The Witches Fire

Elaine smothered the small clay horse between her sweaty palms, breathing deep and holding it until she became light headed. In through her nose, out through her mouth. She couldn't forget to breath properly or else this wouldn't work. In through her nose went the scent of pine and dirt, so sharp it almost made her sneeze; out through her mouth, came a thick white mist, winding up through the crisp morning humidity. She didn't mind the cold, it rejuvenated her and helped ease the tension in her muscles, it might even work to ground her enough to do magic. Be one with the earth, feel it around you, her teacher said, but that was easier said than done. "Affixione Notauit," the spell sounded natural for once, rolling off her tongue and singing upon the wind like a chime. One with the earth. One with the forest. Let the power of creation aid her. Yes, yes, this was it! Opening her hands she frowned; the figurine still lay in two pieces. "Why can't I do this?" she grumbled, hastily stuffing it into her bag so she didn't have to look at it anymore. If she couldn't even fix this, how could she call herself a witch?

BONG! BONG! BONG! The heavy brass bells called from the school tower, summoning her to class. Yeah right, like she was going to embarrass herself even further. This was one show her classmates would live without. Besides she had other plans for today.

Slipping off her rock she turned away from the town and those deafening bells, moving farther into the forest and up the valley slope until she reached a fork in the path. One direction, she knew, lead up and over the rocky incline, flattening out into fields of tall grass and barley going on as long as the eye could see. If one looked hard enough they might be able to see a column of smoke rising in the distance, moving along the horizon as the train cut through the fields towards the city. One day she would get on that train, but not now. There was little opportunity for a magic-less witch outside the valley. Instead, she took the path to the right, this path went on for a few miles before letting out into a clearing.The tree's seemed to bend back and out of the way here, the sun cutting through like a spotlight upon a field of marigolds. In the middle sat a clear pool, a single path of stone leading through the flowers towards it.

He actually came, she thought as her eyes fell on Elias. He sat upon the edge of the pool, his pants pulled up to his knees as his feet drifted back and forth through the water. She'd agreed to meet him here, but now she wasn't so sure if that had been a good idea. He'd sounded like it was important though, she should at least hear him out. The past couple days he'd been paying more attention to her, but she wasn't stupid enough to let that flatter her. Elias Reid didn't do anything without a reason. This was a bad idea, I should go, she took a step back, he hasn't seen me yet, I can just say I forgot or something. Her foot slipped off the edge of the stone walkway and she gasped.

"Careful," he grumbled. He walked down the path towards her, leaving wet footprints behind him. Lifting her foot she noticed a marigold lay crushed beneath her boot. She stammered out an apology but he didn't seem to hear, instead he knelt his fingers brushing the flowers remains. The stem straightened out, the petals regrowing and blossoming until it looked good as new. He'd brought it back to life she realized.

"That's forbidden magic," she heard herself state stupidly.

"So?"

"You shouldn't do that. It upsets the balance of nature."

"No more than the one who trampled it," he said, his face showing little concern.

"You're not afraid I'll tell. You could be punished." He raised an eyebrow at her.

"Are you going to tell?"

"N...No."

"Then no need to worry.”

He made his way back to the pool, his long robe of bright purple silk and chiffon caressing the stones behind him. With a hand he motioned for her to follow and she did, half without realizing it. He sat cross legged at the edge of the pool waiting until she sat beside him to speak again.

"You are not concerned with missing class?" he asked. She shook her head.

"I can't do magic anyway," she admitted. Her lips twitched in embarrassment. It was obvious enough, but it was the first time she'd dared admit it out loud. Though she'd been telling herself not to let her imagination run away, she supposed all the secret meet ups had worked to make her more comfortable around him. She’d never had a friend before, but she wasn’t sure they were that close yet.

"You seem to be doing alright to me," he smirked, "maybe you aren't really one to talk about using forbidden spells."

Elaine choked on her own spit, moving to get to her feet. She no longer wanted to be here, the man knew more than he had a right to. Though what had she expected? "Sit," he said with a sigh, "I didn't mean to chase you away. I'm just curious that's all." His eyes froze her in place, a pale blue that partnered with the platinum blonde of his hair to give him an icy air. "What do you look like without that charm?"

The perception charm had been the only spell she'd mastered thus far, but her father had been training her to use it her whole life. With it she looked like any other person, a young woman with brown eyes and brown hair, a normal face that didn't draw any attention. Her appearance was something she'd kept hidden for so long, how could he possibly tell? He didn't know why she used it, right? She could just say she was insecure about something and refuse to show him. Yes, that was a good plan.

"I won't tell. That's why I showed you my magic, we'll be even then, right?" It would be nice to have someone she didn't have to hide from, but what if he freaked out? It was true however, he couldn't tell on her without being ousted himself. Fine.

"Prohibere" she mumbled, and the spell faded, her eyes becoming a bright red, her hair darkening to ebony, and her skin now pale as milk.

"You're demon born," he stated, as though he'd already known. She nodded, her throat felt like it was closing up on her. What if he told someone? They'd burn her for sure. Demon born witches had died out long ago, or so everyone thought. They'd were descendants of non magical humans who'd sold their soul for power. Many would say she was born evil. I'm not though, she thought, and then was shocked back to attention by Elias' words. "That's why you can't do any of the magic they teach here. Demon born witches never were very good at mending and healing spells. A demon-born witch is made for more powerful magic," he looked over her thoughtfully, "my master could teach you properly." Her heart leapt at the thought, but her excitement was soon squelched as the school bells struck once again, echoing in the distance.

"Forbidden magic?" she asked though she knew the answer.

"We can learn together and I can show you how I brought the flower back," he said, "we can bring back more than just flowers."

"You mean people?" she was beginning to feel nauseous.

"Elaine, we could make the world a better place, where no one has to lose someone they love ever again! We can bring back anyone we want. Can't you think of one person you'd want to live again? My master can teach you how!"

Well, of course she could. She thought of her brother, cold in his grave for the past five years. If she could bring him back, would she? No, no, no. It was taboo, unlawful...unnatural. She opened her mouth to deny him, but her mouth had grown dry and the words dissolved before she could speak them. Back then, as the towns council marched her brother towards the pyre she'd been hiding in the crowd, and when their eyes met he'd smiled though he'd been so afraid. Look away, he mouthed, but she hadn't listened. She had meant to save him, but she'd been too afraid, there were so many people she could never get away with it. They would only kill her as well. Unnatural...What about the people who'd killed him? Was what they did natural? Clenching her jaw she thought back to how scared he'd looked when they tied him up, the way he'd screamed as the fire enveloped him. Was that natural? Slain for being demon born, something he couldn't very well control. If anything had been taboo it had been that! Bringing him back would just be setting things right. She didn't save him then, but she could now. If she had the power, then she might as well use it.

"Okay," she said, "bring me to him.”