The White Aura

by Felicia Tatum

  “Olivia? How did you know it was me? How did you know I was here?” Her voice wavered as she turned to me.

  “I dunno. I’m super sick, Sadie. Am I dying?”

  “I sure as heck hope not! I’m here because my brother is freaking out, and I have to calm him down,” she said, sitting beside me and lifting the back of her hand to my forehead. “Gosh, you’re hot, Liv.”

  Freaking out? Oh, great. Was something wrong with him, too? I tried to sit up but got so dizzy that I just fell back on the bed. “What’s wrong with him? His spirit was just here. I felt his presence.”

  “You felt his presence?” She looked a little more than panicked.

  “Yeah…is that bad?” Getting up, she paced the floor with a worried look on her face. What was going on? Her hands were fidgety and she kept biting her lip. She finally pulled out her phone and texted someone. My guess was my dream man. “Sadie?”

  “I have to go. I just wanted to make sure you were ok. Rest and we hope you feel better soon.”

  Then she was gone, just like that. She was getting really annoying leaving abruptly. I was jealous of her abilities, though. She didn’t even give me a chance to reply or say bye before disappearing.

  SCOTT

  Something was very wrong. Strange occurrences were happening with Livvie, worrying me to the point of exhaustion. I sent Sadie to check on Olivia because I was convinced she was dying. I thought the CC had poisoned or cursed her. Then Sadie came back with some information I wasn’t expecting.

  She popped into our parent’s kitchen, with an angry look on her face. “Why didn’t you tell me Olivia had powers?” she asked, slamming her hand on the counter.

  What in the world was she talking about now? “What? She’s human. How could she have powers? Come on, Sadie.”

  “I don’t know, but I can see her aura now. And I’ve never seen one like that. I don’t know what it is. She’s not a sorcerer is all I know.” She ran her hand through her long locks, desperation and confusion clouding her face.

  Oh, crap. Sadie could see Livvie’s aura. A sorcerer couldn’t see someone’s aura unless the person was a supernatural being.

  “Oh, and she said she sensed your presence. What is going on?”

  “She told you that? She’s talked to me the past two days when I espied her. She never noticed me around before, so I don’t know what’s happened. Sadie, I think the CC has done something terrible to her,” I admitted, stuffing my hands deep in my pocket.

  “Maybe so, but I definitely think something unnatural is happening. I can only guess what. I think you need to call Grandma.”

  Before I could agree, she vanished. She really wasn’t one to stick around for longer conversations. It was weird to me, because when I found out I was getting a sister, I thought she would want to talk all the time. Not Sadie. She talked very little. She was always blunt and to the point. It was nice, though. I never wondered what she was really thinking or needed to pull information out of her. And she was usually right. I definitely needed to call Grandma. She would know what to do.

  ###

  Grandma insisted I go to her immediately. I decided to pop over, although I didn’t particularly like the process. It tended to make me dizzy, possibly because I wasn’t that great at it. I arrived in her kitchen, my favorite room in her house. It was warm and comforting, like her. She had a sort of old fashioned kitchen with antique appliances and the gorgeous old oak table where I sat so many times before. I stood for a few minutes catching my breath and allowing my body to adjust. Then I sat at the spot she prepared for me. Muffins and tea were spread out on the table. Grandma always had something sweet around her house, just like the dress shop.

  “Hello, little one.” She placed her hand on my shoulder in an attempt to comfort me.

  “Hey, Grandma. Have you figured out anything?”

  “Yes, I think so. I’ll have to talk to your sister to be sure, but I have a few theories.”

  “Why didn’t I see her aura, Grandma? I was espying her minutes before Sadie popped in to check on her.”

  “Well, dear. If she really is your heart mate, and I think she is, then you won’t be able to see her aura. Ever.”

  Wait, what? I just looked at her, letting the confusion speak for me.

  “I know. It seems odd, but let me explain. You see, some sorcerers have fallen in love with our enemies and not known it. If they had been able to see their auras, then they probably would have destroyed them and in effect, destroyed themselves. You know how connected heart mates are. It would destroy the sorcerers they were meant for also.”

