Syd hung up the phone with a sigh and wondered if she should call her grandma now. It was kind of early, and Syd doubted that she'd even pick up the phone. James had woken up and was setting up some kind of lesson in the kitchen. Metal clanging from the kitchen told Syd that he'd actually found a suitable table, and Syd sighed. She had actually hoped that it would take longer for him to get the table.
Syd didn't really like the lessons although she agreed that they were necessary. The fire magic ones were causing her some intense anxiety, but maybe having a nonflammable table would calm her down. Syd was much better at moving things, and in fact she wished that he would teach her some healing spells. Sam and Dean must have talked to him about defensive magic because that was really most of what she'd learned. Portia entered the library in dog form before rapidly morphing into a human. Syd really wished Portia would stop doing that; the sudden transformations actually made Syd feel a little unnerved.
"We've prepared another lesson for you," Portia informed Syd before quickly walking into the kitchen.
Portia clearly assumed that Syd would follow her, and that annoyed Syd a little. Syd wondered what would happen if she just stayed in the library. James would probably just come out and ask her politely to attend his next lesson, and Syd didn't like making him feel more uncomfortable than he already did. He'd moved into the bunker to teach her how to control her powers on Sam and Dean's recommendation, but there was some weird tension between them. Syd couldn't quite place what that was about.
Sean had left to find a kelpie whom might be able to help them find the leprechaun, so Syd was really on her own with these strangers. James was nice, and Portia wasn't mean. But both of them seemed to be trying to keep Syd at an arm's length. Perhaps they had heard about the grace and thought that she might become Lucifer's pet. Syd sighed again and left her tea on the table.
Walking into the kitchen, she saw that James had not just one candle but multiple on the table. Syd stared at James for an explanation. If she had almost set the place on fire trying to light one, why, oh WHY, would he want to add more to that problem?
"Okay, just give me the benefit of the doubt for a few moments, and try to light the blue candle," James said quickly.
Syd guessed that this was some kind of accuracy exercise, but shouldn't she first learn how to successfully light one before they try to play with literal fire? She decided to just try it and hope nothing bad happened. Syd focused on the blue candle and shut her eyes. She could feel the magic flowing within her. Still concentrating on the candle, Syd opened her eyes and watched in amazement as it lit up. Then about five of the others around it also ignited, and she looked at James. He seemed to be deep in thought, and Portia was staring at the candles.
"What? Am I doing that badly?" Syd asked. This was one of the main reasons that Syd didn't like being alone with James and Portia. They had some kind of telepathic link and often used it to discuss things before discussing it directly with Syd.
"Not badly," James tried to assure her somewhat timidly as he put out the flames. "Just… I think you're using too much power. Try it again, but focus on the yellow this time."
The yellow candle was closer to Syd, and the other candles were farther away. Syd did as he said and concentrated on the yellow candle, but this time she tried to use less magic. As she opened her eyes, the yellow candle lit up, and only two of the others had as well. Syd smiled until she noticed the scorch mark on the yellow candle. As she turned to James, she noticed with relief that James actually seemed more encouraged.
James gave her a small, sheepish smile before explaining, "You seem to be somewhat… hesitant about working with magic, so I wanted to make sure that it wasn't you just sabotaging the tests. The good news is that you aren't… at least not on purpose. The bad news is… that your powers have a more… um, 'destructive' property to them."
"That doesn't sound particularly good," Syd replied slowly.
"It means that we're now limited in what we can safely teach you," Portia clarified. "James, unlike you, isn't a natural witch, so what he can teach you is already limited. You seem to already have the hang of telekinesis, but your level of magic may be too… unpredictable for us to help you."
"So… no more lessons?" Syd asked actually feeling relieved.
"Well, there's still more we can teach you, but you're going to need a natural witch to complete your training. It's going to be hard to find one of them as they're pretty rare, especially finding one that's willing to work with the Winchesters. I'll ask around though. Most of the witch community… doesn't really trust me, but I do have a couple friends left," James assured her after seeing the look of worry on her face.
"So… no more lessons for today?" Syd asked sheepishly.
"We still have more warding spells to teach you," James informed her with an apologetic smile. "Working on spells with structure seems to be safe for you. You're especially good with Enochian."
"Well, having an actual angel teaching me helps," Syd admitted, and James' eyebrows shot up.
"Oh, yes, I heard about him… Castiel, right? Is he here?"
"Not at the moment. I heard him talking with Sam and Dean the other day. Apparently the angels have decided that caging Lucifer is worth my life, so they want to use me in some kind of spell. Cas is trying to reason with them."
James and Portia shared another one of their looks, and Syd tried to hide her irritation.
"Is there… anyway that we can help?" Portia asked.
"Do you know anything about angelic grace or how to remove it?"
They shared another look, which told Syd that they knew about her 'condition', and James answered, "No, I don't. Actually, why don't we take a break for today, and I'll clean this up. Just focus on your Enochian for today."
"Aye, aye," Syd said and left the kitchen before they could say anything else. She now had a splitting headache and went to lie in her bed. Holly snuggled up beside her, and they took a quick nap.