Page 23 of Tricky Magic
8
Ellea
Monday morning greeted her through unshielded windows. She could have sworn she shut them before crawling into bed last night. With a wave of her hand, the curtains closed, and she burrowed back under her blankets.
It had been a long time since the stars had spoken to her, but they did last night. While she stood at the end of the dock, they sang a beautiful melody and welcomed her home. She held onto that sound as she tried to find sleep once again.
Dreams of walking through the forest, skirting along the lake under a sky that wanted her to know she was home and safe, were rudely interrupted. The curtains angrily opened once again, and Ellea glared at the ceiling through her assaulted eyelids.
“You are not like the other home, are you?” she grumbled. Billy was lying next to her, trying to shove her big head under a free pillow. With a sigh, Ellea tossed her blankets aside and got out of bed. It had taken a four-hour drive to get here, and she was feeling it. After stretching her naked body dramatically, she made her way to the large windows.
From her bedroom, she could see everything. The large lake glittered under the sun that hung above the lush trees. She could easily make out the green cabin across from hers. The third cabin sat high on one of the many hills, but it was barely visible through the dense forest. It had been some time since she’d visited the cabin, and the bedroom had been updated since then. The small bed had been replaced with a king-sized one. Pale green walls were now a soft cream color. The ceiling and floors had been updated with a deep black wood instead of the stone she’d grown up with.
She had lived in many houses growing up, but this cabin was always something more. No matter the color of the paint, she could always rely on this place to settle her. Her uncle and nana had brought her here when her powers needed taming. They seemed calm now, as calm as the lake before her. Her powers opened a crack at the memories of messing with Isadora and attacking Isaac. A single crackle of amusement ran under her skin at the thought of doing it again, but it was smothered as she remembered hurting her uncle. Ellea turned quickly away from the window. She needed a shower, not to stand there thinking of her magic or how she had failed.
Leaving her bedroom and Billy behind, she headed for the attached bathroom. The theme of cream-colored walls stopped at the threshold, and her favorite color greeted her. The skylight was the only source of light, but she could make out the black tiled walls, glass-encased shower, and a deep, black bathtub. At her house in Halifax, the light would have been on and the steam already rolling out of the shower. Here, nothing greeted her.
There was power in this cabin, but it was turning its magical shoulder at her. It seemed she would have to fend for herself.
Once showered and dressed, Ellea headed downstairs, passing the three other bedrooms in the cabin. The top floor was only meant for living space. The open first floor had a large dining room and a library on the lake side of the house. The kitchen and other sitting areas were placed toward the front. She would have to check out the greenhouse on the property to see what state it was in. But first, coffee. Ellea headed straight for the kitchen to hunt it down.
The home may be ignoring her, but thankfully, she’d remembered to bring her fancy espresso machine. Going without cell service was one thing, going without coffee would have been pure torture. Opening the fridge, she grabbed her cream and homemade syrup. Placing it with her favorite black mug, she got to work on her favorite coffee.
She tried not to think about everything that happened over the past few days as she steamed the cream. Life had been moving along fine—normal, but fine. Now she had no lovers, some pissed-off witches, and was in a nowhere town with zero cell service and no easy ways to contact the outside world. Even though it was a drastic change, it felt somewhat right.
Billy padded down the steps as Ellea had her coffee in hand. The beast stretched and yawned while Ellea slipped on her boots.
What is our plan for today, Bug?her familiar asked with a groggy voice.
“I want to check on the greenhouse and property,” Ellea said, opening the front door. “Then maybe some reading.”
When are we going to get to work on your magic?Billy asked, following after her.
“Don’t bring my magic up until I have finished my coffee, Billy,” she said a bit sternly. She didn’t want to think of it yet. She needed to settle in first and figure out which direction to go. She wouldn’t mind some relaxation time with a good book, or a few good books.
Billy and Ellea headed out to the small porch. The cabin itself was a deep gray with wood shutters and a tin roof. Some plants hung over the porch, and a few rocking chairs sat ready to be used. She couldn’t wait for it to be cooler so she could sit out here and watch the leaves change.
Gravel and dirt crunched under their feet as they headed toward the greenhouse. Years of weather had turned the glass structure opaque. She was worried about what she would find upon opening the door.
Ellea reached out and turned the rusted handle. An ominous creek sounded as she pulled the door toward her. The musky smell of dirt, old wood, and neglect clung to her nose. Peeking her head through the door, she saw empty flower beds with dried dirt, dead leaves scattered across the tiled floor, a cast iron sink, and old wooden chairs. Billy sneezed dramatically and began walking back to the cabin.
I’m taking a nap,she said with a yawn.
Ellea looked back inside the greenhouse. The dirt and dust sparkled in the rays of light that managed to make their way in. She breathed in deeply, and the memory of a smell tugged at her. The musky, neglected scent reminded her of dark basements and being punished for something she couldn’t control. She shook her head to rid the creeping memory of her parents.
She had barely been up for twenty minutes; it was too early for this.
“Yeah, that sounds like a good idea,” Ellea said after her. Closing the greenhouse door, she headed back inside. There was plenty of time to explore and work things out—later.
* * *
Ellea had been coopedup in the cabin for far too long. She could only read so much smut and deal with so much side-eye from Billy. It had also been a week since she had done any training or exercise.
“I think I should go for a run,” Ellea announced to the mush of a dog lying on the sofa.
Good, maybe that will get you to take a shower,Billy grumbled at her.
“I think we should both go for a run,” Ellea said, stretching and choosing to ignore Billy’s sass. “Let’s get out of the cabin and head to town. It’s only a couple of miles. Come on! You may meet someone you can entertain yourself with.”
