by Kali Harper
Maggie read over the page I had it opened to. The corner was dog-eared, the edges of the page torn as though whoever had used it had done so when they were upset. Even the binding from the spine was pulled. The only thing holding the book together was the glue on the backs of all the pages and a bit of string inside the spine.
“You need to get Lance over here,” she said, her voice strained.
“Why?” What did she see?
“This is a black book. Magic that’s been banned from this world for more than a century.”
“Then where in the world did Thomas get it?”
“Where in the world, indeed.”
“I’ll call Lance in a second, but can you at least tell me what it says?”
“It’s known as a Wiping spell. It’s intended use is to wipe the memory of its target.”
That didn’t sound too bad. Not when compared to killing someone, anyway.
Maggie went on. “If one were to use this spell along with a ward on himself, then it would’ve been strong enough.”
“Strong enough for what?”
“To break through Sammy’s wards.” There was something else she wasn’t telling me, but even as she turned away, I caught the glimpse of sadness in her eyes. We had our answer.
“I’ll call Lance.”
“Where did you get this?”
Lance sat at the kitchen table, flipping the black book over in his hands. His brows pinched together as he opened the spine, almost throwing it across the room when he came to the mind wipe spell Maggie had mentioned earlier.
“You shouldn’t have this,” he said, his voice tight.
“It was at Thomas’,” I told him, setting the second book down beside it. “Along with this.”
Lance adjusted his glasses and opened the books side-by-side. Over the next hour, he went page by page, making notes in his trusty pad of paper as he did. When he didn’t try to keep them from me, I read over the list he’d made. It was a collection of spells that could work with one another, one of which was the same conclusion Maggie had come up with before he arrived.
“Everything lines up,” Lance finally said, sitting back in his chair as I handed him a cup of coffee. “Going to need a lot more than this before the day’s through.”
“Start with one cup,” I told him, “otherwise you’ll become an addict like me.”
“I guess we wouldn’t want that.”
“So what now?”
“Now nothing. Thank you for bringing this to my attention, but leave the rest to me.”
“You can’t go after him,” I said, heart dipping into my stomach.
Lance stood to leave but didn’t move. “What is this?”
“What?” I didn’t see anything.
“Are you doing this to me?” He glared in my direction.
Oh no.
“Astrid…”
“Yes. No. I don’t know,” I told him, collapsing in the chair next to where he’d been sitting. “Kat and I realized I can conjure things. Or, well, shield things? She’d tripped over Sammy, and as she fell, I kept the mug of tea in the air. She told me it could’ve been telekinesis, but when we tested it and I couldn’t turn the spoon, I—”
“Wait a second, you found your powers?”
I swallowed hard, not looking at him. “I think so, but I don’t know how to turn it off. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to trap you.”
I thought he might lose his temper, yell at me, and go over a hundred reasons why I’d get kicked out of town for good. Instead, he laughed. Not a sinister laugh, but a heartfelt, don’t worry about it laugh.
“I can help you through this,” he said. “You need to take a handful of deep breaths and close your eyes. Slow your heart rate down.”
I did as he asked, wincing when my heart jumped and started the entire process all over again.
“Breathe, Astrid.”
Again, I took a breath and slowly, very slowly, my heart rate returned to normal.
His hand touched mine before I realized my spell was no more. “First time having an anxiety attack?”
“That’s a horrible feeling.”
“I agree, they also ramp up our magic when they occur. You good now?”
I took a steadying breath for good measure, then gave him a nod. “Sorry about before.”
“It happens. Until you fully understand how your magic works, you’ll run into things like that. Just remember if you panic, the magic can go out of control. Sammy stopped it from going too far, of course, but it’s best if you’re careful. Nice to meet you, conjurer.”
“I can’t believe conjuring things includes shielding items. Sounds like it belongs in another class of magic.”
“That it does, but once you get to know the magic you’ve been given, you’ll understand why it belongs there. While enchantments and wards can exist under the same tree, conjuration allows you to do a lot more than shield yourself or making items appear. The shields you create are akin to bulletproof glass. When done right, these shields could keep you from falling, slipping on ice, and even protect you from fire so long as you’re conscious and can keep your thoughts in check. It requires a lot of focus though, which explains how taxing it’s been on you thus far. My gift is similar, only I can’t do it to others or whenever I like.”
“Life and death,” I added, remembering what he’d said before.
“Yes.”
“Is it something I can use to shield me from magic as well?” If I’d had my magic sooner, could it have saved Maggie?
“No. All magic has its limitations. Sammy’s wards, for example, are much like what I can do for myself if needed. However, if one were to cast a reflection spell on himself before casting a spell at me, it would bounce off my shield, back at him, then break through my ward.”
“That’s what you think happened with Maggie, isn’t it? Wouldn’t it wipe her memory?”
“If it hit her directly instead of jumping between wards, yes. Every time a spell jumps off a ward or shield, its power increases. It’s one of the reasons Black Magic was banned. It’s already powerful on its own without the user amplifying it. This all explains her time of death, Sammy’s wards still being in place, Maggie not knowing who her killer was along with her aneurysm. Instead of doing what it was supposed to, the spell shut down her mind completely.”
