Reality crashed back over her like a physical blow, leaving her dizzy and lightheaded. She murmured her apologies and quickly averted her eyes. Finnigan gave her a look of disdain.
After supper, she almost ran to the library. What was happening to her?
When she had first looked at the titles on witchcraft and magic, she felt like she was doing something forbidden, like touching the books would have her thrown in the dungeons. But now, she felt like the angel had nudged her down the path of learning about magic, and she knew he wouldn’t lead her astray.
A gift, he had called it.
It felt more like a curse than a gift with each passing moment.
She wanted to know what was happening to her, but she was frightened that if she truly had magic, she wouldn’t be long-lived. What would Caspian do to her if he found out she could read his thoughts as easily as she read a book?
Furthermore, if she told a soul, and if ever returned to Rhodea, she might very well be the next witch put on trial in Calyx.
She ran a finger over the titles on the shelf and pulled one called‘A Theory of Magic’off the shelf.
Taking a deep breath, she made sure no one was watching and flipped it open.
Only witches can harness the power of magic as they are the devil-touched and therefore have a natural affinity to the arcane arts. Magic can take on a variety of shapes and forms, depending on the intent of the spellcaster. Witches often use incantations or herbs to direct the magic of the spell. Potions, poultices, astrology, divining the future, moving objects, creating blessings or curses, and summoning and trapping demons to do their bidding are among the specialties and disciplines of magic.
It was interesting, but it hadn’t explained what the angel had done. This text seemed to suggest that magic was passed down through families. No one in her family was a witch or had magic. She would have known if they were.
She thought back on what he had said.
A gift for the woman surrounded by demons.
What could that mean?
***
The walls of her chamber felt suffocating after what happened at dinner. Fiza was in her chamber tidying and struck by a sudden desire to be alone, Elizabeth wandered the halls. She ran into Iago, who wanted to inquire if she needed anything, and other strangely shaped demon servants. Wanting to be by herself and have some space from the demons in the castle, she retrieved her cloak from her chamber and ventured into the gardens.
She was enjoying her walk through the pathways in the gardens when she looked up and saw Caspian watching her from a window. She circled the garden again and glanced up. He was still watching her and hadn’t moved an inch.
Growing annoyed with the residents in the castle, Elizabeth sighed and edged closer to the castle grounds, wanting to be free of demons for a while.
The skies were gloomy overhead, and a cool breeze kissed her skin as she strode across the grassy fields, her boots squelching in the wet grass. The mountains and forests loomed in the distance, and she walked at a leisurely pace. Finally, alone, she inhaled the scent of the crisp forest air, feeling a deep sense of calm wash over her.
She pondered at length what the angel might have done, and why, and what would happen to her if she told anyone what had happened. Was slipping into someone else’s mind something that she could tell anyone? Or would it be best to keep it a secret—it was certainly not something that she could trust to a letter.
The sky had shifted from gray to deep blue before Elizabeth realized how far she’d wandered.
Suddenly, a dark shape darted across the field and into the trees. It was far enough away that she wasn’t overly concerned, but what in the world was that?
Dread coiled in her gut as the last light of day faded, and the sky turned pitch black. The hair stood up on the back of her neck, and she hurried towards the castle, but it was a small speck on the horizon, and much too far for any shouts to be heard if something happened to her.
She lengthened her strides, chastising herself for being so paranoid. It was nothing. Surely just an animal skirting around the underbrush. She was being silly.
The thing sped across the field again between the trees to her right—large and maroon. She didn’t run, but she did hasten her steps, having no desire to tangle with forest animals in the dark. Plus, what forest animal was that colour?
Risking a glance, she didn’t see its shadowy figure.
Hopefully, it was gone.
Elizabeth kept her eyes on the trees and hurried towards the castle. She had just relaxed when something sharp nicked her shoulder.
She whirled and was met with a face crafted from nightmares. Black and soulless eyes met her. The beast’s red hide stretched over protruding ribs, whilecurved horns jutted from its forehead, and its mouth twisted in a snarl. Her heart jumped into her throat.
It curled one of its long, black talons under her chin.
