The Grove

by J. R. King

  Danny couldn’t seem to tear his eyes away from her.

  “Sorry,” Scarlet said, “but I don’t think you two are a match.”

  Danny grinned at her goofily. “Bye, Rome.”

  Rome slipped his hands into his pockets, turning back to the rest of the class. He noticed Aria walking over as the room began to clear, a curious look occupying her face. She stopped beside his elbow.

  “Would you like to be partners?” she asked.

  “Um, sure,” he said.

  “Don’t worry, I promise not to set you on fire.”

  “Okay,” Ms. Crown said. “Now that we’ve figured out what you all can do, I’d like you to focus on that sensation you experienced when interacting with your element. We are very carefully going to let a little of that energy seep out of ourselves. One at a time now! And partners, please be on standby. This exercise is as much about manifesting our abilities as it is about learning balance, and discovering the opposing forces to our own natural gifts.”

  Ariahna turned to Rome. “Would you like to go first?”

  “Not really,” he said, smirking. He cleared his throat, staring at the empty station nearest to them. A half grown plant sat in one of several clay pots that were scattered about the room. He cleared his throat again, looking at her uncertainly.

  Aria smiled. “It’s okay. Don’t be nervous.”

  “Right,” he said. Like that was going to be possible. Rome looked at the plant pointedly, waving his hand at it in an awkward fashion and hoping for something to happen.

  Ariahna hid the smile that had crept onto her face. “Here,” she said. “Try and focus a little more. It’s less about fancy hand gestures and more about channeling emotion with elemental magic.” She narrowed her eyes, staring at the leaves from where they stood. A whisper of a word left her lips, and a tiny spark started at the base of the plant, crawling up the stem and singeing it as it went.

  He stood there, awe-struck at her level of control. The flame she’d started had barely damaged the plant, and it disappeared again as she closed her eyes.

  “How did you do that?” Rome asked.

  “Practice.” Ariahna straightened out her shirt, looking at him expectantly. “Why don’t you start with something a bit challenging? Try and repair the damage I caused, without making it grow.”

  Rome felt his forehead crease. “But what if I—”

  “Don’t say you can’t,” Aria said. “Just keep trying.”

  Sounds of laughter and quiet cursing circulated the room. Quick flashes of light and shocks of wind disrupted the den, adding to the chaos they were all creating. Rome stood there, utterly still. He closed his eyes and tried to search for a feeling instead of a thought. The way the earth had felt against his skin; the crawl of the plant and the unmistakable energy radiating from him. From him…

  He had magic. He’d thought that it had been a mistake. That maybe they were confusing what he was with him being a witch. But he’d made that plant grow. He could do things—things like them. And somehow, instead of being terrifying, that just made what he was seem less bizarre. Still, Rome couldn’t help but hear Kaleb’s voice echoing in his head. And it made him wonder, how would they react if they knew what he was? How would someone like Ariahna take hearing something like that? He’d never be stupid enough to say it, but it made him curious how much trouble he might really be in.

  “Can you feel it?” she asked.

  Rome nearly startled at the touch of her breath against his ear. “I—I’m not sure,” he said. “Kind of…?”

  “Latch onto it. When you feel that energy, wherever it manifests in you, hold onto it until you’re ready to coax it out.”

  That same warmth started to build again in his chest. He could feel it surging down through his limbs, looking for an outlet. Aria grabbed his hand, touching his fingers to the cold stoneware. It grew warmer beneath his touch, and he reached out intuitively, finding the soft greenery with a careful hand. He couldn’t see the plant, but he could feel it; the discord, the state of dis-ease. That warmth began to trickle out through his fingertips, racing into the roots and up into the leaves.

  “Beautiful,” she said.

  Rome opened his eyes, staring at the golden light emanating from the plant. It dulled to its usual green, trembling slightly for a second. He took a deep breath. “I wasn’t expecting it to be so…”

  “Instinctual?” Her eyes were alight with questions. “It seems like you have quite a talent for it. It’s not so easy for some.”

