The lake felt serene. The setting sun was warm on my face. I closed my eyes and raised my face to try and hold on to the warmth. "If I lived here I'd never leave home."
When I opened my eyes again, the water was dancing on top of the lake. A spout of water shot up out of the lake. As it fell, tiny droplets sprayed the surface like rain.
I smiled at him, amazed at what he was doing.
"Keep watching," he said.
Two more spouts shot up into the air. Water, in the shape of birds, flew out of each spout. Once they reached the grass, Spratlin let the water fall to the earth below.
"Amazing!"
"This is where I was when I first learned I was a Water Mage."
As cool as his trick was, it only reminded me of my situation.
"Worried about the investigation?"
I gently shook my head and turned away from him. "I can't believe this whole other world was right under my nose all this time. I mean, even my best friends. I feel like such a noob."
He slowly swiped a strand of hair from my face. "There's no reason to feel that way. Everyone goes through it at some point."
"Not everyone. You grew up with it. Jeremy did, too. All my friends did. If they didn't come out of the shoot flinging fire balls, it wasn't long."
"You can't compare your life with everyone else's. The grass is always greener from either side. Everyone's experiences are different. It's what makes us us."
He was right; I knew that, but it didn't make me feel any less of an outcast. My fight with Jeremy didn't help, either. We'd been too good of friends for that to happen. Another example of why this felt so weird. It was like having to relearn old friends. Sure, they were the same people, but I guess I just looked at everyone and everything differently now. Probably because it felt like everyone was looking at me differently. Being alone in the dark isn't a barrel of monkeys when my friends have kept such a long-standing secret from me.
Spratlin's voice startled me when he asked, "Wanna target practice?"
And then there was that. Ugh! The training!
"Here?"
"Why not?" He walked a few feet away and turned back. "Come on. You're gonna love this." His child-like enthusiasm piqued my curiosity.
The benefit was that I got to enjoy the lake a little longer while we made our way to the barn. However, it also gave me more time to think.
Something was bugging me about what Mrs. James said at dinner. Spratlin asked his dad about the training mission and the book on necromancy, but when his mom interrupted she brought up the murder investigation. Were they connected?
6
What I thought was a barn wasn't actually a barn. They just called it that. The rugged exterior hid the high-tech facility on the inside. The James family had their very own magic practicing range complete with multiple lanes and targets arranged at different distances. The place was so pristine you could eat off the floor. If I didn't know it was a practice range, I'd swear it was a high-tech science research lab.
I watched Spratlin fire a Level 1 Water Beam at the first target, then proceed to knock down four more in less than two seconds. "Damn."
He smiled and said, "Sometimes ya do want to shoot 'em fast."
"Now whose mind's in the gutter?"
"Your turn."
"I don't think I'll be able to compete with that."
"That's okay. That's what this is for."
I took my place behind the little security wall. Five targets were lined up waiting for me. I can do this.
"Pretend you're playing a game."
Like a game, right. Except that with a controller in hand, it was instinctive. I stared down at my targets and felt the heat from my magic warm my veins. Producing magic wasn't a pleasant experience, at least not for me. My natural element was electric. Despite the burn, I was thankful that it didn't fry my insides. I wondered if it was different for everyone.
When I felt the magic energy reaching its destination of my palm, I raised my hand and took aim. I flung open my fingers, guided by my index and middle fingers, and watched the first ball of electricity fly wide left of the target.
"You're not con-cen-trating." His high-pitched singing-like tone made me want to punch him.
I shot him a look. "I'm try-ing."
Then his tone changed to more of a coach than friend. "You're not trying hard enough. Why is that? Are you mad because you suddenly have this awesome new ability coursing through you that you have no idea what to do with? Aren't you pissed that someone is framing you for murder?"
"I-"
He grew louder. "No excuses. Turn that anger into determination."
"Okay, okay!" I shot several more bolts of lightning at the next few targets, each one taking two or three attempts to knock down.
I jumped as Spratlin slammed his fist against the wall of the lane stall. He quickly reset the targets and said, "Come on, I've seen you get four quadruple kills in the same match." He pointed down the lane. "Pretend those are Covenant scum and light that shit up!"
My jaw clenched. I didn't even wait for him to get out of the way. I fired off the first lightning bolt, then another and another until all the targets were down. One shot each.
"That's what I'm talking about!" We high-fived, and he reset the targets. "Now, do it again."
Again, the five targets went down in record time. "Yeah!" I yelled as I threw my arms in the air.
"Fun, ain't it?"
"Damn straight it is."
"My turn." He reloaded the targets at a farther distance and took his stance. He let go of five Water Beams in quick succession knocking down the targets once again. "Wanna go again?"
"Hell yeah! This place is awesome!" I missed one target but was able to quickly make it up.
"You're a natural." I grinned shyly. "I'm serious. Most mages would kill to have your skill."
"They should have grown up on Nintendo." I winked. "When can I do this for real?"
"Ready for another mission?"
"As long as it isn't an errand run for the Council."
