Page 47 of Practically Witches

She nods. “Yes.”

“Who’s to say the darkness that is eating his sister alive won’t come for me?” I’m afraid. As afraid as I’ve ever been of anything. Including clowns.

“You’re not like her, RJ. You control your power cravings every day. I’ve seen it.” She sounds so certain.

But I too have seen things. I saw Elizabeth’s eyes. They were black and cloudy. Devoid of life. I feel a sliver of that every time I leech off Aimee, although until now I didn’t know what I was feeling. I also didn’t know I was taking magic from Aimee, and the things I’ve learned since this whole mess started make me wonder what’s going to become of me.

I’ve also seen how devastating it is to be without magic. I know first-hand how shitty it is to never have it in the first place. I’m knee-deep in my own pity party and it isn’t helping anything at all.

“Maybe you should’ve told me.” I know they did it to protect me, but if they’d told me, raised me as what I am, I could’ve learned to protect myself.

Mom said something about me having to know how to take the magic before I can do it. I wish they’d been honest before now so I at least have an idea what I’m dealing with.

She looks at me and nods. “Yes, I can see that now.”

I want to be pissed off at her. But I can see why she did what she did. I even understand it. The lying wasn’t just to keep what I am from me. It was to protect me from it, too, and protect me from how others will treat me when they find out.

Zane is going to know. I sigh. It’s going to change everything. I’m not as worried about everyone else, but I don’t want him to think of me with all the dark evil inside of me.

“You have a lot on your shoulders.” Mom’s voice is gentle as she takes my hand and holds it between both of hers. “And we made mistakes, but I’m here and your dad is here and we’re going to help you get through this. You don’t have to do any of it alone, RJ.”

I nod. Although, I don’t believe her. No one but me or my dad can finish this with the syphoner, and obviously he won’t do it. It’s his sister. I couldn’t kill Aimee no matter what she did. And I hope she feels the same about me. I don’t expect Dad to feel any differently about his sister.

“Where’s the scepter?”

She flips her gaze to mine as if she doesn’t think I should know about it. Then she sighs. “I don’t know.”

“I’m going to need it to…handle the syphoner.” I don’t want to use the word kill just yet. I know what doing this to her will make me, and I have to get my head wrapped around it.

“I know. I’ll speak to him.”

“In the grimoire, inanygrimoireanywhere, is there information on how to defeat a syphoner without killing them?” For my dad’s sake, I want to do a little bit of research and make sure I don’t have any other choice before I do it.

I didn’t hear my door open, but now Dad is standing in the frame. “Yes. You can syphon her power without killing her. It would make her a mortal which would be as bad for her as if you killed her.”

“But she would still be alive.”

He sighs. “She would always be looking, always trying for a way to come and get her magic back, hurt the person who took it from her.” He shakes his head. “She isn’t the person she was. The darkness inside of her is too big now.”

“Is it going to get that big inside of me?” Maybe there’s a way I can prepare, or block it out.

He shakes his head. “No. I’ve watched you, RJ. Your mother raised you with light and love. You’ve grown into a kind young woman. Lizzie had the darkness in her from the start.” His voice is thick. This must be hard for him to talkabout. “You can take away the magic that’s inside of her, but the darkness will still be there.”

For centuries, humans have been way more dangerous than witches, although every movie about witches sinceThe Blair Witch Projecthas made it seem the other way.

“It’s a lot to think about.” Dad nods and Mom stands. “But you can handle it, RJ. You’ve always been able to handle it.”

Mom slides her arm around his waist and looks up at him, then back at me. “You’re not alone here, RJ. We’re on your side and we’re going to do whatever it takes to help you.”

They turn and walk out of my room, and for a while I’m alone with my thoughts. I check the magic database that we all use for school, but there’s nothing written about syphoners except that we should all be vigilant right now, walk in groups, be prepared with shield spells and counter spells—which allow a witch to take their magic back as it’s being stolen.

If the Institute had prepared us from the beginning, instead of only doing it now, Rowen and Ariya, Zane and Aimee might’ve been able to save themselves before Auntie Elizabeth was able to drain them dry.

It’s late when I walk downstairs for a glass of water. As I come into the living room, Zane sits up. “Hey.” He might be without the power to cast a spell, but his smile is magical.

“Hey. How are you feeling?” I walk into the room and look at him. He certainly looks the same for not having magic. His smile is as dreamy as ever, anyway.

“I feel…empty.” He shrugs one shoulder. “Could be worse.” When he smiles, I smile back. Suddenly, my worries don’t seem so worrisome. “You saved me?”

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