The First Spell: The Weight of Magic, Episode 3 Read online

  “Hi.” I pressed my lips together to stop the words I missed you from falling out of my mouth.

  “Hi.” He gave a gentle smile. “Happy birthday, Nicky.”

  “Right.” I nodded. “I’m eighteen. All grown up now.”

  “Are you ready for your lesson? I promise, I’ll make it special.”

  “That’s very nice of you.” I looked at him with suspicion.

  We drove in silence for a couple of minutes.

  “How was your day?” he asked. “I mean, yesterday. You said you had something to do. Did you do it?”

  “Stop fishing for information.”

  “I’m not.” He threw a glance at me. “But I’m offering you my assistance. If you need it, of course.” He shook his head. “You know what, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t . . . No mission talk today.”

  “Yeah,” I sighed. “We keep saying that. But time is running out.”

  “True. But it’s your birthday, so let’s make an exception.”

  I noticed we were heading out of town. “Nathan, where are we going?”

  “Away from people, for their safety’s sake.” He chuckled. “Yesterday I was thinking of taking you to the woods. But because of your birthday, I changed my mind. We’re going to my cabin.”

  “Your cabin? Where is it?”

  “It’s at the lake, in Silent Woods. Don’t worry, it’s not far, only a twenty-minute drive.”

  “Who said I’m worried?” I shrugged. “You’re the one who should be, if you want to keep your cabin. But if you’re planning to demolish it, sure, I’m glad to help.”

  “As I told you before, you should stop thinking about what might happen.”

  “I know. I’m a dumb student.”

  “You’re not. This is all new to you, and it’ll take some time to let go of the fear.”

  We reached Silent Woods, and my heart moaned sweetly from the magnificent view before us. We turned onto a long gravel driveway lined with tall trees colored by nature in yellow and red. A minute later, a two-story wooden cabin emerged at the end of the road. Beside it, the lake glittered under the rays of the setting sun.

  “It’s beautiful here.”

  “Alan has been looking after this place. It’s been a long time since my last visit, and I kinda missed it.”

  His glanced moved around to the garage on one side and then to the small barn on the other side of the cabin.

  We got out of the car, and I followed him to the porch.

  “You go inside,” he said, unlocking the door for me. “I just need to get some stuff from the trunk.”

  The place couldn’t be more romantic, especially this time of year. The comfortable-looking couch placed in front of a brick fireplace invited me to curl up on it under the soft blanket folded on its side. Next to it was a small table with big lamp. On the wall next to the fireplace hung a few bookshelves. Beneath them sat an iron basket loaded with logs.

  I glanced at the pictures hanging on the walls, then peeked out at the terrace through the big glass doors. When I turned to look at the kitchen at the other end of the room, Nathan walked inside with a cardboard box in his hands. He put it down on the wooden island in front of the stove and pulled out a bouquet of mixed flowers the color of autumn.

  “This is for you,” he said, handing them to me with tender smile.

  “Really?” My cheeks warmed. “I mean, thank you.”

  Then he pulled out a bottle of red wine.

  “I’m not trying to get you drunk.” He grinned. “Only one glass, to celebrate.” He looked back in the box, then said, “The rest is food. After the lesson I’ll make you dinner.”

  My heart hammered. What the heck are you doing? Is this just a nice gesture?

  “Are you trying to make me call you Nate?” Well, that didn’t come out right. “I didn’t mean the bed part—”

  “I know. You meant it in a friendly way.”

  “Yes, that.”

  “You think I’m bribing you?”

  “Are you?”

  “I know we’re already close enough, and so do you. You’re just afraid if you call me Nate, you’ll remove that wall you're trying to hide behind.”

  “More like lean on, because I’m pretty sure you can see through it.”

  “You’ll call me Nate when you feel like it. But you don’t need to hide from me, Nicky.” He opened the wine bottle, then pulled out two glasses from the cupboard. “And this isn’t a bribe. I’m just trying to make this day a bit more special for you.” He filled up the glasses, drew closer, and handed one to me. “Is it working?”

