Dime Store Magic

by Kelley Armstrong

  I grabbed her shoulders and turned her to face Cortez, then pointed out his swollen lip and wounded side.

  "Do you care about that? This man is here to help you, Savannah. To help you. He could have been killed out there trying to undo the spell you cast."

  "I didn't ask him to undo it. If you got hurt, it's your own fault for going out there."

  "You--" I flung her arm down. "Get to your room, Savannah. Now."

  Her eyes glistened with tears, but she only stomped her foot and glared at us. "I'm not sorry! I'm not!"

  She turned and ran for her room.

  CHAPTER 26

  ALL ABOUT EVE

  "I am so sorry," I said as we walked into the living room.

  "I know I should be able to handle her. I really should.

  I keep telling myself I'm making progress, teaching her control, but then something like this happens and it's--it's pretty obvious I haven't taught her anything at all."

  I dropped onto the sofa. Cortez took the arm chair and moved it around to face me before sitting.

  "She doesn't like humans," I continued. "She hates the Coven. She probably hates me. Sometimes I wonder why she sticks around."

  "Because her mother told her to. Before Eve died, she told Savannah that if anything happened to her, she was to find the Coven and take refuge there."

  I looked up at him. "Who told you that?"

  "Savannah. We talked earlier this evening. She has some concerns and hoped I might be able to mediate on her behalf."

  "What'd she say? No, let me guess. I'm a wonderful guardian. I understand her and I always know exactly the right thing to do and say."

  A slight smile. "She admitted you two don't always get along. Naturally, she says you don't understand her, you don't give her enough responsibility, you're overprotective, all the things every teenager says to every adult. Do you know what else she says? That you have potential."

  "I have ..." I couldn't stifle a small laugh. "I have potential."

  "Don't take it too hard. She says I have potential, too. Neither of us is measuring up to her standards quite yet, but at least there appears to be hope for us."

  I turned to stare at the front curtains. "Still, potential or not, I don't think I'm what Eve had in mind when she told Savannah to take refuge with the Coven. The problem is--" I stopped. "God, I'm blathering. What time is it anyway?"

  "Not that late. You were saying?"

  I hesitated. I wanted to keep talking. Maybe exhaustion had worn down my defenses. Or maybe Cortez just seemed like someone I could talk to.

  "Sometimes I ... I wonder if the Elders aren't right. If I'm not endangering the Coven by keeping Savannah here."

  "Do you mean you want to find someone else to take her?"

  "God, no. What I mean is that maybe we're both endangering the Coven by staying. That I should leave and take her with me. Only I can't. This ... this is my life. The Coven. Being Coven Leader. I want ... I want to ..." I heard the passion in my voice, the near-desperation. My cheeks heated. "I want to do a lot. I can't leave."

  I looked away, embarrassed by my outburst. I wanted to stop but, having started, couldn't until I'd said everything I wanted to say.

  "About Savannah," I said. "I want to show her how to take that power and use it for good. Only sometimes, like tonight, that seems completely delusional. I can't--I can't seem to make her understand the difference between right and wrong. I can't make her care."

  He glanced toward Savannah's room. "Should we use a privacy spell?"

  I nodded. A privacy spell was witch magic. It allowed two people to converse without being overheard. Both speakers had to cast it, which we did. Cortez fumbled the first time, but recast and got it to work.

  "How much do you know about Eve?" Cortez asked.

  "She was kicked out of the Coven for using dark magic. But after that ... I don't know. She couldn't have been too bad or the council would have gotten involved." I shook my head. "Okay, that's a cop-out. We knew she was into bad stuff. Not bad enough to warrant attention, but she was definitely practicing dark magic. It's just that, well, we can't chase after everyone. We have to choose--"

  "Which cases warrant your attention. You don't need to explain that to me, Paige. As difficult as it is, sometimes we have to forgo chasing down the worst offenses and pick the battles we can win. Yes, Eve practiced dark magic. Not just dark. The darkest of the dark. Her focus, however, was not on using it but on teaching it to other spell-casters--witches, sorcerers, whoever could pay her fees."

  "Teaching? Why?"

