Page 58 of Spellbound
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Today was the day.I slumped my shoulders as I ambled toward the test room to take the pointless exam I didn’t stand a chance of passing, especially when pitted against a god. One I’d done things with yesterday. I closed my eyes. The embarrassment of being caught was still fresh.
I sent a magic quill to Naomi before going inside.Good luck today. I know you can do it. I know you’re still mad but please come to the realization Craig is an ass faster. I miss and love you. Elle.
I needed to see her. I wished I could talk to someone about everything that had happened, but Maddox was a no-go for obvious reasons, the same reasons I couldn’t tell Edmund or Dora. Naomi was a possible option, but I was also afraid that if I said anything to her and Raiden found out, he’d hurt her for it.
Maddox stood in front of the doors to the study where the test was being held. I hadn’t seen him since he caught us. I’d tried to find him, but Edmund said he needed his rest. “I’m glad you’re home and okay,” I said when I reached him. I wrapped my arms around him, and he held me tight.
“I’m worried I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you shooting that guy.”
“I wouldn’t tell Edmund that part,” I said. “He thinks Ialmostshot someone.”
“Where is the guy you shot?”
“Got away.” I glanced at my feet. “I’m sorry you saw what you did yesterday.”
He chuckled. “Girl, I am not one to talk. Pot, kettle, black. You do you. He’s hot and you’re beautiful. It’s a good match.”
It was my turn to laugh. “It’s a terrible, terrible match and will never happen again.”
“Sure,” he said rather unconvincingly. “Now focus. I want you to pass.” He touched the side of my cheek, and I wanted to cry.
My eyes glossed, watering the image of Maddox. I wasn’t going to pass. There was no way. Raiden would and then he would become the next keeper, steal the keys, and then what? Would he leave? Would the keeper spot open up again? I hadn’t thought that far ahead.
“Also, Elle.” Maddox arched an eyebrow. “Don’t try to cheat again. There’s a charm placed on the room to alert any magical interference.”
“What do you mean?” I feigned innocence. I hadn’t actually stolen the Joker’s Ball, and how would he know I’d wanted to?
“I heard you searching through Edmund’s office. I know what’s in there.”
That was why he’d taken to reading in the room across from Edmund’s office the nights after. It made sense now. “I was never going to take it.”
“Good.” He didn’t say anything more. “Go on in. You’ve got this.”
He opened the door. Edmund waited for me behind a desk. The room had been mostly cleared out, save for one bookshelf. In the middle of the room was a polished stone on the ground, marked with various symbols.
Edmund pulled at the sleeves of his tweed suit, then looked at his gold watch. “Just in time. Now, step into the middle.” He pointed at the large round stone lying flat, engraved with ancient symbols. It covered half the room. “It’s a magic enhancer. Today you’ll be given two top-level objects to manage, and an ancient text stone to translate.”
“This is it?” I looked around for exam papers. “Why did I need to study so much?”
“Knowledge is important to become a keeper, and I wanted to make sure you took it seriously. If I told you this would be the test, it’s all you would have worked on.”
My heart raced when I saw the first object. Pandora’s Box. I’d heard of it. Who hadn’t? It was filled with forbidden magic and had killed the seven humans who found it. Filled with deadly sins in curse form, it was one of the most powerful objects in the mansion. My lips parted. I couldn’t control them.
“Is this used for everyone’s test?”
“If you’re asking if we all passed it, then yes, we did.” He placed the chest on the stone. “The stone will contain all magic and enhance your own. We use it when accessing the objects from the vaults. I need you to concentrate. They are only curses. It’s not unlike any you’ve managed before. Remember, you have dark magic running through your veins. Any fears or self-doubt the sins will try to use to make you submit. The stone will now be cloaked, and the barrier will go up for our safety and for you to concentrate. We won’t be able to see or hear you now. You’re on your own for this test.” He moved his black-framed glasses back up his nose. “Good luck. I know you can do this. You just need to focus.” He snapped his fingers, and darkness covered me. A small orb of light floated overhead, illuminating the black barrier surrounding the circular stone.
