Chapter 6 #2
“Do you think…” Loreli turns to Azriel, who’s watching me. I can feel his steady gaze, his mind speculating about what happened.
“I need to go find out.” He nods to her, then meets my eyes. “Will you be alright?”
I glance between the two of them. “I think so.”
All I get is a slight tilt of his head before he disappears. Loreli moves closer to me, taking my hands in hers. “Let’s go through the whole set.”
“I can’t do them though,” I remind her, my heart sinking at the request.
“Now,” she replies, her hand squeezing mine gently. “Before you lost your magic, you could do them all with precision. It wasn’t even a second thought for you. I want to test my theory of what happened tonight.”
“What’s your theory?” I quirk my brow, hating the stab of excitement that’s piercing my chest. I’m afraid to hope, to give thought and feelings to what I’m also thinking.
“That whatever you saw, what crashed into you was your magic. Or more so, whatever it is that binds us to our magic,” she answers me, her voice almost breathless. I can see the hope shining in her eyes. “Please try, Skully.”
I have to glance away from the naked desperation on her face.
Tears well in my eyes. Every day for over a year, I’ve wished for my magic to return to how it was.
To feel connected. To feel whole. I’ve been living, moving through this new life, my new reality, all while knowing I am altered.
Not only do I not have my memories, but I am missing a valuable part of who I am.
If she’s wrong, I will feel that loss again, and the new hope I found will turn bitter in my throat.
But if she is right…Then I don’t know who I will be.
I haven’t dared to believe this could happen.
My heart squeezes, and my fingers disentangle from Loreli’s.
Standing on shaky legs, I move to the center of the room, then close my eyes and take a few deep breaths, trying to feel grounded.
Instead of uncertainty and the hollowness I usually feel, warmth spreads through my veins like a gentle whisper.
My body relaxes, and my insides calm. I don’t feel the normal riotous energy, but a calming current. My mind, my memory, know what to do.
My hands move, my lips utter the spells and the words that I’ve been taught and memorized.
Each one comes back like muscle memory. It comes naturally, and the best part is I feel in control and connected.
Heat blooms in my chest while I cast. I watch it all through hopeful, happy tears, until I make it through every simple spell I remember.
When I’m done, everything settles into place, and I finally turn to Loreli, my breathing deep and heavy, yet I’ve never felt lighter.
A burden I’ve been carrying and feeling is suddenly gone.
“Lore.”
She moves quickly, her arms wrapping around me as we both cry, laugh, and hold each other. “I’m so happy for you, Skully.”
“I don’t understand. How did this happen?” My voice shakes while she wipes the tears from my cheeks.
“Our magic is tethered to us. A part of us. When spells or magic are cast, they leave a blueprint of who the witch is. I think that whatever happened to you that day severed a connection to your magic. But you’re alive, here, and there’s a reason for your magic to return to you, as it is meant to be. ”
Goosebumps rise on my skin, and my fingers give a small spark. “What about the mark? Why did Ariel say I was for sure part reaper?”
Loreli nods and wipes her own cheeks, blinking back the rest of her tears before giving me a small smile.
“The marks belong to reapers. They look like tattoos, but it’s more of a representation of their family, their status, their power, and what they love.
Yours are still growing. They are just starting out.
Why they chose to appear there, around your scar, is only known by that certain type of magic. ”
Now that the excitement is over, my body wants to shut down. My eyes are heavy, and a yawn escapes me. “I’m going to shower and go to bed.”
My aunt nods her head and presses her lips to the top of my head before letting me move past her.
My room is dark, and I only flip on my desk lamp, opting for the minimal glow.
After grabbing some pajamas, I take a shower, washing the evidence of the forest floor from my hands and body.
Grass and twigs fall out of my hair as I rinse out the suds and conditioner.
Once I’m clean and the black soot on my fingers is scrubbed off, I get out and dry off.
My skin feels sensitive when I slide my pajamas on, and I find that once again I’m chilled and tired.
Very tired. I had been looking forward to this night for months, and now I don’t know what to make of it.
I am happy that my magic is back, even though I don’t understand how it left in the first place.
The second I step into my room, the shift in the air is palpable.
It’s enough to send my senses into overdrive, and for the first time, my magic thrums steadily, ready to act if needed to protect me.
The hairs on my neck stand on end, my breathing slows, and my pulse beats loudly in my ears. I am no longer alone.