by Lily Webb
“I told you she was on to something,” Mallory said, smiling at Raina.
“I never said she wasn’t. I just wanted her to be careful,” Raina said.
“I can’t think of many victories won with caution,” Mallory challenged.
“Okay, okay, you two. Save the competition for tomorrow. We’re all on the same team here,” Grandma interrupted.
“I can’t believe this,” I said, more to myself than anyone else.
“Now if that doesn’t relax you, I don’t know what will,” Beau said, but it only intensified my stress. For the first time, it hit me I might become the next Head Witch of Moon Grove. All throughout the election, I’d never dared to dream it might happen, much less consider what it would look like if it did.
I mean, I knew next to nothing about magic. I could cast a few spells, sure, and thanks to the help from Helena I could at least stay on my broom, though I wasn’t exactly graceful on it. I went into the election thinking there wasn’t a vampire’s chance in daylight I would win it, but then again, I couldn’t have predicted the support I’d received from all of Moon Grove.
Solving murder cases had a funny way of doing that. “Are you okay?” Flora asked. Her words sounded like they’d come from the opposite end of a tunnel. Though I heard them, they didn’t fully register.
“Yeah, I’m just having a hard time processing all this,” I said.
“Then let’s get out of here. The more you sit around thinking yourself in circles, the worse it’ll get,” Beau said.
We made our way to Veilside stadium in a whirl of robes and commotion. The opening race of the Moon Grove Cup was a tradition everyone took part in, even those who weren’t all that interested in sports in the first place — like me. If I hadn’t gotten a free ticket to the event, I wouldn’t have gone. I heard the roar of the gathered crowd inside the stadium as soon as I stepped out of my house. The race hadn’t even started, but people were already excited and letting it show. It was hard not to get excited myself. I’d experienced nothing like this before, and after seeing the various racers practice for the last couple of weeks, I couldn’t wait to see them take to the track and light it up.
The din of the crowd seemed to grow larger with each step we took toward the stadium until it was next to impossible for us to speak to each other without shouting. A line one hundred people long stretched from the entrance to the stadium back to the street, but Raina led us to a side entrance guarded by gargoyles. When they saw Raina, they stepped aside to allow us all in, though they raked each of us with their haunting eyes for signs of anything suspicious.
We entered a long, narrow tunnel that smelled of stagnant water, and though I couldn’t be sure, it seemed as if the tunnel wrapped underneath the stadium itself. We emerged into blinding sunlight a few moments later in the center of the stadium, surrounded by a magical, transparent dome that provided incredible panoramic views of the entire track. The staff had installed a set of swiveling chairs in the center so spectators never needed to leave their seats to follow what was happening.
“Wow, this is amazing,” I said, barely able to take it all in.
“This is typically where guests of honor watch the races. It’s a very prestigious place to be,” Raina said.
“Really? It didn’t seem particularly well guarded,” I said. Although it wasn’t likely anyone could take down two gargoyles on their own, it still made me nervous.
“Not as far as you can see,” Raina said and winked at me. “Not every protective measure is visible.”
“Of course not. It wouldn’t be Moon Grove if there weren’t magic involved somehow,” I said.
“Exactly. I don’t think you have anything to worry about,” Flora said as she came up from behind me and rested a hand on my shoulder. “Trust me, they won’t let anything or anyone in here that doesn’t belong.”
“How do you know that?” I asked.
“I’m almost seven hundred years old, remember? This isn’t my first broom race,” Flora said.
“Fair enough,” I said. “The dome is magical too, isn’t it?” I asked.
“It is. Nothing can get in or out of this magical membrane. It’s designed to keep us safe if a broom crash goes awry, but it has the added benefit of keeping us safe from any intruders,” Raina said.
“Zoe! I’m so glad you made it, and you brought all your friends,” a familiar voice called and I peeked around Raina’s shoulder to find Head Warlock Heath Highmore smiling and waving at us in sleek blue robes. I started to smile back but lost the will when I noticed Lorelei Riddle and Ruby Cromwell, my election competitors, flanking Heath. Neither of them looked pleased to see me. The feeling was mutual.
