Page 86 of Rise of the Melody
“Oh, no, no, no.” He backed away, shaking his head. “Get thee gone, witch.”
He was joking. I was pretty sure.
He turned to run out of the house and down the stairs as I called out, “I’m really sorry! See you later! Let’s just keep this between us, ‘kay?”
Before climbing into his car, he crossed the forefingers of both hands and held them up as if to ward me off, making me snort.
“Friends forever?” I shouted as he did a donut and peeled away.
I chewed my lip. I really hoped he was joking.
I paced the house until well after dark, running the hand-vac to get rid of cat hair. Then I tried using my magic in the kitchen to make things move. I rattled a bunch of objects, and lifted a loaf of bread two inches, but that was it. Maybe it was just my mind magic that was really strong.
My heart went into my throat when my phone dinged. I ripped it from my back pocket. It was our girls’ thread.
Shani said:
Chrys’s curse is lifted!
I held my breath. How much had he told them?
Clare:
Who did it? What was the curse?
Shani:
He still has no idea
Clare:
Be so for real. How??? Could it have been done silently?
Shani:
Absolutely zero clue
Nora:
Someone has skills
I knew I should pipe in. Guilt flooded me. I wanted to tell them, but I still hadn’t come to terms with what all of this meant for me. I lamely added:
I’m glad he’s okay
So, he hadn’t been with Clare when the “issue” occurred. And he hadn’t told the group it was me. I was surprised. Although maybe he was too embarrassed to let everyone know the nature of the curse. Understandable. I let out a huge exhale, then really thought about my magic. I had cursed someone and lifted a curse with my inhibitor on. A nervous, dark thrill went through me at the thought of how powerful I might be. It wasn’t a flex.
I accidentally freakingcurseda boy. That was terrifying.
What if I’d wished him dead or something? I couldn’t see myself doing that, but people said stupid stuff in anger all the time that they didn’t mean. I leaned against the counter, covering my mouth. I felt afraid. Of myself.
I had to be more careful.
Chapter26
Scream
Ispent the next day with Aunt Lorna, lost in my thoughts and missing her terribly. I was in a huge funk until the girls texted to see if I could hang out. I almost said no because I felt so out of sorts. But my back hurt from slumping over her bed for so long. I needed to get out.
