In place of the stamped concrete, which was sinking quickly, I summoned water from the earth. It bubbled upwards at an alarming rate from every crack and crevice, filling the spaces. The burning intensity of my power seared my chest, but it was a pleasurable feeling, one that spread throughout my body.
I opened my eyes and took a deep breath when the water became level with the only piece of concrete left—the same space we sat on.
“It’s an illusion of water, right?” William asked.
“I don’t think so.” Boaz let go of my hand and stood up. “Do you smell it?”
They inhaled deeply. I smiled, already knowing the truth.
“I think he’s right,” Liane said. “It smells like the sea.”
William leaned back on his chair. “All part of the illusion.”
“There’s only one way to find out.” Liane kicked his chair backwards.
William’s arms flung out as he tried to catch himself. A high-pitched girly scream tore from his lungs when he plunged into the murky water. He surfaced a moment later and doggy paddled in front of us, gasping for air.
“I can’t believe it’s real,” Liane whispered. She bent over and skimmed her fingers across the wet surface.
“A little help here?” William asked, breathing heavy.
Boaz reached out and easily pulled him up.
“I don’t know how you did this, but you must teach me,” Liane said, grabbing my hands.
I shrugged, as though it was no big deal. “I just think about it, and it happens.”
Liane stared at me, mouth open. “It really is true what people say about you.”
“What do they say?”
“That you will be an unstoppable witch and will transform this world. You’re amazing! I’ve never seen anything like it.”
I blushed, but inwardly grinned.
“Well, I’ve had enough for one night,” William said. “Can you please get rid of this water so we can go home?”
Liane slapped him in the shoulder. “You’re such a bore sometimes, do you know that?”
“Yes. Now let’s go.”
This time I didn’t close my eyes. I simply looked at the water and willed it away. A wave of energy passed over me as the magical power left my body. I kept my gaze on the water, making it recede just as fast as it had come. A moment later, after the earth shook, the dirt and concrete moved back into position, fixing itself where needed. Only a few minutes had passed, and the patio looked unscathed, no cracks, not even a drop of water left behind as evidence of my power. Except for William, of course. His clothes were dripping wet, and he was drying his hair with a cloth napkin.
Liane hugged me suddenly. “We’ve had such a wonderful time. Let’s do it again soon.” In my ear, she whispered, “He loves you.”
I looked at her, surprised. Liane nodded her head as if to say, “It’s true.”
“Do you have a towel I can take with me?” William asked Boaz.
“Of course.” Boaz opened the glass doors. “Come inside.”
I followed everyone into the house, my body pulsing with magic’s power. I wanted to suggest that we all go do something, dancing maybe, or even hiking. I didn’t care that it was night. I needed a release.
“Are you sure you guys have to go?” I asked. “Maybe we could play a game? Or go—”
“Sorry, sweetie,” Liane said, her eyes flashing to Boaz’s. “But we can’t. We’ll get together soon, though. I promise.”
William patted himself with a towel he’d retrieved from the foyer’s bathroom. “Next time alert me in advance to any plans of swimming? This suit was expensive.”
“I’ll pay to have it dry cleaned,” Boaz said.
William glared at Liane. “Liane will pay.”
She laughed as though that was the most ridiculous thing she’d ever heard and walked out the front door. “See you soon!”
William followed her out, mumbling to himself.
After waving goodbye and closing the door, Boaz turned to me, his body inches from mine. “You didn’t have to use magic tonight.”
I swallowed. “I know.”
“Then why did you?”
“It was fun.”
“It was, wasn’t it?” He grinned, something alight in his eyes.
I nodded.
His gaze dropped to my lips for the briefest of moments, but enough to make the magic swell within me again, taking my breath away.
“I have somewhere I need to be,” he said. “Do you mind if I call it a night too?”
“Of course not,” I stuttered, feeling suddenly stupid. Maybe the kiss we’d shared earlier had only been amazing to me. I faked a yawn. “I was going to go to bed anyways.”
“Very well then,” he said and disappeared behind the door I wasn’t allowed behind.
“No, it’s not very well,” I whispered as I turned to go up the stairs. My whole body was tingling and yet numb at the same time. I glanced down at my feet. They were still there and moving, yet I felt like I was floating.
I spun a few steps before I danced into my bedroom and closed the door behind me, trapping me in a dark room. I reached for the light, but then stopped. My arm lowered to my side. Breathing in deeply, I focused on the darkness, the way it crawled over my skin and the way it breathed on my skin, whispering seducing words I couldn’t understand but could feel.
I opened my eyes as realization dawned on me.
Darkness felt good.
Chapter 13