  “So far, it’s perfect.” It was my turn to be tender, and I returned his soft look. “Thank you.”

  “Happy birthday, Nicky Callahan.” He raised his glass slightly.

  “Cheers.” We both sipped from our glasses, then he took the flowers and the glass out of my hand and put them down.

  “What is this?” He turned my hand palm up and looked at the bandage on my wound.

  “It’s nothing. It’s just a small cut.”

  “In a very interesting place. Let me see.” He ripped off the bandage. I winced. “Sorry.” He held his hand over my wound, and a red glow appeared around his palm. “Those Callahans,” he muttered.“They lock everything with their blood.”

  “How do you . . . I should probably stop asking you that.”

  “You’ll be cutting yourself all the time to open things, to remove spells. So you’ll need to learn how to heal wounds.”

  “I will. I have Dad’s grimoire now.” He let go of my healed palm. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome. Let’s go outside, I’ll show you the backyard.”

  We walked out the glass doors, and when we came down the wooden stairs of the terrace, I saw bushes of wine color roses lined up along its low wall.

  “I haven’t seen this before. Alan must’ve planted them.”

  The view at the lake opened before us. We moved past the garden table with chairs covered in leaves and walked on the small dock.

  It was so quiet that it felt that it was just the two of us in the whole world.

  “Nice, isn’t it?”

  “It’s mesmerizing,” I said, looking at the reflection of the surrounding woods in the calm surface of the lake.

  “I needed you to relax, and I thought this place could help with that. Let’s stay away from the water, just in case.” He took my hand and pulled me back to the foot of the terrace. “Here,” he said, turning me around to face the lake. “Sorry, I know it’s a bit chilly, but I’ll have to take off your jacket.”

  He pulled off my jacket and hang it on the garden chair. Then he stood behind me.

  “Nathan, why am I doing everything you say?” I looked back at him. “Are you controlling my mind?”

  “Lesson one.” He chuckled. “Witches can’t control each other's mind.”

  “If that’s true,” I frowned at him, “then how did my Dad make me forget about the memory he planted in my head?”

  “He was able to do it because at the moment your powers were blocked. Now your magic is awake, and it’ll mirror any new compulsion.”

  “Okay then.” My frown turned upside down, and I turned back to the lake.

  He drew closer, his torso brushing against my back.

  Oh my. I’m afraid no magic can mirror this effect.

  He was taller than me, and he bowed his head to be level with mine.

  “You’re doing what I ask you,” he said in a low voice next to my ear, “because you trust me.” He put his hands on my bare neck.

  How the heck do you expect me to concentrate on a lesson after this?

  “Close your eyes and take a deep breath,” he continued. “I need you to clear your mind. Concentrate on my touch.”

  That’s all I’ve been doing.

  “Nicky, your body is stiff, and I can tell you’re fighting something.”

  You. I’m fighting you.

  “Relax,” he murmured into my ear. His hands slowly
moved down my shoulders. “Don’t be afraid to feel.”

  Damn that voice. That low and soft, blood-boiling voice. I couldn’t fight it anymore. I took a deep breath and let myself fall back against his chest.

  “Perfect. Now imagine those feelings one after another. Joy.” His hands moved past my short sleeves, and the tips of his fingers touched my bare arm. “Anger.” His fingers slid down. “Love.” I felt his cheekbone on my face. “Hate.” His fingers slid down my hands, and he pressed his palms against mine. “Passion.” His fingers slipped between mine, and we locked them together.

  My magical energy was storming throughout my body, and it scared me.

  “Nathan?” I breathed out his name with perceptible panic.

  “Don’t worry, I’ve got you,” his calming voice said. With our fingers still interlocked, he started slowly raising our hands. “Now choose one of those feelings and embrace it. Connect it to something, imagine the magic you want to perform, and give in to that feeling completely.”

