Bound by Magic Read online

  “Wait a minute. Why am I being so stupid about this?” Josi asked, rolling her eyes, pulling out her phone. “Why don’t we just google it?”

  “I guess we do live in the 21st century,” Josslyn muttered. “Josi, what does it say?”

  “That the tallest building is the Wells Fargo building,” Josi murmured, wrinkling her nose. “Boring!”

  “But it wasn’t around back then. We’re looking for an older building,” Jorja said. “A building that’s been around for a long time. This gem is old, guys. Like really old. The only way we’re going to find the clue is…”

  “If we find an old building,” Jami said, finishing her sentence. “Got it. Wait. The cathedral!”

  “No. Not the church!”

  “It’s perfect,” Sky cut in, leaning forward. “It’s one of the oldest buildings here in St. Paul, and by far, the most beautiful.” They all glanced out the window, as the building came into sight. “Have you ever been inside?”

  All the women shook their heads.

  “You mean, you’ve all lived in St. Paul your whole lives, and you’ve never, ever been inside the cathedral!” Sky’s mouth dropped open. “I… I don’t know what to say.”

  “Well, I guess we know who our tour guide is,” Jorja said, as she turned the wheel. She pulled off the freeway, driving along the road, and parked in front of the large, white building. She stared through the windshield, at the exquisite, white exterior, the countless windows, and the cross that sat high up in the sky. “Wow, it’s beautiful.”

  They all clambered out of the vehicle, heading for the door.

  “You know it's closed, right?” Jami asked.

  “No, it’s not,” Jasmine said, flicking her hand.

  Jorja shoved the door open, nodding, and they entered the church.

  “This isn’t right,” Jami whispered, as she peered inside the cathedral. “We’re breaking into a church! That’s just wrong!”

  “We don’t have a choice. We need to get to the sapphire before Liam does.”

  “I know, but, do you remember the last time one of you was in a church?”

  Jasmine and Josslyn looked at one another. “Of course. She went evil.”

  “Let’s not think about that,’ Jorja said, as they walked down the checkered flooring of the aisle, glancing at the stained-glass windows and the statues lying in the four corners of the church. There was Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and the disciples. “Look at those! They look heavy!”

  “And expensive,” Josi added, sliding her hand along the benches. “Look at these. They look brand new! Just look at this wood. Not even a scratch.”

  “That’s because they just remodeled it,” Sky told them, as he opened a door to the right of the chapel. “This area of St. Paul was closed off for almost six months while they redid it. They even added five bells in the tower.”

  “Bells? You know, there’s a part in the story about bells,” Jorja said, as they started up the steps. “Think that’s where we’re supposed to go?”

  “You’re the treasure hunter, not us,” Jami said, glancing over at Josi. “Hey, Jos, have you heard from Jessi? I’m getting a little worried about her.”

  “Why? She’s working.”

  “Hey, she called me!” Josslyn suddenly cried, as she glanced at her phone. “How did I not hear it?”

  “Probably because you were too busy looking at the tour guide,” Josi said, just as a thump sounded downstairs.

  “Help me!”

  The scream sounded, and they all stopped. “Is that…”

  “Jessi!”

  They turned, racing down the steps, just as the door flung open. Jessi raced through the doors, barreling up the steps, a dozen large beetles on her trail.

  “Jessi! Duck!” Josslyn shouted, striking her hand forward. Ice spewed from her hand, freezing the beetles.

  “Thanks Mom,” Jessi said, shuddering, as she hurried up the steps. “Those things are huge!”

  “Why are they following you, Jessi?” Josslyn asked, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her close. “Where did they come from?”

  “From this huge hole in the ground at city hall!” Jessi cried. “They’re after witches!”

  “What?”

  Witches!” Jessi cried. “Which I would have told you, if you had answered your phone,” she said, glaring at Josslyn. “The sacrifices are witches! And then there was this monster. He was huge! Gigantic! He had these tentacles… and he sent these beetles after me! He knows I’m a witch!”

  “Do you think it was Cyrus?” Josi asked.

  Jorja shook her head. “No. There’s no way! He’s stuck in the hidden city. It has to be something else.”

  “Then what?”

