"Ugh, I don't know what I wanted to do more, punch him in the face or puke on him." I said in disgust." "I would do both of I were you. I'm sorry about that by the way, I thought Derek was on a trip, or else I would've been mindful of this area. It's where he flirts the most." Carter said, with sympathy and anger filling his eyes, "Anyways, why don't we look around? We have a lot of time on our hands." "Ok, sure. Why not?" So headed off again, looking at different shops and carts. Eventually, we went up to a pond on a small hill, just a few yards away from the town. We sat down and looked into the water.

                              The reflection of the sun on the water was spectacular. The water glistened. There were little fish swimming around, and water lilies all around. "So how do you like it?" He asked while gesturing towards the pond. It's absolutely beautiful I think, but instead I say, "Meh, it's ok." He stared at me funny and then picked up one of the lilies. It was purple with white and yellow details. He then leans closer to me and said, "This may not seem beautiful to you, but personally I think it looks best when somebody beautiful wears it." He then put it in my hair and leaned back.

                                          I glanced at my reflection in the pond. Then I did something I didn't expect myself to do. Instead of the usual eye rolling, I blushed. What? That can't be right. I don't blush! But clear as day light, I did. Carter must've noticed it too, because he smiled. "So, Miss 'I don't give a crap about anything mushy and cute', you're blushing," he said smugly. "No I'm not! The sun is about to start setting and it's reflecting off my face! I do not blush," I said, anger and embarrassment flaring in me. "Sure, whatever you say. Look, how would you like to see your first Takoran sunset?" He asked while pointing to the sky. "Well it can't be any different from the sunset in my town, but sure," I said.

So I curled up next to him and watched as the sky became a beautiful arrangement of scarlet, purples, oranges, and yellows. After a while, Carter spoke up again. "So, what do think of the town?" "It's alright," I said. He sat up a bit and stared into my eyes. I was captivated. His eyes, they had a certain shimmer to them. And they seemed to change shades. In the forest they looked sky blue and right then they looked baby blue. They scanned every detail of my face, and I watched as we sat there in silence just staring at each other.

                                      And then finally he started to lean closer. He was leaning in slowly, not a moment did his eyes leave mine. He stopped after being a few inches from our faces touching. For a while he just stared at me, looking into my eyes and taking in the moment. As he did this, I saw something flash by the pond and was about to say something, but then he kissed me. His lips fit perfectly into mine and all of my thoughts suddenly melted away.

Carter Pov

Why did I do that? She's for sure going to murder me. Well, at least I got to have a kiss from a beautiful angel before death. All these thoughts were running in my head, but soon after I realized something. She didn't stop me, and she kissed back. I leaned back from her and just stared, trying to read her thoughts. She looked bewildered, as if she was trying to remember something but then forgot. But there was something else I saw. Happiness. Her eyes were bright and full of joy, though lost in thought. Her hands were clenched as if she was going to punch me. I was scared to say anything but I knew I had to.

                       "Cora-" I started, but was soon interrupted. "Carter, what's that over there?" She asked. I looked over to what she was pointing at. Something was glistening in the sunset, setting of a bit of a glare. Before I had the chance to say anything, she went over to the object. Oh boy, I just kissed her and now she's ignoring me. Great.

Cora's Pov

I decided to ignore the kiss for now and come back to it later. I mean, why mention something that is too awkward to be worth mentioning? Anyways, I had finally pointed out the object was going towards it, curious to find out what it was. I made it over and found an old silver compact, it was a little rusted on the edges but was still in perfect condition besides that. Ignoring Carter's protests, I picked it up and examined it. It fit nicely into the palm of my hand and had something engraved into it. But I couldn't real read what it said because the sun had fully gone down.

