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WE WERE HANGING OUT in the living room of my house. I sank into one of the velour armchairs, its fabric a deep teal that played off the brown tones of the hardwood floor. Agatha lounged on the windowsill, her yellow stare tracking Brad as he flopped onto the couch.
The chair hugged me like an old friend, but my stomach twisted. Brad’s presence always did that to me, a combo of attraction and nerves that left me feeling like I’d chugged one of Evie’s experimental potions.
“Your digs always feel like a hug, Sage.” Brad yawned, stretching out his long legs and crossing them at the ankles. His spiky brown hair was a deliberate mess, and his blue eyes were gleaming with mischief that matched his grin.
I shrugged with a smile, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear. “I could do with fewer hugs from the upholstery though.”
Honestly, I could use more hugs, period. But admitting that felt like inviting trouble. Or worse, pity.
“Speak for yourself, Sage.” Evie reclined on the love seat, her tone light and airy. She had a pixie-like quality to her, with short, choppy blonde hair and eyes that shone like sunshine on rippling water. Her laughter was infectious. “This is the most action I’ve gotten in weeks.”
Agatha snorted, a sound that was distinctly human and utterly incongruous coming from a feline. “Young witch, your taste in friends is as questionable as your taste in décor.”
My chest puffed with a hint of pride. Agatha’s barbs were how she showed affection. Usually.
“Hey now, Aggie,” I protested, using the nickname that I knew got under her fur. “You adore my taste because it’s as eclectic as your sass.”
“Is that what they’re calling hot messes these days?” Agatha huffed.
“Hot mess or not, these magical treats are really good.” Brad reached for a crystal bowl stuffed with shimmering confections. Each piece looked like a tiny, edible star, winking at us. “What flavor is this again?”
“Stardust and midnight blueberry,” I said, picking up one myself.
The treat dissolved on my tongue, a burst of sweetness followed by a cool tang that left trails of warmth down my throat. I savored the flavor, letting it distract me from the constant undercurrent of tension. Between Brad, the High Witch’s expectations, and the looming supernatural threats, sometimes I wished I could just dissolve like these treats.
Evie watched us with an amused glint in her eye before snagging her own piece. “Who needs a boyfriend when you’ve got treats like these?” she joked, her tone light with humor rather than lament.
“Or a girlfriend,” Brad added, raising an eyebrow in my direction. “Right, Sage?”
My heart skipped and jumped. Did he have to look at me like that? It made staying professional about a thousand times harder.
“Brad, if the High Witch heard you, we’d be turned into lawn ornaments.” I rolled my eyes. “And you know the Covenant of Veiled Boundaries has us blanching the line between ‘will they, won’t they’ until the end of time.”
“Ah, to be young and cursed with dramatic, forbidden love,” Agatha drawled, leaping gracefully down from the windowsill to inspect the snacks.
I sighed. “Could be worse. We could be starring in our own supernatural soap opera.”
As if my life wasn’t dramatic enough already. Between mentors, magic, and mayhem, some days I felt like I was living in a badly written TV show.
“Isn’t that exactly what we’re doing now?” Evie popped another magical berry into her mouth.
My lips curved upward. “But at least we have good company for the season finale.”
And wasn’t that the truth? Despite everything, I wouldn’t trade this motley crew for anything. Even if they did drive me up the wall sometimes.
Brad leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “I think we’ve got to talk about Councilman Voss. I heard he’s rallying more nutjobs for this supernatural uprising war.”
My stomach twisted like a pretzel. Voss. That name alone made my skin crawl faster than Agatha could lick an empty tuna can.
Evie nodded. “Voss and his groupies are a real buzzkill. If they get their way, Emberwick Crossing won’t be the same chill spot we know and love.”
My cat hissed with a flick of her tail. “That man is colder than a witch’s teat in a brass bra.”
“Agatha, when you were human, did bras even exist?” I teased, struggling to contain my laughter.
Agatha rolled her eyes, her whiskers twitching in amusement. “Shut it, young witch.”
“Right, sorry,” I said, though I wasn’t really. “Okay, so we all agree that Councilman Voss is bad news. If he kicks off this war, it’ll tear our community apart.”
The importance of our situation pressed down on me like a mountain of grimoires. I couldn’t shake the image of Emberwick Crossing torn apart, magic versus mortals. My parents would’ve known what to do. But they weren’t here, and it was up to me to step up.
“Let’s brainstorm some epic ways to foil his plan,” Brad suggested.
“An impromptu musical number at his next rally, perhaps?” Evie grinned, earning a snort from me.
