Mine to Fear (Mine #3)(49)

“How have things really been?”

“It's been difficult not being able to go anywhere in public. My whole store was broken into. A warlock stole all of my clothes, material, and designs—after which he destroyed the shop.”

“Oh, Katherine.” I give her a hug. “I'm so sorry. These warlocks are going to get what's coming to them. I'll make sure of that.”

“I have no doubt you would show them exactly how you feel about it.”

I guess I'm not very good at hiding my spells or my feelings. “Can I unspell your tattoos to no longer glow?” I ask her.

“You can try. A few others have tried and haven't been able to take the color out.”

“Let me see what I can do.” Though hearing others have tried and haven't gotten anywhere with it is discouraging.

I try to study the spell, see what exactly it's doing. It appears simple enough, just light glowing from her tattoos. There has to be more to it, though. I know there's some sort of tracking system related to it, but she shouldn't have that piece. Not with Zade taking care of it for her.

I focus in on the colors, taking them out, and cast the spell. The spell is clear except for some light gray streaks. It moves over her face in light waves, covering the redness glowing from her tattoos. The redness seems to fade under the spell, and my hopes rise. I pull the spell back only to have my hopes dashed again. They are as red as ever.

“I'm sorry,” I say. “I thought I had them.”

“Don't worry about it.”

“Wait, maybe Tawny can do it. She's dealt with invasive spells before.”

“I'm willing to try anything at this point.”

I hurry to get Tawny, who wants to try. Serena comes over to chat with Katherine by the time Tawny and I return.

“No promises,” Tawny says. “But I will do my best.”

Tawny takes her time studying the spell. While she tries to discover how to counter the spell, I glance at Serena. She is twisting her hands but otherwise appears calm. Why is she so stressed about this? Even if Tawny can't counter the spell, Katherine has been living with this for a long time. Things will be all right. Unless, of course Katherine, isn't the problem. It's Tawny. I should have never brought her here, given not only how volatile things are, but also how rough her being here is on Serena.

I move to Serena and give her a quick squeeze, letting her know I'm there for her. We wait a few more moments, and Tawny finally tries her counter-spell. It's clearer than mine was, with just some faint yellow sparks. It focuses in on Katherine's tattoos, covering them all. Just like my spell did, the red fades as the spell covers over them. Unlike mine, it stays faded when the spell pulls back.

“You did it,” I say.

“Really?” Katherine reaches up to touch her face. “They're really gone.”

“Let me run and grab a mirror,” Serena says.

She returns quickly with a small mirror in tow. I don't bother telling her we could have spelled one easily enough. She may have accepted magic, and even wants to learn it, but she can't seem to remember how much it can really help in everyday life.

Serena holds up the mirror, and Katherine's entire face transforms, lighting up with joy at the sight of her unglowing face. If only it was so easy to get rid of her tattoos so she didn't have to continue life as a tarnished.

“Thank you,” Katherine tells Tawny.

“Of course.”

“Maybe at some point, I'll let my hair grow out.”

“What color is it?” I ask.

“Dark brown. I haven't missed it, though, other than when I'm cold.”

Chardonia feels cold to me, at least in my heart. I hope we're changing that.





Chapter Thirty-Eight





The time to attack the power plant has come, and I'm not at all ready for it. I don't even know what to expect this dark night. Katherine made us all a fabric drape to go over our clothes that looks like camouflage. It helps us blend in even though there's no forest to hide in. The building up ahead doesn't look sinister. Not at all like I'd expect one to look like that's using people for their magic to power a mad man's dreams.

It's plain brick with one wooden door in the front. The only thing odd about it besides the wires coming out of it is the lack of windows. I can't imagine staying in a place with no sunlight streaming in.

“Is everyone in position?” Jack asks. He's such a natural leader. I can't imagine anyone else taking his place except maybe Chadwick. But of course the Chardonians are ever stubborn. They may have become more accepting toward us, but that doesn't mean they're ready to let us lead. No matter, as long as we can help.

When Jack gets affirmations all around, he motions for us to head out. From here on, there won't be any talking unless absolutely necessary.

The first spell we come to is like a simple brick wall. It's like even red rectangles with white lined between them, only this wall is transparent. Cynthia hits it with a dark gray spell, plunging a hole big enough that the ten of us can get through.

Chadwick takes our rear while Jack and Cynthia head us up. They get through three more spells similar to the first, the last one leaving Cynthia panting. But there's no more spells between us and the building.