Chapter Seventeen

"How could you let this happen?" Santana demanded as she paced at the foot of the bed where Kurt lay, unconscious.

"We didn't know what was happening," David told her honestly. "How were we supposed to stop it?"

Trent was shaking his head. "What he did is impossible. I've never seen it before so I called my granddad. But when they got back from whatever it was, Kurt was really aggravated and rubbing at his temples. He didn't want to answer questions, just wanted peace and quiet, and Blaine." He looked over at the curly haired boy who sat vigil at Kurt's bedside, refusing to let go of his hand.

"Let's just all calm down," Emma Pillsbury said. "You told me Kurt has no control over any of the things he does, so it's no use pointing fingers. Thankfully, Mr. Harwood was nearby and came as quickly as he did," she acknowledged Thad's father, who along with his son and Beatz, was working a healing spell on the pale witch.

"What exactly is wrong with him?" Mercedes asked, looking at Kurt's still unconscious form on the bed. He still didn't look very well at all.

It was the older man who spoke. "Basically, he overused his powers. As you know magic is like a muscle, it takes use to make it stronger, but if you overuse it you can injure yourself. As he uses his power more, he'll get used to it, and these incidents won't occur as frequently. He needs to rest, and not use magic for at least forty eight hours."

Blaine spoke then for the first time since Kurt had passed out. "Well, seeing as he uses it subconsciously, unless you plan on keeping him sedated for forty-eight hours, I don't think that's going to be achievable, Mr. Harwood, with all due respect."

"He didn't seem to be using it subconsciously when he took my phone," David muttered.

Mr. Harwood shook his head. "Sedating him won't be necessary. I can make a potion that will suppress his powers until he is strong enough to have a little more control over them."

"Porcelain isn't going to like that," Santana said, not taking her eyes from her friend.

Wes cursed under his breath. "Is there any way you can make that shorter, Mr. Harwood? Halloween is just around the corner. With the one hundred and ninth anniversary coming up, and us closer than ever to solving this mystery, I don't think it's a good idea for Kurt to not be able to use his magic."

Thad's father shook his head. "I'm sorry, there is nothing I can do. Forty eight hours is how long it will take for his powers to reset. I can have the potion ready in an hour, so he can start recovering immediately. In the meantime, just make sure he rests when he can, and that he drinks plenty of fluids."

"You sound like the human doctors on TV," Mercedes said.

Wes cursed again and looked up at Thad's father, his eyes unusually cold. "I would have expected you of all people to understand, Mr. Harwood. You know the prophecy. If Kurt can't help us because of this and not using his powers, it's a very real possibility, we will lose to Andrew Smythe."

The older man looked at him with a frown. "I will forgive your youthful outburst because I do understand how frustrating this is. My family has been here since that day, too. Two days may seem like an eternity to you kids, but unless you want to cause permanent damage to this boy, you will listen to what I say. You will still have four days to figure things out." He turned away from Wes and spoke to his son. "Walk with me to the Sanctuary and I will teach you how to make the potion if you should need it again."

As they left, Jackie placed a hand on Wes' shoulder. "It will all work out in the end. Have faith in the Goddess' plan."

"Faith in the Goddess' plan? If the Goddess was watching out like everyone says she is, we wouldn't be in the mess in the first place!" Wes retorted, before turning on his heel, walking out of the room and slamming the door.

"Well," Trent said. "He's finally snapped."

David frowned, staring at the door his best friend had just walked through. "Something isn't right."

"What do you mean?" Mercedes said.

David turned to Beatz. "Didn't Thad say this morning that several members of the Circle had headaches?"

"Yeah, he did," Beatz confirmed, nodding his head. "Why? What are you onto, David?"

The darker boy turned to look at him. "When was the last time you saw Wes storm out of any situation?"

Beatz went quiet, opening and closing his mouth as though trying to find a response that wasn't there. "Never?"

"Exactly," David said, and pulled out his family's grimoire, searching through it for a particular spell. He began to chant in the ancient language of magic, drawing a symbol in the air in front of him that seemed to glow as if made of pure energy. When he finished the incantation, he made a slashing motion through the symbol, which shattered into billions of time particles that swept around the room, touching everyone present, before sweeping out the cracks in the door and windows, seeking out every member of The Circle.

"A cleansing spell?" Emma asked. "You suspect a discord invocation?"

Beatz frowned. "But wouldn't the dark magic warning charms have detected that?"

Jackie shook her head. "It's not technically dark magic, so it wouldn't have triggered a warning."

"Then how do you think it happened?" Beatz asked.

