Sisters of the Coven (Daughters of the Warlock 1)

I thought so, but now that it was happening...

I dropped my hand and continued forward. I walked through the gates of the school, in the huge front door and along the corridor, looking for where I needed to go. I had forgotten to ask, and now I didn’t see anyone.

Was this a test?

I didn’t know.

I stopped, feeling lost and silly. After another moment, I decided I needed to do something about it. I felt the people who were waiting for me. I closed my eyes and focused on the souls nearby. There was warmth, and talking, and people, down the next corridor.

I strode down the corridor to my left and opened the door to a room with only three people in it: an older man, a young woman, and Matlock.

“Hello, Ava.” The woman stepped forward and smiled. She seemed nice but I knew well enough I couldn’t trust people here. “Come on in.” She beckoned me forward. “Glad you found us.”

I smiled and forced myself to wave awkwardly. “Hello.”

Matlock stepped forward, careful to keep his gaze reserved. I wasn’t sure if this was easy for him or if it was difficult. Regardless, he was able to introduce the two people he stood with to me without giving anything away.

“Ava, this is Warlock Nathan,” he said. “He is on the Council with me.” He gestured at the nice woman. “And this is your testor, Abigail.”

I glanced across at Abigail. She didn’t look any older than me, with dark brown ringlets and an angelic face.

“Oh, hi.” I said to her.

She didn’t speak, but nodded once. That’s when I noticed her ears, poking out amongst the tendrils of curls.

Were they... pointed ears? Was she an elf or something?

I shot a questioning look at my father. “She’s a...?”

“Yes, Abigail is a full Fae.”

“I don’t know anything about the Fae. No offence,” I held up my hand at her. “I feel like I’m at a disadvantage since I don’t know any of her strengths of weaknesses.”

A chuckle that rolled around me and Matlock said, “This isn’t a fight. It’s a simple test.”

Well how did I know that?

Abigail smiled at me. “I was told of your background Ava, or perhaps I should say, your lack of a proper education. I respect your courage in coming forward today. The reason they ask a Fae to stand in for these trials is, that we are mostly immortal. If something goes wrong, it is very hard to injure us.”

I could hurt her? I didn’t want to do that! “Oh. But what about your powers? Is there anything I should know? Are you... like, ten times stronger than me or something?”

Abigail grinned. “No, not at all. However, I am a few centuries older than you, so perhaps my magic will be more extensive than you own.”

Perhaps?

“Wow.” I stared at her. “You don’t look a day over twenty-one.”

And she didn’t! She had the most beautiful face, clear skin and bright eyes.

Abigail glanced at Matlock. “I like this one.”

Matlock’s smile was a little too full of pride and I rushed to pull the attention back to me. “Is the rest of the Council nearby, or is just you two?” I asked.

Matlock waved his arm in the air and a veil fell, revealing a group of a dozen or so people sitting in stands, observing our every move. I shifted a couple of times, uncomfortable with the scrutiny. I didn’t realize I would have this many people watching me.

At the corner of that group, stood Tavlor, drawing my gaze from Abigail. I swallowed. My eyes skimmed his handsome face, noting how a couple of errant black hairs framed his high cheekbones. I couldn’t help but stare at his lips.

God, I wanted him to kiss me again.