Duplicity (Spellbound #2) Read online

  DUPLICITY

  NIKKI JEFFORD

  ALSO BY NIKKI JEFFORD

  Entangled, The Spellbound Trilogy, Book One

  Duplicity, The Spellbound Trilogy, Book Two

  Enchantment, The Spellbound Trilogy, Book Three

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or the author has used them fictitiously.

  This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. It may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Copyright © 2012 by Nikki Jefford

  All rights reserved

  www.NikkiJefford.com

  Cover Design: Najla Qamber

  Copy Editors: Christine LePorte and S.M. Boyce

  Thank you to my beta readers:

  Nicole Steinhaus, Lacy Camey, Carmen Fisher, Mom, and Seb

  And to the first readers to review Entangled and encourage the continuation of this series:

  I love you with the fire of a thousand suns!

  For Mom

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Sneak Peek of Book Three

  About the Author

  Acknowledgements

  Chapter One

  Lee found it difficult to concentrate on mathematics when all she could think about was jumping her boyfriend’s bones.

  Stacey Lee Morehouse—Graylee Perez in a former life—sat across from Raj McKenna on the carpet in her bedroom.

  It was Wednesday night: date night, which meant her mom and Mr. Morehouse were out for the evening. Lee suspected her mother’s motives were, in part, to allow her and Raj a midweek break to be alone. Not that they needed it with Raj hunched over his textbook engrossed in… Lee leaned forward… Two-Dimensional Collisions. Snore.

  From the moment Lee woke from a coma nine and a half months ago, Mr. Morehouse had played the role of devoted and overly protective single father. It had taken months for him to allow her a modicum of space. Dating Marney Perez helped.

  What Mr. Morehouse didn’t realize was that Lee was Marney’s daughter, not his.

  Lee brushed her hair over one shoulder and stared at Raj. Her room was always dim, as the light had to filter through the multicolored fabrics hanging like canopies from the ceiling. Early on, she’d transformed Stacey’s floral fixation into an India-themed haven with ornately carved furniture and colorful throw pillows.

  Lee tapped her pencil against her geometry book. Raj continued reading.

  Lee cleared her throat. Finally Raj looked up. His smirk always got her. It said: you’re an adorable pest, but I can’t resist you. Best of all, Raj looked at her like she was Graylee Perez. Not Stacey Morehouse.

  Lee crawled over to Raj on all fours. His smirk increased when she planted her palms on top of his open textbook.

  “Not in a study mood, I take it?” he asked.

  His eyes darted to her gaping V-neck. Now she had his attention. Lee’s smile traveled up her cheeks. “We’re alone. Besides, I’m sure there’s more to a Wednesday night than…” Lee’s eyes traveled from Raj’s open textbook to his lower lip. “…science.”

  Raj leaned forward, stopping half an inch from her forehead. His pupils reflected Lee’s eager face. “Such as?”

  Lee lowered her voice. “I think we should do it.”

  Raj leaned back as though startled. “Are you referring to what I think you are?”

  Lee moved in. The textbook crinkled under her knees. She pressed her lips against Raj’s, then pulled back when he didn’t kiss her back. “What’s the matter?”

  Raj ran a hand through his hair and looked away. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m interested, you know I am, but why all of a sudden?”

  Lee’s lower lip pouted. “Why not? We’ve been going out for eight months. We’re seniors and, you know, we’re ready—at least I am. Maybe you aren’t.”

  “Ha, ha,” Raj said. His smile faded. “I think I know what this is really about.”

  “What?”

  “Tomorrow’s February ninth.”

  Lee sat on her knees and folded her arms. “Yeah, and?”

  “And that’s the day you died.”

  “What about it?”

  “Why don’t you tell me?”

  Lee pushed away from Raj. She snatched the pillow off the floor and set it in her lap. “Fine. It’s the anniversary of my death. I can’t help thinking about how close I came to eternal oblivion. It makes a girl reflect on the experiences she wants to have before it’s lights out forever.”

  “Lee…”

  Lee blinked rapidly and looked away.

  “Lee.”

  She still refused to look.

  “Gray!”

  Her eyes latched onto his as though on command. For some reason, this angered her. Lee was on her knees pushing Raj back before she could form a coherent thought. “Don’t call me that!”

  Raj was quick to recover—levitating before ever hitting the ground. “You’re forgetting something, Lee. I’m your boyfriend now.”

  “And?” she challenged. She squealed an instant later when Raj got her on her back.

  “And you can’t just throw a fit and push me away. I’m not going anywhere.” He dove forward and finally gave her the kisses she craved.

  Lee hugged Raj between her thighs. She slipped him the tongue. Lately this had been the prelude to near sex, but instead of twisting tongues with her, as he’d done in the past, Raj pulled back. “You’re serious?”

  Lee smiled. He was caving. “One hundred percent.”

  Raj’s chest rose and fell. “And you’re sure you’re ready?”

  “This isn’t rocket science, stud. I want you.”

