The Gleaning (18 page)

“I have his, though, Mom.” I clasped the amulet dangling from my neck. “I don’t think you get it. Mine protects Logan; it doesn’t protect me. And vice-versa.”

“And you know this for certain?”

“Yes! It makes perfect sense. If the two of us are the keys to breaking the curse, and we now know Logan is the Rognaithe we’ve been waiting for, then our amulets are the keys to protecting us. That’s what I’m learning from Grandma Rose’s diary. Without the other, they are powerless. Just like the Sons of Darkness and the Daughters of Light.

“We’re not exactly powerless without the other…and you don’t yet know what happened after the ball.”

“Do you?”

“I know the general history and rumors, but not exactly. Rose chose you to tell her story too. You, only you, Lily, are the keeper of her secrets.”

“When will she reveal more?”

“That is up to her.”

“But what about my nightmare? I couldn’t Breathe. Could that b—be taken away in the Gleaning?”

“No one knows you can Breathe; that gift should remain undetectable.”

“Should?”

“The circle is a very powerful entity. Sometimes it surprises us. Preparing for anything and everything is the best possible way to enter the Stones."

Logan

An origami rose was lying atop Logan’s pillow when he woke up at dawn in his room. Carefully, he unfolded the paper petals.

When he finished reading, the paper rose burst into flame and disappeared into thin air, leaving only a single ash in Logan’s palm. Was it an incantation? A warning? The two stanzas possessed very different meanings, and he’d bet a pocket full of charms, it had something to do with the amulets.

He stepped into the hallway and almost tripped over Jude who was kneeling outside his door.

“What are you doing?”

“G’morning, sleeping beauty. You all right?”

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”

“Dunno. Smelled smoke and thought I’d check on you.”

“You stay away from me. I know what you did to Lily and what you’re trying to pull. It’s not going to work. There’s nothing you can do to stop us.”

“Ah, well, that’s where you’re wrong.”

Logan shoved past him and started down the hall.

“Do you have a backup plan?” Jude called after him. “What happens if I’m chosen instead of you?”

Logan turned around. “Don’t worry your little head about that, Jude. You’re not the Chosen.”

A knowing look crept into Jude’s eyes. “I meant in the Gleaning. What if you’re not paired with Lily, and I am?”

“That won’t happen.”

“You think you’re special, don’t you? Well, I know something that would make you think twice about that.”

Logan walked back to face him. “Not interested in your little mind games, Jude. But I’ll tell you this.” He shoved his finger into Jude’s chest, burning an icy hole in his shirt. “Next time you mess with Lily in any way— I’ll make Jacob look like a lapdog.”

With a flick of his wrist, Logan raised Jude off the ground until the warlock’s blond head cracked against the ceiling.

Lily

Iris stood behind me, brushing my hair softly and then weaving tiny braids from the front pieces near my face. Next, she’d braid it all together so it would lay twined down my back like a rope: ceremonial as well as practical. Daisy and I had been practicing these braids forever, making sure we knew them inside and out. For a young witch, the first Gleaning was celebrated like a wedding day, and with my new understanding, and the bright sun streaming through my window, it really felt like it.

I sat up straight in the gold-backed chair of the vanity set I’d had since I was twelve, and continued to let Mom prepare me for this momentous night.

I fingered the space around my neck where my amulet used to hang, where Logan’s hung now.

“You look beautiful,” Iris said. “You look ready.”

She knew what I was thinking. “If you are paired with Logan tonight, you must try to think of him as just another warlock; the Congression doesn’t know he is the Rognaithe and won’t make any exceptions for you. His mark may reveal itself within the ring, but it’s not for us to announce. If your true emotions get involved, you will lose focus and lose everything you’ve worked so hard for.”

Think of him as just another warlock? “How can I do that?”

“You’ll have to detach, use a meditation.”

“You’ll have to cast a spell on me. There’s no way I’ll be able to think of Logan as ‘just another warlock’.”

“Unfortunately, that won’t work.”

“Why not?”

“Love isn’t something that responds to spells.”

“What do you mean?”

