Page 11 of Tricky Magic
Ellea’s lips pursed.
Everyone knew who she was.
Her finishing school lessons took over, and she morphed into the ever-polite council member’s granddaughter.
“Hello, Sybil,” Ellea said with a bow of her head. “You look lovely.”
“You look lovely, Ellea,” Sybil replied, her voice rasped with age.
Ellea turned towards Gesa, who smiled, but her eyes were glued to something over Ellea’s shoulder. She turned and followed her stare to see Luke and Aiden engaged in a conversation with two older male witches. Ellea smirked. She didn’t blame the young witch, and she found that she didn’t feel any jealousy. Both men caught them staring and waved with wide grins. She could have sworn she heard Gesa groan. Ellea’s gaze snagged further into the room, seeing Isaac speaking with his father. Both men looked at her at the same time, and it was all Ellea could do to not grimace at their appraising gazes.
“Now, now, Ellea...” Sybil’s wavering voice made her turn. “Take my hand and let me have a proper look at you.”
Ellea’s eyes went wide. What Sybil was implying wasn’t a look at her appearance, but her future. She tried stepping back, but the witch grabbed her hand.
“Where is that fearlessness I know and love?” the witch asked in a commanding voice that did not show her age. She pulled her closer with astounding strength. Her free hand pressed against her cheek, and Ellea couldn’t help but gasp.
Her blue eyes bore into Ellea’s, and time held its breath as the room of witches faded and it was only them standing under the ballroom ceiling. Ellea felt dizzy under Sybil’s magic, and she jumped when her voice rang in her head.
“Oh, girl.”
“What do you see, Sybil?” Ellea said barely above a whisper. The room began to turn slowly as Sybil’s eyes became cloudy.
“Fears evolve and grow, welcoming another, one whose power will balance yours in destruction. You feed his fire as he feeds your chaos. You will turn worlds upside down,” Sybil finished in a voice that crept into Ellea’s mind, burying itself deep as her vision echoed. The room righted itself, and the ringing in Ellea’s ears was replaced with the chatter of the party.
Her stomach turned, but Sybil was calm, a small smile on her face.
Destruction…chaos…fire.
It was the same as the vision she had always had, but Sybil was implying there was someone else. She almost jumped out of her skin when Isaac inserted himself between them.
“Hello, Sybil, Gesa. You ladies look stunning tonight. Happy celebrations!” He forced Ellea away from them, and she didn’t miss the look of distaste on Sybil’s face. “Come on, kitten. Let’s get you to your nana so she can start the celebration.”
She looked up at Isaac as a feeling of dread crept over her shoulders and down her back. Shaking it off the best she could, she searched for her familiar. The large beast was waiting for her at a set of doors that lead to the massive lawn. Ellea had to force Isaac’s hand off of her wrist before she could step away from him.
You okay, Bug?Billy asked.
Ellea reached a shaking hand to Billy’s large head and let her warmth and soft fur calm her.
This is nothing new. You’re fine.
Billy’s eyes looked worried, but Ellea nodded and headed out into the night with the boys trailing behind her. They stepped out of the ballroom to the back property, where it was calm and warm. The breeze off of the coast smelled of salt, pines, and fresh air. She inhaled deeply, letting it all calm her as she headed to her family with a small—and very fake—smile placed on her face.
Ellea weaved through the crowd of witches who continued to whisper insults and accusations, but she kept her chin high and walked right past them. Once her eyes met her nana’s, she relaxed and let a true smile grace her face. Jadis and Felix stood close to where the extensive property ended at a cliff. A calm sea met a blanket of stars, and a crescent moon hung high in the night sky. Her nana placed her hand on Ellea’s face and spoke words she’d said since she was young.
“You need no one but us and the stars. They are nothing but words and mean souls.”
Jadis said it so low that only Ellea could hear it, but she’d heard those words so many times that they could be in the middle of a storm and she would know what her nana was saying. She pulled her hand off her face and kissed her palm. Ellea and Billy took their place between her nana and uncle and looked upon all the other witches standing between them in the manor. Ellea raised her chin once more and let her gaze hang over the crowd to focus on the house, separating herself. She wanted to be here for her family, but that was all.
Jadis’s voice rang through the crowd, her hands held high, and the calm sea turned with aggression as waves crashed against the rocky shore.
“Lughnasadh blessings, witches.”
“Lughnasadh blessings,” they repeated.
“As the wheel turns us slowly away from summer, we welcome those that are new, celebrate those who have left, and those who seek power. We bless you with energy. Manifest true. Set strong intentions. Celebrate life. Celebrate death. May your harvest be bountiful and may the universe bless you with warmth.” As Jadis finished, the enormous bonfire was lit, casting the field in a sudden, harsh light. The witches all gasped.
Did they not notice the giant s’mores maker on their way out?Billy said with a snicker.