  Raj’s brows furrowed. “I want you, too. I love you, Lee. I’ve loved you from the moment you appeared in my life.”

  Literally. Raj had noticed Lee when she’d tried to sneak into English class late by turning herself invisible, then filling herself back in once she took a seat at the back of the room. Nothing got past Raj McKenna—at least not where Lee was concerned.

  Lee chuckled. “A little less talk, if you don’t mind.”

  Raj reached out and cupped her breast in reply.

  Stacey Morehouse did have impressive boobs. Size C. Firm. Perky. Lee still didn’t think of them as her own.

  She twisted to her side. Raj rocked back and stood up. “I’m sorry. This wasn’t a good idea.”

  “No!” Lee scrambled to her feet. “It’s time I embraced this body.”

  “Sure?”

  “Definitely.”

  Raj twisted his lips. It was replaced by a grin. He didn’t believe her. Fine, she’d show h
im how serious she was. Lee pulled her V-neck over her head and tossed it beside Raj. His eyes grew bigger. Amusement was replaced by a heavy stare. The pendant she wore daily, a vial encased in smooth silver, dangled above the valley between her breasts.

  Little pinpricks of pain stung the back of Lee’s eyes. She ignored it.

  Raj’s gaze was trained on her fingers unzipping her jeans. Lee stripped each leg down like stockings, then stepped out. She quickly pulled her socks off because they looked stupid without pants on. She now stood several feet away from Raj on the rug in her bra and panties. Lee reached back for the hook on her bra.

  Raj’s eyes looked ready to pop.

  Lee unhooked the bra and suddenly she was gone.

  Not gone, gone, but invisible. She re-clasped her bra, which might have been humorous if she’d been thinking straight because it wasn’t like anyone could see her.

  Raj’s brows rose right before he chuckled. “If you didn’t want me to see you naked, you could have kept your clothes on.”

  “Raj, this isn’t funny. I didn’t make myself invisible.”

  “It’s okay, you’re not ready. You know I’m in no rush.”

  “I’m ready! Seriously, this has never happened to me before.”

  “Okay, so make yourself visible again.”

  Lee stomped her foot. “I’m trying!” Etch A Sketch, M.C. Escher’s Drawing Hands—nothing was working.

  Raj chuckled again. “I thought guys were the ones with performance anxiety.”

  “Stop making fun of me.”

  “I’m not. Need help?”

  There was a brief pause followed by a huff of frustration. “Fine. Fill me in. Whatever.”

  Raj was still grinning until his clothes ripped off his body. They fell in tatters to the tapestry rug at his feet.

  “Someone’s eager.” Lee was happy to be the one on the teasing end of things this round.

  Raj instantly turned red and quickly cupped himself with his left hand in an attempt to cover his… parts. “That wasn’t me!”

  “Mmm hmm.”

  “Seriously.”

  Lee had to laugh at the way Raj’s eyes darted around the room trying to find her.

  “Are you staring at me? Don’t look at me!”

  “I never pegged you as the shy type.”

  “I’m not. I just don’t like you staring when I can’t see you.”

  “Fine, I’m not looking at you.” But she was. She was ogling every inch of him at the moment. Sixth hour weight training was doing wonders for Raj’s physique. Not that she’d ever found it lacking. He was all tight, toned muscle tinged in rich, dark Indian skin. A pendant matching hers dangled below Raj’s throat.

  Lee wet her lips. It wasn’t like he’d see the gesture.

  Raj was squinting as though that’d help him locate her. “Something weird is happening.”

  “Let’s worry about it later.”

  He tried to find her eyes. “Lee, what’s going on?”

  As though Lee had something to do with this. She knew what was happening. Well, not really, but alarm bells were ringing. She’d disappeared. What was next? Total annihilation? She didn’t have much time.

  “Kiss me!”

  Raj’s eyes widened. “What?”

  Lee threw her arms around his neck.

  “Kiss me.”

  He did as she commanded. While he was thus distracted, Lee took the opportunity to place her hand on his heart. It thumped against her palm. The dark hairs on his torso made him look more man than high schooler. Lee was surprised by how soft they were. She stroked his chest. Raj breathed a sigh into her mouth, then kissed her roughly. He broke away with a groan when Lee’s hand slid down his backside.

  “Lee, we can’t.”

  “Why not? I’m naked. You’re naked. Obviously, the powers that be think we’re ready. Seems to me they’re trying to give us a little nudge.”

  Raj pulled Lee’s arms off his body. “I’m not doing anything unless I’m in full control.”

  “What if something happens to me? What if I fade away all together?”

  Raj yanked the throw off the end of Lee’s bed and wrapped it around himself like a sarong. Lee wasn’t sure how he found her, but somehow he’d gathered her in his arms. “You aren’t going anywhere, Lee. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  Chapter Two

  Halfway around the world—in Amiens, France, to be exact—a second Graylee awoke in Charlene's body.

