Page 126 of Black and White, Twice the Might

“Or hot chocolate,” Xander adds.

“I smell hot chestnuts,” Sly sighs out.

“We’ll walk around and see what they have. It’s a shame Elliot couldn’t stay.” I had a text from him this morning saying they had an issue with their next location, which he had to go and sort out.

Sly takes my gloved hand. “I don’t think it will be long before he comes back.”

We reach the green and see lots of people milling around, chatting and laughing. The bonfire is alight and crackling brightly against the darkness.

“I love the smell of bonfires,” Xander says. “Enoch and I are off to look around.”

I smile happily at my brothers. “Here, let me give you some money for your drinks.” I pull my gloves off and take some money out of my pocket, handing it over.

“Thanks, Ebb. See you later.”

I watch as the boys walk away laughing and joking.

“Thank goodness,” Sly says, watching them go. “With everything that’s happened lately, I was worried they’d be scared again.”

I put my gloves back on and take Sly’s hand. “Me too, but the town is protected, so they know we’re all safe here.”

“So, Ernest is trying to get us to go back to the farm and try out the portal,” Sal says, walking over to join us. Little Connie in his arms.

Sly drops my hand and plucks Connie out of Sal’s. “Hello, Princess. Look at your lovely coat and hat.”

Connie smiles and pats his cheek.

“When are we going?” I ask him.

Sal laughs. “We’re not. I sent my magic out to look at it, but it’s completely closed. I think that happened when I closed the one at the farmhouse.”

“Poor Earnest,” I comment with fake sympathy, taking Connie’s other hand and playing with her.

Sly and Sal laugh. “We need to look at opening that box and getting our magic back.”

Titus and Kean walk over and join us, both of them carrying drinks.

“We do,” Titus replies, obviously hearing our conversation. “We want to do it in a full circle in the bunker. There are some strange runes on there. We thought you could have a look at them, Sly.”

“Justice and I looked but didn’t recognise them,” Sal tells us.

“I can look; chances are they are dark runes to trap our magic. Hopefully, that will be all and not something that will turn our magic black.”

“What?” I exclaim, dropping Connie’s hand and staring at him.

“That can happen?” Titus asks in shock. “I’ve never heard of white magic turning dark before.”

“I don’t know if it’s true, but I remember my parents talking about something to do with turning magic black when I was younger. When we’re next at the bunker, I can call their Book of Shadows to me and have a look. It’s not like any of them will be able to use it again.”

“We can do that. I’ll send a message to everyone and find out when we can do it. Handsome, can you hold my drink for me?” Titus asks, holding it out.

“Sure, honey,” Kean says, grinning.

Titus glares at Kean. “Do not drink my drink.”

Kean laughs. “I make no promises.”

Titus shakes his head and pulls his phone out of his pocket.