Elements of Power (Council of the Harvest Moon Book 1)

by Kate Stoessel

  He laughed, but I couldn’t find any humor about that night. “Did…” I began tentatively. “Did Apollonia tell you all anything before she died?”

  Surprise flickered across his face, mixed with something else. Suspicion, maybe? “You know I can’t talk about an investigation, Khlorie.”

  “Of course," I replied, embarrassed that I brought it up. I had known the Trackerson-Williams family long enough to know that they would never divulge information from work. “I’m sorry to have asked. I just can’t stop thinking about her,” I confessed, shocking even myself.

  “Apollonia was a traitor, Khlorie. She doesn’t deserve your concern or your pity.” The harsh tone to his voice took me aback. When had he become so cold? Would the same thing happen to Brigid? Traitor or not, I couldn’t help but think that no one deserved having their tongue cut out of their mouth.

  Behind us, familiar music kicked up and thoughts of Apollonia were pushed backward in my mind. Jumping up onto the dock using Callum’s strong shoulder to steady myself, I exclaimed. “That sounds like The Conjuring! They are my FAVORITE.”

  Callum stood up next to me and smiled. “It is The Conjuring,” he replied. “I saw them setting up. Should we risk the annoying questions and horrid glances, and grab spots close to the stage?” I nodded excitedly and began running back over to the party, Callum walking with long strides behind me.

  Brigid was already on the dance floor and she motioned for me to come over and stand with her. She grabbed my hand and we squealed excitedly as the band finished tuning. At that moment, I felt normal again. I was just a girl watching a concert with my best friend.

  Theseus Fearchar, the lead chanter, began speaking. “On behalf of The Conjuring, I would like to wish many congratulations to Khlorie Lethestone and Brigid Williams on their transition ceremony! Our first song was requested by Madame Lethestone because it is Khlorie’s favorite. Enjoy it.”

  I squeezed Brigid’s hand and jumped up and down as the band started playing “New Moon Nights.” Out on the floor, I danced like no one was watching, allowing myself these moments of joy amidst all of the swirling chaos still plaguing my thoughts. I was enjoying myself for the first time in months. Brigid and I grabbed each other's hands and took turns getting spun.

  “It’s nice to see you smiling,” Brigid shouted as one of the band’s new songs ended. I gave her a hug in response. “I’m going to miss you when you go off to Europe!”

  My stomach dropped. I hated lying to Brigid. We shared everything practically since we were born. She was with me when I cast my first spell and had helped me find a solution when I accidentally bewitched a bird to use my mother’s top knot as a nest. I was with her when she shifted into a hawk and flew for the first time and held her while she cried about losing Samantha, her pet cat. I didn’t know how to respond, so I just hugged her even tighter.

  When The Conjuring’s set was over, we went over to meet the band. Sometimes being the daughter of Morrigan Lethestone was really cool. I had no idea how she managed to get them here, but I was insanely grateful. A shifter high up in the military grabbed Callum and they were speaking with heads bent together, engaged in what appeared to be an intense discussion. Brigid ran over to talk to some kids from school about the concert, and I was left all by myself. I didn’t notice that Aunt Felicity was heading right towards me.

  “Merry meet Khlorie,” Aunt Felicity said, greeting me in the traditional manner.

  “Merry meet Luminary Witch Pruitt,” I responded formally. She nodded. Aunt Felicity was a stickler for protocol.

  “Congratulations on your successful transitioning,” she said and then motioned for me to walk with her. We strolled away from the party with her security detail watching closely from behind. “I was sorry to hear about the stress caused by your specialty selection process,” she said finally. “In these troubling times nonconformity is especially problematic. I certainly hope that you will tell other students that European schools are nothing compared with our education system... for the sake of not starting a troubling trend. Of course,” she smiled conspiratorially, “we know that you’ll actually be going to one of our finest institutions.” She laughed at the surprise that must have been evident of my face. “You do know that as the Luminary Witch, the W.E.B. gives me weekly reports. As much as I wish to take away the stigma of not having a specialty, you will soon see that going to Spindlewick is truly a gift. Now, what do you know about these incredible powers of yours?” She asked, eyeing me carefully.

