Page 60 of Changeling
Closing my eyes, I concentrate on my magic. Wind dances at my fingertips. Earth is at the ready beneath me. Fire sizzles and snaps its impatience, making me tremble. Water keeps me calm. And spirit whispers in my ears,at your service, young one.
I try to draw evenly from each force to create a seeking current. When the elements unite, I direct the new energy that swirls around me to unravel the old, wicked magic that hid my true form and allowed my parents to steal a human infant.
“Good,” says Tallula. “Take your time. Study the problem.”
In my mind’s eye, I see them. Wispy dark tendrils held together in a tight lattice that refuses to budge. They’re like knots, only forged in steel, hundreds of them.
No…thousands.
The task seems impossible, but giving up isn’t an option. I send my magic to the fraying ends and pick at the tatters. I must free myself of this burdensome binding, even if I have to do it one knot at a time.
The weave holds taut. Curses. Sweat beads on my forehead and drips uncomfortably down my spine. Heat rises to my cheeks.
Tallula’s musical voice pierces my concentration. “Use your magic to calm you, Sebastian. Use it to cool you. There’s more than enough.”
I take her at her word. If she says I can spare energy for my comfort, it must be true. Asking the wind to fan my face and the water to settle my nerves, I take a slow, deep breath. In through my nose. Out through my mouth. My heart rate dips back to normal, and the puzzle of the ancient trap encasing me comes into focus.
“Thank you,” I say to Tallula, to the elements, to anyone listening.
Instead of focusing on one furled knot, I take in the bigger picture. Maybe, just maybe, I can work them all at once. Tallula is right. A massive amount of magic and power has answered my call. Why not use all of it? With Remy here to keep me safe and Tallula to guide me, I’ve nothing to fear. Probably.
I try again, this time approaching the problem as a whole. I expand my silken string of energy to permeate the net that weighs me down. The yellow-orange glow of my magic interlaces with the old graying strings of the glamour, teasing them apart.
Almost.Almost.
The feeling is back. The soft fluttering of wings against my shoulders, a phantom sensation I desperately want to make real. I throw everything I have at it, magic pulsing, tearing away knots, and ripping apart the ancient spell.
Pain lances my skin like a swarm of bees stinging at once. My muscles seize under the onslaught.
Tallula gasps, and Remy’s hands are on me, grabbing my biceps and squeezing. His powers coax mine into submission. I yield to him.
“Too much, Sebastian. Calm down. You’re all right.” Remy’s voice is patient, though I am anything but. I was so close, then…failure. Again.
I heave a frustrated sigh and open my eyes. Remy is right in front of me, studying my face. Tallula is next to him, her gaze full of concern.
“What did I do wrong?” I don’t want to sound whiney, but everything was going so well. “What happened?”
Remy takes my hands. “Your control wanes when you ask for too much power at once. We can try again. I’ll try to help you this time, but don’t rush. Only use what magic you need, don’t invite excess.”
I nod and squeeze his hands. Our energy together feels more stable than mine alone. Remy’s experience tempers my exuberance.
“You can do this, Sebastian. I believe in you,” says Tallula. “When you feel your wings, don’t let go. Set them free.”
Remy lets go of my hands and places his on my knees. I gather my magic for another attempt. We sit face-to-face, cross-legged, with Tallula as an encouraging presence nearby. When Remy closes his eyes, I follow suit. One deep breath. Another. And I’m ready.
I visualize the old glamour and direct my power toward it. Not a rushing geyser like before but a steadily flowing river, peaceful at first glance but mighty over time.
With Remy lending his strength and calming demeanor, I slowly widen my influence over the lattice of magic encasing me. Amber unravels gray, bit by bit, one knot at a time, then two, ten, until my influence pierces them all at once. They loosen and stretch as I focus. My netlike prison drifts away like leaves on the wind, scattering in cardinal directions, leaving me free to stretch my wings.
My wings!
This time, the feeling is real—the natural weight at my shoulders, the extra muscles flexing and rippling.
I open my eyes. My skin gleams with flecks of glowing warm brown, like the amber jewels at my ears and neck. My jaw hangs low as I take it in.
“You’ve done it!” Tallula cheers.
Remy slips his hands from my knees and leans back to look at me, happiness written across his face. “They’re beautiful, Sebastian.”
