magic.”
A powerful gust encircled my grandmother. She nodded at me, and then
directed the air into the center, where it joined the colored lights twisting around
Eliza.
“Fire, your gift of cleansing warmth is called upon.” I formed a ball of fire in
my hand. From within the ball, long threads of Fire drifted outwards to surround
Eliza.
The elements slowly lifted Eliza off the ground.
Reassured that my instincts were correct, I turned towards Cole. “Water,
please, wash away and renew the magic that Eliza promised to protect.”
Cole held out his hands, and a stream of water droplets left his fingers. They
floated above Eliza and showered down on her.
My eyes met my father's. “Earth, the blessing of your new life and growth are called upon. May the gift of new beginnings fill Eliza's heart.”
The ground below us shook and began to crack. A white flower grew from
the ground underneath Eliza. The stems grew tall and wrapped around her legs
and body. Soon, she was elevated even higher off the ground.
“It's working!” Eliza began to laugh uncontrollably as the colors of the
elements spun around her.
“With the blessing of the elements, we ask for the gift of forgiveness and renewed faith. Goddess, we call upon you and ask you to undo what was done.”
I lifted my arms towards the night sky.
A large crack sounded as a bolt of white lightning struck Eliza. Her body shook and convulsed before she went limp. The leaves of the flower surrounded
her and formed a tight cocoon. Did I kill her? Unsure of what my next step should be, I faltered.
Gram stepped forward. “With the bindings I cast removed, Goddess, our
request is complete. Thank you for the blessings you have bestowed upon us.”
The shell shook as it cracked and slowly opened. Gently, it lowered to the
ground. Eliza stepped out of the broken casing and laughed maniacally. "Cedric, it's back. It's really back. The magic is no longer bound. I’m, finally, restored.”
Chapter
Thirty-Seven
Eliza's eyes grew dark, and the tips of her fingers glowed with green fire.
Turning to face my grandmother, she cried, “You took what was given
to me, and it can never be repaid.”
“You were bound because you were using your gift selfishly. You didn't keep
your promise to protect the magic. You were taught – no, you vowed – harm to
none, and yet, your castings for the Drygens were used to hurt people.” Gram released long tendrils of Air that flew at Eliza.
The magic struck and reeled her backward. When she gained her footing, she
charged at my grandmother.
“Stop,” I screamed, throwing a fireball at Eliza, and redirecting her attention
towards me.
Cedric's large knife glinted, alerting me that he was entering the circle. In an
attempt to stop him, I threw my fireball. This one stuck his thigh.