  He shrugged. "It was a very lucrative business. Such information is very difficult to obtain through standard sources."

  "So she didn't use dark magic for her own gain. She just taught it to dozens of others. That's no better, maybe even worse."

  "Exactly as I see it, yet in most supernatural circles, Eve's choice gave her the veneer of respectability. She was highly regarded as a teacher."

  A car door slammed outside. I jumped and reached for the curtain, then heard an engine start.

  "Another departing guest," I said. "Do you think Savannah's spell scared them off? Or is it just past their bedtime?"

  He opened his mouth, then snapped it shut.

  I managed a small smile. "You were going to lie, weren't you? Tell me what I want to hear, that they're running for their lives, never to darken my doorstep again."

  "I caught myself."

  "Thanks," I said, my smile turning genuine. "I appreciate the sentiment, but I appreciate the honesty more."

  We looked at each other for a moment, then I reached down and picked up a pillow that had been knocked off earlier. I plumped it and returned it to its spot.

  "So," I said. "Back to Eve. She was a teacher. Any Cabal connection? Did they ever hire her?"

  "No. All of the Cabals had censured her, meaning that their members were forbidden to seek her teachings."

  "Because she was a witch?"

  "No, because she imparted dangerous spells without teaching the requisite methods of control for using them. I'm not defending the Cabals. If they set limits on the type of magic they allow, they are limits of practicality, not morality. As the degree of darkness increases, so does the risk of danger. Eve's magic was the worst sort. I can say that based, not on rumor, but on experience."

  "You met Eve?"

  " 'Met' would be an exaggeration. I encountered her. Several years ago, I investigated a sorcerer who'd been casting spells far too advanced for his abilities and was responsible for several rather gruesome deaths. After handling the situation, I traced the source of his spells, and it led me to Eve Levine. I managed to confiscate several of her grimoires, but not before getting a taste of her power."

  "She bested you?"

  Cortez rubbed a hand across his mouth. "Ah, one could ... say that." When he lowered his hand, a tiny smile played at his lips. "In the interests of being honest, I must admit it was a bit ... more humiliating than that, and certainly not a story I'd wish to hear repeated."

  "My lips are sealed."

  "Eve used sorcerer magic against me and I consider myself lucky to have escaped. Her proficiency far outstripped that of most sorcerers. That's why Isaac Katzen targeted her for recruitment."

  "You mean by having her kidnapped last year."

  "Exactly. An unwise move. Again, we move into the realm of gossip, but given my firsthand knowledge of Eve's power, I'm inclined to believe the story. They say that Eve survived only one day in captivity before her captors killed her. Katzen had assumed that his powers would be greater than those of even the strongest witch and therefore led the humans to believe Eve would be easily handled. They were unprepared for her level of expertise and, given the very real possibility of losing both her and Savannah, chose to kill her and keep the more manageable child. Their biggest mistake, though, was taking Savannah in the first place. You don't corner a lioness with her cub."

  "Do you think--" I stopped, tried again. "I mean, when you m
et Eve, did you get any sense of her as a mother? Was she good to Savannah?"

  "I never saw Savannah. From what I've heard, that was typical. No one outside Eve's immediate circle of friends was permitted contact with the child. Certainly, I'm not qualified to make such a judgment, but from what I've seen of Savannah, I would assume Eve was a decent mother, perhaps better than decent. In some ways, it might have been better if Eve had been negligent. Savannah has a very strong bond with her mother. You have to remember that. When you speak against dark magic, you speak against Eve."

  "I need to understand Eve better. I know that." I paused. "But I can't--it's not--this wasn't how I was raised. I know ..."

  I looked over at Cortez. His eyes were on mine, waiting with a mixture of quiet interest and understanding that made me want to go on.

  "I should have talked to Savannah about the confusion spell," I said. "I should have told her what happened the last time. We should have discussed when and when not to use it. I know all this. I see it, but I can't do it. Dark magic ..."

  I looked down and picked at the bandage on my hand. Cortez was still watching me, that same look of patient waiting on his face.

