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“Yes.” Eilidh confirmed, a sad look flashing across her face.

Sadness crashed through me at all those lives cut short, lost before they really got started, “And what Coven did you hail from?” I asked, using the correct term.

“I was the first of the Nicniven's to be sacrificed to save all.” Eilidh commiserated.

“Right, well, I'm going to change it.” I decided, my voice firm as I glanced around the strange place I'd found myself in, “but first I need to understand more about magic, can you help with that?”

Eilidh smiled up at me, “Of course child, that is why I remain here in The Inbetween.”

Nodding at my strange new guide I promised to end the cycle of death in the Witch community.

Chapter Twenty

Things just keep getting stranger and stranger…- Charleene

Eilidh closed her eyes briefly and the world around me began to change. The white wispy ribbons grew stronger, thicker as a harmonious hum filled the air.

“What did you do?” I asked in wonder, staring at our new surroundings. Gone was Gladys’ garden, replaced by a circle of tall stones which stood directly in the centre of a small meadow with long grass. It looked wild and deserted, while also having the air of being used regularly. The sky above was a pale blue and fluffy white clouds drifted lazily on a wind I didn't feel. “Where are we now?”

“This was once my home, the cherished spiritual home of The Nicnevin Witches.” Eilidh explained, looking around us with a soft smile and sadness in her eyes. “The Inbetween is not fixed, it can become whatever a person, or in my case a spirit, deems it to be.”

“So I could make it however I want?” I questioned, staring at the small girl.

“In time, yes.” Eilidh smiled kindly up at me, her grey eyes shining, “Please sit.” Doing as she bade, I closed the distance between us and sat with my legs crossed on the ground. I'd expected it to be hard but the grass was spongy and soft beneath me. “What do you know of your own origins?”

“Not much, I was abandoned in Scotland as a baby, then moved to England with my first adoptive parents. Until three weeks ago I had believed I was human and had no idea any of this,” I gestured around myself, “existed.”

“You’d shown no magical power?” Eilidh asked, her rising brows showing her confusion and surprise.

“Nope, as far as I know the first time I’d used magic was three weeks ago.”

“Hmmm,” was all Eilidh responded, making me worry I’d done something wrong.

“What?” I couldn’t help but ask.

“Normally, a witch or warlock comes into their powers during their thirteenth year, it is very strange that you showed no magical ability until now.”

“Gladys, the witch who’s garden I was in before I came here, told me that there was a block placed upon me.” I explained quickly, while wondering if I was broken.

“You’ve been bound, that could explain why your magic is only now waking.”

“What does that mean?” I asked, not understanding.

“It means someone has bound your magic inside of you.” Eilidh stated, a little anger showing in her voice, “it is normally used as a punishment for those who stray from our path of healing and light.”

“Can it be removed?” I asked, feeling violated that someone had done this to me.

“The person who placed it can remove it, but you could break it.” Eilidh told me sadly.

“How would I break it?” I asked, making Eilidh flinch.

“Painfully. You would need to overload the bind by forcing your magic to the surface.” Her young face turned pensive as she watched me mull over her words.

“And overloading this bind would just be painful?” I asked sceptically. There had to be more to it than that, otherwise it wouldn't be much of a deterrent.

“Painful might not have been accurate, agonising would probably be closer.” She replied, her face paling further than it already was, “You'd also have to be strong enough to not lose control over your own magic as well, otherwise…” her words faded off like she couldn't even bear to say the rest.

“Otherwise what?” I probbed.