Page 86 of Untraced Magic
“There’s a tale about this place, that years ago a town on these cliffs was cursed, never to be seen again. Hidden for an eternity.”
My hand stilled, halfway between my lap and my mouth.
I eyed him closely. “Are you for real?” I slid my gaze to Tyler.
Tyler’s hand landed on Colton’s shoulder, giving him a playful shake. “Does it look like there’s a town up there?”
He laughed, and Colton shook his head, lifting his shoulder in a shrug.
“Tales or truths… no one knows for sure,” he mused, his gaze traveling into the distance again. Not far from us, another wave crashed against the shore before rapidly retreating again. It was mesmerizing to watch, as it scattered its findings on the shore, only to take with it whatever it desired again.
Wesley’s voice came from the other side of the circle. “So, your magic will come to you at midnight, right?”
Even in the dim light, his jade eyes gleamed.
“Something like that,” I said, mindlessly picking at the sticker on my bottle. “Not sure how this whole thing works, to be honest.”
Reid nodded towards the bonfire. “Well, you’re about to see it for real. Light it up, Ty.”
Tyler turned his attention to Colton. “Care to lend a hand?”
Colton’s brow lifted, a moment passing before he nodded back.
Scarlet caught my eye. “They’re so hot when they do this.” She stared adoringly at the two of them from her perch on the log.
I cocked my head to the side, unsure what was about to happen, intrigue turning my attention back to where Tyler and Colton stood at opposite sides of the circle.
A light breeze brushed my face, soon turning into a whirlwind around the pile of driftwood. Tyler stood, making fists at his sides, with Colton bending to make contact with the ground.
Power poured from them, a bright gold from Tyler and exquisite green from Colton as they tipped their heads toward the stars. It struck me as odd; I’d never seen the stars in Cutters Cove until now. But there they were, watching us watch them.
Scarlet was right. This wassohot seeing them like this.
A vortex appeared above us filled with licks of golden flame and vine-like spirals so bright I stared in awe of its beauty. Their hands moved in front of them, palms clawing at air before the vortex of magic shot down to the pile of driftwood, igniting the bonfire with a fury of gold.
I stared open-mouthed in awe of such a thing. Would I be capable of that after today?
A roar erupted from the group and we gravitated to the warmth of the flames, amber shadows dancing over us as bursts of orange floated high above, sprinkling the night sky like golden ash falling from the heavens. Its beauty was nothing less than stunning, and I found myself juststaring.
Tyler settled beside me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.
“That was incredible,” I whispered, turning to face him. “You’re…” I shook my head, struggling to find the words that could describe watching such a moment.
His hand fell to my knee just as a heavy gaze pulled at me, I turned my head, following the strange feeling tugging at my spine. Colton watched us closely from the other side of the fire, his expression unreadable.
I turned to Tyler again. “That was… I don’t even have words. How does Colton’s magic work?” I asked.
Tyler rolled his bottle between his palms. “He summons his magic from the earth, draws strength from mother nature. Sometimes he sees into people’s minds when he uses it.”
“He can read our minds?” I whisper-yelled.
“Not exactly. More like feels emotions. I’m not 100 percent sure of how it works.”
I snuck a glance at Colton from across the fire, where he remained concentrated on us.
“What’s he staring at us like that for?” I asked, chancing a look in his direction again, but this time he looked away.
Tyler shrugged. “Don’t worry about him.”
