The Enchantress (Wicked Book 1)

by Blaire Hammond

  Laura stared at him for a moment. The dream from the night before came to mind. She sat forward in her chair, eyeing the recorder, making sure to word her sentence carefully.

  ‘Mr Stark, is it possible for people to use their powers without their marks? I mean are they able to train themselves to unlock that power from within?’

  Mr Stark looked at Laura for a long moment before replying cautiously, ‘ah, well, as far as I know no one has done so, but that’s not to say it isn’t possible. Why do you ask?’

  The image of Laura’s mother showing her younger self the power she held was still in her mind, blocking out her other thoughts. The black Identity Mark was bold on her wrist. She hadn’t had time to analyse her dream yet and she forced herself to believe that it was just that, a dream. But if it wasn’t, she was sure her mother could be in a lot of trouble.

  Laura smiled at Mr Stark, ‘no reason, just curious I guess.’

  Chapter Seven

  One Step Back

  As Drew entered the kitchen he was hit with the smell of roast chicken and his stomach rumbled. He rounded the corner to find Casey, the manor cook, bent over the stove, stirring a pot gravy. She didn’t usually make lunch so interesting, and Drew wondered why today was different. He took a buttered bread roll from the counter and nibbled on the corner.

  ‘Mr Crescent! Put that down!’ Casey scolded him as she turned towards the chopping board, reaching for the onions.

  ‘Oh come on Casey, you know that I’m your favourite. Give me some slack.’

  ‘I know of no such thing,’ insisted Casey.

  She was a short, plump woman of thirty, with bright red cheeks. She always had her ginger hair pulled back into a loose bun at the nape of her neck, but she was, as all those living within the manor agreed, a lovely woman and, as Drew, who loved his food, would say, one hell of a cook. Few humans were brought into the Spirit World, as few could be trusted with the secrets they would learn. Along with that, few could handle the oaths that they were required to take in order to be trusted, but the ones that were welcomed in to the Spirit World were to be treasured and not once had the people at the manor taken advantage of their beloved cook.

  Drew winked at Casey, ‘don’t lie to yourself,’ and, grabbing another roll, he headed through the double doors and into the dining room.

  As he entered he noticed that the table was spruced up more so than usual with bright orange, yellow and red arrangements of flowers lining it’s middle. Glancing around, he found Gemma and Logan already seated, ready for lunch.

  ‘Hungry?’ he questioned, finishing off his second roll and sinking down into the seat beside Gemma.

  ‘Starved!’ Logan answered, ‘Stella insisted we push lunch back an hour because Mr Stark from the Corin Force was joining us.’

  Drew screwed up his nose, ‘why is he here?’

  ‘He wanted to talk to Laura,’ Gemma replied.

  ‘Poor girl. I feel sorry for her. God I hate that guy. He always calls me boy and he is always so cheerful and happy and smiling and blah blah blah, I mean, you’d think the guy was-

  ‘Thank you for that Drew,’ Stella interrupted as she entered the room, Mr Stark far enough behind to not have heard.

  ‘Mr Stark, my favourite detective,’ Drew grinned, jumping up to shake his hand.

  ‘Ah, Drew! Lovely to see you, boy.’

  ‘Two faced suck up.’ Gemma muttered as Drew sat back down, receiving a kick under the table.

  ‘Not grown much since I last saw you. Haven’t been slacking off with training have we?’ Mr Stark questioned, turning and placing his hat on the hook by the door.

  Drew laughed. ‘Hate that guy,’ he then hissed to Gemma and Logan.

  Stella sent a sharp look Drew’s way and he flashed his pearly whites at her. Laura entered the room then, Caspian right behind her and she turned, quietly discussing something with him.

  Drew couldn’t help but watch her. She was light on her feet, composed. He had to admit, he admire her strength and ability to keep the smile on her face despite all she was going through. Sure, she wasn’t a physical fighter like himself, but it had taken him months to get the smile back on his face after the loss of his parents and cousin. However, here she was, suffering an awful loss of her own and having the terrible burden of immense worry for her mother on her shoulders, and still, she was smiling. She was a fighter, in her own right.

