Magic in the Mountains

by Donna Kunkel

  Alex nodded.

  “But you did not sense anything?”

  She shook her head.

  “Interesting.” He sat in silence for several minutes. “What is your wand core?”

  “Bear hair.”

  “Do you have any idea where the hair came from?”

  “No.”

  “I will have to check with Glenda. It might be possible that the hair in your wand is from Mr. Davis or his mother.”

  “How would that affect my sensing him?”

  “You may have been touching a part of him ever since you got your wand. I have only heard of a couple of cases where the wand owner falls in love with the being who donated the wand’s core.”

  “As if they were destined to be together,” Alex whispered.

  “I take it you feel this way about Mr. Davis?”

  Alex gave a slight nod.

  “I assumed so the moment you first told me about him. Your face lit up as you talked about him.”

  “It did?”

  “Yes, it did.” He reached over and gave her arm one pat. “There is a person out in this wide world we are meant to be with and you have found yours.”

  “What about you? I know you’ve never married.”

  “I have met the woman for me, but I cannot seem to convince her that my intentions are serious.”

  “Sorry.”

  He patted her arm again. “I will succeed eventually.”

  They chatted on about what was happening in the wizarding world. When Alex pulled off and headed into the pass, Vale whistled. He leaned forward and looked at the mountains towering over them.

  “This is where you ended up?”

  Alex nodded.

  “This is almost as secluded as Aspen Glen.”

  Alex took in the scenery. Snow clung only to the deep crevices on the rock face, highlighting the jagged boulders. The meadow already had wildflowers poking through in a few spots. It didn’t look like the same place. If it wasn’t for the highway signs, she wouldn’t even know this was the right valley. She smiled when she spotted Anna Belle grazing in a pen attached to the barn. She might just be a cow, but she felt like family to Alex. She eased into Steve’s driveway and headed up to the cabin. It was all so different. Getting caught in the snow seemed so long ago, but yet just like yesterday. Her life had changed so much since that fateful day.

  The moment Alex pulled up, Mandy bounded out the front door and Steve stepped out onto the front porch. Alex exited the car and greeted Mandy, while Vale put his suit coat on and approached Steve.

  “I am Principal Vale from the wizarding school, Aspen Glen.” He clasped Steve’s hand between his. “You’re not sensing him must be because of your wand core,” he said to Alex.

  “I’m Steven Davis.” Steve looked over at Alex with a question mirrored on his face then turned back to Vale. “Alex has told me a little about you and the school.”

  “We can discuss all that later. First, I would like to meet the unicorn. I know it gets dark early in the mountains.”

  Steve motioned to the two snowmobiles parked by the side of the cabin. “Do you know how to operate one?”

  “I do.” Vale walked over to one of the machines. “I prefer a horse drawn sleigh though, much quieter and I get excellent fertilizer for my roses.”

  Steve stifled a laugh. He looked at Alex. “Then you can ride with me.” He put Mandy back in the cabin, climbed on a snowmobile, and helped Alex on behind him. He whispered to her, “Hold on tight.”

  She wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed him on the back of the neck.

  “After you,” Vale said.

  They took off for the cave, dodging several areas where the snow had already melted.

  As Steve had explained, the unicorn was waiting at the entrance when they pulled up and shut the machines down.

  Vale approached the unicorn and bowed deeply. “It is an honor.”

  The unicorn snorted and bobbed his head.

  They followed the unicorn into the cave and Steve lit the lantern.

  Vale immediately headed for the eggs and wiped the dirt off with his gloves. Once the surface was clean he removed his gloves, stuffing them back in his coat pocket, and ran his hands across the surface. After a minute of silence, he gave a soft whistle. “This is beyond my wildest dreams.” He turned and nodded to the unicorn. “Thank you for finding them.” Then he looked at Alex. “And thank you for investigating. This is an amazing find. Everyone wondered if there were any hidden.”

  “Are they dragon eggs?” Steve asked.

  Vale nodded and started covering them with dirt again. “A pair, we are very fortunate.”

  Alex moved closer. “So why haven’t they hatched?”

  Vale stood up and headed back to the entrance. “A specific wizard has to touch the egg before it will hatch.”

  “Who’ll be the wizard?”

  “No one knows. The dragon picks the wizard and will bond with them when the egg is touched. A male dragon is said to pick a female wizard and a female dragon will pick a man. As long as the wizard lives, they will remain bonded. Once this happens, the wizards will also be bonded for life. They will never be able to bond with anyone else. At least that is what the stories say.”

  “What if the man and woman don’t know each other or worse yet, hate each other?” Alex asked.

  “Too bad for them. The dragon’s magic will force them to mate and become a part of each other.”

  Alex giggled. “I could see that. Glad it isn’t me.”

  “How do you know?” Steve asked.

  “Because all three of us have now touched them and nothing has happened.”

  “Oh yeah,” Steve said.

  “So with your choice of a spouse removed, why would a wizard ever want to risk touching an egg?” Alex asked.

  “Imagine the prestige and power that would come from being selected by a dragon. As well as twice the usual life-span,” Vale said.

