Page 53 of MidKnight
I narrowed my eyes at him. It made me wonder if he did look up my skirts and was angry at her for ruining his fun. I determined that Shiter was indeed an appropriate name for the dirty little bunny.
I turned back to Cerena, “Tell me how what’s happened to them is different from a disguise spell.”
Cerena sighed. “Well, the short of it is that a disguise spell is a potion. Specific mix of ingredients, specific expiration date but generic use for whoever holds it. It’s a temporary, on-the-go type of magic. Whatever was done to these two was a curse, a spell with negative intentions. Intended specifically for them. Probably used their hair or something to create bad magic. It’s typically permanent unless you are able to exactly reverse spell.”
In the corner Ember cocked her head, listening. “That’s so interesting. And how would you do that?”
Cerena looked at Blue. The bluebird was perched on a goat skull on the far side of the room, watching the goings-on from a distance. “Well, I’d need to figure out who the spell-maker was. And who these two are. I’d need samples of their clothing or hair or something from their prior life.”
My heart dropped. I pressed my lips together, suddenly not begrudging Shiter quite so much. “So, you’re saying it’s impossible.”
Cerena gave me a sad half-smile. “Near to as it can be, I’m afraid.”
I blinked back tears. I was surprised I was this emotional over a bird and rabbit I hardly knew. But, then, Blue had attacked Abbas for me. And I could imagine what it might be like to be stuck inside an animal body for the rest of my life. Probably even worse than being stuck with a crown.
“Blue, you wanna go for a walk with me?” I crooned at the bird. He spread his wings and flew gracefully across the room. Then he alighted gently on my shoulder; he didn’t scratch me once.
He gave a little warble, rubbing his soft feathered head against my cheek. A bird hug. Blue was a gentleman.
“Poor man. Well, I’ll give you the best birdie life you can have, okay? I can have someone dig up all the worms and spiders you can eat.”
Blue bit and tugged on a piece of my hair.
“Alright, clearly bird tastes haven’t won out yet,” I laughed gently. “How do mutton pies sound?”
He twittered happily.
I looked back to see Shiter huddled on the floor under one of Cerena’s tables. “Well, are you coming, Shiter?”
The bunny lowered its ears and narrowed its eyes.
I shrugged. “You’re welcome to stay here. I’m sure Cerena would find you useful for spell ingredients. Or parts of you, at least.”
Shiter begrudgingly hopped forward but kept a good two feet between himself and me.
Ember called out, “Can I go with you?”
I smiled. “That would be wonderful.”
She grinned. “This looks like it will be an adventure-filled outing.”
I rolled my eyes. “So long as Shiter stays to the back, it shouldn’t be too unpleasant.”
I led the way downstairs and out onto the castle grounds. “So, what were you doing in there with Cerena?” I asked.
“Oh,” Ember waved her hand dismissively, a black ring on her finger glinting in the torchlight. “She stopped to talk to me and my father and invited us up there. It’s my last day here, I leave tomorrow.”
“No, don’t go yet! We’ve hardly gotten to visit.”
Ember sighed. “I know, butwork.”
I groaned. “For both of us. Work. So, you were saying about Cerena?”
Ember smiled, “My father got tired, but she was asking me if I knew any fairies in the magic business. We do see a few on our trade routes, you know.”
“Good,” I was relieved. Cerena did need help. “I hope you were able to give her some names.”
Ember nodded. “One or two. Hopefully someone works out. Her poor tower’s a bit of a mess.”
