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

by Kate Stoessel

  “I’m beginning to understand that.” I responded, my voice breathy.

  “It was wrong for her to put you in that position. I was hoping it was going to be different for you,” he said quietly. “You are so well connected. I hoped they wouldn’t treat you like an asset to manage.” He stroked my chin gently before releasing it and the absence of his touch hit me immediately.

  “Itzel is worried too,” I responded sitting down on a mossy log overlooking the ocean.

  “She should be, honestly,” Perry responded, sitting next me. “Orpheus told me that President Sager has been asking to attend study sessions to see her power in action. He keeps putting her off, but it won’t last forever. I doubt anyone truly intends for her to become a chanter.”

  “Yeah, after I felt it…”

  “Felt it? Please don’t tell me she is practicing on you. Orpheus says it’s pretty brutal.”

  “No, nothing like that. She was teasing me in a sing-songy voice and didn’t realize that her power would kick in.” A blush hit my cheeks thinking about what I’d told Itzel about the man sitting next to me. Realization struck me. “Is that why you don’t want me to practice? Is it why you’ve been making me read all those books?”

  He nodded and I felt like a horrible person. “President Sager is anxious to see you in action. I want you to be able to decide what you want her to see. It was silly not to just explain that to you, but I didn’t know…”

  “You didn’t know how I would react until I experienced something like this.” He nodded. Then, another thought hit me, and dread crept up from the pit of my stomach. “What is going to happen to you? When you graduate, I mean. You have to be one of the strongest people here.”

  “Technically, I will graduate in the gardening specialty,” he paused. “My career counseling session is not for another couple of months, so I’ll find out then.” His response was tight as he looked out over the water.

  “You have a sense, right?” I asked quietly. He turned to me wearily and nodded.

  “Do you think they would let an elemental go now that things are escalating with the fairies? They are going to ask me to join M.A.S.L.E.O. and that is something that I will never do.” His resolve was painted across my face.

  “What do you want to do?” I asked and his face broke into that beautiful smile that I didn’t get to see often enough.

  “No one has asked me that in a long time.” He paused. “I want to study magical plant hybrids and run a greenhouse and test lab.”

  “That would be really interesting,” I responded.

  “I just think that not enough work has been done in the field.” He went on to talk about how plant hybrids had the ability to change the way potions are made and their potency. “I’ve tried a few hybrids in my plots here. Ed has been amazing at helping me test them. There is some potential there.” It was nice listening to him talk. Watching his features light up as he described the process of cultivating and testing plant hybrids made it impossible for me to imagine him working alongside Cal and Marshal Trackerson. That life would make the botanist miserable.

  “My mother is always saying that the Gardening specialty needs to embrace innovative thinking,” I replied. “Maybe she could help. If you told her your plans, she could talk to Virtue and they could find you a new placement.”

  At the mention of my mother, Perry’s smile faded. “Virtue?” Recognition fell over his face. “Virtue Williams? The head of M.A.S.L.E.O.?”

  “Yeah, she and my Mom are close friends.” His face paled and

  he popped up off of the log.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I forget sometimes who you are.” He said quietly.

  Standing up next to him, I reached out and put my hand on his arm. “Who I am is someone who might be able to help. I know Virtue. I know LW Pruitt. I could talk to them.”

  His body tensed under my touch, but I didn’t pull back. “The ACC is never going to let me go, Khlorie. There’s more to my story than you know. I would rather not attract any attention before graduation. Can you promise me that you won’t talk to them about me? It’s the best thing for both of us.”

  Looking up at him, I already missed his smile and the carefree way he talked about his plants. Fear made him this way and kept him so guarded. Would the same thing happen to Itzel? To me? Running my hand down his arm before releasing it, I met his haunted eyes.

  “You can trust me,” I responded finally. He nodded sadly.

