One thing I knew right now was that I could not hurt someone who did not know why they were being hurt. I exhaled and my power faded.
“Sorry,” I murmured. “I thought you meant to harm me.”
Rufus rose, brushing himself off. He started to scowl but then smoothed his hair, an embarrassed smile quirking his lips. “I suppose if I saw a wizard in a field plucking spells from the earth and he moved suddenly, I would have reacted the same way.”
“Yes,” I murmured, “I’m sure you would have.”
“Rest assured, all I want is my memory. Nothing more.”
I watched him openly, making sure that he wasn’t going to make any swift movements and do anything funny. But he simply returned to searching the spells.
When we made eye contact, there was no hint of recognition on his face. He didn’t look at me and flinch. His lids didn’t flare. The only thing that filled his eyes when our gazes met was…blankness. He did not know me. He did not remember what he had done.
For now.
What would happen when he did? Would Rufus immediately grab me by the hair and try to get me back to his house to steal my powers? Once evil, always evil, I say. No, he hadn’t changed, and I had to make sure that he never returned to be what he once was. The world needed protecting from Rufus Mayes, and I was the person to do it.
“If you don’t remember how to work magic,” I said, “how can you know what to do with a spell when you find the right one?”
He smiled and I noticed, not for the first time, how terribly handsome he was. His good looks had been what ensnared me years ago.
I nearly slapped myself for noticing that. What was wrong with me? I hated Rufus Mayes. Hated him. I’d run from the memory of him to Peachwood. Why was I leering at him now?
“Well,” he said casually, “I think that I’ll know how to use it. I’m hoping I will, at least.” He paused. “There are so many blasted spells in this place. How am I ever going to find it?”
“Maybe you won’t.”
“That’s not a good attitude. Being negative.”
“Call me Negative Nellie.”
“No, I think Clementine is much prettier. I prefer to call you that.”
Was that a line? I shot him a harsh look that unfortunately he didn’t see. What a waste of a good scowl.
“Anyway,” he continued, “I believe I’ll know how to use it to restore my memory. After all, I can see these spells and read them.”
He moved forward, and I followed, keeping a close eye on him. “What are you going to do if you don’t find it here?”
Rufus gave me a sidelong glance. “Oh, I’m sure I’ll find it here. There’s too much magic around not to. If I do and still can’t figure out how to work it, I suppose I’ll either ask you or someone in town to help me.”
I bristled. “Someone in town? No one there is magical.”
His lips curled into whimsical smile. “Are you sure about that?”
“Yes, I am very sure about that.”
“Hmmm. Well then, I suppose you’ll be the lucky person to help me, seeing as you’re the only other magical being I know.” He wagged a finger at me and smiled. “That was an impressive trick you did back there. How did you do it?”
I rubbed my arms, feeling the remnants of power work their way like electricity over my flesh. I’d told this to Rufus once before, so repeating it was an experience in déjà vu.
“My magic builds up inside me.”
“If you don’t use it,” he murmured as he plucked an orb from the air and inspected it.
“Right, if I don’t use it.”
I wondered what was going on in his head. Was he already thinking of how to take my powers? Since he had no memory, Rufus didn’t know what he had been like before. Perhaps he would be different now.