  Drew could feel his own lips curving into a smile as she turned and locked eyes with him.

  Was he making it up, or did her eyes seem to linger a little too long on his face?

  She turned back to Caspian, laughing at something he said, and the two of them crossed the room to take their places. They were followed by Leo and not long after, Grace. She avoided Drew’s gaze as she took her seat by Laura.

  Once they were all comfortable, Casey announced the entrée and served the dish to everyone.

  ‘So how have you all been getting on since my last visit to the manor?’ Mr Stark inquired, sweeping his eyes from one face to another. A smile was on his own face and it didn’t seem to falter once.

  ‘Very well. Everyone’s studies have been coming along nicely and we are in the midst of the planning for the final ceremony in December,’ Stella answered proudly.

  Mr Stark raised his eyebrows, ‘how interesting! I barely remember my ceremony, it was so long ago now.’

  ‘Here we go,’ Drew murmured as Mr Stark droned on about how he had been worried sick on the big day and joked about the anxiety of seeing a gold Identity Mark instead of a silver.

  Drew’s cheek was resting on his fist as Mr Stark’s story finally came to a close. He was oblivious to the bored faces around him as he laughed at his own anecdote and finished off his salad.

  ‘Who will be participating in this ceremony?’ he asked politely after swallowing his mouthful.

  Drew reached for his glass and took a sip as Leo looked around the room waiting for someone to respond. They eyed one another in an awkward silence.

  Finally Drew placed his glass down, ‘Grace and I will be eighteen at the end of August so will be participating.’

  ‘I will also be in the ceremony as I turned eighteen in May,’ Caspian added.

  ‘Ah, three people in the one year! Will you be performing this ceremony with the Spirit school, or are you planning to hold your own here?

  ‘We’ll be holding ours here as always,’ Leo replied.

  ‘Ah, yes I remember the previous participants. Do they come to visit often?’ Mr Stark continued as Casey cleared away the crockery.

  ‘We do have visitors from time to time, however as you know, we haven’t had many graduates previously. These next two years will be the most eventful since James left ten years ago,’ Stella chirped.

  ‘Yes, James! I liked that boy!’

  The main course of roasted chicken and vegetables was served and everyone dug in before continuing their conversation.

  Mr Stark looked up from his half eaten plate, ‘do any of you here remember James?’

  ‘I do,’ Caspian nodded, ‘he was like a mentor. He helped me with my studies. I learnt a lot from him.’

  ‘Yeah, I remember him too. He was a great guy. Although by the time I had arrived he was in his last two years and always stuck studying in his room or training. I have to say I understand what he was going through now!’ Logan added.

  ‘Ah, yes! The final two years are definitely the hardest and most time consuming! What about you Drew, my boy?’ Mr Stark queried, taking a sip from his glass.

  ‘Nope. Don’t remember him really,’ Drew answered bluntly.

  ‘I think Drew and I arrived not to long after he left, but I do briefly remember him from visits, though I must admit I have not talked to him a lot myself,’ Grace jumped in eyeing her brother across the table.

  It was the first time she had spoken all lunch.

  ‘Yes, I suppose Caspian and Logan were the only ones who really spent a lot of time with him.’

&
nbsp; Drew grumbled something into his napkin and received a sharp kick from Grace under the table. He sent her an angry glare, which she returned straight back.

  ‘So what do the three of you plan on doing once you complete your ceremony?’ Mr Stark asked, glancing down the table at Grace, Drew and then at Caspian.

  Drew’s eyes flickered up to his sisters. He hadn’t come up with a good enough lie yet. Grace could always tell when he was lying, one of the downsides of being twins, so his plan had to be secure for her to buy it.

  ‘I’m not sure yet,’ was the best he could come up with.

  ‘Ah, boy it’s normal to be unsure of your future. It shall come to you in time.’

  Drew cringed.

  ‘Neither am I,’ Grace added, catching Mr Stark’s disapproving eye.

  He barely seemed to acknowledge her.

  ‘Caspian?’ Mr Stark shifted his eyes to the boy’s face.

