Page 33 of Light Magic

He pulled back. “Don’t touch it! I can’t guarantee what happens if you do. I’m guessing the curse affects females who wear it but I would rather not test it.”

“And what do you want us to do, then?”

“I want to get rid of it, but I can't destroy it, and I shouldn’t throw it away and risk having another person finding it. That was when Mrs. Dennis told me about you. She said you have a secure safe for these kinds of objects.”

“That is true.” Abbie seemed intrigued.

Besides, Maggie was already moving. She retrieved a tray from under the table and went to them.

“You can put it here,” Maggie said. “We promise not to touch it.”

“Though, while we keep it safe, would you mind if I studied it?” Abbie asked. I could see this excited her.

“As long as you don’t touch it.” Elias dropped the cloth and necklace on the tray.

“I promise.” She nodded at Maggie, who carried the tray to a distant corner of the long tables.

“Thank you, dear,” Mrs. Dennis said. “You’re as kind and helpful as usual.”

“Is there anything else we can help with?” Abbie asked.

“I brought something for your grandmother.” Mrs. Dennis got a small package from inside her purse. “It’s her favorite candy. Would you mind if I give it to her?”

Abbie pressed her lips into a thin line. “You know what, it’s almost suppertime. If you don’t have any plans, why don’t you all stay and dine with us? Then you can give the candy to Grandma.”

Mrs. Dennis, Elias, and Eugene exchanged glances. She looked nervous but nodded and Elias smiled. “That would be our pleasure.”

* * *

I leaned against the windowsill and looked out at the vast forest beyond. Once more, I wondered where we were, if the Grand Eternity Hall existed in its own realm. How was it created? By whom? Who gave the Evermores power over it?

Maybe after I got my magic back, did whatever I had to do in Elysium, and broke the bond with Levi, I could come back here and ask the girls. I bet they knew. Or they could point me to books that talked about the hall’s history. I was sure there were several volumes recording everything.

I let out a sigh.

After Abbie invited Mrs. Dennis, Elias, and Eugene to stay for dinner, Myg saw them to a sitting room where they would meet Belinda, Trent, and Magnus.

“I’ll be there soon,” Abbie told them.

When they left, Maggie picked up the tray and let the necklace drop inside a squared glass case. “So, no one accidentally touches it,” she said.

One by one, the sisters left to clean up to meet the visitors and have supper. Even Lacey went with them.

I had come back to my room to wash up, but I was in no rush. I just wanted to eat one of those wonderful, magical meals.

Now, as I wasted time doing nothing in my bedroom, my mind had to go to Levi.

Break the bond with Levi.

The bond made me think about him. It made me want him, it made me want to be kissed by him again, to have him inside of me?—

I shook my head. Yes, sex with him was great, the best I had ever had, though that wasn’t saying much as my experience was limited, but at some point, I had to forget about it, right? We did it, got it out of our system, and were done.

Now we could move on.

If only it were that simple.

A pang cut through my chest and I cursed under my breath.

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