  “Nothing at all,” I replied earnestly. It felt good to be able to talk to someone who knew the truth. “I didn’t know I had them, I certainly don’t know how to use them or when I have in the past.”

  Felicity smiled coldly, “Of course not sweetheart. These extra powers take highly trained eyes to identify, and our Witches Education Bureau is the best in the world. You are going to be on a great journey at Spindlewick, and when you have figured out your powers, the ACC will be ready to recruit you like we do with all of our top sorcerers. We have big plans for you, Khlorie.” I wanted to ask what she meant, but an assistant ran up and notified Aunt Felicity that it was time to go. “Just make sure that you ally yourself with the right sorts of people at college. Remember where you are from and our values. New England will lead the way, like we always do, in ridding this country of the fairy threat. I know that you will represent your region and your family well.”

  Before I could answer, she was already halfway up the hill. Sometimes, I think that the spirits that Aunt Felicity communicated with had too much of an effect on how she saw the world. New England might have the oldest and most prominent families in the American witching world, but there were powerful covens in lots of regions.

  Tired from the night, I plopped down on the grass and started looking up at the stars. It was a nighttime ritual with my father when he was alive, and it still comforted me to this day. I started naming the constellations that he taught me and smiled thinking of his voice and the way he used to say “Great job little witch” when I got one right. I wished that he was here now.

  “I leave you alone for one minute, and you are back to sitting alone in the dark, Pickle?” Callum said laughing. He and Brigid plopped down on either side of me.

  “I guess the benefit to wearing brown is that I can sit on the ground without worrying about staining,” she said before leaning over and giving me another hug. “Can you believe it Khlor? We actually made it to transitioning. There is so much change coming now. I can’t believe it.”

  “You have been begging for a real challenge for years,” I replied. “You’re going to thrive in college.” She smiled, but concern creased her face. I knew Brigid well enough that the concern was not for herself, but for me.

  “You are one of the most talented witches I know Khlorie,” she added quietly. “I have this feeling that when you find out where you belong, you are going to be more powerful than you can even imagine.”

  “Alright, alright you two. North Dakota and,” he looked at me “wherever you are going in Europe are far away, but there is MirrorChat, enchanted mail, spell travel. I promise you will see each other again.” He laughed. All of a sudden, a buzzing came from Callum’s pocket. He pulled out his hand held MirrorCom and gave it a quick glance before announcing, “I have to go.” Brigid and I got up with him and walked back to the party. Callum checked in with his parents, who were also receiving messages on their MirrorComs. Guests who were military personnel and law enforcement agents began leaving quickly, led by the Callum, Brigid, and their parents. Whatever notification they received emptied the place out pretty quickly. Other people decided to use it as their cue to leave, as well. So, I walked to the front door, and carefully said goodbye to each of our guests. And, like a good hostess, I smiled through all of their “advice” and back-handed compliments about my school situation.

  “Be careful over there in Europe. I hear that they let different supernaturals go to school together.”

  �
�Are you sure it’s not too late to make a different decision? I mean you are a Lethestone and a Bishop. If you can’t get into any school in the American Continental Coven on your names alone, then there is something broken with the system. Tradition means something, Khlorie.”

  “It’s better to take a gap year than to go to Europe for college. They let fairies be professors. You could get taken just like your father!”

  Our family and friends meant well. Their concern for my safety, bigotry, and alcohol consumption proved to be a terrible mix, however. Knowing that I wasn’t actually going to Europe didn’t keep their comments from stinging.

  Once everyone was out of the door, my mother cast a quick clean up spell on the house and grounds, tipped all of the staff, and got ready for bed.

  “Mom,” I called. “Thanks for bringing The Conjuring. That was amazing.”

