First Magic by Raven Steele (ebook reader screen txt) 📖

“Your mother’s death was very hard on me," she explained. "In a lot of ways, I blamed myself. After she died, I knew I’d have to be the one to teach you about Light, but every time I saw you, I saw your mother’s eyes staring back at me. It was just too difficult. I know that was selfish of me and not fair to you. You had already lost so much and here I was, not even able to be in the same room with you.”

I flinched and glanced away. “That’s harsh.”

“I know. That’s why I must beg your forgiveness. I was a coward. I see that now. I promise from here on out I will be there for you like I should’ve been all these years. Can you ever forgive me?”

Hurt rooted itself inside me. Why was it that everyone acted like my parent’s death was the most devastating thing for them? Did anyone stop to consider how their death might affect their actual child? I wanted to get upset and ask her why she waited so long to finally “confess” but thought better of it.

Choosing to take the high road, even though I felt like storming away, I said, “It’s fine. It’s in the past.”

“Really? I’m so glad you said that. I feel much better now.” She reached over and gave me a hug. I forced myself to return it even though I was repulsed by her sudden affection.

Sophie stared up into the sky. “Just a little longer.”

While we waited, she told me more about Lucent Academy. It didn’t sound too bad of a place, but I still didn’t want to go there. I was so close to graduating, then the world would open up to me.

Sophie ended her sentence. “I think it’s dark enough now. Wait here.”

Finally! With the sun gone, nighttime had bathed us in darkness and wrapped me in a cold blanket. And although I had dressed warm, I still had to use my ability to heat my body and keep the freezing temperatures at bay.

Sophie stood and walked several feet away to the middle of a small clearing and bowed her head as if praying—concentrating was more like it. In a matter of seconds, bright lights ignited all around us. Several of them moved in slow patterns but most of the lights remained still. Some were bigger while others burst from the seams in the trees or glowed from beneath the snow.

With the stars above me, I felt like I was in the middle of space. “What is this?”

“I’ve lit up the life forces of all the creatures around us: bugs, squirrels, spiders—you name it. Most are immobile due to the cold, so you can only imagine how much more impressive this would be in warmer weather.”

“It’s amazing. I had no idea there were so many living things around us.” I stared in wonderment, my eyes big and mouth open.

“Most of us are ignorant to life. If one can become aware of the beings around us, they have a much better chance of fulfilling their destiny.”

“I don’t understand.”

“The future is never ours alone. Without others, our destiny could never be fulfilled. Could you imagine Superman trying to fulfill his purpose if there weren’t people to save? He could never do it. And so must we be aware of those around us and never shut the door on opportunities that help us to grow and learn, no matter how difficult they seem. Only by doing this will we be able to live life to our full potential.”

I was speechless, to the point where my eyes filled with tears. Sophie’s words, combined with life’s glow against the darkness of the night, hit me hard. I’d missed out on many experiences simply because I chose to shut myself off from the world. I’d gotten better, thanks to Christian and May, but I was still holding back.

“Llona? Are you all right?”

“Huh?” I blinked. A single tear fell from my eye. I quickly cleared my throat. “I’m fine. This is just so impressive.”

“It’s one of many beautiful things you can do with your gift if you will allow yourself to be taught.”

Before I could think of how my next words might be received, I said, “Can we use Light as a weapon?”

The shock and repulsion on Sophie’s face felt like a slap. “Light should never be used as a weapon. It is only to be used to beautify, uplift, and to comfort. Your ignorance has given you a lack of respect for Light and its purpose.”

“I was just asking,” I mumbled.

Sophie’s nostrils flared, and as her brows drew together in frustration, the lights around us fizzled out. “Come on. Let’s get home.”

I followed her back to the car in silence. I knew she was majorly disappointed in me, but that only made me madder, especially after her apology. How was I supposed to know the exact rules and etiquette of Light?

When we returned to the house, Jake was waiting for us with pizza. Gratefully, Sophie acted like nothing had happened, and other than a few comments about Jake’s appearance, she was actually pretty decent. We ate dinner and played games until midnight before we finally called it quits.

The next day, Jake and I didn’t break from our normal Thanksgiving tradition, much to Sophie’s dismay. We left for the local all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant at eleven and didn’t return until two. Sophie looked bored the entire time, but Jake and I had a lot of fun trying to see who could eat the most. We agreed I won, but only because I had avoided drinking anything. Jake had filled himself with milk way too early.

When we returned home, I phoned May and told her about my aunt. “Do you want me to ask her about your ability? She might know something.”

I could practically hear May thinking on the other end. “Let me do some digging first, see what I can find. If I come up empty, then I’ll ask her next time you talk to her. Did you tell her about me?”

“Not at all. I’ll let you do that when you’re ready.”

“Thanks, Llona.”

I ended the call and walked back to the living room just in time to see Sophie putting on her coat. “Are you leaving already?”

“I’m afraid it’s that time. Will you please seriously consider coming to Lucent when you graduate?”

“I will, I promise.”

“Good. Now give me a hug. I don’t know when I’ll be able to visit again.”

I obeyed and embraced her lightly. Maybe in time we could grow closer. “It was good to see you.”

“You too.” She released me and turned to Jake who was eating in the kitchen. “You’re doing a great job. I mean it. Thank you for everything.”

Shocked, Jake quickly wiped milk from his upper lip. “No big deal. Have a safe trip. Are you sure you don’t want a ride to the airport?”

She shook her head. “I already have someone waiting for me.”

“Talk to you soon,” I said as she opened the door.

She froze and turned around. “One last thing. Don’t forget for a single second that you are safe out here on your own. Death could be just around the corner.”