The Moonstone (Enchantment Book 1) (14 page)

"Pleased to meet you, I'm Zach, human adopted by an enchanter and happy to be here. And you?"

"Lou Mills, enchanter adopted by humans and completely confused."

"Don't worry about it, you'll probably find all the answers to your questions here."

He answers as if he knows exactly why I've come.

"What else do you know about me?" I ask.

"You were adopted at the orphanage and you just discovered your powers. Nobody knows who your biological parents were and Charles discovered you by chance. That's pretty well it, I would say. I’ll be your humble guide during the next two next weeks, if you like. I imagine it will be good to have someone with you who knows a little bit about where you've come from."

"It's a deal if you can stop with the sarcasm!"

He laughs out loud, offering me a blindingly white smile.

"Tell me, Zach, are there other humans living among the enchanters?"

"No, in fact, I’m the only one. Bethany had to go in front of the Council and I had to visit a sorceress who cast a non-divulging spell on me, which means I could never reveal the location of this place, or even talk about what I know of the enchanters’ world to any human being. That way, they can be sure I’ll keep their precious secrets. Anyways, for them, I'm nothing more than a pet, a simple lap dog to be trained...I hate the Council."

"I heard a little bit about them... Lord Black?"

"Lord Black is a dark and pretentious character. I hope you don't meet him tonight."

"Tonight?"

"The ball, it's at his Manor House. As Lord Black is the one who finances the Academy, it's traditional for the opening ball to be held at his place. But you probably won't run into him, he detests crowds and evening soirees."

The simple idea of finding myself near him chills my blood.

"Are you coming?" I ask, crossing my fingers, "I wouldn't want to be the only black sheep among the rest of the lambs."

"No, certainly not. I'm not invited to those events. Anyway, I have to prepare the combat equipment. I'm the one who gives the course and tomorrow morning I have to give my introduction to the students."

"You, you teach courses to enchanters?"

"An enchanter’s only advantage is his or her gift. When it comes to hand to hand combat, they’re at the same level as any other human beings. Once I figured that out, I signed up for any type of martial arts course I could find. That way, there was a little less distance between me and the other superheroes surrounding me. And the more indispensable I become, the less chance there is for them to abandon me."

In that final statement, I can see the sadness creep into his face, sadness that I recognize because it's also haunted me my whole life. The fear of being abandoned is probably familiar to anyone who has experienced rejection or the loss of his or her biological parents. My pain was thankfully eased yesterday when I found out why my mother offered me up for adoption.

"Hey, Zach, can you tell me where can I find some sweets? I'm starving."

"So, the lady is hungry, then. You got used to that part of your life pretty quickly, didn't you? Living off candies, lucky duck. I was blown away by it the first couple of days I was here, but my body quickly reminded me that I couldn't survive on candy alone. Lucky for me they also have normal food around here; it's kind of the opposite of the human world. To add some variety to their diet, they eat a steak or a hot dog for the same reason you ate dessert before. Come here, let me show you your own personal stash."

He walks over to a closet filled with shelves, each one loaded with all my favorite treats.

"Charles contacted us this afternoon to tell us what you like best. He figures that it’ll help with your integration, was he right?"

"Oh, my...yes," I say, grabbing a handful of caramels.

Zach helps himself to a handful and returns to sit on the edge of my bed, throwing the plastic wrappers willy-nilly around him.

"Hey, someone is obviously feeling pretty at home here! Your help will certainly be appreciated, but that doesn't mean you can do whatever you want."

He jumps up, walks quickly over to me and puts his face a couple of inches from mine.

"Really?"

His self-assurance is completely unnerving.

"I saw the way you were looking at me earlier. I think you’re lying and you actually do want me to do whatever I want. Am I right?"

I push him away to reassert my personal space and to regain control of my spirit. I stand up, trying to project an aura of self-confidence.

"I was admiring your precision carving of the shrub and not your precisely carved rear end."

Operation Sure Of Myself: total failure.

Why did I say that?!

"Oh, so my rear end is precisely carved, is it? Don't say another word, you got yourself into this mess, my dear Lou. You have no idea what kind of trouble you're in."

He gets up and walks around me slowly.

"You and I, it won't work. Don't get any ideas, I refuse to get myself banished and transformed into a hideous witch all for a holiday infatuation. I've already been warned that enchanter-human fraternization is an absolute no-no."

