by Erin Johnson
I frowned. It did feel like I was holding myself back. "But why?"
He looked back up at me.
"Why am I so afraid? I mean, is that normal?"
Hank pressed his lips together, then let out a breath before he spoke. "I don't think it's too common. We pull our magic from just about anything around us. That's an unlimited supply. When I started learning, the potential seemed overwhelming."
I nodded. Overwhelmed seemed like the perfect word for how I felt.
"But others pull from within themselves. I think that lends them a greater sense of control—an understanding of their power and their limits."
I shrugged. "Guess Spider-Man’s uncle was right."
Hank cocked a brow.
"With great power comes great responsibility."
Hank chuckled. "Human thing?"
I smiled. "Yeah."
"Well, this spider uncle seems pretty wise. With more practice you'll feel more confident, and this won't seem so scary."
I nodded. "I'll have to take your word for it." I swallowed. "But I'll keep trying."
Hank grinned. He gave my hands a gentle squeeze, then shifted and stood, pulling me up with him. "Let's take a break."
I let out a sigh. "Yes." I bounced on my toes and lifted a brow at him. "Should we go steal some scones from the bakery? You distract Maple and I'll nab us a snack."
He grinned. "Only if you nab the honey, too."
"Well, obviously."
I took a step toward the door, but Hank caught my wrist and held me.
"You wanted to look for books that mentioned Monsters Rise. Want to do that before we become pastry thieves?"
My smile dropped. Chills crept up the back of my neck as I remembered my last harrowing moments with Horace. After he'd revealed his true self and tried to kidnap me for his army, he'd left me with a maddening clue before disappearing through a magic portal.
Hank studied my face, concern pulling his brows together. "Or we could abscond with scones now?" He stepped closer. "I'm sorry. Are you thinking about Horace?"
I shook my head, then nodded. "No. Don't be sorry. I do want to find some answers. There's just something about him. I know he wanted another swallow for his army, he told me so. But—it felt like something more too." I threw my hands up. "And now that I know he can disguise himself, I keep walking around thinking he could be anybody."
Hank's face clouded. "I know. Me too." His eyes focused on mine. "We've put in security measures that should make it more difficult for Horace to move around in disguise. We have magic gates and guards posted at checkpoints around Bijou Mer and at the entry to the palace." His throat bobbed as he swallowed. "It's not going to be pleasant to pass through, I'm sorry to say, but if it'll keep you safe, it's worth it."
I turned my head and peered at him through one eye. "This sounds like a doozy of a pat down." I tapped a finger to my lips. "Though with the right guard… might not be so bad."
Hank's eyes grew wide.
"I'm joking."
"Oh." He grinned. "No pat down. It's a magical gate spelled to shut down access to any outside source of magic—so if Horace tried to enter wearing a disguise, he'd lose the power needed to maintain it, and we'd see him for who he truly is."
"Wow." I raised my brows. "Quite a handy device to have on hand." I lifted a brow. "So it only affects us swallows, right? Since we're the only ones who pull on power from outside ourselves."
Hank nodded and looked away. "Yeah." He scratched his neck. "My father had it built when I was a kid for when my powers got out of control."
My brows shot up. "Out of control? Like what I'm worried about?"
He looked up. "No. It was different. I was younger and this was before they found my tutor. You already have more control than I did. At least that's what I've been told. I don't remember much, except my mom looking afraid, and then the gate." He huffed. "I hated that thing."
"I'm sorry you went through that."
His lips quirked to the side, but he kept his gaze on the tiles at our feet. "Thanks."
I itched to reach for his hand but forced mine to stay at my side. You know, for propriety's sake. Though most of the time with Hank I wanted to ditch propriety—such a drag. "I can't imagine trying to figure your powers out alone. If I didn't have you to teach me, I don't know what I'd do."
That got a smile out of him, and like I'd stepped into a cool shower, my whole body came alive and tingly. He arched a brow. "I do. You'd seek out some circus strong man to teach you."
