kiss my chest tenderly, looking me in the eye as Ginevra continued to knock, undeterred. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you!” She opened the door and stood there, arms crossed. I plopped my head onto the pillow and Gemma smiled at her Sister.

  “Good morning to you too.”

  “Man, what a pain in the ass!” I grumbled loud enough for her to hear it.

  “Gwen, why the big rush to get to school?” Gemma asked.

  Ginevra smiled and clapped her hands, bouncing. “The games start today. Put some clothes on or I’ll take you to school as you are!” she goaded her, literally dragging her away from me.

  “Trying to cause a mass extermination, are you?” I retorted. The thought of Gemma naked in public made my blood boil. No one could see her without clothes on and live. She was all mine. Gemma turned to look at me and shrugged, powerless.

  The Winter Carnival games were a perfect occasion for Ginevra to prove to everyone that she was the best. “Try not to attract too much attention,” I warned her. “These aren’t the little games you play with your Sisters in the kingdom of darkness.”

  “It’s broomball, Evan. Why are you so worked up?” she scoffed.

  “There are mortal Souls there and somebody could get hurt.” That day they would be taking Nausyka and Anya to school too, to protect Gemma. I just hoped Ginevra wouldn’t get carried away by her enthusiasm. “Don’t let Gemma out of your sight.”

  “Relax, Evan. The Subterraneans are under close surveillance. Gemma will be safe with us and we’ll have loads of fun!”

  Gemma, who meanwhile had gotten dressed, came over and planted a kiss on my mouth. “Don’t worry, I’ll be there to keep an eye on them,” she whispered. “You go do your duty, Soldier.” She winked at me and hurried out of the room. Ginevra stuck her tongue out at me and followed her.

  I interlaced my fingers behind my head and lay back down on the bed, listening to the noises in the house. For days, the Executioners who’d come to kill Gemma hadn’t let up for a second. They’d even attacked her at school once, but Simon had protected her, knocking the Subterranean out with a single blow. Gemma, who was the only person able to see him, had let out a scream during class, drawing everyone’s attention. She’d flicked an imaginary spider off her desk and the teacher had resumed the lesson. They hadn’t attacked at school since then but, as a precaution, at least one of us was with Gemma at all times.

  I heard panthers growl in the hallway and, a second later, voices. Things would go better now that all the Subterraneans were under our control. Once the simulation scenario was deactivated, the galleon had gone back to being a normal cell and the prisoners found themselves chained to the walls with a group of black panthers guarding them. The Drusas had to be careful not to injure them because their teeth and claws secreted their serpents’ venom. A single scratch was enough to kill a Subterranean, and if that happened, others would show up. In any case, they wouldn’t escape, as dazed as they were by the Witches’ blood. I’d learned the hard way the effect it could have on our minds. The Witches had the power to modify it based on what they wanted from us. In some cases, it could even enhance our strength, like it did during the Games—or it could annihilate us. The prisoners would never be able to rebel.