  There was only one feeling I could totally give into right now. My eyes still closed, I tried to remember the surroundings. The lake, the trees, the yellow leaves. The roses.

  “Are you ready?” he asked.

  I nodded, and he stretched up our arms and let go of my hands. For a few seconds I stood with my eyes still closed, my hands up, reaching for the sky. Out of nowhere, a warm breeze blew, pulling back my hair.

  “You can open your eyes now,” he said quietly, delight in his voice.

  I did, and when I looked up, I saw hundreds of wine-colored petals swirling in the air. After a moment, I slowly lowered my hands. The breeze stopped blowing, and the petals softly, in slow motion, descended upon us.

  “Wow,” I gasped, looking back at Nathan.

  “It was very passionate.” He smiled.

  I shrieked and hung on his neck.

  “Well done.” He locked his arms around me.

  “You’re joking, right?” I let go of him and looked into his eyes. “I could never do it without you.”

  “The magic was all yours. I just set you free. I helped you embrace your powers instead of fear them. And I was holding you, so I could contain your energy in case you chose one of the dangerous feelings. I’m happy you chose a good one and my cabin is still in one piece.”

  I glanced at the naked bushes.

  “I don’t think Alan will be as happy as you are.”

  “Don’t worry. I doubt he comes here too often. There’ll be new flowers before his next visit.”

  We stood looking at the floating petals for another moment, then he picked up my jacket.

  “Let’s go inside. You must feel tired right now.”

  “Just a bit.”

  4

  Nathan kindled the fire while I sat on the couch, sipping my wine.

  “Can I help?” I asked as he moved to the kitchen to make dinner.

  “Nope. Your job is to sit and inspire me.”

  “I’m impressed,” I said, watching his deft movements. “Maybe you should teach me that too.”

  “I will teach you anything you want to learn,” he said, then smirked. “But cooking is something you have to have a tendency for. Do you ever wish you could cook?”

  “Only when I am extremely hungry.” I grinned.

  I looked at the setting sun through the glass doors, shimmering behind the trees. I felt so close to him, like I’d known him forever.

  For a while I sat watching the fire, listening to the crackling coming from the stove and smelling the delicious aroma of spices and frying meat with vegetables.

  “How do you feel?” he asked.

  “I feel like I can do magic.”

  “I’m glad to hear that. We’ll have another lesson tomorrow. You need more practice.”

  “Nathan?”

  “Yes?” He put down the knife, picked up the bottle, and walked over to pour more wine into my glass. “You’re not drunk, are you?”

  “No, I’m just warm.”

  “That’s nice. I want you to feel warm and cozy in my cabin.”

  “I could get use to it. Then it would be very hard to leave.”

  “Today we have to because the others will be waiting for us. But maybe we could repeat this some other time.”

  That’s why you brought me here today. You knew we couldn’t stay. You are being careful. Was he protecting me from me, or from him? Probably from me. Because it would be hard for me to resist the temptation, especially after having such a beautiful time together. But he . . . he was experienced, he knew how to control himself.

  “So, you were saying?” he said.

  I stared at him.

  “Yes, that.” I remembered what I was going to say. “I was just wondering, why was our Family Tree planted here? You said this was your town.”

  “Callahan lived here too once. That’s how our ancestors knew each other. It was Henry’s great-grandfather who planted the tree. Henry was really young when his family decided to move. And before doing so, they enchanted the tree so no one would be able to damage it. Some of my ancestors moved around too, but unlike Callahan, we kept our property.”

  “I still have so much to learn. I’m very lucky to have you. I don’t even need to read all of it, I can just ask you.”

  “Ask away. I’ll tell as much as I know.” He prepared the plates and cutlery.

  “No. Now it’s my turn to tell you something. About the map.”

  “Nicky, I didn’t give you wine so you would spill your secrets.”

