Aura

Chapter Seven

  Seraphina sat by the window, waiting for Louella to reappear at the door. Louella had opened it to find her awake, and promised to bring her soup and conversation once she had checked on Zoe and Rowan. Louella had quickly explained how the four of them had gotten there, and now Seraphina was gazing out the window at the wonder that was Crystal Islands.

  Seraphina was half-Crystallian, and half-Vuurn, but she had always been closer to her mother's side, and thus her heart always reserved a piece for the small island. Seraphina stared at the streets, picturing a young Pearl Windshadow running through the streets, picking up bits of the world to fuse together and make wands to sell.

  "You look just like your mother," remarked a voice behind her.

  Seraphina turned. Louella Grant was by the doorway, both hands holding a steaming bowl of soup.

  "I do?"

  She didn't know why she asked. Seraphina knew how much she resembled her mother. From the way their hair was dyed pink (Seraphina used to pointlessly argue hers was raspberry, and her mother's was bubblegum), to the way they dressed, to their smile and their tiny, elegant nose.

  Pearl Windshadow was a woman who was famous for many things. Besides being stunningly beautiful, she was also an excellent witch and the first Smetlar. Pearl excelled in many areas of being magical, but most of all, she was a wandmaker. When she walked down the streets, there were things that she heard that told her where she would find the things she would need.

  Seraphina Sullivan, on the other hand, was a woman who was famous for very few things. Besides being stunningly beautiful, she was also the last Smetlar, and the daughter of the first. Seraphina had many things about her that were remarkable, but she knew that she would always live with the shadow of her mother standing over her.

  Soon Seraphina was strolling the streets, and as her friends were resting in Louella's house, she was breathing in the sight of home. Seraphina didn't gaze upon the town like others who envied the Crystallians, Seraphina felt like she blended in. It was a long time since she had felt that way, and even at the old Purple Sip, she stood out too much to be able to feel like a part of the crowd.

  The buildings crowded the streets, fighting for a chance to be seen. It was not in the manner of the buildings at the town Seraphina used to work in, crowded and busy, but the buildings here waved and smiled, simply being warm and welcoming instead of beckoning and yelling. Street stalls lined the sidewalks, loaded with various colourful items. A river flowed through the town, and boats slowly drifted along the lanterns dropped in the water. The hubbub was only a background, and not drowning like Seraphina was used to.

  She was home.

  The sky was a brilliant blue, and it overlooked the town like a proud parent.

  Seraphina recalled a song her mother had sung to her when she was little, "The Lights Above". She had told her that it was every Crystallian's comfort song, and the tune she had grown up with ringing in her ears;

  "I am your sun, but you are my moon

  I know I will see you again soon

  We are lost, but the stars guide us on

  You'll find me by the river's swan

  Among the lanterns I see your love

  We are still united by the lights above."

  Seraphina hummed it to herself as she stood watching the river. Her mother had disappeared long ago, but now she knew Adar had killed her. It felt strange to know. She was grieving for her mother, but she had to know why Adar had done what he did.