For a fraction of a second I think I see him sulking, then his impeccable smile returns to its usual place on his beautiful face.

"So, infatuated with me, Miss Mills? I'm teasing, anyway, what do I care about enchanters, especially a little mutant like you?" he says, bursting out laughing.

I push him away and answer him back:

"A mutant, me?! No way, there’s no way I have the hots for you, you're way too arrogant for me!"

"Oh, so to top it all off, little miss is touchy! Ok, then, tell me, what’s your gift?"

He takes a fistful of caramel corn and sits down on the floor, leaning against the bed. He looks like a little boy waiting to be told a story and I feel like I want to tell him a thousand and one of them. Instead, I decide to practice one of my gifts on him.

I imagine that the popcorn tastes horrible, a mix of freshly caught fish and rotten eggs.

"So, is the popcorn good?"

"Yeah, it's delic... ugh!" and with that he spits it out onto the Persian rug.

"Oh, so it’s persuasion, is it? So...you must be Ether. Just like Bethany, incredible! Please tell me that your major gift is not manipulation. I don't want you to use your gift to take advantage of me and use my body against my will," he says, lifting the corner of his shirt to reveal a corner of his perfectly sculpted abs.

"No, no, I can control time."

"Wow, that's handy! You’re the first person I've met with that gift. Show me your amulet."

I take my amulet out from under my dress and present it to him in the palm of my hand.

"Super, it's gorgeous! I didn't want to be the only one without a necklace, so I sculpted myself one out of soapstone in the shape of a little sword. It was my way of trying to fit in, if you know what I mean."

Zach is very charming, one minute sarcastic and the next completely vulnerable. I feel that between getting to know him and Flicka, my time at the Academy will never be boring. He runs his hand along the chain around my neck, sliding it down to the stone and giving me a shiver that goes from my head to my feet. He lifts his head and stares at me deep in the eyes when suddenly the door opens with a bang. We both jump and turn to see Flicka at the door, her arms laden with shopping bags.

"What's going on here? Zach, don't you cause problems for my friend with your incredible good looks. I don't want her to end up with the Council on her back. Go on, get out, go cut your little trees, we have serious business to get to now!"

She puts down, or rather drops all her gear onto the floor and takes Zach by the arm, escorting him out of the room. She then closes the door on his nose. All I can see of Zach as the door closes is his wide-opened mouth. I can't help but laugh out loud because I’m starting to really love the girl.

"You can laugh all you want, but there’s nothing more serious than the rule about enchanter-human interactions. You can have him as a friend, but don't get caught in his net. Last year one candidate admitted to having feelings for him and they sent her the whole way across the country to another Academy. Nothing happened between them. Zach is mostly all talk, and no action. He would never let Bethany down, but I don't want you to get expelled. Not now that I know you. I also don't want you to get yourself banished and have you turned into an old witch because then any dress I choose for you will turn into an old rag. No, no way that's going to happen. I have tons of ideas for your look, and for tonight, I found the most gorgeous dress, you are going to make a grand entrance!"

She claps her hands as if to pat herself on the back and spreads out a host of articles on my bed: jewelry, makeup, and a dress...an in-cre-di-ble dress!

"It's stunning, I've never seen a more beautiful dress. But don’t you think it’s a little over the top?”

"No, tonight's theme is winter. Our people adore pageantry, parties and other types of events. We take them seriously. Go on, put on the dress and the shoes."

"What shoes?" I say to her, gently picking up the dress.

"These ones. You can't see them because they’re a special creation; they're invisible. It's really incredible; they give the impression that you're floating on a cloud. But don't lose them because they cost me a small fortune. It's a good thing we wear the same size shoe."

I try my best to pick up the shoes, but it's such a strange sensation to have my hands full without being able to see a thing. I slip on the dress and the shoes and walk over to the gigantic mirror bordered with large moldings. The outfit is very form fitting on top, tying at the neckline and dropping drastically as the colors change from white to silvery gray in what look like big silver sequins. The outfit, along with my floating feet, gives the impression of fresh winter air.

In a couple of minutes, Flicka has my hair and makeup done, sprinkling glitter here and there. To complete the look, she loans me her beautiful diamond encrusted earrings.

"They've been in my family for generations, and they've always brought me luck.  I want you to have them with you tonight."

