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Thessa groaned and dropped the dust-ridden book. She was done with her magic, done with her gift, and done with everything.
But the impact caused the book to fly open. The pages flipped frantically while Thessa’s hair blew in their frenzy. The inked parchment shifted back and forth, until settling.
Nervousness edged Thessa’s voice as she said, “I know gifts are magical and all, butthatwas not something we learned about in school.”
Leora agreed.
Thessa peered down at an otherworldly, dark feminine figure with raven-like wings drawn across both pages. “Who, orwhatis that?”
Leora scurried over to her. “I’m not sure, but we’ll figure this out together. Hex, curse, or—” Leora paused before adding, “We’ll undo it.”
Thessa bent down to slam the old book shut, unbothered by its delicate structure. Her demonic magic sparked at the touch. Shaking itallaway, she stomped to her wardrobe, opened the doors, and stripped from her sleeping tunic at last.
She changed into a linen dress and glanced over her shoulder. “Get changed then, we’re leaving.”
14
LECTURE NOTES FROM REALM RULES & METHODOLOGY:
Charms, enchantments, and glamour spells must degrade with time, otherwise they are forbidden.
Starlings warbled in the distance. The smell of ash was just as potent as last night when they neared the Mabelton Library. Thessa forced herself to take a deep breath after Leora asked, “Are you going to tell the bookkeeper it’s your goddess-given gift?”
She exhaled audibly. “No, I can’t risk him asking about my magic.” Standing before the soot-stained path, the two witches made eye contact, signaling their plan intact.
Act casual.
Thessa rejected the threatening déjà vu and slipped inside.
She’d worn gloves today. It was not unusual to wear gloves in the warmer months because magic was considered sacred. The privacy they offered was a tradition passed down after inhabiting the Mortal Realm.In her case, they’d hide any trace of her corrupt magic.
Thessa and Leora strolled up and down the aisles of books, side by side.
After tabbing through the one she’d found the book in last night, the pair aimed for the large desk spanning the back wall. Its thick, red wood was full of knots and imperfections; a cut only found in Greenshire forest.
Behind piles and piles of books, some stacked taller than Leora, stood the bookkeeper.
Thessa cleared her throat before speaking. “Hi.”
The bookkeeper had kept his back turned toward them and replied with a surly tone. “Can I help you?”
Leora eyed Thessa, encouraging her.Thessa ignored the magic thrumming beneath her gloved hand and placed the book on the counter. “I have a question about this book.”
He turned, meeting her eyes briefly before peering down.
“This one, please.” She pressed it toward him.
The bookkeeper quirked a wiry brow as silence filled the stale air between them. He swept a finger across the worn leather before opening it. His hands moved with grace, before frowning with distaste. “Are you here to play tricks, witch? Where did you get this?”
Thessa tilted her head, unsure of his meaning. “I found it right over there.” She pointed to the aisle of dusty books, as if she’d just picked it up.
“It’s not even a book.” He pressed it back toward Thessa, tapping the parchment and flipping through. “Look, empty pages.”
He was right, there was nothing to see.
“What?” Thessa replied in disbelief. She tried to suppress the urgency in her tone when she asked, “Can you tell me anything about it?”
“I can’t tell you anything about what’s not written. I’ve worked in this library for over one hundred years, I’ve neverseen this. Take thisnothingnesselsewhere, witch.” The bookkeeper turned, mumbling about tricks, and resumed stacking books.