School dragged all week, and although I could have taken time off, I wanted to retain some sort of normalcy. The evenings were spent inside Grandma’s office, chanting spells, learning to control and feel my magic, learning how to protect myself.
“Protection is the most important, Clara. Once you can protect and shield yourself, you’ll be able to spell your opponent. Now, try again.”
I was exhausted. “Can’t we do this tomorrow?”
“No, there isn’t time. Do you think he’s going to wait until you’re having a good day?”
I threw my hands into the air. “Okay, okay.”
Grandma nodded and mumbled her spell. My insides tightened as her magic struck. A binding spell. I knew this one. I had about ten seconds to stop it or I’d be paralysed. I pulled on my magic, visualizing it expanding, snapping the