“I guess I should’ve expected those two to be here,” I grumbled as Raina ushered me forward. I shook hands with Heath and gave cordial nods to Lorelei and Ruby. I wondered if they’d seen or heard about my partnership with the Crowe sisters and the resulting poll numbers. Given the lemon-sucking look on both of their faces, they probably had.
“I’m glad I have you all here,” Heath said. “I have a special request to ask of each of you.”
That seemed to surprise Lorelei and Ruby as much as it did me.
“What sort of request?”
“Oh, it’s nothing strenuous. Traditionally, the Head Witch and Head Warlock are the ones who wave the opening flag to signal the start of the first race, but since we’ve yet to elect a Head Witch, I thought it might be more fun to have the three of you do it. It’s free publicity,” he said.
I would never have guessed. It sounded like a good idea, especially now I knew how to sit properly and stay on my broom. The only problem was I hadn’t brought my broom with me.
“It sounds fun, but I don’t have my broom. If I had known ahead of time, I would’ve brought it,” I said.
“Not to worry. There’s a platform above the track where the three of you will stand to wave the flags, no brooms required. It will be safer for everyone that way,” he said and pointed through the dome to what looked like a large arch that stretched over the track from one side to the other. A ladder zig-zagged up the back, and at the top, a platform looked down at the racetrack.
I wouldn’t have called it safe, per se, but it was better than being on the track and risking getting run over.
“Assuming you aren’t scared,” Lorelei said as she swished her long blonde hair over one shoulder.
“Maybe we should have done it on broomstick. An injury is the only thing keeping you from winning tomorrow,” Ruby agreed. I didn’t know what to say, so I stayed quiet. Heath cleared his throat and clapped his hands together twice.
“Well, it sounds like we are all in agreement then. Perfect.” He waved a hand and three green flags appeared in his other. He passed one to each of us and smiled. “It’s simple enough. The referee will give you a countdown from three, and when you reach the end, wave the flag so the racers know to begin.”
“Sounds so easy that even someone without a lick of talent in magic could do it,” Lorelei said, her eyes flashing as she stomped past me toward the exit. Ruby followed without a word.
“Don’t let them get to you, Zoe. They know they’re in dire straits tomorrow,” Heath said.
“It probably hurts that they know you're supporting me instead of them,” I said.
“We're all allowed to have our own opinions,” Heath said, his eyes twinkling. “Now come, we need to take our places before it’s too late.”
“Good luck, we’ll be watching,” Beau said on my way out and gave me a hug. Heath took me back into the tunnel, but rather than walk all the way out to the exit, he turned a sharp left halfway through. We came to a locked gate where Ruby and Lorelei were waiting. Heath tapped the gate with the tip of his wand and it creaked as it swung open.
He allowed us through and closed it behind us. We walked for what seemed like forever on an upward sloping stone floor toward the only source of light in the tunnel. When we emerged, we stood behind the protective barri
ers right next to the raised platform where we were supposed to wave the flags.
“Climb up, we’ll start any second now,” he said, and though I was worried about being the first, I headed up the ladder anyway with Lorelei and Ruby behind me. The platform at the top of the arch was long and narrow, such that it would’ve been difficult to turn around up there, but luckily I didn’t have to. We walked out in a single file and I gripped my flag and the handrail like my life depended on it.
I could see the magical dome at the center of the track, and though I couldn’t make out the details, I knew my friends were inside smiling and waving at me. I wasn’t nervous, or at least not much, but seeing their encouragement made me smile, anyway.
Hundreds of spectators surrounded the track in pavilion-style seating. I knew nothing about any of the competitors, but there must’ve been favorites because large swaths of fans wore matching robes with numbers and logos printed on them I didn’t recognize.