  At first, she couldn’t see. She couldn’t speak. But she could feel—and all she felt was anger. Hatred for Ryan, for Charlene. The memory replayed in her mind, fresh and raw: Ryan teleporting her home, casting her from her body on what she knew had to be Charlene’s orders.

  Ryan had told her to go to the light. Well, when she found him, she’d make him see lights all right.

  He’d extracted her from her host body, and she hadn’t been able to stop him. Extraction was akin to watching someone get hit by a car. She’d wanted to shout, to step forward, but her body locked up. It couldn’t really be happening.

  Noises returned before her sight could. Scraping sounds filled Gray’s ear as though the razor claws of hell were dragging her down to the inferno.

  “No!” Gray shrieked.

  The clatter abruptly stopped.

  Her eyes flew open. All heads turned toward her. As soon as Gray felt the weight of her body, she took a quick glance around. She was seated at the end of a long cafeteria table. The room appeared to be a cellar encased in gray stone slabs. Forks hovered in midair, drinking glasses suspended below curious, but calm, expressions. Gray’s hair covered the sides of her face when she lowered her head and stared at the plate in front of her. It was filled with salad and a side of veggies.

  She didn’t breathe till the students went back to eating.

  A girl with a flawless complexion and dark brown hair stared at Gray from across the table. “Que s’est-il passé? Ça va, Charlene?”

  Right. Three problems. Number One: The chick was speaking French. Two: Gray had the distinct impression she was actually in France—not French class, but France the country. And three: The girl had called her Charlene.

  Not again.

  This was different. For one thing, she was fully clothed and it was the middle of the day. Noon, to be exact, according to Monique, Gray’s lunch companion.

  Monique’s brows pinched together. “Why can’t you remember French?”

  Nice how easy it was to find a foreigner who spoke English. Even in English, Monique’s accent was thick and required Gray’s undivided attention to follow.

  “I don’t know. I must have blacked out,” Gray said. But for how long? Long enough for Charlene to hop a plane to France, obviously. Had it been by choice or had Mom learned of Charlene’s treachery and banished her? Perhaps their coven had kicked her out of the country.

  The green salad centered between Gray’s arms was evidence that Charlene had been present moments before. The food held no appeal. What Gray really craved was a cigarette. She looked into Monique’s brown eyes. “I can’t remember anything. I don’t even know how I got to France.”

  Monique pursed her lips. “I don’t understand.”

  “What is this place? How long have I been here?”

  Several girls at the table were staring. “Monique, qu’est qu’il se passe avec Charlene?”

  Monique shook her head. “Elle me dit qu’elle ne parle pas français.”

  “Vraiment? Pourquoi?”

  “Je ne sais pas.”

  “Excuse me,” Gray said. “I wasn’t kidding about not speaking French.”

  Monique stood from the table. “Viens, Charlene. Je t’emmène à l’infirmerie.” She took her plate and walked off.

  “Hey!” Gray said, leaving her own plate behind. “I said I don’t speak French. That means I can’t understand it either.”

  She had little choice but to trot after Monique, who was swift on her long stick legs. Gray followed her up a s
tone stairway into a courtyard surrounded by a two-story stone structure, squaring them in. It resembled a fortress.

  Beyond the brick walls, a veil of clouds covered the courtyard. Her first time in a foreign country and the sky looked no different than the Pacific Northwest.

  “Am I in prison?”

  Laughter trickled from Monique’s lips. “Non, tu es au lycée.” At least she was amused enough to stop and allow Gray time to catch her breath.

  “What’s a lycée?”

  Monique grinned. “High school. Pas tout à fait une prison mais pas loin” Monique laughed again.

  “You wouldn’t happen to have a cigarette, would you?”

  A smile spread over Monique’s lips. She reached into her back pocket and extracted a pack of Virginia Slims. Gray took the one she offered. Monique stuck a second in her mouth then pocketed the pack. Clearly, she wanted Gray to lean in and light up with her over the Bic flame she produced.

  Gray mimicked her actions, inhaling when the flame touched the tip of her cigarette. Several coughs out of the way, Gray was taking a drag on the cigarette and blowing clouds as though she were a bona fide smoker. If Charlene wanted lung cancer, that was her problem.

  Gray shivered. Her jeans were tight, but at least she wasn’t wearing a short skirt. No doubt she had France to thank for Charlene’s improved sense of style. She quite liked the transparent green scarf with its little reflective circles draped around her neck.

  “Is this a boarding school as well?” Gray asked, pointing her cigarette in the direction of the outer wall.

  Monique exhaled a plume of smoke. “For some. Like you.”

  “How long have I been here?”

  Monique cocked her head to one side. “Un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq, six… six months.”

  “What day is it?”

  “Jeudi, eh, Thursday.” Monique began counting in French again. “Nine of February.”

  Gray coughed mid-drag.

  Monique’s brows rose. “Ça va?”

  “Can you take me to my room?”

  “Bien sûr.” Monique took one last drag of her cigarette then flicked it to the stone walkway.