Shadow Phantoms - H.P. Mallory Page 0,44

comes only from reciprocity—familiars live to serve their masters. But we must never forget to honor that service, always.”

Merlin whinnied, digging into the dead grass with one front hoof.

“So, pretty much the best pet you’ll ever have,” Stone added to a chorus of chuckles. “Now, then. Which one of you wants to go first?”

And then he looked directly at me.

Following Stone’s lead, more eyes looked my way. An unsettling tension took up residence in my stomach.

Uh-oh.

I recognized the feeling, my bodily precursor to public speaking. I tended to do less than awesome under pressure.

Even when the pressure’s off, I’m not exactly batting a thousand on the magic-front anyway.

“Miss Balfour,” Stone said.

Fuck.

“Yes?”

“Step forward, please.” He clapped his horse on the back and sent it off to roam in the cemetery. Merlin whinnied, pounded the ground with the same hoof, and set off. He gave one last elegant swipe of his tale before he disappeared into the mist.

“Don’t be shy,” Stone said to my obvious reluctance.

Stone backed toward the headstone and gestured for me to take his place. I stepped into the center of the pentagram and turned to face the headstone and, unwittingly, Stone’s piercing blue eyes.

“Repeat after me,” he said.

I recited the spell. My gaze felt fused to him. Once the recitation began, I couldn’t have torn myself away. The realization left me cold, my bones humming. I felt it like the impact of a physical blow when I realized the terrifying truth... I didn’t want to look away from him.

“Come to this circle, when I sound the bell,” I said the last line, and Stone lifted the bell by its handle. Remarkably, it didn’t make a sound as he handed it to me. Our fingers brushed. His electric touch shot up my arm, leaving me tingling and breathless. But I maintained my composure.

I stared at a gold streak in his left iris to keep me centered, like a life raft in a raging storm.

I rang the bell three times.

“Nothing,” I muttered, disappointed. But not surprised. This was just another day in the life of Emma Balfour, the witch without magic.

And then a second later, something happened.

A mass of dark smoke appeared, glowing red eyes in its formless head.

Lightning struck the ground in front of me.

I yelped. Jumped back. Slammed straight into Stone. Our eyes met for a moment... Stone righted me with a hand on the small of my back. I fought to catch my breath.

Black smoke surrounded us. It was like we were standing on the world’s angriest steam grate. I lost my balance and had to lean into him for support. Stone’s hands tightened around my hips. The strong lines of his sinewy muscles were hard against my back. I struggled to find my footing in the dark fog. Keeping his strong arms around me, Stone straightened us both to full height. He released my waist. In the half second before he let go, I felt him pull me closer to him.

Or maybe I just imagined that part? Yeah, I must have imagined it… right?

The smoke started to congeal. Stone stepped away from the pentagram. I felt his absence like a stiff wind. It chilled me to the bone and left me standing in front of a demon with no idea what to do next.

Emma Balfour. A voice, but not my voice, spoke from inside my head. On the ground in front of me, the smoke took the shape of what appeared to be an elongated tree trunk.

You have summoned me. The voice went on. I have come to serve. Do you accept me as your familiar for the Eternity to come?

I glanced behind me, looking to Stone for reassurance.

My classmates and Stone squinted at the fog, but they didn’t look confused or startled. The demon’s smoke followed much the same pattern as Stone’s horse. Albeit, with a different animal result.

No one else can hear my familiar’s voice... I realized. A thrill of panic washed over me. I sought Stone’s eyes again. Looking for answers despite never asking my questions aloud.

Stone took my frazzled gaze and held it, caressing the fear out of me, anchoring me in the fathomless depths of his eyes.

Do not be afraid, his gaze said. Shockingly, my body obeyed him and my heart rate slowed down. The knot in my neck loosened, and the tension left my muscles. I turned back to face the transforming demon. The smoke solidified as the demon’s animal took shape. My familiar spoke again, like a harshly out