by K. K. Allen
I watch the expressions on Charlotte’s face as her magic crescendos beautifully with an energy I’m privileged to witness. Magic really does become her. She lights up as she cuts the scarf into long pieces, which then get stitched to the chest of the dress in diagonal patterns. Shiny embellishments follow.
With a fluid lift of her hand, the dress rises from the mannequin and lands in my arms. She smiles at me with big, hopeful eyes as she gestures to her masterpiece. “Do you like it?”
I’m utterly speechless at first, but I manage a nod. I’m still surprised by what our magic can do. It’s refreshing to see someone using their powers so freely too. It’s inspiring.
“This is the most gorgeous dress I’ve ever seen.” I look at her. “You’re sure I won’t be too fancy for tonight?”
“For the Enchanters and Friends event?” She reels back like my I’ve asked a shocking question. “Oh no. Everyone will be impeccably dressed.”
Now I’m curious. “What is this event exactly? What should I expect?”
Charlotte’s bright, shining eyes and smile give away her excitement. “Well,” she starts, as if she’s tiptoeing as she often does to avoid delivering the wrong information. “We meet once a month, as a community, and every so often, we invite others…”
Charlotte’s voice trails off as Rose ascends the stairs. I can smell her lavender perfume before she reaches the entrance to the room. She’s already dressed in a blue sequined gown of her own.
“There will be Enchanted descendants from our community and some neighboring communities as well,” Rose says. “Unfortunately, this event won’t be as jovial as they usually are. After the disastrous Fourth of July party, everyone is curious about the Equinox and the threat that’s been placed on our town. Our friends want to help.”
As nice as this sounds, I tense up at the mention of the Equinox. “Our friends?”
Rose looks at Charlotte then back at me. “Followers, of course, and the other descendants.”
I know who Followers are. Rose and Charlotte have made it abundantly clear that they are Normals who are in on our secret and who do not possess magic. They are bound to secrecy by the Laws of Enchantment, just as we are. But I don’t know who else she’s referring to. She waves a hand in the air, as if it’s not important. “You’ll meet them tonight.”
I let out an uncomfortable laugh as unease shakes through me. I understand why Rose was careful to reveal the secret of our magic, but I’m tired of the secrets now. After what happened at Alec’s party, I can’t help but resent the fact that Rose didn’t warn me more about Erebus and the Equinox army. “You know, there doesn’t have to be some grand reveal for every secret you keep. You can just tell me, prepare me, and let me help.”
Rose lets out a slow breath. “I’m doing my best, Katrina,” she says with a stern voice. “I can’t possibly prepare you for everything all at once. You’ll meet everyone tonight, and information will come to you, just as it does for everyone else.”
Rose turns and walks out, and I think back to something Charlotte told me when I first arrived at Summer Manor. I pivot to face Charlotte. “Did Rose just walk up the stairs?”
“Just because I don’t like the stairs doesn’t mean I can’t walk up them,” she calls from a distance.
My face grows hot. Sometimes I forget that I’m not the only one with enhanced senses. Charlotte gives me a sympathetic look and ushers me back to my room.
This is going to be a long night.
Charlotte drives us all to the Enchanters and Friends event. From the sound of it, and judging by our formal attires, I half expect to enter an elegant ball. It shouldn’t surprise me, really. After seeing what Rose and Charlotte accomplished at my eighteenth birthday party, I’ve learned not to underestimate them.
We circle the main drive of Summer Island and turn onto a street I’ve never ventured down before. It looks much like the long, winding entrance to the island, but the road sign reads Gaia Lane. The School of Gaia. This must be the road it’s on. I’ve yet to see the college I’ll be attending in the fall. About a mile later, my guess is confirmed as a gorgeous castle-like structure appears through the hanging moss and oak trees. A tall wall surrounds the property, wild grass grows at the perimeter, and arched lookouts reveal nothing but the blue sky on the other side of it. Beside the castle, there looks to be an open-air ancient Greek theater with stadium seating that’s been chiseled from rock, and a circular dirt stage is set at the foot of the stairs.
