The Moonstone (Enchantment Book 1) (29 page)

"What did you do? What have you done to me?" I cry, still stuck to the damned table.

He turns and grabs a chair that he turns backwards and sits facing me, elbows leaning on the back of the chair.

"Have you ever lost anything? Something so important that you would do anything, absolutely anything, to get it back again?"

He looks out of the corner of his eye at the painting perched over the fireplace. Did he lose a portrait?

"No, and I would never do to someone else what you’re doing to me at this very moment. No matter what it was, I would never take away someone's freedom and act against their wishes. What did you do to me?" I’ve lost all patience and it's beginning to show in the tone of my voice.

He leans his head on his hands and hangs his head, breathing out loudly.

"Don't ask me what I did to you, but rather what I took away from you."

"Took away from me? What did you take away from me?"

He waits a few moments, obviously struggling with telling me the truth.

"Your liberty."

"My liberty? What does that mean? I'm going to be nailed to this table forever to serve your personal pleasure?"  I can't believe I just said that to him.

He jumps up and comes to lean on the table next to me.

"I’m not a domineering boyfriend playing games, Lou. You have something I need and that I’ve been seeking a long time. I took away the freedom for you to go far away from me."

I don't understand a word of what he’s saying. He was looking for me? He wants me to stay near him?

"Are you a kind of psychopath who wants to keep me prisoner here because of your obsession with me?"

I can see a look of amusement cross his face, but I'm totally serious.

"Oh, come on. Get off your pedestal. Do you think a man like me would be interested in a girl like you? Little mutant..."

If only I could cast a spell at this moment, I would. Of all the arrogance!

"Calm down little rabbit. I'll get to the point. I need the Emerald Tablet and until today I couldn't hope to cross paths with a Moonchild, but yet, here you are. You see...I wondered why I was so curious about you. There was something hypnotizing about you and yes, I was obsessed by you, but I couldn't quite put my finger on why I was so interested in a creature such as yourself. Then, this afternoon, when I saw you with your ball of ice, I knew. My curiosity in you was because of the difference I saw in you. In fact, all this is because you’re a Moonchild."

I can see a sparkle in his eye and can feel the fire in me starting to ebb. I don't know if I’m more disappointed by the fact that he used me, or the fact he admitted to being consumed by me, as I am by him, except that his was brushfire, quick and hot and now extinguished. There must be something wrong with me. Here I am, nailed to a table with God knows what kind of spell cast on me by a nutcase who has visions of world domination and I feel disappointed that he doesn't have feelings for me.

"Why do you need the Emerald Tablet?"

"I told you, I lost something and that’s the only solution to my problem."

"What did you lose?"

"That's none of your business."

"I beg to differ, I believe that it is my business. What kind of spell did you cast anyways? Will you be permanently in my head now?"

He returns to his chair and sits facing me.

"You won't be able to practice any magic without being within a hundred yards of me."

"Pardon?"

"You heard me."

He really is crazy. I don't ever want to be closer than a mile from him!

"No way!'

"I don't believe that you’ve a choice in the matter. Nobody can reverse this spell, but me."

"Ok, well fine. I'm going to go back to my life as a human, far from this insanity, so actually, you did me a favor."

After all, I was doing fine before all this happened.

"I believe, Lou, that you were looking to find out who you are and that's how you ended up among us. If you’re here, it's because you want to become a warrior. I presume that you need a team to find the Emerald Tablet, so don't try and make me believe that all you want to do is to return to your previous miserable existence."

He's right. I can't lose sight of my quest. I look away as I no longer want to see him, or talk to him.

"I need the Tablet for only one purpose, and when my wish has been fulfilled, I’ll return your freedom to you. From here on in, I’m your new professor. I already told Bethany and I used the excuse that you’re a great asset to the school and that I want to personally assure myself of your success. I promised to make a significant donation to the Academy in return for this privilege. I've sent my chauffeur to get your things."

"Get my things? What are you talking about?"

"For your room."

"My room? That's out of the question, I'm going to stay in my room at the Academy."

"This is non-negotiable. It would be too dangerous for you to go away from here without your powers."

"Who do you think I am and why do you think that you’ve the right to control me like this? I don't want to spend another minute in your company."

I think I hurt him...good.

"Listen, Lou. Look at this as a business proposition. I will help you become an exceptional magician and find the Emerald Tablet. I’m ready to give you everything you need and I’ll even sponsor your mission. In exchange, I’ll ask you for only one favor when you find the tablet and you’ll grant it to me."

"Why didn't you just ask for this favor, rather than tie me up and give me the whole serial killer routine?"

"I told you, Lou, don't trust anyone. I need to make sure you’ll respect your end of the bargain and now I have my guarantee. You won't have a choice but to have me with you when you find it because you’ll need to be able to use your gifts."

"You could’ve taken me at my word."

"An enchanter's promise is worth nothing to me, so imagine how I would feel trusting humans and half-humans."

"Incredible. From what I’ve seen so far, you have zero social skills."

"I don't need friends, Lou. Like you, I have a mission, such as it is. Nothing else matters to me. So, do we have a deal?"

"How can you even ask me that question? You put my feet to the fire and restrain me, but you still ask for my approval? I will say yes, but only because I’m forced to. On the other hand, I want your promise that you’ll respect your part of the bargain, that you’ll finance our project and that you’ll free me when the time comes. You also have to tell me why you need the Tablet."

