Wicked Magic by Margot de Klerk

Author:Margot de Klerk
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Young adult; Fantasy; New Adult; Urban Fantasy; Paranormal
Publisher: Margot de Klerk
Published: 2021-09-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

NATHAN CLOSED THE FRONT door gingerly, shivering in the brisk wind which had come up. Silently, he crept around the side of the house and let himself into the garage.

It wasn’t that excursions to the garage needed to be kept secret; it was that his parents were still around, and that after their argument four days ago, they were sticking their noses into his business more than ever.

The garage was cold. Nathan flicked on the lights and the electric heater and settled himself at Uncle Jeff’s workbench. His latest amulet was still where he’d left it, almost complete. He only had one rune left to add, and then it would be finished and ready for testing.

Not one of them had worked yet, but seeing as hunting was becoming an increasingly distant career option, Nathan was determined not to give up on warding.

Flicking on the lighter, he lit the seven candles arranged around the workspace and carefully checked the chalk circle which Aunt Anna had helped him design. It channelled magic from the environment and the elements into the amulet, which Nathan placed in the centre of the circle. Seven runes, each on their own little tablet, made up his protective sequence. Of those, he’d finished six. Now, clearing the others from his workspace, Nathan set into carving the seventh. This one was brindaz, to burn. Aunt Anna thought he might have better luck with fire amulets.

Once the rune was carved, Nathan sanded the wood and set the tablet in the middle of the circle. Picking up a piece of chalk, he closed the front edge of the circle, and then he focused his energy.

There wasn’t really a formula for this part. All Nathan had to do was concentrate on his intention and soak the tablet in a mixture designed to allow it to absorb magic. Simple in theory; in practice, he was soon sweating and his mind kept wandering.

Would it work?

Probably not.

Was this really worth the amount of time he was putting into it?

What would Dad think of this hobby?

Was the amulet starting to glow? Please let it be starting to glow.

SLAM!

Nathan’s focus shattered as the house door fell shut. That was Dad; he couldn’t seem to come and go quietly. Voices filtered down to him a moment later.

“…seems to get more complicated by the day,” Dad complained.

“Antonius was hinting that he thinks it’s one of us,” Uncle Jeff replied.

Nathan froze, hardly daring to breathe.

“I certainly hope not,” Dad said. “That’ll be a mess.”

“If it gets back to the witches…”

“Dark magic is dark magic,” Dad said. “The kill was probably justified.”

“If every one of our hunters went off on their own whenever they saw a dark mage, half the witches in town would be dead and we’d have anarchy on our hands,” Uncle Jeff complained. “The treaty only works because we all keep our people in line.”

“I know. What’s their evidence?”

“Looks like it was done with a spirit knife.”

A chill ran down Nathan’s spine. Outside, his father made a noise of surprise.

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