  ‘I haven’t put a lot of thought into it but I have been interested in the Guardian’s job for a while now.’

  Stella gasped, Leo looked up in shock, and silence fell upon the group. Even Drew looked at Caspian wide eyed, mouth agape. Why Caspian had never mentioned this interest before?

  ‘How admirable. Guardian of the endangered. A treacherous job.’

  ‘Yes, but I think I am up for it,’ Caspian answered, avoiding Drew’s questioning looks, ‘I have been looking into it a lot in the past months.’

  Mr Stark grinned at Caspian, ‘that’s wonderful! I remember when I first…’ and again Mr Stark was off again, speaking of his adventures of joining the Force.

  Once the table was cleared of the dishes, Mr Stark announced his departure, thanking Casey for the wonderful lunch and Stella for the hospitality.

  He turned to Laura, ‘I will send constant updates of our progress in the case.’

  ‘When will I be able to join you?’ Laura asked as they stood, pushing their chairs in.

  Mr Stark looked almost amused. ‘My girl, I hardly think this is the type of search a young and inexperienced child should be involved in!’ he laughed, retrieving his hat.

  Laura’s cheeks warmed, ‘what do you mean? That is my mother out there. I should be out helping!’ she exclaimed.

  ‘You are helping by giving us the information we need to find her. I don’t think your mother would like it if you were off running through the streets, putting yourself in danger,’ Mr Stark replied, giving no acknowledgement to the anger in Laura’s face.

  Laura wanted to say more but Grace took her hand and patted it, ‘you will be able to help, we promise,’ she whispered to her, ‘Mr Stark is just doing what he thinks is right.’

  Drew snorted and Grace shot him a look that said ‘shut the hell up!’

  ‘Well, take care everyone.’ Mr Stark bid them farewell.

  Laura forced a smile as did the others.

  ‘Let me show you out,’ Stella said, leading Mr Stark through the door and down the hall.

  ‘Absolutely hate that guy,’ Drew muttered.

  Laura excused herself not long after Mr Stark’s departure, shutting herself in her room. She needed time alone to think about her dream, the one that seemed to have sprung to mind so suddenly during her interview with Wilford Stark.

  What had it meant? Was it a real memory that had somehow been unlocked?

  Laura rolled onto her bed and rested her hands on her stomach, mulling over the vision from her sleep.

  When you remember this my dear, it is time, her mother had said.

  It was that line that caused her extensive inner havoc, and that was why she was even considering the possibility that it may not have been a dream. She desired the freedom to discuss it with someone, but she couldn’t risk bringing forth more trouble for her mother. Being able to exercise her power when she, they assumed, didn’t maintain the mark, was a very dangerous ability to possess.

  Laura squeezed her eyes shut in the hopes of blocking out the dream. She allowed a calmness to settle over her as she pretended she was back on Wimerack Mountain, her mother was safe, her father alive and the Spirit World non-existent.

  She opened her eyes. But it did exist. Even if she were oblivious to it, it was there and she was still a part of it. There was no escaping it.

  Laura sat upright on her bed, reaching for her backpack. She found the map inside, and unfolded it onto the bedspread. She noticed it’s incredible detail considerably better this time, as she actually had the time to take in every feature displayed on the fading and frayed page. The entirety of the country of Lastrala was visible, forming the shape of a giant, very rough triangle. Different symbols were painted on in delicate black brush strokes, covering different sections of the ancient map.

  Laura studied them with wonder. Then Mr Stark’s words crept into her mind

  It allows people to seek out every living witch, wizard and warlock in the country, with or without their marks, by simply speaking their name.

  An idea so wild, so frightening, formed inside of Laura’s mind. Should this plan succeed, she could finally allow herself to feel hope again. But if it were to fail, she could be left with an even bigger hole in her heart than she already had.

  Laura took a breath and spoke the words very carefully.

  ‘Please show me Cara Harmer.’

  Nothing happened straight away. And then, for only a moment, Laura saw the unmistakable flash of green at the top of the triangle, where the peak of the state of Sharan was.

  Her heart fluttered and she spoke the words again, the light appearing for only a second.