“Believe me, if there was a spell that could make you stop or start loving someone, we’d be the most powerful witches in the universe.”

“What about the Love Potion spell?

“That’s not real love. It’s temporary, and sometimes, very dangerous. True love is never forced, never faked. Real love is the hardest thing to get over, and while an incantation or a charm can temporarily ease your heartache…well, the memories are always there, haunting you.” She blinked as if trying to temporarily wipe one away, one about my dad, probably. I glanced up at a framed photograph on the wall: one of Mom, Dad, Daisy, and me. Taken so long ago, and so many crazy-events ago, it felt like a lifetime. I wished my dad were here. To hug me goodbye, to wish me luck. But then again, he was never too thrilled about the thought of us entering the Gleaning, so maybe if he were here, it would be worse.

“So tonight, when you face Logan in the Stones, you must remain as objective as possible. Pay close attention to the energy you glean from him. The feelings you get when it travels from him into your veins. Monitor the energy closely. The levels of darkness, of light. Focus on keeping that balance.”

“I feel so unfocused right now. I guess I’m just really excited.”

“That’s understandable. It’s been a thrilling few days.” She smiled. “But let’s work on that.” Iris’ swordfinger lit a series of candles behind me in a straight line.

“Blow them out.”

I turned around and parted my lips to breathe cool air on them.

“No, Lily. With your mind.”

She sensed my hesitation.

“You can do it. Focus only on the flame. This is the kind of focus you’ll need in the Stones. Go on.”

Iris stepped back, and I closed my eyes and saw the candles in my head. Their long tapers of wax, the flickering light. But when I tried to snuff out the first flame, it only grew taller in my mind.

“Reverse it, Lily. Focus on the wick, see it void of fire, feel the clarity.”

“Camellia never taught us this.”

“Because she’s too aggressive and doesn’t understand the exchange. But you do. Just focus.”

“Okay.” Closing my eyes again, I lowered the flame in my mind. It grew smaller and smaller until it snuffed itself out and was left with only an indigo glow of flame.

“Good!” She clasped her hands together. “That’s the technique you must use when you fight Logan. If his energy becomes too much, snuff it back. Don’t instigate it with more of your own energy. That will only ignite its fire.”

“Let’s try it again in reverse,” I suggested.

We practiced for over an hour until I had the technique down. The push and pull, the yin-yang of it all mesmerized me. By the end, I could snuff the flame in seconds, just as I could draw more fire, until it danced near the ceiling.

Logan

The Fathers of Darkness arrived all morning.

They landed their private jets on a nearby private airstrip, and then were taxied into Melas, snaking up the long driveway to the Warlock Academy in tinted luxury vehicles. Logan watched from his window as he dressed.

Never before had he felt such disdain for his own people, until he saw these miserable men creeping out of their cars, backs hunched, and faces twisted as if in constant pain. Logan watched in obscure disgust as Jacob greeted them with a wicked smile and a handshake.

These warlocks represented the top one percent of the one percent. Among their ranks were shadow financiers of crooked corporations, invisible dictators of puppet governments, and many secret kingmakers in United States congressional elections. Even though they were expressly forbidden to do so by the Congression, the Sons of Darkness influenced the kingdom of man as much as they could.

If they knew what Jacob was up to—those creepy experiments with rats in the dungeon—the Congression would stop him now, wouldn’t they? The Seven Sisters ruled them, and there was no way they’d defy the very powers of nature itself.

What if he could grab one of them alone? Take them down to the dungeon, show them what Father was up to? He could stop the fight. And he and Lily, and Chance and Orchid––they’d all be safe

But why would a member of the Congression believe him? Jacob would claim he was under the influence of something—specifically the Enchantment of the witch he was caught with in the Grove—and toss him back in the dungeon. He’d have Jude fight in his stead, and Jude would try to drain Lily of all of her magic.

He couldn’t risk it. He’d have to be patient. There’d be time later to confront Jacob, to take him down before the Congression. Logan would serve Lily and Chance and everyone else better above ground, even if it meant competing in a battle he no longer believed would be fought fairly.