  “Are you saying Olivia is an enemy?” I barely choked it out.

  “What? No. I’m just explaining why you can’t see her aura. I don’t know what’s going on, but she’s some sort of magical being if Sadie can see her aura.”

  “She can feel my presence when I observe her, too, Grandma.”

  Her mouth fell open. I knew that would shock her. “Really? Then she’s connected to sorcerers, in some way.”

  In some way was the part that scared me.

  “I’ll do some more research, ok? We will figure this out, little one.” She patted my hand and went to make more tea. We somehow ate all the muffins and drank the tea in the short time we sat there, discussing what we could and could not do about our situation. Glancing at the clock, I realized we had been talking for almost two hours. Time flew when the topic was serious. I took my plate to the sink, needing to do something productive. I must save Livvie from this evil. I didn’t know what would happen when he found out she was magical. “Grandma, have you researched the CC any?”

  “Yes. I don’t know what spells will work from the inside out. I think…you’ll need to do something in his dreams that will make him destroy himself. I believe that’s the only way.”

  Destroy himself. Now we were getting somewhere. “All right. Can I borrow a few books?”

  She nodded, and I left to go to her library. She owned more books than anyone I knew, including a ton of magical volumes. I walked in and went directly to the far wall. Behind the Shakespeare section, there was a button to release the trap door. Grandma couldn’t leave the magical texts out in the open for everyone to see. A lot of human friends came and went because she was a member of the gardening club and a book club.

  The trap door opened into a lair of sorts. The inside was covered with shelves. Some held ingredients for potions. One wall was covered with shelves of books full of our history, spells, and myths. In the middle of the room was a long table, holding a few ledgers and some pens. It looked like Grandma had been copying spellbooks. She had been around for so long, the bindings wore out. Every century or so she rewrote the pages. They became smudged or torn, and we couldn’t risk losing the information. I’d suggested she print them, but she vowed to do it the old fashioned way. She insisted it was the only true way to do it. Walking over, I dragged a chair with me so I could sit in front of the bookshelves. For the next few hours, I pored over them, searching for an answer.

  OLIVIA

  The last two days had been pure torture for me. The fever consumed me all of Monday and most of Tuesday. I was in and out of delirium, not knowing what was real and what wasn’t. I vaguely remembered speaking to Juniper. Sadie dropped by, but I didn’t remember what all happened. My parents had been concerned, but I was still angry with them. I hadn’t let them dote on me more than needed. But I had to go back to school. Any student who missed school after Tuesday wouldn’t be allowed to go to the dance. I didn’t want to miss it, so I had to find enough strength to make it through school the rest of the week.

  I still felt weak, but I felt a surprising strength in my muscles, too. Plus I’d had a never ending appetite the past couple of days. I’d told my parents, but their reactions were much like I expected.

  “Mom, why am I so hungry?”

  “I suppose because you were sick, dear,” she said, turning from me.

  “I’ve never been this hungry. I don
’t even know what I want, and nothing is satisfying,” I confessed.

  When she shifted her eyes to look at me, I saw a momentarily flash of fear, then the usual bored look returned. “It’s just a part of growing up. Growth spurts.”

  Sighing, I left her alone and went in search of my father. They knew something, I felt it in my heart, and were keeping it from me. Finding him relaxed on the couch, I got his attention and explained how I was feeling. He didn’t say a word, just shrugged his shoulders and went back to watching TV.

  That was last night, so this morning I ignored them both, not even bothering to ask them for a ride or reply when Mom offered.

  I would walk to school today, since it was just about a mile away. Surely the fresh air would do me good after being ill. I hadn’t heard from Aiden since Sunday night when I told him he couldn’t come see me. Sadie hadn’t contacted me anymore either. I only felt Mr. Sexy’s presence once yesterday. It seemed everyone was abandoning me, and it wasn’t a good feeling.

