Eliza's Shadow

by Catherine Wittmack

  “Hello dear!” Nan responded warmly.

  “Are you ready to go Eliza?” Ren asked crossing the room.

  “Almost.” I said before turning back to face Nan.

  “So, on Thursday, can you show me your clean flame trick?” I asked hopefully.

  Her eyebrows lifted in amusement. “I’m surprised Ren hasn’t already taught you. It’s one of his favorite party tricks.” She exclaimed.

  “No… but I will.” He said with a roll of his eyes. “That’s an easy one.” He said flashing a grin at Nan before towing me through the door.

  17

  The last remnants of the late autumn sun vanished below the tree line leaving a clear dark sky pierced by a crescent moon. Ren leaned against the passenger side door of his car waiting for me.

  “Would you like to give it a go tonight?” He asked solicitously, his breath leaving frozen clouds in the air.

  I met his mischievous gaze with a grin. “Do you really need to ask?” I quipped nudging him aside and hopping into the passenger seat.

  Ren dashed around the front of the car and jumped in beside me.

  “It’s bloody cold tonight, where do you think we could go where no one would see us? It’ll be too windy on the beach.” He muttered, thinking aloud as he fumbled with the controls and cranked up the heat in the car.

  I sank back into my seat, wracking my brain before settling on a spot.

  “Just drive to my house, I know where we can go.” I said.

  * * *

  My damp palms slipped on the cold metal rungs of the ladder. I paused cautiously to calm my throbbing heart taking care not to glance down.

  “Almost there,” I whispered to myself, fighting back fear.

  “Are you alright up there Eliza?” Ren asked anxiously from below.

  “Uh, yeah, I’m just a little scared of heights.” I responded shakily.

  I blinked rapidly steadying myself before scampering the last few rungs heavenward toward the door. With one hand clasping the ladder, I freed the latch on the heavy metal door and shoved it open. Cold air poured through the open door. I hungrily sucked in a breath before climbing through the opening onto the roof.

  Moonlight glittered on the shiny silver pipes that curved and coiled along the flat industrial roof. I scanned the angular roofs of the buildings and the scruffy bare limbs of the treetops across the street.

  “Come on up!” I called down the chute, my words echoing against the concrete walls.

  The only response I heard from Ren was the sound of his feet tapping against the metal rungs as he climbed up the ladder.

  “No one can see us up here and at least it’s not as cold as the beach.” I said with a shrug watching Ren scan the perimeter of the building.

  “Genius. Let’s get started.” He responded satisfied.

  He crossed the rooftop and settled next to a cluster of piping that would shield the wind. I traipsed after him and sat down. Ren cocked his head studying me for a moment, obviously contemplating how to begin.

  “Eliza have you ever plugged a lamp into an outlet and noticed a spark shoot off the metal tongs?” He asked.

  I nodded and tucked my hands into my lap for warmth. “Sure.” I answered patiently, waiting for him to elaborate.

  “That spark is a current of electricity, right? And suppose you happened to be holding something like a piece of paper as you encountered the spark, it’s likely the spark might jump to the paper and grow into a flame.” He added as if he was feeling more confident in his analogy.

  I frowned. “Yeah, I guess that could happen but what does this have to do with conjuring a clean flame? The fact is I don’t have an electrical outlet or paper, or matches for that matter. That’s the point, right?” I asked.

  Ren rolled his eyes impatiently. “Right. My point is that, ordinarily, you must have some sort of catalyst to create a fire. When we make a clean flame, rather, one originated from magical means, we also must use a catalyst it’s just not one you might think of naturally.”

  He chose his words carefully. “Your nerves communicate with each other through bursts of electricity. When your brain gives your hand an order, a current of electricity runs from nerve to nerve through your arm carrying the command until it’s executed. So, just imagine… you have a spark running through you too. To create a clean flame all you need to do is set a spark free.” He added simply.