  But it was there. She saw it.

  Her mother was alive.

  Chapter Eight

  A Flicker Of Hope

  ‘STELLA!’ Laura burst into Stella and Leo’s office to find them both hunched over Leo’s computer.

  They looked up, startled and Stella ran to Laura, resiting both hands on her shoulders to steady her.

  ‘What is it, Laura? Are you okay? What’s happened?’ Estella was panic stricken.

  In Laura’s left hand was the map. She pushed past Stella and placed the map in front of Leo on the desk, beckoning Stella to follow, ‘she’s alive! I saw her on the map. She is alive!’

  Stella was frowning slightly as she approached the desk, but the look on Leo’s face said it all, ‘I can’t believe we didn’t think of this! Where did you see her Laura?’

  Laura pointed to the exact spot where the green light flared up on the map.

  ‘Watch,’ she said.

  ‘Please show me Cara Harmer,’ she spoke clearly and steadily, as she had before.

  Nothing happened.

  Laura remembered that it took a minute, so she remained patient. Then, the green light went off as quick as the flash of a camera, only this time the light did not flicker in the spot Laura had placed her finger, but in the middle of the ocean millimetres above where her finger sat.

  ‘See!’ she exclaimed.

  ‘They must be travelling. No, this is bad. If they leave Lastrala they enter a whole new set of rules. Every country has their own Courts and departments that abide by their own guidelines. I mean we still all answer to the Grand Courts, but it’s not quite the same in every country. She could be in serious danger entering a place she has no knowledge about, especially without her mark. In some countries, those who willingly choose to leave the Enchanted are considered traitors and are punished. And we may not be able to help her once she leaves Lastrala,’ Leo was rambling to himself, but as Laura listened, she began to worry.

  She glanced at Leo, then at Stella, ‘I have something I need to tell you. Something that could put her in even worse danger.’

  ‘What is it?’ Stella asked, her voice calm. Laura could see that her eyes told a different story. One of fear.

  She took a breath, ‘I think she can still use her powers.’

  Drew heard the shout echo down the hall. He hurried down the passageway, coming to a skidding stop at Stella and Leo’s office. He rested a hand on the
door knob, his other hand holding his dagger at the ready and he was about to barge in, when suddenly he heard the voices. Instead, he lowered his dagger and pressed his head to the door, listening intently.

  ‘A dream told you this?’ He heard Stella ask, and he could hear the disbelief in her tone.

  ‘Yes, except I think it was a memory, not a dream,’ Laura’s voice floated out from under the door.

  ‘But how could that memory have been hidden until now?’ Drew could hear Stella pacing as she asked the question and he could imagine her with her hand to her chin, thinking.

  ‘The charm, Stell,’ Leo’s rough voice replied.

  Drew heard Stella pause, mid-pace, ‘well that’s two things she can do without her mark. Performing a Charm, one she has no legal right to access, and using the Lightening. That’s impossible. It just can’t happen.’

  Drew sucked in his breath. Could Laura use her power without her marks? No it must not be Laura, she was the one insisting her memory had been hidden. Then who? And How?

  ‘Maybe there is a way we can train ourselves to… to unleash the power without the mark. But the Charm…’ Leo trailed off as he wondered aloud.

  ‘That’s why you asked Mr Stark about using powers without our mark in the interview isn’t it?’ Stella began pacing again not waiting for Laura’s answer, ‘if she is taken to another country and they find out that she, indeed, can access her powers without her mark then she will be executed. They don’t want people finding out that this is possible. It will cause an uproar. No one can know.’

  ‘She has hidden it all these years. Aside from this memory, I have not once noticed her accessing her powers. Not unless she wiped my memory more than once,’ Laura spoke up and he could hear the shock in her voice.

  Drew then realised that it was Laura’s mother they was talking about. That was all he needed to hear to drive him away from the office and towards the Library. He had to find every book he could on the Identity Mark. If pressing forward with his plan sooner was possible, it was crucial for him to know. The waiting was getting to him and it had been driving him away from everyone at the manor for years. Everyone he cared about. As soon as he had served his revenge, he would be free.