Page 11 of Spellbound
“What about you, Naomi?” Dora asked, moving her eyes to look at her. “Will you be putting your name forward in your coven, if there are any openings?”
Naomi nodded. “Yeah. There’s a couple of openings. One was taken last year, and all but me and one other are waiting. Quite a few haven’t even progressed from student-magicians to apprentices yet.”
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 therolling 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.