  She smiled at me from the top of the steps and in a tired voice said, “Well, I know this was not the party that you were envisioning, but I wanted you to have something special. Let’s make a list of the things you will need for school tomorrow. Summer Solstice is only a month away.”

  Only a month until I was heading away from home to a place I had never seen and knew very little about. My stomach dropped and I wondered what my life would be like at Spindlewick.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  The morning of the Summer Solstice, I was a mess. Every time my mother tried to get me to leave, I thought of another room I needed to check or some other item I might need to bring.

  “Khlorie,” my mother said evenly. “We have already sent ahead all of your clothes, school supplies, cleansing potions, first aid tinctures, family pictures, linens, and books. If you need something, I will find a way to get it to you.”

  “Mom,” anxiety crept into my voice, causing it to squeak. “They had to open some kind of ancient portal to a security station for us to send my luggage. What if you can’t send me things? What if I can’t get a message to you? We know nothing about this place.”

  My mother began laughing. “Sweetheart, my oldest friend in the world is the Luminary Witch of the American Continental Coven. She and I talked about Spindlewick, and she said that it is actually quite a normal school. I told you this. It is just that all of the students have enhanced abilities.” This logic did little to calm me. “We have to go sweetheart. We don’t want to miss the boat. That would not make a good first impression.”

  I finally got close enough to let my mother touch me, and she spelled us immediately to the dock at Snow’s Point in Maine. We were told that it was imperative if we chose to spell travel to land on the dock and not in the park. The dock was cloaked to keep humans from seeing the magical vessel and the witches appearing out of thin air. Luckily it was a very large dock, and my mother was as skilled a witch as existed.

  The Wick was already boarding passengers when we arrived. A handsome witch in a lime green shirt was checking people in and introducing himself cheerily, trying to put people at ease.

  “Madame Lethestone,” he said happily when my mother walked up. “The faculty is so excited that we are getting your daughter.” He smiled brightly at me. I was used to my mother being recognized by now. “My name is Kale Hola, I am the flying instructor at Spindlewick. I work with students from a number of specialties! I hope to have you in class.” He led us across a wooden gangplank. “Enjoy the ride. It is beautiful in the summer.” He was so warm and genuine. It was clear why they had asked him to greet nervous families boarding the impressive vessel.

  The Wick appeared to be a typically powered catamaran with two parallel hulls slicing through the water at a striking clip. Yet, upon closer examination, this vessel was piloted by some serious magic. There was no captain or crew. The Wick simply navigated the waters alone. I had never seen anything like it and wondered what witch had imagined and executed the spells necessary for The Wick to function.

  About forty families were milling about the deck around us. Parents in the rich colors of their specialties looked warily at each other and the students onboard. Professor Hola was walking around, mingling happily, answering questions and trying to alleviate nervous energy on board. I wondered, looking from person to person, what extra powers had landed each of these students here. Did they have their dreams derailed like me? Did they have terrible abilities that should frighten me? Did they already know how to use their extra powers? Would I be behind?

  Most of the families kept to themselves, enjoying the time together. Professor Hola was not wrong about the ride being a beautiful one. The sun danced along the water as our vessel cut its path toward Spindlewick Island. Glancing around the deck, I took the measure of my classmates. Could the entire first year be made up of only 40 students from the entire country? Even elite institutions, like Shade College, had at least 350 students in the freshman class. Alder and Sage, the college for gardening, might have upwards of 500. Did being one of only 40 make me elite or just a freak?

  After about 40 minutes onboard, a buzz of chattering excitement hummed across the deck. My eye was caught by a young black-haired witch flanked by his mothers, both wearing the golden hue of healers. He smiled brightly and pointed off into the distance.

  This is it , I thought. The smiles around the deck lifted my mood and slightly raised my low expectations. Soon, the energy on the deck was electric. My mother walked calmly to the bow of the ship. I took a deep breath and turned to follow her, not knowing what I would see.

