The library is my favorite room in the house. I’ve always been a big reader, using books to escape. Growing up with the ability to see and hear spirits drew me to paranormal romances, though it’s funny how no one writes about vampires anymore now that they’re out of the coffin, so to say. I had times when I felt privileged to be able to experience things beyond the normal scope of vision, and times when it made me feel like an outcast. As a teen, I grew up reading about badass heroines who used their powers to save the day.
Now I actually can, though it’s not as easy as it is in some of the books.
My phone chimes with a text, and I reach over, picking it off the coffee table. Ruby’s name pops up and I get excited at once.
Ruby: Hey, Anora. I talked to the High Priestess and she wants to set up a meeting this evening if you’re free.
Me: I am!
Ruby: Great. I can pick you up around six and take you to the Covenstead.
Me: Thank you so much. What should I wear?
Ruby: Whatever you have on is probably fine. We typically wear black dresses to formal gatherings, but this isn’t formal. You will want to wear a coat at the very least. We have to walk into the woods.
I blink and remember walking with Aunt Estelle. It seemed like we had a far way to go, though distance and size can seem intimidating when you’re a kid.
Me: Okay. Thanks again. I’m excited.
Ruby: I’m sure! See ya later. Oh, and bring your familiar.
“You can come with,” I tell Hunter excitedly, setting my phone down. I run my hand over his head as he wags his tail. “Which makes total sense, but I’m so freaking glad.” Hunter nudges my hand with his nose and I bend over, wrapping my arms around him. “I’m a little nervous.” Hunter knows, able to sense my emotions better than I can sometimes, and reassures me it’s going to be fine.
“You’re right.” I straighten up. “Holy shit. I’m going to the Covenstead tonight!”
Floorboards creak as Nik comes down the back staircase. “Did I hear you correctly? The Covenstead?” He rounds the corner and stops at the threshold of the library. Dressed in jeans and a long-sleeved t-shirt, he looks completely human. I couldn’t sense it at first, but the more time I spend with him, the easier I can pick up on his aura, which has a slightly different vibration than someone who’s not half-fae.
“Yes. Ruby—the witch I told you about during dinner last night—is going to pick me up tonight.” I close the Book of Shadows and get to my feet. “What if no one likes me?”
Nik makes a face. “You’re quite likable, I assure you.”
“Thanks. I never really cared about fitting in before, but I want to fit in with my coven.”
“I get it,” he says with a nod and I cross the room, following him into the kitchen, where he gets a chocolate chip muffin and tops it with whipped cream and a spoonful of sugar. My teeth hurt just thinking about taking a bite of that. “I was never privy to happenings inside the coven, but I’ve met my fair share of witches and warlocks. There aren’t as many of you left as there were hundreds of years ago, so just the fact that you are a witch is a reason for them to like you.”
“Good point.”
“Though, like anything, you’re going to come across witches you like and witches you don’t.”
“Giving out the good advice today,” I say with a smile and get a second cup of coffee. It’s still early but I’m already dragging, even with the excitement looming ahead of me. “Sometimes I forget you’ve lived like a century already.”
Nik laughs. “Sometimes I do as well.”
After adding creamer to my coffee, I go back into the library to get my Book of Shadows. I’ve gone through this thing in its entirety, and I keep going through it to try and commit as much of this to memory as possible. Not long after I rejoin Nik in the kitchen, Hunter lets me know that Ethan is close to home. I’m practically bouncing with excitement by the time he’s finally in the house, coming in through the backdoor of the kitchen.
“Hey, babe.” He sets his gym bag down and my heart flutters at the sight of him.
“Hey,” I reply. “Guess what. Don’t guess. I’ll just tell you. Ruby called and she’s taking me to the Covenstead!” I’m still smiling as I look into Ethan’s beautiful hazel eyes, but he doesn’t mirror my excitement. Instead, concern turns down his handsome face.
“Today?”
“Yeah. She said she’ll pick me up around six.”
“Oh.”
I look at Nik to see if he’s as stunned as I am by Ethan’s lack of enthusiasm. Nik meets my eyes and shrugs.