Vanessa's wax writing

"It seems only fair that I should share a secret with you." She removed a candle and what looked like a long, translucent crayon.


"What are those?" Kendra asked.


"In rain forests around the world, you can find tiny sprites called umites that make honey and wax like bees. In fact, they dwell in almost hivelike communities. This marker and candle are both composed of umite wax. Vanessa wrote on the front of the drawer with the clear waxen marker. See anything?"


"No."


"Watch." Vanessa struck a match and lit the candle.


Once a flame burned on the wick, the entire candle glowed yellow, as did the marker, as did a vivid message on the front of the drawer:


Hi Kendra!


"Cool," Kendra said.


"Try to wipe it off," Vanessa said.


Kendra tried to wipe away the words to no avail. As soon as Vanessa blew out the candle, the message vanished.


Vanessa handed the crayon and the candle to Kendra. "For me?" Kendra asked.


"I have spares. Now we can send each other secret messages, and none of the boys will know. I always carry one of those markers on me. They write surprisingly well on nearly any surface, the messages are difficult to erase, and only those with a properly enchanted umite candle can read them. I've used umite wax to mark myself a trail, to send a sensitive communique to a friend, and to remind myself of important secrets."

Chapter 10