“Yes…yes, I cast the spell, I did exactly what the book said, but it wasn’t…it didn’t do what it was supposed to.”
“That’s impossible.” The Mother Guardian said, staring at Hazel as if she had never seen her before. “You can’t even…you don’t have. I’m sorry, Hazel, you’re just not powerful enough to do what they said you did.”
“That’s what I told them, but–.”
“And you’re both wrong.” Nika said firmly, in his soft, even voice. “Hazel freed us, and Eidolon, with her magic. There is no doubting this.”
“Well, I’m sorry, but there really is.” Elizabeth stood for a moment, reaching for a scented candle that was on the counter. She brought it back to the table, setting it in front of Hazel with a thump.
“Light it.” She said, staring at Hazel again, daring her. Hazel looked at Elizabeth, then at the candle, and then back up again.
“I can’t. You know I can’t.” she said, and hated how small her voice sounded.
“Just, try.” Nika said, reassuring her. She gave him one nod before turning back to the candle, mentally running through all the tricks, all of the exercises that would allow her to access that hidden away part of herself. Her spark. Her power. She focused on the candle, envisioning the flame, trying to draw on the source she could feel inside her but could never fully reach.
Hazel tried until beads of sweat broke out on her forehead, and still, there was no flame.
“See?” Elizabeth said, and that look was back in her eyes, condescending, patronizing. “See what I mean?”
“No, I don’t understand.” Jayce said, staring at her and the unlit candle with confusion burning bright in his golden eyes.
“I tried to tell you, to tell you both,” Hazel said dejectedly. “I’m not powerful enough to cast the spell that freed you. I’m not powerful at all.”
They sat in silence for another long moment, each with their own thoughts until finally the Mother Guardian stood, drawing everyone’s attention.
“Well, either way there is a dark spirit out there, and I can’t ignore that threat. I am the Mother Guardian after all. I will go call the council, and we will deal with this situation. Now, as for you…” She turned her laser like stare onto Hazel and it took all of her will power not to flinch away from it. “You will stay right here and keep an eye on these two. I don’t know if they’re telling the truth or not, but I soon will.” She stomped from the kitchen towards the front door, stopping just as she reached the exit. She turned back toward them for a moment, her words still echoing in the air as she swept outside. “And stay out of trouble!”
Chapter 8
They all sat in silence after Elizabeth left, and it was as if she took all the energy they had with her. Hazel stood, about to announce that she would show them where the guest bedrooms were when Jayce stopped her with a quiet curse.
“Did I do that?” he said softly as he rose, coming to stand in front of her.
“What? Do what? What did you do?” Hazel asked, concerned a little at the intense way he was staring at her.
“Hush. Let me look.” Jayce said softly, not quite looking her in the eye, and she realized he was staring at her cheek. Instinctively she raised a hand to the spot, flinching slightly at the bit of sting as she touched a cut marring the sensitive skin. Immediately, he grabbed her hand, pulling it away as he examined it.
“I am so sorry. I hurt you.” The honest way he said the words had her opening her mouth to tell him it was nothing, really, but then he reached up, brushing those long tanned fingers over the side of her cheek, just underneath the cut and she felt that touch like a semi truck had just run her over and she was now lying splattered across the highway like road kill.
Jayce chuckled roughly. “You do think of the strangest things.” He said softly, still not quite looking at her.
“You really need to knock off the whole mind…thingy.” She spat out when she couldn’t come up with a better word. It wasn’t her fault his touch was turning her normally pretty sharp brain into complete mush.