  “It’s just something we’ll have to figure out,” Josslyn said, glancing at Jasmine. “Hey, you wanna smash some beetles?”

  “With pleasure,” Jasmine said, waving her hand, and sending the beetles flying. Their bodies crashed against the wall, shattering across the floor.

  “Now that’s just how I like my beetles,” Jessi said, pulling away from Josslyn, and looking at everyone around her. “So, what are you guys doing here?”

  “Looking for the highest point of the city. The bell tower.”

  “Why?”

  “It’ll hopefully lead us to the sapphire. Come on!”

  Jorja lead the way up the steps. She gripped her fingers around the banister, trotting up the stairs. What is this? Like the third round of steps? She wondered several minutes later, as sweat beaded across her head. Her leg muscles ached, and she finally reached the top, throwing open the door.

  “Well, would you look at that,” Sky said, wrapping his arm around Jasmine, as the sun rose in the distance. “Now that’s a sight.”

  “And that’s where the shadows meet the light!” Josslyn cried, pointing.

  “What do we do?”

  “Ring the bells,” Jessi said, nodding to the five bells behind them. “I mean, that’s what she did in the story, right, Jorja?”

  Jorja nodded.

  “On three?”

  They all took a spot behind a bell, nodding, and they pulled the ropes. The bells rung loudly, deafening them and they all yelped, cupping their hands over their ears. The tower turning underneath them.

  “Whoa!” Jami cried, staggering backward.

  “What’s happening?” Josi added.

  “The tower’s turning, just like in the story!” Jorja cried. “And look! A clue!” She pointed at the brick as it popped out from the wall next to her. She reached inside, grabbing the note.

  “What’s it say?”

  “It’s another clue.” Jorja cleared her throat. “So the clue says, in the land of a thousand lakes, the greatest of waters will wash away sins of the past.”

  “That’s it? That’s all it gives us?”

  “It’s talking about Lake Superior,” Jorja said, rolling her eyes. “The greatest of all lakes.”

  “So, we’re going to Lake Superior?”

  “We are,” Jorja said, pointing to her, Jasmine, and Josslyn. “You guys are going to go find Jade and Julie.”

  “I’m going with them,” Sky said. “After all, I’m the one who has to stand up to Liam.”

  “So, you got your powers back, did you, angel?”

  The voice sounded behind them, and they all jumped, turning to stare at the black angel.

  “Whoa? Where did he come from?” Jasmine asked, dropping her hand from Sky’s. “Sky…”

  “I know. Protect the girls.” He brushed a kiss against her cheek. “See you soon.” He linked his hands with the triplets and disappeared in a reign of light.

  “You girls have a lot of nerve, taking what belongs to Liam,” the black angel said, as five other black angels appeared behind him. He aimed his bow and arrow. “The sapphire of Raj is rightfully his!”

  “The sapphire belongs to nobody!” Jorja shouted, opening her mouth, and letting out a loud, piercing scream. Her soundwaves danced through the air, and th
e black angles stumbled back. Cupping their ears from the piercing noise.

  “Dang! That’s loud!” one of the black angels shouted, as he aimed his bow. “But enough is enough! Give us the clue!” He let the arrow go.

  “Jasmine!”

  Jasmine waved her hand, the arrow slinging sideways, and hitting the bell behind them. The bell zinged loudly in the tower.

  “Crap! That’s loud too!”

  “Get her!”

  The black angels raced forward, and Jorja ducked. She spun on her heel, shoving the black angel backward. “I don’t think so!” she cried, her heel connecting with the black angel, and opened her mouth again. Another loud scream escaped her mouth, making them stumble back. Then out of the blue, a large, black angel appeared on the other side of the room, racing toward her.

  “Jorja! Watch out!” Josslyn shouted, ducking, as one of the black angels reached for her. She reached her hand out, spinning on her heel, and struck the icicle in her hand through the heart of the black angel. “How’s that feel, sucker?” she asked, as he fell to the ground, writhing in pain. “How’s it feel to be the one who suffers?”

  “Aah!” Jorja opened her mouth, letting out a loud scream, as the large black angel raced toward her. He plunged through the soundwaves, as if unphased, reaching for her.

