Sirens Song

THREE

CHAPTER THREE
( MAGIC )

  THINGS HAVE BEEN FINE FOR A FEW DAYS. Alex has been reading up on mythology books about herself, she only knows so much. During school Cam approaches her.
"What are you reading?" He asks.
"A book about my creation," Alex answers without looking up.
Cam raises an eyebrow and sits next to her. "Why?"
Alex sighs. "I need to somehow access my full power, but," she closes the book and looks up, "I have no idea how."
"What are you exactly?"
Alex shrugs. "I'm not even sure. I'm a piece of stone that was brought to life so long ago. I'm extremely powerful and, in 8,000 years, I have yet to access my full power."
Cam furrows his brows. "What can you do now?"
"Well I can fight really well. I have ice powers, and water powers. I have claws and fangs. A tail." Alex shrugs. "I have magic. Practice it."
He thinks for a moment. "Can anyone practice magic?"
Alex hums. "Yeah. But, not to the extent I can, or natural witches. It's also not what you think it's like. It takes control and concentration. And you can't always do stuff by just snapping you fingers or saying a few words. It takes time for a spell to take place. It takes time for a potion to brew. For a human, it's harder."
"Could you maybe, teach me?"
Alex laughs. "Me? A teacher? No way. But," she raises a finger, "I can give you a couple books on the craft. Certain potions, spells, herbs, flowers, etc." She puts her book down and looks around to see if anyone can see them. She places her hand out and speaks. "Libro familias in maleficiis suis." An ancient book appears in her hand. She hands it to Cam. "Book of witchcraft." She sighs. "It was my mother's first book. When she first learned. I translated it to English using a spell."
Cam examines the book in his hands. He looks back up. "What was it originally written in?"
"It doesn't have a name. All the records of the language was destroyed. Her books after this one were Sumerian, Egyptian, Mycenaean Greek, old Chinese, Aramaic, Latin, Tamil, Sanskrit, and Arabic."
Cams eyes widen. "How many languages do you know?"
Alex shrugs. "All of them. I'm over 8,000 years old. English is not my first language."
"What was?"
"It was a spoken language, it wasn't written. I spoke multiple languages growing up. Mostly Egyptian, Hebrew, Greek, and Latin."
"Wow."
Alex points to the book. "Do you have any questions about the book?"
"Can you just tell me things I should know?"
"Sure. First of there are different types of ways to do magic. There are also different types of magic. When you start, you should center your magic on one thing. Start with an element. Like water, because you live by the beach. Or you could just learn nature magic. That's with all of the elements. It's harder, but if you want you could do that. Also spells can be said differently. You can use Latin like me, or you can speak backwards. I do that sometimes. There are Greek spells. Egyptian one's. Non verbal spells. It all really depends on the person. Kitchen magic is always helpful. It can help heal or improve moods. There are sections in the book." She points to the book. "As a child, my mother was very organized. She hated messes. As I got a little older that all changed. She stopped caring." Her voice becomes but a whisper. "I guess that happens when you become 30,000 years old." Unfortunately for Alex, Cam heard.
His eyes widen comedically. "30,000 years?!"
A shocked look quickly crosses Alex's face. "Yeah. My mother was almost 30,000 years old when she made me. She wanted a child." Alex frowns. "But, she got a weapon, instead." She stands quickly. "Good luck with the magic stuff. Call me if you have questions about it."
Cam nods dumbly as Alex leaves.
Zac sits next to Cam shortly after. "Dude, are you okay?"
Cam quickly snaps out of his trance. "Yeah, fine."
  Zac points to the book. "What's that?"
  Cam clears his throat and turns to Zac. "A book on magic. I think it'll be cool to learn. Alex said it'll be really hard, but, if I'm willing to put the work in, I could do it."
  Zac moves closer. "Cool. Let me see."
  Cam opens the book to see a hand written table of contents. "I don't know what I want to learn first. I kind of want to learn elemental magic." He flips the pages to the beginning of the elemental magic section. "It says the easiest way to start is to focus on trying to control each, than you can make it. Guess I'm gonna start doing that then." He closes the book to look at Zac.
  "I need to talk to Alex, actually. The mermaid council and my mother want to meet with her," Zac starts. "Do you know where she is?"
  Cam nods and points to his right. "She went that way. I think she was going to the computer room."
  Zac nods and stands. He thanks Cam and walks off to the computer room. Seeing Alex inside, he walks in.
  When he does, she looks up. "Whats up?"
  "The mermaid council wants to meet with you. Now."
  Alex stands. "Okay."

                 • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

  Alex, Mimmi, Zac, Serena, and Ondina swim to Mako to meet with the pod.
  The mermaid in the pod gawk at Alex's black tail.
  "Veridia," Alex greets.
  "Ms. Frost," Veridia acknowledges.
  "Alex, please." Alex turns to Narissa. "Narissa, I have heard a lot about you."
  Narissa chuckles nervously. "All good things I hope."
  Alex smiles softly, hoping to bring ease to the mermaids. "Nothing but." She turns back to Veridia, holding the soft smile. "You wanted to meet with me."
  Veridia nods. "We want to know why you are hear. I was under the impression that you were not allowed here."
  Alex's smile drops. "I am, my mother not so much. Though she is dead. She is no longer a threat, the hunters are."
  Veridia furrows her brow. "I have not heard of any hunters, who do you speak of?"
  "Although I haven't encountered this woman, my pack has. She is extremely dangerous. She want to wipe out every supernatural creature. Right now, she has a map of all the nematons. It won't be long before she realizes that Mako emits the same power." Alex sighs. "She also wants my power. I'm hear because I want to unlock my full power. I can fight her off better with my full power."
The mermaid council nods slowly. "We will allow you to stay and unlock you powers, just, do not wreak havoc here."
Alex smirks. "Wouldn't dream of it." She leaves quickly.
Veridia turns to Zac, Mimmi, Serena, and Ondina. "Keep an eye on her please."
Ondina nods. "Of course Veridia."