  “We should get back. I have class.” Standing up, the air elemental started walking out of the glade and back towards Coventry Hall. As I followed him out of the brush, I swore that I would do whatever it took to help my friends live their own lives. Itzel was going to chant, and Perry was going to have his greenhouse. I would make sure of it.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Sitting in the library on a Friday night, frustration rose inside me. I was never going to be able to help my friends if I couldn’t learn about my magic. Looking at Perry working across the near empty room, I decided that enough was enough. I swallowed my pride, left my copy of Fueling Magic with Fire, and walked over to his table.

  “You know,” I whispered. “I have read most of these books before, Perry. They are basic spell writing books.” I waited for a response. Perry never looked up at me but kept flipping through the dusty tome in front of him.

  “So you’ve said. You are reading them with a different focus now,” he replied evenly.

  “I do understand that, but I think it would be easier to understand what I’m looking for if we...Well, when are we going to practice using my powers?”

  He looked around before speaking, dropping his voice even lower. “I thought I was clear about that. The sooner we start training, the sooner people like Tryllestav and Sager will be here assessing your powers. It is better to stick to the reading,” he responded without looking up. With a wave of my hand, I used my air power to snap his book shut and slide it across the table. His eyes shot up to mine and I smiled with the satisfaction of finally getting his attention.

  “I appreciate that,” I whispered. “I do.”

  “But…”

  “Well, couldn’t we train in secret or something? That’s what you do, right? I could go with you. I have made progress controlling my powers. It was in my notes from this week. So, we could be discreet.” My pleading did not seem to sway him. He flipped back open his own book and kept on reading.

  “Oh, I read them. You are not supposed to be practicing your powers by yourself,” he whispered back calmly.

  “I had Itzel,” I said quietly, taking a seat at his table. “I have to practice sometime.”

  “So, you chose right on the dock, where the entire school could see you?” Frustration was clear in his voice now.

  “See? Wouldn’t it be so much better if you worked with me?”

  He sighed, considering my words. “We’ll move on to the practical portion of the independent study once you have finished your reading.”

  Without speaking, I walked back to my table. and set the last three books on Perry’s reading list in front of me. I ran my hands along each cover and set my intention. I didn’t know if this would work without the sage oil, but it was worth a try.

  “Exanagignōskō ,” I commanded. Easier than before, the stories flipped open and words filled the room.

  “What the…” I heard someone say in the background. Out of my peripheral vision a second year had walked into the library, saw me, and hightailed it out of the room. I smiled.

  Just like before, the words were carried to me and I processed all of them. Three books at once. It only took minutes for the spell to finish. Smugly, I looked back at a stunned Perry, as I collected my things.

  “All done,” I quipped.

  I dropped the books off on his desk. To my surprise, Perry stood up and took my hand, seemingly to slow me down. I intended to make a dramatic exit, but the action stopped me in my tracks. Despite myself, my skin danced where it
made contact with his. and I slowly moved closer to him. Perry was standing very still, looking at me with frustration.

  “Is this your idea of discreet?” He asked intensely.

  “They already know I can cast this spell,” I replied logically. “Besides, if you never intend to teach me anything new, why do I have to be discreet? I am like a walking bomb- who knows where she will explode next? Maybe I’ll set Coventry Hall on fire. Would that be discreet enough for you?” I paused, calming myself a bit. “I’m grateful you want to keep me safe. It means a lot.”

  “But…” Perry interrupted.

  “Delaying learning to use my powers does not keep anyone safe, though.” The frustration on his face was easing as he considered my words. “I know it takes more of your time to read three nights a week and then secretly practice.”

  “It’s not about my time, Khlorie.”

  “Please!” I pleaded “I don’t have anyone else I trust who can teach me.”

  “How do you know you can trust me?” He asked quietly.

  “I just do. I’ve known it since the first day of gardening.” I could have lied, but I didn’t have time to play games. I needed a teacher. Something flared in his eyes as he studied me. He nodded and I knew I had him.

