Chapter Fourteen - Niall & Tommie
984 Words
Tommie was full and satisfied. She was laying back in her chair, caressing her belly. Niall wouldn’t have been surprised if she started purring like a cat. She had the same pleased smile on her face. He was glad she enjoyed the meal. I could get used to this, Tommie thought. Food was the easiest way to her heart, for sure. She was always in the best mood once she ate. But now wasn’t the time for a nap. Niall deserved his training. She could see in his eyes he was impatient so she stood up.
« Follow me », she just said and she left the kitchen without checking if he was following
All way long, Niall was fascinated by everything he saw in this place. The house looked ancient, mixing modern and classic furnitures. Walls were covered with paintings and huge portraits. The stairs were made of dark shiny wood. Most of the furnitures were too, highlighted by the carmine red walls and the softened lights. This house seemed intimate but looked like a museum at the same time. It was almost hard to believe that someone was actually living here. There was no trace of Tommie’s existence.
The witch led him to the top floor – the second one – to a room filled with books and moonlight. A subtle incense perfume was floating in the air. Persian rugs were covering the flood. A top of it, dozen of cushions. A table with a book was set in a corner. It looked quite old. Niall would be surprised if all the pages were lose or yellow.
« So this is where you practice magic », he said
« Yes. Welcome to my sanctuary. »
Tommie made a vast circular arm gesture.
« This room harboured countless hours of countless generations of Stewart’s. »
« Stewart ? », Niall questioned
« Sinclair is my dad’s name. He wasn’t a wizard. It runs through my mom’s side, the Stewart side. »
Niall nodded. He took a few steps towards the shelfs. Herbology, spiritualism, light magic, divinations… The books subjects were various and all magic-aimed. Some seemed like they’ll turn to dust really soon. A chill of excitement went down Niall’s skin. He turned around to look at Tommie. She was still standing at the centre of the room, her arms crossed, paying close attention like a cat. The moonlight gave a mystic shine to her eyes.
« What do we start with ? »
« The basics », she answered. « Come here. »
He obeyed and came closer.
« Sit and get yourself comfortable. Take off your shoes. »
Intrigued, Niall kept doing what Tommie was saying. She was walking circles around him while he sat on cushions. Tommie lightened numerous candles across the room and what Niall believed was incense sticks.
« Magic is about channelling and using mana. Witches and wizards can produce it but they also can redirect it, from nature for example. Close your eyes. Empty your mind. Think about nothing. »
She stopped, giving him some time to relax and clear his mind. Tommie never taught to anyone. She put up a confidence she didn’t feel. It didn’t really matter, did it ? All she had to do was to teach him what she learned. Putting herself in his shoes was no piece of cake, though. She always knew about magic, she felt it early but Niall was knew to all this. Besides, he was no longer a child. Children tend to be sensitive to magic and learning. Tommie wasn’t the type to give up though. She’ll find a way.
« Do you remember how mana feels like ? »
Memories came back floating to his mind. The most recent one first. He remembered the electricity in the air, the sweet spicy taste on his tongue. Tickle grew at the back of his throat. Niall quickly got rid of it. He didn’t need his hunger back nor anything else… he cleared his throat and tried again. The next recollection hit right away but it was still fuzzy. Crumbs of sounds, actions, sensations, voices mixing up. The crowd inside the pub, the noice. He went outside because he needed some fresh air. The monster charging Tommie, his instincts kicking in, the injury and the excruciating pain…
« What do you feel ? »
Niall snapped out of it. How long has he been lost in his mind ?
« Nothing. »
Tommie wasn’t surprise. Asking him to recognise something he barely felt wasn’t the approach. She needed to come up with something else. What would help him open his mind and identify the mana ?
« Keep trying », she said while walking towards another door. This was the place she kept all her ingredients, her potions and her stones. Most of her things should be kept from the sunlight. People had no idea how a potion could turn wrong just by staying too long in the sun. She searched through one of the cupboards until she got what she’d been looking for. She grabbed the tiny iron container and went back to Niall. He was still sitting there, trying his best to focus on goddess knows what. A slim smile bloomed on Tommie’s lips. Niall’s half focused – half frustrated face was priceless.
« Any progress ? »
« What am I supposed to look for exactly ? What does it feel like ? »
« Stop. I might have something to help. »
Niall let out a sigh of relief and opened his eyes.
« I’ll take anything. »
He never thought it would be easy but he didn’t imagine it would be that hard easier. Anything that could help along was very welcome.
Tommie hold up her discovery for Niall to see.
« What is it ? », he asked
« A game changer. »
- Writer