A warlock in black-and-white striped robes drifted out on broomstick into the track beneath the platform and silence fell over the stadium like a slow-moving wave. They must’ve known we were close to showtime.
“Ladies and gentlemen, witches and warlocks, werewolves and vampires, welcome to the first race of the annual Moon Grove Cup!” a disembodied voice echoed throughout the stadium. “Please gave a warm round of applause for today’s twelve racers!”
A door built into the protective barriers under the platform opened and the announcer introduced each competitor by name as a line of witches and warlocks streamed out in robes of various flashy designs and waved at the attendees. A deafening roar from the crowd drowned out the announcer’s words. Protective gear covered every exposed inch of the racers’ bodies, and each carried industrial looking broomsticks in one hand. One racer had covered their entire face with a fitted black hood that blocked out everything, including their eyes, but even so they seemed to watch me intently.
The competitors took their places in two staggered lines on either side of the referee. I wasn’t sure how they determined the order, but they must’ve decided before the race.
“And how about a round of applause for our good sports and candidates for Head Witch?” the announcer asked to far less cheering. I waved to the nameless, shapeless crowd of people along with Ruby and Lorelei.
The referee glanced up at us to make sure we were ready, and I gave him a thumbs up. He returned it and refocused his attention on the racers. He said something to them I couldn’t hear, and each of them kicked a leg over their broomsticks, making the crowd go wild.
The referee raised his wand to the air and shimmering green sparkles burst from its tip to spell out the words “on your marks.” The racers checked their grip on their broomsticks and lifted their feet onto the rests built into the handles just before the bristles. Some pulled goggles over their eyes.
The shimmering words swirled to form a gigantic number three. I readied my flag as the three changed to a two, then to a one, and I wave the flag like a crazy person, but before I’d even finished the first streak, a roar washed over me as the twelve racers exploded forward in a dizzying blur, making the platform sway. By the time I turned to look, the racers were already approaching the end of their first lap around the track. I couldn’t even imagine how fast they must’ve been moving, but now I understood the need for the reinforced brooms and safety gear.
Heath waved us down, and Ruby led the way. None of us bothered trying to talk, because we wouldn’t have been able to hear each other over the sounds of the crowd screaming and the racers hurtling past. At the base of the platform, Heath collected our flags and led us back underground, where finally I could hear myself think again. My heart hammered in my chest, but it wasn’t out of fear; it was excitement.
“What did you think?” Heath asked.
“It was amazing! What a thrill,” I said.
“I agree. I’ve been watching these races for longer than I’d like to admit, but it never loses its excitement,” Heath said. “Let’s hurry and get back to the box before we miss too much more.” We ran the rest of the way back to the dome and when we entered, my friends and family burst into shouts and swallowed me in a group hug while Lorelei and Ruby slinked off to their seats. I recognized Devon Riddle, Lorelei’s husband, who hung on the edge of his chair with wide eyes as he watched the race. Heath sat down beside him.
“That was so cool!” Mallory said. “You should’ve seen the look on your face and the way your robes flew behind you when they all took off, it was hilarious.”
“You looked like a deer in the headlights,” Grandma agreed, cackling. The racers streaked by the east wall of the dome, rumbling the ground beneath my feet. I could barely follow them they were moving so fast, much less make out their blurred details as they nearly broke the sound barrier, but the black hood of the racer who’d stared me down was unmistakable.
“Who’s the one in the hood?” I asked.
“Oh, that’s number six, or ‘The Enigma,’ as everyone’s calling them. They’re new and the hype of the season,” Beau said.
“Really? Why?”
“Well, because whoever it is, they’re an amazing racer. I’ve watched practice videos of them and I’ve never seen anyone handle a broom like they do. The thing is, no one knows anything else about them. They came out of nowhere and every time they race, they’re in that hood. We don’t even know if it’s a witch, a warlock, or something else entirely,” Beau said.
“I’m betting it’s a witch,” Mallory said. “No warlock is that graceful on broomstick.”