The elder witches and the female members of the Congression arrived a few minutes later in a single caravan of white and gold hybrid SUVs. They took these labels—of darkness and light—so literally, it was almost comical.

But when they stepped out, Jacob’s greeting was anything but funny. He shrank into a fawning, obsequious creature Logan barely recognized as his father.

To be fair, the women were stunning. They had to be ancient—some were among the oldest in the Spellspinner population—but they didn’t look it. With black or gold or red hair that shone brilliantly in the late-afternoon sunlight, they looked like ageless goddesses. Their gowns were pearl white silk, and their skin sparkled the way Lily’s doppelganger had in the clearing.

Jacob was practically falling all over himself greeting them, obviously as enthralled as he was flustered. It was a ridiculous display, and in absolute contrast to how Jacob claimed he felt about them: with hatred and disgust.

Logan, in a rare moment, felt as much embarrassment for him as he felt confusion about this odd behavior. Was this what he meant when he told Logan he’d fallen under “a spell or two” in his time?

Logan now realized that Jacob’s disdain for witches stemmed from something much stronger than hatred. It stemmed from admiration. Reverence even. It stemmed from envy—from desire. A curious development. Logan would find out more about it the first chance he got.

Lily

Daisy came in toward the end of Iris’s tutorial and watched. “That is so awesome,” she said in amazement. When a familiar honk sounded from outside, she seemed torn about leaving.

“Is that Jonah?” I asked.

“Uh-huh. He’s playing tonight at the Witch’s Brew, but you know, I don’t have to go. I should stay here and wait up for you.”

“No, no. Go.”

“But last night you got back so late, and tonight you’re…you look so beautiful, Lily.” She touched my wrist. “And so strong. I know you’ll be amazing.”

“Thanks, Daze. And you should go. Have fun. I won’t be back until nearly dawn.”

“You just be sure you have a ride home, and get home safe,” Mom chimed in. “The Gleaning lasts until sunrise, honey. I’ll be out of earshot, so call Auntie Fern if you need anything.”

“I will.” She smiled again at me. “Should I tell Jonah you said hi?”

Hanging out at the Brew felt like years ago, but I still felt terrible about what had happened with Jonah on the beach.

“No, that’s okay,” I said, not wanting to lead him on or remind him of me at all. I wasn’t proud of my behavior and choices that night. But if I had to do it all over again, I would still choose Logan.

Daisy had no idea what went down—or almost went down—between us that night, and she didn’t need to.

“Other people are going too, right?” Iris asked.

“Oh, yeah. He’s just giving me a ride. Clover and Saffron are both in the Twinkie as we speak.”

Clover=witch. Saffron=human. Leave it to Melas County.

“Good luck tonight, Lily,” she said, hugging me around my waist. “I wish I could be there.”

I watched her pull on her favorite pink hoodie with the words MELAS IS SALEM SPELLED BACKWARDS sprawled across the back. Mom gave her money and reminded her to stick close to her friends.

Mom walked Daisy out to the van. I watched quietly from the window as she greeted Jonah, who looked characteristically bouncy behind the wheel.

Before the Pink Twinkie rounded the corner, I waved my fingers, giving them an extra protection spell, ensuring an excellent, safe night. All the Spellspinners would be occupied elsewhere, and we couldn’t come to anyone’s rescue.

“I worry about her in a different way,” Mom said when she returned to my room.

“How do you mean?”

“She’s so trusting and naïve. I’m not sure she’s meant for this path of ours.”

“Are you going to encourage her not to pursue her magic?”

“After what you’ve been through, how could I do this to you both?”

“You’re not doing this to us, Mom. This is our destiny.”

“Yours, yes. But maybe not Daisy’s…I’m sorry to bring this up now. Just seeing her with her human friends and that sweet Jonah boy makes me feel guilty. Why encourage her to pursue something so all-consuming when she’s just as happy among humans?”

“But after tonight, maybe you won't have to worry about Daisy after all. If Logan reveals he’s the Rognaithe during the Gleaning, and we make peace with the warlocks, we can go back to the way things were before the curse: no more fighting. No more training. Just working on our spells and strengthening our magic.”