Page 74 of Magic's Rise

“Is the spell even lost? Or is it ‘lost’?” I make air quotes with my fingers for emphasis.

Elana narrows her eyes at me. “What are you implying?”

“I thought it was obvious.” I grind the pencil against the table so hard that it breaks in my hand. “I have trust issues, so I’d like to see the grimoires of the Silver Hollow coven.”

Elana’s eyes widen, and her face turns red as a tomato. “Excuse me? You can’t waltz in here, a witch from outside our coven, and demand access to our most sacred texts. Who do you think you are?”

“Rowe Wendall, apprentice witch with a strict timeline.” I drop the pieces of the pencil. “Nice to meet you.”

Elana’s disbelieving gaze shifts to Levi. “You can’t expect me to tolerate this level of insolence.”

Levi stands to loom over Elana, which is quite the sight to behold. The man is tall. “If that’s what it takes to protect our town, then you’ll produce the grimoires.”

Elana rises stiffly, stepping back in the process to move out of Levi’s shadow. “Fine, I will go get them.”

“Actually…” I bounce to my feet, and Tris rises. “We’d rather go to the books.”

Elana presses a hand over her heart. “Excuse me? You want to just barge into our coven’s sacred space? That is unheard of!”

“We don’t have time for this.” My foot taps with impatience. “You can sage it or whatever once we’re gone.”

Levi gestures to the door. “Lead the way, Elana.”

She spins with a dramatic flair of her skirt and marches out of the study room, leaving the rest of us to follow.

Levi approaches Aspen as he rises with the help of his makeshift cane. “It’s a short walk, but it will still put a strain on your leg. I’ll carry you.”

Aspen’s chin sets with stubbornness for a moment before he relents. “Fine, but not bridal style.”

With a solemn nod, Levi turns his back and kneels, allowing Aspen to mount up with as much grace as possible, considering the situation.

As we leave the library, Tris leans down, his lips close to my ear. “What’s the move, sparky?”

“The coven has been lying to the pack under Elana’s order,” I whisper, and don’t miss the way Levi stiffens, the eavesdropper. “I don’t trust her not to hide the important books to make her look like they’ve done their best while the barrier falls.”

We step outside, where thankfully, the rain has stopped.

Tris’s focus shifts to the woman who leads the way down the block. “You think she’s behind this whole rot issue?”

“Not sure about that.” I fiddle with my poison charm. “I don’t think she’s powerful enough. More likely, she’s been trying to save face, because the coven here is dying out, and she’s too afraid to bring in new members because she’ll be replaced as the leader.”

“All that from a little table side gossip?” Tris squeezes my waist. “I’m both impressed and horny for your brain.”

“Well, you can confirm the power thing with Aspen,” I hedge, not wanting him to take me completely at face value. “But do continue to be horny. You left me with blue balls last night.”

“The last time I was between your legs, you didn’t have balls.” He snickers. “Haut would be the one with blue balls.”

Behind us, the man with the balls growls at Tris.

Elana turns up a small stone path, past a white picket fence to an adorable yellow cottage that looks like it was plucked right out of a fairy tale, with flower boxes overflowing with vibrant blooms.

Whatever else Elana may be, she’s obviously a decent earth witch.

Levi gently lowers Aspen back to his feet, allowing him to continue the rest of the way to the witch’s house with dignity, his stick thumping against the wooden porch.

Stepping inside, Elana leads us through a pristine living room with a floral sofa, a small but well-stocked kitchen, and out the back door into a glass-enclosed greenhouse. The rich scent of damp soil and growing things hangs heavy in the air, and plants spill out from every corner.

Elana pauses at the entrance, slipping off her shoes, then gestures to our feet with a pointed stare. “We do not allow the pollutions from outside to cross into our sacred space.”

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