Chapter 6: What's New

Millie's brow furrowed as she scrunched up her nose, deep in thought. Her delicate fingers tapped rhythmically against her chin, and I could almost see the gears turning in her mind. Suddenly, her face lit up with a bright smile, her eyes gleaming with inspiration.

"I know! We can do Dancing Lights! We can do that one, right?" she asked excitedly, barely able to contain herself as she twirled on the spot.

I smiled at her infectious enthusiasm, my heart swelling with warmth. "Do you have that spell in your grimoire yet?" I inquired, knowing how proud she was of her newfound knowledge.

"Yes! Mommy helped me write it in yesterday—well, before yesterday!" she replied jubilantly, her chest puffed out with pride.

A soft chuckle escaped my lips; she was simply too adorable. "Go grab your grimoire, and let's gather the right ingredients," I encouraged, watching as she scampered off towards her mother.

"Mommy, I need my grimoire! Can you please give it to me?" Millie called out, her voice high and clear.

Julia, her mom, handed her the book with a knowing smile, and Millie raced back, flipping through the pages with an urgency that made her small hands tremble in excitement. The girls and I gathered around, our attention drawn to the delightful illustrations and slightly jagged handwriting adorning her little book—every page filled with the chaotic charm of a beginner's magical journey.

"Millie, what ingredients do we need for the spell?" I prompted gently, eager to guide her through this enchanting experience.

She scrunched up her nose once more, concentrating deeply. "We need crystals! Red, yellow, blue, black, and clear. And we need a candle in the center!" she declared, her excitement palpable.

Without wasting a moment, we sprang into action. The girls and I helped Millie select the right crystals from a small decorative box, laying them out carefully on the coffee table, each gem shimmering under the warm glow of the lamp. Meanwhile, Mira, always the artist in the group, grabbed a slab of slate and began sketching the spell diagram with practiced precision, her movements fluid and confident.

Millie darted over to the candle drawer, her small hands reaching for the largest white candle she could find. She hugged it tightly, her little fingers barely managing to grasp its bulk, and carefully set it down in the center of the slate diagram with a satisfied thump.

Laughter bubbled up from all of us as we admired her effort.

Rory, ever eager to add a bit of flair, snapped her fingers with confidence, summoning a small flicker of flame to the tip of her thumb. With a slight flick of her wrist, she ignited the candle, the flame flickering to life and casting a warm, inviting glow around our circle.

We formed a circle around the slate, our hands resting lightly at our sides, anticipation buzzing in the air like electricity.

Then, in perfect unison, we began to chant the incantation.

As the spell’s magic began to swirl around us, Fawn and I exchanged knowing glances, both of us realizing that we, too, were still classified as Junior Witches. This spell had taken on a life of its own—something vibrant and dynamic, beyond what we had ever learned or practiced before.

Millie and Hazel were already twirling and spinning with the little light beings, their laughter echoing through the room, filling it with pure, unadulterated joy. Elle hesitated for only a moment, her oversized sweater bouncing around her as she finally joined in, spinning alongside her friends with delight.

Fawn flashed me a playful grin. "Well? Are we going to stand here looking all serious, or are we joining them?" she teased, her eyes sparkling.

I smirked back, unable to resist. "Like there was ever a question."

Without another thought, we stepped into the circle, letting the magic envelop us, guiding our movements as the glowing figures danced around us, shifting colors in sync with our laughter and joy, almost as if they were alive—responding to our collective energy.

Mira stood back for a moment, her silver bracelet glimmering faintly as she took in the sight with wide eyes, fascinated. "This is insane. This isn’t just basic light magic—these beings feel... aware," she observed, the awe evident in her tone.

Evie, who had been quietly jotting notes in her leather-bound book, tilted her head in thought. "Magic doesn’t just evolve without reason. Maybe the spell reacted to Millie's excitement? Her energy is infectious," she theorized, her brow furrowing with curiosity.

Rory let out a breath, her eyes tracking the lights as they darted around her, spiraling in colorful patterns. "Whatever it is, I don’t think it’s dangerous at all." She turned to Millie with a cheeky grin. "Nice job, kid. You might’ve just made our first-ever group discovery."

Millie's eyes widened in disbelief. "Really?! Does that mean I get to name it?" she gasped, excitement radiating from her.

Fawn and I exchanged a laugh, nodding at her enthusiasm. "You started it, Millie. That means it’s yours to name," I replied, grinning.

Her face lit up as she pondered for a moment, her brow furrowed in concentration. Then, with a proud declaration, she announced, "Dancing Spirits!"

The name fit perfectly, like a melody that lingered in the air.

The glowing figures twirled and flickered around us as if in approval, swirling with joy as the magic buzzed in the atmosphere.

And so, we danced together—Junior Witches, united in our journey of discovery, learning and growing in our powers, bound by the unbreakable threads of sisterhood and the magic that connected us all.

The elders arrived soon after, their presence flooding the opulent penthouse with an air of formidable gravitas—centuries of accumulated wisdom and power resonating in their measured footsteps. The atmosphere was thick, charged with an unspoken anticipation as they gathered, their robes whispering tales of ages long past.

Elder Kate wasted no time in asserting her authority. With a purposeful stride, she guided me into a dimly lit room, the shadows flickering against the walls like whispers of old secrets. Her expression was unwavering, an intricate tapestry of resolve and mystery.

"What transpired?" she inquired, her voice steady yet subtly imbued with an urgency that sent a ripple of apprehension through me.

Meeting her intense gaze, I fought to maintain my composure, though a storm of uncertainty brewed within me. "It was merely a dancing light spell," I explained, each word carefully chosen. "But the outcome was... extraordinary. The spell was performed exactly as we mastered it in our youth. Yet, when we funneled our mana into the intricate diagram, the spirits materialized."

Elder Kate scrutinized me, her piercing gaze delving deep into my soul, searching for unspoken truths. To my astonishment, she suddenly enveloped me in an embrace, her warmth and familiarity enveloping me like a soft, protective cloak.

"My beloved grandchild," she whispered, her voice resonating with deep affection and an echo of foreboding. "You have unknowingly birthed a new magical entity—precisely as General Lilith foresaw."

A jolt of disbelief coursed through me, and my heart raced as I processed her words.

"What?" I stammered, surprised by the gravity of the revelation.

She pulled back slightly, her hands firmly grasping my shoulders, the weight of her gaze both reassuring and laden with significance. "She desires you to reintegrate her creations into the realm of the living."

A shiver skated down my spine, icy and electric.

I hadn’t merely conjured something new; I had unwittingly fulfilled an ancient prophecy—an act that could change everything.