Chapter 60: Lakeside Detour
The afternoon sun warmed the stone walls of the temporary lakeside cabin where Alexander and Kate had set up camp. Despite the beautiful weather, the atmosphere inside was frosty—mostly thanks to Kate's silent treatment.
Alexander paced back and forth, occasionally glancing at her. Kate sat stiffly on the window bench, arms crossed, eyes fixed on a floating lily pad in the distance.
He sighed. "So, you're just going to be angry forever?"
Silence.
"I admitted I was wrong about the card game. You beat me fair and square. Twice," he said, waving his hands dramatically. "Three if we count the round where I drew a self-exploding Puffskein."
Kate raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
"Come on, Kate," he continued, now leaning against the wall. "You didn't really expect me to use that Muggle deck you enchanted. Every card had your face on it!"
That got her attention.
She turned her head just enough to glare. "It was meant to be cute."
Alexander blinked. "Well... it was. In a terrifying, 'every card has a talking Kate' kind of way."
Kate snorted and quickly turned away again, but not before Alexander spotted the twitch of a smile.
Seizing the moment, he opened the window with a flick of his wand and looked outside.
"Let's go to the lake," he said. "There's something there I think you'll want to see."
Kate looked at him suspiciously but followed anyway. Outside, the gentle breeze rustled through the trees, and the lake shimmered under the sun.
As they reached the edge of the water, Alexander knelt down and touched the surface. A faint ripple spread outward.
A glowing blue light appeared deep beneath the water. Moments later, a ghostly shape began to rise—long and serpentine, its form gentle and slow. It was a spirit eel, a rare magical creature known for showing itself only to witches and wizards who shared a close emotional bond.
Kate's eyes widened.
"You summoned that... with just a ripple?"
"I asked it nicely," Alexander said, grinning. "Plus, I may have bribed it with enchanted silver minnows last night."
Kate took a cautious step closer. The eel coiled lazily near the shore, its translucent body humming faintly with runes.
"It's beautiful," she whispered. "I've only read about them in 'Fantastic Beasts'... but never thought I'd see one."
"It only shows up when there's harmony," Alexander said quietly. "Like between two people who argue... but still care."
Kate looked up at him, blinking.
"You're such a nerd."
"Says the girl who made a personalized enchanted deck of herself."
That earned a reluctant laugh.
They sat by the lake for a while, talking softly about classes, Penelope's letter from France, and whether alchemy was overhyped. Eventually, the eel dove back into the depths, leaving the water still.
"I suppose I forgive you," Kate said at last, brushing her hair behind her ear. "But you still owe me for that last round."
Alexander grinned. "Deal. But tomorrow. Today, I get to win by summoning majestic lake spirits."
Kate stood up, brushing grass off her skirt. "Let's head back. I'm hungry."
They walked in silence for a while, the tension now melted away.
Alexander glanced at her sideways. "Hey Kate?"
"Hm?"
"You ever heard of a creature called the 'Little Devil'?"
Kate narrowed her eyes. "Why?"
"No reason," he said, trying—and failing—to hide a mischievous grin.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you like the story please give it some power stones and reviews. And if you want to read 30+ advance chapters or just want to support me please join my patreon at patreon.com/Translatingfanfics