“Okay.” Z clapped his hands together and then rubbed them like an eager child. “Pick a building, anybuilding.”
“That one should do.” Jewel motioned to thenearestone.
Sly and Z managed to kick in the door and, after going in and checking things out, came back outside and bowed dramatically. “After you, ladies,”Slysaid.
Inside, the building was one big, open area with some large crates stacked on one side. The floor was concrete and covered in what looked like oil stains and paint. The air was musty and left a gritty taste in Anna’s mouth. They walked further in, and Jewel directed Amy over to a stack of crates that was low enough the girl could sit on. As she felt the magic rising up inside her, Jewel noticed one of her fingernails sharpening and growing. The same thing had happened when she’d used the spell on Anna. She reached for Anna’s hand and slashed across it, drawing blood. Then she took Amy’s hands and slashed each palm. Her own palm was the last she cut. Jewel wrapped her uncut hand around Anna’s uncut one. “Now, with your other hand take Amy’s hand and press your palms tightly together,” Jewel told her as she did the same with her own hand and Amy’s free hand. She tightened her grip so that their palms were pressed tightlytogether.
“Should I be concerned?” Amy asked, her words slightly slurred. Jewel knew whatever magic was inside of her was already working on thewoman.
Once all three of them had joined hands, Jewel closed her eyes. Anna looked down at Amy, whose eyes had widened a little. “I’m sorry,” Annawhispered.
Jewel began the same chant she’d recited when she’d done this very thing to Anna. Wind blew around them, even though they were inside the building, and the walls seemed to tremble as Jewelspoke.
“Wind, Water, Earth,andFire,
Hear my voice, obey mydesire.
Welcome us withopenarms.
Teach us of power and ofcharms.
The craft has calledtous.
Fate haschosenus.
Now we come,embraceus.
Here we stand,protectus.
Fire, Earth, Water,andWind,
Pour your power deepwithin.
Teach us so we mayshare.
Help us draw more intoyourcare.
Wind, Water, Earth,andFire,
Hear my voice, obey mydesire.
Amy heeds yourcommand.
Anna and I, with herstand.”
As soon asshe’d said the last word, dark smoke flew out of Anna and Jewel’s hands. It blanketed Amy’s skin, absorbing into her flesh. When it was completely gone, Anna attempted to let go of Amy’s hand, but she couldn’t. She couldn’t release Jewel’s handeither.
“Jewel, what’sgoingon?”
Jewel was pulling back on her hand as well. “I don’t know. I did it exactly as I did yours. I don’t get—” Her words were cut off by a gaspofair.
Anna gasped as well as pain shot up her arm. Her eyes closed of their own accord as she felt something forcing its way into her mind andherbody.
“JEWEL!” Anna yelled. She could hear Z and Sly calling out to them, but she couldn’t open her eyes to see them. “What’s happening?” As she asked the question, Anna began to see images in her mind. Images of Amy in different places, doing different things at different ages. Were these hermemories?
“I’m so sorry.” Anna heardJewelsay.
“Sorry for what?” Annaasked.