“What if it’s a vampire?” Grandma asked, the color draining from her face.
“Don’t worry, Elle, vampires can’t fly on brooms,” Raina said, patting Grandma on the shoulder. Grandma sighed her relief.
“No, but that’s because they don’t need brooms to fly in the first place,” Mallory said, and Grandma whimpered. “Oh, sorry, I wasn’t trying to scare you.”
“Too late,” Grandma said to laughter.
We took our seats, and I settled into a chair surrounded by my friends, with Beau on one side and Grandma on my other. Beau slipped his hand into mine and gave me a squeeze. When I looked over, he was beaming at me. Despite myself, I felt my cheeks flush, and I had to look away.
“I’m so proud of you,” he whispered. “No matter what happens tomorrow, I want you to know that.”
“That makes two of us,” Grandma said. I wasn’t sure how she’d heard Beau, but I appreciated it regardless.
“Thank you, both of you. Thank all of you,” I said, raising my voice so the whole row would hear. “I couldn’t be here in this position if it weren’t for all of you.”
“I love a good Kumbaya moment as much as anyone else, but can you keep it down back there? We are trying to watch a race,” Lorelei snapped over her shoulder.
“How much sand does that one got in her drawers?” Grandma whispered, and I snickered. We fell silent as we continued watching the race, and I couldn’t take my eyes off the hooded enigma. It seemed odd to me that a racer could come out of nowhere and successfully keep their identity a secret in front of the entire population of Moon Grove.
Who were they? Where did they come from? I knew from experience that flying a broom was an easy, much less racing one at breakneck speeds, so where had they learned how to fly? Surely someone must’ve taught them, so there was at least one person who knew who they were.
“Zoe! Look!” Grandma shouted, gripping my arm as she pointed through the dome. A cloud of dust had kicked up, and the referee hurtled across the track flying a yellow flag.
“What happened?”
“There must’ve been a crash. They only fly the yellow flag when that happens,” Beau said. “But I can’t see anything so I don’t know for sure.”
The racers who hadn’t gotten tangled in the crash slowed down enough that I could follow their movement on the track without getting dizzy. I locked onto The Enigma and let out a gasp when I spotted
a long clump of jet black hair dangling out from under their hood.
As if they knew I was watching, The Enigma reached around their head and tried to stuff the hair back inside the hood, but it was too late. I opened my mouth to say something, but never got the words out because the next thing I knew the hooded racer was hurtling in my direction, directly at the dome.
“What are they doing!? Watch out!” Flora said and climbed over the others to put herself between me and the speeding bullet that was The Enigma.
“They can’t get through, can they?” Grandma asked, but not even Raina seemed to be sure about that anymore. At the last second, Flora shoved me aside, and I clattered to the floor as The Enigma burst through the protective dome and whooshed overhead. Screams and panic filled the audience, and I struggled to believe my eyes as I watched The Enigma perform a wide, swooping loop over the crowd to make another pass through the dome.
“What’s going on?! Why are they doing this?!” Raina asked. But I knew why.
The Crowe was out of her cage, and she wanted me dead.
Chapter Fourteen
We darted to the exit and had just gotten underground when The Enigma hurtled through the dome, flinging spells in our direction.
“What’s going on? Where are you taking me?” I shouted over the noise of the exploding magic above.
“Somewhere safe. Now come on,” Flora said. We skidded to a halt in the center of the tunnel, and Flora took both of my hands in hers. “I need you to trust me.”
“What? I mean, of course I do, but why—”
My world turned into a blur as I spun, and all I could do was hold on to the feeling of Flora’s hands in mine until the spinning stopped and I found myself back in my living room.
“What the…? How did you do that?” I gasped.
“Witches and warlocks aren’t the only ones who can use magic, remember?” Flora asked.
“But what about Grandma and Beau and—”
“They’ll be fine,” Flora interrupted. “Now that Lydia knows you aren’t there anymore, she’ll stop attacking. But she won’t stop looking for you.”