“Killing her.”
“Yes.”
“Is it possible for a spell to hit someone you can’t see?”
“How long has Maggie had that skylight?” Lance gestured to the one above the kitchen sink.
“For as long as I’ve known her, I’d imagine.”
“If she were standing there, it would give someone the ability to target her.”
“All because I washed my hands?” Maggie cut in, having possessed Ginger again.
“Apparently so. Lovely to hear your voice again, Maggie.”
“And yours.”
Lance cleared his throat, gathered the two books, then stepped away from the table. “You aren’t going to stop me if I try to leave, are you?” His question was directed at me.
“No anxiety,” I said, placing our mugs in the sink. “I think we’re good.”
Once he left, I sat at the table with my head in my hands. Something still didn’t feel right.
“Astrid, what is it?” Maggie asked, hopping on the table as she still hadn’t let go of Ginger’s form.
“I don’t understand. If his dragon wanted to kill you, why didn’t he do the same to me?”
“Because you aren’t a threat,” Maggie said, nuzzling my forehead with a long purr.
“He doesn’t know that, though. No one aside from you, Sammy, Kat, and Lance know what my power is. For all Thomas knows, I could’ve easily picked up where you left off.”
“Dragons can sense magic,” Sammy said, joining Maggie on the table. “Many of the things he stole had magical qualities to them. The rustic genie lamp he has in the front window probably worked a very long time ago.”
“Which explains how he came across the black book.”
“Yes, but that also means he was hunting for it. This book isn’t one you come across by mistake.”
“So is Lance going to arrest Thomas?” All things considered, it didn’t sound fair, not when Thomas and his dragon were individuals instead of the same person. Thomas going to jail sounded as bad as Harris turning himself in.
“There’s nothing else he can do. Oh no, Astrid. No. Stop thinking whatever you’re thinking and let it go.”
“One charm,” I said, looking from him to Maggie. “It will take one charm to keep his dragon under the surface. It’s better than the alternative.”
“Which is?”
“Stripping him of his power?” Heck if I knew.
“Forbidden,” Sammy growled.
“I know, but Thomas, the friendly man we all know, shouldn’t be held accountable for—”
“His other self? Like it or not, he must have some inkling of what happened.”
“But he didn’t do it.”
“Lance will handle it,” Sammy reminded me. “You found the killer. You uncovered the clues.”
“And Maggie’s still here,” I finished for him, taking the orange tabby in my arms before giving her a squeeze.
“You two planning my going away party already?” Maggie asked, wriggling out of my arms a moment later.
“More like you’re coming home party.”
“You still have to finish my dress.”
I rolled my eyes and got to my feet. “I’m going to do it right now.” It was the least I could do after everything that had happened today. I only hoped Lance knew what he was doing.
Patrols cars sat outside of Thomas’ shop, and before I could locate Lance’s car, a loud crash came from inside the antique shop. Sammy and I glanced at one another, and without saying a word, rushed inside. Lance flew across the room as an officer lay motionless along the wall to my right. Focusing on Lance, I kept him from hitting the glass window, then gently set him on the ground.
“You shouldn’t be here,” he said, grimacing as he got to his feet.
“You can thank me later,” I told him. “What were you planning to do? Arrest him?” I followed Lance behind a bronze statue as the building shook around us.
“What else am I supposed to do?”
Just then, Max crashed into a pile of holiday wreaths, which was a much better landing than the one Lance would’ve had if not for my magic.
“You okay, Max?” Lance called, pulling me off to the side as a lamp headed right for us.
Max gave us the thumbs up, then after helping the other officer to his feet, ran out of the shop.
“It’s you and me now,” Lance said as he let me go.
“No, just me.” I hated to do it, but I had to get him out of the store. So long as the officers were around, Thomas would never speak with me.
“Astrid…”
“He helped me when he could’ve done the same thing he did to Maggie,” I told him.
“Doesn’t mean he’ll do it again.”
“No, but maybe he’ll listen.”
Leaving both Lance and Sammy inside the front door, I made my way through the stacks of tables and chairs, pausing whenever Thomas took a step of his own. All things considered, his dragon was rather small. Given how everyone talked about him, I expected more. Instead, he was an inch taller than usual and the largest part of himself were his wings. That explains how he fit inside Maggie’s house.
“Is this a bad time?” I called out, clenching my teeth when the dragon released a long roar. “I don’t know if you got Thomas’ message, but I wanted to thank you.” I can’t believe I’m saying this. “I have something for you. Something I made.” I took another step, swallowing hard when the building shook a third time.
Then it stopped. There was no sound, no heat, and no temper at all. Glancing over my shoulder, I motioned at Lance to stay where he was. I admit, it wasn’t my smartest plan getting between him and Thomas, but I knew, deep down, Thomas was stuck inside the dragon’s body fighting to regain control. It was probably the same way his dragon felt all the time.
“It must be terrible,” I said, weaving between piles of junk, “to be stuck inside a body, never to come out.”