"I can't accept these. What if I lose them!?"

"Don't be so ridiculous, you need them, end of story. I can't believe I won't be there when you make your entrance. I would pay to see everyone's face when they get a look at my creation," she says, pointing at me the way an artist does to his masterpiece.

"What do you mean, you won't be there? You can't do this to me! Not with my first exposure to all these people."

"I don't have a choice, Lou. I’m sure I told you, but I have a three-year-old little sister and I promised my Dad that I would sit with her tonight. He has a very important dinner to attend; he's getting a prize for a building that he built on an island in Bermuda. He and my mother are architects and they can't miss this thing. But, they did promise they would be home around 8 pm so I can go and meet up with you then."

"Oh, I understand, that's too bad. It's just that... maybe I can sit with you and your sister and we'll go there together later?"

"No, Lou, you have to be there, Bethany would never forgive you if you skipped it. She gave me a pass because my father is a respected man in the community, but she would never understand it if you weren't there. Don't worry about it, though, it'll all be fine. You'll make all the girls jealous because you’re drop-dead gorgeous. Promise me that you'll take note of all the reactions and tell me all the juicy details later, ok?"

I can't let her down, she worked so hard for me, or rather, on me, and after all, it’s my first ball and she’s right, my dress should give me confidence. A new life, a new start, and if everyone is as interesting as Flicka and Zach, I should be able to manage just fine.

"Ok, I asked one of our chauffeurs to come and get you in fifteen minutes, so be ready. The others are already there, there was an organized tour for those who came from far away and they had transportation arranged for them. I'll see you after eight o'clock, have fun and don't think too hard."

She leaves and abandons me to my own devices.

"Every rose is the prey of winter”

Djalāl al-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī

Walking while wearing invisible shoes is not as easy as it would seem. It's hard to imagine the distance between the bottom of the shoe and the ground when all you see is the top of your foot. I slowly make my way toward the entrance to the Academy, noticing that the receptionist is now gone. In fact, the place seems deserted, not a soul in sight. I spot a magnificent 1920s Cadillac parked outside the entrance of the building. The chauffeur, who looks more like a bodyguard, extends his arm to help me into the vehicle. From the look on his face and his grin, I assume he approves of my outfit. Either he approves, or he's laughing on the inside because Flicka went over the top. Maybe this is just an initiation prank and I’m ridiculously overdressed for the evening. Just as I’m thinking about opening the door to go and change, the chauffeur starts the car and drives away. Oh well, I'll have to go through with it now. He only drives a few streets away and then turns into a driveway paved in cobblestones and bordered by a tarnished copper fence. At the end of the path, an immense mansion that closely resembles a gothic cathedral rises up imposingly before us. The chauffeur parks the car at the entrance of the building and opens the door with one hand, guiding me with the other. He walks me to the main entrance and opens it, revealing a luminous hall.

"What is your name, miss?" he says, holding a slim piece of glass on which writing seems to be scrolling by. It looks strangely like a tablet but is somehow transparent.

"Lou Mills"

"Good! Come through this door then, the ball is going on in here."

He turns and exits the building, leaving me alone to face my destiny.

Once I step through the door, I won't be able to escape. I’ll have to face these people and my new reality.

I push on two glistening floor-to-ceiling doors and at that moment, all my senses tingle.  In the room are about one hundred people, all with outfits that are as elegant as mine. The air in the room is as cool as a winter breeze. The effect is probably created especially for the theme of the evening. The polished concrete floor and the windowpanes are encrusted with frost and a gentle white fog floats above the ground as if a blizzard were picking up. The room is dark; the walls are all wood paneled and painted black. On these walls, the windows are covered with translucent black draperies. These curtains float toward the inside of the room as if the cool air were pushing its way into the room in little gusts. The darkness of the room gives the impression that night has fallen, though it was still fully daylight when I came in.

An indescribable tune catches my ear, an enchanting music of a style I’ve never heard. It’s a mix of techno-pop and lyrical classic.

The room is impressive, probably because of the enormous black marble columns that disappear into a high vaulted ceiling from where gigantic lustrous crystals seem to float. Walking into the room, I notice a few faces turn toward me and a few murmurs are exchanged, but, for the most part, they seem to be so deep in the ambiance of the room that they don't notice my presence. Maybe it won't be so hard to fit in after all.

