Embrace (7 page)

The murky face in the water stammered, speechless for an entire minute.

“I know,” continued Amelia. “This is a circumstance none of us expected.”

“What has been decided?” asked the informant, remembering that the tradition was to kill these children before they could reach full maturity and thus, come into full, unstoppable power.

“We cannot come to a unanimous decision. However, we needed to warn you. By this point, the Grosvenor and all in the magical world will have discovered this information.

Eventually, this knowledge will come to those of you who travel, too! Everyone will know about this child. Everyone will be hunting the Projector… whether to kill or conquer.” The informant acknowledged this.

“I will pass this information along to the rest. We will follow whatever decision you make, Amelia Cobb, rightful Banon to the Svoda Gypsies.”

Amelia’s comforting smile waved through the puddle rings. Her face then vanished, leaving the informant alone.

32

“How grave,” he muttered, “that a poor child is out there, fated to die, because of a limitless magic that cannot be controlled.” He then whisked away to speak to his fellow informants.

Colin glanced at Meghan’s empty bed. This would take some getting used to. As much as he enjoyed the fact that he would have more time on his own, not having his sister around still made him uncomfortable. He wondered if he should be more worried about it. Would Juliska allow Meghan to return once her task with Ivan was completed?

Again, Colin decided he would wait until the task was over to worry about it: He needed to focus on finding Catrina; which led him to his next problem: he needed to use magic to find her.

He grabbed under his bed for Magicante. The pages glimmered as he turned them, searching for what he needed.

“Magicante,” he said to the book, waking it from its slumber.

It yawned its reply.

“Is there such a spell that can hide the fact that I am using magic? From everyone?” The Magicante sighed in boredom.

“Such a silly question, boy,” it replied snidely. “Is there such a thing? You already know the answer to that,” the voice trailed off and the pages flipped until reaching the exact spell Colin was looking for.

“Oh, right!” remembered Colin, thinking back to when Darcy Scraggs had used magic against them, back in Grimble, without the Balaton knowing. The book, sensing Colin’s memory of it, added more to the story.

“That snooty girl’s spell only worked for hiding magic from the Balaton. However, this is the spell to end all spells in regards to hiding the use of magic. You cast this spell correctly, boy, and no one will ever sense magic is being used.”

“Do I need to cast it just once?” asked Colin, noticing how short the spell was.

“You need to cast it before you perform any spell,” it explained, sounding more interested.

“For example, Abdo Emissio. Always add the Abdo before any spell you perform and it will be hidden from all.”

“That. Is. Cool.” said Colin, eager to get started.

“Let me clarify, though, it does not hide magic completely. This spell keeps magic from being traced, by hiding the trail of expelled energy that magic leaves behind. If someone physically sees you doing magic on the other hand… well you can put the rest together.” Just then, Jae walked in.

“Hoped I’d find you in here. Mom wanted me to tell you dinner will be ready soon.” He sat down on Colin’s bed, watching as he hid Magicante. “Have you heard from Meghan yet?”

“Not since that first day. She sent me a leaf letting me know she’d gotten settled in, but would be busy studying. I’m sure she’s having her fill of fun, studying with Ivan,” laughed Colin.

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Jae joined in.

After a minute, Colin noticed a new injury, this time on Jae’s hand.

“It’s nothing,” he insisted, after seeing Colin’s questioning gaze.

“Nothing? Looks like a nasty gash, Jae.”

“The doctor gave me some salve. It’ll heal in no time. I’ve just been kind of clumsy lately.” Colin did not believe Jae’s explanation, and for a brief moment, wished Meghan was there.

A sudden case of clumsiness just did not fit.

“We’d better go eat,” reminded Jae.

After dinner, Colin and Jae went outside of the caves and meandered down a path. Both were silent, each rooted within their own thoughts. It seemed like ages passed without a single word passing between them.

Colin then got a fleeting urge to let Jae in on his secret. He was not sure why he felt such a desire, except for the fact that no one did know, not even his own sister.

The more he thought about it, the more he realized how stupid it would be to go gallivanting off to find Catrina, without telling anyone. What if something happened? It’s the smart thing to do, isn’t it?