  They continued practicing for the remainder of the period, offsetting each other’s efforts in a back-and-forth fashion. Ariahna even started a modest fire, challenging him to manipulate the earth to put it out. Shifting the soil, he found, was less intuitive. Thankfully, she kept the flames from growing too high, and the class came to a close with the two of them staring at each other over a column of smoke.

  “I’ve changed my mind,” Aria said. She caught sight of Danny shadowing them as they stopped outside of the classroom. “If you’re still looking for a tutor, I’d love to help.”

  Rome smirked, glancing at her sideways. “What made you reconsider?”

  She paused, sweeping her curls over her shoulder. “I guess I found the time. That and I find your element fascinating. It would be nice to see you grow that gift.”

  She-likes-flowers, Danny mouthed.

  Ariahna glanced back, frowning at his guilty expression.

  “Okay,” Rome said. “When do we start?”

  “Whenever you’re ready.” Ariahna reached for his hand, writing her number on his palm. “Text me when you want to set up a time.”

  Danny sauntered up beside him, watching her disappear down the crowded hall. He couldn’t help but laugh at the stunned look on Rome’s face. “And here I was thinking you didn’t have any game…”

  “It’s not like that,” he said.

  “Sure it’s not.”

  “It’s just studying. And I don’t have a phone, anyways.”

  Danny looked appalled. “Dear god,” he said. “What kind of teenager doesn’t have a cellphone?”

  Rome glanced at him coolly. “The kind that can’t afford one.” He watched Danny fish around in his messenger bag before pulling out a phone and handing it to him. “Is this… a burner phone?”

  “It’s on the house,” he said. “Now you don’t have an excuse. A girl like that gave you her number. You better give her a call.”

  Chapter Six

  Between Space and Time

  The sky dimmed beyond the reach of the glass, soft pink hues tapering down into the distant trees. Rome was watching the day disappear through the windows – the ones that had illuminated the school so brightly just hours before. What was left of the light was spreading across the stairs in diamond shaped clusters. He could hear the buzz of jumbled conversations taking place in the dining hall below, though he’d yet to venture in. He turned around, leaning against the banister. Autumn was lingering near the doors downstairs, scoping out passing groups of students as she stood in the main hall. She perked up when she spotted him.

  “Rome,” she called. “I was hoping I’d find you.”

  He came to meet her at the bottom of the stairs.

  “I was wondering if you wanted to drive into town with me? I have to pick up a few things, and you’re going to need some odd supplies I doubt anyone’s told you about yet.”

  “I don’t have a lot of money,” Rome said.

  “That’s okay. I’ll cover you.”

  “Autumn, you don’t have to do that.”

  “Are you kidding? I want to. It’s so exciting that you’re attending here. I just wish I would have known sooner. We could have had so much to talk about at La Lune.”

  Rome let Autumn drag him towards the exit, wondering if this was what it would have been like to have had a sister. They walked around the building, making their way to the student parking lot. “You’re certainly persistent,” he said.

 
“And you’re too stubborn for your own good.”

  Rome smirked at her over the top of the car. “Just get in.”

  The drive into town was quick, filled mainly with Autumn’s excited chatter (and the occasional response from Rome). Before he’d realized it, they were coasting along through Redwood Bay. Main Street sat at its center, a bustling hub lined with shops and small eateries. The glow of the streetlamps accompanied them as they rolled down the lane.

  Cars lined either side of the curb, but Rome managed to find a spot out front. He cut the engine and leaned over the dash, looking up at the sign above the shop she’d specified. The words ‘Now You See It’ were spelled out in flickering, vermillion colored bulbs. And an upturned top hat hung from one edge of the sign. There was even a black and white magician’s wand poised over the top of it.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me…”

  Autumn laughed. “Believe it or not, this is the best place to get magical supplies here in town.”

  Rome shook his head, wondering what other blatant mysteries Redwood Bay was hiding. “I can’t believe all of this is in plain sight.”

