Page 74 of Charmed, I'm Sure

“Uh…yeah…I was hoping you would be super proud of me.”

I curl one of his curls around my finger. “Oh, I am very proud of you.”

Someone clears their throat beside us and we both turn to find Clarissa and the fae coven standing behind her, each faerie trying really hard to not stare at us. Whoops.

“Sorry to interrupt, but Miles said it was urgent and it is kind of the middle of the night. So, if you two don’t mind, can we get on with it?”

Miles’s blush blooms even more intensely. “Sorry,” he says as he ducks his head.

“It’s alright, Miles. We get it. I’ll just have to find a new way to glamour you instead.”

Um, excuse me, but the only person who will be casting spells on Miles, is me and only me.

Miles smiles, but it's not the same smile he gives me. “That’s okay. I’d rather you use the glamour magic for helping the town. I’ve already won over Bellamy here,” he says as he wraps his arm around my shoulder.

Clarissa smiles, but I know that look. It’s the kind that fae get when they achieve their intended reaction.

“Alright.” I clap my hands together and everyone quiets down. “I know it’s late, but we are in serious need of your help. The barrier is down.”

Everyone gasps, many of them whispering to each other. I’m trying to get their attention again, but the panic is swelling and if we don’t stop it now, all hope will be lost.

Miles wolf-whistles and all the talking comes to an abrupt stop as they turn towards him.

“I know we are all scared, but let’s hear out the person with a plan!” he shouts to the crowd.

Everyone quiets down again, fearful eyes blinking at me as they all give me their undivided attention. Going from someone everyone has avoided to the center of their attention is a hard curve that I’m not mentally prepared for. The words are stuck in my throat as I swallow, trying to wet my mouth. My hands are clammy as they start to shake. I’m not sure I’m going to be able to do this. Maybe…maybe I’m not the person for it.

Miles’s warm hand presses against my back, slowing the mental spiral I was on.

“You’ve got this. Believe in yourself and your magic. You don’t need a grand speech, just the directives of where you need us.” He whispers against my hair where only I can hear it.

I nod once, swallow hard, and push my shoulders back. “We are going to build a circle around our town. I need a witch every five or so people. Once the circle is formed, everyone will join hands as I whisper the incantation. Fae,” Clarissa steps forward as a representative. “To make this a barrier we never have to renew again, I need you to add your glamour magic to it. Wolves,” The Alpha steps forward. “I need your strength. Bring your beasts to the top, but don’t shift. I know it will be a strain, but you will infuse the barrier with the strength of a wolf.”

Everyone starts moving in their directions as the witches walk up to me. All the people who have been the most terrified of me are now waiting for me to direct them.

“What do you need from us?” one of the witches saysfrom the crowd.

“I’m going to give you the spell. Once we start, we can’t stop until the barrier is complete. It could be hours. Stay strong.”

Everyone nods as they disperse amongst the crowd. I watch as they all mingle together, each group gathering who they need and heading out.

This has to work. Otherwise, I’m the reason everyone is in danger, and I don’t know that I can live with that.

Everyone is clearing out of the town square, all of them animatedly chatting as they move off. Even the ghosts are all lingering as they frantically search around.

Matilda, the last person I want to see right now, floats over to where Miles and I are standing.

She claps her hands excitedly, even though none of us can hear it. Don’t ask me why we can hear them talk but not hear claps. Wild stuff really.

“See?” She swoons. “I told you I knew what I was doing,” she says as she looks between the two of us.

Miles and I look at each other before we both burst out laughing. Matilda is absolutely not the reason this is happening.

She holds her hand to her chest, a look of revulsion on her face. “I beg your pardon, but what is so funny?”

Miles holds his hand up as he’s bent over, trying to stop the laughter. “Stop, I can’t.” He laughs harder. “This isn’t the time for this.”

Her eyes flick between the two of us and honestly, she looks like those rich people who were denied a spot at the table. Nose wrinkled, head tilted back, with all the bravado of a society wife. Who knows, maybe she was one before.