Instead, she held the book out to Raissa who followed her.

As with reverence, Raissa brushed her fingers across the leather cover before taking it. Then she plopped down beside the stream and opened the book.

Willing to give her new friend privacy, she walked back to the fire and Javan. In silence they watched the fire’s sparks illuminate the evening.

As the sky darkened, Raissa stumbled into camp, the book open as she looked through it. “So that’s how one does it.”

“Does what?” Javan asked.

“Levitate.”

“What are you talking about? I’ve scanned through the entire book, there were no pages or instructions on levitation.”

“It says right here, in order to be lighter than air, empty your heavy thoughts and your burdens both physical and mental. Once you have mastered this, you’ll be able to increase your strength and lift heavier objects. Even to the point of a whole town of living creatures, men, women, children, and all animals in the area.”

“Let me see that.” Eden rose to take back the book.

“Wait.”

She paused and turned back to Javan.

“Let me see the book.” Javan stretched out his hand, and Raissa flopped the book down in his outstretched palm.

After she and Eden sat down, he opened the book and read silently for a moment. “Ah, as I thought.”

“Tell us or I’ll string you up as the fish were.”

“It’s a magic book but much more.” He closed the book and brushed his fingers across the cover. “It has the spirit of a mage, of a teacher.”

“So, a teacher wrote the book, that doesn’t explain how—”

“Nay, not only did a teacher write these words, but their essence is encased in the pages. It teaches everything you need or will need. Raissa has a connection with air, therefore the book teaches her about her gift. With me, it told me how to breathe underwater. For Eden—”

“I-I know not what my gifts are.”

“What did the book talk about when you read it?”

“Protection.” She shrugged.

“Test my theory, read a few pages first.” Javan smiled and her heart stuttered.

She looked away so he’d not see her blush, her nervous hands picking at the debris across her crimson skirt. Funny how she’d looked forward to wearing such a bright, vivid color her entire life only to know now that it was a beacon for the elders of her magic being ripped away.

Javan nudged her shoulder. “How about it?”

“But there isn’t much daylight left.”

“The fire will give enough light for a few moments.” He pressed the book into her hands.

She opened the book and squatted near the firelight. The first pages were the same as before, it was hard to make out the words in the fading light, but she flipped a few pages ahead.

How to find sight in the darkness.

That hadn’t been there before. “You’re correct, it has new information.”

“What’s it say?” Raissa asked.

“It speaks of sight in the darkness.”

“Excellent. Do you not understand?” Javan questioned as though seeing her frown. “Tis nearly dark, and you wanted to have light to see the words.”

“But it didn’t talk about light.”

“Gave you better magic. The ability to see in the dark.”

Eden’s mouth hung open. If this were true, they had the best possible teacher they would ever need. Why hadn’t she realized the special nature of this book?

Then again, moments ago by the river, she thought of throwing it in the river. Her eyes swept over the pages as if a silent click sounded in her head and she, the pendulum. She could read the pages easily as if were dawn outside instead of night.

Looking up from the pages, Javan and Raissa watching the fire and not her as she’d thought.

They too should be able to look through the book in the darkness. Their features clear as though it were mid-day. Raissa’s blond highlights in her brown hair shown clearly. While her sculpted cheekbones and narrow nose making her look even prettier. While Javan’s dark hair sweeping across his forehead and into his dark yet kind, violet eyes.

“You both should have night vision too.” She gave the book to Javan.

Purposely, she held the book open to her page. He yawned but squinted at the pages with the firelight dancing with shadows across his face.

“These are pages on silencing a storm, not night vision.”

“Let me see.” Raissa took the book and strained as she scanned the pages. “Nope, just instructions on whipping up a whirlwind.”

“That’s enough for the night,” Javan said. “It’s clear that our teacher in the pages is only giving each of us according to our talents.”

“But what does that mean?” Eden bit her lip. “You have an affinity with water, Raissa the air. What gifts do I have? What does night vision or protection have to do with any of the elements or—”

“This book can help us, all of us. We must protect it with our life.” Javan put his arm around her and she felt glowing warmth in her stomach.

“Perhaps because you found the book, it has named you guardian. Therefore, you have other abilities as such.”

She pulled away from Javan’s embrace. Her vision dulled as she yawned. She was so tired; she didn’t care if her vision made the night seem the middle of the day. Her throat closed up so hard she didn’t think she’d be able to swallow if she tried.

Her mom was dead, thanks to the damn book and magic. She curled into a ball wishing with everything she had that she’d never found this cursed tome, then her mother would still be alive. And her father wouldn’t have had to protect her.