  “Give me the clue!” he shouted, grabbing her by the arms.

  “Never!” Jorja shouted. “I need it to find my daughter.”

  “Your daughter?” the black angel asked, laughing. “Don’t you know? Your daughter is dead!” he shouted, shoving her backward. Her body crashed through the glass, and Jorja screamed as she fell far below.

  “Jorja!” Jasmine screamed, shoving the black angel she was fighting away. She spun on her heel, racing across the room, Jorja’s screams filling her ears.

  “Jasmine!”

  Behind her, she heard Josslyn scream. She spun around, staring at the black angels as they appeared in the tower, heading toward Josslyn. I can’t leave her! she thought. But I can’t let Jorja die either!

  She closed her eyes, trying to figure out what to do, and her eyes snapped open. Her body splitting into two and staring at the identical version of herself.

  “Go help Josslyn,” she said, as she stared at herself. “I’ll go get Jorja.” She disappeared in a flash.

  “Whoa…”

  “Jasmine! Help!”

  “Right! I’m coming!” Jasmine shouted, racing across the room. She raised her hand, swiping it to the side, black angels flinging against the wall.

  “Take that!” Josslyn shouted, striking the icicle forward. It sliced through the black angel, and she spun on her heel. She kicked her foot up, knocking the air out of the black angel behind her, and knocking him to the ground.

  “Gotcha!” The large-bodied black angel raced forward, grabbing her from behind. “Well, well, well, ice witch. Seems like you have no way out of this one,” he said, bringing the arrow close to her throat. “Now tell me, what did the clue say?”

  “I’ll never tell you anything!”

  “Then you will die!”

  “You might want to rethink that,” Jasmine said, swiping her hand. The arrow slung back, striking the black angel in the throat.

  “What?” the black angel stared at her, his eyes wide, as he fell to the ground, sputtering and trying to speak as the arrow moved in his throat. “You. You went after the other witch!”

  “Correction. We went after the witch,” Jasmine said, as she appeared in a flash, with Jorja at her side. “It seems I have a new power.”

  “Astral projection,” Josslyn said, laughing. “I mean, it makes sense. After all, if you can move things with your mind, why not your body. What do you say, girls? Shall we get rid of these fools the old-fashioned way?”

  “Why not?” Jorja said, smiling. “Ashes to ashes…”

  “Dust to dust,” Jasmine linked hands with Jorja.

  “Blackness becomes light once more, and let this monster be sentenced to a place of nevermore.”

  “No!” the black angels turned, running, as a vortex opened underneath them.

  “Oh, you’re not getting away that easily,” Jasmine said, both versions of themselves lifting their hands. They swiped their hands, the black angels falling backward, and getting sucked up into the vortex.

  “That is so cool!” Jorja cried, staring at the two Jasmine’s. “And also, a little freaky. How did you do it Jasmine?”

  “I don’t know! One moment I was trying to decide on who to help, you or Josslyn, and then it just happened!”

  “And now, it’s time for me to go,” the other Jasmine said, glancing at her counterpart. “Until you need me again.” She blinked, disappearing in a flash of light.

  “Hmm. Your powers are growing, Jasmine,” Josslyn said, throwing her arm over Jasmine. “Think mine will grow too?”

  “Oh, I’m sure they will,” Jasmine said. “Who knows? Maybe one of these days you’ll do something incredible, that will shock us all.”

  “I wouldn’t get your hopes up over that,” Jorja said, glancing at the clue in her hand. “Come on. We gotta get to Lake Superior. We might have the upper hand, knowing where the next clue is, but my guess is that Liam and the rest of the black angels won’t be too far behind.”

  “This is heaven?” Josi asked, glancing amongst the buildings, as they appeared in a ray of gold light. “It looks just like…”

  “St Paul. I know,” Sky said, finishing her sentence. “That’s exactly what Jade said the first time she saw it. Come on. We have to go find your aunts.”

  “Where?” Jessi asked, as they stepped forward. Glancing over her shoulder, staring at the clouds that danced among the buildings. The bright, blue sky above them, frowning, as the sky parted. “Ah. Sky. What’s that?”

  Sky glanced up, staring at the darkness that lay just above the blue clouds. “Something’s coming,” he said. “Come on. I bet…”

  “Sky!”

