"Even with that, we aren't sure of anything," sighs Selena. "We haven't... we've got no memories of that. And the only people who know more are dead now."
I sigh and we all stay silent for a long time. I feel like this curse is going to be my next problem... unless the other witches come first. As none of us have any idea of what more to do, we just agree that, at least, my little showdown from yesterday bought us some time. It is more than likely that I scared those witches away. We resume eating, but I take a second to breathe in deeply and try to extend my senses further.
Now, I can do this much. Not only because Mara transferred her knowledge and powers fully to me, but my wolf is there too. It's like getting a sixth sense. It's something I can feel, but not quite see. I feel the barrier, even more precisely than before, without touching it. I feel my own magic, burning like a fire, one vivid spot in the circle the barrier put around Silver City. Bright like a headlight.
I feel... the others too. It's not precise, because they are too far, but I really do. One in the sea. Is the Water Witch hiding under water? Or did she find a boat or something?
Two more. One is definitely Ravena. Strangely, I recognize her earthly magic, as if it was a... force. The more I focus on it, the more I can feel it. It's almost as if the smell of soil and grass got stronger as I keep focusing on her. There's another one... A Fire Witch. She's close to the border... and I don't like that. She's staying just within a reasonable distance, though. Moreover, I feel her better than the others. Is it because she's a Fire Witch too? It's as if she is resonating with me. Now I understand why elements are so important. While the Fire Witch is like an echo of my own magic, Ravena feels less significant. She's there, but I can't feel much of a threat from her. She did mention she was the weaker one too... unlike the Water Witch and her wave. If she can cause so much damage from outside the barrier, she's going to be a pain to fight off for real if we go head-to-head...
"Are you alright?" whispers Liam.
While I was caught up in my thoughts, Nora brought the dessert, and is trying to keep her son away from it. I nod.
"Yeah, I'm just... thinking I might need to see Ravena."
Liam opens his eyes wide, surprised.
"Rav-... The Earth Witch? Why? I don't trust that b–!"
I put my finger on his lips with a quick growl, reminding him his nephew is right there. He frowns and pouts against my index finger, making me chuckle.
"I don't trust her either," I chuckle, "but she played Miss Know-It-All, so it might be worth a shot to ask her what she knows about that curse before doing anything stupid or waiting for the others to come to us first."
"Hm..."
He still looks unhappy with my idea, but it doesn't matter. I need to know, and that's my best option for now.
"Mara? What's on your hand?" suddenly asks Selena, frowning at me.
My hand?
I glance down, and suddenly notice it. Something appeared on my hand. It takes me a couple of seconds to realize it's another spell. What the heck? What did I do now? I quickly stand up and stand away from Liam, but it seems like an... inoffensive one. Kelsi stands up too and comes next to me to check on it.
"...Girls?" asks Ben.
"I don't know this one..." mumbles Kelsi.
"I do," I immediately say. "That's an astral projection spell."
"An astral projection?" repeats Kelsi, panicked. "Please don't tell me you're going to switch your body again!"
"No, I don't think so. This one looks more like a... key, or some sort of guide..."
How did it appear, though? I only tried to use my magic a little earlier, but it couldn't have provoked such a complex and delicate spell. Suddenly, after fixating on my palm for a long time, I realize. That's the hand I touched the dying tree with.
I smile and close my fist. Thanks, Sylviana.
Chapter 29
"Are you sure that thing won't hurt you? Or be dangerous?" Liam whispers.
I nod and put the dishes in the sink. He and I offered to do the dishes for Nora, but I know he was just looking for an opportunity for us to be alone and far enough from everyone else's ears. I wish we could mind-link already... Dinner was nice, but it is a bit strange to sit with werewolves. I could tell there was a lot more going on than what was said out loud. Selena and her husband in particular stayed quiet for a long time, but I'm sure they had to be arguing about something, because she seemed a bit mad and glared at him all of a sudden. Nora and her husband too suddenly switched who was carrying Will as if they had decided it together, without a word. I don't mind as it is part of their ways, but I'm a bit jealous. I wish I could do the same with Liam. Who knows what kind of things we could have said to each other if we had our own private little channel. For now, I can only mind-link Nora and Selena, but I still feel too shy to do so. Despite our bond, I'm not quite... familiar with using my wolf instead of my own voice yet.
"Don't worry," I say, showing the mark on my hand. "I'm pretty sure I know what this is. It will probably stay as it is until I do something to activate it. It's like magic circles which need a witch's blood."
"You think it needs blood?" he asks, his concerned eyes still on my marking.
It's taken over most of my hand and even a bit of my wrist now, but it stopped. It looks like a brown tattoo with a lot of complicated symbols, as if I had dipped my hand into something and taken it out before it dried. Nothing is changing anymore, so I suppose whatever was to be transferred from Sylviana's tree to me, it’s done now. I'm curious to discover what she wants me to see… I wonder why I didn't get it earlier. Was it waiting for the protection to disappear? Or for me to become a full witch? Or awaken my werewolf part? Too many things have changed since I first saw the tree, now that I think about it, so I wouldn't be able to tell...