My mouth dropped open and I swatted at his arm. "You're never going to let me live that down, are you?"
He chuckled and dodged me. "Nope." He gave me a lopsided grin and my legs grew weak. "Come on. Let's find some books, then we'll sneak some scones to eat while we pore through them."
I pointed at him. "Deal, but I'm going to hold you to the scones part."
He hooked his long pointer finger around mine. "Deal. Do you want to try the summoning spell?"
I hated to let go of him, but I pulled my hand back. I ducked my head in a mock bow and twirled both hands at him. "No, by all means, do the honors."
He straightened and squared his broad shoulders. I bit my lip to stifle my sigh. When on official business, he wore the blue and gold uniform of the Water Kingdom's royal house, and it, of course, looked great on him. But I preferred him as he was now. In a trim button-up shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his forearms, tan pants, and comfortable-looking leather shoes.
"Ready?"
I shook myself and stopped ogling him. "Yep."
"Stand close. I'm pulling books from all over the library. Tens, even hundreds might come flying in here."
He didn't have to tell me twice. I snuggled right up against his right side and looked up at him. "It'd be just my luck to get taken out by a flying book. Lamest injury ever."
He nodded in agreement. "Nerdiest, for sure." He lifted his broad hands, spread his fingers wide, and closed his eyes. I inched closer to him—for safety… no other reason at all.
His brow furrowed in concentration. "All right, I'm going to summon all books with any mention of Monsters Rise."
I gulped. He took a deep breath and let it out in a measured way. A pulse of magic rushed through me, like a strong wind. It sent the pages of the loose books I'd knocked down flapping. Then it subsided. I waited for the books to come flying in… and waited. Hank peeled his eyes open, and I shrugged at him.
"Maybe I got the spell wrong." He rubbed one hand over the other wrist.
The book-lined room sat still and quiet. I shook my head. "Or there aren't any books that mention it."
Hank ran his hands through his hair. "How? We've got the best library in the kingdoms. There are over four hundred thousand books here."
My brows jumped. "Whoa."
He stalked up to one of the shelves and scanned the titles. "One of them has to at least mention it… right?" He turned to me, puzzled.
I sighed. "Maybe it's not something that would be in a library book. Maybe it's code or… I don't know, some Badlands Army term." I folded my arms. "But if that were the case, why would he tell me to find it? Why would he think I could?"
We stood still, pondering the mystery of it. In the quiet, I became aware of a rushing noise. Like a fan left on in another room. It grew louder. I lifted my head as Hank did the same.
He frowned. "What is that?"
We moved out of the room into one of the main corridors of the royal library, the cavernous space stretching up to a curved ceiling and rows upon rows of books, with an upper balcony. The whooshing noise grew louder. Hank edged forward along the tiled floor and reached back without looking. I took his hand and moved, step by step, toward the sound.
"What time is it?" he whispered.
"Um. Noon maybe?"
"Then it couldn't be the—"
I broke the cardinal rule of libraries and screamed as a massive, roiling black cloud rounded the corner high above our heads and swarmed straight toward us.
Check out the other books in The Spells & Caramels Series
Book 1
Seashells, Spells & Caramels
Available now
Book 2
Black Arts, Tarts & Gypsy Carts
Available now
Book 3
Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins
Coming November 2017
Book 4
Cookie Dough, Snow & Wands Aglow
Coming December 2017
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I’ve always dreamed of being a published author, and to realize that dream, and have people like you actually read my book—I can’t tell you how much it means to me. So, truly, thank you.
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About the Author
A native of Tempe, Arizona, Erin spends her time crafting mysterious, magical, romance-filled stories that’ll hopefully make you laugh.
In between, she’s traveling, napping with her dogs, eating with her friends and family, and teaching Pilates (to allow her to eat more).
Erin loves to hear from readers! You can find her here:
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Copyright © 2017 by Erin Johnson
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