Chapter 8

8

MENTAL NOTES FROM CHANCELLOR DULAMEER’S COMMENCEMENT SPEECH:

The phases of our moon represent the eternal cycle of impermanence and growth.

T he stone was grounding beneath her bare skin, so Thessa laid there, staring at the beamed ceiling of her washroom until her panic subsided.

When she stood to prepare her bath, she couldn’t add enough salt. She added some for protection and more for her invisible wounds.

Stepping in, she let the water wrap around her like a silk shawl, before plunging beneath it.

The past week had bled away.

Each day that passed had been a reminder of what was coming. Her quiet hysteria brewed all night—the evening before her Summoning Day. Instead of sleeping, she’d tossed in her bedsheets, trying to tune out her thoughts, and that riddle, until surrendering to the panic.

Thessa gasped, breaking the surface of the water .

When she left the washroom, Leora was making her bed. Thessa asked, “Morning, when’d you wake?”

“Not too long ago.”

She exhaled, relieved that Leora had slept through her misery. “Washroom is all yours.”

“Are you feeling alright?”

Thessa opened the doors of her wardrobe, trying to focus on anything but her feelings—but it was useless.

“Tess?”

Thessa groaned, turning to face her. “I’m not sure, honestly. I didn’t sleep well thinking about all this.”

“I’m sorry, I’m nervous too, but I’m especially excited to share this day with you.”

“I know, me too.”

Leora held her chin high and said, “After I clean up, we’re going out for some tea, so get dressed.”

“Oh?” And before she could counter, Leora shut the washroom door.

Leora tapped Thessa’s teacup. “ May the beams of our sun light our path for years to come .”

“Happy Summoning Day to us,” Thessa added, as light yellow liquid splashed over the side of her rim.

The two witches enjoyed their tea while cackling over the mess they were making. Thessa knew what was coming, Leora too, so they bided their time.

Witches had been taught about their eighteenth birthday since primary school. It was considered one of the most important days of their life. In order to find their goddess-given gift, they must first be called to it.

The gift pulses with anticipation for one witch only. The invisible presence is similar to a guide in the right direction. Once found, the transfer of energy is instantaneous, unlocking a witch’s magic.

“You were right by the way; this place is adorable. I love these.” Leora stroked the velour wingback loveseat they shared. “I want one just like it.”

“We should save up for one.”

The witches smiled, trying to let small talk color over what’s to come. They were both excited for their magic, but it’d been unnerving. A tea break was just what Thessa needed, and Leora too, it seemed.

Thessa rolled her eyes. “What if our gifts are back in Gravenport?”

“Not even a curse a witch could cast, Thessa. Of course they won’t be, the goddess is with us everywhere we go. You know that.”

“Let’s hope you’re right. Not even magic could drag me back there.”

Leora laughed. “You should really come to the House of Hekate sometime. A little faith would do you some good.”

Thessa sipped her tea, unsure of how she even felt about the goddess. Which reminded her of something very important. “Leora, I’m so sorry I’ve not asked. How are you feeling with everything? Everything else, I mean.”

“Thank you.” Leora took a breath before continuing, “It’s difficult, yes, I always expected to spend this day with my parents. But they’re at peace, so I’m allowing myself to be too. The routine at the townhouse, going to prayer sessions, having you, Vy, and Bea, has all been so helpful. I feel blessed.” Leora paused. “But it’s you I worry about, Tess.”

Thessa’s smile faded. “Please don’t, you’ve got enough to worry about. I’m fine, promise.”

Leora raised her eyebrow .

The lie had slipped off Thessa’s tongue. She tried to remedy it. “Well, I wish I didn’t battle with my own thoughts, but I think everyone does that.”

“To an extent, yes, but staying up all night in the washroom is no easy battle to fight alone.”

Leora had known then … the whole time. Thessa dipped her chin in embarrassment.

“I don’t want you to hide how you feel from me. Not me . I’m not sure if you’ve realized it, but you’re about all I have in Andera, and I care about you. A lot. Promise me, you’ll come to me next time?”

When Thessa looked up, silver lined her eyes.

“Now drink your lemon balm tea, the tender said it’s calming,” Leora winked and took another sip. “Because we’ve got a busy day … and night,” she added with a wicked grin.

“I cannot believe I agreed to this,” Thessa mumbled.

“Oh but you did. The festival will be fun, and we’ll both need to unwind after today.”

The door to The Brew Leaf whooshed open, bells jingling. Thessa looked, but no one was there.

Leora squealed, “Tess. Something is tickling my feet.”

She looked at Leora, then down at her legs. “Nothing is there.”

“Oh, it’s something.” Leora’s smile was glittering. “It’s bending around my ankles like shackles, it wants me to stand.”

Thessa smiled. “What? Is this really happening?”

“Yes! Let’s go.”