“Because nothing says ‘stop the uprising’ like a flash mob.” I laughed. “Okay, so what about a love potion? Make him fall for a siren or something.” I looked at my friends, tapping a finger against my chin.
Evie deadpanned. “Sure, because that worked out so well for everyone in mythology.”
“Guys, come on.” I groaned, throwing my hands up in exasperation. “Let’s think of something that won’t backfire horribly.”
My thoughts whirled like a tornado in a trailer park. We needed a plan, something clever, something unexpected. But every idea felt as useful as a chocolate teapot.
“Maybe we don’t need spectacle,” Brad said thoughtfully. “We could just...expose him. You know, reveal his plans to the community.”
“Expose him with what? A magical PowerPoint presentation?” I shook my head. “We don’t have any proof.”
Brad sat up. “Better than a PowerPoint. We’ve got Sage, decorator extraordinaire and spell inventor. What if we design a trap he can’t resist walking into? Like when we bested that shadow demon thing.”
A burst of excitement swelled in my chest. This was it—a chance to use my unique skills for something bigger than feng shui and color schemes. I could almost hear my parents cheering me on.
I pursed my lips. “Interior design magic meets espionage. Huh. I can dig it.”
“Only if it involves zero singing,” Agatha added sternly.
I nodded, already imagining how we could use my skills to turn the tide on Voss. “But first, recon. I’ll grab my crystal ball—”
“Wait,” Brad interrupted, a grin spreading across his face. “Did we just agree on a plan without any sarcasm or detours?”
“Miracles do happen,” Evie said, raising her hands skyward.
The living room, with its mismatched throw pillows and a coffee table strewn with half-eaten magical confections, was momentarily still as I pushed myself off the plush armchair. “Mark the date. Now, let’s get to work before we jinx ourselves.”
As I moved to fetch my crystal ball, I felt a surge of both fortitude and anxiety buzzing through me like caffeinated bees. This was it, our chance to make a difference, to protect our home. And maybe prove that I was worthy of my parents’ legacy.
“Gotta see what Councilman Pyro is up to,” I said, invoking our pet name for Voss with a smirk.
The warlock gave me major creeper vibes, but we needed intel. No pain, no gain, right?
“Be careful, Sage.” Evie’s stare was framed with concern, her brow furrowing beneath her midnight black bangs.
“Always am.” I winked at her, though my heart hammered against my ribcage.
I slipped out of the room, the soft soles of my boots making no sound on the hardwood floor. The crystal ball was seated on its ornate pedestal in my bedroom, snug amongst various trinkets and talismans that reflected the moonlight filtering through the window. With both hands, I lifted the orb—cool and smooth to the touch—and felt the hum of dormant magic waiting to be awakened.
Back in the living room, I set the ball down before me, easing into a cross-legged position on the floor. My friends watched with anticipation and gravity etched on their faces.
I exhaled slowly, letting my fingers hover above the crystal’s surface before I said the incantation, “Reveal to us that which is hidden, show us the unseen.”
The orb sparked to life, a blur of colors churning within its depths. The room fell away, and there he was—Councilman Alden Voss, tall and imposing even within the confines of the crystal’s vision. His coal-black robes swept the ground as he paced, his followers clustered around him. He said something, and they all nodded in agreement, their expressions eager and twisted with the same fervor that lit Voss’ face—a chilling audaciousness to see their uprising come to fruition.
Goosebumps prickled my skin. Voss and his groupies looked about as friendly as a pack of hungry wolves. What were they plotting? Whatever it was, I had a feeling it’d be about as fun as a root canal.
“Check it out, guys.” I was transfixed by the scene unfolding within the orb.
“Who is that with him?” Brad leaned in closer, squinting at the female figure standing just behind Voss.
“Looks like he’s not alone,” I noted, my voice low.
The woman beside him was draped in shadows, her features obscured, yet the way she tilted her head towards him suggested an intimacy that went beyond mere conspiracy.
My brain went into overdrive. Who was this chick? Voss’s evil queen or just a pawn in his war? Either way, I suspected that she was a key player in this game.
“New girlfriend or partner in crime?” Evie tilted her head, her tone held curiosity.
Agatha’s tail was flicking back and forth. “Either way, it looks like more trouble.”
I was eyeing the mysterious woman. Who was she? How did she fit into this war? A romantic entanglement could complicate things, or it could be leverage if we figured out who she was.
“Should we be worried that Dark Lord Pyro has a new sidekick?” Brad joked, but his shoulders slumped.
“Only if she’s as fond of fire as he is,” I said.
