Page 8 of How To Summon A Memory
I finally take in my surroundings. The old blue gray wallpaper with lines of roses tells me I’m in my former bedroom of my grandmother’s mansion instead of my studio apartment on campus. My bed is still comfortable at least. The floral scent that seems to permeate every wall of the house starts to seep through my senses and I have to breathe through my mouth to get away from it.
“I might have a way to get out into Hex proper,” I whisper, not sure if my grandmother rigged surveillance in my room or not. She used to.
Florence leans their head closer. “Yeah? Last time…” They look away from me and wring the wash cloth.
“The cloaking crystals didn’t work because they just cloaked our physical bodies. Knowing that, I think the perimeter spells are linked to our essence.”
“We can’t change our essence. It’s who we are.”
“True, but we can mask it.”
The telltale clip of my grandmother’s heels comes from the hallway. I shut my eyes and settle into the bed, acting like I’m still asleep. The door creaks open and the shuffle of her long skirt fills the room as she makes her way to me. Her bracelets jangle as she lifts a warm hand to press against my cheek when she leans in and softly kisses my forehead.
“Still not awake?” she asks.
“Not yet,” Florence sighs and dabs at my skin.
“My poor sweet grandbaby,” grandmother murmurs. “I came to tell you I won’t be able to come in tonight. I called a meeting of the covens and the only time everyone can meet is tonight. Do you mind staying?” She squeezes my hand.
“Not at all.” Another dab to my cheek.
“Thank you. I should be able to relieve you in the morning.”
“It’s my pleasure.”
Grandmother’s skirts swish as she turns and leaves the room, snicking the door shut behind her. I push back to my elbows and grin at my best friend. I couldn’t have planned the meeting better myself.
Florence leans in. “How do we mask our very essence?”
I look around and my grin grows wider. “We play dress up.”
Florence cocks a brow. “Wearing your grandmother’s clothes?—”
“We shower, dress in something we don’t own, infuse a crystal with that essence, and we should be good. It’ll confuse the perimeter spells at the very least.”
“It’s risky. When I said we should go to the party, I just meant you could ask Cordia for a day pass for your birthday.”
I shrug. “We could do that. I’m sure it’d be a hard sell, especially after…” I wave my hand over myself. “The poisoning.”
She snorts. “We’re not calling it that.”
“The disaster.”
“You are so dramatic, Ethan.”
“You have met my grandmother.” That woman has the flare for dramatics, and she raised me since I was ten. We both snort.
Florence squeezes my hand. “Okay, but you still need rest. Youjustwoke up.”
“I feel fine. And I really need a shower. Do you smell me?” I wave my hand over to them and they just shake their head.
“Your grandmother has been here just as much as I have. She’s worried about you.”
“Of course she is,” I mumble as I sit up all the way.
Florence hands me a water bottle and I drink, not realizing how dry my mouth is.
“Not too much.” They pat my hand, and I set the bottle on the nightstand beside me.
