Page 27 of How To Summon A Memory
“Take a deep breath,” Florence says.
“And let it out,” I say. We do this a couple of times until the jittery energy in the class dissolves. “Start wherever you want and follow the directions on the card.” I lift one of the cards. “When you’re finished at the station, call for one of us, explain what you’d done, then demonstrate the potion is correct.”
“Everyone got it?” Florence asks.
The class nods and we release them to start. Florence and I sit on top of one of the unused lab tables to watch. They have three hours for seven potions and a few have to simmer for at least an hour.
Tanner is smart and moves through all the stations, reading all the cards before he starts. He chooses the one with the longest simmer time, gets it started, then moves on to the next longest. Courtney must realize there are different simmer times and rushes to check them all before going back to where she started. The other two sticks with where they’re at, but I know they’ll figure it all out in the end.
“What are you wearing to the masquerade party tomorrow?” Florence asks.
“Dunno, probably just a mask. I don’t want to really dress up. That’s never been my thing.”
“I know, but you’d look cute all dressed up for your demon,” they whisper as they lean their head against my shoulder.
My demon. “I should be figuring out the stupid memory spell.”
“We’ll get it all worked out, Ethan.” They squeeze my hand as Darla and Phillip both call out for their first potion.
“I’ll take it.” I hop off the table and make my way to the pair, who eagerly tell me everything before downing the concoction. Their eyes change colors and I declare they passed the first potion test, a simple glamor.
I catch my reflection in the window when I make my way back to Florence, noticing the thin chain around my neck. I never take off the pendant because it keeps the rampant magic in check. Or so that’s what my grandmother told me when she begged me to wear it and permanently fused it on. She’d told me it was a safeguard before I was bound to someone. But what if that’s not what it is?
I settle back on top of the table. “What if this is the memory spell?”
Florence eyes the pendant I pull from under my shirt. It’s a sapphire teardrop wrapped in wire. I can’t remember when my grandmother gave it to me, but I’ve worn it for years.
They finger the pendant. “I always forget you have this.”
“Maybe it’s made to be forgotten. Which would make sense if it’s really a memory charm.”
“What if it’s what Cordia said, but also a memory spell?” Florence asks. “We can’t leave you vulnerable. I don’t think magic can actually tell time. What if it thinks it’s time to tear you apart now and not a year from now?”
“Are we sure the magicwillrip me apart?” I kick my legs, needing to move again. Sitting still hurts and I jump off the table. “I’ve been told all my life the magic is too much for me, but is it?”
“You don’t remember.” Florence meets me on the floor and paces with me.
“Apparently not? I don’t remember the magic being so bad I needed—” I wave to the pendant.
“You almost died, Ethan. I was spending the night, and you started… vibrating? I’m not sure what to call it. Your eyes went to the back of your head and you got so hot we had to get you into the shower to cool you off, but nothing worked. Not even cooling spells. Sparks flew from your fingertips. Cordia took you outside because you were destroying the house. The healers said if we didn’t contain the magic, you’d die sooner than expected without a bond. I offered myself, but Cordia said she wouldn’t bind children together.”
It takes me time to process everything they said. “I don’t remember any of that.”
“Maybe it was too traumatic? Maybe the pendant does affect your memory, but do we want to put your life on the line to test the theory?”
I pace, but my thoughts are interrupted when Tanner shouts that he’s ready. I rush over so I don’t have to face Florence. Of course, my answer to their question is yes. Yes, I’d put my life on the line to test the theory, but I’ll be smarter than that.
Chapter 14
Ethan
The hallways are so damnquiet at the end of the semester. I can hear myself breathe as I make it to my grandmother’s office, where I’m not surprised to find her waiting for me.
“Have you made your decision?” I ask as I drop into the seat across from her.
Her lips twitch. “I have conditions.”
“No.” I pull out my phone, ready to call a meeting of the covens.