David sighed and scrubbed his face. "We know Smythe was impersonating the headmaster, although for how long we don't know. He could have used the invocation at any time over the last week. Invocations are slow to activate, taking their time to do whatever they are intended to do. The headaches many of the boys have been feeling would just be the first wave of the invocation's intent. It would then be followed by low grade paranoia, a sense of distrust, and eventually full out hostility."

"Do you think the cleansing spell worked?" Mercedes said, looking slightly worried. "I mean, Wes is kind of the leader of all this, right? We need him."

"I'll go check on him in a few minutes," David said. "For now, everyone just needs to be aware of their own emotions. If something seems off, let me or Thad know immediately."

Blaine was frowning. "Didn't Matthew's journal say something about not knowing where his anger was coming from?"

"That's right," Santana said. "But I thought Charles was the twin who used manipulative magic."

"He was," David agreed. "I suppose it's not above the realm of possibility that Andrew has developed a few more tricks over the last several decades, though."

"That, or when Andrew killed his brother, he had a way of absorbing his powers," Blaine said.

They all exchanged a look as that possibility sank in.

…

Emma was still concerned about what she'd overheard the girls talking about earlier and she approached David before he left the room. "I need to talk to you and Wes about something highly important if you don't mind," she said to the boy.

David turned to look at her. "I don't think we've been introduced yet. Things were a bit hectic when you arrived. "David Thompson," he said, holding his hand out.

"Emma Pillsbury," the woman replied, hesitantly taking his hand. This was not a time to be worrying about germs. "I'm in the same Circle as Santana and Mercedes. I'm also the guidance counselor at McKinley."

"Welcome to Dalton, what do you want to speak to us about?"

"I'm here because I overheard the girls mention Hunter Clarington today. There's something you boys need to know about that family."

"Clarington? We definitely need to find Wes, then."

She nodded and gestured for him to lead the way. "The sooner, the better," she said.

They headed down the stairs towards Wes' dorm room, but the other boy wasn't there. David frowned. "He must have gone down to the Sanctuary." It was the only other logical place David could think of for Wes to be.

"I wish I had known that Kurt was a witch. I could have helped him before all this," Emma said as she followed the boy.

David shrugged. "His great great grandfather bound the family's magic while under the influence of a malignant dark magic spell. He never told them they were witches."

Emma frowned. "That's extremely unfortunate," she said, studying the halls of Dalton as they walked.

"Mercedes said your Circle meets out at Lake Cody. It must be nice out there by moonlight."

"Oh it's absolutely beautiful out there. Do you boys only meet in the school then?"

"Unless we're casting a full circle, then we meet in the woods just beyond the grounds, far enough out so the humans don't see, of course."

She nodded. "It's fascinating how you've managed to cohabit with the humans and there doesn't seem to be any idea. Granted, many humans today are under the impression that witches aren't real, but I doubt that has much to do with it."

David shrugged. "I think it has a lot to do with the protective charms and calming stones embedded in the very foundation of the school. We call it a zero tolerance, no bullying policy, but it's reinforced with magic."

"Sounds like it would have been a good school for Kurt to go to even if he wasn't a witch."

"Why do you say that?" David asked. He'd heard a few stories from Mercedes about the pale boy and the jocks at McKinley, but the guidance counselor made it sound worse.

Emma sighed. "Don't let Kurt's exterior fool you. That boy is scarily good at hiding his true feelings. The issue is that he hates other people finding out just what he's going through and he's always brushed it off as being minor. But he can't always hide the locker checks or the fact that he has to change his clothes at least once a day because of slushies. And then there's Karofsky. He seems to be the worst of them."

The boy was frowning. "Maybe it's a good thing Kurt didn't know about his powers. Being pushed that far may have made him snap and use magic for revenge."

"Perhaps," Emma said. "But you would be surprised how much that boy can take. On that note, I think all this came just in time because I think it was all starting to get to him."

David let out a sigh. "The Goddess knows the best time for everything."

They reached the Sanctuary area and began searching for the Asian witch, but there was no sign of him there, either. David let out a curse and pulled out his phone, hitting Wes' speed dial.

"Make this quick, David, I'm driving," Wes answered.

"Where the hell are you going?"

"To the ranch house."

"What? Why are you leaving now? We need you here!"

"I called my dad. He thinks I'm in too deep and need to step away for a day or two. I'll be back no later than the day after tomorrow, I promise. Why? Is something wrong?"

David swore again. "Andrew used a discord invocation when he was inside Dalton the last time. That was why you had the headache and reacted the way you did to Thad's dad. I cast a cleansing spell, but I'm guessing you had already left the grounds by then. You need to come back so I can make sure you aren't still under the invocation."

There was the sound of a squeal of tires as Wes slammed on his breaks, glad he wasn't already on the freeway. "Andrew did what?!" he yelled. "I'll tear that maggot limb for limb!"