My thoughts sprinted like a hamster on a wheel. If Miss Mystery was half as tyrannical as Voss, we’d be in for one hell of a fight. But maybe we could use her to our advantage. The enemy of my enemy and all that jazz.
“Let’s hope she’s just a fling,” Evie said.
What devious plans did Councilman Voss have, and how far would he go to see them realized?
I squinted at the hazy figures in my crystal ball, trying to make out the details like I was deciphering an abstract painting. Councilman Voss’s voice rang out clearly though, his usual smug tone unmistakable.
Great, another cryptic vision. Just what I needed to spice up my Tuesday night. At least Voss’ ego was coming through loud and clear, as subtle as a unicorn at a rodeo
Councilman Voss cleared his throat. “The Echoing Locket is the key to winning this war. Its power is substantial. With it, we could—”
The shadowed woman cut him off. “Shh! These walls have ears, Alden. And some of those ears might belong to snoops we are not aware of.” She glanced around furtively.
Voss scoffed. “Oh please, Eden. No one’s powerful enough to scry on me without my knowledge.”
I raised an eyebrow. Wanna bet, Councilman Cockypants?
My heart thumped against my ribs like a caged bird. If this jerk only knew how wrong he was. But hey, his overconfidence was my gain. Keep talking, you pompous windbag.
“The Schism left our world fractured. The Locket could restore the natural order... or give its wielder unrivaled power,” Voss said.
“And you think you’re the man for the job?” the woman asked skeptically. “Wasn’t it your ancestor who caused the Schism in the first place with his lust for power?”
“Sins of the father,” Voss said dismissively. “I’m my own man.”
Uh huh. And I’m the freakin’ Tooth Fairy.
I sighed. “Two power-hungry crazies trying to get their crusty hands on ultimate power. We gotta find that locket ASAP,” I said, my fingers drumming on the crystal ball like raindrops on a tin roof. “Before Voss finds it.”
My stomach churned like a washing machine on spin cycle. This was bad. Really bad. The kind of bad that made facing down a horde of zombies look like a walk in the park.
“Great. So now we’re on a treasure hunt?” Evie blew a strand of hair out of her face.
“More like a prevent-the-apocalypse kind of hunt,” I quipped, unable to suppress the sarcasm even as a wave of responsibility crashed over me. “We’ve got to get to that locket before he does.”
Brad leaned forward, his brow furrowed. “Hold up, Sage. We don’t even know what this Echoing Locket does.”
“Duh, it’s got ‘vast power.’ Weren’t you listening?” Agatha’s tail swished impatiently. “I say we swipe it and pawn it off. Mama needs a new scratching post.”
I shot her a look. “Not helping, Agatha.” Sometimes I wondered if Agatha’s transformation into a cat had scrambled her priorities along with her DNA. “Focus, kitty. World-ending crisis here.”
Evie twirled a strand of her cotton candy hair. “Maybe we should, like, tell the High Witch? This seems majorly above our pay grade.”
My stomach clenched like a fist. The thought of running to Ingrid made me feel like a little kid tattling to mommy. “No way. She’d just shut us out. We need to handle this ourselves.”
Ingrid might be powerful, but her trust issues were about as deep as the Mariana Trench.
“Sage...” Brad’s tone was gentle, but I could hear the exasperation underneath. “This isn’t some homework assignment. We’re talking about potentially devastating consequences.”
I stood up, pacing the room like a caged animal. “You think I don’t know that? That’s exactly why we can’t sit on our butts and do nothing.”
My palms were sweaty, knees weak, arms heavy. Okay, maybe I’d been listening to too much Eminem lately, but the sentiment still stood. We had to act, and fast.
Evie raised her hand timidly. “Um, quick question. What’s the Great Magical Schism?”
I paused, the realization hitting me like a ton of bricks. “Um, I don’t actually know.”
Well, that was embarrassing. Some savior of the magical world I was turning out to be. Couldn’t even explain the big bad history we were supposed to be preventing from happening.
Brad pinched the bridge of his nose. “Fantastic. So we’re chasing after an artifact we know nothing about, to prevent a schism we can’t explain. Solid plan, guys.”
“Look,” I said, my voice rising. “All I know is Voss wants it, which means it’s bad news. We have to at least try to find it first.”
Agatha yawned dramatically. “Well, count me out. I’ve got important cat business to attend to. Like napping.”
I glared at her. “Some familiar you are.”
I had the urge to cast a spell, maybe turn my cat into a slightly more helpful creature. Like a goldfish. Or a potted plant.
