Chapter 19 Ethan
Ethan
The moon’s light bathes the shore in an ethereal glow, turning the familiar coastline into something out of a fairytale.
Walking with Alex’s shoulder brushing mine, I feel like I’m living a fantasy.
My mind races with the weight of what I have to do tonight, the Council’s warning ringing in my ears.
Magic sings through the breeze, thick and potent, as we approach the moon-bathed shore.
Hundreds of others have already gathered, spreading out on blankets or perching along rocks.
I plan to lead Alex up the cliffside where she can experience the night’s wonder without getting too close and realizing things she shouldn’t.
My initial plan was to bring her here to see the magic, but now I need to hide it from her.
She likely can’t see all that I see—the shimmering threads of magic washing in with the waves, the faint glow emanating from the witches’ and warlocks’ skin as they stand clustered together, the way the very air seems to hum with possibility.
Tiny, glistening lights sizzle through the night, flickering and popping like invisible sparklers—someone’s subtle magic at play, weaving harmless enchantments into the air.
Most people here don’t have powerful magic, but they don’t need to.
They’re here to bask in it, to soak up the warmth of a world where the impossible is just part of the scenery.
“It’s so beautiful here,” Alex breathes. If only she knew how much magic enhanced Magnolia Cove. That even tourists got a taste of the beauty when they stepped onto the island. Even non-magical humans. Like her.
I force a smile, trying to ignore the voice in my head screaming that Zoe is right. That there has to be another way. “Wait until you see the view from the cliffs,” I say as I step in that direction—away from the crowd, away from the truth I can’t share.
As we pass the gathering, I catch Dean’s eye. His stern gaze follows us, a silent reminder of the threat hanging over my head. The threat to Alex’s memories should I fail. I give him a slight nod. I understand what I must do.
“Come on,” I say to Alex, “let’s head up. The view is incredible.”
As we make our way up the winding path, Alex’s eyes dart around, taking in every detail. She’s observant—it’s part of what makes her a talented writer. But tonight, that keen perception could be dangerous.
We reach the top of the cliff, and Alex gasps.
The sight never fails to take my breath away, either, even after years of experiencing the summer ritual.
The full moon hangs low over the water, its reflection shimmering in broken pieces across the waves.
Just beneath the surface, hundreds of moon jellies glow with an otherworldly light.
“Ethan, this is… magical,” Alex whispers, her eyes wide and fixed on the sea.
If only she knew how right she was.
A gust of wind picks up, and she steps closer. No one else is around to see, so I tuck an arm over her shoulder. She sighs into my chest, and the bittersweet ache in my heart physically hurts. I think this might be how a heart attack feels.
“Look,” I say, pointing to the water. “They’re gathering.”
More of the luminescent creatures appear, their soft blue glow brightening with each wave’s crash.
Moon jellies—real, but drawn in by the magic, responding to the energy we channel tonight.
They drift like fallen stars just beneath the water’s surface, pulsing with the tide, a living reflection of the power humming in the air.
It’s a magnificent sight, one that even non-magical folks can appreciate. It’s also a secret—sacred, really.
We never invite humans to our rituals. This isn’t just a celebration; it’s how we fuel our magic, syncing ourselves with the pull of the moon, the rhythm of the tide, the energy shifting in the air.
We dress it up as a festival, something to enjoy, but it’s more than that—it’s a way to stay connected, to keep our magic strong.
But Alex isn’t just anyone, and if she was going to leave soon, I wanted to give her some magic to take with her. It feels even more important now, since she won’t take good memories of me.
Another breeze whips across the cliff’s edge, and Alex shudders. I slide my flannel jacket off and tuck it around her shoulders. I hadn’t considered how cool it would be up here. “It’s getting chilly. Maybe we should head back down.”
But Alex doesn’t seem to hear. She leans forward, her brow furrowing. “Ethan,” she says slowly, “is it just me, or are those jellies… moving in patterns?”
My heart launches into my throat. She’s noticing too much.
The jellies are indeed moving in intricate but subtle magic-bound patterns.
I’d hoped from up here it wouldn’t be too obvious.
Down on the shore, others will start lighting a bonfire.
Magic will be on full display. I hadn’t realized she’d pick up on the jellies’ gentle dance.
“The ocean can make them look like that. We get odd tidal patterns here offshore.”
