Page 9 of Light Magic

“That’s good.” Since I had a proven track of forgetting to take my potions, this was great news.

“I thought you would like it.” She nudged my arm. “Let’s keep going.”

At the end of the long hall were two giant wooden doors with lots of carvings. If I didn’t know this place was full of magic, I would say Lacey and I would never be able to open those doors by ourselves.

But as it was, the doors opened when we approached them.

And once more I was shocked into silence at how stunning the place was.

The library was even taller than the lobby, with a stained-glass dome that was at least twice as big, and right under it was an arched tall wooden counter, and a huge tree with thick, twisted trunk, and vivid green leaves.

I didn’t need to be supernatural to know this tree was ancient and powerful.

“They will be here,” Lacey said, walking around the counter.

With slow steps, I followed her.

Behind the tree were a few rows of long tables, and at the end, a huge stained-glass wall, similar to the dome, and to the sides of the tables were rows and rows of shelves and books that reached the tall ceiling, with vines and roots and leaves everywhere. Knotted staircases dotted the place, leading up and up. In two levels, the staircase led to coves with small sitting areas beside the stained-glass wall.

And here and there were the same silver sconces and candles I had seen outside.

“Thank goodness the candles are enchanted,” I muttered. With books and wood, this place would burn in seconds.

“Everything in here is enchanted,” a voice said.

I turned back to the tables and saw an image I didn’t know how I had missed before: four beautiful young witches that looked like quadruplets, despite the obvious age difference, and four animals—an orange cat on the table, a green snake twisted on a chair, and a raven perched on a rail.

“Hi, girls,” Lacey said, walking up to them. “I hope you don’t mind. I brought a friend who needs help.”

The witches all stared at me.

“Hi,” I said, feeling silly. “I’m Ariella.”

“Nice to meet you, Ariella,” the oldest one said. She had long, chestnut brown hair and deep blue eyes. “I’m Abigail, and these are my sisters: Magnolia,”—she gestured to the next in line, with light brown hair and green eyes—“Gwendolyn.” She pointed to a young girl with dark-brown hair and green eyes. “And Brittany.” She beckoned to the last one, the youngest, with light brown hair and hazel eyes.

They all waved at me politely.

Lacey scoffed. “We call them Abbie, Maggie, Gwen, and Britt.”

“We’re the protectors of the Grand Eternity Hall,” Abbie said.

“You are,” Britt muttered. Everyone shifted their gazes to her. “Well, she is. The eldest is the one who inherits the hall.”

Abbie looked at her youngest sister. “We already talked about this, Britt, and I would love if you could refrain from arguing in front of others.”

“You can’t do this alone, blah blah blah,” Britt said. She rose from her chair, grabbing a thick, leather-bound book from the table. “We’ve heard that a million times.” She stomped away and disappeared among two tall bookshelves.

“I apologize for her behavior,” Abbie said to me. “She’s fourteen and is definitely in her rebel teenage years.”

“I didn’t have a rebel teenage phase,” Maggie said.

“Mom and dad were alive for most of your teenage years,” Gwen said.

“Girls,” Abbie snapped softly. She looked pointedly at me. “Lacey said she brought you for help. What can we help you with?”

My mind was spinning and I had so many questions …

Where were their parents? Was Abbie in charge? She looked younger than me. What was that about the eldest inheriting the Hall? Were they alone in this endless place? Did they ever leave and mix up with the human world?

---