  "It's not--my mother taught me--I was raised to see dark magic as bad. Always. No exceptions. And now I see exceptions, but--" I stopped and pressed my hands to my eyes. "God, I am so tired. I can't believe I'm babbling like this."

  "You're not--"

  I interrupted him by undoing the privacy spell, then scrambled to my feet. "You're staying the night, I assume?"

  "Yes, I thought that would be best. But--"

  "Here, I'll show you where I keep the guest supplies." I headed for the back hall. "I've got extra toothbrushes ... there should be some unisex deodorant."

  "That's not necessary, Paige. I brought the saddlebags from my bike and they're fully equipped with overnight provisions."

  "Are they out in the car?"

  "Yes, I can retrieve them later. I know this is difficult for you, Paige. If you'd like to talk--"

  "Talked your ear off already, haven't I?" I forced a laugh as I turned and walked instead into the front hall. I took my keys from the rack. "Here are my car keys. You go grab those saddlebags and I'll put bedding on the sofa bed. You'll find fresh towels in the bathroom closet, along with shampoo, soap, and whatever else you might need."

  I headed into the living room. By the time he'd returned from getting his saddlebags, I was in my room.

  CHAPTER 27

  THE ARRIVAL

  "You're up!"

  I bolted awake as Savannah sailed across the room and thudded onto my bed.

  "Thank God, 'cause Lucas is cooking breakfast and I'm getting kinda worried. When's the last time you tested the fire extinguisher?"

  I pulled myself upright. Looked around. Looked at Savannah. Was I dreaming? The last time we'd spoken, she'd stormed off to her room. Now she was rifling through my closet, chattering away as if nothing had happened.

  "He says he's making an omelet. But I'm not so sure. Doesn't look like any omelet I've ever seen. Are you getting up today? It's nearly eight-thirty." She whirled around, held my green cashmere sweater up to her chest, and grinned. "Whaddaya think? This winter, maybe?"

  "Who else are you going to fit in there with you?"

  "You know, you're not supposed to talk like that in front of me. Young women are very susceptible to negative body image perceptions. I read that last month in Seventeen. You're not fat. Not by a long shot. At least you've got boobs." She turned to the mirror, pulled her T-shirt tight against her nearly flat chest, and frowned. "You think maybe I'm a late bloomer? Or is this it?"

  Was this the same girl who'd caused a riot on my front lawn? Who'd then vowed that she didn't care who'd been hurt? I'd told Cortez that I needed to understand her. How? One minute she was making strangers attack one another, the next she was a normal thirteen-year-old girl, worried about clothes and breast size.

  "--time we go shopping, I want new bras and panties. Stuff like yours. Lace and satin and colors. Real lingerie, not that white cotton stuff. I'm starting high school next year, don't forget. I'll have to change for gym with other girls. Even if I don't have boobs, I can't be looking like a little kid."

  "Savannah," Cortez said from the hall. "I asked you not--"

  He stopped, seeing me sitting up in bed in my chemise. He quickly stepped back, out of view.

  "My apologies. Savannah, I asked you not to bother Paige. She needs her sleep. You were supposed to be doing homework, remember?"

  "Oh, please. I'm in danger of being handed over to a psycho half-demon and brainwashed into slavery for supernatural mobsters. You think anyone cares whether I know how to conjugate verbs?"

  "Go conjugate, Savannah," I said. "Please."

  "And close Paige's door so she can rest."

  Savannah sighed and flounced out of my room, swinging the door half-closed behind her. I collapsed back onto my bed and considered staying a while but I knew, if I did, I might never get up again. Time to face the day ... whatever it might bring.

  When I walked into the kitchen, Cortez was at the stove, his back to me.

  "Savannah has vetoed my omelet, but I assure you it's quite edible. If you prefer, I can probably manage toast."

  "The omelet will be fine. Better than fine. Tomorrow, I'll set my alarm. Guests shouldn't need to fend for themselves in the morning."

  "You don't need to play hostess for me, Paige. You have quite enough to worry about."

  I grabbed two glasses and filled them with orange juice. "Look, about last night. I didn't mean to unload on you."