  “That’s kind of the point.” Autumn climbed out of the car, shutting the door as Rome hesitated in the front seat. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

  “Nothing.” He cleared his throat, staring at the storefront. “You know, I don’t think I need any supplies.”

  “Oh no,” she said. “You’re not getting off that easily.”

  The bell rang out as Rome and Autumn entered the eclectic shop. The glass counter (like much of the store) was cluttered with gag items. There were decks of cards, metal rings, wands, and several cheesy looking books on the subject. He was really starting to wonder if she wasn’t just pranking him.

  “Hello,” the store owner said theatrically. “The Great Geraldo, at your service.” He smiled, taking an elegant bow.

  Rome gawked, jaw dangling dangerously close to the ground. The storeowner was dressed head to toe in an over-the-top magician’s outfit. White cuffs and dazzling blue cufflinks poked out from beneath his split tailcoat. A matching satin blue bowtie was held tight at his collar, and a black top hat completed the bizarre ensemble. Rome was trying his hardest not to laugh. He looked away in an attempt to calm himself, but ended up gazing down at the man’s shiny, pointed black shoes instead.

  “Hey Jerry. Don’t mind him, he’s new,” Autumn said.

  “Greetings,” the man repeated.

  “Is there anyone in the back?”

  “Ah, why yes. My lovely assistant wandered into the back, just behind that curtain there.” The man smiled, sweeping his arm out in a wide flourish. “Will the hands of destiny permit you to follow, or does your journey end here? A hush falls over the crowd, the audience waiting with bated breath for the outcome.”

  Autumn giggled as they passed, noting the color to Rome’s face. He looked like he was holding his breath as he pulled back the curtain. A sign hanging from the handle read: You Must Be at Least This Magical to Enter.

  Rome yanked it open and pressed on ahead, snickering as he went. “I’m sorry,” he said. He shook his head apologetically.

  “You’ll get used to him,” Autumn said, “in time.”

  He smirked. “I think you’re giving me too much credit.”

  “He’s really very sweet. He and his wife own this store.”

  Rome chuckled, adding one more curiosity to his list of unlikely things. “That guy has a wife?”

  “Yes,” Autumn said sternly. “And they opened this store because he was caught performing real magic in public. I guess he used to have a show over at the theatre, until the Collective caught on. You can tell that he misses it.”

  Rome quieted at that.

  “Don’t feel bad. He still gets to put on a show every time somebody walks through that door.”

  Rome approached the opening on the other end of the hall. If it was anything like the mundane section of the shop, he figured he was well prepared. A beaded curtain rattled as he pulled the strands aside, taking stock of the space. The dimly lit storehouse was lined with shelves, all covered top to bottom with herbs and stones. Rabbit furs and candles decorated the spaces in between. Plants hung from the ceiling, and some of the books looked ancient. He passed by a few pieces of jewelry, stopping to touch one of the necklaces as he did.

  “This stuff doesn’t look all that special,” he said.

  “And how do you suppose it should look?”

  Rome turned in surprise, smiling at Ariahna over one of the wooden dividers. “I don’t know,” he said. “Different, I guess?” He felt Autumn nudge him encouragingly.

  “I’m not sure we’ve met yet,” she said. “I’m Autumn.”

  The girls shook hands awkwardly over the shelf, throwing the three of them into a short-lived bout of laughter.

  Rome turned his back as they spoke, squinting at a jar of liquid on a nearby counter. “I’m not going to find body parts in any of these, am I?” The smirk on his face rendered him the same reaction from both girls.

  It was then that the storeowner’s wife approached, revealing a smile as she emerged from the back. “Can I help you find anything?” Her gaze settled on Rome acutely.

  He could feel the unhappiness building around his eyes.

  “Goodness, I never thought I’d see you in here…”

  Rome folded his arms carefully, bracing against a flood of emotion. This happened every so often. Someone would recognize him and feel the need to start rehashing the past.

  “Where are my manners?” she said. “I’m Jenny. Your mother and I were friends.”

