Page 52 of Whisked Away
“But you love her, Ethan,” Zoe whispers.
She’s so serious that, in another context, it would almost be comical. But instead, it only makes my chest ache more, especially as it’s emphasized by Mia’s sad, wide eyes glistening with tears.
“It doesn’t matter,” I say finally. The salty, sweet scent of Magnolia Cove fills my lungs. It’s the scent of home, of the place I’ve come to know and love. Now it’s tinged with bitterness and loss, but I can’t selfishly harm everyone for my desires. I can’t allow Alex to get caught up in my troubles, harm her as I’ve done to another in the past. She’s too good for Ethan Hart, was from the moment she stepped her designer shoes on this island. If I tell her the truth about me and she doesn’t accept it, they’d have to wipe her memories. I can’t risk her harm for my sake.
“What will you do, Ethan?” Mia asks.
I take another deep breath, then let it rush out on the wind. “You heard what Dean said. We need Alex to leave and never want to come back. I’m going to have to break her heart.”
Zoe fists her hands and parts her lips, but I shake my head. We all know it’s what needs to happen. She grimaces. “What about the Whisk? She might write an article destroying it.”
I’ve had worse dreams die than my renown in the food world. For the longest time, it seemed like my greatest desire,but now everything has changed. I’d give up the Whisk to have Alex. But that’s impossible.
“It’s not like we’ll lose customers over it,” I say sadly, turning away from my friends.
A scathing review won’t hurt business—if anything, it might drive more people to visit. The only one it would hurt is me.
There’s a whispered argument behind me. From what I can catch of their words, Zoe wants to follow me, but Mia says I need space. That’s probably what I need—to get away from the town proper, where I can give in to my magic fully. To get away from the place I’ve poured my heart and dreams into, where I’ve found purpose and joy, only for it to destroy me in the end, regardless.
I clench my jaw and set myself to my task.
Tomorrow, I’ll have to shatter dreams I just realized I had.
Ethan
The moon’s light bathes the shore in an ethereal glow, turning the familiar coastline into something out of a fairytale. Walking with Alex’s shoulder brushing mine, I feel like I’m living a fantasy. My mind races with the weight of what I have to do tonight, the Council’s warning ringing in my ears.
Magic sings through the breeze, thick and potent, as we approach the moon-bathed shore. Hundreds of others have already gathered, spreading out on blankets or perching along rocks. I plan to lead Alex up the cliffside where she can experience the night’s wonder without getting too close and realizing things she shouldn’t. My initial plan was to bring her here to see the magic, but now I need to hide it from her.
She likely can’t see all that I see—the shimmering threads of magic washing in with the waves, the faint glow emanating from the witches’ and warlocks’ skin as they stand clustered together, the way the very air seems to hum with possibility. Tiny, glistening lights sizzle through the night, flickering and popping like invisible sparklers—someone’s subtle magic at play, weaving harmless enchantments into the air. Most people here don’t have powerful magic, but they don’t need to.They’re here to bask in it, to soak up the warmth of a world where the impossible is just part of the scenery.
“It’s so beautiful here,” Alex breathes. If only she knew how much magic enhanced Magnolia Cove. That even tourists got a taste of the beauty when they stepped onto the island. Even non-magical humans. Like her.
I force a smile, trying to ignore the voice in my head screaming that Zoe is right. That there has to be another way. “Wait until you see the view from the cliffs,” I say as I step in that direction—away from the crowd, away from the truth I can’t share.
As we pass the gathering, I catch Dean’s eye. His stern gaze follows us, a silent reminder of the threat hanging over my head. The threat to Alex’s memories should I fail. I give him a slight nod. I understand what I must do.
“Come on,” I say to Alex, “let’s head up. The view is incredible.”
As we make our way up the winding path, Alex’s eyes dart around, taking in every detail. She’s observant—it’s part of what makes her a talented writer. But tonight, that keen perception could be dangerous.
We reach the top of the cliff, and Alex gasps. The sight never fails to take my breath away, either, even after years of experiencing the summer ritual. The full moon hangs low over the water, its reflection shimmering in broken pieces across the waves. Just beneath the surface, hundreds of moon jellies glow with an otherworldly light.
“Ethan, this is… magical,” Alex whispers, her eyes wide and fixed on the sea.
If only she knew how right she was.
A gust of wind picks up, and she steps closer. No one else is around to see, so I tuck an arm over her shoulder. She sighs into my chest, and the bittersweet ache in my heart physically hurts. I think this might be how a heart attack feels.
“Look,” I say, pointing to the water. “They’re gathering.”
More of the luminescent creatures appear, their soft blue glow brightening with each wave’s crash. Moon jellies—real, but drawn in by the magic, responding to the energy we channel tonight. They drift like fallen stars just beneath the water’s surface, pulsing with the tide, a living reflection of the power humming in the air. It’s a magnificent sight, one that even non-magical folks can appreciate. It’s also a secret—sacred, really.
We never invite humans to our rituals. This isn’t just a celebration; it’s how we fuel our magic, syncing ourselves with the pull of the moon, the rhythm of the tide, the energy shifting in the air. We dress it up as a festival, something to enjoy, but it’s more than that—it’s a way to stay connected, to keep our magic strong.
But Alex isn’t just anyone, and if she was going to leave soon, I wanted to give her some magic to take with her. It feels even more important now, since she won’t take good memories of me.
Another breeze whips across the cliff’s edge, and Alex shudders. I slide my flannel jacket off and tuck it around her shoulders. I hadn’t considered how cool it would be up here. “It’s getting chilly. Maybe we should head back down.”