"Calm down. That is the invocation working. Take some deep, calming breaths, and then turn around and return to Dalton. Or better yet, pull over somewhere safe and we will come get you."

Wes did as David indicated, thankful that his friend knew how to handle this. Otherwise, he might have found himself driving off the dock or something. Speaking of, he pulled into a parking lot at the pier. "I'm at the docks."

"Don't move, don't talk to anyone until we get there. You never know where Andrew could be. Leave your phone on so we can track you just in case."

"I'm putting a ward on the car. No one will be able to notice it," Wes said. "You'll need a detection spell when you get here."

"Okay. I'll bring Trent with me so he can drive your car back for you."

"David?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

"I know," he replied, very aware of the woman standing nearby.

Wes drew a deep breath and shut his eyes, resting his head against the back of the seat. "Just hurry up, okay?"

"Have I ever let you down? Just stay safe."

The Asian witch nodded and hung up the phone, making sure to cast the wards before he climbed into the backseat of his car and laid down.

Emma, who had politely tuned out the young witch and his conversation, turned to look at him once more when he hung up. "Is he okay?"

"He seems to be," David said, sounding just a little apprehensive. "But the cleansing spell didn't reach him because he'd already left campus. He's at the docks. I have to go get him." As he spoke he was shooting off a text to Trent to meet him at his car asap.

"I really do need to speak to the both of you, but I think it may have to wait until tomorrow. It's already so late tonight."

"I'm really sorry," David apologized. "I didn't expect this to happen. But I promise we'll be ready to talk as soon as possible."

Emma nodded. "It was nice to meet you. I hope you find your...friend safe." David noticed the pause before she said the word 'friend,' and wondered just what the woman had overheard or surmised.

"I hope you and the girls get back to Lima safely," he replied, before excusing himself and rushing up the stairs, checking to make sure his car keys were already in his pocket.

Trent was waiting for him by the car when he got there. "What's up?"

"Wes left campus. He's at the docks on route to the ranch house," David replied, wasting no time unlocking the doors. "We're going to go get him."

"Why can't he drive himself back?" the younger boy asked as he dropped into the passenger seat. "And why do you need me?"

"First, because he'd already left when I cast the cleansing spell, so it didn't reach him. Second, because I need you to drive his car back."

Trent frowned. "I hope he doesn't do anything drastic before we get there."

"Don't worry," David said as he started the car and pulled out of the parking lot. "I told him about the invocation. And you know Wes will do his damnedest to be on alert now that he's aware of what is happening."

…

Wes couldn't seem to shake the sense of dread that was consuming him. Every sound seemed to be a threat, every shadow that passed by meant imminent danger. With every passing second he became more convinced that David had abandoned him.

David had abandoned him. He wasn't coming. No one was coming. His dad had sent him away. The Goddess had betrayed him. They were going to fail in solving this mystery. Andrew was going to win.

Unable to stamp out these thoughts, Wes sat up from the backseat and opened the back passenger door of the car. With the sun nearly down, it cast all kinds of shadows from the boats looming along the dock. He left the car door open and walked towards the nearest dock, eyes on the rippling of the water under the rising moon.

He came to a stop at the end and looked down. The water was dark. He couldn't see what was in it. Maybe because everyone seemed to be abandoning him, it wouldn't matter if he didn't come back at all. Wes' eyes remained on the dock until another shadow passed overhead and they darted upwards. It was just a bird, but was that really a bird?

"Wes!" a voice shouted, but it didn't seem to register. The shout came a second time, closer this time, and Wes turned so fast, startled at the sound, he lost his balance, toppling into the murky water below.

David cursed. He and Trent bolted for the dock.

"I'm calling for help," Trent said, already whipping out his phone. He knew that Wes knew how to swim, but was worried that in his present state of mind, he'd forget to try.

David didn't hear him, already kicking off his shoes and yanking his shirt off over his head as he ran towards the end of the dock. He executed a perfect kick off dive, and swam down in search of the other witch.

"David!" Trent shouted, cursing under his breath. What the hell was wrong with the older witch? Was he mental or something? But he didn't have a chance to try and go after him because the line picked up. "Hello? Yes, I need help at the docks." He gave the specific docks he was at. "My friend fell into the water and our other friend just jumped in after him."

At first David couldn't see anything in the fading light as the sun disappeared, but suddenly a hand appeared in front of him. He grabbed ahold of it and pulled with all his strength, until Wes' face appeared. There was no thought as he pressed his lips to the other boy's, even as he began kicking for the surface.

Trent was frantically pacing back and forth as he talked to emergency personnel. Wes wasn't thinking straight, and for some reason, David had just gone off his rocker. Had they both been affected by some kind of malignant spell that made them do dangerous things?