  “Twice?” Alex glanced over and saw Vale nod his head.

  “You could do a lot with that many years. As wizards, we already have a hundred plus years.”

  Of course, more years could mean more stupid mistakes or wrong turns you could make. So far, she hadn’t done much with her life.

  Vale exited the cave. “We had better get back.” He looked at Steve. “Mr. Davis here probably has a hundred questions for me.”

  Steve nodded and got on his snowmobile. After they got back, they all entered the cabin. Alex made a pit stop, got a glass of water, and took Mandy out onto the front porch.

  Chapter 27

  After Alex left the room, Vale said, “I would like to see how much power you have, if you do not mind.”

  “What do you need me to do?” Steve asked.

  “Open your shirt so I can lay my hand over your heart.”

  Steve unbuttoned his shirt and held it open for him.

  Vale placed his palm directly over Steve’s heart and closed his eyes. After a half a minute he said, “Thank you, you can button up again.”

  “What happened?”

  “Nothing happened, it is one way to check a wizard’s power levels.”

  “How?” Steve placed his own palm over his heart.

  “Close your eyes and reach out with your senses. You should be able to feel something other than the beating of your heart.”

  Steve did as recommended, concentrated, then started to nod.

  “Do you feel an energy pulsing?”

  Steve nodded.

  “That’s your magic coursing through your body. A powerful wizard has a strong flow where a weak or injured wizard has only a faint trace.”

  “Do you mind if I try this on you?”

  “Be my guest.” Vale unbuttoned his shirt and held it open.

  Steve reached in and barely touched Vale’s chest when he could feel it. The strong pounding was as clear as day. He pulled his hand away. “Thanks, I wanted to understand it better.”

  “Shall we have
a seat?” Vale nodded toward the table as he buttoned his shirt. Steve and Vale took a seat at the table facing each other. Steve brushed his hand across a sheet of paper that had all his questions.

  “May I?” Vale asked and held a hand out for the piece of paper, while he pulled his glasses out and put them on.

  Steve handed it to him and waited while he read.

  Vale handed the sheet back to Steve and removed his glasses. “Most of your questions will be answered by attending school, especially those on how the magic works. Most of our first-year adult students know nothing about magic until they receive their invitation to attend Aspen Glen.”

  “Am I some type of…warlock or something?”

  “We prefer to use the term wizard. Witch and warlock remind everyone of the witch trials, so everyone is only a wizard.”

  “What if I don’t want to come?”

  “I cannot stress enough how important it is that you come.” Vale put his glasses back in his front suit coat pocket.

  “Why?” Steve asked. “I’ve gone this long without knowing anything about all this.”

  “Yes, but do you want to continue living the way you have. Alone. Always afraid you might accidentally hurt someone. Never allowing a woman to get close for fear of harming her. By attending Aspen Glen, you will learn how to control your shifting.”

  “Do you think it’s possible I might be able to not shift?”

  “I believe so. But I have to let you know that I have not encountered your type of shifting before so there are no guarantees.” He held up a hand to stop Steve from asking a question. “It is not that black and white; there are many possible variations. You may be able to not change, only change during a full moon, always change, or some combination. At the very least you will be able to sleep through the night instead of prowling around. Were-animals have to change at the full moon. Most shape-shifters only change for the three peak days to absorb power from the moon’s influence or when they want to for other reasons.”

  “I could sleep through the night and be awake during the day?”

  Vale nodded.

  He had never been able to dream of such a possibility. Ever since puberty he spent his nights wandering. Only during winter did he get a break, when his bear hibernated.

  Vale broke into his thoughts. “You have a destiny if you want it. Learn magic and find out what your possibilities are. A whole world awaits. Just take a chance.”

  “I don’t know,” Steve answered, but concentrated on inspecting his fingers.

  “Come for one summer and then you can decide if you want to continue.”

  “I could quit?” Steve looked up.

  “Yes, but you will still need to abide by our magical laws. If you do not finish, then security will have to explain our rules.”

  “Alex mentioned security might come.” Steve jumped up from the chair and started to pace.

  “We have our own security and medical. You will have to follow the rules so you might as well enjoy the benefits.” Vale watched Steve pace.

  “What if I want to forget all this happened?”

  “You can’t. Once a wizard has been identified, they are part of our world.” Vale paused. “Would you really want to have all of your memories about Alex erased? They have to remove everything so nothing will resurface.”

  “What about Peter and the other valley’s residents? They’ve met her; they’ve even helped her get a new job.” Steve clutched the back of the chair.

  “Security would erase all of their memories too, and Alex would have to find work somewhere else. Would you really want that?”

  “No.” Steve sighed and sat back down. “So I have to come.”

  “I would highly recommend that it is in your best interest to come. You are not the only person to debate about coming to school or not. Think about what is available to you in our world. I cannot imagine that you would want anything else. With the training, you could even marry.”

  “She would be safe?” If only it was possible. He enjoyed seeing her every day and touching her. She filled his life with a joy he’d never known before. He wanted her to be a part of his life.

  “It would be better if she was also a wizard.”