  I sighed. “You make it sound easy. How on earth am I supposed to set a spark free? And even if I can free the spark somehow, what’s going to turn it into a flame?” I asked.

  “Ah, that is where the magic comes in. If it’s a spark from you, it doesn’t need tinder.” He said and a knowing smile spread across his face.

  Ren stretched and flexed his hands. “Here, why don’t I walk you through it once and then you can give it a go.” He offered.

  He laid his hands palm up on top of his thighs as if he was entering a mediation pose. His eyelids closed and his face went blank.

  “I’m imagining the spark bouncing around the top of my head. Now it’s dashing down my arm, leaping through synapse after synapse toward my fingertips.” He said evenly.

  His arm lifted from his side and his fingers curled into each other.

  “As it reaches my fingers, I command it to jump!” He said sharply.

  As he spoke his fingers snapped together and he flipped his hand up as if to catch a falling ball.

  I never noticed the flame on his fingertips but there it was flickering madly in the palm of his hand.

  Ren smiled triumphantly. “See? It’s easy! Now your turn.” He said encouragingly.

  I stared at the lively flame on his palm and felt my eyebrows creep together in an expression of determination.

  “Ok, sure, looks easy enough.” I said, wiggling to sit up straight.

  I folded and refolded my legs. My arms fidgeted and flopped around as I struggled to find a comfortable position.

  Ren laughed. “What are you doing? Just sit still and focus, why don’t you?” He urged impatiently.

  I pressed my crossed ankles together and my arms to my sides. “Ok, ok. I’m ready.” I stammered.

  I forced deep measured breaths until the cold air stilled the nervous bubbles bobbing around my head. My hands stretched around my knees and I flexed my fingers imagining the flame leaping from the tips. I turned inward imagining the spark growing inside of me. My mind’s eye examined the small dot of electricity and watched it glow in the caverns of my mind.

  Run! I commanded.

  I followed the little spark as it hopped from one nerve to the next, racing down the length of my arm and felt it, hot and anxious to perform. Then something strong and sure told me the spark was ready. Without a conscious effort, my arm lifted from my side and my wrist snapped.

  My eyes shot open. A small ball of light glowed bright against the darkness. I glanced up to find Ren’s giddy grin.

  We sat for several moments in reverent silence before Ren snatched the wriggling little light from my palm as easily as a frog snatches an insect.

  He chuckled and tossed it above our heads. The small light bounced in the air like a yo-yo before settling suspended above our heads.

  “Wow! How’d you do that?” I exclaimed.

  “Clean flames will do just about anything you want them to.” He said.

  “Can I touch it again?” I asked tentatively.

  Ren shrugged. “Sure, it’s your flame.” He said and sank back against the cluster of pipes, a pleased smile lingering on his lips.

  I reached into the air and plucked the tiny blaze from its perch. I held the flame in my hand admiring its dance.

  “It’s hot.” I said wincing.

  Ren inched toward me and slid his hand beneath mine. His palm was soft against my knuckles. Then his fingers closed around my wrist and he pulled my hand toward his lowered face. My fingertips grazed the scruff of his chin sending a tingle up my arm. Our eyes met across the glowing expanse of my palm.
/>   “Even the most magical things can burn.” He said tensely, holding my gaze.

  My cheeks flushed hot under his intense stare.

  “Only… if you let them.” I responded, carefully controlling my breath.

  “Easier said than done.” He said with a sigh.

  I blew softly across my palm. The flame flickered and disappeared into a wisp of smoke.

  18

  Despite the alarming mention of the Heka Service in the introduction section of my primer, I had concerned myself very little with the possibility of being called upon for a mission. But as I sat in Nan’s office, reeling from a proposition she had just laid out, the words from the primer came back to me.

  The Heka Service polices the behaviors of our citizens. All members of the Heka Society will be asked to serve at least one term in the Heka Service. If you have not already been contacted by your local Service Agent when the time comes they will find you.

