Ella lifted her skirt and waded through the overgrown grass. She stepped into a beam of moonlight, and it washed her features of color, making her appear more ghost than human.
“Here?”
“Perfect. Don’t move. I can’t stress that enough.” I rubbed my hands together and let magic build between my palms. Sparks sizzled in the air near my fingertips, and unease rippled through me. I pushed it aside. It wasn’t like I could make Ella’s clothes any worse than they already were.
I began to chant.
“Wait!” Ella held up a finger and took a step forward, halting me mid-spell. “I’m sure whatever you have in mind will be beautiful, but I’ve always dreamed of wearing a gown made of chiffon with silver beading. If it’s not too much trouble.”
“How about a matching pair of glass slippers while I’m at it?” I deadpanned.
“Can you?” Ella lifted her hand to her lips in wonder.
I blew out a breath, my sarcasm wasted. “Just go back to where you were and don’t move.”
Rubbing my hands to recapture the flow of magic, I made sure Ella followed my directions then let my eyes drift shut. The wind bracketed my face, swirling around my shoulders and neck. I curled my fingers into fists and flung my arms out, sending a warm gust of air across the yard.
Sparks glittered as Ella spun in a slow circle. Soft layers of chiffon billowed from her waist, and rows of silver beads encrusted the bodice of the gown. They glistened and twinkled like the stars overhead. A pair of translucent slippers adorned her feet.
Ella raised her ankle, taking it all in. “It’s the most beautiful gown I’ve ever seen.”
Satisfaction expanded inside my chest, and I crooked my finger, signaling her to join my side. “And now, the carriage.”
I pointed to an overgrown pumpkin nestled in the garden. Fists together, I shot them out, launching another draft of warm air. It wafted over the target, and the pumpkin grew larger and larger until it cast a shadow over the yard. I nudged Ella and gave her a smug smile.
The pumpkin exploded.
Chunks of pulp hurtled through the air, landing in wet clumps at our feet. Seeds splattered across the fence like organic shrapnel, and I moaned as stringy goo oozed down the side of the gardening shed. The urge to gag pushed at the back of my throat when the odor of soggy gourd filled my nostrils. Regaining my composure—and my gag reflex—I counted the remaining pumpkins and gave a sheepish shrug.
“Want me to try again?”
A beat of silence passed as Ella picked seeds from her gown. “Now that I think of it, there’s a carriage post near here. I’ll hire one.”
“If you think that’s best.” I swallowed my pride. It was clear I’d reached my magical limit for the day.
Ella gestured to her gown. “How long will the spell last?”
There was no way to know for sure, but I plastered on a confident smile. “Hours, so go ahead and dance till midnight.”
“I’m not going there to dance.”
Ella’s sharp tone made me frown. I forced the concern away. It wasn’t my business if she planned on dancing or pick-pocketing guests. I’d done my part. Well, two-thirds.
“Thank you for this. I should go, or I’ll be late.” Ella pressed the ring into my hand as payment. Our fingers touched, and a shock erupted at the contact.
A fiery pain spread through my palm. Unfurling my fingers to gaze at the ring, I watched it glow bright orange then cool to its original color. The intense heat had branded my palm with the same engraving etched into the ring.
“Be careful, Ella.” I wasn’t sure why I said it. The woman was going to a ball, not the grave, but knowing that didn’t ease my concern. Ella smiled softly, the gesture not reaching her eyes. She opened her mouth as if to speak but changed her mind. Instead, she straightened her spine, gave a final nod of thanks, and disappeared through the gate.
I examined the symbols on my palm. It was common for spells to leave a mark. The brand would fade along with the illusion. But as I stood in the frigid night air, a chill that had nothing to do with the cold swept through my body. It intensified, making each breath a sharp pain in my lungs.A bad omen.As a witch, I’d had a few, and when one occurred, you didn’t push it aside.
I moved toward the gate on wobbly legs, fear urging me to find Ella and bring her back. When I reached the road, however, she was already gone.
Chapter 2
Wisps of fog covered the ground as I bent and shoveled pumpkin chunks into a bucket at my feet. A headache beat at my temples, and I paused to press the ache away with my fingers. Images from the night before flashed through my mind. I’d handled the green hair incident and the annoyance of Ella’s arrival, but everything after that was a blur. The ring, the promise to help…the spell. I groaned and glanced at the ravaged pumpkin, evidence of my abysmal magic.
I should be glad the pumpkin exploded in my back yard and not near the palace steps. One witness was better than hundreds. Not to mention, the slippery mess would have incurred fines. Lots of fines, ending most likely in debtors’ prison.