The fog on the floor and my invisible shoes create the illusion that I’m walking barefoot in a garden of clouds. I stop in the middle of the room to look at the people that surround me. All young men and women are smiling and swaying back and forth to the trance-like music. They’re all wearing white, blue or silver clothing, adding to the winter ambiance of the evening.

I look around and try to find Bethany, the only person that I know, but everyone looks the same given their pale outfits. While scanning the room for her, I notice something that captures my attention. At the back of the room is a staircase that rises into the darkness as if is leading nowhere. A small part of me is captivated by this mystery and if I were a little less self-conscious, I would go to see what was hiding at the top of those mysterious steps.

One of the waiters, dressed in a period outfit and wearing a white mask like in a masquerade ball pulls me out of my reverie by asking me if I want a cocktail. I turn and notice that all the servers are dressed like this. What strange uniforms!

"Care for a drink, miss?" he inquires, handing me the last glass from his clear glass platter.

I take the drink, not wanting to seem awkward; a little liquid courage certainly won't hurt. The cocktail is lilac colored, effervescent and a light mist is coming off it. I take it without question because everyone seems to be drinking the same thing. I say a quick "bottoms up" to no one in particular, and in doing so, baptize my new life. I smile at the irony of such a pathetic gesture and what I must look like to anyone watching. I stare at my glass for a couple of seconds and then down the whole thing in one shot.  The drink, with its liquid appearance, actually has the texture of jello in my mouth, thick and viscous. In an instant, it dissipates, like a bubble in bathwater. The taste is absolutely divine; each of my favorite flavors in the world in one mouthful. From violets to cotton candy and even my mother's brownies. It's almost as if this cocktail were created for me! Each last drop fills me with the happiness of having tasted perfection. I can't help but put my hands over my face to complete the sublime caress this liquid has provided for me.

After my sense of taste has been satiated, it’s my other senses that wake up. My vision adjusts to the dimness of the room and I can now make out every detail around me, right down to the blue earring of the girl at the other end of the ballroom. Everything is precise, but in slow motion, creating currents of light with each movement of my head. Have I been drugged? Whatever…honestly, it's a really cool sensation. All my senses are at their best and I feel alive. I only have one wish and that’s to let myself be rocked by this enveloping music and I immediately enter the throng. Me, the one who ordinarily avoids this type of place like the plague.

After a few songs and one or two more cocktails, I stop to admire the stunning staircase. My enhanced vision allows me to discern, at the top of the stairs, a black door. I bite my lip thinking about the dilemma that haunts me; should I risk it, or not? I stand there like a statue in the middle of the euphoria that surrounds me, obsessed with the idea of going and taking a peek up there.

"Come, Lou," says a little voice in my ear. I turn to look around me and see there is nobody nearby. How is that possible? Did I imagine it?

"Go up the stairs, you know you're dying to," insists the voice, this time, sounding as if it’s closer to me. I imagine I can even feel warm breath on my neck. Maybe it's my subconscious letting my inner demon take over and start telling me what to do. I muster up the courage and decide to go check it out, anyways, what more could happen? If someone catches me, I’ll say that I’m looking for the bathroom. I navigate my way through the partiers who bump against me at every turn, each of them seeming to be under the influence of the same purple potion. Once I finally reach the foot of the staircase I decide to go for it. The steps are of clear glass and there is no railing. Climbing is a dizzying business, but my heightened senses give me a better control over my body. Reaching the landing and the curious door, I turn to look at the ballroom and the party in full swing. Nobody seems to notice that I’m up here. Perfect!

The door itself is magnificent and has a carved inlay of a man battling a giant serpent. The precision and details of it are breathtaking and I can't help but touch the wood, outlining its reliefs with my fingers. As I put pressure on the door I hear a slight clicking sound and it opens slightly.

A sinister, whistling voice murmurs, "Enter".

I take a deep breath and push lightly on the door that gently opens, revealing a room that looks like it could be an explorer’s office, one with large bookshelves filling the space, each one holding many ancient books. A large desk occupies the center of the room behind which looms an immense leather chair and, on the wall, a television screen of the latest technology is projecting the goings-on in the ballroom. The room is obviously well insulated as not a sound from the frenzy below can be heard. An intimidating dead calm fills the room. On the walls, I see displayed what looks like a ghoulish museum; multiple stuffed animal heads and a few jars containing preserved snakes.

