They met Idris at the entrance to the secret passage and entered the courtyard from the door Ceri had used during the storm.
The full moon was just beginning to rise over the mountains. A cold wind blew through, forcing Alison to wrap the blanket tightly around her.
“Do you think I just say it?” she asked Idris. “Does it need to be in Middle Loegrian, or can I use the translation?”
“No idea,” said Idris. “I have no idea if this is going to do anything at all. But as long as I get the ring stored safely again before anyone falls asleep, there should be little risk in trying.”
Idris removed the ring from the heavy box it was stored in and placed it on the ground in the middle of the brown patch where the lightning struck. “Might as well see if Leo had the right idea about this place. I can sense power here.”
Alison held the journal up and read out the translated text three times.
Nothing happened.
“I didn’t feel anything from you,” said Keir. “I think you need to channel your power into it somehow. Or mine.”
“But what power can Leo channel?” asked Alison.
“One thing at a time,” said Keir. “Let’s see if we can get it to work first.”
Alison read the text once again, this time pulling on her power and Keir’s in the way that occasionally did something.
The ring shook on the ground.
“That’s doing something,” said Idris, holding his hand over the ring to feel the power. “Keep going.”
Alison read the text a second time. This time, the ring screeched.
Everyone put their hands over their ears.
“Read it again, quick!” yelled Rinka over the noise.
Alison read it a final time, struggling to concentrate over the sound, but it seemed to have worked: the ring fell silent.
“I can’t believe it,” said Idris. He picked up the ring and shook his head. There was no magic on it. “I’ve managed to decurse a fair number of things in my time, but usually there’s some kind of trick to it. Some sort of negotiation or even a duel with a hostile force. It probably won’t work on everything—basically nothing does when it comes to magic. But if it can work on anything, it’s worth a try.”
Alison shivered. “It’s a beautiful ring, really,” she said, taking it from Idris to feel the lack of magic on it for herself. “A shame someone did that to it.” She handed it back to Idris, who stored it back in its box just in case the curse removal was temporary.
As they returned to the library, Idris pulled her aside. “Do you think you’d be willing to try it on me?” he asked her.
Alison could see immediately how serious he was. He was trying to appear nonchalant, but he couldn’t quite look at her. She was used to the Idris that always had a joke or a jibe for any occasion. It saddened her to see him so vulnerable.
“Of course we can,” said Alison. “We can try it right now if you like.”
“Maybe once the others have gone to bed,” said Idris. “I’d rather…I’d rather they didn’t know. Just you, me, and Keir.”
Alison didn’t ask why he wanted to keep it from Rinka and Ceri. She guessed that maybe he didn’t want to have to see their disappointment if it failed.
Ceri gave Leo the instructions on how to use the spell, although they still didn’t have much of an answer about where he should draw the power from.
“The fairy queen Mab told me everyone has magic within them,” said Alison. “I don’t know if he’ll be able to learn to wield it without any help in such a short time, but I could feel anenergy in the spot in the courtyard. Maybe it could be enough on its own.”
“Tell him to try to decurse the items one by one, starting with the doll,” said Idris. “It’s too much of a risk to take them all out of the fairy magic sanctuary at once.”
“Coming to bed?” Rinka asked Idris, yawning. “I think that’s enough for one night. I’m exhausted.”
“I’ll meet you there,” he said. “I’m going to ask Ana if she can cast that same ward on my closet. It never hurts to have multiple layers of protection from curses.”
Rinka nodded and left, with Ceri following behind her. Professor Marin had slipped away earlier without a goodbye, which was a move she used often and one that Alison envied.
