This wasn’t the first time a book in the library called to me. When we fought The Faction, it triggered a spell my mother cast to hide a text that contained a prophecy, one that pertained to my friends and me.
Finn released me, though I could tell he was reluctant. I let instinct guide me as I approached the shelves. When I reached up, a leather-bound book slid forward on the shelf and directly into my hand.
I felt him approach my back, leaning over my shoulder so our cheeks brushed. Without thinking, I settled back into his body, basking in his strength. It had become second nature for me to sink into his touch when we were together.
I opened the cover, running my hand over the first page. In elegant, flowing script were the words,For Kerry. When the time is right, the book will call you. Love, Mom.
My eyes dampened at the words. As much as I loved finding something my mother left for me, it still hurt to see it.
I turned the page to find an incantation, also in my mother’s handwriting.
Invoke the words and see.
The story of the First,
A love that created eternity.
Heed the warning within,
For the one who seeks power still lives.
“It’s a spell,” I murmured to Finn. “I think it’s something my mother wants me to see.” I ran my fingers over the text, seeking more information about the power the words contained. “It’s a vision spell.”
Vision spells were tricky things. They brought the witch who invoked them into another time and place. They were often used in tribunals when a witch or warlock was accused of wrongdoing. It was a way for a third party to witness events long after they happened and with an unbiased eye. The witch who cast the vision spell could see and hear everything, even some of the thoughts of those involved.
They required a great deal of power and control to not only create but to invoke. Once inside the spell, a witch would be unable to do anything to stop the vision until it played out. Becoming trapped inside a spell such as this would be terrifying and dangerous.
“I wonder what she wants me to see,” I murmured, gently tracing the bold, swooping script of my mother’s handwriting. “I suppose I should cast the spell and find out.”
“Are you sure it’s safe?” Finn asked.
I glanced at him wryly. “Absolutely. My mother was not only a talented witch but a methodical perfectionist as well. Everything had to be done with the best of her prodigious ability. There is no way this spell is anything but safe.”
“I mean, with the way you’ve been feeling lately. Could that affect your ability to invoke the spell correctly?”
His question gave me pause. “I doubt it.” I frowned at the page in front of me. “In fact, this might be the reason why I’ve been feeling so restless.” I turned to face him. “I need to cast the spell to find out,” I stated.
“Then we’ll do it together,” he answered firmly, leading me to the loveseat against the far wall.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” I asked him. “These sorts of incantations can be…unsettling.”
“Where you go, I go,” he replied.
“I don’t think I’m going anywhere. At least not physically,” I replied dryly.
“We’ll do this together,” he repeated, adamant in his decision.
I took a deep breath and released it slowly. “Then let’s see where it takes us.”
Together, we spoke the invocation. The library seemed to fade around us, images of the bookshelves superimposing over others.
I felt no fear or worry. Whatever the journey my mother intended for me, I would not walk alone.
The light pulsed, darkness invading before a brilliant flash of sunlight and we were thrown into another time and place.