  "You didn't unload. You have justifiable concerns and I think we should discuss them. If you'd like to talk--"

  "I'd like to talk about coming up with a plan. Yesterday was crazy and I know I was running around like a chicken with its head cut off, but I'm not usually that disorganized. After breakfast, I'd like to sit down and discuss a plan of action."

  "Excellent idea."

  Contrary to what Savannah had implied, the omelet looked good, and tasted just fine. Once we were both sitting down eating, I noticed the ringer light on the phone flashing. Cortez followed my gaze.

  "I turned the ringer off to let you sleep," he said. "Shall I--"

  "No, leave it off. You were right yesterday. I should just start reviewing call display records. I don't need to hear a constantly ringing phone and I really don't need to hear those messages. Is the machine off?"

  He shook his head. "I just turned the volume down. That seemed safest."

  "Good idea." At a loud bass thump from Savannah's room, I glanced toward the back hall. "Did she even apologize to you?"

  "I believe her mood is intended as an apology."

  "Making nice."

  "Exactly."

  I lowered my voice. "Do you think she regrets it? At all?"

  "That's difficult to say."

  "Hey," Savannah said, swinging through the kitchen doorway. "Anyone notice how quiet it is this morning? I just looked out my window and guess what? They're gone. Poof." She grinned. "Like magic."

  "Yes, I'd noticed that," Cortez said, taking another bite of his omelet.

  "Are you going to say anything?"

  "Such as?"

  She sighed. "Oh, come on, Lucas. You aren't still mad at me, are you? Don't be like that. Admit it. It wasn't such a bad idea after all."

  "What wasn't?" I said. "The confusion spell? I hope you're kidding, Savannah."

  Her eyes clouded. "No, I'm not. Look outside. Look. They're gone. I made them leave."

  "First, they are not all gone," Cortez said. "There is still a small contingent remaining. Most, however, have left, due perhaps in part to your actions, but quite probably owing more to this." He stood, walked to the counter, and picked up several sheets of paper. "It appears East Falls has grown weary of its recent influx of tourists."

  He laid the sheets on the table for Savannah and me. They were printouts from a website covering local news.

/>   "I hope you don't mind, Paige, but I took the liberty of using your computer this morning. After last night's problem, I feared the number of onlookers might increase. When I saw that the reverse had occurred, I was curious."

  I scanned the articles. The one I wanted was right at the top of the page, with the biggest headline. " Old-Fashioned Shunning Shuts Down Media Onslaught." In colonial New England one of the most severe punishments a Puritan community could inflict on its members was shunning. Instead of exiling you, they banished you socially. They pretended you didn't exist. Parents have always known how infuriating such a punishment is. The worst thing you can do to a child is to ignore her. That's what East Falls had done to the crowds of strangers drawn to my story.

  After a half-day of being beset by the plague of locusts, the people of East Falls had withdrawn into their homes, locked the doors, and taken the phones off the hook. That left the media searching in vain for quotes and sound bites. Then, when dinnertime came, no one could find an open restaurant within twenty miles of East Falls. Even the grocery and variety stores had closed early. Then, when they tried to find lodgings, every motel, hotel, and bed-and-breakfast in the county was suddenly full.

  Sure, people could drive to Boston for food and shelter--if they had enough gas. All the local stations had closed at nine. This didn't stop the most intrepid reporters and ghouls from hanging around, but more than enough had decided it simply wasn't worth their while. No one was giving interviews. I wasn't coming out of my house. The dead weren't rising in the local cemetery. There was really nothing much worth seeing in East Falls. For now, at least.

  "This is bullshit," Savannah said, swiping the papers to the floor. "People didn't leave because of this. They left because of me. Because of my spell."

  "Your spell may have frightened off a few," Cortez said. "But, under normal circumstances, it would have only increased the level of public interest. Yes, some would have left ... those who were merely victimized by the spell and who played no active role in the violence. A confusion spell exacerbates violent tendencies. Those who enjoyed the emotional release would stay. And more would come--the sort of people hoping for a replay. Without this shunning, the situation would have only worsened." He paused. "I know that you didn't understand the full ramifications of the spell you cast, Savannah."

  Her eyes hardened. "I knew exactly what I was doing, sorcerer."