When we emerge from the car, Rose’s phone rings, and she excuses herself, telling us she’ll catch up with us when she’s done. As Charlotte and I cross over to the grass just outside the theater, I overhear Rose speaking in a hushed whisper.
“This is not a great time.” I recognize the terse tone she reserves for those close to her. She’s used it on Charlotte and me more times than I can count. “Yeah, well, you should be here leading this meeting, not me. Where are you?”
Charlotte tugs me forward forcefully, and I hop to avoid the curb. “Come,” she says, clearly in some kind of hurry. I can’t help but wonder if Charlotte knows whom Rose is speaking with.
We approach a thick stone wall covered in ivy. Through its arched entrance, I see a lavish garden with all sorts of tropical arrangements, Greek statues, and a water fountain. At first, I wonder why Charlotte is bringing me to an empty garden, then the scene before me morphs into something different. The landscape is the same, but now a thick crowd is mingling about, all colorfully and elegantly dressed.
My jaw practically hits the ground and Charlotte is laughing at my surprise. “It’s cloaking magic, Kat. Only the Invited can see what goes on during our events—for our protection of course. Everyone else sees the venue as if it’s empty.”
“The Invited?” It sounds pretty self-explanatory, but I’m curious to hear what Charlotte says.
“Most everyone here is an Enchanter. Some of them are Followers. So, in all, we just say the Invited.” She nudges my side. “It’s not as overwhelming as you think, but that’s why school will help.”
I look over at the castle again, this time reading the carved letters on the front. “The School of Gaia. So that’s it, huh?”
Charlotte grins. “Yes, and don’t worry. It’s not like a normal school. You come and go as you please. There aren’t any grades, only shingles.” She sees at my confused expression. “Shingles are like certificates that you earn once you master different levels of your powers.”
“But don’t Normals get to go there too?”
“Oh, yes. We believe in blending our worlds as much as possible. In order for us to conduct magic in the real world, we need to learn how to do so with them near us, so going to school with Normals and Followers and other Enchanters gives us the perfect opportunity to do just that. Of course, you’ll have certain classes separate from Normals, but not all.” She tugs on my arms. “Come. We can talk more about that later.”
We barely take two steps before an exuberant Darla French approaches, her husband, Darryl, behind her.
“Katrina, it’s so good to see you again!” She pulls me in for a warm embrace and kisses my cheek.
Her friendliness is just the same as I remember from my Enchanting. The last time I saw Darla and Darryl, they were covered in glitter, masks, and what I thought back then was strange attire. This time, they appear much more sophisticated, with Darla in her long royal-blue gown and beaded suit jacket, and Darryl in a matching tuxedo.
I smile back, grateful to see familiar faces in the crowd. “Hi, Darla.” I laugh lightly. “It’s good to see you too.”
At the same moment, a group near the fountain calls Charlotte over, and she walks away.
“I’m so glad you could finally make it to one of our events,” Darla says.
I tilt my head sheepishly. “Well, you know Rose. She thought I was too new for an Enchanters meeting until now.”
Darla chuckles. “Yes, well. She is very protective of you. I suppose she didn’t have
a choice bringing you today, with what happened at that beach party.”
My stomach twists at the memory of Alec’s party, as it always does. I frown. “I’ve learned, as hard as it is sometimes, to trust Rose’s methods.”
“You’re a smart girl,” Darla says, a gleam in her eyes.
I lean in and hug Darla. “I’m going to find Rose. Let’s catch up later?”
She nods before turning to her husband, and I find a pocket of space near the stone wall and release some air. My nerves are getting the better of me. Just seeing a crowd this size consisting entirely of members of this secret world that has existed for centuries is overwhelming. I relax my shoulders and glance around to take in as much as I can.
Something near the gazebo catches my eye. Or rather, someones. I count six girls, each one a stunning beauty. They all have uniquely colored wavy, flowing locks that reach their waists, but something about their features—something I can’t exactly pinpoint—tells me they’re sisters.