                           I turned around, still holding the compact, and was about to say that we should go back and examine it when Carter beat me to talking. "Cora, we should just put that back and forget about it. It's probably somebody's and they just dropped it. Imagine them coming back and finding nothing but the nature in front of them. It could be a family heirloom or somebody's only connection to their mother. Let's just leave it and head home,"he said. Though he was probably right, I still didn't want to leave it, so I made a quick decision. I was going to trick him into thinking I left it there.

                           I sighed. "Fine, but so help me if it isn't found in a week, I'm keeping it," I said. I really hope he bought that, I think. So I dropped the compact in front of him, showing I was giving in. He looked satisfied as I got up, but what he didn't see was the compact slipping into my boot as I scooted forward to get up. I did a victory dance in my head and started walking back towards the house.

----------------

When we got back to the house, I ran upstairs with no explanation and locked myself in my room. I took out the compact and started examining it. I looked back again at the engraving and studied it. It said, "For the one who finds their magic within, shall reach their destiny" Wait, what? What does it mean by that? I opened up the compact and an old piece of paper slipped out. It was a bit yellow and the edges were torn off of it. I picked it up and opened it. It said in well written cursive letters:

My Dearest Cora,

                           If you are reading this, then you have finally made it to Takora and are by the Lake of  the Mystic Waters. You may be surprised that this is addressed to you and you're probably about to chuck this letter and the compact down into the depths of the lake. Before you do, let me explain. Ever since you were a baby, there has been something special about you. I could tell by just one look that you had magic in you. I tried to tell your parents but they refused to listen. They insisted on having a normal life. I knew nothing would change their minds but I need to get you ready. I knew that as soon as you discovered your abilities that you would want to use them to the fullest.

                         So I decided to do my best to prepare you for the dangers that would lie ahead. I set up a miniature base somewhere only magic users could go. There, I set up everything you would need to train. For, I knew that the day would come when it was time for you to face a great danger. Something so powerful, that even the strongest tremble in fear. I know that you can stop it. You have to. I know you dream of excitement and journey and I know you feel like you don't belong, but let me tell you this, the reason you feel this way is because you are more than an average girl. You have the power to change history for our people, and I am not talking about any villages.

                    Soon you shall embark on a dangerous journey that will give you many challenges and I only hope you have enough time to get ready for it. In this compact, there is a special key to help you open the secret entrance. After you get in, Gendy will fill you in on the rest. I know you can open it, don't give up. I love you so very much.

In high hopes,
Grandfather

                    Grandfather? I didn't know I even had a grandfather. How did he know I would come here? I didn't even know I would! And what does he mean by Lake of the Mystic Waters? Who is Gendy? What does he mean by magic? And why do I have to go on a journey? Whelp, onky one way to find out. I picked back up the compact and looked around for the key he had talked about. I felt around for any secret compartment and came up empty. That's when I noticed something. The mirror on the compact didn't seem to be reflecting anything, it just looked like a thick piece of glass.

          I pulled up the side of the glass with my nails and took it off. When I did, mischievous dark purple and blue clouds swirled out sparkling around me. They spun around for a bit while I watched them, curious of what it was and the they disappeared. Well, actually, they didn't disappear per se, they dived into the charm of my choker leaving me to gasp. I hurriedly took off my choker and examined the charm. It miraculously turned into a key. The key was a dark grey, about as long as the tip of my thumb to its joint in the middle. Its bottom part had two prongs and the stem of the key went up and split into two parts, in which they intertwined at the top and then down the middle though the space in between the two parts. One side had a dark purple tint to it and the other had a dark blue tint. Sort of like the cloud that had appeared.

I made a second quick decision of the night. I was going to sneak out and go to that base and meet this Gendy. I needed to know what Ole' Grandfather meant by magic, and I was going to find out tonight. So I started to make a plan.

Hey guys, hoped you like the fourth chapter! By the by, how do you like the new book cover? I'm not quite sure what I think of it right now, but it's better than the old cover. Oh, and guess what? I'm going to Nashville Thursday! I get to miss almost a whole day of school! Anywho, I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and as always, have a beautiful day!

-AVER