The Girl Without Magic Read online

  An invisible barrier separated her from the flames, but the spell held none of the heat of the fire. As cool as the water of the lake, but letting the heat of the fire pass through it to warm the room.

  “Wow,” Maggie breathed.

  “The fire is safe for all of us,” Tammond said.

  Maggie turned to face him. His chest pressed into hers. He gazed down into her eyes.

  “It’s… beautiful.”

  Tammond smiled. “I have seen many beautiful things, but I had never thought to count the Fireside among them.”

  Giggles came from behind Tammond’s broad shoulders. The group in the Fireside had grown. Teenagers and adults alike stared at Tammond and Maggie by the fire.

  “Perhaps we should go.” Tammond’s voice was low. “There are other beautiful things to see in our village.”

  Maggie nodded, not trusting her voice, and followed Tammond out into the dark night.

  The night had grown cool with the breeze across the lake. Stars were reflected in the glassy surface of the water, and the moon gave depth to the mountains around them, casting their high peaks into silhouette. The roof of the Fireside had been raised up to block the light of the flames within. In the village no lights shone. No lamps peered through windows. No cooking fires crackled.

  “Is everyone asleep?” Maggie whispered.

  “Some are,” Tammond said. “The rest are either at the Fireside or enjoying the darkness.”

  A thrill shot through Maggie’s stomach as she wondered what enjoying the darkness might mean.

  “Don’t worry,” Tammond said, taking Maggie’s hand in his, “the stars and the moon will give us enough light to make our way through the village.”

  “I’m not worried.” Maggie pulled her eyes from Tammond to watch where she was stepping. “It’s just sad that you all have to hide in the dark.”

  “Only at night.” Tammond gave Maggie a shining smile. “And to be free from the Enlightened, to be able to teach and learn, it’s worth hiding our fires at night.”

  “Did you ever go out to teach?” Maggie asked. He had led her away from the Fireside to a walkway that skirted the very outside of the village. This walkway was longer and more solid than the others she had seen.

  “No,” Tammond said, a hint of bitterness creeping into his voice. “You aren’t to teach until you’ve reached twenty-one years. They won’t let me leave the lake until next year.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It is as it must be,” Tammond said. “Besides, my mother has told me many times I am too rebellious to be trusted in the outside world. I would be too likely to fight someone who opposed free teaching, and then where would we all be?”

  “Your mother gets to decide if you get to go?”

  “If your mother is Abeyla.”

  “Wait.” Maggie tugged on Tammond’s hand, forcing him to stop. “Abeyla is your mom?”

  “A fact the Wanderers will never let me forget.” Tammond grimaced. “It’s not easy being the son of your people’s savior.”

  Maggie opened her mouth to say something comforting and brilliant, but, “No, I guess it wouldn’t be,” was all that came out.

  The long path ended, and he led her up onto a high ramp. This one didn’t sway as they climbed it. It sat ten feet above the row of houses they had walked past.

  “Why the ramps?” Maggie asked, wishing there was a bit more light to see where she was stepping and trying not to picture herself falling through someone’s roof and into their bedroom.

  “To see above the village, hold the village steady when we travel.” Tammond sat on the ramp, drawing Maggie down to sit with him.

  “How does the village travel?” Maggie asked. Tammond’s arm brushed hers, and her stomach purred.

  “If you stay a little longer, perhaps you’ll see.”

  “Hmm.” Maggie didn’t trust herself to say words.

  “It must seem small here to you,” Tammond said, gazing at Maggie as though wanting to drink in every bit of her, “between your home and the Land Beneath.”

  Maggie clamped a hand over her mouth, trying hard not to laugh.

  Tammond raised an eyebrow and smiled at her.

  “I―” Maggie began, shoving aside the instinct that told her not to talk about anything that mattered, “I mostly grew up in a place about this size, but without the lake and mountains.”

  “At the Academy.” Tammond nodded, taking Maggie’s hand in his. “The school cared for you?”

  The warmth of his hand made Maggie shiver. The cool night air suddenly seemed too cold to bear. Tammond wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close to his side.

