Page 85 of Morning's Light

“Will it work?” Aisanna asked woodenly.

“I don’t know, but there is only one way to find out. It’s the best one I’ve found so far. By all accounts, it’s done the job before.”

“Where did you get the book?” Astix wanted to know.

“In the safe storage back at the house. Not sure where exactly Dad picked it up along the way, and Mom had never seen it before, but there it was. Flipped open to the right page like magic.”

Aisanna hung back. “I don’t know. It might not be safe. Could be a trap.”

“Look, from what I understand, there’s always a risk when it comes to spell work of this kind,” Karsia stated. She flicked her gaze around in a circle to encompass them. “The best we can do is try and see what happens. The only thing I’m not quite sure of is getting her here.”

Aisanna started, her back straightening and her mind going clear. “I know how.”

“Then please, enlighten us.” Astix gave her a hard stare.

“This.” Aisanna took her time pushing her sleeve aside. “The tattoo. It’s a location spell.”

“I thought you couldn’t read it?”

“I can’t. Vane told me. I wasn’t sure of the purpose until now, but it suddenly makes sense. She uses it to locate me, therefore I can use it to draw her here.”

“Then we better prepare for this.” Astix had her hands on her hips.

Karsia put an arm around her hunched shoulders. “Don’t worry so much.”

The three of them headed out within the hour, carrying the essentials with them. Astix led the way, book in hand, while the others trailed behind with bags of salt. They headed toward the center of the property where the power of the monoliths was at its greatest. A center crux.

They stood together in a circle of trees, with dense fog obscuring their view. The air hung wet and heavy, clouds blotting out the light of the moon and stars. In the silence of the night, Aisanna heard each movement of the woods, animals rustling in the bushes and the beat of wings above her.

“I don’t know if we should be doing this. Deliberately baiting her like this,” Aisanna reiterated with an uneasy glance back toward Karsia. The younger girl appeared more stubborn than worried. “I’ve got an unsettled feeling in my stomach.”

Astix clenched her hands at her sides. “I am done with running. I am done with her using you as a plaything, available for her amusement whenever she has the inclination. I want this to end. No more worry. No more fear for our lives.”

Aisanna hesitated. “I don’t like the feel of the night. There is something off. The air smells of…” Death. It filled her nostrils with pungent sourness, reeking of decay.

The three girls circled the clearing warily. Their gifts would not help them here. Karsia let her magic whisper along the trees, dismayed when they remained silent. The woods told her nothing.

Aisanna crisscrossed the ground with one foot in front of the other. She mentally steeled herself for what lay ahead. Bile rose in her throat at the thought of a final showdown. What they would do if they succeeded. What they would do if they failed. She forced it down and concentrated on the proposed task. Doubts had no place here. There was no turning back.

Astix was right. They were out of options, and the plan she’d concocted was brilliant in its simplicity. Of course, it was probably a terrible idea. One of the worst, and given their track record over the last month, this was hardly grounds for celebration. Yet there they were, standing in the middle of a snow-covered field miles from home, because for some reason they were the ones slated to save magic for witchkind.

Too dramatic.

They gathered the materials they needed and produced the ones they did not have. With magic contents in tow and emotions falling in line, the three sisters prepared to confront their deepest fear.

“Why, might I ask, is Leo not here with us for magical backup? I know I’d feel better with a little protection at my back,” Aisanna said.

“He’s at work.” Astix’s answer came quickly. “He needs to look like everything is normal. Besides, this is something we need to do alone.”

“You want to keep him out of this so he doesn’t get hurt,” Aisanna replied bitterly.

“No, I don’t. That’s not it at all! You’re in a bad mood.”

“Sorry. I’m nervous.” Aisanna looped her hands behind her head and breathed in the bracing night air. “Karsia, take the book. The instant I summon her, be ready for the binding.”

“Good thing you didn’t just bring me along to look pretty. You brought me along to carry stuff,” Karsia muttered. She wrapped her scarf tighter around her neck, holding out her hand. “Give it to me.”

Astix handed the tome over, with the pages open to the correct spell. Karsia ran a finger over the lines of text and heaved a sigh.

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