Agatha huffed. “Hey, I didn’t ask for this gig, Sage. Or to be reincarnated into a cat.”
Now I felt bad for being irritated with her. Poor Agatha, stuck in feline form like a genie trapped in a furry lamp. At least she got to keep her snark.
Evie stood up. “I’m in, Sage. We can at least do some research, right?”
I felt a surge of gratitude, like a balmy ray of sunshine breaking through dark clouds. “Thanks, Evie. Brad?”
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Fine. But if things get too dicey, we bail.”
I nodded, relief flooding over me. “We’ve got a magical community to save.”
“True. And what’s the worst that could happen?” Brad asked.
“End of the world. NBD,” I shot back.
Joking about the apocalypse felt like whistling past a graveyard, but humor was my shield against the fear gnawing at my insides.
“Okay, team, let’s strategize,” Evie said, her tone all business now. “Brad, you’re the muscle and tech guy. Sage obviously brings the magical firepower. And Agatha...well, she’s Agatha.”
Agatha ignored my best friend, licking a paw with feigned disinterest.
“Muscle, tech, and firepower,” I echoed. “Sounds like we’re ready for an epic quest—or a very strange rock band.”
A nervous laugh inched up in my throat. We were about as prepared for this as a snowman for summer vacation.
“Let’s not forget your snark, Sage. It’s definitely your most powerful weapon,” Evie teased, her grin infectious despite the gravity of the situation.
“Snark, sass, and spellcraft. Got it.” My palms were sweaty. I wiped them on my jeans, trying to shake off the jitters. This wasn’t just another magical mishap we could laugh off over coffee later. “Guys, this is serious,” I said after a moment, the humor fading. “Think about it. Voss could use it to control or destroy. We can’t let that happen.”
“Then we won’t,” Brad stated firmly, his usual levity gone. “We stick together. We always have.”
Evie bumped her fist against mine. “Team Weird saves the day, right?”
“Team Weird for the win,” I agreed.
My throat tightened. I wanted to believe it, but doubt crept in like shadows at twilight. Were we really ready for this?
“All right, it’s getting late,” Brad said with a glance at his watch. “We should probably call it a night and start fresh in the morning.”
Evie stood up and stretched. “Agreed. Besides, my brain’s fried. Can’t plot world saving strategies on a tired mind.”
Evie hugged me quickly. “Goodnight, Sage. We’ve got this. Sleep well, dream of magical victories.”
“Thanks, Evie. You, too.”
“Night.” Brad moved towards the door and then paused, turning back with a crooked grin. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do, Sage.”
My heart did a little flip-flop, like a fish out of water. A flock of butterflies took flight in my stomach, flapping their gossamer wings. Brad’s smiles always had that effect, even after all these years. The urge to reach out, to pull him close and never let go, crashed over me like a tidal wave.
Then I clenched my fists, fingernails digging into my palms. I pushed the feeling down, reminding myself that we were strictly in the friend zone now.
Ugh, thanks a lot, High Witch. Buzzkill.
I plastered on a grin. “Considering your threshold for wouldn’t do, that leaves our options wide open, don’t ya think?”
He winked at me. “Guess you’ll have to wait and see.” Brad stepped out into the crisp night air, the door clicking shut behind him with an air of finality.
I released a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. One of these days, that warlock was going to be the death of me, I swear. But what a way to go.
Sighing, I turned to Agatha, who was now sprawled across the armrest of the couch. “You think we’re up for this, cat?”
“Meow,” she replied nonchalantly.
“Your confidence is not reassuring.” My joke dripped with sarcasm, though fondness for my familiar warmed my heart.
I flopped down onto the couch, letting the silence envelop me. The Echoing Locket—a relic capable of unraveling the very fabric of our world if it fell into the wrong hands.
My thoughts churned like a cauldron of anxiety soup. This wasn’t just another magical mishap we could laugh off later. This hefty responsibility pushed down on me, heavy as a troll’s backside. I couldn’t help feeling that we were way out of our league, like a bunch of kids playing dress-up in their parents’ ceremonial robes.
“Let’s hope finding the locket isn’t just a wild goose chase or a wild warlock chase,” I said.
Signing, I glanced at the shimmering crystals hanging by my window, catching the moonlight and throwing rainbow specks of light across the room.
“Team Weird,” I murmured into the quiet. “We’ve faced weirder.”
But had we really? My thoughts sifted through our past adventures, each one seeming like child’s play compared to this. The locket could literally tear reality apart. And the fate of the magical world was hanging in the balance. I rubbed my temples, wishing I could summon some courage from thin air like one of my spells.