Sisters of the Coven (Daughters of the Warlock 1)

I nodded, spinning on my foot to face her. “Yes,” I said. “You have a deal.”

“Commit to a promise vow.” Alison held out her hand and magic whipped around us.

I blinked. What did that mean? A promise vow? I lifted my head, searching the ceiling as though it had the answer I was looking for. Mother had never spoken to us about promise vows before. I did not know what sort of magic that entailed but judging by the way Alison’s magic cackled arou

nd us, I knew it was strong.

“What is that?” I asked.

It sounded like a spell used to make sure someone held up their end of the promise. Bella would probably lecture me about knowing this simply since it sounded like common sense, but I knew magic well enough to know that things weren’t always what they seemed. There was always more underneath the surface of every spell, every spark, every flicker of it. It was why magic was so powerful, and those who wielded it had such an important responsibility to control it.

Alison smiled and her eyes twinkled with humor. “Didn’t your mother ever make you commit to a promise?” she asked. “With consequences if you broke your word?”

I had to laugh. “My mother kept us in a private realm entirely made up of her own magic,” I pointed out. It felt strange to speak of her in such a way. It was still difficult to believe I had lost her only an hour or two ago. “She didn’t need to make us promise anything. She had the run of the whole show.”

Alison’s lips tilted up, a flash of recognition in her eyes. “Yes, she always was a bit of a control freak,” she said. “But anyway, put your hand in mine and repeat the words after me.”

I hesitated, but then decided that the reward far outweighed the risk. I put my hand into Alison’s and held tight. I still didn’t know what the consequence was if I did not uphold my promise, but I pushed forward anyway. Courtney would have lectured me but I didn’t care. This was important. And for the time being, they were safe.

“I promise not to reveal who I am,” Alison said, and I repeated the words, “to anyone in the magical realm, for fear of danger and death.”

I swallowed hard on those last syllables but managed to say them. The idea that someone would... kill me, because of who my father was, was simply... unimaginable. I couldn’t picture him. The most powerful warlock conjured up images in my mind of Merlin and blue pointy hats, with wands and long beards.

The magic shifted around us with power, an orange tang and a tingle on my tongue. I looked around, as though hoping I could see the magic, as though I could touch it with my hand. Unfortunately, I saw nothing. But the magic lingered on me, around me. I didn’t need to see it to know it was there. I didn’t need to see it to know I was now bound by something between Alison and me. What I didn’t know was if it was a good idea to bind myself to her in the first place.

When I let go of Alison’s hand, I turned my palm over to reveal an oddly shaped heart. Almost like a brand of some sort. Or a tattoo. I touched it. Besides tingling, there was nothing to distinguish it from my skin.

“Will that fade?” I asked, turning my hand over and back again. It hadn’t changed yet. I closed my fingers and opened it. Still the same thing.

“Yes, in just a few moments,” she said, looking down at my palm with sharp eyes.

I glanced up at Alison and she seemed certain, so I waited and watched. Part of magic was faith, belief in the power. Basically, in order for magic to truly work, one had to have faith in themselves. A moment passed, then another. Alison finished her carrot cake and jutted out her chin, indicating for me to check it once again.

The mark slowly faded away. Relief swam through me. I didn’t really see the point of some secret promise if there was physical remanence of the spell. The last thing I needed was others knowing I was bound by a vow.

I sighed. My heart was full, my body was tired, and yet my mind raced with all the possibilities of the new world that now lay ahead of me. Thoughts of my father and the risk he posed to me was at the forefront. What was I supposed to do with all of this information? I wanted to piece it together, but I couldn’t. They didn’t fit together.

Yet.

But I hoped they would, once I went to the magical realm. Once I truly understood what all of this meant.

“So, how do I get to the realm?” I asked. I finally grabbed a sandwich and plopped back on the couch. I took a bite, but I couldn’t taste anything. I was too focused on what was going on in front of me. On everything that could happen. “What do I take with me? Who do you suggest I contact first?”

There were too many questions that needed answers. Had I gotten in over my head?

I swallowed my bite, but instead of indulging in another, I set the sandwich down. I had too much energy inside of me to simply stay seated and eat finger sandwiches. I got to my feet, brushing the breadcrumbs from my jeans, and smiled at Alison still sitting on the couch as I resumed my pacing.

Aunt Alison got to her feet much slower, with a sigh and a shake of her head. “This isn’t a good idea, Ava,” she drawled, eyeing me warily. “I just need to say that one more time, for the record.”

I continued to stare at her and wait. I wasn’t changing my mind. I already made my promise to her, one she infused with magic. She knew I wasn’t going to back down. And yet, I could not help but wonder what I had to do in order to convince her that I had to go. I needed more help than what she had already shared.

Alison sighed and continued. “Since I can tell you’re really hell bent on this, then please know that if you ever need me, I’ll be here to help you.”

I reached forward and squeezed her forearm. “Thank you, Aunt Alison. That means a lot.”

And it did. If everything went to hell in a hand basket, I might need a bolt hole. Judging from the magic Alison used for that promise vow, I could tell she was her own brand of powerful.

“There is a portal not far from here,” she said.