"I'll talk to the Council. You keep that up, you'll ace the field trials."
I needed a break. That much energy coursing through my veins was enough to kick my adrenaline into high gear, and once it was spent, the burn came back with a vengeance. "Field trials?"
"Yeah, it's something every mage has to go through. Once you complete the training, you'll go head to head against an opponent. It doesn't matter if you win, just how well you perform."
"Lemme guess..."
He spread his arms wide and smiled. "Yup. I'll be your opponent. And I can honestly say, after what I just witnessed, I'll need the practice. Especially since, as your mentor, I have to teach you all my best moves."
My eyebrows perked up. "Ah, this could get interesting."
He smirked. "Don't get cocky."
Spratlin locked the door to the facility and we began walking down the path toward the pond. The sun had set. I had lost track of time while in the practice range. Having a good time and no windows will do that. Decorative lights along the walkway offered a warm and inviting feeling. It really was a beautiful place. Spratlin was a lucky guy to not only have it but both of his parents, too.
We stopped at the pond and sat down on the soft grass. I watched as the light from the lampposts danced on the water. "If this were mine, I would never leave this spot."
"Yeah, it is beautiful." I sensed Spratlin looking at me rather than the water when he said that. "It's a shame you're gonna have to cover that pretty face at the party."
"What party?"
He snapped his fingers. "Oh, I guess I never told you. The annual masquerade party is coming up. The Council is going to mention you."
"Me?"
"Yeah, it's tradition to announce the newest members to the magical family."
Just the thought of being called out in front of a mass of people made my insides clinch. "Where is this party?"
"It's held right here. Every year. It's an ex
clusive party for members of all the covens in Blackwood."
"Sounds like a blast," I mocked under my breath.
"I'll help you prepare your speech."
"What speech?"
"Oh, yeah." He scratched his head. I knew he hadn't innocently forgotten to tell me. He was just waiting for the right time. "Most new mages get up on stage and thank their family and friends, and of course, the Council. You know, typical stuff."
"I don't think the Council is gonna want me saying anything right now. And as far as thanking them? I don't lie." I was never good at holding back my true feelings. Honesty was a virtue and I had it to a fault. "It's probably best if I don't."
"Don't let the investigation keep you from having a good time. You'll get to meet all the other mages in town. It'll be great!"
I was glad at least one of us was excited. The last thing I wanted right then was for everyone to know who I was. Mrs. G, my next door neighbor and dear friend, warned about revealing myself and now I realized what she meant. So far, these past few months of being known as a Healer haven't exactly made me any new friends. Between the annoying lady who calls me about the weekly coven meetings and Spratlin's parents, one of whom I suspect already has it out for me, the only other new person I've spoken to was Detective Bartlett. And he's investigating me as a murder suspect. Oh yeah. I'll be real popular at a party.
Suddenly, I felt the weight on my shoulders grow heavier. My thoughts jumped to the drowning man and his murder. Everyone makes being a Healer sound great, except when I learn something like that. I can't shake the feeling that someone knew about me saving him and killed him to send me a message.
"Do you remember the drowning man I told you about?"
"Yeah, the one you saved the night we met at Level Up."
I nodded. "He's dead. Murdered."
"What? How do you know?"
I readjusted on the grass so I was looking at him. "The night Detective Bartlett came to the store. After you both left, I searched online for any information about Alise's murder, and I ran across a buried headline. It creeped me out."
"That's awful. I'm sorry I wasn't there when you found it."
"It makes me curious, ya know? Why was I there the night he almost drowned? Why was I the one who pushed the little girl out of the way of the car?"
It wasn't that I was unhappy they had a second chance at life. I questioned, why me? What made me so special?
Spratlin wrapped his hands around mine. "What you have is an amazing gift. Any mage would be honored to have it."
"I'll be happy to oblige."
"It doesn't work that way. Look, I understand the pressure you're feeling from the Council. It would be different if you had grown up with magic like so many of us, had been taught the ways of magic, the advantages and privilege of having it."
I looked out at the water that had turned black in the night sky. Silver from the moonlight danced on the surface. "You grew up under the guidance of the Council, but I didn't. When I was in school, I learned about math and science, not how to control the magic that was brewing in my veins."
"Sometimes I forget that. Just know that it doesn't make you any different from the rest of us. There are plenty of mages in town who only recently discovered their gift."
"Are any of them on the Council?"
I watched his expression go flat. "No."
"Only purebreds for that position, eh?" Discrimination was alive and well even within the mighty ranks of the magic community. So far, I hadn't seen much advantage to being a witch.
"I just feel so bad for the man's wife and children. I know what it's like to grow up without a father. They didn't deserve this."
"You're talking like it was your fault. You don't know anything about him. He could have been a drug dealer and someone came to collect."
I looked up into his eyes. "His name was Thomas Johnson. He was thirty-eight. He had a wife and two kids. He was a special needs teacher for crying out loud. It's not fair. But I did read something interesting on his social profile."
