“Tonight, at Midnight.”
Chapter Eighteen
Tonight, at Midnight
Movies like to make these grand missions seem so much more intense than they actually are. That being said, I felt all kinds of tense and nervous when I went to the Smith residence to join up with Walter. I can’t say the nerves had anything to do with the fact that I was about to destroy my father’s livelihood. As far as I was concerned, he had it coming. Most of my anxiety had everything to do with working with Walter. Or, rather, if we could work together. The guy was smug and annoying. Constant competition. He’d throw me under the bus the first chance he got…if buses existed back then. But sure, I’d put all of that aside and trust him to do his part.
We walked to the farm in silence, just how I preferred it. Then he drew up the boundaries for the spell with a chalky powder that smelled like salt but was in fact a combination of different rocks ground together. His patience impressed me. So detailed, so precise, with a touch of artistic flair. When he finished, he carefully blessed the remaining dust on his hands before sending it into the wind.
“Okay, light it on fire. Purify the place,” Walter said. “Stand right in the center and let it go.”
I gazed at him, unsure of if I should take him seriously. “Won’t we become obliterated in the process?”
“Not if I did my part correctly.” He smirked.
We stood back-to-back in the center, or where he claimed dead center to be. If he wasn’t right, we’d both be toast—literally. I couldn’t let my grudge against him keep me from trusting that he did his job correctly. Instead, I channeled that frustration into the magic billowing inside of me. Ever since I received my gifts, or became aware of them, it seemed like I constantly wanted to explode or unleash a storm. Even if I felt happy! The magic was just too great to hold in.
Letting go excited the beast within me. I always wanted to set it free, to be relieved of the pressure, so I didn’t end up hurting someone by accident.
I closed my eyes, spread out my hands, and the fire came. Later when Walter described it to the others, he said it was so bright it nearly blinded him yet had the most beautiful hues of turquoise and purple flowing throughout. Gorgeous. Life changing. I do recall him looking at me differently from that moment on. As if whatever doubts he had about me disappeared.
The magic poured out of me for what felt like only a few seconds but was in fact thirty minutes. Long enough it got the attention of the neighbors and my parents. Because the light was so bright; however, they couldn’t see the mysterious figure casting the spell. When it faded, Walter touched my arm.
“We have to go. Now.” His voice came out as a harsh whisper.
I didn’t move. I couldn’t. My body muscles might as well have been gelatin.
He tugged on me harder. “I mean it.” His gaze lifted to the person standing in front of us. A lone figure bold enough to dare enter the circle.
My dad.
That snapped me out of my daze. I turned on my heel. Walter and I ran from the circle. Dad shouted after us and moved like he wanted to make chase but stopped as he took in the fullness of the damage I’d caused. Under our feet as we ran was a dark, slick, rock. Obsidian. A thirty-foot radius of it covered the ground where the potatoes once grew.
I couldn’t stop and stare even though I wanted to take it all in with him. Doing so would have resulted in not only being identified, but also in my capture.
Walter and I sprinted through the remaining fields and deep into the forest. When we were positive no one followed us in, we paused to catch our breath.
“We really did that…yes?” I gazed at him, wheezing. “I’m not dreaming all of this up, am I?”
Walt shook his head, his eyes wide. “We are very much awake. You did it, and it was incredible.”
“We,” I corrected.
“I hardly did anything,” Walter mumbled.
I raised both of my eyebrows. “You did what I can’t, though. And I wouldn’t have been able to succeed without your help. The subtle pieces are more important than the grand ones. You of all people should understand that given your family position.”
Walter shrugged, but the slight smile he wore meant the message got through. I do nice things for the people I dislike. That ego boost propelled him to a rather prosperous future.
Good for him too because my adrenaline was wearing off rather quickly, and with that came a great deal of doubt. Emptied of my magic, of the fire igniting my soul, doubt soon turned to fear. If that power never returned…well, let’s just say I’d do anything to get it back.
I was hooked.
Chapter Nineteen
Finally, Some Answers
For the time being, I pushed my concerns aside and reveled in the satisfaction of a job well done. Walter did all of the talking at the dining table once we returned. Both of us were far too amped up to sleep still despite it being nearly three in the morning. Belinda brewed us some kind of sleeping potion that tasted like sugar cookies. I don’t believe there was any real magic in it, just comfort.
“I’ve never experienced anything so amazing,” Walter finished.
Lucretia smiled at me, a sparkle present in her eyes. Pride? Longing? A combination of both? Hard to say. The sadness returned soon after, and she shifted her gaze to Walt. “It’s only the beginning.”
“Yes,” Belinda said, watching the three of us rather intently. “Lucretia, please show
