Sprinkle of Magic

It was a month before we realized that something was really wrong. Da and I were on our daily jog through the forest when we saw it. The tree. Something was wrong with the tree. "Da..." The word was like a breath of air from my lips as I stared up at the once golden tree, which had started to take on an ashy undertone.

"This isn't right. I'm connected to the tree." The confusion in his voice matched my own. We would have known if something was wrong. But here it was, plain as day, and we hadn't seen it coming. I was so lost in my thoughts and confusion that I hadn't seen Da move towards the tree, his hand outstretched. "If the tree dies...Then so does magic."

I didn't even have time to fully process his words before the anger started to boil. "Talia. Talia did this." I hissed out the girls name. I thought we were done with her. She hadn't been at school. Her house was abandoned. The word at school was she'd moved, but we knew the truth. She was hiding. She wasn't just going to sit around where she knew we could find her. She wasn't that stupid.

"We have to tell your Granda." I gave a quick nod as Da and I turned around, breaking out into sprints. I had to admit, I'd never been one for physical activity, but with all my training I was getting used to it, even if the pain in my legs was enough to take down a man three times my size.

We reached the house in under ten minutes, and explained in five. Ailbe took Da and Granda out, leaving me in the house with Celine and Niall.

"It'll be okay, Mae." I tilted my head up to Niall, a small smile crossing my lips as I looked up at him. I really didn't know what was going on with us. He still hugged me or touched me whenever he could, but never anything more. I honestly still don't know what to think of him. Simply being here puts him in danger.

"Come on. Let's go downstairs." I gave a quick nod once Celine spoke up, and Niall's smile fell. We knew he didn't like it when we went downstairs, since he couldn't come with us. "Don't worry, Ni. We won't be long. Call down as soon as they get back, okay?" The blonde gave a tight nod, and I shot him a sympathetic smile before CeCe and I trudged down the stairs into the basement.

Shelves lined the walls, with bottles filled with every ingredient anyone would ever need for any potion, and a space was cleared out in the center. On the far wall was a painted on target, though it was faded and there were scorch marks surrounding it. Neither of us spoke as I took my spot behind a painted line on the closest wall, facing the target. CeCe gave me a quick nod before I held my hand out in front of me, palm up.

"Remember, Fire is the easiest thing to summon. Controlling it is the problem. Focus your anger into your palm." I didn't move as I did as she said. I felt all of my anger towards Talia flowing into my hand, and when I opened my eyes, small flames were dancing around my hand. "Channel it, Mae. Focus it in the center, it's too wild." There was a hint of worry in CeCe's voice, but I knew she believed in me. I glared at the center of my hand, picturing Talia's face in the dead center of my palm. The flames followed my anger until they were settled in a small ball. "Good. Now for the easy part." She motioned to the target, and I nodded. I turned so my side was facing the target, and I held my hand out, using my energy to push the ball away from my palm.

When it hit just above the outer ring I couldn't help the wave of disappointment that flowed through me. I could channel and summon with the best of them, but I couldn't yet aim to save my life, and I've been at this since I'd gotten my cast off.

"You'll get better, Mae. You already are." I couldn't help but smile at CeCe's confidence in me. I was glad that there were still people who believed in me, especially when I barely believed in myself. "Let's try again." I gave a quick nod before I retook my stance.

The process was repeated three more times until Niall's voice drifted down the stairs. "They're back." CeCe and I looked at each other, worry etched on both of our faces, before we trudged up. I couldn't help the feeling of dread as I saw Da and Granda sitting at the table, both staring at a small vial that sat in front of them.

"Poison. It's poison." Da's voice was tight, pained, and I went straight to him, hugging him with all that I had. "How didn't I know? Why can't I feel it in me?" His question was a good one.

"It's taken this long for us to notice the change in the tree, the effects may be the same with you, Ward." Granda's voice was surprisingly calm as he spoke, his eyes still on the vial. "Celine. You and I will go downstairs and try to figure out exactly what's in this. When we do, we may be able to shed a little more light on the situation." Celine nodded as she went back downstairs, but Granda stayed with us a little bit longer. "Niall, Mae, Ward, you three go to your lesson as planned. This is an attack, a direct attack. We all need to be ready. Ailbe will stay up here with your mother." The last line was pointed at me, and I couldn't help but feel my heart clench.

Mam still hadn't woken up. No spell we'd tried had worked, and the hospital just said it was a coma. Thankfully, we were given everything we need for home care, and Ailbe keeps round the clock watch on her. When Granda started to wobble down the stairs, the three of us left solemnly went out to my car.

As usual, Da drove, with me and the front, and Niall in the back. "It'll be okay, Da. We'll figure this out." What I really wanted to say is 'You'll be okay. You haven't been effected yet.' But I couldn't do that. I didn't know if it was true or not.

He said nothing as he pulled out of the driveway and onto the road, driving us into town.

