My scrying almost resembles a video game glitch; the character isn’t rendering properly.
With a sigh, I shake my head. “Nothing,” I mutter.
“Aw,” Auntie says.
“We’ll try again next moon cycle,” Taina says.
“Thank you, though.” I get up and throw out my tea leaves into the garbage pail.
“Sorry it didn’t work out, nephew.” Auntie approaches me, so I try to give her my most sincere smile. I shrug as if to say, “It’s not a big deal.”
“There are other ways to find your familiar.”
“Assuming you have one,” Taina adds as she brings the pot to the sink. “It’s not a big deal if you don’t. We don’t.”
“What my dear friend, Taina, here is trying to say…” Auntie levels her a look that I know means,shut the hell up. Turning back to me, she continues, “Is that we’ll continue working on it. It’s your first day! There’s no rush!”
“Exactly!” Taina says with faux cheer.
I nod at them. “Right. I’m…tired.”
“It’s getting late. Goodnight, my dear,” Auntie says.
I bid Taina farewell and walk out of the kitchen. After doing my bedtime routine in the bathroom, I curl up in my bed in my new room. The coven conjured me a fresh mattress and linens, a fact that fills me with gratitude. I’m touched that they’ve welcomed me and want to help me hone my magical skills.
And perhaps find me a familiar. That last one might not be possible, and that’s okay. I’ve been alone, isolated, and alienated for most of my life. Why would I have a super cool animal that unconditionally loves me?
Before I drift off to sleep, memories of my tea leaves dance in my mind’s eye. The dark shapes oscillated between a turtle and a man, but that can’t be right. And what about the glowing ruby silhouette of my dreams, making me feel whole?is that related to my familiar? None of it makes sense right now.
Unless I’m destined to meet some sort of turtle man with ruby red magic, but I don’t see how that could happen.
CHAPTER 3- LOXLEY
TWO DAYS LATER, the barbecue is in full swing. Peeking my head outside at the backyard, I take in the grill, large picnic table, and various lawn chairs strewn about. Not too many people are mingling, other than my roommates. Thank the stars that Auntie only invited a few magical friends. It’s mostly men, and their backs are to the window. I’ve never seen so many handsome mages; a not-so-small part of me wonders if any of them will have romantic chemistry with me. Still, my anxiety levels are spiking.
Who would want to date a shorter, nerdy dude who can’t talk right?
In an effort to bide my time from meeting new people, I sequester myself in the bathroom. My dark brown hair is just as wavy as ever, reaching past my ears the way I like. I’m proud of my clear skin and sharp jawline. Dudes I’ve hooked up with in the past have claimed I was sexy. They called me a twink because I’m skinnier and wear tighter clothes, but their interest always fizzled out when they realized I’m not a good conversationalist. That’s fine by me since that sexual pull was barely there.
No powers, no words, and no male prospects. Nothing ever fit right. Moving here was easy because I had nothing going for me in my hometown.
“Nice to meet you. My name…is Loxley.” Verbalizing isn’t so hard when it’s just me and my reflection. Now, to bring this energy to the barbecue. After checking my teeth one last timeand smoothing out my red shirt, I take in a deep breath and walk out of the bathroom, headed straight for the back door.
When I step outside, the sounds of everyone mingling fill my ears. The weather is pleasant enough, and the smell of cooked meat is appetizing for sure. I need to focus on that, the food, and not the happy mages being charming and garrulous, two traits I’m severely lacking. Auntie stands at the grill talking to two good-looking dudes. A few yards away, Anika is passionately talking to a man in a large hoodie while pointing at a tree. When Taina waves at me, I decide that she’s the safest person to be by right now.
“Hey, man, you made it. This party is about you after all.” Taina laughs and pushes back her hair, and I nod in response. She’s holding a small red beanbag, and it appears she was playing a game with two gentlemen where you toss them into a wooden crate. And the well-dressed guests are sauntering over to us right now.
“Well, you bested us. You sure you’re not using magic?” the White dude says, pushing his blond bangs back.
“Ha! Nice try,” Taina remarks.
“That would be a huge waste of magic,” the Black dude retorts.
“Aw, lighten up. I recall us playing those games back in high school,” the first man says, tapping his elbow to the other.
“Those were sorcery exercises,” he says with an incredulous grin. While they’re extremely good-looking in their ties and button-down shirts, it’s obvious these witches only have eyes for each other. “I’m Luther, by the way.”
“And I’m Taz,” the first man adds.