  “Let me get my things.” He released my hand and turned back to his table. Perry moved swiftly to clean up and motioned for me to follow him out of the room. Walking over to circulation to drop off his books, I noticed him whispering something to Madame Spine. She smiled brightly and nodded in response, giving me a quick wave.

  “What did you say to her?” I asked as we walked out of the library.

  “I told her that we were going to pop out early. She’ll cover for us if President Sager comes looking,” he added. “She and my mother are old friends.” Sighing, he continued, “She told me it was about time I stopped leaving you all alone.”

  “I knew I liked her!”

  When we were outside of Coventry Hall, Perry made a left towards the side of the island that contained the Community Center, the Memorial, and Professor Sager’s House.

  “Perry, where are we going?” I called after falling a few steps behind. He turned around to face me and then looked out over the sun setting on the water.

  “Community Center,” He stepped towards me. “I need to tell Orpheus that we’re going to be practicing.”

  Excitement bubbled up inside me and I closed the gap between us grinning wildly. “So, we really are going to do some fieldwork tonight?”

  “Well, if you don’t have anything else to do. It is Friday night,” he replied as we resumed walking toward meditation.

  “Are you kidding? No one wants ‘Tsunami-Girl’ around, and I have been taking your advice about avoiding potentially dangerous situations. People are still scared of me, and Itzel is on her way to some chanting concert in Portland with her class. Of course, I’m free.” My lighthearted tone didn’t seem to fool Perry who looked at me with sympathy.

  “It won’t always be like that, you know,” he replied quietly as we reached the Community Center.

  I nodded in response to his kindness.

  We hustled inside the Community Center, where the sconces were lit, and a couple of second year girls were cleaning up their bolsters and chatting happily about their plans for the nights. They were dressed up in party clothes and make-up. On the other hand, I was wearing my long uniform skirt and a sleeveless cotton blouse. My auburn hair sat tightly on top of my head. Feeling terribly out of place, I smoothed out my skirt. Luckily, I wouldn’t need a cute outfit to train. I did, however, miss dressing up and going out with friends. Itzel was always inviting me places, but I didn’t want a repeat of what happened with Brett. She already stayed home too many nights because I had nowhere to go.

  Perry’s hand on my back woke me up from my daydreaming. He was gently moving me away from the door so people could leave. The blonde empath picked up his bolster and smiled brightly noticing his friend.

  “It’s good to see you both here,” he said. “You missed the session, though.”

  “Actually, Khlorie and I are going to work on using air. I was planning to take her to the glade to practice.” He turned towards me and nodded.

  The blonde empath smiled brightly and slapped his friend on the shoulder. “I think it’s great that you are hanging out, but you know you can’t train tonight. Viv is expecting us.” He checked the clock on the wall, “Like now. We are already going to be late.”

  “That’s why I came here first, to give you a heads up.”

  “You have plans?” I responded a bit too quickly.

  “Yes, but...” he began.

  “You should go and do...whatever you planned to do. We can start fieldwork next week.” I waved goodnight and walked out in the night sky. In a few moments, I was flanked on either side by each of the guys.

  “I thought you wanted to practice,” Perry quietly inquired after we’d walked a while together.

  “It’s Friday night. You should go enjoy your friends. More than anything, I wanted to know that you are planning to eventually let me practice. I feel confident that is the case now. And, hey, I think you have spoken to me more in the last three days than the last three weeks combined. So, I’m feeling better overall about my prospects of learning from you.” I kept my tone light, but Perry hung his head as if I’d landed a painful blow.

  “I’m sorry,” he said finally. “I realize now that my actions were not...productive for either of us.”

  “He had his misguided reasons,” Orpheus chimed in from my other side. From behind my back Perry gave Orpheus a playful shove. “Why don’t you come with us tonight?” He leaned in excitedly. “Our friend Viv can create these...I don’t even know how to describe it. Realities? She can make you see things, but not just see them. You experience them like you are there! It’s the coolest. She’s going to conjure a live concert. Do you know The Conjuring? They are Perry’s favorite.”