  “There it is,” my mother said eyeing me with interest. Up ahead was an island, like so many others off the coast of Maine. Around the edges of the land were steep rocky cliffs laden with tall evergreen trees leading down to the water. The woods were so dense that the island was not at all visible except for one patch where there was a dark wooden dock and a pale, blue, octagonal lighthouse with a black roof. Beyond the dock, a path could be followed up the gentle incline of a hill to what I assumed was the academic building. It was a stunning sight to behold. The main building was made of brick and resembled the libraries at so many non-magical colleges in the region. White stairs led up to the base of the building where four neo-classical columns framed the entrance. A stunning white clock tower with a widow’s walk around the base sat atop the structure. The building appeared to be a rectangle with two semicircles attached to either end. I wondered how this unique shape was achieved using bricks. It was construction magic at its finest.

  “It’s beautiful,” I whispered to myself, feeling relief flood my body. I guess part of me expected something dark and gothic with wrought iron gates holding students prisoner. So far, however, this looked like any private college campus in New England.

  My mother smiled and put her hand on my back. “You can do well here, Khlorie,” she said, taking a deep breath. Then she paused and looked at me. The intensity of her stare drew my attention away from the coastline ahead. “Listen to me,” she said glancing around to make sure that she would not be overheard. “I want you to work hard to discover and control your powers. Push them to the limit and test how powerful you really are.” Her voice grew more urgent. “Just be careful. Elemental magic can be volatile. You need to be in charge.” She was now leaning nearly half a foot down so her face was level with mine. “This is important. Never forget that learning about your abilities is why you are here and that eyes are always on you and our family. Make thoughtful decisions about with whom you share time and information.”

  “What?” I asked surprised. I was used to her speeches about the responsibility of being from such a prominent family, but this felt different. This wasn’t about not embarrassing her at a Solstice Party or minding my manners when meeting important people. This had another level of importance. She was worried about me. “Is something wrong, Mother?”

  “Khlorie, you are a Lethestone. You are a Bishop. You were born with every privilege the witching community offers. There are those who want to change the ways that we do things. People who don’t understand the dangers from which the ACC p
rotects them. Those who don’t appreciate prominent families and what we stand for. With everything going on right now in the world, you are a target. If they can bring you down, or our family down, they could hurt causes we believe in. Be careful.”

  I wanted to ask more questions, or come up with some response, but the catamaran made a sharp turn as we neared the dock. So, I simply nodded. Passengers began gathering on our side of the ship as everyone was getting ready to go ashore.

  Looking out over the side of the ship, I could see a line of faculty and staff waiting on the dock for our arrival. Some of them waved and some of them were more stoic. I waved back with a smile, trying to regain some semblance of positivity after my mother’s warnings. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my mother pull out a small glass potion bottle, no bigger than a few ounces. She discreetly removed the glass stopper and drank the green contents when she thought no one was looking.

  She must have noticed my interest because she smiled at me and said “headache.”

  The Wick navigated itself up to the dock and began the process of disembarking without any visible crew. An eager wizard with a salt and pepper beard and tan skin was greeting each family and pairing them up with a member of the faculty or staff. The tan color of his shirt explained how he knew the name of every student and family member without even looking. The Diviner sent each family off for a campus tour with their escort. His efficiency was impressive. We watched as each family disembarked, was greeted, and disappeared up the hill behind the trees.

  When it was our turn to walk the gangplank onto the dock, the wizard cried “Ah yes, the Lethestones! President Sager will be taking you on your welcome tour.” He motioned to a tall woman with olive skin, large silver eyes, and jet-black hair standing at the edge of the dock. She walked towards us like she was gliding, her eyes fixed on my mother. For a moment she seemed perplexed. Maybe Morrigan Lethestone was not what she was expecting. That momentary flash, however, was soon replaced with a smile that could only be described as business-like. Now, it should be noted that few women can match my mother in stature. This witch, however, was at least an inch or two taller. I was dwarfed by them both.