A Thousand Year Obsession ✔

21. Don't Execute A Faulty Plan

21. Don't Execute A Faulty Plan

Air toppled down my throat and into my lungs, brushing past my lips in soft caresses. My hands rose shakily towards the stone wall before me, my eyes fluttering closed momentarily. My breath fell out and then slipped back in, deep gulps of air crowding my tight chest.

Fear traveled in waves through my body, clenching every muscle, fogging every thought. It made it hard to concentrate, to relax.

I shifted again and breathed even more deeply, shoving away the stray doubts rather violently and attempting to force my body to relax.

I knew I only had one chance at this. One tiny mistake and it was over. I was done for. One little minuscule mishap and I would be stuck. Stuck for eternity in this gorgeous mansion. Stuck until I grew old and died with that monster.

My eyes flew open and I clenched and unclenched my fingers. I would do this. I had to.

A breath escaped me once more, and it was then that I felt it, the swirling twisting of energy so wishing to escape. I felt gentle pressure against my muscles, urging me to let it out, to set it free. My gaze narrowed on the wall before me and the trembling of my hands ceased. The magic made me stronger, it solidified my goals and made sure I kept through with them. The magic was my life force, it was my will. Without it, I would succumb entirely to the weaknesses of humanity.

Behind me the kitchen remained frozen, as if halted in time. Dim light scattered throughout the modern grey setup, shadowing the cupboards, sinks, and utilities. The fridge hummed patiently to the far right, creating a comforting break in the ugly silence resting in the corners of my mind. The gold rimmed clock ticked away restlessly to my left, counting down the seconds until I was caught, until I was stopped, until my one chance was ripped from my fingers, never to be seen again.

My jaw clenched. I only hoped Derek stayed in the library. If he went up to check on me, all of this would be for nothing.

My feet shifted a bit apart and I focused my thoughts back on the wall. My muscles relaxed and I fell into the familiar process of reigning in the magic. The crystal grew warm against my neck and a faint light emitted from its surface. A small smile appeared on my lips as my fingers itched to clasp around it and hold it tight. But I needed my hands for this magic and I knew the crystal wouldn't need to be held for it to work.

Then the familiar jolt shot through me and the wall before me burst outwards with a loud clash. The wood framing beneath the stone collapsed out onto the grass beyond the wall, littering the skies with dust and remains. I stared for a moment at the gaping hole in the wall, before lurching towards one of the cupboards as a loud crash sounded from above. I crawled into the cramped space and closed my eyes tightly, awaiting Derek as he surely thundered down the stairs to the kitchen.

"Morgana!" He shouted, his voice coated with worry and concern.

The kitchen door slammed open and I heard the heavy footsteps as Derek entered the kitchen quickly. He inhaled sharply, and shouted my name again, though this time his voice dripped with a venomous ferocity.

"Morgana!"

I shuddered inwardly but remained still and silent, waiting for him to make his way out of the hole, supposedly following after me. But instead I heard him begin to rummage around the kitchen, almost as if he were looking for something. I held my breath as he came closer to my cupboard but he halted just before it, muttering an exclamation of triumph.

"Aha!" His words were slightly muffled, but clear enough to make out. "Now where are you hiding, little locators potion."

My blood ran cold suddenly. Locators potion. He would find me. Fear tumbled through my stomach, twisting sharply around my chest. I hadn't prepared for this. It had never crossed my mind that he would use magic to find me. But of course he would. How could I have been so foolish?