Page 52 of Lila

The other witch squeaks and breaks into a run down the street. Alyssa curses and stalks after her, leaving me facing Cybil.

Cybil holds the fearmonger relic in front of her as though it can protect her from me. In her free hand, a ball of reddish magical fire forms. “Stay the fuck back!”

I had never fought anyone before in my life. I could see curses and heal them, but I had never cast one. But if Cybil could do it, how hard could it be? I hold my hand out like her and will a fireball to form. When it doesn’t come she laughs, pissing me off even more. Nobody laughs at me. I’m a strong, powerful witch. I can do this.

As I’m psyching myself up, Cybil flings a fireball at me. I duck at the last second and it sails over my head.Holy shit. That was close!

Having clearly decided I’m no threat, she advances on me, shooting magic fireballs at me as I clumsily dodge them.Come on, Lila.Dosomething. You’re not helpless. You can beat this bitch.Think.

I hide behind a newspaper stand and think of all the spells I know. I don’t know any fighting spells. I’ve always used my powers for good. I don’t want to turn into a dark wizard. But this is self-defense. I still have good intentions. Even if I’m not using the spell for its intended purpose. Finally, I mutter a spell in Romanian and peek my head out to see Cybil. She’s stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, wrapped so tight in a blanket she can’t move.

Stepping out of my hidey place, I smirk at her as I approach. “Awe. Look at you, all snug as a bug. Libby loved that spell. She always said she had the best night's sleep when I did it.”

“You may have tied my hands, but I can still talk, bitch. And that means I can cast-”

Her words are cut off as her lips seal together. “Thanks for reminding me.” I smile. “That’s my glue spell, by the way. It keeps my nails on until I’m ready to take them off. Your lips won’t be separating until I let them.”

Hatred flares in her eyes as I stop in front of her. I look down the blanket and see the medallion. I pluck it out of her hand and grin. “I’ll take this.”

Alyssa comes back with Nicole tied up with purple and black magic. “I knew you had it in you,” she praises as she admires my handiwork.

“Thanks. I was a little worried for a second.” I chuckle.

“You did good. I’ll take the relic. No one needs that kind of power.”

She said she knows all about relics, and she did help me. I don’t think she’d take it just to use it herself, but I have to ask. “What are you going to do with it?”

“Hide it so no one can ever find it. It’s what I do to the relics my friend just gives away… long story.” She shrugs as if it’s nothing, but I can tell how serious she is. But I don’t need to know the details. I trust her, so I hand over the relic.

“Thank you,” she says as a police car stops next to us with its lights and sirens going.

A tall officer with short brown hair and bulging biceps struts over to us while his older partner sighs heavily and follows behind him.

“What’s going on here, ladies?” the tall slab of muscle asks.

“We had reports of flying fireballs. Either of you care to explain?” the veteran officer asks, arching a brow.

“I can. These two witches attacked me and put a spell on my mates. Alyssa saw what they were doing and stepped in to help.”

“I see. That was very kind of you, Alyssa,” the older officer says.

“Nice job subduing the suspects.” Muscle man nods in approval as he looks over Cybil and Nicole.

They read Cybil and Nicole their rights before loading them into the backseat of their cruiser. With the two witches secured, the officers return with more questions.

“What’s your name, Miss?” the senior officer asks.

“Lila. Lila Thorn.”

He jots it down in a little notebook before looking back at me. “And your number? We need a way to contact you about the case,” he explains.

Nodding, I give him my number and address. Finally, they leave and I can find Mateo. I lost track of him during the fight. He could be anywhere by now.

“Figure out how to make your mates remember you?” Alyssa asks, cutting into my thoughts.

“First, I have to find them. Then I’m hoping something will come to me. Normally I can undo curses, but this didn’t look like a curse. I don’t know what it is.”

“Oh. You mean that guy that was with you? He’s still hanging out by BBW.” She points to the smoothie cafe where I last saw Mateo, and sure enough, there he is.Why didn’t he leave?

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