  “They didn’t.” Maggie searched for the words that would cause the least sympathy. “They didn’t really care for us. They fed us, taught us, and kept us alive, but that’s about it. We weren’t allowed to leave the grounds. I didn’t see the outside world for twelve years. Twelve years of gray walls.”

  “No wonder you decided to leave for the Land Beneath.” The rumble of Tammond’s words in his chest flowed into Maggie’s arm.

  “I didn’t decide,” Maggie said, fighting the images of blood and the scent of fire even thinking of the green mist brought flooding back to her. “There is a bad man; our version of Jax, I guess. He’s evil and wants to kill a whole bunch of people. Not everyone in our world has magic, and he wants the people that do to be able to control the people that don’t. Friends―well maybe not friends―but the people who let me out of the Academy were going to fight the bad guy, and I volunteered to go with them. It was terrible. Fighting in the woods, people dying everywhere. Our people, the bad guy’s people. And blood… so much blood.”

  Tammond pulled her closer, leaning his cheek against the top of her head.

  “Then in the middle of it all, there was this green mist, and I saw someone in it, a friend of mine. I ran forward to try and help him, but he wasn’t there. There was nothing but darkness in the mist, and then I fell. That’s how I ended up in the Land Beneath. I didn’t choose it.”

  “I’m sorry,” Tammond whispered.

  The honest sympathy in his voice made it hard for Maggie to breathe. “Don’t be. I survived.”

  “I’m glad you did.” Tammond looked down at Maggie. His face was so close to hers. Gently, he pressed his lips to her forehead. “And I’m glad you landed in the Broken Lake as well.”

  “Me, too.” Maggie held her breath, waiting to be kissed again, this time preferably on the lips.

  “I’ve never met someone like you. My whole life I’ve lived in a beautiful place with wonderful people. Always moving. Always surviving. I never realized….” Tammond brushed the hair from Maggie’s face. “Maggie Trent, you are a blazing light in the darkness.”

  She stared at him for one heartbeat, then another. Forgetting to breathe as her mind raced, trying to think what his lips would taste like. “Stars,” Maggie gasped when her lungs finally remembered they needed air.

  “What?”

  “Your stars are different from ours,” Maggie said.

  You stupid girl, you ruin everything! Every good and beautiful thing! Now he hates you!

  “I suppose all worlds have stars as unique as their people.” Tammond lay back on the ramp, laying his arm down beside him to make a spot for Maggie.

  Okay, maybe he doesn’t hate you, but don’t mess it up again.

  Maggie took a deep breath and lay down, resting her head on Tammond’s shoulder.

  “I’ve only been here, the Siren’s Realm, and home,” Maggie said. “But all the stars have been different. My dad told me when I was little that people made up constellations and stories about the stars so they could feel close to home even when they were really far away. Now I understand why. Not seeing the stars I’m used to, it makes me feel further from home than anything else.”

  They lay in silence for a moment. The waves gently lapped against the village, which creaked softly with each movement.

  “We have stories for our s
tars, too.” Tammond’s voice was as soothing as if he were telling a bedtime story. “Maybe if you know our stories, you won’t feel so lost.”

  “I’d like that.”

  “The seven bright ones,” Tammond said, pointing to each of them in turn, “are the captains of the seven great ships that brought the first people down the great river to Malina from a land far away where magic only lived in the dark, hidden places. Right there―” he pointed to six stars that were close together, making a diamond with the two extra stars coming out the top “―is the great ship that came before the seven and discovered Malina.”

  “Imagine,” Maggie said, “discovering a whole new world no one has ever seen before.”

  “You’ve found a whole new world,” Tammond said, turning to face Maggie. “Do you wish there weren’t people here?”

  His lips were close to Maggie’s… so very close. “Ummm. I…”

  His lips brushed hers. Gently, carefully, as though afraid she might push him away. Pulling herself closer, Maggie deepened the kiss. His heartbeat echoed in her chest, racing as she twined her fingers through his hair.