  “I’m not telling you something I shouldn’t.”

  “Come here, the food is ready. And I thought we agreed there would be no mission talk today.”

  “It’s just a small detail. You said I might need your assistance. Well, I do. And I thought about telling it to you yesterday, so it has nothing to do with the wine.” I got up from the couch and sat at the tall stool across from him at the island. “Besides, it’s my birthday and I can do what I want.” I stared at him and flapped my eyelashes.

  Nathan shook his head and released a short laugh. Then he loaded up my plate and put it in front of me.

  “You know Joseph hid the map. Did you know it was ripped into four pieces?”

  “No,” he said, sitting down and picking up his fork. “Was it Joseph who did that, or someone after him?”

  “It was Joseph. Then he hid those pieces in different places. It’s very easy to get them. Dad already had one, but he thought he could dig out the rest later, when the sword is ready.”

  “Hm.” Nathan stared at me. “Are you sure the one you have is safe?”

  “Oh yes, I’m sure. No one can get it but Callahan.”

  “Then why didn’t he dig out the rest and hide them together?”

  “I wondered about that, too. And I think that since he was doing it alone, he was afraid of being followed. Or worse, captured. Like Brian said, he was probably afraid history might repeat itself. Maybe he was planning to do it later, with someone watching his back.”

  “Maybe.” Nathan gazed at me. “And he wasn’t afraid the Order would find them and dig them out before he did?”

  “You think that might happen?”

  “Nicky, anything can happen. I already said, we have no idea what they know.”

  “Well, it would be very bad for us. But it wouldn’t help them, even if they found all the remaining pieces.”

  “What makes you so sure? Three pieces are more than enough to show the area.”

  “That’s the thing. It will show them nothing. All the pieces are blank.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean they are just blank pieces of parchment, and they will remain so until you put all four of them together. I think that’s why Dad decided to dig only one out, so even if they find the rest, they can’t read it.”

  “Good.” He drank some wine. “For now.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, we’ll have to think about it, about the best way to han
dle this. But not today.”

  “Okay.” I nodded, smiling. “I agree. Enough business talk for today.”

  “Did it make you feel better? I mean, telling me?”

  I laughed. “It really did. It’s like a heavy stone fell off my shoulders.”

  He grinned and raised his glass. “Then cheers to that.”

  We finished eating and cleaned up the kitchen. Nathan was about to put out the fire in the fireplace when I stopped him.

  “Wait. It’s not fair. You’ve been busy the whole time we were here. Come, sit with me.”

  “Nicky, it’s nearly eight. The others are waiting.”

  “It’s okay. Just for a moment.”

  He dropped onto the couch and pulled me down next to him. I dragged my feet up on the seat and rested my head on his chest, then lay my hand on his leg.

  I can’t believe I did that. Well, it’s his fault. He’s the one who said to give into my feelings.

  “So you’re not excited to meet your friends?” he said quietly, lowering his hand from the back of the couch and resting it on my waist. I closed my eyes at his touch. “To see if they have a cake with candles for you? They’ve probably been lighting them at the sound of every approaching car.”

  “Yeah.” I smiled, looking at the fire. “Where are they?”

  “At Sam and Kate’s place.”

  “Really? So Brian’s there too?”

  “Nope. Brian and your gran are having dinner with Alan at the mansion.”

  “You set this all up, didn’t you?” I turned my head to glance at him.

  “You don’t like my plan?” He brushed my hair.

  I looked back at the fire. I’d never felt this good. “Today was perfect. I like my friends,” I robbed his knee with my fingers, “but I’m afraid nothing can top these past few hours.”

  “I’m glad you enjoyed them.”

  He took my hand from his leg and stroked my fingers with his thumb. I could hear his rising heartbeat.

  “We should go.” He pulled himself up and dragged me along. “We don’t want to upset Sam.”

  “Oh, for the love of God, could you stop that?”