Chapter Three #2
Elder Sabrina continued. ‘We’re not sure why it’s happened.
It’s likely just a prank, which is why we’ve called you, Orion.
Initially we assumed this was your typical love spell, but it appears to be a little more complicated, as we don’t know who cast the spell.
Your father thought, with the recent completion of your degree, you’d be most adept with finding the source and untangling the curse. ’
Orion hummed thoughtfully and I felt my eyes being drawn to him. Objectively speaking, Orion was good-looking. Objectively. And even though I hated him, I had eyes.
‘I agree, it probably is just a prank,’ he responded.
‘I studied the effects on Inspector Vale at my father’s office, and it seems that this spell curses people into falling in love with the first person they see.
To break it, I suspect all we’ll need to do is find out who cast it and have them do the counterspell. ’
I paused, still kneeling by the coffee table, as Orion’s words sunk into my mind.
Curses people into falling in love with the first person they see.
I had been alone when I’d eaten the cookies. And I hadn’t laid eyes on another soul for hours after.
No, no. There was no way this was my fault. I’d cast the spell exactly as instructed and falling in love had nothing to do with its purpose.
‘It also appears that Inspector Vale ingested the spell,’ Orion continued. ‘He had bought a number of enchanted goods at the sale.’
Dread sunk itself into my stomach as a singular thought blared in my mind like a morning alarm. If Orion said it was a cookie that caused this mess, I could no longer deny the truth: my cookies were the culprit. There was truly no other explanation.
At that moment, I knew I had to do something.
I had to stop Orion from telling my mother and the Coven where the spell came from.
I needed to find out first and have my hypothesis proven right.
I needed to hear that Inspector Vale ate some enchanted – I don’t know!
– mac and cheese. Anything that wasn’t a cookie.
I turned my head quickly, trying to avoid the Coven from seeing the fear that must’ve been written all over my face, but caught Orion’s gaze. His eyes narrowed in suspicion, but he didn’t stop speaking.
‘I’d say the spell was likely one of the choc– watch out!’
I knocked over the teapot, and liquid sloshed all over the table and straight on to Orion’s legs. I’m not proud of what I did, but desperate times call for desperate measures. And besides, the scalding tea was hardly going to have much effect on the heat-resistant dragon shifter.
Still, I needed to make it look like an accident. ‘I am so sorry,’ I said, grabbing on to his sleeve. ‘I am so clumsy – here, why don’t we get you cleaned up in the kitchen?’
Orion looked at me like I’d lost my mind – which might not have been too far from the truth.
‘No need,’ Mum said, her teeth clenched into a smile. ‘I’ll just clean this up with a little wave of my hand; there’s no need to drag Orion through the house.’
My fingers tightened on his jacket, imperceptibly, but enough for him to feel it. I’m not sure what my face looked like, but finally something like understanding crossed his face.
‘Actually, Madam Mayor,’ Orion said, glancing her way. ‘These trousers are dragon leather and are impervious to spells. Maya, would you mind helping me to the kitchen?’
I nodded quickly and beckoned him to follow me. ‘It’s right this way.’
As we left the living room, the murmur of the Coven filled the silence.
I guided Orion to our kitchen, Jinx slipping in with us, closing the door of the kitchen before turning to face him.
Orion was leaning back against the counter; arms folded over his chest. If I thought he would be the first one to break the silence, I was wrong.
He simply stared at me, one eyebrow raised, waiting for an explanation.
‘The cook – I mean the baked good, the one you think caused the curse – which one was it?’ I asked, looking at Jinx. I could feel the pressure of Orion’s gaze, but I couldn’t meet his eyes.
And then he said the one thing I really, truly, didn’t want to hear him say. ‘A chocolate-chip cookie. It was the only thing Inspector Vale ate. The enchanted doughnuts he bought were still uneaten.’
I groaned, tipping my head back and slumping against the door. I wanted to cry, scream, eat something and take a nap all at the same time. Those felt like the only rational ways to deal with this.
‘Do you know who cast the love spell over the town?’ Orion demanded, and, when I didn’t reply, he let out a breath of exasperation. ‘Reverie.’
I considered lying to him; making up some story that would buy me some time.
But it would be useless. Once my mother, and the Coven, found out a cookie caused this mess, she’d go to Ivy.
Ivy would realize that she hadn’t been the one to bake chocolate-chip cookies for the sale, and then they would all know it was me.
I’d get a third point on my licence, accident or not. The Coven was strict about witches casting forbidden spells.
And then I’d have to spend a year being magic bound.
‘It was an accident,’ I whispered, defeated. ‘I didn’t mean to curse anyone!’ I exclaimed, after his eyes widened at my admission.
‘You did it?’ Orion said, and I couldn’t tell if he was outraged or shocked. ‘Why?’