The red-haired goddess of the bunch catches my eye, and a jolt of familiarity hits me, but I don’t know why. I have definitely never met her before. Before I can turn away, she smiles then waves me over. I take the tentative steps forward, hating that I suddenly feel so shy in their presence.
She takes a few steps toward me when I get close enough, and her maybe-sisters follow. I try my best to appear as confident as everyone else. “Hi,” I say to them with a smile, holding out my hand. “Katrina Summer.”
“Arabella Valli.” Her illuminating smile follows.
She looks like an Arabella. A speckle of light dots cover each side of her nose. Her cheeks are naturally rosy. And her hair is a fiery red that brings out the gold swirls in her light-green eyes. She steps aside so I can see the girls behind her.
The raven-haired beauty speaks up next. “Hi, Katrina. I’m Latuana.”
Another girl steps forward. “I’m Dennity.” She sounds bored, a contrast to the electric blue-hair vibe she has going.
The tall blonde with sparkling blue eye shadow extends a hand. “Hi, I’m Mirella.”
The most petite one of the bunch has silver hair and a cute button nose. “I’m Sophania. It’s so good to finally meet you.”
The violet-haired one with short straight bangs across her tall forehead steps forward last. “I’m Zanna.”
Their names are almost as beautiful as they are.
“We’re sisters,” Arabella adds. “Not sextuplets, so please don’t ask.”
The girls laugh, and I assume they get that question a lot.
I smile. “Where are you girls from?”
Arabella speaks up again. “A coastal town north of here. Have you heard of Weeki Wachee?”
I shake my head. “Is that another Solstice settlement?”
The girls just look at each other like they aren’t sure whether to answer. Before they can say anything, Rose approaches.
“My favorite Valli sisters.” Rose is smiling wide as she embraces each of them one by one. She pulls away and wraps an arm around me while still speaking to them. “How are you, my darlings?” The affection Rose pours on now is genuine.
“You know us, Rose,” Sophania says with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. “Trying our best to stay out of trouble.”
“I’m sure your father appreciates that,” Rose says with a laugh.
“We’re here to listen and help however we can,” Arabella says next. “Whatever we can do, just let us know.”
As Arabella speaks to Rose, I notice a tattoo on the girl’s neck, between her ear and her collarbone. It’s all black and appears to be a cross with an overlapping U-shape at the top. It’s hard to make out exactly.
Rose squeezes Arabella’s hand. “I appreciate you all coming. Tell your father hello for me, please. I owe him a meeting the next time he comes to town.”
Latuana flips a lock of hair over her shoulder without touching it. “We will. He asked us to apologize for his absence. He had some issues back home to tend to.”
Rose smiles back tenderly. “Of course. I hope everything is okay. I’ll make sure to get in touch with him soon.”
Mirella looks around at her sisters before adopting a concerned expression. “Please do. I’m sure he could use your help too. He’s just too stubborn to ask for it.”
Rose chuckles. “Yes, I know that man quite well by now.” Her eyes catch on something in the crowd. “If you’ll please excuse me.”
Once Rose is gone, Mirella eases into a smile then tilts her head back to look at me. By the way she carries herself, I get the feeling she’s the leader of the group, perhaps the oldest. “It was so nice to finally meet you, Kat. We’ve known about you for a long time. Rose and our father have been friends since as long as we can remember.”
My eyes widen. “Oh, really?”
The girls’ expressions brighten, their porcelain skin practically glowing. They really are beautiful. “You should come visit us some time. Our father would love to meet you.”
“Here.” Latuana pulls a thick half sheet of paper from her clutch and hands it to me. On the flyer is a photo of the six girls submerged in water as their hair floats above them, but it’s their mermaid tails that catch my attention. Near the bottom of the photo, it reads, “Under the Sea Mermaid Show.”
Well, that makes sense. They’re entertainers. That explains the thick, long hair, perfectly manicured nails, and flawless skin.
“So Weeki Wachee is a water park, then?”
