Careless Magic book 1

Chapter 15

I exited my tent, energy buzzing and a little nervous, but ready for my walk with Kiran through the woods. I noticed that Talbott and Lilly were standing close together at the edge of the forest, whispering to each other and giggling. Apparently it was a double date.

I exhaled and realized I had been holding my breath. Kiran waited for me by the fire and I joined him, following the 'love birds' into the dark woods. Hello "scene from very scary movie."

I stumbled my way around, unable to see anything through the crowded trees. The night was cloudy, but the high canopy of branches would block out any light from the stars or moon anyways. I stayed close to Lilly, grabbing on to her for support every once in a while. She didn't seem to have any problem making her way in the dark; in fact, none of them did. I was the only one staggering around blindly.

I had always scared easily and so this scenario without a doubt had me terrified. Every little noise, every little break of a twig and I was nearly jumping out of my skin. I couldn't remember why I had thought this was such a good idea. An owl hooted nearby and I let out a tiny scream.

"Calm down Eden, I was only kidding when I told you there were bears out here," Kiran sounded slightly exasperated and I couldn't blame him. I was pathetic.

"I know.... I'm fine," I tried to sound confident, but my voice wavered.

"There's nothing to worry about," Kiran walked from the other side of Talbott and Lilly to be next to me, and put his hand on my arm, steadying me. "I won't let anything happen to you," he leaned in to whisper, but I could hear the sarcasm in his voice.

"Thank you, but I am just fine," I ripped my arm out of his hand a little too dramatically.

"All right, suit yourself," he didn't attempt to touch me again, but he didn't leave my side either.

We wandered silently through the dense wilderness. The night was very still, even the animals and insects had seemed to quiet down. The sky was overcast, but every once in a while the moon would break through the clouds and shine down an eerie glow around us.

I began to relax after my eyes had adjusted and I could see where I was going a little better. Lilly and Talbott had managed to walk ahead of us; I could hear them talking quietly. I smiled at how relaxed Lilly was around Talbott; they seemed to be really good for each other. I thought Lilly might even have made Talbott relax a little as well.

"I think he would leave me for her," Kiran said softly.

"I didn't realize you two were a couple," I smirked, satisfied with my insult.

"Oh, you think that's funny do you?" Kiran laughed out loud and then reached over to tickle me. I stumbled in the dark, trying to get away from him but tripped. Electricity began to steadily hum underneath my skin as I took Kiran down with me, falling to the ground.

He sat up and shoved my shoulder gently with the palm of his hand. I could tell he was getting ready to say something but suddenly I felt a surge of electricity that I could barely control. I slammed my hand over his mouth, every one of my muscles on edge.

We had been walking for a while, maybe thirty minutes and we were pretty far from camp. We had come to a dead end of sorts as our path was blocked by a tall cliff and wall of boulders. We would have had to change directions to continue on our walk.

The energy abruptly surging through my blood warned me that we were not alone. I hesitated, wondering if maybe Seraphina or one of her minions followed us, but I usually could recognize the level of electricity brought on by another Kingsley student. The pulsing energy I felt now alarmed me of a greater danger.