  “Maggie,” he whispered as he pulled her closer, wrapping both arms around her as though he wanted to be sure he would never have to let her go.

  Maggie gasped, all thoughts of stars and faraway places gone. She was here with Tammond, and nothing else mattered. His hand found her hip, tracing a line up her side through her thin shirt.

  “Miss Trent,” a voice came from below.

  Maggie squeaked and rolled away from Tammond. Her shoulder found the edge of the ramp, and before she could stop herself, her torso was hanging out over thin air.

  “Maggie!” Tammond shouted, grabbing Maggie by the ankles to keep her from falling into the water below.

  “Miss Trent,” Bertrand said calmly, his upside-down face level with Maggie’s as he stood on the roof beneath the walkway. “I see you have had a chance to explore the finer sights of the village.”

  So much blood had already rushed to Maggie’s head it was impossible for her to blush. “What do you want?” Maggie snapped. The bamboo was cutting painfully into her back.

  “We need to discuss our departure plans, Miss Trent.”

  “Now?” Maggie widened her eyes, hoping fruitlessly that Bertrand would understand and walk away.

  “Yes, right now, Miss Trent,” Bertrand said, “but I think it would be better if you either came down to the roof or went back up on the walkway. It would be rude to ask Tammond to continue holding you by the ankles when our discussion does not require you to be upside-down.”

  “You,” Maggie growled at Bertrand as Tammond pulled her back up onto the walkway and lifted her to her feet in one swift motion.

  “Thanks,” Maggie gasped. Tammond caught her around the middle to keep her from falling back over again.

  “My pleasure,” Tammond said. “I should let you two talk. The sooner you leave, the safer you’ll be.”

  “But―” Maggie began, but Tammond leaned down and was kissing her again. Her knees melted as she leaned into his strong chest. Tammond pulled away, kissed her on the forehead, and walked down the ramp into the darkness.

  “Well,” Bertrand said.

  Maggie spun to find Bertrand standing two feet behind her.

  “Don’t do that.” Maggie grasped her chest. “Do not sneak up on people.”

  “In general or when they are doing illicit things in the dark?”

  “I don’t think that’s any of your―”

  “Whatever you do is my business as I am personally responsible for your safety while outside the Siren’s Realm.”

  “What?”

  “I brought you here, Miss Trent, and I intend to bring you back to the Siren’ Realm alive. Which brings me to my next point: our departure.”

  “I think we need to stay―”

  “We can’t leave in the morning―”

  “What?” Maggie said. “You think we should stay, too?”

  “Certainly, Miss Trent.” Bertrand nodded. “I’ve seen their guards; the sort of magic they use is fascinating and well worth exploring. But from the stories I’ve been told of this Jax, they are in no way prepared to handle that sort of attack. The Wanderers study magic for magic’s sake. Jax studies magic to learn how to control and destroy. I don’t think any of them even truly think they can win a battle against Jax. What sort of people would we be if we abandoned our hosts to such a terrible fate?”

  “Terrible people,” Maggie said more emphatically than she had meant to.

  “And why do you wish to stay, Miss Trent?”

  “Same reasons as you,” Maggie said. “We can’t let Jax destroy this place. Th-that would be very bad,” she finished lamely.

  “Good.” Bertrand nodded again, apparently not having noticed anything strange. “Then the best thing we can do is rest. Abeyla has informed me the village will be moving in the morning. She will wake us in a few hours to watch the preparations. Once we are in the new position, we will help the Wanderers to train and prepare the village for war.”

  Bertrand strode down the ramp, not bothering to look back to see if Maggie followed.

  he room they were given was better than where they had been held prisoner, though nearly as small and made almost entirely of bamboo. The walls, floor, and shutters were all made of bamboo of some kind. Even the bedframe was bamboo. Luckily, the mattress was something soft. Maggie didn’t want to know what she was sleeping on enough to think of anything beyond gratitude it wasn’t bare rock.

  She lay staring at the thatched roof, trying to sleep. Bertrand was already breathing in a maddeningly steady rhythm. If only Tammond were here instead of Bertrand. Kissing her, holding her.