The owner of the office obviously has a fascination for reptiles. As the word owner flashes through my mind a sudden dread comes over me. This manor belongs to...Lord Black! And this office must certainly be his. What was I thinking coming up here?? What did I think I would find? My curiosity will eventually be the end of me. I need to go back downstairs before it's too late.

As I turn to leave the whistling voice fills the room.

"Stay."

The word is said with such authority that despite my terror, I'm rooted to the spot as if my body refuses to move on command.

"Tiny creature, don't move a muscle."

Finding it hard to breathe, I turn to look at the one who's addressing me, but the room is still empty.

"I'm not a small creature," I say, unsure of myself and completely shocked at my own daring.

"Oh, but of course, Lou Mills."

The voice is penetrating; it seems otherworldly. I don't even want to think about what the owner of the voice looks like.

"How...how do you know my name?"

"Shhhh…I'm the one who asks questions here. I’m the Academy's benefactor, don't you think that I make sure to find out on whom my money is being spent?"

I don't know how to answer this, so I choose to stay silent.

"I can feel your fear, you are so...fragile…so...human. I could break you into a million pieces, little thing."

His statement petrifies me.

"You brought me here to destroy me," I say, worried about his answer.

"Oh no! At least… not yet. I have no respect for humans and from what I know of you, you were raised by that vermin, which makes you the same as them in my eyes."

Fury replaces fear and I say:

"I don't care what you think of humans, or of me for that matter, but they aren't vermin. At the moment, they're all that I know, and if becoming an enchanter means having a heart of stone like yours, well, I prefer my human side."

Silence persists for a few moments, which to me, seem like an eternity.

"So, you’re hot-tempered too.  You’re definitely a strange creature. I warn you, Lou, here you’re in my world and I won’t tolerate your contamination of the others with your weak human emotions. Do we understand each other?"

His arrogance makes me want to leave the room without another word, but I think about Charles and all those who are counting on me, so I lower my eyes and murmur:

"Yes, Mr. Black."

Maybe he could sense the slight tone of sarcasm in my voice because his tone changes instantly and he whispers into my ear.

"Now, get out of here."

I didn’t need to be asked twice, I leave that very moment without looking back.

The door closes with a slam behind me as I leave. I walk back down the stairs as quickly as I can manage it. Never has anyone ever treated me like that in my life and I realize that his words have activated a sensation in me that has haunted me since my arrival here...rejection. Probably due to the sound of the door slamming, all eyes in the ballroom turn to look at me. I spot Bethany, who asks me where I'm going.

"I don't feel well, I'll see you tomorrow. I'm going back to my room now."

She shakes her head, crossing her arms. At the same moment a voice in my head says:

"Run! Run little rabbit. I love a good chase."

I exit the building and the now setting sun blinds me. Suddenly remembering that I got a ride here, I resign myself to walking back. At least, that way I'll be able to clear my head.

After a few steps, I spot a motorcycle that slows down and does quick sharp turn in the middle of the road. The driver takes off his helmet and I see a dazzling white smile...Zach!

"Miss Mills, didn't you enjoy your evening?" He beckons me over to him.

"I...I met Lord Black and...well, I didn't actually see him, but he spoke to me. I'm a little confused about everything now."

"Let me guess: he terrified you. I should have known. He hates humans and anything related to them. He's hated me with a passion since the first day I arrived and he did everything in his power to make sure that Bethany couldn't keep me. It seems he failed in that respect."

I shiver out of a combination of fear and the newly cool evening air. Zach gets off his motorcycle and puts his leather jacket over my shoulders. His scent is intoxicating and makes me feel comforted and reassured. He whispers in my ear:

"Let me tell you that you look incredible in that dress."

I smile and the voice in my head pipes up:

"Don't get too close to this human, Lou, you don't know what he's capable of. Ask your friend Gertrude for advice."

"Take me back to the Academy, please," I request, ignoring the voice in my head. So, he knows about my relationship with Gertrude. His research about me was more detailed that I suspected. Zach climbs onto his motorcycle and signals for me to get on behind him. I wonder how far his hold over me can reach? Can he read my thoughts all the time? Can he watch me? I hang on tight to Zach, the fresh air on my face, hoping that he can take me away from my worries.