"You're searching for him?"
"I was curious. His profile was public, and he posted about having been saved the night he tried to commit suicide. The night I saved him!"
Spratlin sat up and I suddenly felt distance between us. "You can't just go digging through someone's life like that."
"There's more. I looked up the little girl. Emma Miller. She's in fifth grade."
He waved his hands and shook his head. "No, I don't want to know about them."
"Don't you care? She almost died!"
"No, I don't. I mean, I'm happy they lived when you sacrificed yourself, but I don't want to know any more than that. It's not my place to know about their private lives. Well, as private as one can be on social media."
"How can you stand there and expect me to not be curious?"
He closed the gap between us in two steps. "It's dangerous. You have an awesome and powerful gift, but you're not owed anything for using it."
"I'm not expecting a thanks."
"Good because that's a dangerous path to walk down."
"Okay, I get it. I do. You don't have to put the fear of God in me. But after what happened to Thomas Johnson, I'm concerned for Emma. Can't we talk to the Council and put them on alert? What if someone knows about these people I've saved and they're targeting them to get to me?"
"I'm not a Healer, and you're the first one I've ever known, but I've studied them. We all have. I don't want to see you get hurt."
"It's not me I'm worried about. If someone is doing this, Emma could be next."
He paced across the grass rubbing his forehead. "I'll consider talking to the Council."
"But-."
"I. Me. Solo," he pointed at his chest. "Not we, not you. I'll consider it. Especially in light of the recent investigation. You have good instincts to want to wonder if there is a connection. You'd make a good detective."
At this point, I would take any compliment I could get. "Thank you." That was more for Emma than me.
"But I must warn you, Mackenzie. Please listen to me. There's a dark side to being a Healer, and it will do its damnedest to lure you in."
7
After Spratlin put the fear of God into me about the dark side of witchcraft, I needed something much more down to earth to focus my mind. Working the store seemed like a fitting distraction. We had a good sales day. Since school was now out, kids were flocking to spend their hard earned yard mowing and babysitting money, and I was more than happy to help them spend it on a video game of their choice.
That was a benefit of owning the store that I didn't realize would be so strong. A lot of gamers knew what they wanted when they came in, but helping someone find that hidden jewel and seeing their eyes light up made me happy. When they came in the next time, I would ask them about the game. This one kid lit up with excitement and told me all about how he stayed up all night playing and wouldn't go to bed until the final boss was beaten. We high-fived, and now I get to talk to him regularly.
One time a mother and her daughter came into the store. The mother was distraught over her little girl's desire to play bloody action games. After talking with her for several minutes, I told her that I, too, grew up playing those types of games and look where it led me. I was now a responsible business owner who turned a passion into a means to survive. Understanding that playing violent games didn't make me violent, that it was simply an outlet, an escape, put her fears to rest. That little girl will go far, I just know it.
Now, whether or not having a magical ability will make me violent remains to be seen.
Jeremy was working, too, but he and I didn't say much to each other all day. When we did, we kept it short, strictly business, and cordial. I felt bad for the way I treated him at home, but I meant what I said. I truly didn't mind him living with me temporarily, but I was not going to pick up after him. The downside is that temporary had now turned to indefinite since he had no insurance money to help rebuild his house.
Living and working together would soon put a strain on our relationship. I didn't want to lose him as an employee or a friend. Keeping our distance for the time being was the best solution. I let him off two hours before we closed hoping that he would see how much I appreciated him.
Before locking up for the night, I wanted to get a few more games stocked for tomorrow. As I passed my computer in the back office, I paused. Temptation was pulling me to throw responsibility out the window, forget re-stocking, and see what other information I could dig up on Thomas and Emma. Ya know when you're in the grocery store and you pass the sweets aisle, and the powdered donuts call out to you? You know they're bad for you, but that rush of endorphins reminds you of the happiness the donut will bring. It was tough to fight.
Spratlin's words were still fresh in my mind. 'Dangerous,' he said. I could feel the pull. The lure to know more. But why was that a bad thing? Knowledge was power, after all, and having it would be to my advantage. I reached for the keyboard when the bell on the front door dinged. Damn. Forgot to lock it.
Laughter from two people rung out as the door closed behind them. "Yoo-hoo! Anyone home?"
Great. Just who I wanted to run into. I made my way up to the counter and crossed my arms. "What are you doing here?"
"Oh, we came to pick out a game. I'm sorry, are you closed? The sign said-."
I cut Alexa off. "Closed to your type. We don't let attempted murderers in here."
"Whoa, I don't think we're welcome here, 'Lexa." The guy who was with her picked up a game box, looked it over, and then sat it down on the shelf. "That's too bad. Was hoping to pick out a good one tonight."
I didn't recognize the guy, but they both reeked of trouble. He was dressed in all black leather and chains and wore eyeliner and black lipstick. I wondered if he was also a witch or if he just thought douchebags were supposed to dress that way.
Wanted Witch (Daughter of Darkness Book 1) Page 4