“Jae,” he began tentatively, before he could lose his nerve. “Do you recall the girl that is sick, from the Flummer family?”

“Um, yeah, Balloch’s granddaughter, Catrina, right? I heard my dad mention her.” Colin was not sure how to explain his dream girl situation, without sounding nuts. He began with explaining his first encounter with Catrina, back in the Grimble hospital, and then told Jae about his dreams, finishing with his encounter with Balloch’s ghost.

Jae listened without interruption, and afterward, let his body slide down the edge of a red rock formation, which he had perched himself on.

“And you believe she is here, somewhere in the E Valley?” Colin nodded yes.

“I don’t understand how you could have seen her in Grimble, though. She’s from another group. Are you sure?”

Colin nodded yes again, hoping his instincts had been correct, to confide in Jae.

“I don’t know how to explain it all, Jae. I just know I’m right! And I need to save her.”

“You could get into so much trouble, Colin,” Jae blurted unexpectedly. “I mean, we don’t know the whole story. Maybe there’s something important we’re missing, maybe you should just forget about it!”

This was not the response Colin expected. His heart filled with dread. Thus far, Jae had always agreed with the twins, if not actually perpetrating their previous troublemaking escapades. Before Colin could argue his side, Jae’s attitude took an all too familiar turn.

“On the other hand, if she really is in trouble, I suppose you’d have no choice, would you?” Colin could practically see Jae’s mind churning through the information, struggling with what it meant. He must have been thinking the same thoughts Colin had. How could she be in two different groups at one time?

Just then Billie Sadorus jogged by.

34

“Gettin’ dark, you boys. Better be gettin’ to home.”

They hadn’t realized how late it had become. The duo raced back toward their cave dwelling, reaching the entrance just in time.

Off to the side of the dwelling, standing not too far away in another doorway was the Three D’s.

Colin and Jae were at least thankful that the oncoming darkness would keep them from adding insult to injury. As it was, Irving Mochrie glared and shook his head at Jae and Colin as they entered.

“Sorry, dad,” Jae apologized rapidly. “We lost track of the time.”

“Time for bed,” was all Irving replied.

As Colin and Jae headed to bed, followed by Mireya, Sheila appeared.

“Oh, good, Colin, I believe these are for you.” She then handed him a stack of papers.

“Papers from Corny,” he whispered.

Sheila looked amused as she handed them over.

As soon as Mireya was asleep, Jae snuck into Colin’s cubby and they studied the papers.

They moved them around, trying to put them together so they made sense. After a few tries they still spelled nothing. They shortly gave up, leaning against the back wall. Neither was in the mood to sleep.

“If you decide to go searching for Catrina, Colin,” whispered Jae, “I think that you should go during the Feast of the Blest Arcane. No one would miss you for a day or two.”

“That’s true, huh. You said it would be a busy time. It really lasts an entire week?”

“Yes, and good busy, since unlike the retelling festival, it’s not just one big gathering.

People have smaller parties and dinners to go to, so it’s an easier excuse if you’re not around.

And I can handle mom and dad, I’ll tell them you were invited to dinner with someone else.” Colin’s mind began to race. The thought of searching for Catrina, all on his own, was daunting. Could he really do it? He took a deep breath, knowing that somehow, he would find the strength and bravery he needed.

Concentration escaped Meghan. Since moving in with Juliska, she felt sidetracked, not quite settled in. Then, there was the extra time spent with Ivan; he had been attending her training at least once a day.

At what felt like a snail’s pace, she was learning how to create fire in the palm of her hand.

The trick was for it not to spread to her entire body, or, to someone or something else.

Juliska and Ivan both agreed this was a vital ability needed on any journey. The ability to create fire anywhere, any time, would be of great use… then, all I need to do is learn how to see at will. No pressure.

The Initiation training was proving harder than Meghan had anticipated.

On the afternoon of the sixth day, Juliska had Meghan take a break from practicing Firemancy, and instead, focus on using actual magic.

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“Don’t worry,” she said, before Meghan could ask. “This castle has protection around it.

Eidolon cannot sense that we are practicing magic in here.”

“Oh. Cool,” Meghan said. She later changed her mind on ‘cool’, as it did not go well.

Meghan attempted the Emissio spell, but to no avail.