The girls’ laughter is like a musical instrument strumming a series of notes in perfect unison. “You could say that.”
I focus on the photo in my hands, and a tingle spreads through my body. I’m not as confused as I look. Something has already clicked, but I don’t allow myself to agree with my thoughts.
Arabella raises her brows as if encouraging whatever thoughts she thinks I have. “We are descendants of the sea god, Triton. Our father, King Isaac, presides over the Atlantic.”
I shake my head, realizing another wall of my world has crashed in on me. “Like King Triton in Little Mermaid?”
Arabella grins, apparently proud of the parallel. “Exactly like that. Except we have what Ariel always wanted.” She wiggles one of her feet. “See? We can live on land or in the water. The sea is our birthplace and where we spend the majority of our time, but most of us have evolved to enjoy the comfort of a mattress.”
Part of me wants to run, but the other part is too curious to leave. “You’re telling me that you are all actual mermaids?” I can’t help the pitched tone of my voice.
They all nod.
“But wait. If you were born with fins, then you’ve always had powers?”
Arabella shakes her head. “Sea descendants get fins at birth, but our powers don’t begin to evolve until later, like you. By eighteen, we’re in complete possession of them.”
My heart rate picks up speed as I stare back at the girls in front of me—six real life mermaids. Obviously, I’ve learned that this world isn’t a normal one, but mermaids? This revelation might take more time to grasp.
If they’re descendants of Triton, then who else is out there? I glance around the garden, my heart hammering in my throat as I realize just how much I’ve yet to learn.
“Let’s all go inside now, shall we?” Rose speaks warmly, and the way everyone jumps to attention when she’s near is so fascinating to watch.
Charlotte and I enter the theater and stand off to the side of the entrance as Rose greets everyone who passes with a shake of the hand, a hug, or a kiss, like a church pastor before a service.
When the garden has emptied, Herkle steps just inside the entrance. “Everyone is here now, Rose. I’ll go ahead and secure the perimeter.”
Rose gives him a simple nod and turns to me. “Your first Enchanters meeting. I do apologize for the tone that will be set tonight, but it is necessary, given the latest events.”
I search Rose’s gaze for any hint of fear in her eyes. I haven’t seen such an emot
ion yet, and today is no different. “I understand.”
A loud swooshing noise from above makes me look up to find a swirl of glittery fog blocking off the sky above us. It’s a barrier between us and the real world, as if our location in the middle of nowhere weren’t enough. A surge of energy runs through me, and I’m anxious for whatever will come next.
If I’d thought the garden area was packed, I had no true concept of numbers until now. As Enchanters fill all the rows of the theater, I’m finally getting an idea for how many of us there are.
“Watch,” Rose says, clutching my hand. Her grip is firm, enveloping me in her strength, and my insides grow warm for the woman I’m slowly getting to know.
Loud chatter and laughter spreads through the air. Hats, books, and other random objects fly around the space as if the Enchanters have been waiting for this moment to release their magic. Levitating pitchers of water tip to fill drink cups, and bread baskets soar overhead until they are plucked from the air in what appears to be a playful display of what comes naturally to everyone in the room. Along the top few rows, amused onlookers watch the activity like they would circus entertainers. I identify them immediately as Followers.
“Are they allowed to use their magic like that?” I’m genuinely confused since Rose told me that our magic should only be used when necessary.
“Oh, yes, Katrina. Expelling energy is good for us, like starting a car to prevent a battery from dying, or how rejuvenated you feel after a long run. Recycling your energy in safe doses will only make you thrive longer. It’s the big magic we need to be more mindful of. This…” she gestures around, “is perfectly safe.”
Confidence radiates from everyone I see—the clothing, their body language, and even their most subtle gestures. There’s also an overwhelming sense of love and family. And in that one sweeping glance, it hits me—this is what makes Enchanters magical. It’s not in the power we possess or the strength of that magic, but the people we are within. We are givers, healers, and protectors of the Earth and all its inhabitants. I smile.