Old Magic(95)

We go outside and walk around for a few minutes while we think about how to do this.

‘What about a spell?’ she asks.

‘My magic doesn’t work that way.’

‘Oh.’

Suddenly it hits me and I spin her around so that we’re standing face-to-face. ‘How much power do you want, Kate? What would make you happy?’

She starts thinking, and this one time I ignore her request never to read her mind-thoughts. She’s thinking about the weather and how she’s always wanted to be strong enough to manipulate it. But she doesn’t tell me this, she just shrugs.

It starts to rain, sprinkles, icy cold. I shiver, not used to this mountain weather yet, then realise it’s colder than rain ought to be, even for this time of year. Kate lifts her hands, palms up. ‘Jarrod, it’s sleeting.’ She shivers all over. ‘We’re going to freeze out here. Let’s go back inside.’

She goes to move but I stop her. ‘Just a minute.’

‘What? What is it?’

‘Close your eyes and think warm.’

She gives a little laugh, like she’s humouring me.

‘Concentrate,’ I tell her and start working my thoughts into her head, searching for remnants of Rhauk’s magic.

‘What are you doing?’ she squirms. ‘It’s ticklish.’

‘Keep your eyes closed and concentrate on something you really want. Go with your heart, Kate,’ I say softly.

She stops squirming and thinks about being warm. ‘More, reach deeper.’

Suddenly it stops snowing and the air grows warmer. So warm, in fact, I’m thinking of taking off my jumper.

Kate looks around us, her mouth open, her eyes staring widely. ‘What’s going on?’

I follow her stunned gaze. Everywhere is still snowing except here, directly over the two of us, like we’re standing inside a protective dome. ‘Thanks, Kate. This is great.’

‘Don’t thank me.’

I smile at her without saying a word.

‘What?’

‘I didn’t do this,’ I say.

‘Don’t be annoying, Jarrod.’ Her eyes suddenly squint, then I feel her – probing inside my head. I tell her with my thoughts that she’s the one that made the snow stop, and warmed the air around us.

With a sudden burst of comprehension she pulls out of my head with a loud gasp. ‘Oh, God!’ she whispers hoarsely. ‘I was in your head,’ she says in a rush. ‘You did things to me. You gave me powers.’

I shrug one shoulder. ‘I didn’t give you anything that wasn’t already there. I just put you in touch with the gifts you were born with.’

She grins and laughs and spins around. ‘Wow! This is fantastic. I made it warm.’

The crunch of tyres coming up the winding mountain road puts Kate into a spin. ‘The circle of warmth?’ she asks quickly.

‘You made it,’ I tell her. ‘You get rid of it.’

She nods and closes her eyes. In a second sleet starts driving through us again. Quickly we dive inside, finding warmth in Jillian’s shop.

It’s not long before the chimes sound customers. And of all people it has to be Tasha Daniels and Jessica Palmer. This time Ryan and Pecs are with them.

‘Hey, bro.’ Pecs sickeningly slaps my back. ‘How’s your pop? Heard he was in hospital.’

‘Better, thanks.’

Tasha slips her long fingers into the crook of my elbow. Jillian is nowhere to be seen and Kate starts disappearing into the background, instinctively searching for a quiet unnoticeable corner. I try to catch her eye, but she’s avoiding me. And even though I don’t invade her head I know exactly what she’s thinking. We’re back, quickly slipping into our usual routines. Everything we shared in that other time will be forgotten, as if it was only a dream. Tasha and her pals will come first in my life, over her, again.

‘You weren’t at school for two days,’ Tasha purrs. ‘I was starting to worry.’

‘Er, well, I’m fine, thanks.’

‘So, what are you doing here again?’ She throws a fleeting glance at Kate, but returns it quickly, dismissing Kate from her thoughts. ‘Are you picking out a costume?’

For a second she throws me. What is she talking about? Then I remember, Ryan’s fancy dress party – the event of the year, always held on the first day of winter. And that’s tomorrow. ‘Actually, I have my costume ready.’

Kate slinks further away as not one of these four snobs acknowledges she’s even in the room, yet they must have seen her when they came in.

‘What time will you be picking me up?’ Tasha commands.

I unhook myself from her solid grip, lunge right back and link fingers with Kate, tugging hard. Awkwardly, reluctantly, Kate lands in the middle of our circle. ‘I won’t be picking you up, Tasha.’