AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She was right. Whilst it made bringing my magic to the front easier whilst anchored, it was not the wonderful thing Cyrus had made it seem. It made my magic seek outan anchor every time I tried to summon it, making the initial power surge incredibly strong, but it also made it temperamental. It would search for that anchor every time, and it would burn out easier.
People, or animals, the book said,should not be used as frequent anchors. The only acceptable anchor will be your own emotions, when kept under control.
I looked up at Gracie, who was watching my face carefully.
“I’m sure just using an anchor once would not make much of a difference.” Gracie smiled, putting a hand on my shoulder reassuringly, “but you shouldtell Leo.”
22
Cyrus
I kept Kira annoyingly close to me after her show of magic in the tunnels.
The only time I had let her out of my sight was when we were going to bed, but even then, I could hear everything that happened in her room from mine, so the chances of her finding out how unusual that amount of power was coming from someone untrained were slim.
Saffron had been sniffing around my study when I had returned to it, her head dipped close to my desk as she studied a book I had left there. I had watched her for a moment, her lips moving silently as she read through whichever passage she had settled on, probably wondering if I had left anything worth noting within herreach. I had not. I was not that simple minded — all of my important documents were hidden under a floorboard under my desk and locked with an enchantment that Leo had given me, so only I could open them.
I slammed my study door, the satisfaction of seeing her jump with fright coursing through me as she shot up from my desk, the book in front of her slamming shut. She laughed, her hand coming up to her chest.
“Cyrus, Lides, I thought I had been sent for.” She joked, and I tilted my head to the side, watching her. She rounded my desk, picking up the book and tucking it under her arm. Her eyes rolled around the room one more time, and if I had not been watching her, I would not have seen the way her eyebrows crinkled in frustration.
“Do you really think you will find what you are looking for in here, witch?” I spat, and her head spun around to face me, a wicked smile on her face that showed her sharp teeth against her blood red lipstick.
“I have everything I need, nephew.” She retorted in a sugary sweet tone that made my stomach ache uncomfortably.
I glared at her as she crossed the room towards me, the same smile staying plastered on her face as she did so. She reached out her hand, cupping my cheek again, just like she had in the corridor, and pricking the skin with her claw like nails. I winced at the sharp pain and frowned down at her.
Red blood pooled under her nail, and she pulled her hand away from my face to inspect it. She tutted, lifting the bloody nail to her mouth, and sucking it clean, and I felt my stomach jolt with nausea.
“You have not got long, dear.” She smiled sweetly, her tone much gentler now.
“I have everything under control.” I grumbled, lifting my own hand to wipe at my cheek, smearing a small streak of blood across my face. “It is happening.”
“You better hope so -- that young woman is feisty.” She patted my chest, reaching out to open the door and moving me out of the way. “She will not go down without a fight.”
I did not respond to her obvious taunting, instead waiting for her to leave the room before I cursed loudly, kicking my boots against the floor, and turning on the spot, letting myself out of my study and heading straight to the library. I knew I would find what I needed there — a way to keep this spell in place a little longer. A way to get to Kira and I’s wedding before everything went awry.
The echo of my door slamming behind me followed me down the corridor, and I knew I was attracting the attention of the passing staff members, so I slowed my pace. My shoes squeaked against the marble floors as I moved over them, passing both of my sister’s rooms and turning towards the library.
I was so lost in my own thoughts and plans that I did not see Kira until she was right in front of me. Her brightorange hair was loose and curly down her back. She was wearing her night clothes and soft slippers, and her cheeks flushed a bright pink as we ran into each other.
I put my hands on her shoulders to steady myself, stepping back and trying to settle my heart rate.
“Are you okay?” Kira asked, her voice amused. I nodded my head, huffing out a sharp breath and plastering a smile on my face.
“Yes, Sweetheart, I’m fine.” I chuckled, “I thought you were sleeping.”
“I couldn’t settle, so I came to get myself a new book.” She smiled sheepishly, as though she thought she would be in trouble for leaving her rooms. I nodded my head, reaching around her and pushing open the library door, gesturing for her to go ahead of me.
She flushed pink on her cheeks as she passed me, and I placed my hand on the small of her back, guiding her into the silent library. The desk where Iris usually sat was empty, and I mentally thanked the Gods for one less person to press their nose into my business. I liked Iris, she was one of the people I would trust to look after my sisters, but she was a terrible gossip.
The smell of old books and parchment filled the air, and I could have sworn I heard Kira breathe in through her nose. Her posture relaxed instantly as we entered the stacks of books, and she looked over her shoulder at me, a sweet smile on her face.
“Why are you down here, anyway?” she asked, her voice quiet despite the fact we were the only people in here.
I shrugged, taking my hand away from her back and tucking it into the pockets of my trousers. I had not yet had the chance to get changed, so I was acutely aware of the dirt along the bottoms of my shoes and trousers, and I winced slightly. I would need to send the cleaners in after us, lest we be spited by Iris for dirtying her sanctuary.
“The same as you,” I bluffed, “Looking for some bedtime reading.”
