Never Turning Back ~3

Lessons Learned

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Hope's POV

"I guess that was the soft spot." I comment after Dr. Saltzman plunged the knife into the dragon's throat. I get up and turn to find him picking up the spell. I keep everything under control. Not needing him to see me break.

"What is this?" Dr. Saltzman asks holding the death spell out to me. "This isn't earth magic, Hope." He scolds me.

"This wasn't an earth magic problem." I respond.

"We don't allow black magic. It gets inside your heart and it poisons your mind. Now I looked the other way this morning, cause I knew you were upset. But this is a death spell. A spell you couldn't have known you need to use on a dragon, which..." His anger is now replaced with concern. "Which means you had other plans for it. Hearing it out loud from someone else makes me seem so heartless. "Landon did something stupid, maybe evil. We won't know until we learn more, but...he's still just a kid, Hope...and so are you. This hatred...this vengeance, this is your father. It can't be you. I won't allow it. Now you bury her and I'll see you back at the car."

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I tried to keep my emotions under control while burying her but it was hard. All I could think about was my parent's disappointment in me. I caused my family so much grief as it is. And now the faith they placed on me to make this family better I just ruined it by wishing someone dead. Dr. Saltzman didn't say a word to me on the drive back to school. I can only fear the disappointment my parents will have in me if they find out about this. I know Henry tried his best to keep them from knowing but there's only so much he can do.  Henry is out late with some friends from lacrosse so I have the room to myself which is good and bad. I roll to my side and can't help but look at the family photos I keep on my bedside table. The door opens and I don't lift my head. "I just want to sleep Henry I..." I look up and my mom is in front of me. "Mom?" I jump into her arms and she hugs me back so tight.

"Hello, my angel." She kisses the top of my head. And I cry into her shirt.

"I messed up mom. I..."

"Shh..." She plays with my hair making me feel better just like she did when I was a kid.

"Did Dr. Saltzman tell you?" I ask fearing for her answer. She moves us to the bed and I make room for her. I cuddle into her side needing to feel like everything is going to be okay.

"Hope, you're not the only one to be tempted by dark magic. It has its allure for many reasons. But to wish death on someone that's...I never wanted that for you." She explains I break down.

"I've ruined our family name and...all the sacrifices everyone's made for me I..."

"Hope, darling." She makes me look at her with my tears running down my face. "Why would you have that spell? I never taught it to you."

"It's in one of Aunt Freya's grimoires. I just...I needed to keep Landon from exposing us all and..."

"Landon...is this...that name sounds familiar."

"Mom it's nothing. He's nothing he..."

"He's important enough that you were going to kill him. He's a teenager just like yourself and you were going to wish him dead." She now has her serious voice and it terrifies me.

"He was going to expose us all. He...he lied about everything and even stole from the school. H..."

"Did he break your trust?" Mom asks me and I stop talking. "I always feared the worst parts of your father would rub off on and your brother. I just hoped that I could guide you to a different place." She says to me.