Desperation flowed through me, as uncomfortable as the vibration. Khat released my hand and stepped back. As soon as she did, the horrible feeling left me, and exhaustion rolled through me. Carol supported me as I struggled not to show my weakness. “Is there anyone who might know what’s true and what’s not? Anyone who can tell me that I do or do not have to give my powers away?”
The silence that followed my words was painful.
Finally, Khat spoke, although she sounded unsure. “There's a magical cave with an enchanted stone. The stone can talk and answer questions. The spirit of Cyrene Whisper, a powerful witch, was embedded in the stone many years ago." She held up one hand. "An offering must be made, and it must be unique. There's a chance the spirit of Cyrene will have the answers you seek.”
The coven witches doused the flames and the last of the tingling left me. I didn’t feel any better. I was on a wild goose chase to try to save my powers, my way of life.
I didn’t like it one bit.
14
EMMA
I stoodon the back porch with my now empty cup of coffee. I'd had two, and a semi-good night's sleep, but the exhaustion still pulled at my eyes. That spell had been a beast.
Staring at the waves as they crashed on the white sandy beach, I thought about last night. I’d told the ladies, Bryan, and Daniel about what happened with the witches and the cave. They’d all heard about the cave before, but it wasn’t something they wanted to mess with unless there was no other choice. I'd given them a bit of an earful about not telling me about it already. They'd apologized profusely and promised if they thought of any other magical little tidbits in the future, they'd clue me in.
They didn’t want me to go to it today, but they didn’t understand. They didn't get it. No one was coming after their powers or abilities. No one was going to turn them back into boring humans with boring lives and take away the thing that had brought them back from the brink.
My need to keep my powers bordered on desperation, which I didn’t like one bit, but it was what it was. If I didn't do something, this stressful feeling was going to squeeze me until I broke.
Behind me, the back door opened, and Daniel stepped out. I knew it was him without even having to turn around. His strong, warm arms wrapped around me from behind, and I leaned against him, setting my empty mug on the railing.
“Bryan and Carol are pulling up outside.”
I grunted in agreement. They were coming with us to the cave. Beth and Deva had planned to go too, but something had come up for each of them. I'd woken to texts from both.
Beth:Got an emergency call about pixies infesting an attic. I can handle it but can't go with to the cave. I'm so sorry and sending you all my love and luck.
Deva:Small flood in the kitchen right before close. Nobody hurt, not too much damage but prob can't come. Will meet you there if at all possible. XOXO x 10.
I’d miss them, but I understood. We all had responsibilities, and me getting my powers back were mine and mine alone.
Poor Deva needed a break in her luck. I'd already tried to give her some good Karma, but it hadn't wanted to work.
“You know, whatever happens, you’ve still got me,” Daniel said, kissing the side of my neck.
His kiss was everything I needed and more, but tension sang through me. “Do you think I’ll lose my powers?” It was like he was trying to reassure me that he'd love me even though they were going to go away.
He sighed. “I think everything will be okay, whether that means you have powers or not. I don’t want you to put yourself in danger for something that isn’t a necessity.”
“Like your bear?” I couldn't get him to understand that although I hadn't had my powers all my life like he'd had his bear, I was no less attached to them.
He stiffened, then sighed and relaxed against my back. “If I had to choose between my life and my bear, I’d choose my life, even if it meant going the rest of it missing a piece of myself. As long as I had you.”
I turned and pressed my lips to his, long and deep. Some of the tension inside of me eased, but the feeling of being constricted didn't go away.
For some reason, in my mind, I’d linked my powers to my happiness. Emma-With-Powers had her home with her brother, Daniel, and amazing friends. Emma-With-Powers wasn’t lonely and miserable. She was everything I'd wished for years to have. Despite that, Daniel was right. It wasn’t my powers that had changed my life, not really. It was making the choice to be happy. To return to the place and the people I loved.
The desire to keep my powers still burned through me.
Our kiss broke, and over Daniel's shoulder, through the window in the back door, I spotted Bryan and Carol. I sighed. “It’s time to get going.”
We'd had the same idea, dressing for the occasion. Carol and I had on hiking boots, thick leggings, and long-sleeved t-shirts. She had a jacket tied around her waist, and I'd planned to do the same.
Daniel had on a heavy flannel shirt and jeans. Bryan was in jeans and a short-sleeved shirt, but he had a thick hoodie tied around his waist and boots on. I spotted two backpacks by the front door. I had one packed for Daniel and me on the kitchen table.
“I guess we’ll start our first double date.” Carol joked, but there was excitement and worry in her eyes.
