Page 18 of How Not to Hex a Gentleman (Witches of Edinburgh)

Chapter Eighteen

KENNEDY

" S o again, why are we in the forest?" Lily asks as I push aside a branch, holding it so she can pass as we try to keep up with Parker's determined walk.

"To commune with the ancestors, duh. And it's not a forest, it's Craigmillar Park," Parker throws over her shoulder as she moves off the path and into the trees.

"What ancestors? My grandparents are from Cleveland," Lily says and the chuckle escapes me before I can help myself, just as Parker throws a glare over her shoulder.

"Not you too," Parker whines, "I thought complaining about everything was Kennedy's thing."

"It only feels like I complain about everything because you never stop to think things through," I say.

Parker laughs. "Why do I need to when I have you for that?"

I roll my eyes as Lily chuckles. It's been a few weeks since we touched the glowy fountain water, and so far, my powers are the only ones that have manifested. Last night, Olivia told us that it might have something to do with my response to magic, and I suppose looking at it logically, I do have the strongest negative emotions when it comes to it. Magic has always been a nightmare. Almost like a lingering terrible dream that has followed me throughout the day, just waiting to affect me in some horrific way. I've spent the majority of my life actively suppressing my magic, keeping myself away from relationships in fear that I might do something that will show people who I really am. Now, here I am, inviting magic into my day like it's a friend. No wonder I'm the most emotional about it.

"Kennedy, honestly, you need to chill, my darling. You're going to give yourself an ulcer."

"But can't you just magic it away?" I snap, because at this point I'm pretty sure I'm shaking. The longer we're in these woods, the more I feel the pressure of my fear pressing down on me. Every time I think I have a handle on my emotions, they throw me for a loop. I guess I never expected to deal with my whole childhood in one fell swoop, but wouldn't that have been nice? Instead, every day brings with it new challenges. I am trying, though, so there's that.

"Oh, she's making jokes. Is this a defense mechanism or are you actually feeling better?"

I offer Parker a glare, and she laughs, walking farther ahead. I feel a slight pressure on my hand and glance down to find Lily's fingers wrapped around my pinky and ring finger, giving it a slight squeeze. I offer her a tiny squeeze back, taking comfort in the fact that I'm not doing this alone. There are three of us. We're all collectively losing our minds, apparently, walking into unknown woods in complete darkness.

"Miss Olivia was very strict on this part," Parker calls over her shoulder. "We need to get to the clearing and light the candles at high midnight noon."

"That sounds dumb and doesn’t even make sense," I mumble, but Parker somehow hears me anyway.

"Regardless of your opinion," she turns around so I can see her eye roll, "we are still doing it because I want to know more about my magic and this tattoo on my wrist and we have gotten nowhere with your book research."

"I'm not sure how this is supposed to give us answers though," Lily says, her voice soft.

I nod in agreement as Parker stops and faces us. "I don't know anything either," she admits, sighing. "But we have some kind of direction finally since the moon is in the right place and I am not going to miss the opportunity just because I don't understand it fully. Miss Olivia said that this will cleanse our auras and center us in this bond, so we can be more open to discovering our destinies. I don't want to do nothing."

I stare at Parker, completely in awe of her bravery. I don't think I've ever been particularly brave about anything. Coming to Edinburgh is probably the most courageous thing I've ever done. Parker, on the other hand, steps into everything with her whole being. I glance over at Lily and I see her soft curl of the lips and while she's such a contrast to Parker's loud personality, she's just as brave. I can see the excitement shining in her eyes.

I want to be more like them.

I want to let myself discover what I'm actually capable of.

"Okay, then we should get going," I say.

Parker grins. "We don't have far to go since we're here. I counted the steps and it should be right beyond these." She announces before pushing through the bushes behind her.

Lily and I exchange a look and follow. We find ourselves in a small clearing with the trees standing around like a wall except for the place we came through the bushes. I glance up and find the trees are all leaning toward the middle, creating a small circular space right above. I can see the moon here, slightly off from center and I assume once the time is right, it will be right in the middle of the opening.

"This is incredible," Lily breathes out and I turn my attention to her only to find her looking at the wall of trees. I follow her gaze and find that the trunks have flowers growing on them.

"It's us," Parker whispers, her voice full of wonder. I step closer, unable to take my eyes off the beautiful sight in front of me. The vines weave around the trunks and the three colors seem to glow in the dark.

They're flowers. Hellebore, Borage, and Solidago.

My last name, Parker's, and Lily's.

"This doesn't make sense," I say, touching the petals of a Hellebore gently. I've never seen flowers grow in such a way around the trunks of trees.

"It's not supposed to make sense," Lily replies, "It's magic."

I look over my shoulder at the two girls—at the two witches—and the feeling of rightness, of belonging, shows up so abruptly it nearly takes all the breath from my lungs.

Suddenly, the small clearing is alight as if the sun is out, sending everything around us into a sparkly glow. I step forward and look up, just as the girls do the same, and we see the moon is right overhead, directly in the center of the small opening.

Parker takes out the three candles from her bag and hands them over to us before she lights her own and then transfers the flame to us. The sparkle in the air magnifies and it's almost like we're standing in a shower of suspended glitter. I can't seem to find a place to look—the moon, the glow around us, the girls—not just strangers anymore but sister witches.

