~ Chapter Seventeen ~
R egan fiddled with his hands. They stood in Lutin’s grove not too far from his cottage.
Lutin stood off to the side, the late morning sun beaming down on them.
His pale skin and his gray-brown antlers almost glowed in light.
This was such a nice place—he knew a lot of the locations and the environment had to do with Lutin and his magic, and maybe someday he would have the ability to effect this kind of change at home.
He would love to learn how to block out the noise from the neighbors and have a peaceful place to live.
I need to focus.
Using anything other than water and electrical elements was hopeless.
Tasks that were easy for Lutin had been all but impossible for Regan.
Some of the basic spells were somewhat easy.
Contacting Lutin was similar to reaching out to The Twins; Regan only had to find the correct mental cues to use.
Lutin told him the spell was like memorizing a phone number, and that analogy seemed to do the trick.
It was the same with creating a portal. He started with something simple like moving from Lutin’s cottage to his cabin, but Lutin wasn’t joking when he said the spell took a lot of work and a lot of focus.
He couldn’t imagine how challenging using a portal to get to the condo in Puerto Vallarta or the house in Edmonton would be.
He wasn’t even sure he could create one to the house in Alum Rock.
However, Lutin promised creating gateways would get easier.
The key to the spell was using a door. The caster had to use a point of egress to use the magic.
That rule seemed to make the most sense.
Regan closed his eyes and watched his hands. He needed to tap into his electrical abilities to create a spark. The key was creating something not too large and powerful but strong enough to catch the piece of kindling in his hand on fire.
Don’t burn yourself.
He focused and called up his element and pushed it to the small piece of wood. There was a spark. Then nothing.
He took a breath and tried again.
Nothing.
Regan shook out his hand and cleared his mind, refocusing. This time a crackle, then a boom erupted and echoed throughout the glen.
“Fuck!” Lutin yelped.
Regan dropped the piece of wood, turning toward the noise. Lutin’s fence was on fire.
“Shit!” Regan shouted and called forth water and put the fire out. “I’m so sorry.” He walked over to the scorched fence. “I… I’m not sure how that happened. The strike should not have been anything that large.”
“It’s fine.” Lutin ran his hand over the burnt part of the fence, the charred and scorched material mending and returning to normal.
“Wow!” Regan’s brows rose as he watched. “That’s cool.”
“Thanks.” Lutin examined the fence. “Maybe a break’s in order. You can’t be expected to learn everything all in one day.”
“I don’t understand why I’m having so much trouble with this.”
Lutin bit at his lower lip. “I think I’ve been going at this the wrong way.
I’m treating you like a Fae or a hereditary Witch, but you’re an Elemental Witch.
Fire and water are diametrically opposed to each other, so I think doing some of these things are going to be out of your wheelhouse.
Yes, some magics are a given to all magic users, but?—”
“But Electrics and Water are also opposed to each other,” Regan countered.
“True, but water actually puts fire out, so you might not be able to control or reach that element. At the very least, the outcome may not be what you want or expect. And considering some of the Elementals, they may not like or allow you to be successful.”
“Well, crap.” Regan raked a hand through his hair. “Maybe I should ask the Twins.”
“At this point, that’s my thought as well.”
“No time like the present—plus, I haven’t thanked them for helping me yesterday.” Regan inhaled. “Why don’t you go relax, since I don’t know how long this’ll take. I’ll come get you when I get back, assuming I don’t return in a couple of seconds.” He chuckled.
Lutin nodded. “Maybe I’ll go and bake something.” He waved at Regan. “See you soon.”
“Yep.” And with a wave back, he sat on the grass, focusing on the Twins. It only took a moment and Regan stood in the Twins’ realm. They hadn’t changed since yesterday and the smiles they wore on their faces gave him the idea they were happy to see him.
Volrent walked over and hugged him. “You did amazing,” they offered and stepped back.
“Thank you.”
“You were a little sloppy with your casting and your summoning, but not bad.” Corcess offered a firm nod. “But that will improve with time.”
“How is Lutin?” Volrent asked.
“He’s safe and healing. He tried helping me with some basic spell work, since we only focused on battle and defense work. I didn’t want to bother you, but…”
The Twins smiled at each other, then faced Regan. “Some spells work and some don’t,” they said together.