  I walked up to the school’s courtyard. There were a few trees and some benches for lunching and lounging. I wasn’t feeling very strong after that long walk and decided to sit a few more minutes before heading to my locker. Then something moved behind the tree to my right, and I noticed Aiden hiding there. He was watching me with a scary, creepy look on his face, but he seemed excited about something. I lifted my hand to wave. He turned and walked away without even acknowledging it. I wanted to hurry after him, but the bell was about to ring, so I needed to go inside.

  Juniper was waiting for me at my locker with Mark at her side. Hmm, I liked the look of that. Maybe they would finally see they were perfect for each other. She squealed when she saw me and ran toward me, her arms open wide for a hug. As soon as her skin touched mine, it happened. It was almost like an out of body experience, a movie that only I could see. I saw Juniper as a baby, small and cuddly in her mother’s arms. I saw her walking, talking, us meeting for the first time, the first day of every school year. Her whole life was passing, including the moment we were in. But then…then I saw her in that gorgeous black gown we had bought on Saturday. Her throat was slit. She was dead.

  I gasped and jerked back. Mark was watching me carefully, his gaze not on my face but above my head, then up and down my body. I thought that was an odd way to stare. Juniper’s yelling interrupted my thoughts.

  “Liv! Are you ok?” she asked, concern lacing each word.

  I stared at her, eyes wide, and tried to focus on her. I couldn’t speak.

  “Liv!” she screamed. She grasped my shoulders, sending the whirlwind of images flashing through my mind once again. I couldn’t handle the intensity. My breathing became hard as I gasped and fought to get air. It was too much and everything went black.

  ###

  I woke up on a hard table in a dimly lit room. A woman, who I assumed was the school nurse, stood in the corner making notes. She was short and round, an older lady probably in her sixties. She looked motherly and kind. I glanced around the room, realizing I’d never been in the nurse’s office before. It was small with light pink walls. There was a cabinet in front of me that held bandages and medications. The bed I was on was fairly high off the floor with a soft pillow on the hard surface. I groaned when I tried to sit up.

  “Oh, dear, you are awake. Do not try to move just yet. Get your bearings.” Her voice was filled with concern.

  I nodded ever so slightly and mumbled, “What happened?”

  “Well, you fainted. I’m not sure why yet. I have called your parents, and they informed me you were ill and missed school. I think you probably shouldn’t have walked here today. You will miss first period, but I think a snack and some juice will make you stronger for second period.”

  I nodded again. I had fainted and now I remembered why. Hugging Juniper caused a gruesome sight. I saw my best friend bloody and dead. I shuddered at the thought. The kind nurse helped me into a sitting position. It happened again. When she touched me, I saw the nurse lying in a hospital bed, looking very old and small, with needles and tubes coming out of various parts of her body. I jerked my head as she turned to walk to the sink. She brought me a small cup of orange juice and some crackers. I ate and drank slowly, careful not to make myself any dizzier.

  “Olivia, you will be fine. After you’ve eaten, you can go to class. I’d like you to find a ride home from school though, alrighty?” She gave me a sweet smile and tried to pat my hand.

  I jerked my arm back, shocking her with the quick movement. She looked at me curiously but left the room. I finished my snack and slowly slid off the table, worried about what the day would bring.

  I got to lunch without any other spectacular events occurring. I avoided touching anyone, just in case. I got to the cafeteria and selected a sandwich from the line. I went to the table where Juniper and Mark sat with worried looks on their faces. I slid onto the bench and looked at them both expectantly. “What’s up, guys?”

  “Liv…are you ok?” Juniper asked. “You really worried me earlier.” She hadn’t seen me since then, as I missed the class we shared in the mornings.

  Juniper’s face…it crushed me to see her so concerned. “Yeah, the nurse said it was because I walked to school after being sick. Do you think you could take me home?” I asked her, hoping that doing something productive would help her concern lessen.

  “Of course. She’s probably right. That wasn’t your best idea,” she said with a chuckle.

