Page 7 of Magic's Rise

Even though he couldn’t perform magic, she raised him as her apprentice, in case she died before I returned. For a long time, it had just been her and Haut living here in this giant house, separated from the rest of the town.

Now, warmth and laughter fill the air, and so many people live under this roof that we need more space.

“It feels like change.” I meet Tris’s eyes once more. “Necessary change. A house like this is meant to hold a big family, and that’s what we’re doing with it. Now that there are no threats looming over us, no dark clouds on the horizon, we can focus on us. It feels peaceful. Like we can finally breathe.”

Tris’s eyes widen in mock fear. “Shh, don’t jinx it!”

I shove him off the last step. “You shush. You know acknowledging a jinx makes it happen!”

“We need a banishing potion!” He rushes toward the kitchen. “I’ll get the marshmallows!”

Giggling, I join the others in the living room, where I spot Mel and Aspen with their heads close together, deep in conversation by the fireplace. The two have grown closer now that Aspen has pulled the wand out of his ass and Mel is back to embracing her dark eyeliner, tight black pants, and rock T-shirts.

To combat the cold weather, she wears striped thermal undershirts, which look wicked. She also sports an oversized black jacket that resembles a cape with armholes in the sides and a pointy hood that reminds me of a witch’s hat.

As I watch, Aspen’s hand slips inside the cape, and I bristle.

While I may like the man more now, no one gets their freak on in my house except for me. They’ve already made out in my driveway, my garden, and behind my porch.

“Mel!” I bounce over to her side with a broad grin on my face, and Aspen snatches his hand back. “How are the plans for the shop coming along?”

She casts me a dry look, fully aware I’m wand blocking her. Turnabout is fair play, though, and she’s wand blocked me more than once. “It’s going fine. Most of my shipments have come in, so I should have the doors open by next month, as planned.”

“We were just discussing the ethicalness of selling candles with names such as ‘Hex Your Ex’.” Aspen smooths down the crisp lines of his button-up shirt. “A real magic shop should not mislead its patrons by selling items that don’t actually do what they claim.”

Mel’s thin, black brow arches. “Careful, or the next candle I light will do what it claims.”

Aspen straightens at the challenge in her words. “Does that mean I’m dangerously close to becoming your ex?”

Mel’s chin lifts, and she stares down her nose at him. “We’d have to be dating again for that to be the case.”

Electricity sparks in his frosty, blue eyes, and he moves to close the distance between them. Which I currently occupy, but my short statue makes me invisible.

“Wow, look at the time!” I strong-arm Aspen back a step to give me space. “Let’s start class!”

Mel’s laughter rings through the room. “It’s good to see you eager to learn for once, Rowe.”

“Yes, it is.” Aspen brushes the front of his shirt where my hand wrinkled the material. “You can be the one who leads the protection spell today, since you’re raring to go.”

I slump at the words. Should have just let them make out in my living room. What does it really matter when they’ve already desecrated my yard?

“Come on, gather ‘round, everyone.” Mel motions for those who still linger by the stairs to join us.

It’s a tight fit for all thirteen of us, but the basement is like an ice box right now. It’s next on the list for remodeling, just as soon as we deal with the rickety elevator. The damn thing is too small for construction supplies and threatens to fall every time I step onto it.

Nervous as the others form a circle, I pull my wand from the sheath at my wrist.

Ambros had made it for me after one too many instances of my wand falling out of my pocket. The materials are hard to come by, so making a replacement would be difficult. He had modeled the armband after his huntsmen gear. Where his holds a knife, mine ensures that my wand stays safe and with me at all times.

Despite the teasing, Mel gives me a reassuring smile. “Remember, deep breaths and clear intention.”

I try to embody calm, which is no easy feat with four slices of sugary pie making my bones vibrate.

“Circle of friends, hearth and home,” I start, voice steady as I move my wand deosil around the gathered witches. “Protect this space, our hallowed…dome.”

With a grimace for the cheesy poem, I flick my wrist, and blue sparks dance in the air before sinking into the hardwood floor.

“Good job, Rowe.” Aspen grips my shoulder. “But remember, spells don’t have to rhyme.”

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