Regan snorted out a chuckle. “Pretty much.”
“I would have thought it would be obvious,” Corcess commented. “As an Elemental Witch, you’re limited to which of the elements will work with you. Some are more forgiving than others.”
“But fire isn’t one of them?” Regan asked.
“Absolutely not.” Corcess shook their head.
Volrent shrugged. “It can be a bit frustrating for you, but that’s how these things work.”
“I was hoping that with my electrical spark, I could create simple fire and things like that, but I guess not.”
“If I wasn’t a twin, or perhaps I had a different twin, then maybe,” Volrent offered, then added, “and to be clear, I wouldn’t change a thing. Corcess and I complement each other well.”
“Nice save.” Corcess raised their eyebrows.
“I know there is a lot for me to do and learn.”
“It will come in time,” Corcess added. “You’ve only been at this a little while, and in that time, you’ve stopped two Trolls. For a baby, that is impressive.”
Regan laughed. “A baby.” He ran a hand through his hair, knowing the amount of gray that continued to show up. “I don’t feel like a baby. With Lutin being a Fae and Max being a Hereditary Witch, how else can I learn? I don’t want to constantly come to the both of you.”
“We don’t mind. It’s nice to have gotten to know you—the real you.”
Regan’s cheeks warmed.
“Life isn’t as complimucated as you make it, Regan,” Volrent said with a wink.
Regan laughed. “You were so young that day.”
“And we grew up and changed. Just like you’ll grow and change.” Volrent beamed at him, their sparks dancing around their head and face.
“We will always be here for you,” Corcess offered. “And we will help as we can. Perhaps you should find other Elemental Witches and speak with them. Their insights will help you.”
“I suppose you’re right. I can check with Lutin and see what Max has in his old files.” He stepped toward the Twins. “Why do I feel like this is some kind of goodbye?”
Volrent and Corcess shared a look.
“It’s not a goodbye,” Volrent said.
“Never a goodbye,” Corcess added. “In fact, we have something for you.” They reached into their pocket and pulled out something and held it out.
Before Regan saw clearly what the item was, Volrent rested their hand over the item and the two Twins whispered in their strange language.
Sparks and water droplets circled their clasped hands.
As quickly as the magic started, the show ended, and their hands opened, revealing a brown and tanned wooden bracelet with leather strapping.
The design was simple, earthy, in fact—however, the craftsmanship was unlike anything Regan had seen before.
“What’s that?”
“It’s our gift to you,” the Twins spoke in tandem. They held the bracelet out to him.
Regan picked up the item, running his fingers over the jewelry. “Thank you.”
“Put it on.” Volrent beamed.
With a nod, Regan undid the leather clasp and slipped it onto his left wrist. Immediately, warmth radiated from the bracelet up his arm and into his chest, and as the warmth continued to move throughout his body, he began to tingle.
“What’s happening?”
“We’ve imbued the wood and leather with some of our essence, so you’ll always have access to our elements.” Corcess’s face filled with joy.
“That bracelet is yours and only yours. The band can only be removed by you. If someone tries to take or steal the charm, the item will be a mundane trinket for them. Nothing more.”
“Thank you. I’ll wear it always.” Regan’s cheeks hurt from his smile.
“Now get going—you have someone waiting for you.” Volrent gestured with a shooing motion.
Regan’s smile slipped as he peeked at the gift on his wrist again.
“This isn’t goodbye,” Corcess reaffirmed. “We’re here when you need us and that gift is a reminder of that promise.”
“I’m glad. I’m so happy to know you both.
” Regan stepped forward and reached out his arms to the two of them.
They moved in for a group hug, and when Regan opened his eyes, they were gone, and he stood in Lutin’s glen once more.
He inhaled deeply, getting whiffs of pine and grass.
Peeking at his wrist again, the Twins’ gift still in place, he beamed and with a nod, he headed to Lutin’s cottage.
Waking up alone and in his cabin was an odd sensation, but Lutin needed the rest, and if Regan was being honest, he was exhausted. As enjoyable as spending the night with Lutin would have been, he really wanted to sleep in his own bed alone.
I’ve gotten too used to being on my own.