him laugh.
“We'll see you at home soon.” Gram took Elliott's arm. “Come, we have
plenty of things we can take care of at the house.”
I watched as they began their climb up the circular staircase. Once they were
out of sight, I turned to Cole and said, “She will keep him busy. Now, we can focus on you. We need to find your magic.”
Cole and I decided to look through the bookcases. After a while, it felt hopeless.
Obviously, we were going about this the wrong way.
“Cole, what did Sarah say about your magic?”
“She just said it was always in the Goddess's hands,” he answered, not hiding
his frustration.
As I wandered around the room, I played the words repeatedly in my head
and a thought finally came to me. “I think I might know where to look. Come,
let me show you.”
Cole and I went to the water fountain. His eyes brightened as he inspected the sculpture’s hand. "The tree of life – this must be where she has hidden it.
This is the first thing, tonight, that has made sense.”
Taking ahold of the metal tree, he jiggled it. It moved as if it was loose, but
his attempts to pull it free made no impact. Not giving up, Cole decided to twist
instead of a yank. This time, I could see progress.
Cole tugged harder. Several more times and one mighty pull caused the tree
to pop out. Attached to it was a large, silver cylinder that looked like the one Elliott had returned to me. Opening it revealed a light-yellow note and a crystal
vial, filled with blue and silver liquid.
Cole unrolled the message and held it out for both of us to read:
My Dearest Cole,
If you have found this, either you have been extraordinarily
inquisitive, or I'm no longer with you. Knowing you, my child, it is
the latter.
I feel confident that you are not alone in your search and that
you are now, ready for answers. When you were young, your
connection to the magic, especially Water, was so strong. This
scared me, and I didn't feel like I could keep you safe.
To protect you, I bound your gifts. I took the magic from you,
knowing, one day, that it would be restored. Soon, you will have
everything I took from you back. Such knowledge, so quickly, will
be difficult, but I know you will be able to handle it. Please rely on
Mae and Mara. Mara's connection to Fire and Mae's connection to
Air will be necessary for what the future holds.
Mae, if you are reading this, I have always known how strong
your connection to Air is. Your wisdom and extensive knowledge
will be needed. Please, take care of my boy and help him understand
