Witcher Upper - Amy Boyles Page 0,16

security.

“Wait,” he called out, hands raised. “I’m sorry. Whatever I did—turned around too quickly, scared you—I apologize. Please, I only want my memory, not to bother or hurt you. That’s all I want.”

I stopped, fists clenched, and stared at him. There were moments in life that forever changed the trajectory of who you were. I remembered the woman I was before him—carefree and trusting—and I thought about the woman I was now—guarded and cautious. Who would future me be? Would I be an angry soul, one who hurt people every chance she had? Or would I be compassionate?

I studied Rufus, looked deeply into his eyes, trying to see if this entire scenario was a trick to steal me away again. Had he searched until he found me and then used the orbs to lure me down to the woods so that he could finish what he’d started all those years ago?

Or was he being honest? Had he really lost his memory—which served him right, by the way—and had no clue how to use magic?

The Rufus Mayes that I had known would already have lashed out at me. He would have fought back. Or even still, when he turned around, Rufus would have made his move. He wouldn’t have waited so long.

My heart told me so. The man who lay on the ground before me did not know who he was—what he had done and what he was capable of doing.

He had no clue; but I did. The question was, what was I going to do with my knowledge.

One thing I knew right now was that I could not hurt someone who did not know why they were being hurt. I exhaled and my power faded.

“Sorry,” I murmured. “I thought you meant to harm me.”

Rufus rose, brushing himself off. He started to scowl but then smoothed his hair, an embarrassed smile quirking his lips. “I suppose if I saw a wizard in a field plucking spells from the earth and he moved suddenly, I would have reacted the same way.”

“Yes,” I murmured, “I’m sure you would have.”

“Rest assured, all I want is my memory. Nothing more.”

I watched him openly, making sure that he wasn’t going to make any swift movements and do anything funny. But he simply returned to searching the spells.

When we made eye contact, there was no hint of recognition on his face. He didn’t look at me and flinch. His lids didn’t flare. The only thing that filled his eyes when our gazes met was…blankness. He did not know me. He did not remember what he had done.

For now.

What would happen when he did? Would Rufus immediately grab me by the hair and try to get me back to his house to steal my powers? Once evil, always evil, I say. No, he hadn’t changed, and I had to make sure that he never returned to be what he once was. The world needed protecting from Rufus Mayes, and I was the person to do it.

“If you don’t remember how to work magic,” I said, “how can you know what to do with a spell when you find the right one?”

He smiled and I noticed, not for the first time, how terribly handsome he was. His good looks had been what ensnared me years ago.

I nearly slapped myself for noticing that. What was wrong with me? I hated Rufus Mayes. Hated him. I’d run from the memory of him to Peachwood. Why was I leering at him now?

“Well,” he said casually, “I think that I’ll know how to use it. I’m hoping I will, at least.” He paused. “There are so many blasted spells in this place. How am I ever going to find it?”

“Maybe you won’t.”

“That’s not a good attitude. Being negative.”

“Call me Negative Nellie.”

“No, I think Clementine is much prettier. I prefer to call you that.”

Was that a line? I shot him a harsh look that unfortunately he didn’t see. What a waste of a good scowl.

“Anyway,” he continued, “I believe I’ll know how to use it to restore my memory. After all, I can see these spells and read them.”

He moved forward, and I followed, keeping a close eye on him. “What are you going to do if you don’t find it here?”

Rufus gave me a sidelong glance. “Oh, I’m sure I’ll find it here. There’s too much magic around not to. If I do and still can’t figure out how to work it, I suppose I’ll either ask you or someone in town to