TELL ME THE TRUTH

Chapter Seven

Jeanne Saunier

2013

 "Sorry, Jeanne," Ryan murmured.

Francesca snapped her fingers and the room lit up again. She then set about exploring the old library.

"What just happened?" I questioned, looking up at Ryan worriedly.

"Your magic. Don't worry, it happens to everyone. You've just gotta learn control."

He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear before brushing his knuckles across my face. My knees turned to Jell-O.

"Stop touching me, Ryan," I whispered.

Ryan winked at me.

"Do either of you know what Antoinette was working on?" Francesca asked, scanning over the books on one of the tables.

"No," I responded.

She nodded. "Liber ex Inferis is on the lectern. On the shelf under it is the other books you need to read. Ryan's your teacher, which is weird. I mean, usually your Guardian teaches you, but maybe it's different 'cause I'm a halfsie. Or maybe it's some kinda fate or some such. I dunno."

"Wait, you're my Guardian?"

"Yep. Well, I gotta go. Love ya, girl." With that, she snapped her fingers and disappeared in that strange green mist again.

"How'd she do that?"

"It's something we can all do. Most of us like portal travel better because it's safer and easier."

"Can I try?"

Ryan nodded, a smile on his face.

"Wait, shoot, how do I open a portal again?"

He started laughing hysterically for a long few minutes before he spoke. "Conspecto. And then wherever you're goin'."

"Conspecto. Upstairs."

Nothing happened.

"You need to draw out your power first, Jeanne."

"I knew that."

He arched a brow. "Search within yourself for your magic. You may need to think of something that makes you feel something strongly at first."

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, instinctively focusing on the blackness behind my eyelids. As I fell deeper into the void, a writhing ball of green enchantment flared to life behind my eyelids. I concentrated on that enchantment, drawing it out through my skin. When I opened my eyes, the markings on my forearm were glowing a vibrant green.

"Good. Now use the incantation."

"Conspecto. Upstairs," I said while holding my hand out in front of me.

Similar to when Ryan opened the portal earlier, a green sphere of magic left my hand, brightening and growing until an oval shaped portal was before us. "That's not where I wanted to go," I grumbled. Instead of being on the upper level of the old library, the portal peeked into the back room of the Shoppe.

Papa peered through the shimmery mist, a smile on his weathered face. "I see you've found your powers," he remarked.

"You know about this stuff?"

He chuckled softly. "Your mother told me years ago, Jeanne Eva. It's good to see you, Ryan. How's your mother?"

"Nice to see you, Mr. Saunier, Mom is doing well. I'll tell her you asked."