  Dammit.

  Every time she closed her eyes all she could see was Tammond. Smiling, his blue eyes sparkling.

  She opened her eyes and looked back up at the crisscrosses of the ceiling.

  Way to fall for the guy who kidnapped you earlier today. Good for you, Maggie. Awesome choices.

  But then she closed her eyes, and Tammond was pulling her close to his big strong chest. Holding her like he would never ever let her go.

  Before she knew if she had actually fallen asleep, there was a knock at the door.

  Maggie leapt out of bed and dragged her fingers through her hair.

  “I didn’t take you for an early riser, Miss Trent,” Bertrand said as he pulled on his jacket.

  “I’m full of surprises.” Maggie pulled open the door to find a person a third Tammond’s size.

  A little girl with big brown eyes stared up at Maggie.

  “Excuse me,” the little girl’s voice wavered with fear. “Abeyla told me to come get you. You’re to watch the traveling from the Fireside with us.” The girl averted her eyes and gave a half-curtsey.

  “Ah, perfect,” Bertrand said over Maggie’s shoulder. “And what is your name, little one?”

  “Mina,” the little girl said barely loud enough for Maggie to hear.

  “Well then, Mina,” Bertrand said, “lead on please. I don’t want to miss any of this.”

  Mina smiled and reached through the door, taking Bertrand’s hand in her own and pulling him past Maggie.

  “They’ll start as soon as the sun touches the mountains,” Mina said, her voice quiet even in her excitement. “And we can see all of it from the Fireside. When I am big, I will be a rower like my mother. Now I am too small, but I watch with the others so I can learn.”

  “Watching is a very good way to learn.”

  Even though the sky was just beginning to turn gray, the village was already bustling with people, all moving silently in patterns that suggested they had done this very thing many times before.

  “Mina,” Bertrand asked, his voice matching the quiet of the morning, “how often do you move the village?”

  “Used to be every six days,” Mina said, leading them down a path that cut below the short eaves of a building, making Maggie and Bertrand double
over to follow. “But since the grownups have been scared of the bad people coming, we move every three. The runners go to the hills every three days now, too, to tell where we’re going.”

  “Runners?” Maggie asked, but before Mina could answer they had reached the Fireside, and she had turned around to beam at them.

  “I know faster ways than the big folks,” Mina said, her hands on her hips and her chin tipped up with pride. “I’m a good leader.”

  “You did very well, Mina.” Bertrand bowed. Maggie was glad he didn’t mention they got there faster because they had climbed through places too small for big folks to fit.

  “It’s almost time,” Mina said, taking Bertrand’s hand again. “We can watch the unwrapping and moving from the deck if you like, but we have to stay here.”

  “That’s fine,” Maggie said. “Thanks for bringing us.”

  Mina didn’t seem to notice Maggie had spoken; she was too busy staring adoringly at Bertrand.

  A whistle sounded from the front of the village. Maggie peered through the houses but couldn’t see the source of the sound. A shuddering of the deck below her feet was the first sign of what the signal had meant. Mina’s tiny hand grabbed her and pulled her away from the edge of the dock.

  “Don’t fall in.”

  Maggie opened her mouth to say she wouldn’t, but all the words she had disappeared as the high ramp nearest to them started to sink toward the water. Two men were removing the heavy poles that had held the walkway high in the air as a woman pushed another pole against the building opposite her. As the walkway lowered to the water, the houses moved away from each other, unfurling into one long line.

  Moving carefully across the deck, Maggie could see the other high walkway being lowered. Low walkways were being tied together to lock the houses into place with the Fireside at the center. The village was transforming from a watery maze into a barge, solid and ready for travel.

  There was no shouting of orders or panicked movements. Everything was fluid. From the knots being tied to make sure the ramps were joined, to the great poles being stored.

  Soon, boats were being lowered into the water on both sides of the Fireside and tied to the edges of the walk. Maggie leaned out as far as she dared to see more boats being tied all along the village, which had been turned into one, compact, moveable unit. Rowers climbed into their boats as others climbed onto the roofs.