Page 11 of Dark Embers

“I’m gonna have to get you a t-shirt with a kitten and a rainbow on it.” The man needed some color. And irony.

I pushed the garments aside, revealing what looked like an electrical panel in the wall. I hesitated a moment longer, the sizzling in my nerves reaching a fever pitch. This was what I’d come for, but now that I was here, it kind of terrified me.

What if I couldn’t read it? Or I found out I wasn’t powerful enough for the bigger spells? Or was the book set to destroy anyone magical who dared open its pages who wasn’t of the bloodline that created it?

I inhaled long and slow. “Only one way to find out.”

I opened the aluminum panel door, revealing warning stickers, some switches, and a set of dials. I focused on the dials, entering the code Julian had given me.Two-nine-zero-seven.

My fingers shook as I grabbed a switch and began pulling. The inner door opened easily, and I let it swing wide.

The smell hit me first, bearing the distinctive scent of aged paper and leather. There was almost a sweeter scent beneath it, like peach or apple juice had been dribbled on it at some point.

I reached a tentative hand in, as if the book might grow fangs and bite me like in Harry Potter. When I made contact, I jerked my hand back, a strange zap tingling in my fingertips.

Static electricity, I tried to reassure myself.

On a sudden impulse, I plunged my hand back in, snatching the book out before I had the chance to freak out again.

I took the heavy tome to the kitchen counter, wishing I had a barstool or something to sit on. I cast a glance at the chair in the corner but decided against it. There was no way I was gonna risk breaking that thing.

I needed a moment to take this all in. Who knew what I’d face when I got back home? There was no way I’d be bringing this out in front of Gram. She could never know I had it.

The cover looked typical of old books, both simplistic and ornate at the same time. There were no words on the front, nothing visual to mark it as a book of spells, but I couldfeelthat it wasn’t ordinary. It was almost as if the book called to me, and I found a strange comfort in the feel of it.

I cracked the book open, pages rustling, a fresh waft of ancient dust filling my nostrils and flavoring my tongue. Right away, I recognized some of the words. I thought again of Julian’s accent and wondered just how old he was.

Turning a few more pages, I gaped at the drawings and descriptions, the spells and potions. This book was a treasure trove, and I intended to soak up as much of it as I could.

Another turn of the page and my eyes lit up. “You can change the color of fire?”

I had no idea what witch had come up with that idea or why. Not exactly a practical spell.

“Ihaveto try it.”

I read over the word for blue a few times, letting the consonants and vowels roll around in my head until I was sure I had it. I licked my lips, then held out my hand in front of me.

“Irtiu nesret.”

Bright blue flames flared from my palm, casting a turquoise glow on the marble countertops. I dispelled the magic and shook my hand.

Greedily, my eyes roved over the page until I spotted a spell for green flames. An impish grin split my lips. “Harry Potter, eat your heart out. Waj nesret. Ack!”

The green flames jumped from my hand, skittering across the wood flooring until it smacked into the bottom of the long drapes. My eyes widened as the fire took to the fabric, starting to lick up the edge.

“No! No, no, no!”

I looked around the kitchen, but, of course, he didn’t have a fire extinguisher. I scanned the surfaces, but there wasn’t anything—not a bowl or cup or vase—to gather water in. I flung open the cabinets, casting backward glances at the growing fire. The green had bled from the flames, but the curtains were still burning.

I briefly considered flipping through the book for a new spell, but I had no idea how long it would take to find what I needed. So, I kept searching, but the place truly was barren.

“Think!” I hit my head with the heel of my palm, then glanced at the fridge. The drawers! I could pull one of them out to fill it with water.

I jerked open the door, but the sight that greeted me stopped me in my tracks.

Blood bags.

The red liquid inside was dark, and the plastic frosted as the apartment air hit them. I gagged and instantly averted my gaze, yanking the drawer out and slamming the door closed. It hit and slowly eased back open. I didn’t wait to watch a second time.

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