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I recalled how she had moved up from student to apprentice a couple of years ago. Most promoted in the coven within three years. I had been an apprentice for five, and her taking the test only sought as a reminder. For the longest time, I was revered for moving up from a student so fast, until I wasn’t good enough. “You’ll pass,” I said. “You’re getting better by the day.” It was fascinating how they could make something appear as something else entirely. One time, she’d made me believe I was in a meadow. I could even smell the wildflowers before she pulled back the illusion and we were both standing in the living room.
Dora smiled. “Your father should be proud.”
She cast her eyes downward. “You know that next to my precious brother, I’ll never be good enough.”
“Don’t be silly,” I told her for the thousandth time since we’d been friends. “You’re more than good enough, but I’m sure your dad loves you regardless,” I said, not entirely believing my own words. I really did hate that man.
“I’m just glad he isn’t on my case. Since my brother started his own spell-sealing business for out-of-town trading, I’ve all but been forgotten.”
“He’s lucky to have you.” Dora squeezed her shoulder, then pulled Edmund to one side. “I need a word.”
He nodded and they moved out of earshot. I turned toward Naomi. “When you pass, we can go to one of those new picture theaters you like.”
“I’d love that.” She flashed her pearly white smile at me and curled her fingers around a book Maddox had been reading. Her nails were painted gold with black stripes dragged across them. “We should get going if we’re going to make it to the ceremony,” Naomi called to Dora and Edmund. “Edmund, we’ll be back later.”
Edmund looked back at us, excusing himself from Dora. He looked at me through his black-framed glasses. The wrinkles around his eyes showed his age. They weren’t profound yet but still visible. Sometimes, he reminded me of a wise old owl when he stared at me like that. “Be careful. Try not to aggravate any of the casters.” He turned toward Maddox as he said it.
Maddox shoved his hands into his pockets. “When they learn to get their heads out their asses, I will.”
Naomi giggled softly, and I suppressed a chuckle.
Edmund regarded us. “Dora and I will be there later. We have business to attend first.”
Maddox smirked. “I’m sure you do.”
Edmund shot him a scowl as I pulled him and Naomi with me toward the door.
Chapter Three
Ilooked up at the rolling clouds of gray and black as we rode into the town center, which reminded me of the night I was forced out of Salvius. Rain lashed down, soaking the stone statues and coating the trees surrounding the temple, so the leaves appeared like wax. The heavy doors had been left open. Surrounding the frame were contorted faces of creatures made from stone.
Deep drumbeats lured us inside, thumping in unison and controlled with magic. Balconies wrapped around the building, allowing witches and warlocks to look down onto the center stage, where the three large bowls stood.
We didn’t go upstairs, where the protectors gathered; I could always tell them apart. They were muscular and usually had a sword or dagger in their belt. Occasionally, I’d see the odd quiver of arrows and bow on their back. They looked out for us, kept us safe, and when I thought about it, it was probably the protectors who’d retrieved the dead bodies from the sacrifices found recently. They stayed out of the other covens’ business for the most part. According to the elders, protectors were picked because they showed incredible strength and bravery. They could sense danger and had remarkable reflexes. They had what they called light magic.
There were three kinds of witches, and the elders used three things to represent us. Water represented light magic, which the majority of covens, the casters, potioneers, and protectors had. Blood represented dark magic, as my coven had, and gold represented illusory magic, which the magicians had. As a result, we were called blood witches which was just great.
Naomi knotted her hand with mine, then tugged Maddox’s arm with her other arm. “Over here.” She ushered us to a quiet spot under the balconies, where potted plants had been placed on shelves pressed against the smooth, gray walls. I looked at a pot that held purple adins and white blossoms. They were used quite commonly to heal from viral infections, brewed by the potioneers into consumable remedies.
The smell of smoke from burned sage mixed with crushed herbs lingered in the air. Maddox leaned back against the wall, kicking one leg behind him and pushing the sole of his shoe against the stone. He crossed his arms over his chest, and his cufflinks caught a glimmer of light as he did.
Naomi entwined her fingers together behind her back, then rocked back and forth on her heels. “I still think he’ll be a protector.” She grinned at Maddox. “Or a caster, but I’m putting my skal on protector.”
I placed a hand on my hip. “I’ll put a skal on protector too.” I rolled my gaze up to the balcony overhead. I could hear them walking around. “He has the right… build.”
Maddox scoffed a laugh. “Build?”
“Yeah, well, I didn’t get a good look at him last night. It was dark. But he was tall and well built.”
He snorted. “Well built?”
“You know what I mean.”
He shot me an appreciative look. “Hmm. Well, I’m sticking to caster. I haven’t met him yet, but most of them are casters, so I’ll play it safe. In fact, I’ll take you up on your bet.” Maddox pulled four skal from his pocket, then turned them over in his palm. “If I win, I get eight. If he’s a protector, you each get two.”
“Unless he’s something else,” I said.
“Unlikely,” Maddox answered.
