Chapter 46 The Second Challenge

• Lucy’s POV
• The week seemed to crawl by, a blur of endless rituals layered upon more rituals. Every day, Malena had us perform chants, recite incantations, light candles in strange colors, or meditate for hours until my head felt like it would split in two. My body was weary, my soul heavier still.
• The only thing that kept me sane was Katty’s company. I had come to know her better in those seven long days. At first, she had seemed reserved, her manner quiet and guarded, but once she let her guard down, she revealed a playful, even mischievous side. When she wasn’t assisting Malena, she would steal away moments with me, showing me little tricks of magic. She taught me how to summon a spark between my fingers, how to make a feather float on a still breeze, and even how to change the scent of a flower. Each time I succeeded, no matter how small the trick, she clapped as though I had achieved something great.