Part 30 (1/2)
”I don't need anything, thanks.” She glanced up at Anica and smiled. ”Come over and sit down. I have something to explain.” She pulled a sheaf of papers out of her purse.
Anica's feeling of dread wouldn't go away. ”Something you didn't want to tell me on the phone.”
”Right.”
Heart pounding, back stiff, Anica perched on the sofa.
”I know you're nervous, and I wish I could tell you not to be, but the fact is that spell has serious consequences. Because I'm a member of the Wizard Council, I have the authority to offer you this contract, which will address those consequences. Ambrose and I have researched this spell using every known resource through magical channels and the Internet. A contract is definitely necessary.”
Anica told herself to keep breathing. ”But you said Jasper could regain his human form.”
”He can, but as the witch who imposed that spell, you must agree to give up something in order for him to return to normal.”
Anica's heart felt as if it would hammer its way right out of her chest. ”What?”
”Your magic.”
She closed her eyes. She'd known it would come to this. Somehow she'd always known. ”Forever?”
”Yes, forever.”
The sentence was harsh, very harsh, but for Jasper's sake, she'd bear it. She realized that instantly. She would be strong, resilient. ”At least I'll have Lily around. I can watch her do magic and get a vicarious thrill.”
”That's the addendum, I'm afraid.”
”What addendum?” Anica tried not to panic.
Dorcas flipped through the contract. ”Here it is. Section four, paragraph six. Aforementioned witch, having voluntarily given up all use of magic in exchange for the lifting of Transformation Spell Four Hundred Seventy-seven, will hereafter have a negative effect on any magic done in her presence.”
”A negative effect? What does that mean?”
”You'll give off antimagic vibrations that will interfere with attempted spells. You'll cancel out any and all magic.”
”That seems so unfair!”
”It's one of the terms.”
Anica swallowed. She wouldn't be able to ask for magical favors, and she thought she could live with that. But could she live with being a pariah, unwanted at any magical gathering?
”I'm sorry, Anica. I wish there could be another way, but I've researched the spell six ways to Sunday, and this is all we have.”
”Right.” Anica struggled to accept what must be if Jasper was to be permanently transformed.
”There's one last provision, one that might be even harder on you than the other two.”
”I can't imagine what would be harder than being cut off from all magic.”
”This is a result of that. Your antimagic vibrations mean that you have to stay completely away from Jasper. Any contact will result in him reverting to his cat form.”
”No!”
”Those are the conditions.”
”I can't accept that! I can't!”
Dorcas shrugged. ”Then everything stays the way it is now.”
Anica closed her eyes as the bad news. .h.i.t like a fist to her diaphragm. She was not only losing her magic, she was losing Jasper. Dear Zeus, how this hurt. She hadn't known there was this much psychic pain in the world.
After what seemed like a long, long time, she opened her eyes and took a shaky breath. There was no debate, really. She felt the grief ma.s.sing an army on the borders of her mind. She'd hold it off for now, so that she could do what needed to be done.
She cleared the emotion clogging her throat and faced Dorcas. ”Any contact? Including phone and e-mail?”
Dorcas frowned. ”I can't imagine e-mail would matter, but I wouldn't take a chance, if I were you. It says any contact, which covers a lot of territory. I might be able to get more clarification, but-”
”Never mind.” A phone call or an e-mail would only increase the pain. ”I agree to the terms.”
Dorcas put her hand over Anica's, which was clenched in her lap. ”You're absolutely sure?”
”Of course I'm sure.” She met Dorcas's gaze. ”I love Jasper. I would do anything to reverse that spell. I would . . .” She swallowed. ”I would give my life.”
Dorcas regarded her with sympathy. ”Giving up your magic and the man you love can't be easy for you.”
”This isn't about me. It's about Jasper and what he needs so he can get back to normal.”
”And that's your final decision?”
”Yes. I . . . a.s.sume Ambrose will make sure Jasper doesn't come back to the apartment?”
”Of course.” Dorcas pulled a purple folder out of her purse. ”I'll need you to sign this contract, which waives all your rights to practice magic of any kind, and stipulates that you will take every precaution to stay away from the recipient of your spell, Jasper Steven Danes.”
”Steven,” Anica said softly. ”I didn't even know his middle name.”
”We had to look it up.”
Anica stood, needing to move. ”I'll get a pen.”
”No, I have a pen.” Dorcas dug around in the bottom of her purse. ”I know I put it in here.”
”Let me get mine.”
”No, you need to use this one. Remember, this was a really old spell. Aha. Here it is.” She pulled a black feather from her purse.
”A quill? Did you bring ink?”
”The quill produces its own ink, and it's a onetimeuse instrument. After you sign and date the contract the quill turns to dust. I have a supplier in Sedona, and fortunately I just got a new s.h.i.+pment.”
Anica held out her hand for the pen. Sure enough, after she'd signed and dated the contract, the quill turned to dust that drifted down to the carpet. Then, right after that, the contract shriveled and became dust, as well.
That was fine with Anica. Who would want to have such a horrible doc.u.ment hanging around? ”How soon does it take effect?”