Page 13 of Spellbound
The liquids in the large bowls reacted against the witch’s or warlock’s touch. If the person reacted with water, then other tests were performed to see which of the three covens the person belonged to: caster, potioneer, or protector.
He stood over the basins, then turned to face Alma. She looked at him, her gaze transfixed. A shiver snaked down my back, and I wasn’t the only one to shudder it off. Several others around me did the same.
“What the hell?” I questioned softly.
Naomi looked from me to Alma. “What’s she doing?”
“Or he doing?” Maddox asked.
I stared at them, then after a few seconds, Alma looked away from him. She simply smiled, grabbed his hand, and placed it over the basins.
“That was weird,” I stated. “You felt it, right?”
“I felt it get cold,” Naomi said quickly, not looking away from Viktor and Alma.
Suspicion crowned Maddox’s eyes. I was glad I wasn’t the only one who felt something was off.
After a few minutes, the blood in the second basin bubbled to a boil. Alma bowed her head, then looked up at Viktor, who’s expression gave nothing away. His lips were set in a hard line, his eyes focused on the scarlet.
My lips parted. “There’s no way.”
Naomi’s eyes widened. “He’s in the...”
As Naomi said it, Alma announced his new coven.
My stomach lurched, and beads of sweat dotted my forehead.
“Cursekeepers.” Alma looked at me and nodded. “You’ll be joining our dear Elle and Maddox over there.”
Everyone looked at us. My insides knotted. He glanced over, and I felt my cheeks flush with heat.
“I guess we were all wrong,” Maddox said as Viktor walked in our direction. Alma didn’t usually address us face-to-face. She was far too important and spoke to us in large groups, but tonight, her eyes were focused on mine. Viktor scanned the three of us. He strode next to her, closing the distance between us.
Alma’s green eyes matched mine. She, like me, had soft features. There wasn’t anything sharp about her, yet she wielded incredible power. “Elle. Maddox.” The authority in her voice made me stand straighter.
“Elder Alma,” we said in unison.
“You will take care of Viktor, show him how we operate here, and introduce him to Edmund and Dora.”
My gaze flickered to Viktor’s. An arrogant smirk unfurled on his lips as he thanked Alma. His voice was deep and smooth, and I detected something ingenuine in his thank-you. He watched her walk away like a predator watches prey.
“I believe we already met.” He turned toward me when she was gone. “Elle.”
“Yesterday,” I said quietly.
Naomi extended her hand toward him. “I’m Naomi.”
“I’m Viktor.”
“Obviously,” Maddox said with a sarcastic smirk, and I loved him for it.
“I’ll assume you’re the sarcastic one.” He didn’t appear shaken. “Good. I like a challenge.”
Maddox’s cheeks pinkened, and by gods, he was actually silent. No quick-whipped response? Viktor looked back at Naomi. “I’m in trouble. Are all the keepers so attractive?”
She giggled, flicking back her tight curls, and Maddox grinned. “I’m not a keeper, but I wish I was now.” Her eyes brightened. “Dora and Edmund are old, so probably not your type.”
Maddox scoffed a laugh. “I’m sure they’d appreciate hearing that.”
