“Follow me,” Rowan said, and led them all outside. “Watch carefully.” He grinned and then it seemed as if he’d disappeared. Everyone looked around, confused. “Up here,” Rowan called. They followed his voice and found him halfway up a tree on the other side of the street. “I’ll move more slowly,” he called. They all watched him jump from the tree, to a rooftop, and then execute a graceful backflip before landing next to Lily.
“Damn,” Breakfast groaned, almost like it hurt to see something so awesome.
“And that’s just kid’s stuff,” Lily said. “Right, Rowan?”
“Right,” he said, smiling at her.
“You can change any type of energy into any other?” Tristan asked, his excitement building.
“Yes. And I can alter matter—change it chemically, even without a mechanic,” Lily said. “I can manipulate cells and DNA, heal wounds, and make medicines you’ve never even dreamed of. I can also change the way the light falls on my face.” Lily cast a glamour and heard everyone gasp as they looked at a stranger’s face instead of hers. She smiled and reverted back to her own face. “It’s called a glamour. It’s actually really easy, and it only works in dim light, but it certainly looks dramatic.”
They went back inside, and Tristan turned to Rowan. “How does it feel when she gives you power?”
Rowan shared an understanding smile with Tristan, and for a moment Lily saw the two of them connecting as if this Tristan were the one that Rowan had known for years. “I can’t think of many things that compare,” Rowan replied.
“There’s a downside, though,” Lily warned. “In order for you to become my mechanics, I’ll have to claim you. This is dangerous for you because it means I can possess you. I can control your thoughts, your speech, and even your movements if I choose. I can make you my puppet.”
“But she’s never done that to me,” Rowan added quickly. “Lily is a very respectful witch.”
A long silence stretched out as Tristan, Breakfast, and Una thought deeply.
Lily? Why don’t you ask me to become one of your mechanics?
I’m sorry, Juliet, but you have no magic. I can claim you, but you wouldn’t be a mechanic. I still want you on my side, though.
I’ll always be on your side.
Lily could feel her sister’s sadness and disappointment like an ache in her own chest, and tried to comfort her by letting her feel how much she loved her. Juliet smiled at Lily from across the room and nodded her head acceptingly.
It’s alright, Lily. I’ll make myself useful in other ways.
I’ll hold you to that.
“You were all born for this, and you all know it,” Rowan said, breaking the pensive silence. “Each of you has something inside you that you’ve never been able to shake. No matter how many women you go through”—he looked at Tristan—“or how many piercings or tattoos you get”—he looked at Una—“or how many jokes you tell to gain acceptance,” he said, turning lastly to Breakfast. “You’ve all felt like there’s been a hole in your life.” He gestured to Lily and the three willstones that drew all of their eyes. “There’s the answer.”
Breakfast wiped a hand over his face and looked at Una. “Well?” he asked.
“I’m in,” she replied immediately, her eyes never leaving Lily’s willstones.
“Me too,” Tristan said. He put his hands on his hips and sighed to himself. “Breakfast?”
“Yeah. Okay. I’m in, too.”
“We don’t have a lot of time,” Rowan said. He left the room and came back with a neatly folded envelope of silk. He untied the string wrapping it, and revealed about fifteen ovals of lead-colored crystals in varying shapes and sizes.
“Rowan?” Lily said, surprised. “How did you get un-keyed willstones?”
“I started growing them as soon we arrived here,” he replied.
What? Why? Lily didn’t even know how to formulate a question to ask him, she was so stunned.
“I knew you’d need them,” he replied unapologetically.
But we were supposed to blend in and be normal here. And I told you that I thought bringing magic to this world was wrong.
“A witch without a circle of mechanics to protect her is a dead witch, no matter what world she’s in,” he snapped, refusing to engage her in mindspeak. She felt that gray emotion drop like a curtain in his mind. He was avoiding contact to shut her out.