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“Maybe she doesn’t think we can trace her via her magic.”
“Can you?” Belle asked.
Monty gave her the ‘of course I can’ look. “But those sorts of spells have a very limited range.”
“Then what good is it?” she said. “We can’t exactly drive around the entire reservation in the vague hope the spell will activate.”
“No, but if I unpick her spell and study its structure, I might be able to cast a spell that will have a greater range.” He shrugged. “There’s no guarantee it’ll work—especially if she continues to hide out in uninhabited areas—but it’s worth a shot.”
And it was better than what we currently had—nothing. I carefully gathered the feathers, placed them in the plastic bag, and then handed it up to him.
He briefly caught my wrist. “What in the hell is that?”
“Wild magic—”
“Obviously, but why is it around your wrist like that?”
I hesitated. “Remember how I mentioned Aiden’s sister was now part of the wild magic? Well, apparently this makes it easier for her to communicate with me.”
Which was only a slight variation of the truth. Monty hadn’t yet discovered the second wellspring, and I damn well intended to keep it that way for as long as I could. Neither Gabe nor Katie deserved to have their clearing disturbed by another witch, even a well-meaning one.
Given the strength of the shielding around that clearing, Belle commented silently, it’s doubtful if he’d ever find it. There’s probably a redirect spell entwined through the layers somewhere.
If there is, it didn’t work on me.
No, but you were meant to find it. He’s not.
Monty shook his head. “This shouldn’t be happening. Nothing I’ve read about the wild magic has ever mentioned the connection you seem to be forming with it. I really, really think we need—”
“No,” I cut in curtly. “Don’t even bother finishing that sentence, Monty.”
He hesitated, his expression troubled. “I understand why, but I really think this could be dangerous.”
“Maybe, but I fear Clayton a whole lot more than I fear the wild magic. You know him, Monty. You know how strong he is. Do you honestly think that if he did come here, you’d be able to keep me safe? That you could counter any spell he placed on me.”
“No, but the risk—”
“Is worth it, at least for me. I’m not being dragged back to Canberra, Monty. Not to be prodded and probed, and certainly not to take up the position of that bastard’s wife.”
He took a deep breath and released it slowly. “It makes it damn difficult to find journals relating to human interaction with wild magic without explaining why, you know.”
I gripped his arm. “I know, and I’m sorry, but I just can’t risk him ever finding me.”
Monty grunted. It wasn’t a happy sound. “Then at least tell me why you’ve formed the connection. I think you know that, at the very least.”
I hesitated, and then did so. “It’s only a theory, but it’s also the only thing that makes sense.”
He scraped a hand through his unruly hair, sending broken bits of leaves and twigs flying. “I agree. But, holy fuck—your mother almost died, so by all accounts you certainly should have.”
I shrugged. “The wellspring was brand-new. So was I. Maybe that’s why I survived what would kill most.”
“History is littered with tales of strong witches trying—and failing—to embrace the wild magic. You were little more than an embryo; it should have simply fried you.”
“Perhaps that’s the very reason she did survive,” Belle said. “Her cells were so new they were able to adapt.”
“Maybe.” He shook his head and smiled. “I guess if nothing else, it’s going to be interesting to see where all this ends. But if it does happen to kill you, can I submit my observations to the council?”
I rolled my eyes. “Yes, but I hope you understand my fervent wish that never happens.”