She turns away from the sea, her fingers clasping my jacket against her neck, but she’s frowning. “It seems Magnolia Cove has many oddities I’ve noticed.”
Her voice has become sharp, and my stomach clenches as though she’s stabbed me with her words. “What do you mean?” I ask, trying to keep my voice casual.
Alex takes a deep breath. She’s forgotten the jellies, which are already dispersing. Distant happy cries ring out from the beach below, but she doesn’t seem to notice that either.
“I mean… ever since I arrived here, I’ve felt like there’s something just beyond my understanding.
My best friend is always telling me to believe in the impossible and trust the Universe and all that kind of stuff.
I’ve spent my whole life looking for the facts.
What is it that makes the lightest cake batter or the richest flavor?
That kind of thing. There’s always science to explain it, right?
If you look for an explanation, there usually is one. ”
“Of course,” I say, because it’s the only thing I can get out past the alarm bells roaring in my head. If Dean heard this conversation, he wouldn’t give me a chance. He’d wipe her memories and send her away without so much as warm feelings left.
She bites her lower lip before continuing.
“But, ever since I’ve arrived in Magnolia Cove, it’s left me questioning that.
” My heart stops beating. It skips two entire beats before picking up again in a frantic staccato.
“Maybe there’s more than meets the eye, after all.
Maybe even some secrets that seem hard have an explanation too. ”
My mind races. I want to tell her everything. I want to let magic flow through my fingertips and swirl the surrounding air with the scent of honey, make the shrubs glisten and the stars shine. But I can’t. The risks are too great, not just for me, but for the entire community.
“A vacation can make you feel that way.”
Loose hair whips across her frown and drags my jacket back from her shoulders.
The clothing makes her feel a part of Magnolia Cove in a way her designer outfits haven’t.
I can see her here, hair always windswept by the ocean breeze, an apron tied around her waist. I want it desperately, but it’s not reality.
She’s going to return to the city soon and I’ll be nothing more than a fleeting memory.
At best, I’ll be a charming anecdote in her next article.
After tonight, not even that seems likely.
“It’s not just the vacation.” Her lips press into a thin line before continuing.
“I travel frequently and have seen some unique locales, but Magnolia Cove is different. You’re different.
I’ve wondered the entire time what the answer is, but maybe—” Her eyes drift to the cliffside again, where the ocean roars. “Maybe it has been magic all along.”
Dean’s glare flashes through my mind. Jas’ anxious voice telling me everyone is worried that Alex will discover our secret. The way friends rallied behind me while others stared in concern at the council meeting.
This is the moment I’ve dreaded. The moment I’ve known was coming.
I’ve been like a bug fixed on a light, trapped by the blare of an oncoming train.
I can’t hurt everyone around me who relies on this island’s secrecy.
Dean was right. If Alex saw my reality, she’d reject me anyway.
With the moon out and my emotions running high, I can feel control slipping.
I take a deep breath, trying to center myself.
“Alex,” I say, gentle but firm. “What you’ve seen is what Magnolia Cove wants you to see. We’re an island that runs on tourism. Everything here is a gimmick.”
“A gimmick?” she repeats in a hollow voice.
I shove my hands into my pockets. Goosebumps rise on my arms, but it’s not the cold that’s cutting through me. It’s what I know I need to do.
“Yes, a gimmick.” The words feel like molasses in my mouth, thick and bitter, but I push on. “The quaint town, the magical pastries, the feeling that everyone knows you. It’s all carefully crafted to give visitors a sense of wonder, to make them feel like they’ve stepped into another world.”
Alex takes a step back. Her lip wobbles, and that nearly breaks my resolve, but I hold firm. “No, I don’t believe you. I came here expecting to find a gimmick, but I’ve found something real. I know it.”
Everything in me wants to reach out, to pull her close and tell her the truth. But I can’t. I force myself to meet her gaze, to keep my voice steady as I deliver the final blow.
“I’m sorry, Alex. But this… us… it’s not real. You’re leaving soon, and I’m just… I’m part of the Magnolia Cove experience.”
Tears well in her eyes, and I see the moment her heart breaks. It mirrors the shattering in my chest.
“You’re just pushing me away,” she says through gritted teeth. “I know about the trouble you’ve been in before. I’ve seen the news articles.”