He gets up, walks over to the fireplace and looks sadly at the portrait.

"A long time ago I lost my wife. It was because of a spell that the Gods meant to cast on me and now she’s in the Underworld, and I’m here. The only way to bring her back is to have some of their powers with the Emerald Tablet. I'm very sorry that I had to use you in this way."

I’m speechless. So there is a heart beneath all that arrogance. I can imagine how hard it must be for him to be powerless and thinking about her being stuck there and him still here. That must be why he seeks to prevent others from being in love...he's hurt. It certainly doesn't justify his behavior, but at least, it finally puts things in perspective.

"I'm very sorry..."

He turns back to me and looks at me briefly. I think I see some walls coming down as if I might now actually see the real him, but then his mask returns.

"I don't want your pity, so now that I've told you, will you make a deal with me?"

Even if his cold attitude and actions chill me to the bone, I can't refuse the favor he asks because that would be letting his wife continue to pay for his mistakes. A part of me died when he said those things to me. His heart is spoken for and he will never want to be mine. That explains the duality and coolness of his departure at our last meeting.

"If I can do it, then yes, I accept."

I can hear him exhale as if I just took the weight of the world off his shoulders.

He waves his hand and the candelabras free their hold on me. The objects return to their place on the table and I feel my magical gifts return to me. I conduct a little test and direct a small ball of energy towards the fireplace. That seems to amuse Black as if he were saying 'I told you so'.

"I’ll draw up a contract to reassure you. I have my guarantee, but if you would like yours..."

"No, I don't want one, surprising as that may seem to you."

I may be crazy, but he appears to be doing all this for the right reasons, so I can't see why I shouldn't take him at his word. I can sense his body stiffen slightly as if this is the first time anyone put their faith in him. It is so strange that a short conversation can put him in an entirely different light. I guess it's true that you should never judge a book by its cover.

"What should I say to the others when they see I don't have my powers?"

"Wherever you go, I go. I will never be far from you, a little like your shadow."

"Careful, Mr. Psycho, you're not going to follow me into the shower, now are you?"

In seconds, he has looked me up and down.

"And why not?"

I blush instantly.

"Don't worry little rabbit, while you are within 100 yards of me, all will be as usual. I don't want you to tell anyone about this. Nobody can find out about our little arrangement. First of all, nobody can know that you are a Moonchild. You think I'm crazy, you haven't seen crazy yet. Bethany is already starting to suspect, and believe me when I tell you that you don't want to be turned into a lap dog like your poor friend.

"And what exactly should I tell Zach? He's aware of my powers."

"I think he's in love with you, so use that knowledge. Just tell him the same thing you tell Bethany. He certainly won't be keen on the fact that you’re coming to live here, but tell him it’s your choice and you want to take advantage of my training sessions and my personal library."

Zach would never let me do that. I'll need to come up with a plan.

"And what about my combat training?"

“He can come here to give you the lessons.”

“Also, I have plans to meet Charles for supper on Sunday. He wants to see my progress. What should I tell him?"

"Tell him the same things you tell the others. Does he know that I saw you use your gifts? Did you tell Zach I was watching you?"

"Zach wasn't aware we were being watched and I won't tell him. But I did call Charles and tell him. I didn't know who else to talk to about it and I was worried when the two of you saw what happened."

"Ok, well don't tell Zach and as for Charles, tell him I want to finance your mission, but whatever you do, don't tell him about the spell I cast on you.

"Why not? Are you afraid he can find a way to undo your handiwork?"

"Lou, I’m the only person who can remove this spell. I just don't want him trying to convince you not to come stay with me."

           "Don't worry, I gave my word. Anyways, I don't have much of a choice, now       do I?"

He hesitates for a moment and then runs his fingers through his hair.

"Ok, well, do you want to see your room?"

"Uh, yes, I do. But Zach and I have plans to meet at midnight. He intends to talk to me about my gifts, and it's already eleven o'clock."

I can see he isn't pleased and he seems to be searching for his words. Finally, in an annoyed tone of voice, he answers me:

"I’ll bring you there and I’ll follow you. He won't see me, but I’ll give you a watch that shows the distance that separates us on it. It's vital that you respect this distance. Otherwise you won't be able to defend yourself should anything happen."

"You seem concerned for me, but you should have thought about that before casting a spell on me."

"As long as you stay close to me you’ll retain your powers, and what's more, I’ll always be nearby to protect you."

It's almost as if he’s trying to get back into my good graces. I can tell by his tone of voice he’s uncomfortable.

"Follow me and I’ll show you to your room, then I’ll bring you back to the Academy."

Black takes off towards the hall and goes up the stairs. On the landing, there are two doors.

"This is my room, and that one is yours."

I can't imagine sleeping only a few feet away from him.

"I'm sorry, I don't receive many visitors. Actually, I never receive visitors, so having more than two rooms has never been a necessity. I've converted my office into a room for you."

"You did all that today?"

He laughs, "Lou, enchanters have all sorts of quick construction methods, I'm sure you understand. Go in and take a look."

I open the door and find a room that looks like it could be from any one of the major hotel chains.

"I looked at a few hotel sites. I thought it might make you feel more at home."

Why is he trying so hard to make me feel comfortable here? He seems to think of me as this mediocre little being, so why does he try so hard to make me feel good? I go into the room and notice that all my personal effects have already been delivered. There is even a glass jar full of caramels on the side table.