Unless there was a way to end the curse without breaking it in the traditional sense.
Before he could give it more than ten seconds’ thought, Kieran met Tilda’s eyes and announced:
“I propose my own Calling task,” he said, trying and failing to keep the edge of desperation out of his voice.
“I want to create a panacea.”
Chapter Three
Everyone in the room stared at Kieran as if he’d grown a second head.
Instantly, his mouth went dry and his stomach twisted.But the words were said, and he certainly couldn’t back out now—even if his brain was begging him to make a running leap for the window just to escape, broken bones and glass cuts be damned.
Tilda tapped a finger on her chin, studying Kieran.For a second, Kieran expected the witches to tell him his proposal was simply too far-fetched.
It probably was.Panaceas were generally thought of as fictional.Kieran had only ever heard of a single true one—water from a hot spring run by the Hammonds, Delilah’s family on her paternal side—and its source had long since dried up.The idea of even the most experienced witch finding a way to create a magical cure-all was borderline impossible.
Much less an amateur like Kieran, who could barely spark enough magic to light a candle.
Meanwhile, Delilah and Briar shared mirrored expressions of horror.Delilah mouthed,What are you doing?while Briar seemed lost in her own mind, skin having gone pale as she stared blankly ahead.A spear of guilt went through Kieran’s heart—as a child, Briar had unwillingly been the test subject of a number of fake panaceas at the hands of their aunt Wrenlin, and Kieran knew how uncomfortable the concept of them made her.
After a long, pregnant pause, Tilda nodded.
“Tilda,” one of the male witches—the one called Gerard—said, his eyes rounding, “we can’t in good conscience—”
“Why not?”Tilda asked.She gestured to Kieran with a graceful wave of her hand.“This is a son of the great Pelumbra family.Theheadof the family, no less.It seems like an apt task to me.”
It occurred to Kieran as Tilda spat out his family name that he was dealing with a slightly more complex situation than he’d anticipated.This womandefinitelyhated his family.Which wasn’t an uncommon sentiment—the Pelumbras had been one of the most powerful and influential families in Celdwyn before their downfall six months ago, when the blessing that had given the family supernatural luck broke along with the twins’ curse.Before that, the Pelumbras had gotten away with nearly every con and scheme they could dream of, which had made them a lot of enemies.Only now were they facing any consequences for their actions as money drained from their accounts and the court of public opinion turned sharply against them.
Gerard seemed to hesitate, but based on his defeated expression, Kieran got the sense that Tilda was the one in charge.After a moment, the witch sat back in his chair, nodding.
“I agree,” he said.He turned to the other man, who was much shorter and had a substantially smaller frame.“Franklin?”
Franklin chewed on his lower lip.He shot Kieran a pitying look as he sighed.Despite that, though, he said, “I do as well.”
“It’s decided, then,” said Tilda as she met Kieran’s gaze again.“Kieran Pelumbra, your Calling task is to create a panacea, which we will test for authenticity upon delivery.If you are unable to complete this task in six months, your magic will be taken away.Do you understand?”
Well,Kieran thought, swallowing the lump of dread in his throat,I guess I won’t have to worry about any more accidental cursecasting, since I’m about to kiss my magic goodbye.
“Y-yes,” he stammered, ignoring the way Delilah’s jaw dropped and Briar looked about ready to throw something at him.“I understand.”
“Then it’s settled.Consider this the first day of your Calling.”Tilda bowed her head and gestured for her fellow witches to follow her.“We’ll take our leave.”
The men stood, following Tilda to the door.Franklin cast a look over his shoulder, gently shaking his head.While the others walked out, he said, “Best of luck, Mr.Pelumbra.”
He shut the door behind them.
The second the witches left, Briar wheeled on Kieran, her face turning red.“What were youthinking?!”
Kieran rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.“Well…if I’m being honest, I…kind of…wasn’t?”
“Clearly!Kieran, you’re going to lose your magic!”
“And?”Kieran said, voice cracking on the word as tears pricked.Something about his sister’s tone made his throat feel like it was closing up.“I can barely use magic as it is!Whenever I try to cast a spell, nothing happens, and when I cast unintentionally, I mess uphorrifically.You know what happened last night?I accidentally cursed Ash!If anyone deserves to lose his magic, it’s me!”
Delilah, who had been about to interrupt, went stock-still.She blinked, mouth hanging open.At her side, Briar looked as if she was on the verge of incredulous laughter.
Briar shook her head.“Youaccidentallycursed Ash?How?”
