The Spectrum Force Volume Four by Heather Ray (read the beginning after the end novel TXT) 📖

/> Instinctively, she tightened her grip around Keith's neck. As if sensing her unease, the red aura intensified, burning brightly and tingeing the entire world crimson.

"You okay?" Keith checked. Tamara was surprised to note that she could hear him very well; the howling of the wind had calmed when he'd raised his power.

"I'm fine," she assured him with a smile, "It just feels... different, flying this way."

He nodded. "Spectra told me about that. She said that the Spectrum Stones amplify the speed of our thoughts and reflexes, so we can navigate at very high speeds. Also, our armor serves as protection from the wind, pressure, and temperature extremes... but Spectra said we can boost our energy shields to compensate for a passenger. It's a careful balance to maintain; the faster we fly, the denser the shield needs to be. And if it's too powerful, people will see a really bright red streak in the sky."

Tamara gazed at him with new wonder. "You really put some thought into this," she realized.

A comfortable silence fell as Tamara nestled her head against his strong shoulder. The blazing red energy shaded the darkening sky, creating a violet canopy over the hills and valleys of the Earth. Tamara also experienced the awe-inspiring sight of the sun vanishing behind the undulating planes of middle America, it's warm light slowly fading as the sphere dipped beneath the horizon.

They flew over calm lakes, rapid rivers, peaceful farms, and vibrant cities. The experience was so spectacular, warm and safe in the powerful arms of her love while watching all the various landscapes pass beneath her, the time simply flew by. All too soon, Keith began to descend, drawing his power inward and orienting his feet to the ground.

"Now you have to close your eyes," he instructed, "I'll guide you."

Smiling indulgently, Tamara did as he requested. She felt her insides vaguely flip as gravity exerted its strength, pulling the pair down until they suddenly stopped. She heard the sound of a door sliding open, the padding of footsteps, and then he finally set her on her feet... on carpeting.

She discerned the flash of Keith releasing the red power through her eyelids. "Okay, you can look now."

She opened her eyes, and stared in absolute astonishment at the scene through the window.

"Oh... Keith!" she gasped. The colors and lights were overwhelming, with advertisements hanging from buildings tall enough to disappear out of her field of vision. Countless taxis and cars flooded the wide boulevard, casting brilliant yellow and red lights. Even more pedestrians crawled along the sidewalks, rippling like waves on an ocean. And small flakes of snow gently descended from the heavens, dusting the entire scene with a touch of magic.

"New York..."

It was every theater student's fantasy to explore the famous Broadway, where dozens of productions flourished. It was every teenaged girl's dream to stroll Fifth Avenue, and window shop in famous shops like Saks and Tiffany's. And who hadn't heard of the hundreds of restaurants, cafés, and clubs that lined the streets?

"This is my family's Manhattan apartment," Keith told her from behind. His breath was warm against her cheek as he wrapped his arms around her stomach, resting his chin on her shoulder. "It's got a great view."

"It's incredible..." she sighed, reaching to stroke his arms. As her hands traveled to his hands, her fingers brushed against paper. She stopped breathing as she glanced down to see his next surprise.

"You didn't

!" she squealed, plucking the two tickets from his hands, "Les Misérables!"

"You can't come to Manhattan and not see a show!" Keith responded, "You... you haven't seen this one, have you?"

She turned around in his embrace, rested her hands against the back of his head, and drew him down to meet her lips in a deep, lingering kiss.

When they withdrew, Keith was nearly breathless. "So, I guess I didn't screw this one up," he noted with a grin.

"It's perfect!" she assured him, wiping the mist from her eyes, "Just... perfect."

Chapter Fourteen

The cool breeze wove through the air, rustling the ivy vines that hugged the white stone arch that was the entrance to the Fine Arts school at Dreiser University. White steps climbed to the arch, meeting the white stone walkway that cut through the pristine green yard, with vibrant shrubs and small trees adding texture. The majestic Gothic building stood about fifty yards back from the arch, a work of art in and of itself.

The place felt like something from a fairy tale.

Matthew restlessly loosened the knot of his tie. He'd only been waiting for three minutes, but each second seemed to stretch on for hours. Any second now, he would come face to face with his perfect match.

Of course, he tried not to let that thought run away with him. After all, chances were very good that they wouldn't hit it off at all. The pressure of a blind date could easily make both agitated, resulting in a tolerable but not truly enjoyable evening. Or, they could determine that they have much in common, only they lack that spark of attraction that makes friends into something more.

