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“I loved him. I suppose I still do. He was everything to me once—my teacher, mentor, lover. He taught me everything. Then he was drawn to the dark side. Once I saw him turn, well...it was heartbreaking. He told me we could be the most powerful couple in the magical world.” She paused, bracing herself to say what needed to be said. “I have no doubt he’s made the same offer to other apprentices and will probably say it to you as well, Sunny.”
Sunny grimaced. “No offence, but I can’t think of anything worse.”
“Good.” Celeste chuckled. “Don’t underestimate his charm though. Many men and women have fallen under his spell, and many have been seduced by his offer. One step wrong, however, and they felt the fatal backlash. The only reason he let me survive is because I walked away of my own accord. He now sees me as a pitiful adversary. He likes to toy with me, for fun.”
Sunny looked at her with a mixture of pity and distaste.
“I don’t blame you for being horrified. I was naive. I’m not naive anymore, but it still hurts. I still care for him—I can’t help myself. Do you hate me for doing so?”
The tension in Sunny’s expression eased. “You fell for the wrong guy. It happens. I know how hard it is to make big decisions when your emotions are involved.”
Celeste nodded. “You don’t trust me, and I don’t blame you.”
Sunny reached to put her hand on Celeste’s shoulder, squeezing her back. “I do trust you.”
“Don’t,” Celeste warned. “I wouldn’t if I were you.”
Sunny didn’t respond. Instead, she turned away and reached for the wine bottle to top up their glasses. “You talked about the shadow of the raven coming, just before Fox arrived. What is that?”
“It’s an old legend associated with the town, from when it was just a handful of fishing cottages, a hamlet. I’m not even sure how long ago it was. Legend has it a raven landed here. It came from a distant land and it brought with it two magical seeds—one of darkness, one of light. That’s where the magic in the town is said to stem from, and we certainly have drawn both dark and light forces. Gifted people are drawn here, they don’t know why, but they find what they’re seeking. They come to understand their own esoteric powers. Whether it’s true or not, the shadow of the raven falls from time to time, and it’s taken as a portent, a warning or signal of a clash between dark and light magic.”
“I see,” Sunny responded, rather forlornly.
Celeste sensed she was up to capacity with information. “I know, it’s the sort of thing you wouldn’t want to say out loud amongst regular company, but believe me, when that big black cloud comes—and it comes fast—you’ll remember the legend of the raven.”
Sunny shivered. “I have to keep reminding
myself you guys have been through all this before.” She sipped her wine.
“You won’t have to do this alone. We’re all with you.”
“Ultimately I’ll be alone though, won’t I? I made the deal with Fox. I have to make him trust me, it’s the only way.”
Celeste remained silent, guilt falling heavily on her. It was her fault Fox had such a vendetta against the coven and anyone associated with it. Therefore it was her duty to make sure he was kept at bay and none of these people came to any harm. She’d be behind Sunny at the crucial time, come what may.
“Is Fox the only practitioner of the dark ways?” Sunny asked.
“Alas, no. If only he was!”
“Please tell me he works alone.”
“At the moment, yes. Luckily for us, Fox is a law unto himself, and he doesn’t share. Well, he likes to have an apprentice, someone he can influence and seduce, to amuse himself. One day he might find an apprentice who gives themselves over fully. Then we’re truly in trouble.”
They both looked back out at the window at Cullen, who was now striding in their direction, his physique adorned only by the baggy shorts Sunny had picked up for him in one of the surfer shops in Raven’s Landing.
Celeste put her hand in her pocket and pulled out a muslin bag filled with her special brew. “Here, have one of my teas as soon as I’ve gone. It’ll help you relax and you won’t worry Cullen.”
Sunny raised her eyebrows but took the tea, tucking it behind the kettle when she heard the sound of the latch.
“Enjoy this time, live every moment. Just don’t forget about what’s on the horizon,” Celeste added in a whisper. “Learn from everything around you and flex your magical abilities often.”
“I will.” She paused when Cullen entered the room and set the basket on the floor.
He strode over, kissed Sunny, then lifted Celeste’s hand in his, kissing the back of it.
“You’re doing good work in the orchard,” Celeste commented.
“As much as I can,” Cullen agreed. “I want to repair the thatch and do some interior improvements before this month’s out.”
