Page 33 of Rebel Spell
“Thank you.” Quickly, I silently implored. No need to sound hysterical. Besides, she’d said how crazy things had been lately.
What exactly did that mean? And what was causing it?
After I paid and left the magic shop, I walked toward the water rather than heading straight back to my aunt’s house—or my house, rather, for now at least. It was weird to consider myself an owner of anything, let alone something as grand as a house. Funny how life could change in a bang as shocking as an unexpected firework.
Down at the shore, I inhaled the sea breeze. Toddlers toddled on chubby legs near the ocean’s edge, filling up sand buckets as their parents stood nearby. Seagulls called from overhead, practically begging humans to throw them a freakin’ French fry.
Despite all the weirdness, a part of me enjoyed being back here. Life was less hurried than the one I had in Manhattan. I told myself that it was what made the city great, the liveliness and the energy. The city truly never did sleep.
Maybe it was time to slow down the hectic pace, at least for a little while.
But how? The only true connection I had here was Gianna. Sure, I liked the guys in the house, but they were likely to pass out of my life soon, especially if I sold the place. We’d have no reason to see each other. I learned that through college and my time in New York. People came in and out of your life. Even those who were regulars for a period would disappear, eventually. Poof. Just like magic.
After a deep breath in which the sea scent seemed to invigorate me, I continued meandering through the sand. Maybe I was at a turning point in my life. The big question was, which way should I turn?
No way wouldI step foot in my aunt’s apartment again until the dark magic was gone. At Gianna’s, I made some calls and checked my work email to make sure nothing urgent had come up.
That afternoon, I went to the house to meet Colleen. It was already Thursday, and the week was flying by. Although I didn’t think I would need a week in this city, now even two didn’t seem long enough.
After I entered the kitchen, I spotted Diego in his living room watching the news.
“Hi Diego. A witch is coming at two to help me.”
“Come hang out,” he said. “It’s just me. The others are out.”
I sat on the sofa and caught up on the day’s doom and gloom, but must have glanced at the clock at least fourteen times. Two o’clock came and went. I tried calling Colleen, and it went right to voicemail.
Disappointed, I stood to leave when the phone rang. It was Colleen.
“I’m sorry I can’t make it. Something has come up.”
I swallowed. “Oh, that’s too bad.” Now what would I do? “Can you come later?” My voice lilted.
“I don’t know. A lot is going on.” Before I could press for details, she said, “Don’t worry, Nova, I’m certain you can handle this. All you have to do is try.” After a pause, she added, “Youmustgive it a try.”
“Must?” That was weird.
“Please,” Colleen insisted. “I need to go.”
After she ended the call, I blew out a breath and plopped back onto the sofa. Shit. That sucked. I had to put on my big girl panties and try some magic. Something I had no desire to attempt again.
Diego asked, “What’s wrong?”
“She’s not going to make it. She told me to try to clean the dark magic.” I pointed to my chest. “Me,” I repeated with emphasis. “She doesn’t realize how much of a bad idea this is.”
Diego cocked his head. “Why?”
Tightness griped my throat. I dreaded telling the story, one in which I questioned what was actual memory or filled in by my speculation. Yet, he’d confided in me when telling me about Diana. “It’s a long story.” I shook my head. “Actually it’s not since I don’t remember much of it. What I do is in fragments and pulled together from what I heard.”
“Memories can be tricky that way,” he said in a gentle tone.
I brought my hands together and took a deep breath. “I was around five and tried to do a spell. Nobody knows which one, and I don’t remember.” Struggling to keep my voice steady, I tried to tell the story of fractured memories from a distance, as an observer. “But whatever I did sparked a fire. It was small at first. I called my mom and rushed from the room. Before I made it out, the fire raged, and then smoke filled the room.” My nostrils flared at the acrid scent in my memory, and my pulse quickened. I took some deep breaths to slow my racing heart before I continued.
“My mom shrieked when she saw the fire, picked me up, and ran. I remember choking on the smoke as we rushed to get out of there. Clinging to her in terror as I gasped for air. Thinking we were going to die. And then I passed out.”
Diego took my hand and squeezed it. “I’m sorry, Nova. That experience must have been terrifying.”
I nodded, squeezing back tears. Sobs threatened to rack my body, but I held them at bay.