But before the thought even finished, he saw the two boys surface quite some distance from the end of the pier.

"I got you," David huffed, breathing heavily as he wrapped his arms tightly around the other boy's middle. "I got you. You're okay. You're going to be okay."

Wes was shaking so hard he could barely speak. "David?"

"Shhh," David said. "Don't try to talk. But I'm right here. I'm here Wes."

"You didn't abandon me…" Wes sobbed as David began side stroking towards shore, pulling the other boy with him.

"Of course I didn't abandon you," David said, frowning. "Wes, I would never." He was worried about what kind of effect the invocation spell had on the other boy if he was now thinking David had abandoned him.

"I was so alone. Everything was trying to get to me. So scared. So alone."

David paused to catch a breath now that they were close enough to shore. He reached up and pushed back some of Wes' wet hair. "You're not alone, okay? I'll never let you feel that way. I love you, Wes." At that moment, he didn't care that Trent could see them, he just cared about making sure that Wes knew he was always going to be there. His hand slid down to cup the other boy's cheek and he leaned forward and kissed him.

Trent wasn't looking in their direction at that moment, however. Movement in the nearby brush had caught his attention, and out of the shadows, Mischief the cat appeared. "What in the world?" Trent said. "Mischief?" He cautiously approached the cat. "What are you doing all the way out here, buddy? How did you get here?"

The cat wound around his ankles, purring loudly until the boy leaned down and picked him up. The young witch felt an odd sense of familiarity as he looked into the cat's eyes.

Trent walked towards the docks, scratching the feline behind the ears and still wondering how the cat had gotten all the way out here in the first place. By the time Trent reached the shore line, David was dragging Wes out of the water. Both boys were cold, but Wes was shivering so hard he couldn't stand on his own. Both David and Trent began chanting a warming spell to help dry them and stave off hypothermia. The cat jumped from Trent's arms and pressed close to Wes, despite the fact that he was dripping wet, and began purring even louder. The action seemed to help the older boy stop shaking.

David refused to let go of Wes, but looked surprised at the sight of the cat. "What is Mischief doing here? Did you bring him, Trent?"

"He just strutted out from the bushes back there," the younger boy said, shaking his head. "I have no clue how he got all the way out here."

David frowned in confusion as the cat continued to purr around Wes. It was as if it was performing its own magic. "Trent, do familiars have magic?"

"Some of them have been known to use elemental magic. Perhaps he is drawing upon fire to heat Wes' core."

"We also know that he's not just a normal familiar," David added. "I wonder if that has anything to do with it."

Wes' teeth were still chattering, but he looked at David in alarm. "What do you mean he's not a normal familiar?" David had forgotten Wes hadn't been in the room when they discovered the truth about Mischief.

"He can take human form," Trent answered.

Wes' eyes went even wider. "My grandfather told me that shape shifting familiars are the reincarnation of murdered witches."

David and Trent both glanced at each other with wide eyes. "You guys don't think…" David started, voice trailing off as he watched Mischief in slight disbelief.

Wes shook his head, still really weak and shaky. "Even if he is, he won't be able to tell us what happened. The magic that reincarnates them prohibits them from taking human form when in the presence of a member of their family, and from speaking of their death."

"So much for solving murders from beyond the grave," David deadpanned. "Come on Wes. Let's get you home. Give Trent your keys."

"They're still in the car, I think." As they were walking back to the parking lot, however, a police car pulled in. Wes glanced at Trent. "You called the police?"

"You just fell off the dock into the water. I was trying to get help," Trent admitted. "I didn't expect David to go jumping in there after you."

Wes and David exchanged a look. "You do realize David is the captain of the swim team, don't you?"

"And you do realize this isn't some pool, but a natural body of water that we have no way of knowing how deep it is or what's down there, do you?" Trent countered.

"And you do realize I'm a lifeguard here every summer?" David said, shaking his head at the younger witch. "Come on, I'll deal with the police. You get Wes settled in my car."

It only took a simple believability spell to convince the officer that both boys were fine, and that there was no need to call in paramedics to check them out. They waited until the cop had left before heading back to Dalton.

David was quiet as he pulled out of the parking lot, one hand on the wheel and the other grasping one of Wes' hands. "Why did you get out of the car? I told you to stay put.'

The other boy just shook his head. "I was so confused. I didn't know how much time had passed, and every sound or shadow seemed to be more threatening than the last."

"That was the invocation spell talking. I'm cleansing you as soon as we get back and tucking you into bed. I'll commission Thad to bring you some hot tea."

"You just love it when you get to be bossy, don't you?"

The small hint of a smile tugged at the darker witch's lips. "You can't deny you love it when I'm bossy too."