The Moonstone (Enchantment Book 1) (20 page)

I do as she says and can't help but admire the perfection of the projection around me. I feel as if I’m the sun in the middle of all these wonderful planets.

"You’ll notice that each of the orbs turning around you has its own rotational speed. What you need to accomplish is to push your field to the first level and synchronize with the first sphere to master its rotational speed. Once you’ve gained control over it, you create a second bubble to change the second planet's speed so as to synchronize it with the first, and so on and so forth all the way to the ninth planet. The difficulty of this task lies in controlling so many variables at once. You’ll need to master distance, multiple energy fields and various speeds. This exercise will take some time to accomplish."

I concentrate and direct all my energy to the first planet. I easily block its trajectory. Things get more complicated when I move on to the second planet. I realize my power is not being used efficiently when they all begin to spin at crazily around me.

"Stop!" cries Bethany. The projector pauses.

"Lou, these are not mere projections. Each one of these objects has its own vibration and that's why you can control it. Don't try to move to the second one until you’re sure that you’ve mastered the first one. Feel each one of the vibrations and try to guide them in the space-time direction that you want to move them into."

I work on it for an hour or so, but the farthest I can get is to four planets and at that point I’m utterly drained.

"Ok, Lou. That's enough for today."

"One last time, I would like to try something."

She nods and crosses her arms.

I close my eyes, concentrating on the rhyme that my father taught me as a girl to remember the order of the planets. Then I visualize their perfect alignment and synchronized speed. I can't see them, but I can feel them.

"Most Volcanoes Erupt Mulberry Jam Sandwiches Under Normal Pressures" Next I imagine each one of them in turn: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.

I open my eyes and see Bethany standing in shocked silence. I turn and witness nine planets in perfect alignment and turning around me. I smile at her, but she leaves the room without a word. What should I do now? Wasn't this what she wanted me to accomplish? Maybe after my earlier win, she was hoping that I would fail...

"Forget about her; you've hurt her pride, but trust me, it will pass."

Even standing here alone, I’m too confused to respond to him.

"When its hour has come, the prey always ends up going towards the hunter."

Persian proverb

I leave the tower and return to my room for a few minutes rest. This class completely wiped me out. I take off my shoes and stretch out on the bed. I’m under the impression that I’m in an infernal endless spiral and it doesn't end when I finally lie down. I feel as if the world is still spinning at ridiculous speeds. I don't know what time the ceremony will be, but honestly, at the moment, I could care less. I feel like skipping the event and sleeping instead. Only rest will allow me to forget the folly of my present life.

After what seems only a fraction of a second, my ringing phone wakes me with a jolt. Flicka!

"Where are you, Lou? The ceremony is going to begin in fifteen minutes!"

"I...I fell asleep in my room...I'll be right there!"

"Well, ok. But before you come make sure to change into the outfit I picked out for you. It’s in a bag labeled "ceremony". Hurry-up!"

There is, in fact, a bag labeled "ceremony". That Flicka is certainly incredible! It’s five-fifteen, so I slept for at least an hour and I feel well rested. Once again this young woman has created a miracle; the outfit is a white dress covered in light glittering voile. The sleeves are lacy and end in a point with a hole for my finger to slip through. The shoes are snow white and lace up my ankles like a pair of ballet slippers. I plait my hair in a long braid that falls to one side and I take my courage in both hands to join the others.

I walk in silence towards the arena, but arriving at the entrance of the hall, I can see that nobody is there. I stand there, alone in the center of the room, staring into the void of absolute silence. I actually wouldn't mind staying here, but I know Flicka would eventually find me and drag me back to my destiny were I not to show up.

"Lost, little creature?"

Oh! I had almost forgotten him...almost. My burden will soon be lifted; in a couple of hours he’ll leave my soul. There’s something different in his voice now though, he seems quieter. I can feel someone's hot breath on my neck and turn around to see who’s behind me. My heart stops. Black is there, bending slightly over me, his face close to mine. He walks forward and I back up, my eyes caught in his hypnotizing stare. After a few steps, I find myself backed into the cement wall and he stops a foot away from me. I can feel his warm breath on my cheek and he waits in silence. I feel like an antelope about to be devoured by a lion. His face is impassive; his stare is penetrating. The tension is unbearable. What’s he trying to do? I need to regain control over myself, if not he’ll notice my discomfort and will have the upper hand. There’s no way I’ll let him do that! I straighten myself while applying a sure hand on his rigid torso and push him away.

