I didn’t move—couldn’t even if I wanted to.
“No,” I spat, unsure if I spoke to Kai or the phantom of my enemy in the dark of my mind. “I’m not running from this.”
Slow steps came from behind me. Emon rose his speared head up and hissed, flashing fangs at Kai’s approach. The shadows shivered as that dark shard of power inside of me heeded the call, readying to break free once again.
I almost let it, until a hand rested on my shoulder, grounding me.
“I understand your reaction,” Kai said, voice soft as a whisper of wind. “Believe me, I do. What I’d give to wipe that smug grin from that twat’s face. But I only implore you to refrain from anymore use of your Gift.”
I spun on Kai, standing until we were eye to eye. “If you tell me to sit back and not act, I won’t listen. I won’t just hide here whilst our enemy sets to burn innocent people he is framing for his own actions. Action. You blamed this on me not but twenty-four hours ago… and I agree. It’s my issue to fix.”
Kai didn’t flinch from me, not even as my rushed speech sent spittle flying over his face. He let me finish before he replied. “I’m not going to argue that point with you, Hector. In fact, I’m going to ask for your help. Or offer mine.”
“What?”
Romy stood up. “Come again?”
I was aware that Kai lifted his eyes over my shoulder to Romy, who was stewing in the same emotions that raced through me.
“I had my suspicions, but it would seem you are the only witch left with a powerful Gift, and knowledge of the old magics. There’s no one else I can rely on to stand up to ourenemies. Desperate times call for…” Kai looked me up and down. “Desperate measures. So, are you going to follow me, and plan to stop Father Tomin’s plans from succeeding later today? Or would you prefer to unleash your power on more undeserving inanimate objects?”
There was so much unspent energy beneath my skin it was a miracle the room hadn’t torn itself apart from my will alone.
“Let’s get moving then,” I said, already making for the exit.
“Woah, boys. Hold on a hot minute. I’m all for going up against the Witch Hunters, but don’t you think that is what Tomin is going to want? He needs Hector—” Romy swallowed her next words, cleared her throat to give herself time to fix the line of thought, before exposingmydark secret. “Hector’s a thorn in his side, proven over and over. I personally think it is best we put some thought into our next move first. Anything we, as witches, do next will likely further Tomin’s campaign to paint us as the demons.”
“What’s wrong with that?”Emon stirred, but of course Romy didn’t hear his response.“Does she not know that demons are but the best and most impressive creatures… far greater than measly little witches.”
I pulled my sleeve down over Emon, hoping the darkness would silence him.
“I say this with respect, Romy, but if we do not act immediately then we are going to allow for innocent witches to burn for the crime of simply existing,” Kai said, his brow furrowed with deep concern. “We have no choice but to act. Time is no longer a commodity we have.”
“Swallow your respect, Kai.” Romy took a step closer to him. “We are not ready.”
“We?No, Romy, you aren’t going,” Kai said, fixing his gaze back to me. “Hector and I will be.”
“And you think you can control me because…”
I took Romy’s hand in mine, glad for her stability. “He’s right, Romy. It’s not safe out there.”
“Exactly why I’m bloody going!” Romy added. “Kai is needed here… alive. I appointed him as acting Grand High for a reason, not to mention you are as powerless as the rest of the people here. If anyone is going, it’s me and Hector.”
Kai straightened, his shoulders rolling backwards as a sense of power rolled over him. In an act of defiance, he lifted his palm up whilst his eyes sparked with a ring of cerulean.
I knew what was coming. A gem of water hung above his hand like a tear. Gasps sounded around the room, stealing my attention from Kai in time to watch liquid rise from mugs and glasses, gathering in ribbons that floated towards where he stood.
Slowly, but surely, that tear became a ball, which became a dripping, swirling mass of water.
“Eleanor Letcombe’s grimoire has provenratherhelpful,” Kai announced to the astonishment of the room. “And I pride myself on being a quick learner. It may not be much, but in time it will become the very tide powerful enough to stop Tomin. He wishes to cleanse the world of evil, except it will be my waters that drown him and every spoiled-minded follower of his.”
I didn’t admit it aloud, but I was a tad impressed. Kai had picked up on old magics quickly, although there was room for improvement as the bundle of water spluttered out, falling to the floor and spreading out until the old tiles glistened wet.
“Asyoualready know,” Romy began, lifting her hand like he had, “magic means little anymore. Especially if you want to go against Witch Hunters, we’ll need something bigger. Less threatening. You conjured a little drop of water, congrats. My capabilities are, and always will be, bigger than yours.” As if to prove herself, fire kindled in her hand, followed by a sharp gust of conjured wind.
Romy had trained with me and had two months more practice with old magic than Kai. She was formidable in the face of our enemy, but that didn’t mean I wanted her to come. In fact, neither of them could.
“Kai, Romy. Both of you are staying here. If Tomin wants me, I’ll go to him.” My muscles ached with the need to act—to do something. Emon was a single command away from sweeping me into the embrace of his shadows and taking me to Father Tomin’s location.