  “I LOVE The Conjuring. They actually played at my transitioning party.”

  Orpheus looked shocked. “Wow, I keep forgetting that you’re one of those Lethestones,”

  “It has its perks,” I answered lightheartedly.

  “Well, then it’s settled. You’re coming! You have to tell us how it compares to the real thing” Orpheus smiled. I looked at Perry to see how he felt about this arrangement, and he smiled shyly at me. The three of us walked along talking about my transitioning party and our favorite The Conjuring songs. It felt familiar and comfortable. When we got to the residential area, people were darting around between rows dressed up for parties. Many waved warmly at Perry and Orpheus. It seemed like they knew everyone. A few people recognized me and ran down a different path or gave me a wide berth. When a first-year student ran back into her cottage at the sight of me, I hung my head and slowed a bit.

  “Maybe, I should go home. Viv might not want me in her cottage…”

  Perry stopped walking and looked down at me. “We’re going to my cottage.” He paused. “And I want you there.”

  “You wouldn’t want to disappoint him on his birthday,” laughed Orpheus.

  My head spun towards Perry. “It’s your birthday?” His shy smile told me that Orpheus was telling the truth. I gawked. “You didn’t say anything. I would have gotten you something or baked a cake.” Then a realization dawned on me. “You were going to be late for your own party just to train me?”

  “It’s not really a party, just a few friends hanging out.” He started walking again, and Orpheus and I hustled to keep up. It wasn’t long until we reached the last row of the residential area, where the oceanside cottages were located.

  We made a right turn and walked until we were in front of cottage number 25. I knew it was Perry’s immediately because it had the most elaborate front garden of any cottage I had seen. There were blueberry bushes, window boxes full of herbs, a small Juniper tree, and some flowers. Almost automatically, I moved towards the garden and, as I ran my hands acr
oss the leaves, learned how attentive Perry was to his plants. They were all thriving. It was obvious that he was incredibly talented. Out of the corner of my eye, my trainer was watching me with interest.

  “You are a gifted gardener,” I commented following the stone path to the house’s front walk.

  “Plants give you information when you touch them, don’t they?” He asked, looking at me with interest. “That is how you got every one of those herbs right on the first day of gardening!” He looked like he was putting pieces of a puzzle together.

  “I guess so,” I said. “I always know by touch what they are, what they can be used for, how they are cared for, and when to harvest them. Occasionally, I get more if a plant needs something or I need something…”

  “Amazing,” he whispered almost to himself.

  “Yeah, we already know she’s incredible, let’s go inside and eat something. Viv is waiting.” Orpheus hurried up the walk and went inside, leaving us.

  “So,” Perry began. “This is my cottage.”

  I nodded. If I didn’t know better, I would think that he was nervous to have me at his house.

  “You know that, though.” He ran his hand through his hair. “I’m glad that you came tonight.” He paused. “I’ve been meaning to show you where I live so that you can come get me if you need me.”

  “Can I see the inside, too? Or do you want to hang out here?” Smiling, he walked ahead to open the door for me.

  Perry’s cottage smelled like fall spices and fresh laundry. He had the same furniture as us, but there was a cozier, more lived-in feeling. Little piles of books sat on many surfaces and there were potted plants hanging on the walls and sitting by the windows. Walking down the front hallway, I spotted photos of Perry and a witch who must be his mother. They looked so alike. The one difference was that Perry’s eyes were blue and hers were purple.

  Paintings of different trees and plants covered the empty walls and a large cauldron hung from the hook in his hearth. This cottage had a real identity, like a home. I felt like I was learning about Perry with every glance. On the back wall, I could see a glass door that let out onto a small white patio overlooking the ocean. The door to the patio opened and a stunning witch walked in from outside.