Page 33 of Elmwood Inclusive Magic Academy
She deposits Rae carefully on her bed and we both huddle around her. Her eyes are fluttering open and shut. Her right side is coated in blood. There’s a deep gash across her bare chest.
“It’s superficial, but it’s not good,” Hallie moans, wringing her hands. “I gave her some blood, then I brought her here. I didn’t know what to do!”
I gap at her. “Youwhat?”
“I gave her some of my blood! It has healing properties, I think it helped a bit, but…I’m too young, it couldn’t do any more!”
I look at Hallie, incredulously. I didn’t notice before, but there’s red residue on the corners of her mouth.
My head is spinning, but there’s no time to ask questions. Dark red blood is starting to pool around Rae. I have a strong urge to take her hand.
“We have to get my mom,” I say.
“Can’t…” Rae mutters. Her head lolls toward me. “No…witches…”
“She’s right,” Hallie says. “Her whole pack will get in trouble if your mom and Professor Vyas find out she was in another fight. Oh, I shouldneverhave asked her to go hunting with me. I bet this happened because we were together!”
Pan scratches my hand with his tiny claws. “Maggie, you’ve got todosomething!”
“Ok, ok.” I inhale, trying to center myself. “What do we do?”
“A healing potion?” Hallie offers. “Professor Cortes said that there are local herbs that can help…”
I look at the gaping wound across Rae’s side. “Hallie, I don’t think a healing potion is going to cut it for this one!”
I close my eyes, trying hard to think.What would my mother do if she was here?Then I remember our charms class, and Gwen’s paper cut.
“Oh! What about a healing spell?”
“Great!” Hallie smiles hopefully. “Go ahead, Maggie.”
“What?Me?”
“Yeah, of course! I have a little bit of training, but I’m still a vampire. You’re a witch, with three super-powerful moms,oneof whom has healing abilities. You can do it! Remember, you lit the candle!”
“Lighting a candle is different thanthis…”
“Ahhh,” Rae moans softly. Her eyes are closed, lips parted slightly. I can’t imagine how much pain she must be in. I remember our last interaction on the academy grounds. How she smiled at me…the way the moonlight shone on her skin.
My chest is tight, but I feel a rush of adrenaline and…something else I can’t describe.
“Here,” Hallie grabs her bag from off the floor and pulls out a large, formidable book. She riffles quickly through the pages. “Healing spells. I was looking them up before, after your mom healed Gwen’s finger. I thought it was kind of cool…didn’t realize it would come in handy so quickly.”
She finds the page and puts her finger on the text with a nod. “Listen: don’t think of healing like you’re fixing something. Think of it like you’re supporting the body to do what it naturally does.”
“Ok,” I say, my voice barely audible.
Pan jumps on my shoulder, and whispers in my ear. “I’ll help you, Maggie. I can amplify your natural abilities.”
“I’m not sure if there’s much to amplify,” I mutter.
“Don’t say that, Maggie,” Hallie whispers. “You can do it, I know you can. You don’t have to heal her completely, just close her wound up.”
I nod. Rae looks so vulnerable. So unlike her usual self. I hover my hands over her wound, trying not to be distracted by the bright red blood…or the fact that she’s completely naked right now. I’ve never been so close to her in her human form. I can feel the heat radiate off her body.
I close my eyes. She’s relying on me. If I can’t help her, then we’ll have to go to Professor Vyas, and Rae could be expelled. Would they send her to that magical prison, the Cave? I can’t let them do that. I have to help her. I have to give this everything I’ve got.
And suddenly, I have a feeling like that moment in the clearing. Everything clicks into place. I don’t know if it’s adrenaline, or something else. My hands pulse with a warm, glowing strength. I can feel Pan on my shoulder, helping the magic along.