  At the time, it hadn’t occurred to me that someone so inexperienced would be asked for help. So when Nan asked Ren and I to come to her office after school one afternoon to discuss official Heka Council business, I wasn’t even the least bit suspicious. I should have been. Nan had mentioned that she was the Service Agent for the Port Rune area.

  “So, I have to do the time now that I’m a member not that anyone asked me if I’d like to join of course.” I grumbled.

  “As a matter of fact, yes, you do, Eliza. I’m sorry you see your service as such an inconvenience. It is an excellent way to learn, you know.” Nan said sagely.

  “It’s just that I can’t believe you’d send me out so soon! I’m a novice, remember?” I proclaimed throwing my hands up.

  Ren paced the floor of the library following the curve of the bookshelves excitedly.

  “When do we depart?” He asked eagerly.

  Nan sat regally behind her large wooden desk. Unlike the last time I’d been invited up to the widow’s walk, the room today was neat and tidy. The surface of the desk was bare aside from a small package wrapped in brown paper and coarse string.

  I sank onto the only other piece of furniture, the lounge chair that looked as if it was intended for a psychiatrist office.

  “Never mind when we depart. Nan, do you really think this a good idea?” I asked.

  Nan shook her head and waved her hands dismissively. “Eliza, I’m surprised by your lack of faith in my good judgment. This mission is perfectly appropriate for the two of you. Besides that, the message is urgent and we don’t have time to procure another courier.” She added practically.

  “Can you at least tell us what’s in the package?” I asked eyeing the lumpy object on the desk suspiciously.

  Nan’s gaze darted between Ren and me. “Do you recall me mentioning that Amelia Light came through town several weeks ago with some novice witches she’d taken under her wing?” She eyed us waiting for a response.

  I nodded and out of the corner of my eye noticed Ren’s head bobbing too.

  “Well, as it turns out, she’d taken on the group of novices in an attempt to rescue them. There’s been a rising in the North, up the coast near the Arctic. Some infernal old Viking is causing trouble.” She explained fervently.

  My mouth dropped open. “Viking? I thought those guys disappeared hundreds of years ago.” I mumbled.

  Nan stretched her hands across the top of the desk and stared at her splayed fingers for a moment before responding.

  “There are some of us, the gifted you know, who live on for much, sometimes much, much longer than the average human. The details of the trouble are in this package. Your mission will be to deliver it to Harold Pliny, my uncle. He’ll know how to handle the situation.” She said definitively.

  My eyebrows shot up with alarm. Hundreds of years? This new bit of information disturbed me.

  “Uncle Harold? So that means we get to go to London!” Ren exclaimed.

  I held up my hands in a stop motion. “Wait a minute. London? How can I possibly go to London? That’s far away and there’s school. Besides that, I can’t afford it and how in the world would I explain the trip to Jane?” I objected.

  Nan cleared her throat to break the stream of worried rambling flowing from my mouth.

  “I’ll take care of the logistics, Eliza. Don’t worry about the cost of the trip or missing school. Winter break is approaching. You and Ren will depart after the Christmas holiday and you’ll be back before school resumes in January. The timing is really ideal.” She explained calmly.

  “But what about Jane?” I pressed.

  “Ah, for that complication, I’ll need your cooperation. You will ask her permission to accompany Ren to London. You’ll tell her that you’re rendezvousing with Ren’s parents for a visit. I don’t want him to travel alone and that is why we are inviting you.” She said patiently.

  I shook my head doubtfully. “Well, I don’t know. Jane might not like the idea of me traveling with a boy.” I said.

  Nan’s eyes twinkled. “Oh, I don’t think she’ll resist. In fact, she’ll be very supportive of the idea. I assure you.” She said confidently.

  “Hmmm.” My lips drew together in a tight line. I didn’t even need to ask why Nan was so certain Jane would agree.

