UNDER HIS SPELL by Rachel Carrington Page B

was of little help.   But the scent of damp grass and rotting wood
guided her deeper into the forest.  
    As she walked, Emily talked to Skye, hoping somehow her sister could
miraculously hear her.  
    “Skye, I really need you to find me soon.   I have a lot to tell you and if you don’t
come for me, I’m afraid I might never find you.”   Her lower lip quivered, but Emily squared her
shoulders and forced herself to remain calm, in control.   Crying would serve no useful purpose.   She needed to keep her focus.  
    Feeling much older than her fourteen years, Emily trudged ahead,
checking the moon to make sure she was going in the proper direction.   It was another trick Skye had taught
her.   A witch relied upon the moon to
guide her way under the darkest of circumstances.   Emily had paid attention during that lesson
because astronomy had always fascinated her.  
    The trees thinned and as Emily walked into a clearing, her footsteps
became lighter.   Maybe she could do this,
after all.   Skye would be so proud of her
once she… was that just a growl she heard?
    Emily whirled around, but she was still alone.   Her breath stalled in her throat, she took
another step forward then another.   Then
stopped.   Eyes.   She saw eyes.   Golden.   Fierce.   Staring at her like she was… dinner.  
    The leaves rustled and as the large predator walked into view,
Emily’s knees knocked together.   A
panther.   She’d thought they were all
extinct.   She should have paid more
attention in school.   Should she play
dead?   Run?   Scream?   Try to fight him off?   She was
sure this wasn’t covered in any of her classes.   In fact, she knew jungle survival wasn’t anywhere in the
curriculum.  
    The panther growled low and hunkered down.   Emily gave a little giggle of fear.   “Nice kitty,” she whispered.   “I won’t really make much of a meal.   More of a snack and I’m sure your mother
doesn’t like you to eat between meals.   Why don’t I run along and I’ll send someone back?”
    The cat followed Emily’s ever move with its eyes before lunging to
its feet.   Emily closed her eyes and
prepared for the attack.   Then, her eyes
popped open.   The cat had disappeared and
the whisper of the wind was the only sound she heard.  
    Sinking to the ground, Emily curled her arms around her knees and
fought back the tears.   She couldn’t
believe the panther had left her alone.   Trust her to find the only vegetarian panther alive.  
    Then it struck her.   Emily
leaped to her feet.   The cloaking spell
had worked!   She was invisible.   That’s why the panther hadn’t attacked
her.   Jumping and bouncing, Emily hugged
herself and began to skip through the woods.  
    She’d find Skye if it was the last thing she did.   She just hoped she could do it before the
spell wore off.   Skye hadn’t told her how
long it would last.
     
    ***
     

Rane watched Skye’s movements, the agitation in her hands and the
way her shoulders shook.   She wouldn’t
admit her fear, at least not out loud, but he read it.   He read her.   The thought should have made him warier.   It didn’t.  
    He massaged her shoulders carefully and swept a look around the
table.   “I will take Skye back to her
room now.   She has much to think about.”
    Jaxon walked behind his brother.   “Please know that our assistance is yours should you require it.”
    Skye turned slightly and extended her hand formally.   “Thank you and I’m sorry I tried to kill
Rane.   I didn’t really try, though.”   She wrinkled her nose.   “I would never be a good criminal.   I get caught every time.”
    Rane slipped his hand to the small of her back.   “You should be glad that I caught you when
you broke into my home.”
    She frowned up at him.   “Why’s
that?”
    He touched the tip of her nose with one finger.   “Otherwise, you would not have had the
opportunity to get to know me.”
    Jaxon gave a groan.