His heart leapt into his throat at the sound of heels tapping along the stone walkway. He awkwardly straightened the rose pinned to his jacket, cleared his throat, and took a breath.

He heard the footsteps behind him draw ever closer.

"Um, excuse me," said a timid, startlingly familiar voice, "I..."

Matthew spun around, confusion wrinkling his brow. He knew that voice as well as his own. His widened as they were treated to a sight that swept his breath away.

A simple burgundy slip dress draped her body, tapering in a ruffled fringe just above her knee. A graceful strand of pearls adorned her neck, matching the pendulum earrings that hung from her ears. Her golden brown hair was arranged in deceptively simple tousled locks, brushing against her bare shoulders and framing her lovely, though stunned, face.

Matthew was completely speechless.

"Matt??" she cried, her hazel eyes wide as she took a step back, "Is that you? You look..."

Her face quickly erupted in guilty blush, her hand self-consciously threading a tendril of hair as she brushed the disquieting thought away quickly. "What are you doing here?"

It was then that Jocelyn noticed the rose that contrasted sharply to the deep black of his suit. It still took a few moments for her distracted mind to make the obvious connection.

"You're... my date?"

Jocelyn's bewildered stare melted through Matthew's stupefaction, causing a smile to highlight his face. At first, he smiled... but the smile soon became a chuckle.

"What's so funny?" she asked, even more confused by Matthew's reaction.

Despite herself, she began laughing as well, gratefully easing her tension.

"And here I was, expecting the most stressful night of my life," Matt said, between laughs, "You have no idea how nervous I was!"

Jocelyn wiped a tear from her eyes as she spoke between giggles. "I think I have some idea. If Rachel hadn't shoved me out of the apartment, I might not have made it at all!"

Her laughs tapering, she wove her arm through his. "I can't think of anyone I'd rather spend Valentine's Day with, than my best friend."

A warm grin suffused Matt's face. "Neither can I."

Chapter Fifteen

For some bizarre reason, Rachel couldn't lose herself in the novel she had selected. She'd covered some seven pages that evening, but could hardly remember what was going on.

All she could think about was Jocelyn and Matt, taking a bold step in their friendship without even realizing it. And Keith and Tamara, who seemed just as deeply in love as ever, even though they'd been seeing each other for nearly a year.

And for the first time in quite a while, Rachel felt like she was missing out on something.

She ruthlessly buried that thought as soon as it formed. I have to stop letting Tamara's naïve ideas about romance get to me! she asserted, Getting involved with someone is time-consuming, distracting, and... risky...

With a frustrated breath, Rachel closed her novel and set it on the coffee table. Resigning herself to a mindless evening watching whatever movies were available, she picked up the television remote and began channel surfing.

About five minutes after she'd settled on stand-up comedy, a knock at the door drew her attention. Faintly curious, Rachel stood up and peeked through the lens. Smirking, she opened the door for the visitor.

"What's up? Run out of chips?"

Craig grinned guiltily. "I think Matt dipped into my Frito stash over the weekend... probably nervous about that date of his."

"Well, you're welcome to see what we've got," Rachel offered, ushering her friend inside, "We don't have corn chips, but we do have Tostidos and guacamole."

The athlete pulled a face. "That's avocado, right?"

"My mom's recipe. It makes a great snack."

Craig began shuffling through the cabinets, pulling out items that seemed appetizing. He grimaced as he read the label on one package. "Snackwell reduced fat chocolate chip cookies? Jeez... what's the point?"

Rachel rolled her eyes at his ignorance, and grabbed the box. "Try it before you knock it," she advised, stuffing a bite-sized cookie into his mouth.

Craig frowned thoughtfully as he chewed the snack. "Definitely not Mrs. Fields... but not too bad."

He took the box, and piled it in his arms along with the other snacks as he headed for the television. "So where's Jocie? Getting a head start on final exams?"

"Actually, she's on a date. With Matt."

Incredibly, Craig didn't seem surprised. "Good for them," he decided. He fell into the couch, turning the volume up on the television. "So I guess we're both flying solo this Valentine's, huh?"

Rachel sat down beside him, setting a bowl of guacamole on the table. "It's just another day, Craig."

He grinned at her, dipping a chip into the green paste and taking an experimental bite. He savored the taste for a moment before nodding. "This is