Dark Light

14-Spells

POV: Leila

I rub my hand over the leather bound cover. Feeling the sigil of the Lightwood family burned into it. I rub my thumb over the old rusting lock on the side. I bring my hand up to my lips, elongating my canines, and biting into my pointer finger. A drop of blood blossoms from my finger. Bright red like the petals of a rose. I put my finger against the lock and let a drop of blood drip into the key opening. I hear a click and the strap keeping the book’s knowledge locked safely away, slides open.

The air around me feels charged with energy, like the air just before lightning strikes. I lift the leather cover, the spine popping from age and disuse. The second the cover is lifted I feel a sigh in the air, as if the magic inside has been holding its breath for someone to use it again. I run my finger across the front page. It has dark smudges covering it entirely. When I pull my bloodied finger away a bright red streak stands out among the rest and my finger is healed.

I jump when someone squeals, “This is so cool.”

“Summer, shut up. You just broke her concentration.” Janie whisper shouts.

“Oops, sorry, Lee.” Summer whispers.

I ignore them both, flipping slowly through each page. I look over each page, skimming over the words.

“Why is it all in gibberish?” Summer asks.

I glance up, surprised to see her so close to me. I hadn’t even noticed her move.

“It’s not gibberish. It’s latin.” I whisper, my attention back on my moms grimoire.

“How are you supposed to read latin? It’s a dead language.” Michael speaks.

Distractedly, I shake my head, replying, “It’s not. I speak it.”

I lift another page. The material is heavier than normal paper and I wonder what it’s made of. I reach a page in the middle of the book, one that seems familiar. I smile as I read the spell, realizing it’s the one to change hair color. I remember seeing it once with my mom. I begged her to let me use it but she said no.

I feel someone touch my elbow, “Lee, are you going to use it?”

Looking at Janie I say, “I’m not sure it’ll work.”

“There’s only one way to find out.” Janie states.

I’m not sure I want to find out. It’ll change things if I can, but if I don’t even try I’m just avoiding the inevitable. Not to mention what my mom would say. She’d probably whack me upside the head with the grimoire. My mind made up, I begin quickly flipping through the pages. Looking for a specific spell.

“We’re gonna see magic.” Janie sang.

“This is so exciting.” Summer squeals.

I found the page I was looking for, reading over the words. It’s not complicated but the book says it takes inner power. Well, I'm set if that means slightly powerful, untrained abilities.

“It’s only exciting if it works.” I mumble.

I turn on my heel and hand the book to Lucifer.

“Hold it open.” I tell him.

Lucifer nods, as I take a few steps back. Everyone on either side of Lucifer takes several paces back. The pack members standing close to the door back up as well. It would have been comical if I wasn’t so nervous. I look into Lucifer’s face to see only trust. He nods, telling me it’s okay. I smile back before looking back at the book. I repeat the words in my mind several times, trying to remember them. I hold my hands in front of me, palms flat and together as the tips of my fingers point at the book.

I take a deep breath, and begin, “Dolor magnus et tardus ad sanandum. Per manus meas lucet potestas. Ubicumque tetigerit, dolor finietur”

I wait but nothing happens. I huff and say it again but it doesn’t work. Why won’t it work? What was it mom said about spells? I close my eyes, trying to remember. I begin to lose hope until my mother’s voice echoes through my mind. The power to cast comes from within. I open my eyes, looking around, wondering if anyone else heard it. They’re all just staring at me.

Closing my eyes again, I take deep breaths. I imagine what it feels like when I use my abilities. How it fills me and makes my hands tingle. I try to grab ahold of that feeling.

“Dolor magnus et tardus ad sanandum

Per manus meas lucet potestas

Ubicumque tetigerit, dolor finietur”

I say it three times, and this time I feel a tingle in my hands. I open my eyes as someone gasps. My hands are glowing, a white, iridescent light coming from beneath my skin. I have a moment of panic as I don’t know what to do until I remember what the spell says. I separate my hands slowly, afraid it’ll disappear if I do. I smile as I realize the glow isn’t going away. I place my hand over my cheek and lip while I put my other hand under my shirt, over my ribs.

I feel a surge of power through my wounds. The light slowly fades from my hands and I drop my hands. Did it work? Janie gasps before squealing as she jumps up and down. I’ll take that as a yes. I take a deep breath and don’t feel any pain.

“You did it!” Janie yells.

She runs over to me and pulls me into a hug. Summer squeals and joins the hug. I laugh as I hug them back.

“I told you you could do it.” Janie says as she pulls away.

Summer pulls away as well, saying, “I didn’t but I would have if I knew you were trying to do it.”

I laugh, saying, “I appreciate it all the same. I can’t believe it worked.”

“Of course it did. You’re crazy powerful.” Janie spoke.

I reply, “I don’t know about that. I’m just relieved to know I can do it at all.”

“You can, which is why you should do another one.” Summer added.

Janie and I laugh before I say, “Okay, but let's head upstairs.”

I walk between them as they both chat excitedly about what spell they want me to try next. I take the grimoire from Lucifer, who had closed it. I hold it close to my chest as I look up at my mate. He smiles and lifts his hand to rub his thumb along my bottom lip.

“So, you’re all healed?” Lucifer asks.

I grab his hand and begin to pull him out of the room. Summer and Janie walk ahead of us with their mates.

“Yep,” I say popping the p.

“Even here?” Lucifer asks, wrapping his arm around my middle.

I nod, “Even there.”

“Good. I didn’t like you being hurt.” Lucifer replies.

“I’m great now. Thanks to my spell.” I add.

Lucifer looks down at me, asking, “How do you feel?”

“It’s strange. I’ve never used magic like that before but I feel this need to do it again. I feel like I do if I don’t train for a few days, all jumpy and filled with energy.” I tell him.

Lucifer smiles down at me, saying, “Maybe you’ll feel calmer once you do more spells. I think Summer wants you to do all of them.”

I laugh, “I don’t think I know how.”

“You’ll figure it out.” Lucifer begins before stopping me from entering the room the others just walked into. He lets the door close before continuing, “Leila, what you just did was amazing. I’ve only ever seen the High Priestess use her magic to protect my pack. What you did was like warmth and light. I know it’s not just you, that all witches can cast spells like that but, you really are remarkable.”

I look down, trying to hide my smile, “You’re sweet but that’s not true.”

I feel Lucifer’s finger against my chin and he lifts my head to look him in the eyes. His eyes dart across my face before staring into my own as if he’s searching for something.

“I wish you could see yourself as I see you.” Lucifer whispers.

I avert my eyes, whispering, “I don’t understand.”

Lucifer smiles slightly, saying, “We should head in there before Summer drags you in.”

I look up at him, seeing determination shining in his blue eyes. I smile as we enter the room, wondering what he’s determined to do.