  I sighed. She was acting like Juniper again, so that meant she was ok with everything and didn’t suspect that my fainting had anything to do with her. I glanced at Mark when I noticed he wasn’t talking. He was staring at me again. I self-consciously slid my hand on top of my hair, checking to make sure it wasn’t sticking out or something, then checked my clothing for spilled food. “Uhh, Mark…is there something wrong with me?”

  “No, sorry, I was just lost in thought. I guess you got in my space,” he said teasingly.

  I could tell he was trying to brush it off, but I didn’t buy it. Something very strange was taking place in my world. I looked around the lunch room, expecting Aiden to be rushing to my side any moment. He wasn’t here. I saw him momentarily before school, and now he was absent. I tried to not let it concern me, but he acted odd. It shouldn’t matter if he was here or talked to me, but I felt an odd draw to him ever since the theater. It wasn’t a romantic or loving pull, but I felt the need to watch and make sure he didn’t do anything out of the ordinary. “Is Aiden not here?” I asked them, turning back toward them.

  “No, he wasn’t in last period,” Mark said.

  “Weird. I saw him this morning. He’s been so excited about the dance. He won’t be able to go, right?”

  “Really? You saw him? It’s strange he’s not here then. All of my teachers say Wednesday or after absences are a no go. I thought you two were going together.” Mark looked confused.

  I nodded. It was unusual indeed. I didn’t know what to think about anything anymore. “I told him we weren’t going as a couple, but we were planning to hang out some while there.”

  “Maybe something happened,” Juniper piped in.

  “I don’t know…he seemed…happy this morning,” I shook my head, saying, “He was hiding behind a tree, though. That was a little peculiar.”

  Juniper laughed. “Behind a tree?”

  Mark stared at me, not even blinking. “That’s not normal, Liv. You should be careful…”

  The intensity of his look made my heart beat a little faster. He was obviously worried, and that scared me. I nodded and continued to eat. At least I wouldn’t have to worry about dealing with him at the dance now.

  SCOTT

  I knew what had to be done, but I just didn’t have any clue how to go about it. I spent hours going over the books I borrowed from Grandma, researching every detail about the mysterious evil sorcerer. Along with a few more hours of talking to her, we finally figured out I needed another fifth generation sorcerer to help me. It wa
s our only hope. We needed an immense amount of power, and only fifth gens could produce it. I already contacted the others in our family, and none could come to Loudon Heights on such short notice.

  I hadn’t been able to visit Livvie anymore. He was watching her, the same as I had. Too much contact might intrigue him enough to act sooner than he planned. I glanced at the clock and realized I only had a little over two days to concoct a plan. Two days didn’t seem like long at all.

  Stretching, I got up from the table. I decided a walk would be good for me and set out. I strolled slowly, enjoying the scenery. A family of six was working together mowing and landscaping their yard, while at another house a set of parents were trying to teach their toddler girl how to play softball.

  I breathed deeply, making the cool air fill my lungs, allowing the air to circulate through my body, opening my senses to all around me. I smelled a variety of flowers, freshly mown grass, and someone’s steaks on a grill, all calming me. I quickened my steps, hoping the relaxation of the day would help me to think of a plan.

  I needed to contact Mark. There was a chance he was a fifth generation sorcerer, too. It was a long shot, but it was worth asking. With a quick text, I set up a meeting at the coffee shop where I first saw Livvie. He was already on his way to Loudon Heights to pick up his tux, so this worked out perfectly. I made my way over to 4th, careful to focus on all of my surroundings. I couldn’t be too careful with the CC out there--especially if he knew Livvie had an aura now.

  I had just stepped in the shop and ordered a large sweet tea when Mark walked in. His eyes were dazed and he looked frazzled. Concerned, I nodded to a booth at the back of the shop. He stumbled back there, like he was in a fog. Purchasing my tea, and a coffee for him, I hurried to the seat across from him. “What happened?”

  “Remember the friend I told you Aiden had an interest in?” he asked.

  I nodded. He still had no idea Livvie was my heart mate.