After awhile, Ivan arrived to monitor her progress.

“Are you taking the time to collect energy before you try the spell?” he asked, after seeing Meghan fail time after time.

“Well, of course I’m trying,” she retorted.

“Can I make a suggestion, Banon Blackwell,” he asked.

She nodded yes.

“Perhaps Meghan simply needs better motivation.”

Meghan did not like the sound of Ivan’s suggestion one little bit. Juliska pondered the idea, at first appearing unsure.

“The only reason I agree is that we are running out of time, but yes, perhaps you are right, Ivan.”

“Let’s change spells,” he then said, taking Meghan aside. “I know you do this. I’ve seen you,” he whispered so Juliska could not hear.

“That was a life and death situation,” she whispered back, realizing he was speaking of their secret adventure in Grimble.

“Exactly,” he mouthed. Out loud, he said, “I want you to block me, Meghan. If anything, blocking a spell might help you stay out of harm’s way.”

Meghan sighed, but kept her cool.

“I am going to send a spell at you. Don’t worry, I’ll take it easy on you the first time. You will use the Obstructo spell to block me.”

Meghan had heard Jae use the Obstructo spell, back in Grimble. She readied her mind, attempting to collect magical energy to use for her spell.

“Ready?” asked Ivan.

Meghan replied by taking a defensive stance with her palm faced out. Ivan’s spell came so fast, Meghan never even had the chance to speak.

“Carnacari!” he shouted.

Meghan lost her stance and screamed as a cascade of white carnations pummeled her body.

They broke and fell to the floor after hitting her. They were easily breakable, but still stung upon impact.

Ivan frowned.

“What happened?” he asked.

“Sorry,” she huffed. “I was ready. I just freaked when a cavalcade of white flew at me. It wasn’t what I expected.”

“What did you expect?”

“Oh, I don’t know. To be blown into a wall or something.”

Ivan sighed.

36

“Let’s try it again, now that you know what’s coming. Although I might remind you…” Meghan cut him off.

“Yeah yeah yeah. In the real world, I won’t have any clue what’s coming at me. You’ve reminded me a few times, Ivan.”

“At least you’re listening,” he retorted under his breath.

Ivan said his spell again, and again, and again. Finally, Meghan got her defensive spell said fast enough to block a few of the flower arrows. Ivan would have kept going, but Juliska decided it was time for a break, for which Meghan was very grateful.

That evening, they returned to the study of Firemancy. It was time for Meghan to gain control of the fire she was creating, and keep it in the palm of her hand. Three attempts in a row she created fire, but not until the third try did she successfully keep it from spreading.

She held her palm upward, controlling the flames, but that is when the real trouble started: uncontrollable visions.

“This is no good, Meghan,” warned Ivan, after lifting her off the floor. “If all that’s going to happen is you fall instantly into a vision, I can’t trust to have you all there. This is too dangerous.”

Juliska nodded her agreement, but with added compassion. Meghan, losing her patience blew her hair out of her sweaty face, and let in to him, fiercely.

“I’m doing my best, Ivan,” she articulated in an angry whisper. “I’m exhausted from trying.

Is it impossible for you to just say, great job, Meghan… Your half way there, Meghan…It’s only been six days and you’ve come a long way, Meghan…” Her nostrils flared in frustration, but she bit her tongue before saying something completely regretful.

“Exhausted isn’t going to help either of us, Meghan, if you’re stuck in an uncontrollable vision when I need you awake and in the present!” he grumbled back.

“Well maybe you shouldn’t have picked me, then!” she shot back.

“What’s done is done,” intruded Juliska, before the argument could escalate. Ivan shut up, nodding at Juliska. At least he never argues with her, thought Meghan.

“I say enough for today,” announced Juliska. “I think, in all honesty,” she glanced slightly toward Ivan, “that you are trying too hard, Meghan. Take some rest. We will start again tomorrow morning.”

Meghan left the room abruptly. She noticed that Ivan stayed behind, however, shutting the door behind her.

Her fury was instant. She knew Ivan and Juliska were discussing her failures, and before she knew it, she had burst into flames, losing complete control. She attempted to squelch it before it could be noticed, but Ivan was too quick.