"Shall we do this thing?" Lily asks and I laugh at the way she sounds just like Parker.

Parker laughs as well and then we point our candles to the center, the flames joining as we all three say, "Let's do this thing."

My heart swells, just as the magic rushes over my skin. If I looked in the mirror right now, would I be glowing with the same light that shines around us? I glance at the girls and they're all grinning, looking around in wonder. It feels like in this moment, anything is possible.

Somehow, I have found my place in the world and it's beautiful.

The feeling of rightness doesn't dissipate as we leave the clearing behind and head back to our apartment. There was a moment after we said the words that felt like someone almost patted us on the back, but other than that, nothing else happened. We held the candles and watched the moon pass over us, and the sparkles extinguished. I'm not sure what we expected, but I do think we all walked away more sure of ourselves somehow. I guess now we see what will be revealed to us as we move forward.

"Is that your arch nemesis?" Parker's question breaks through my thoughts and I look over in the direction she's pointing.

Sure enough, Bennett is coming up to the front door of the tenement from the side. He looks up as if he heard Parker's question and freezes in his tracks. Then he raises his hand high in the air and waves with the enthusiasm of someone who has downed five energy drinks.

"Oh, he is very excited to see you," Lily says, and I shake my head.

"He's always like that," I say and Parker barks out a laugh.

"He's usually a little happy, this is hyperactive puppy," she whispers hurriedly as Bennett jogs over to us.

"Good evening, ladies, out for a very late night walk?" he asks, but his eyes are only on me. Now that he's close I can't seem to look away, almost like his presence is hypnotizing.

It's been days since I've seen him. We haven't had a chance to meet up for any research, since he's been busy with his schoolwork and I've been busy with mine. I didn't think it would feel like I haven't seen him in years.

"Why, yes, Bennett. A very late night walk," Parker replies and I don't have to look at her to hear the amusement in her voice.

"Oh! In regards to—" He stops, his eyes big as he tries to come up with the correct term.

"You can just say magic; it won't hurt us," Parker says and that finally makes me tear my gaze away from Bennet.

"Parker!"

"What? He knows."

"Yes, but the rest of Edinburgh doesn't so maybe don't announce it so readily?" I say, keeping my voice hushed.

"Okaaay." Parker drags the word out. "We went on a shmagical walk in the shmagical forest."

"Parker!"

"It's after midnight, Kennedy. If anyone is around to hear about it, they have earned the right."

"I—"

But she's already looping her arm through Lily's elbow and pulling her away. "Have fun, kids," Parker calls out as they both walk away laughing. I stare after them in complete amazement. They're so comfortable with it all, I can't get over it.

"You know you can talk to me about it without any fear."

Bennett's words jerk my attention back to him. There's a note of hope in his voice that I can't ignore, no matter how much I want to. I think I have been getting better at trusting in this whole magical destiny, but the grasp of my upbringing still has me firmly in its clench.

"You look tired," I find myself saying as I give him a closer look. His hair is in more disarray than I've seen it and his shirt is a little wrinkled under the open jacket.

"It's been a long week." He shrugs and I stuff my hands in my pockets to keep myself from reaching out. These impulses just seem to continue when I'm around him and I can't figure out how to deal with them.

"You're also out late," I point out.

He nods. "I had dinner at my friend's flat tonight. We always run late."

He looks at me then and I stare right back, and that spark I felt back in the woods ignites again but differently. There's more intensity to it and I don't think it has anything to do with magic. It's just the two of us…

"What did you want to tell me?" I mentally shake myself, trying to focus on the part that puts us in our corners. He's helping me with research, that's all.

"Ah, yes. I've been doing some research on areas around Scotland in general that commemorate the witch trials—I'm sorry—and have you been to the castle yet?"

I blink my eyes surprised at the apology, and then shake my head. "No, not yet."

"There's a fountain—a water fountain— that's near the castle as a memorial to the trials. I'm not sure if it would be helpful to go, but I've been thinking about it. Maybe if you visit places that hold significance to your heritage, you may be able to get more answers. Kind of like what happened at The Ross Fountain."

"So you think," I try to process his train of thought, "that if I, what, touch these memorials, more powers will show up?"

"Maybe not more powers, but it could open up memories or show you visions?" He looks sheepish, shrugging in the most adorable way. "I'm flying blind here when it comes to the magical, but books aren't helping for once, so maybe we try a magical way?"

"A magical way?"

"Some of the stories talk about witches being able to glimpse pieces of the past. What better place to do that than the city brimming with history?"

He's making sense, of course he is, but the idea is terrifying to me. What if someone sees? What if something terrible happens? I'm not sure I'm ready to have my magic anywhere near a place where people could see.

"I think I need to talk to the girls. I don't—" I have to push the words past my lips. "I don't have intuitive powers, that I know of, so I'm not sure how effective it would be. Either way, I need to discuss it with the others."

I can't tell him Parker has intuition; that doesn't feel like my information to share, but I think talking to them is the right decision anyway.

"Yes, of course. That makes sense. Just let me know."

I nod again, as it's the only thing I can do at this moment and then we just stand there, staring at each other. Bennett chuckles and then motions for the door to our tenement building. We walk inside in silence, the air around us full of tension. He bids me good night before heading upstairs and I'm not sure why, but this feels almost like him walking me home after a date. All the awkwardness included.