“Astrid, what are you doing?” Lance asked.
I shot him a glare but didn’t answer him. “I didn’t realize it before, but I’m an outsider, same as you. It’s hard to see everyone else so happy with their powers when we struggle with ours.” The last bit was a lie, but he didn’t have to know. “Could I please talk to you? I would’ve given this to Thomas earlier, but he probably would’ve kept it for himself.”
“What is it?” the dragon rumbled, his long red snout pointed down at me as he rounded the corner. Large wings opened along his sides, and as I stood patiently in front of him, he slowly relaxed.
Once he folded his wings in place, I said, “It’s a cookie. Not as good as Maggie’s,” I told him, “but almost as strong.”
“You’re sending me away?” he seethed.
“No, nothing like that,” I corrected him. “This is like Maggie’s, but for you. Keeping you locked away is a crime and Thomas should be punished. I know what happened with Maggie was an accident, you just wanted to be free. I can help you. Think of it as my way of thanking you for what you did the other night. Who knows what would’ve happened if you hadn’t found me when you did.”
Thomas—his dragon took the small cookie in his paw, turning it over. “A heart?”
I shrugged. “It’s the thought that counts, right?”
His golden eyes narrowed at the gift, and as I went to take it away, he pulled it to his chest and gave me the toothiest grin I’d ever seen. “You’re the first person who’s ever given me a gift.”
“We outsiders need to stick together. We can share it, if you like,” I said, gesturing to the cookie.
“I’d like that.” He broke the treat in half, then watched me as I ate my share of it before doing the same. “Mmm, do I taste pumpkin?”
“And chocolate chips.”
“Delicious,” he said, licking a talon. “Almost makes me wish I had another one.” He paused, then asked, “Do you have another one?”
“Afraid not.” I took a step back before the small treat could kick in. “He’s all yours, Lance. He won’t be able to move for a bit.”
“You tricked me!”
“Sorry, but when someone hurts my friends, I take it personally.”
As Lance, Max, and their team read Thomas his rights, the dragon stood paralyzed as I did the same. The charm was something Maggie came up with on short notice, and seeing as we had the cookies I’d been trying to perfect from the other night, it hadn’t taken long to whip it up.
Casting a spell that wasn’t my own may have been risky, but Lance going after Thomas without any magic of his own was even worse. The only concern I had was actually getting the dragon to join me in eating the treat, which went over a lot better than I’d imagined.
“You okay?” Lance asked, standing beside me as Max placed a spell over Thomas so he could change back to his other form.
“Yup, just paralyzed is all. It’ll pass.”
“Enchanting yourself’s dangerous.”
“It was a last resort,” I admitted. “Maggie helped, though. She made it so it paralyzed from the neck down.”
“Good thing he couldn’t breathe fire.”
“Yeah, I hadn’t thought of that until after the spell started to work. In any case, I wasn’t sure what I would’ve done if I didn’t get to see the end of this.”
“I’ll be sure to send you a copy of the surveillance video.”
“What?” I yelled at him. “Does he have those installed?”
“Not real ones,” came Thomas’ reply. “It’s a good idea considering it would’ve made returning things a lot easier.”
“No kidding.”
“That was slick what you did there. How’d you know it would w
ork?” Thomas asked, looking at me along with everyone else.
“I didn’t, but I’ve thrown a few temper tantrums of my own as a kid. Held my breath so long I passed out once. Anyway, the best way to stop a tantrum is to let them have their way. I agree it isn’t the best thing to do as a parent, but in this case, giving him the illusion of what he wanted sounded best.”
“But once this spell wears off—”
“We’ll handle it,” Lance cut in, stepping aside so the other officers could carry Thomas outside.
“You do realize you can’t keep a dragon in jail. He’ll burn through the cell,” I told Lance.
“Don’t worry, we have a special place for folks like this as well.”
“Sure hope it’s enchanted.”
“By one of the best.”
Lance stayed with me until the spell wore off, then excused himself to fill out mountains of paperwork. His words, not mine. In the end, Sammy and I got to go home and I made sure to lock the doors. Sammy also doubled the wards, though I had a feeling we wouldn’t have to worry about Black Magic ever again. In our hour together as we waited for the spell to wear off, Lance mentioned the destruction of the black book. He didn’t say if he had to toss it in a pool of lava, but knowing it was no longer out there put me at ease.
“The less magic in the world, the better,” I said, flopping on the sofa along with Sammy and Maggie’s ghost.
“I couldn’t agree with you more,” Maggie said, closing her eyes. “So, feel like being a ghost?”
“Pass, thanks.”
“But you could walk through walls,” she offered.
“I’m good.”
“Possess the cats?”
“Cats aren’t really my thing.” Except for Sammy, of course.
“Dogs?”
“Maggie!”
“Okay, okay. It was worth a try. It’s just so boring on this side of the couch.”
I glanced at the cushion of space between us. “I’m sure another ghost will come around eventually.”
“Like you finishing that garden?”
“Can I sleep first?”
“Okay, but on one condition.”
I sighed and met her gaze. “What?”