  There wasn’t a reply in the world that was going to make this moment feel any less invasive. Rome knew he should say something, but he just couldn’t bring himself to.

  Ariahna cut in.

  “Excuse me, Mrs. Jacobs, but did you ever receive that shipment of dragonfly wings?”

  “Oh!” she said. “I forgot you had requested that. Yes, I think I do have some in the back now. And the dove hearts have arrived also, if you’d be so kind as to inform your father. Let me just go and grab those for you. I’ll be right back.” She shuffled through a small door behind the counter as the three of them waited by the shelves.

  “Dove hearts?” Rome said.

  Aria smiled at him amusedly. “They’re not real hearts,” she said. “It’s a type of plant. ‘Hearts’ just refers to the flower.”

  “I’m never going to get used to any of this.”

  Ariahna shook her head, giving him a rueful smile. “I wouldn’t be so surprised if the opposite were true. I can’t remember a time before magic in my life. Once you embrace it, it’s hard to go back.”

  “That’s true,” Autumn said.

  “It’s not that I don’t believe in magic,” he said. “It’s just that I never would have imagined it quite like this.”

  “Hidden?” Aria asked.

  Rome shook his head. “No. Hidden I understand.” He walked down one of the aisles, settling on the word: “Structured. I wouldn’t have guessed there was such a large community, let alone a separate government and education system.”

  “It wasn’t always that way,” Autumn said. “We’re lucky, really. The older generations had it a lot harder.”

  “I’m not sure lucky is the word I’d use,” he said.

  Ariahna placed some chalk into her basket. The frown on her face deepened as she watched Rome wander to the other side of the store. “How long have you two known each other?”

  “A couple of months,” Autumn said. “Why?”

  Ariahna shrugged. “I guess I was just looking for a little insight into his character.”

  The blonde smiled at the other girl. “He’s a little rough around the edges. But I get the sense that there’s more to him than that.” Autumn walked along, snagging items as she went.

  “So he’s not… dangerous?”

  Autumn gazed back at him, watching him roam through the store. “I know what people say a
bout him,” she said, “but…”

  Aria watched her shake her head. “What?” she asked.

  “You should get to know him. It’s really one of those things that you have to gauge for yourself. He’s worth knowing though, if you’re willing to give him a chance. If you’re smart enough to see the person instead of everyone else’s opinion.”

  Rome stopped near the register, reading a few fliers distractedly. Mrs. Jacobs emerged from the back then, carrying a small crate of supplies. He watched her assemble a pile of materials on the grooved tabletop. “Hey,” he asked, “what’s to stop someone from coming back here and seeing all this stuff?”

  Mrs. Jacobs looked up from the counter, lips curling slightly as the spark of a very good secret danced in her eyes. “The lock,” she said, “will only turn in the hands of a witch.”

  Rome stepped out of the eclectic shop and onto the darkening street, holding the door. The sound of the bell faded away, replaced by the light whistling of cool air. Autumn handed him a brown paper bag, covering all too quickly the items inside.

  “And I’m actually going to need these things?”

  “Some of them are just for fun.”

  Rome took another gander into the bag, shaking his head at the contents. “I was thinking about stopping to grab a bite to eat on the way back. Is that alright with you?”

  “You know, I actually have a bit of reading to catch up on.” Autumn glanced behind him, smiling at Ariahna. “Why don’t you two go on without me?”

  “Are you sure?” Rome said. “How will you get back?”

  Autumn grinned, sharing a look with the other girl. “Don’t worry. I’ll manage.”

  They watched her wave goodbye before ducking into the nearest alley. Rome jutted a thumb in Autumn’s direction, unable to formulate the questions brewing in his eyes.

  “Transference,” Ariahna said. “I’ll have to show you how it works sometime.”

  “Maybe sooner rather than later.” Rome almost couldn’t believe it. His keys were dangling from the ignition. Twice in one day. That was a new record, even for him. “You wouldn’t mind unlocking my door, would you?”