When we finally arrived at the gym, everyone was tense. We got out of the car in silence and pulled the doors open, signing in before heading to the training room. "Right on time!" The loud voice that welcomed us brought a smile to my face. I don't know what it was about this lad, but he always cheered me up. I could see Niall frowning from the corner of my eye, but I brushed it off as we were all greeted.

"Sorry if we're a little late, Fionn." Da spoke up as we all gathered around the larger lad. Fionn just laughed it off, waving his hand in the air.

"It's alright, everyone's late once and a while." He gave us a grin, and I couldn't help but feel a stirring of butterflies in my stomach, but I quickly pushed them down as he put us right to work. I was glad that I was already in my workout gear, I didn't want to have to go to the other side of the gym just to get my spare clothes, that would just take away from training time. "Ardan, you're with Niall. Mae, we're going to work on your PT." I internally groaned, but nodded. Even though I'd been cleared by the hospital, and haven't had that many problems since the cast came off, Fionn still insisted on doing some of my physical therapy exercises just to make sure that everything is still okay.

I didn't need any more instruction as I walked to a separate space in the training room. I plopped down on the ground, pulling off the brace around my knee while Fionn gave Da and Niall their instructions. "Ardan informed me that you have to leave early for work." I knew it was a lie, Da was just worried about the tree, but I nodded anyways, a smile on my face as I set my brace next to me. "So we'll do the basic stretches, then work on some jabs, okay?" I gave another nod, already positioning my bad leg out in front of me, while tucking my other leg close to me. I leaned forward, trying to reach my toes. Off course, I could only reach to about my ankle, but Fionn said that would improve with time.

After I did my sets I put my brace back on, standing up while Fionn got the gloves and pads. I glanced at Niall and Da, but regretted it. Niall was staring at me, not paying attention, which allowed Da to land a punch square to his jaw. Niall reeled a little bit, and my eyes went wide. I wanted to chide him, but Fionn beat me to it. "Pay attention, Horan! You can't get caught off guard." His voice wasn't harsh, just stating a fact. Niall took one last look at me before turned back to Da. I couldn't help the flush that graced my cheeks as Fionn came back. "Alright. Start with the left."

I groaned as I put on the gloves, taking my stance as I laced them up. "I feel daft when I use my left." I grumbled as I bounced on my feet a few times before I attempted a jab. Surprise of all surprises, I missed, stumbling forward a little bit as I lost my balance. "See?" I rolled my eyes while Fionn laughed at me. That set off my anger a bit as I retook my stance. I tried another jab, this time clipping the pad.

"Better. But still lame." Fionn's words set me off, and I didn't even wait to reset my stance before I swung. I missed again and fell forward, and this time Fionn tapped me on the back with the pad in his hand. I knew I was getting angry, too angry for my own good.

"Mae!" Da's voice caused me to snap my head up to the lights, which were swaying slightly, caused by my anger. I felt my face heat up as I set myself back up. This time, I jabbed with my right, catching Fionn off guard, and the pad dead center. I couldn't help the smirk on my face before I shed my gloves, tossing them on the floor.

"Let's go." I grumbled the words, ignoring the stares of Niall, Fionn, and Da as I stormed out of the gym. As soon as I reached the car, I lit up a smoke, trying my best to calm down.

"What the hell was that, Mae?! You know better!" Da's voice caused my eyes to close, my anger returning slowly.

"Don't turn this around on me. You're in the same position I am, Da. Let's just get home and see if Granda and CeCe figured anything out." I stomped out my smoke after only a few drags and got into the car, slamming my door shut.

I could see Niall and Da talking next to my window, but I couldn't hear them since I'd turned on the car and cranked the music. I didn't really pay attention until I saw Da's legs give out. I was out of the car as fast as I could. "Da!" I shouted his name as I bent down next to him. He'd gone pale in the five minutes since I'd gotten in the car. "No. No no no." The word became a mantra as I wrapped one of his arms around my neck, trying to lift him up. "Help me!" I shouted to Niall, who had frozen to his spot. He moved instantly, helping me lift dad and get him into the car. "We need to get him home now."

Niall nodded and got in the front seat while I sat in the back with Da, his head in my lap. I whispered him the entire ride, and I couldn't get him out of the car fast enough when we got home. Niall grabbed his other arm while we dragged him into the living room. "Granda!" I shouted the word as we set Da on the couch. Niall ran off to get cool cloths while I sat next to Da. "You'll be okay, Da. We'll fix this." I was surprised at how calm my words were. On the inside I was screaming. Da was all I had left right now. Sure, there was Granda, but he was getting weaker and weaker every day, and Mam...Who knew about her.

"What happened?" Granda's voice reached my ears and I whipped my head up.

"The poison. I think it's taking effect. Have you had any progress?" Granda shook his head solemnly as he looked down at my Da. He was sweating now, the sure signs of a fever. We knew the tree would be able to last a while with this poison.

But would Da?