The glowing orbs burst to life, lighting my way. I followed the path that the historian had led me on last time, still drawn by a power I couldn’t fight. By the time I made it to the statues, I was out of breath from struggling against the pull.
I stared at the likenesses of my parents, waiting to understand.
But I didn’t.
The night around me was dark and quiet. Lonely and filled with danger.
My throat tightened. I drew in a shuddery breath and asked, “Why am I here? Why did you give me up? Or die? I just want to understand.”
No answer, of course.
My parents were gone.
I tried to turn around and go back to the house, but my feet felt glued to the ground. So I collapsed, my sparkling skirts pooling around me.
I looked up at the clouds, cursing them for their existence.
“Where are you?” I growled. “Why do you haunt me?”
I’d rather fight the witch in person than whatever was happening to me right now. If this was her magic drawing me out here, it was awful.
Power began to thrum in the air. I frowned, staring up at the clouds. They swirled overhead, moving faster and faster.
My heart raced, fear chilling my skin.
What was happening?
I wanted the witch to arrive so I could fight her, but now that the moment might be here…
I was scared out of my wits. The clouds continued to swirl, a vortex of power that pulsed in the sky. They moved lower, attracted to me like a magnet.
Heart pounding, I staggered to my feet. I had to get out of here. Had to run. Had to break free of whatever enchantment had clouded my mind.
But there was nowhere to go. The clouds were everywhere, as far as the eye could see. But they were densest right over me, and I couldn’t look away from them. It was like I stared into my future, and it entranced me.
The magic grew so powerful that it stole my breath and froze my muscles. When the clouds rushed into me, the power blew me onto my back. I landed with a thud, magic rushing through me. It was cold and hot all at once, sparkling and dull. It was everything and nothing.
An explosion.
When it was over, I lay on the ground, gasping.
Stunned, I stared at the sky overhead and saw the stars.
The stars.
The dark clouds were gone. All of them.
Because they went into me.
Holy shit. I had no idea what to think. My mind and body were fried. All I could do was lay still and remember.
This was what had happened last night. The clouds had flowed through me like they had tonight, but it had been too much magic for me. My body had freaked out, and the power had exploded.
Oh, shit.
I had caused the explosion.
And that had been just the start.
I raised my hands, still shaking. They looked the same, but I felt different. More powerful. More complete.
Trembling, I pushed to my feet. When I checked the sky again, there were still no clouds overhead.
“Sia?” Meria’s voice sounded from nearby. “What was that?”
I looked at her, my heart stuttering. She and Eve had entered the clearing and had seen the whole thing. Their faces were pale with fear.
I drew in a deep breath, then forced the words out. “I think I’m the witch with the deathly magic.”
Just saying the words made me want to scream.
This wasn’t how it was supposed to go.
“No.” Meria shook her head, but the truth was in her eyes. She thought I might be too.
Eve blew out a breath. “I think you’re right. All of the clouds went right into you, and now your magic is different.”
“Evil?” Fear twisted my heart.
Eve gave a shuddery breath. “I…don’t think so?”
Meria walked toward me, her steps hesitant but her face determined. “Did you know this would happen?”
“Not a clue.” I met her gaze, desperate for her to believe me. “I just remembered blowing up the greenhouse, but I didn’t mean to do it.” Maybe I should have held that info close to the vest, but I was freaking out. And Meria and Eve were my friends. I could trust them.
I hoped.
“I believe you, Sia.” Meria’s tone was firm. “I promise.” She laid her hand on my chest, her brow creasing. “I don’t think you feel evil.”
“But my magic?”
She grimaced slightly, then tried to hide it behind a bland expression. “It does feel strange.”
Eve joined us, her face still pale as she looked at me. “The magic might be evil, but that doesn’t mean you have to be. You can choose.”
“But what the hell does this mean? I thought I was supposed to fight the witch with the deathly magic and defeat her. How do I do that if it’s me? Couldn’t I just choose not to be an asshole?”