  Steve smiled.

  Vale looked straight into Steve’s eyes. “Maybe even a wizard like Ms. Klein.”

  “How’d you know?”

  “I do have some skills.” Vale smiled. “But it was not necessary to use anything. I have seen enough women in love to recognize the signs. I can tell by the way she talks about you.”

  “She talks about me?”

  Vale nodded.

  “If I attend this school, she’d be safe?” He moved forward in the chair, perching on the edge.

  “Probably.” Principal Vale pulled out an envelope and tapped it against his hand. “Inside is a list of supplies you will need. Ms. Klein can take you to the mall to get everything.”

  “I want to know more about wands, if you don’t mind.”

  “No two wands are the same, just as no two unicorns, crows, phoenixes, or even bears are quite the same. Even wands with unicorn hairs are different because each unicorn and each wood imparts different properties to the wand. There are limitless possibilities, but one unique combination will be the best fit. This wand will perform better for the wizard than any other.” Vale pulled out his wand and handed it to Steve.

  When Steve held it, only a couple of stars managed to squeeze out. “Why do I get a lot more with Alex’s wand?”

  “The bear hair in her wand responds to the bear in you. It might even be that the hair in her wand came from you or your mother.”

  “Could that even be possible?”

  “Maybe.” Vale nodded toward the wand. “Concentrate and reach out. What do you feel when you touch the wand?”

  Steve closed his eyes and ran his left hand fingers over the surface. “I can feel a warmth to the wood…and it tingles.”

  “That is because you are a wizard. If you were normal you would only feel the wood.”

  “So how do I find the wand that best suits me?” Steve handed the wand back.

  “There is an excellent wand shop in Denver. It is on the list that you will need to get before coming.” Vale slipped his wand back in his coat’s wand pocket.

  “How am I going to afford all of this?”

  “If you let us take responsibility for the dragon eggs, all your costs will be covered.”

  “Why?”

  “They are on your property. We cannot remove them unless you give us permission. They are priceless to us. The least we can do is cover your costs of becoming a full wizard.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Vale nodded. “Let the shops know who you are and I will see to it that your expenses are covered.”

  “What if I have any questions?” he asked, reaching out to take the envelope.

  “Ms. Klein can probably answer them, but my phone number is on the letter if you have more questions.”

  “I’ve already started shifting. I will be all summer. Will that be a problem?”

  “No. I have talked to Nurse Apple. She knows about your condition and believes she has the perfect potion to keep you asleep at night. But she wants you to come a week early so she can get the potion customized to your needs. She wants to keep you in the infirmary until she knows that she has it perfected. Then she will teach you how to brew it yourself so you can keep taking it once you leave school after the summer.”

  “That’ll be a welcome relief.” Steve ripped the envelope open and pulled the sheets of parchment out.

  “Any other questions for now?”

  Steve shook his head as he continued to scan the list. He stopped Vale. “I don’t have a computer or cell phone. Will that be a problem?”

  “No, we have phones, and several computers at the school that you can use to do your homework on. The librarian can show you how to use them, or maybe Ms. Klein can stop by and teach you?”

  Steve shook his h
ead. “I can’t let her be around. Not with my bear awake. You won’t tell her, will you? You see…her presence stirs him up. I’ve already accidentally shifted when she was only several feet away. I’ll get one of the neighbors to teach me.”

  “Think of me as you would your doctor; what you say to me stays with only me.”

  “I’ve never seen a doctor except to get my childhood shots.”

  “You have never been sick?”

  “Never. My mother never got sick either. It must be related to our shifting.”

  “I look forward to learning more about your talent.” Vale stood up. “I will see you in a few months. Good luck,” he said shaking Steve’s hand.

  Vale went out to the porch. He looked at the sun dipping behind the mountains. “We should leave,” he said to Alex.

  “I’ll say goodbye then.” Alex stood up from her chair and started to enter the cabin. Vale grabbed her arm, stopping her.

  “No. We need to leave right now.”

  Alex looked at the door. “It’ll only take a moment.”

  “We don’t have a moment left.” Vale continued to firmly hold her upper arm and escorted her to the car. The moment she got in, he closed the door and rushed around to the get in the passenger side. “Let’s go.”

  Alex started the car and pulled out onto the road. She’d never heard him use a contraction before; he always took his time when he spoke. It had to be important or he wouldn’t have rushed her. Did he have another appointment, and was he running late? She had to concentrate on the twisting road as darkness fell.

  She finally broke the silence when she got on the highway. “Why did we have to leave so fast?”

  “He would shift into his bear in minutes. I could feel the energy coming from him, and he needed to lock the cabin up. Have you noticed the gouges in the front door?”

  Alex nodded.

  “He did that.”

  “How do you know he did that and not another bear?”

  “He looked at them when we went inside. He made them. Can you imagine what he would do if you were around. Even if you were behind the barred door, he would probably claw through the wood when his bear wanted to mate with you.”

  “His bear would want to mate with me? I’m not a bear.”

  “Neither is he entirely. I can assume that you have been intimate, since you both love each other.”