They stood and dropped the coins they’d received during yesterday’s wage distribution. The tender nodded from behind his bar, and the two witches rushed out the door.

They walked together down the cobblestone street, twinning in white muslin dresses and leather clogs. They’d ditched their cloaks today; it was so hot.

Leora squeaked ever so often as the wind pressed her onward, nipping her ankles like a young canine.

Thessa asked Leora, “What else do you feel? I can’t believe this.”

“My blood feels just as excited as I am, it’s bounding, but I’m not sure if my nerves are helping.”

Thessa reminded Leora, “Don’t worry, we’re doing this together.” For once, she could offer some support.

They dashed past taverns, eateries, live music, and laughter. The vendors were ahead. Potions, daggers, jewelry, cauldrons, treats, fortune tellers, herbs, flowers, and anything Thessa could ever want was here.

“Come on.” Leora grabbed Thessa’s hand and started running. “We’re close. I can feel it.” Thessa sprinted to keep up. There were about six inches between them height-wise, and Leora was all legs.The soldiers in Gravenport would have stopped them three times by now.

Leora halted and Thessa crashed into her; they collapsed in a heap of laughter.

“Excuse me, are you trying to damage my property?” A female witch bent down and assessed, trying to help untangle their mess of limbs.

Beyond the female vendor was a table of shimmering stones. Thessa’s eyes could hardly focus on one as she rose to her feet.

“Easy does it, you two, you almost took my table down.”

Leora stood and stilled. Her warm eyes were locked on the vendor’s crystals.“Sorry about that,” she managed, as if in some trance.

Thessa nudged Leora. “Are you okay?”

“You don’t see that?” Leora whispered .

“Which one?” There were hundreds of stones.

“Any interest?” The vendor cut in. With Leora’s eyes preoccupied, the vendor flashed a dark blue gem in front of Thessa. “Hmm. How about this one, to match those darling eyes of yours?”

Thessa waved her off. “Oh, no thank you.”

Closing her palm, the vendor gave Thessa a flat-lipped smile.

“Neither of you see that?” Leora repeated her question. “It’s glowing.”

“Your gift is glowing?” Thessa questioned her. Sure, gems sparkled in the sunlight, but glowing—no.

The vendor cut in and said, “That explains the ruckus. Summoning Day, is it then? What do you’ve got your eye on, hmm?”

“There,” Leora pointed to a hollowed rock lined with lilac-colored crystals. “That one.”

“Ah, my amethyst geode.”

Leora eyed the vendor. “Tell me more.”

“Amethyst is a gem of high vibration, sincerely, it must be bursting with energy to be chosen for the occasion. Go on then, take your gift.”

“How much for it?”

The vendor shooed Leora. “Now, now, the goddess would send me straight to the underworld. I can’t accept payment for what’s rightfully yours. Go on.” She gestured toward the rock with her hands, insisting.

Leora accepted, picking up her gift. Her eyes were as big as her smile. “My whole body feels like it’s shaking.”

“Yes, yes, that’s it,” the vendor said.

“I’m right here,” Thessa added.

Leora closed her eyes just as her fingertips began to glow. Her power emanated from each like little white halos .

“Leora, open your eyes!”

She did, and then burst into tears, collapsing back to the ground. Her crystal was still cupped in her hands.

Thessa took a seat beside her.

The vendor cleared her throat. “Congratulations, witch. Be sure to tell your friends where you found your gift.”

Leora peered up, weeping, and thanking the vendor.

Thessa asked, “Is this what you wanted?”

Leora nodded. “My mother was a Celestial. This was always my wish.”

“The stars did well then.”

Leora wiped her tears. “That, they certainly did.”

“Let’s go share the good news with Ivy and Beatrix.”

Leora’s white-tipped fingers faded the moment she dropped the geode into her satchel. Without her gift’s contact, conjuring her power would take practice and training.

On the walk back to the townhouses, Thessa asked, “Have you thought about where you’ll train?”

“I’ve thought about it all my life. But things are different now.”

Thessa quieted, listening.

“I dreamed of going to Trinity Tertiary in Captiva, the school my mother attended. I’ve never pictured going elsewhere.”

Uncertain of what to say, Thessa apologized.

“Don’t be sorry. I’m not sorry … not anymore. This is where I’m meant to be. I’m excited for what’s to come, and what the goddess has planned for me. I’ll start my training at the House of Hekate. I quite like it there.”

“And I like the sound of free workshops,” Thessa added.

“Indeed. It’ll be your turn before we know it.”

Thessa’s mood withered at the thought .

Leora must’ve sensed it because she said, “I’m with you, Tess. We’re doing this together, remember?”

Thessa nodded, afraid to look at Leora—afraid she’ll see her uncertainty. So as they headed back to the townhouses, Thessa looked at the shops, their displays, then the bay, and all the trees instead.