  Jami suddenly screamed, as large beetles suddenly fell from the sky. “It’s the beetles!” she cried, scrambling back. “Josi!”

  “What do you want me to do?” Josi cried, as the beetles swam toward them. “It’s not like I have some weapon I can magically use. Jessi, what about you? Can you read their thoughts?”

  “You want me to read a beetle’s mind?” Jessi asked, laughing. “Josi, they’re beetles! I can’t do anything!”

  “Girls! Get back!” Sky shouted. He flung his hand up, yellow lightning zinging from his hand. “Whoa!” He stared at his hand in shock. “Where did that come from?”

  “Sky.”

  The voice sounded nearby, and he jerked his head up, glancing over his shoulder at the black angels. “Stay away!” he shouted, raising his hand. “Or I’ll electrocute you!”

  “You’ll do no such thing.”

  “Liam?” He glanced around him, searching for the God, but he was nowhere to be seen. “Where are you?”

  “Somewhere you’ll never find me.”

  A vine struck out, wrapping around his waist. He let out a yelp, staring at the plant against the wall. “Nice job, Liam. You booby-trapped the heavens!” He gasped, the vine’s grasp tightening on him, and he gasped for breath. “Girls! Run!” he shouted, as the beetles raced toward them.

  Jessi, Jami, and Josi spun on their heel. They raced down the road, and the beetles darted after them. They opened their mouths, white goo flinging from their mouths.

  Jessi screamed, her feet slipping on the white goo, and falling to the ground. “Josi! Jami!”

  “Jessi!” Jami and Josi stopped, turning and racing back to Jessi. “Come on! You have to get up!” Jami cried, grabbing Jessi by the arm. “These beetles! They’re after us! You saw what they did to that girl in school. What if that happens to us?”

  “A mighty good question, if you ask me,” one of the black angels said, laughing, as he glanced at Sky. “What about you, Sky? What do you thinks going to happen, if the girls die on your watch? Do you think the
witches will still want you around?”

  “We’re family, and nothing is going to happen to the girls,” Sky said, struggling against the tentacle that was wrapped around him. He turned, zeroing his eyes on the plant that controlled the contraption, and flicked his fingers. Yellow lightning zinging from his fingers and striking the plant.

  The plant let out a loud screech. The tentacle unwrapped from around him, and Sky tumbled to the ground. He jumped to his feet, racing forward. “Girls watch out!” he shouted, as the beetles opened their mouths. White goo slung from their mouths, wrapping around the girls. “No!”

  He raced forward, raising his hand, but he wasn’t fast enough. The beetle scrambled forward, hoisting the girls on their back, and flew up into the sky. The sky closing behind them.

  “No!” He struck a finger out, striking toward the sky, his heart clenching when the sky didn’t open. “Bring them back!” he shouted as the black angel neared him. He drew in a deep breath, and turned, disappearing in a reign of light.

  “Hey! Come back here! We’re not done with you!”

  And I’m not done with you. Or with Liam. Not by a long shot.

  “Julie, can I ask you something?” Jade asked, as she sat on the other side of the cage, staring at her younger sister.

  “There’s nothing stopping you,” Julie said, sighing, as she leaned back. “What is it, Jade?”

  “I need to know… about your going evil.”

  Julie sighed, rubbing her fingers against her temples. “Jade. We’ve been through this.”

  “But I’m still trying to understand. There had to be some part of you, deep inside, that wanted to turn to the dark side. What was it? And how long has it been there?”

  “I think, for a very long time,” Julie said, finally admitting the one thing she had never been able to admit to herself. “With that bastard husband of yours. You remember him?”

  “Sean?” Jade wrinkled her nose. “Of course I remember him. He used to beat the crap out of me. You’re the one who saved me from him.”

  “I know,” Julie said, tracing her finger along the crack, lying in the floor. “But I was so livid when I saw you Jade. The bruises on your face. The pain in your eyes. The limp! I could have beaten him to a pulp for what he did to you. That baseball bat I had in my hand…” she shook her head, shuddering. “God! I’d never felt like that before, but you were my sister! I would never want anything bad to happen to you!”