"The ceremony may be of no interest to you, but I’m expected to be there. Do you mind?"

He cocks his head to the side as would a curious dog and I walk away from him without turning back, my hand still tingling from having come into contact with his body.

I can't see him, but I can sense him at a distance as he falls into step with me. I don't even know where I’m going. I imagine that the event must be taking place in the cafeteria because I haven’t come across any other room that could accommodate that number of people. I finally reach the right venue and am blown away by the metamorphosis of what was otherwise a utilitarian room. The tables are now gone and there are floor to ceiling red velvet curtains covering the walls, transporting us to an altogether different place. Lit candelabra grace a grand piano that sits majestically in one corner of the space; the ambiance is dramatic. But, I am suddenly concerned, as my white dress looks nothing like the other guests’ outfits; they’re all dressed in either black or red and garnished with feathers and pearls. It looks almost like a roaring twenties cabaret. I feel like a lamb in the middle of panthers and red roses and I feel all eyes turn to me as if they would eat me in one bite.

"I’m so sorry! Did I label the wrong bag? You were supposed to wear a gorgeous fitted black dress," says Flicka, muscling her way through the crowd that surrounds me.

"I'll go and change."

"Forget it! If you have that dress, then that means the other one is still at my place. Anyways, everyone has seen you, so there's no point in leaving now. You are the one and only Ether here, so you’ve earned the right to be unique. Come on, follow me! Let's go to the bar and get a cocktail to celebrate our first day."

She offers me her arm and we head to the bar. I opt for a bottled drink to be certain it hasn’t been tampered with, you can never be too careful! I know that I shouldn't, but I scan the room for Black. I conclude that he isn’t in the room. Why bother torturing myself with him? He’s nothing more than a walking, talking dictator!

Bethany makes her way to the center of the room where space is made for her. Her gaze stops on me, and she looks me over from head to foot, frowning in disgust. Long gone is the Bethany, who proclaimed that we would become best friends.

"Dearest students, we will now proceed to the presentation of your gifts. You are welcome to come forward in any order. However, I would request that spectators remain at a safe distance. You’re allowed two minutes each until seven o'clock. During this time, you may eat and drink and discuss, so if you really wish to attract attention to your presentation, I would suggest you use your ingenuity. When someone is presenting, please respect his or her space. She traces a virtual ring on the ground with her finger and a luminous circle appears on the marble floor. She then leaves the ring to mingle with the crowd.

A few moments pass before someone dares to break the ice. Flicka, her usual garrulous self, hands me her drink and bravely walks to the center of the room. She looks at the crowd, smiling brightly and whistles distinctly. A few squirrels followed by her ferret join her in the circle. She bends down to whisper something to them and the little creatures run off, creating a stir as a few squeals emit from the crowd. The little balls of fur return to her carrying a few personal effects in their tiny hands. Flicka bows and there’s some polite applause. She signals to the small rodents and they run off to return the items to their owners. Pax takes Flicka's hand to guide her out of the ring and then enters it himself as if she were the one pushing him. He’s floating on air and looks like a surfer who’s ready to catch a great wave. He turns a full 360 degrees and instantly the room seems to have become an arid desert. His mirage is so powerful I can even feel the heat of the location. With a flick of his hand the vision disappears and disintegrates. The crowd erupts and Pax gently floats out of the ring the same way he entered.

"Pax, that was really cool!" says Flicka, tapping him on the shoulder.

"You too! So you can talk to animals and make them do what you want?"

"Not everything I want, but there are a few things that they’re willing to do for me."

"I'm so happy I don't have to do anything. I think I’m attracting enough attention as it is," I say, honestly relieved as I hate being the center of attention.

The enchanters now follow each other, one by one into the center of the room at a steady pace. Nobody really stands out for me, certainly not the horrifiers. More than once I relive my nightmare of being choked and that infernal setting...If my count is correct, all the horrifiers have now had their turn. What a relief! 

I think about what gifts should be the ones to complete my team...I already have one Earth sign and one Air. That leaves me with Fire and Water, and as I’m contemplating that fact, the diabolical twins enter the ring. Most of the enchanters turn away in rejecting hatred. I understand how they must feel! They do however capture my attention and I want to see if Éloï is all that she promised me.

"I can feel all your hearts beating and I can smell each of your scents. I can see as far as a falcon. My gift is that of heightened senses."

Some laughter rings out at her words, but I find the gift a rather interesting one. Her brother takes out his infamous Swiss Army knife and opens it; more laughter rings out. The twins look at me and then smile at each other.