  One of Nan’s eyebrows shot up in amusement. “Alright then, sounds as if we’re all on the same page. Winter break begins in precisely two weeks and you two, my little messengers, will depart in two weeks and three days, directly after the Christmas holiday. So, let’s get to work. Eliza, I expect you to ask Jane for permission by tomorrow evening before midnight.” She ordered.

  “I suppose that’s when your spell expires?” I asked, testing my assumption.

  “Naturally. Now, meet me in the greenhouse in ten minutes, there will be a few protective spells I’ll need to place on you two before departure and we might as well get started now.” Nan said practically.

  * * *

  “Aren’t you nervous?” I asked, studying Ren’s profile as he steered his car down the winding road that took us away from Nan’s house toward Main Street.

  “There’s a fine line between being nervous and excited.” Ren said shooting me a challenging grin.

  “It just seems risky. What if we get into trouble?” I asked.

  “The only way we’re going to get stronger is by taking on challenges. Besides, this seems fairly low risk.” He said dismissively.

  I was excited to go to London and it would be interesting to meet an old wizard like Uncle Harold and I did want to find out what was in that mysterious lumpy package.

  Ren pulled his car up to the curb in front of my building and let his hands drop from the wheel, then shifted in his seat to face me. The familiar flames of intensity burned in his dark eyes.

  “Eliza, my parents sent me away because they didn’t trust that I could handle the situations I might face if I was with them. This is a chance for me, for both of us, to prove we can handle a real assignment. I need to do this.” He said, an edge in his tone.

  Ren didn’t like to talk about his parents. I knew it bothered him that they’d sent him away. Seeing the hope in his eyes that this assignment might bring him closer to his family made me feel guilty for fretting.

  “You’re right. Nan wouldn’t give us this assignment if she didn’t think we could handle it. I’ll stop complaining, ok?” I said with determination.

  A grin spread across Ren’s face.

  “Excellent.” Then glancing up toward the windows of my loft he added, “and good luck with Jane.”

  “Yeah… thanks.” I said and hopped out of car.

  I trotted up the stairs of my building feeling slightly tingly and warm all over as if my skin was sheathed in an invisible coating from Nan’s protective spells. When I reached the door, I was surprised to find it suspiciously unlocked.

  “Hello?” I called into the quiet loft.

  Afternoon light spilled through the wall of windows bringing all the colors of the room alive. A surge of water and cre
aking pipe responded from the hallway. Jane sauntered out of the bathroom.

  “Hey babe.” She answered casually.

  “Hey. What are you doing home?” I asked with surprise. Saturday afternoons were peak prep time for the weekend rush. It was absolutely unprecedented for Jane to step foot out of Viva on a Saturday.

  Jane smiled and shrugged, slouching down on the couch. “Aren’t you glad to see me?” She asked with a wink.

  I moved slowly across the room in her direction before finally slinking onto the loveseat opposite her.

  “Yeah, of course I’m glad to see you. It’s just that you’re usually really busy on Saturdays. Seems like there would have to be an emergency for you to come home.” I added tentatively.

  Jane’s forehead creased and she fidgeted with her fingernails, pushing back the cuticles on each finger with the nails of her opposite hand.

  “Truth is babe, I am busy but I got a feeling you needed me so I came home.” She cocked an eyebrow in my direction. “So what’s the deal? Am I crazy or is there something we need to talk about?” She added curiously.

  My shoulders instinctually fell back against the couch as if the force of surprise physically shoved me. Nan’s spell was impatient.

  “Ummm…” I muttered anxiously, trying to pull together the words I needed to say. I hated being put on the spot.

  “Actually, I do need to talk to you about something.” I started haltingly and with a deep breath launched into the pitch.

  “Ren and his grandmother have invited me to go to London over winter break.” I spouted. Remembering the story Nan had fed me, I scrambled to explain before Jane formulated a decision.

  “Nan isn’t able to go, you see, and she doesn’t want Ren to travel alone. We’re going to meet his parents there. They live in Africa? So, they have a break and want to see him but he needs to go to London to meet up with them and they want me to go with him.” I rambled.