Untold Secrets

Chapter 9

Magic Lessons

Since birth with Earth
Everywhere with Air
Higher than Fire
Deeper than Water
Elements are four
But which one is yours?

It's 20 minutes ride to Aunt Emi's house, in the woods. When I get there, I knock on the door but no one answers. I wait a few moments and just when I start getting worried, Aunt Emi's voice comes from behind me. "Here you are, honey."
I turn around and see her coming from the woods, wearing a long yellow dress. It reaches her ankles and she looks really beautiful in it. Her dark brown eyes look a lighter shade than usual and her red hair looks brighter.
"You look beautiful today, Aunt Emi"
She smiles. "It's one of my favourite dresses. The day a witch uses her powers for the first time is a special day. Today, you're going to find out which elements you are connected with. I've just made all the preparations"
I smile back. She cared enough to wear one of her favourite dresses on my special day. I'm glad she's doing all this for me.
"Thank you" and I mean it.
"But I'm just wearing a pair of jeans and a simple hoodie" Suddenly aware of looking really dull.
"Don't worry, sweetheart. You can borrow one of my dresses."
"Really? That would be awesome."
"Come on, let's go inside."
She takes me to her bedroom and shows me all the dresses she has. They are all beautiful, I don't know which one to choose. Then I see a beautiful light-grey dress. It's sleeveless and has a ribbon on the back. Aunt Emi notices me staring at it and says "That would look beautiful on you, it'll bring out the grey of your eyes."
I decide to wear it and after a few moments I'm ready. I look into the mirror, satisfied.
"You look so much like your mother." Aunt Emi smiles warmly.
Emotion clings to my throat. I have no memories of her but I've seen some photographs. She also had red hair, but her eyes were a light blue. I have my Dad's grey eyes. She was beautiful and always smiling in each photo.
"She was much prettier than me"
"Trust me, you didn't see her without make-up in the morning. She had a nest, instead of hair on her head."
We both start laughing. It's good to talk to her about Mom. Somehow, it keeps her memory alive.
"You want a coat, sweetheart? It's sunny but still chilly."
"Yes, please. I would take the white coat if you don't mind."
"Not at all, honey. Here you go." She hands me the coat and wears a brown coat before turning towards the door.
"Come on, now. Let's go and find out what your powers are."
Oh God. It's time.

We go into the woods. We walk till we reach a wonderful lake. It's not so big, neither deep from what I can see. It's surrounded by huge oak trees. This place has its own beauty. Simple, wild and magical. I can feel the nature here, it's so different from the city life I'm used to that I can't stop staring at it.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
"Yeah, it's stunning."
Aunt Emi starts going forward and I see there are some things on the ground. There is a big circle, made by what looks like a white chalk. Inside it, there's a bag. She goes towards it and opens it.
"Come over here, honey."
I step into the circle, unsure what to expect. My heart's beating fast, I'm nervous but also looking forward to know what my elements are.
She takes a book out of the bag and then explains me what we're going to do.
"There is a spell used to understand which elements you are connected to. This spell makes you think you are somewhere else, in danger and the elements you use to safe yourself are your elements. It'll use your darkest secrets and fears against you, but you have fight and resist. You have to overcome your fears. Don't worry, nothing that happens there is real and you'll just be sleeping actually."
My breath gets stuck in my throat. That didn't sound so good.
"Okay" I don't know what else to say.
"I'll be here the whole time. Just remember one thing, don't get out of the circle. No matter what stay inside it, okay ?"
I nod, not able to speak.
It's just another challenge, I can do it.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes." Trying to stay optimistic.
She opens her book and starts saying something in a strange language. I don't understand a word of it, but I feel the power of the spell. It washes over me and I start seeing black dots everywhere. What's happening?
And then a few seconds later, everything turns black.