Pyros swings his hand in a circle and the tiny knife transforms into a gigantic sword. With his other hand he creates a ball of fire that grows then he throws it at the swords before being himself completely engulfed in flames and walking forward as if he were a meteorite. His sister then produces an immense shield of ice and creates a sword made of ice in her other hand. They begin a fire and ice battle; the spectacle is mesmerizing. I’m floored. Ok, despite what Flicka said, I’ll surely take them on my team. The crowd is obviously impressed by what they’ve just witnessed and the surprise is palpable. The twins end their display and leave the ring, directing themselves towards a small table at the back of the room. I absolutely must go and talk to them!

"I'll be right back, Flicka!"

She looks at me intently while I head toward my new prospects.

"So, did we prove to the Queen of the night that we’re good enough for her?" shoots Éloï, crossing her arms and leaning back in her chair as if to defy me to contradict her.

"First of all, I am not the queen, just the opposite, and secondly, I think so...maybe."

"So, this is your little mutant, is it? I would rather be associated with a troll!"

Well, her brother has no use for me; I'm not off to a good start here!

"Pyros, what did I tell you? We need her!"

"Hmf, raised by humans. It's more like her who needs us."

"You're right, I need you. I didn't say that I would take you for sure, but let's just say that your little routine impressed me a bit."

"A bit? We were incredible!"

Éloï looks rather annoyed with me, but I don't want to give in to them right yet. They seem to still be resistant to me, and that isn't very motivating.

"Listen, I am really impressed and it's true that I think you would both be an asset to our team."

"Our team! Are you including those two time wasters at the other side of the room?"

I turn to see where Pyros is gesturing. Flicka and Pax are staring at me, dumbfounded and shaking their heads. I answer them with a smile and a wink.

"They aren't time wasters, as you put it. You saw their demonstrations, didn’t you?"

"The sandman and that crazy animal lady. They won't be very threatening in combat, now will it?"

Honestly, this Pyros guy is trying my patience, but I imagine I can't very well choose Éloï without him. I'm sure it’ll be both, or neither.

I turn back to them and Éloï stands up.

"Wait! My brother’s an idiot," she says, hitting him on the back of the head.

"Ouch!" he answers back.

"You want to win battles and become a great warrior? So we have to be on her team. Her sign is Ether and she can control time."

Her brother grunts his disapproval, but nods his acceptance. She continues her speech, this time talking to me.

"Lou, you don't have any better options than us. If you take your two little friends with you, you'll be missing Water and Fire signs. As for Water, liquefaction is not very impressive and I feel that my gift is much more than just cloning. As for Fire, my brother's gift is extremely practical; you'll need to have magical weapons and even if horrifiers are powerful, I doubt that you want to have any on your team, if the expression on your face earlier this evening is anything to go by."

She isn't wrong, but as I’m still not one hundred percent convinced, I decide to think on it some more.

"Maybe I do need someone who can clone. It could prove to be a useful tool. Maybe having someone who can regenerate limbs as my Fire sign member would suit me better. I wouldn't be so sure of yourselves."

I instantly read the disappointment on their faces and then their pretentiousness returns. I feel sorry for them, like me, they feel rejected and I’m not making things any better.

"Well, I just came over to tell you that I was impressed by your routine and we'll see about the team."

I turn from them and walk away. I don't know if everyone has presented their gifts, but the center of the room is empty and the banquet is now being laid out on the large table. I stop walking, hypnotized by the amount of food being spread out when a hand on my shoulder breaks my trance.

"So, your eyes are riveted on the buffet! I can see that you haven't had your fill of caramel yet today."

Zach is there, dressed up as a gangster from the twenties, wearing a fedora and looking as cute as ever.

"Come on! Let's go eat before the good stuff is gone!"

I follow him; I’ve only known him a couple of days but he already knows me so well.

"Bethany told me how you did with her this afternoon. I’m impressed. However, I think she hates you a little bit now."

He laughs, putting his finger to his lips and gesturing towards Bethany who is shooting daggers at me with her eyes.

"Hates me? Why? Isn't that the goal of any teacher, to have a student who surpasses her?" I whisper back, covering my mouth with my hand.

He scratches the back of his head.

"Probably, but just a little tip, screw up once in a while! She wants you to succeed so she can show everybody what a great teacher she is, but you can't be better than her. I can see the contradiction. Try to learn all you can from her, but don't show off too much because you want her at your back, believe me!"