Page 66 of Death Trap

A loud whooshing sound drowned out most of Arianna’s voice as she struggled to continue the incantation.

“Is this supposed to be happening?” I cried out over the noise.

“Don’t look away!” she yelled back. “Hold on!”

So that meant no.

More faces, most a blur as they sprang up and vanished and sprang up again in the mirror. Arianna’s hand shook as she continued to stir the water.

All of a sudden, my face flashed in the mirror’s glass, and then as if someone had just accidently pulled the plug on this craziness, everything stopped abruptly. Even my breathing stopped. My head, though, kept swimming, a migraine jabbing itself to the front of my skull.

As the remaining magic washed over us, it reminded me of a crashing wave, hard and sudden at first but then calming and almost refreshing. Even when I swallowed to regain my composure, I swore I tasted saltwater.

I might not have just run a marathon, but my heart sure pounded as if I had.

“You can look up now,” Arianna whispered gently.

When I lifted my gaze, I saw Arianna wiping her forehead with the back of her hand.

“Well, that was unexpected,” she said. “But fun.”

“Fun?” I almost choked on the word. “You have a strange view of things that are fun. I thought I was going to keel over at one point.”

“Oh, don’t be so dramatic. You can’t die. You’re already dead.”

She had me there. “Why do you think that happened?”

She shrugged and reached into the bowl to take out the necklace. “Magic always reacts to a person differently, but I would put my money on it being because of what you are. It must have amplified the magic.” Handing me the necklace, she said, “Put this on when you’re ready to use it. But remember, the charm will only work for an hour.”

I took the choker and pocketed it. I was never a jewelry-wearing girl, but here I was about to wear both a ring and a necklace. To make it through Hell in one piece, but still. “Yes, fairy godmother.”

She smiled. “Are you ready for the inner-light spell now?”

I paused. After all that? Did I really want more magic performed on me after that insanity? If magic reacted differently because of what I am—whatever the heck that was exactly—it could be dangerous to perform more on me. I didn’t want anything to backfire and hurt Arianna.

“You know what? I think this is good.” I patted my jean pocket for good measure. “I’ll work with what I got.”

A frown wrinkled her brow. “Are you sure?”

She sounded more disappointed that she couldn’t witness another possible spectacle than being worried for my safety.

“Yes, I’m sure.”

“Well, if you need anything else, stop in. I’ll be here.”

“Oh,” I said, remembering Laurence, “actually there is one more thing.”

Her smile lit up her entire face, making me think that maybe she was just enjoying the company more than anything else. That made grief tug at my heartstrings. Arianna was still really young. And even though a few months had gone by since her aunt’s death, I was sure she was missing her terribly.

If I had the time, I’d stay just because of that. But there was no doubt Eli would be on my tail soon. Marla couldn’t keep him distracted forever.

“I have a sorcerer friend who is in need of major teaching. He’s been struggling to pass his level one test. He’s determined, but he’s lacking somewhere. Your aunt says it’s confidence.”

Arianna rolled her eyes. “That’s my aunt all right.”

“She said you’d be able to help him. Teach him a few things,” I said.

Arianna sighed. “Since I’m not traveling as much anymore to run the store, I guess I can.”

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