Return of an enemy

At the Owl House

Dawn had just returned from her visit with Charles to discuss the worsening effects of their curses. She opened the door and found Faye dressed in quite a casual manner.

"Is that what you're wearing? Aren't you forgetting that the town fair is an important event?" said Dawn.

"Don't you love it mum, it's new" replied Faye.

"Exactly how I don't want you to dress," answered Dawn.

Faye continues staring at her mother, and suddenly sees some hair and claws emerge from her fingers.

"Mom, it's happening again!" Faye calls out.

"What's happening?" Dawn asks before looking down at her fingers. "Oh, right. That wretched curse. Faye dear, would you be kind enough to fetch me a new bottle of elixir in the cupboard under the stairs."

Faye left to get a bottle of elixir for her mother but discovered that there are none left.

"Mom, I think you have a problem."

"What is it dear," Dawn replies as she joins Faye who is staring at the empty cupboard. "Oh no, we're all out. Guess I have to visit my dad at his place to get some more."

"Wait, is that Grandpa Henry. I want to come too," replied Faye.

"I was hoping you would stay here and watch over Hooty, but if you want to then you can join me."

At the Chamberlain mansion

I was still asleep when I was rudely awoken by my grandmother. "Cassie, don't you realise what time it is? You need to get ready because the town fair is on today."

"Oh grandma, why do I have to come? Won't the Owl Lady and her nasty daughter be there too?"

My grandmother again gave me a look, before replying "Don't say that Cassie. Look I know you're scared of what your mother wrote in that letter, but I'll take care of you."

"Ok thanks grandma. But can't I just stay here with Henry?"

"Well, Henry can take care of himself. Plus he prefers to be alone," answered Jane.

Shortly afterwards, I heard a knock from downstairs. "Ok Cassie, I'll leave you alone and you get ready. I'll go and answer the door."

My grandmother headed downstairs and joined Henry who had opened the door, revealing Dawn and her daughter Faye who were standing outside. Jane had an annoyed look on her face and was the first to speak.

"If it isn't you two," complained Jane. "Have you come to take my granddaughter away again?"

"Sheesh, will you stop judging me," replied Dawn. "I'm only here to get more supplies of elixir from my dad."

Jane was about to speak before being interrupted by Henry. "Sure, my daughter. Just give me time to collect them."

"Henry, what are you doing? You're not supposed to be helping that woman!" shouted Jane.

"Jane, what we did to her was wrong. Over the phone, she complains to me that her curse is worsening and it's only right that I fix it," replied Henry.

I had finished getting changed and walked downstairs to witness the argument between my grandmother and the Owl Lady. Faye glanced at me and ran into the house.

"Cassie my god it's been lonely without you," said Faye.

"Don't you have your best friend Melissa around with you. Or has she finally left you?" I reply.

"Oh, stop that. I was hoping you could join Melissa and I at the town fair later this afternoon. After all, us witches have to stick together."

"You keep going on about me wanting to stick with other witches. I don't even have a clue about how to do any form of magic!"

"Well Cassie, I can teach you. Let's start with a basic light spell," Faye said as she brought out a candle. "Just draw a circle with your finger and focus on lighting the candle with flame," as she began to cast a spell which lit up the candle.

"Now you try," Faye said to me as she passed me another candle. I tried the same animation and tried to concentrate on lighting the candle. But the spell didn't work as the candle remained unlit.

"You need to try harder Cassie," encouraged Faye. I tried again, and this time the candle lit up. But it also started a fire which soon surrounded me. "Help Faye, how do I put out this fire!"

"Just try casting a water spell that will extinguish the blaze," replied Faye.

I attempted to focus on the flames as I began to cast another spell. But it didn't seem to work as the flames continued to grow.

"I'll help you," said Faye as she cast a spell that released a jet of water. The fire was soon extinguished.

"I don't get it. Why is our magic so out of control?" Faye spoke up.

"I'm not sure. But when I was searching around this place, I found my family grimoire. Maybe it can explain everything."

Faye had an annoyed look as she moaned "Typical, first that weakling Diana and now you."

"What's the matter Faye?" I ask her.

"I haven't been able to find my family's grimoire yet. Diana was the first to find hers and now you have got your family grimoire."

"Well, I'm sure your mom must keep your family's grimoire hidden somewhere. Anyway, why don't we head upstairs and go through my grimoire together."

Faye reluctantly followed me upstairs to the bedroom. We found the grimoire and started reading through it. On one page it said 'Beware: Once you have a full coven, magical abilities will be magnified and must be controlled by binding all the different energies together.'

Faye realised what was happening. "Cassie, this explains it all. As a coven, we all have unique abilities. I focus on abominations; Diana seems to be an expert in plant magic and my friend Melissa is a mastery of Bard magic. Now that you're a part of this realm, we have a full coven and must bind the circle together to control our magic."

"How do we do that?" I ask Faye.

"I heard from Diana that her grimoire focuses on binding enchantments. Maybe if we ask her, then she can show us what to do." Faye replied.

"That's all good, but I thought you and Diana don't get along well." I answered.

"Cassie, if you bring your grimoire along then I'm sure Diana would be more willing to trust us on this matter when we show her what is happening with the coven. I heard she and her friend Adam have also experienced problems with their magic abilities ever since you arrived in this world."

"Ok, then we'll head back into town once our parents settle their disagreements."