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He cleared his throat and continued, “Even if she didn’t survive, there’s a chance he will still come looking for her… and then for revenge.”
Fluffikins resumed his pacing. I realized he did this whenever his thoughts moved faster than his words could. “Which puts us in a doubly vulnerable spot,” he hissed, though it held no anger. “We’re down a board member and may have to square off against a bonded enemy.”
This new information cut my internal line of questioning short.
“What does that mean?” I asked, glancing from Parker to Fluffikins. “A bonded enemy?”
It was Greta who answered. “A grandfather and daughter—or any two blood relations, really—working toward the same purpose could amplify their magic through their family bond. It’s like multiplying their powers rather than simply adding them together. So instead of 10 and 10 making 20, it makes 100. It’s why some magic folk choose to have large families. They are practically unstoppable with so many bonds amplifying their powers.”
“Most would use that bond only to protect themselves, but the Haberdashes…” Parker shook his head. “They’ve never been keen on following the rules.”
“We have to find and stop them,” I cried, my hesitation receding in light of this new information. “How can I help?”
“You can’t,” Fluffikins said with a deep frown that pulled his whiskers toward his chest. “But the rest of us can ward the town as a protective measure just in case Melony’s grandfather hasn’t joined her yet. Do you still remember the power points?” he asked the rest of the board.
They all nodded solemnly. I took it they weren’t talking about a computer program.
“I want to help, too,” I insisted. “I still have magic. It may not be much, but maybe it will be enough to make a difference in whatever happens next.”
“No, Tawny,” Greta said in a cool, disconnected voice as she turned toward me. The fire had returned to her eyes, but it was only a dull flicker. I wouldn’t have noticed it at all if she hadn’t already been sitting so close.
She put a hand on my shoulder and pressed her forehead to mine. “It’s very noble that you want to help, but this isn’t your battle to fight. We’ve been protecting the magical interests in this region for years. Sometimes that includes stopping dangerous transfers of power. We’re all trained for this…”
She grabbed both of my hands and pulled me to my feet with her.
I took a deep breath and waited.
Greta’s eyes flashed, then returned to their normal blue color.
“We’re all trained for this,” she repeated. “But you’re not.”
With that last sentiment, she raised her other hand to my chest and ripped the magic brooch from my shirt.
My knees buckled, but I didn’t fall despite feeling as if all the strength had been zapped from my muscles.
The pink glittery magic snapped out of sight as whatever power I’d briefly held within me fizzled and died. The silver brooch that held my borrowed magic glowed in Greta’s hand. Taunting me. Practically daring me to take it back.
But I saw what power did. It turned answers into questions, loved ones into enemies, and safety into danger. Terrible things happened each and every day, and the board allowed them to happen as part of maintaining some kind of sacred balance.
But why did we need a balance at all? If I had magic, I’d use it to make a better world, not uphold a flawed and broken one.
Magic or not, I could still help.
Maybe because of my lack, I could help more. I could offer a human perspective.
“I’m not going anywhere,” I said, standing firm.
But Greta shouted and gave me a mighty shove. “Go! Return to your life and stop interfering with ours.”
24
Of course, I now had a million questions flying through my brain, but before I could ask a single one, Greta shoved me again. And hard.
I struggled to see past her, hoping someone else would step in or speak up.
Parker studiously avoided my gaze.
Meanwhile Mr. Fluffikins summoned a blast of air so strong, it pushed me out into the empty hallway and slammed the conference room door behind me.
