Free

Sky

I pull myself to my feet, bracing myself, and scan my surroundings, and my heart lurches as I see a shining marble podium behind me. And on top of it is something I'd recognise anywhere.

"A wand..." whispers Iris, sounding awed.

I turn to look at her, surprised. "You can see it?"

"I can too," Cressida takes a step towards the podium, fascinated. "Do you know how to use a wand, Sky?"

"Of course," I say, walking towards it too. "We learned in the fairy realm. It's a way of harnessing magic to make it more powerful- wands can cast really sophisticated magic. But... how come you two can see it? I thought we had to complete these tasks alone."

Sky.

I jump and look around. "Did you two hear that?"

Both Cressida and Iris shake their heads, looking apprehensive.

What are you waiting for? Pick it up. Cast a spell.

I hesitate, drawing nearer. The wand glitters invitingly in the sunlight, slender and handsome, swirling patterns carved into the ebony wood. I'd almost forgotten how much I'd missed using one- obviously none of the fairy leaders would dream of letting an unrestricted traitor run wild with a powerful weapon. 

I reach out, unable to stop myself, and pick up the wand. The handle is smooth and cool in my palm, beautifully familiar after all this time. Surely one spell couldn't hurt...

"Sky..." Iris watches me anxiously. "Don't listen to it... It's trying to trick you."

"It's fine, I promise," I assure her, twisting the wand around in my hand. "I could use one of these in my sleep."

I whirl the wand in a graceful arc above my head, leaving a trail of blue sparks. Three twittering bluebirds appear from the tip, circling my head then soaring into the sky out of sight. I watch them fly away, laughing in spite of myself. God, I'd forgotten how good it felt. The soft whistle as the wand whips through the air. The soft burning sensation at the end of my fingertips. The joy of watching your own artistry shimmer in the air, better and more beautiful than anyone else in the world can create.

Don't you miss having complete control?

I bite my lip, and the truth stirs in my mind. I never had complete control. Not really. Every spell was always more powerful than any hope I had of containing it.

The voice echoes in my head again. Well, you soon will have complete control over your powers. You'll soon be more powerful than you've ever been before. You will be able to achieve the success you've always wanted. Accomplish the feat you've wanted for years...

A smile springs involuntarily to my lips, then fades away as fast as it came. If I ever gain complete control. But I don't even know if there's a way to ensure it.

There's always a way, Sky.

I look down at the wand in my hand. Hope fills me, but once again it's quickly extinguished. How can a stupid voice in my head know what will happen in my future? How does it even know what I'm trying to achieve?

Allow yourself to hope, Sky. The voice insists. You are more powerful than any fairy you've ever met, remember? You can do anything you put your mind to.

"Sky?" Cressida says, more forcefully than Iris. "Don't let it into your head!"

But it's already too late, of course. I strive to think clearly. This voice is a test. Doesn't that make it my enemy? Is it trying to convince me to do the wrong thing?