Read The Vaga for Free Online Page B

people telling me what to do. Who does he think he is?
    I turn on him. ‘You’re not my father, and you don’t get to tell me what to do,’ I say hotly.
    ‘Ellie!’ Aunt Lily says shocked.
    Uncle Jo’s eyes glow fiercely for a split second. ‘I see. Well, that may be the case, but you still need to pick an option.’ He places his clenched fists inside his pant pockets and all eyes fall to me.
    Grabbing my bag from the coat stand, I storm out into the night and stride across the lawn. I keep walking until my breath catches up with me and I don’t stop until my feet reach the campus border. I choke back hot tears.
    What did I just do? I’ve
never
spoken to him like that before. The hurt in his eyes was evident. What is going on with me?
    Magi’s wet nose nuzzles my hand and I let a tear fall before wiping it away roughly.
    ‘E, are you alright?’ I hear Phoebe ask behind me.
    I turn towards her, thankful that the night is covering my face. ‘Yep. Let’s get out of here.’
    ‘If you want to ta—’
    ‘No, Phoebs. I don’t want to talk. Let’s just go.’
    I cross the warding, feeling the tingle of magic disappear as my legs carry me in the direction of the campus stadium.
    We walk in companionable silence across the open parkland, Phoebe knowing me long enough to know when to leave me alone. The breeze blows through the trees and the surrounding dark recesses of the park, causing shadows to move like sinister silhouettes, leaping around like puppets caught in a demonic
Punch and Judy
act.
    I lift my eyes heavenward, and for the first time notice that a pale orange glow encircles the Waning Gibbous moon. I was taught to believe that the Moon holds great power over the earth, and is central to spell-casting and understanding the intricate workings of the universe. I was also taught to read the lunar cycles, to know what their phases and colours mean.
    As I look upon its cold light, shining down upon the earth in warning, a deep chill sets into my bones. This moon is not a good omen.
    Magi’s sudden growl alerts me to danger.
    ‘Galahatha mara.’ I feel the change in the air wash over me as the spell takes effect.
    An invisible shield surrounds us as we stand exposed in the middle of the darkened park.
    ‘What is it?’ Phoebe whispers, grabbing my jacket tightly.
    My eyes scan the area, honing in on the spaces that are unseen to the naked eye. I catch a flicker of a dark shadow off to my right. Magi sees it through my mind and gets ready to launch towards it.
    I grab her collar. ‘No, Mags. We need to move. Now!’
    I reach for Phoebe’s hand and she screams, pointing towards a silhouette walking straight for us. I push her behind me, feeling the magic rush to the surface.
    ‘Where have you guys been?’ Sam asks, striding towards us with purpose. ‘And why are you screaming?’
    We let out a collective rush of air.
    ‘Holy crap, Sam! Ever heard of not sneaking up on a girl?’ Phoebe yells, exasperated.
    I lower my hands swiftly, hoping he didn’t see the blue light that was crackling within them only seconds ago.
    He holds his hands out. ‘Sorry, but you took too long and I got worried. So I came looking for you.’
    He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. Even from here I can see that they have taken on a nocturnal gleam and are moving swiftly back and forth across the parkland, as if they are searching for something. Or maybe the moonlight is just playing tricks on me.
    As he passes through the shield he pauses mid-stride, just long enough for me to notice, before wrapping his arms around our shoulders. His touch is light and comforting.
    ‘If we don’t hurry we’re going to miss the game. So let’s move ladies.’ He ushers us forward and I feel better for having him here. Magi brings up the rear, her animal instincts on edge.
    We pass the deserted playground where the dull lamplight is shining off the shabby merry-go-round. A gust of wind causes it to move slightly, the grating steel