Page 85 of Enchant the Dawn

Maddy read the instructions, then frowned. “It says I need a wand.”

“Wands are mainly used to focus power. It’s a simple spell. I think you can do it. But you might need a wand for some of the more complicated spells. We’ll see about making you one if you like.”

* * *

It was near dark when Ava closed the grimoire. “You did well today. Are you sure there aren’t any witches in your family?” she asked as they left the third-floor room and made their way down the stairs to the kitchen.

“None that I ever heard of,” Maddy said. “I guess I could ask my mother next time I talk to her.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised to find a witch or two way back in your ancestry somewhere. What shall we have for dinner?”

* * *

Dominic woke to the tantalizing aroma of Ava’s homemade spaghetti sauce. He could hear his great-grandmother and Maddy talking about the ins and outs of magic wands in the kitchen.

“What’s yours made of?” Maddy asked.

“Ebony. But hazel and ash both make good ones, as do hawthorn and cherry. But for you, I think apple would be best. Apple wands have the qualities of youth, beauty, and love.” Ava smiled. “Perfect for someone young and in love. And, as it happens, there’s an apple tree in the backyard.”

Dominic grinned as he made his way downstairs. Youth and beauty described his Maddy to a T. As for love, he intended to see she was never without it.

“Sauce smells good,” he said as he kissed Ava on the cheek. “How did you know I wanted spaghetti for dinner?”

“I’m a witch, remember? Besides, it’s been your favorite dish since you were a boy.”

“I guess I’ll have to learn her recipe,” Maddy said as Dominic pulled her into his embrace.

They kept the conversation light at dinner. There was no mention of knights and the Brotherhood, or of wizards, or Claret.

Until Jasper croaked.

They all turned to stare at the toad.

“Maybe you should just turn him loose,” Dominic said. “Or at least feed him once in a while.”

“Sad to say, I’m all out of flies, crickets, and spiders,” Ava retorted.

“How long are you going to keep him like that?”

“Feeling sorry for him, are you, Dominic?” Ava asked. “I can’t imagine why, considering he’d be more than happy to deliver you to Claret—or the Elder Knight—depending on which he’s more afraid of at the moment.”

“Then kill him and put him out of his misery.”

The toad began hopping up and down and back and forth. It was obvious he understood what was being said, Maddy thought. And just as obvious that he was terrified.

“I don’t mean to stick my nose in where it doesn’t belong,” Maddy said. “But I think Dominic’s right. Keeping Jasper like this is cruel.”

Silence fell over the table. Maddy clenched her hands in her lap, wishing she’d kept her mouth shut.

She risked a glance at Dominic, surprised to find him smiling at her.

“If you want to release him from the spell,” Ava said, “do it.”

“Me?” Maddy exclaimed. “I’m not powerful enough to do that.”

“How do you know?”

“Because . . . because I know. I barely managed to summon an image of my parents, and then only for a moment. Besides, this is someone else’s spell. I wouldn’t even know where to begin.”

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