Page 61 of Scars Like Wings

Sweetness, you can be as obsessed with me as you want. I’m already so obsessed with you. ??

I double-tapped her text message to love it with a heart and continued exploring the box more, hoping for more pictures to send. Instead, I found things from my mom’s and Pops’ bedroom, like her old mirror tray that used to sit on her nightstand and a crystal glass box that used to hold some of her and Pops’ jewelry and cufflinks. There were old children’sbooks at the bottom of the box—copies of books by Dr. Seuss, Roald Dahl, The Brothers Grimm, and quirky children’s books—and books Mom particularly enjoyed—likeColor PurpleandInterview with a Vampire—among old t-shirts I hadn’t seen in years. I was picking up a particularly old Tweety Bird one when I noticed it and some of my other shirts caught on something. Pulling all the shirts up, a leather-bound journal fell without a sound onto the floor.

I stared at the book. It washuge.Lifting it up took two hands, and my hand couldn’t even grasp the spine fully. It was thick enough to rival the tomes I often interacted with at work. Still, the book was surprisingly light despite its size. There had to be over a thousand pages inside. The leather cover was thick with an intricate design of colorful gems and glittering gold lines. All of it sparkled in the light of the room, making rainbows of light dance on the walls and floor. The spine lacked any wording to identify its title, its author, or if there was one of either. The leather appeared ageless, giving no hint to how old or new the book truly was. A strange lock sealed the book closed with no keyhole to open it. Instead, a raw uncut, polished lapis lazuli stone was where a keyhole would be. I had never seen this book before. What was this book? Where had it come from?

“Everett?” I called, interrupting whatever he and the girls were fighting about. I got up to approach them. “What is this?”

I showed him, Maisie, and Simone the book. Maisie and Simone immediately frowned looking at the book. However, Uncle Everett didn’t seem to see it. He stared straight past it to my obsidian pendant resting on my sternum.

“What’s what, kiddo? I don’t see anything.”

Maisie and Simone snapped their heads at him. I deepened the frown I already had. “What do you mean? You don’t see the book in my hands, E?”

“What book?”

“Are youjoking? Uncle Everett, are you okay? I’m talking aboutthisbook in my handsright in front of you.”

“I don’t see anything,” He repeated with that same stare like the book was invisible.

I opened my mouth, but Maisie stopped me. Her eyes shifted quickly from brown to purple before she blinked. “Byrd. Stop. He’s been spelled. His eyes are swirling with the exact same magic I saw on your back.”

My stomach sank as my eyes widened. I stared into Uncle Everett’s eyes as if I could see the same magic that only Maisie had the power to see. All I saw was the same glazed over look in his eyes from before.

Like there wasn’t anything in my hands.

But also, like he couldn’t look away from it.

“How is that possible, Maisie?” I asked, not taking my eyes away from Uncle Everett. Worry blossomed in my heart.

“It’s some very,verystrong magic. Unlike anything I’ve seen before.” Maisie gestured for me to back up so that she could stand in front of Everett. “Hey, Everett?”

“Yes?” He asked her dreamily, distantly, not fully present or my Everett. His eyes were locked on the pendant swaying around my neck, even though I had moved to the side. I shifted the book to the crook of my arm as I went to grip the stone. To say I was freaked out would be the understatement of the century.

“Hey, I think we could use more coffee. Can we get some of that creamer? The fancy seasonal dessert one that we love?” Maisie asked.

“The white chocolate pumpkin pie?” Everett answered.

“Sure, that one.”

“We ran out of that earlier. I would have to run to the store?—”

“Perfect! Do you mind going?”

Everett plastered a smile on his face. It was so mechanical and placid. It didn’t reach his foggy eyes. “Not at all, girls! Be right back!”

Uncle Everett left without another word, but there was something off-putting in his movements, in his walk. Something was wrong.

“Maisie, is he okay? Is he going to be okay?” I asked.

“Yes, I promise. The spell makes him look out of it, but I swear he’s fine. He’ll be back soon, though, so let’s look at that book.” Maisie nodded toward the book. I didn’t even realize I was white-knuckling it.

I moved the pile of clothes on the bed out of the way and sat the book down in front of all three of us. Directly in front of it, Maisie held her hand over the book. Neon purple clouded the dark brown of her eyes instantly. As quickly as they changed color, they reverted back to normal.

“It’s the book all right,” Maisie said. “It has the same magic swirling over it as in Everett’s and on your back. It’s this sapphire blue with swirls of lavender, orange, pink, and white. I have never seen anything like it before.”

“Can we open it?” Simone asked.

Maisie raised an eyebrow. “You want to open a mysterious book that we have no idea where it came from or what it is that turned Everett into a mindless drone? Girl, have you not paid any attention during the scary movies we watch?”