Page 22 of The Witch & the Tiger

“Storm day tomorrow,” Z’Hana said, her bubble joining with Willow’s. “That’s the real test of how you manage in storm conditions. We won’t go deep for it, however. But we must be prepared for the worst that can be thrown at us if we’re to find the cave and brave the sea.”

“Doesn’t the whole thing worry you?” Willow drifted, shaping the bubble around her to mimic her body shape as she felt the intrusive pressure of the water against her skin. “The Unseelie Court, from what I’ve read, sounds terrifying.”

“It’s why I want to bring Katerina, one of our students. Faes adore making deals, and Katerina has a particular brand of magic that can form binding contracts of the sort that dark fae adore. She will be a last resort, however. The idea is that the team will be you, Martin, me, Umber, Katerina Davis, and a very talented student from our school – Marlon Rakeshadow. You may know him as Harrow’s friend.”

More like Harrow’s boyfriend, Willow thought.

She remembered Marlon. He was a hot shot for time magic. People with time-based magic were rare, and unlike the fancy tales of time travel machines sending people far into the future or the past, actual time-magic people could travel back a few minutes in the past maximum, which still made them highly useful if something went terribly wrong. They could rewind the clock to that moment and ensure it went right.

That was why an alumnus of Dreadmor Academy, a time witch, protected the president of the United States.

It reassured her a little. She also mentioned that information to Martin in the evening.

Willow: Storm day tomorrow. I’m to be tested in a storm at sea. Honestly, I’m terrified – if something goes wrong, I don’t think Z’Hana can save me.

Martin: Tell her you don’t want to do it. Don’t risk yourself! I’d much prefer you to be safe.

Willow: I’m afraid, but I’ll do it anyway. It’s better to experience it now than potentially be surprised by it when we reach that area, don’t you think? I want to protect you and the others.

Martin: I should be the one protecting you. But… I suppose I knew something like this might happen if I found a water witch. From what I’ve seen, you’re talented. I’d be proud to have you at my side.

Willow: Resorting to flattery, are we?

Martin: What if I was?

Willow: Go on. Let’s hear some more…

Martin: Ha. Well, let’s see. I would be honored to have such a wonderful, talented, beautiful witch assisting me with my glamour. I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather have.

Willow blushed a little, grinning at the words, kicking up her feet while lying on the drab white mattress of her bed.

Willow: You’re just saying that because you don’t know any other water witches.

Martin: Why would I want to know any others? You’re the only one who matters.

Oh, crap.

Willow’s heart leaped, affected strongly by his words. A growing, warm feeling spread through her body, radiating from her stomach. She grinned a silly grin, smashing her face into the pillow for a few manic seconds. It took a brief brainstorming to come up with a response.

Willow: If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were flirting with me…

Martin: If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you wanted me to flirt with you.

At that point, Willow had a mini meltdown, and she froze. Her fingers reached for the letters.

Willow: Maybe I do.

Martin: Then maybe, when you come back, let’s see where this goes.

She did a little screech into her pillow, struggling to contain the surge of emotion within. He was flirting! More than flirting! She wasn’t ready for these weird feelings. No way.

The excitement carried over to the next morning, only to be replaced by dread when she and Z’Hana ventured out into the storm. The wind howled, creating dark, twisted noises, and the choppy sea pounded the coast. Red flags lined the beach, but they headed toward a more secluded spot usually reserved for surfers since the waves there were larger.

One good thing about manipulating water was that they didn’t need to change clothes; Willow could draw moisture from wet clothing. The sea frothed and churned like a wild thing, and she shivered, wondering if it might be like that when they attempted to visit the fae realm or if it might be gentle, making all this training unnecessary.

Still, it was a great test of her powers. They pushed on, and she formed the bubbles around them, finding it more effective if the bubbles were as close to the skin as possible instead of spherical. This made swimming easier for them, as they could repel the water as she maintained the surface tension. However, larger bubbles were easier to filter oxygen through – so it really was a practice of when and where to adjust the magic.

A riptide pulled viciously at Willow, but she resisted. Because of the chaos above, there were more unruly currents beneath, and she needed to study the pattern of the water to ensure they remained safe, especially if they went deep and a lapse in the magic might mean dangerous pressure forcing nitrogen bubbles into their bloodstreams if they left a compressed area too quickly.

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