Initiate

by Christina Garner

  Quinn was behind the counter and smiled when he saw her.

  “Hey. How’s it going?”

  “Good. Just needed a little pick-me-up and a place to study.”

  “You’ve come to the right place. What can I get you?”

  Sarah ordered, but when she went to pay, he waved her off. “For my girl’s best friend, it’s on the house.”

  “Sweet.” Sarah put her wallet away and reminded herself to tell Eden he’d called her “his girl.”

  Quinn checked to make sure no one was around and then leaned forward conspiratorially. “Besides, I wouldn’t want to get on your bad side and wind up a frog.”

  “Then make sure you don’t break our girl’s heart.” Sarah raised an eyebrow and tried to appear intimidating.

  “Wouldn’t dream of it, believe me.”

  She did believe him. Everything she knew about him, everything Eden said, pointed to the fact that he was a truly decent guy.

  “Hey, I don’t suppose you have a break coming up. I could use your advice on something.”

  Quinn glanced at the clock. “I could take one in a while. I’ll come see you.”

  Twenty minutes later, when Sarah was mired in world history, Quinn slid into the chair across from her.

  “What’s up?”

  Sarah marked her place and closed her book. “Eden said when she told you about…what we are, you took it really well. I was just wondering, how did you feel? What went through your mind?”

  “Why?” He grinned. “Is there someone you’re thinking of telling?”

  “Maybe. I haven’t worked up the courage yet, but maybe.”

  He considered. “What went through my mind was that Eden was playing some kind of joke. But then she did a demonstration which left little room for doubt. I mean, I still had some doubt—I’m a scientist, I like what I can figure out—but ultimately it came down to the fact that I believed her.” He gave a small shrug. “And then I asked her a ton of questions and made her do a few more tricks.” He frowned at what he’d said. “Is that insulting—to call them tricks?”

  Sarah smiled. Her friend really had picked a good guy. “Not to me. And, thanks. I’m not even sure if it’s just getting her to believe me that I’m worried about. It’s the other stuff, too. Coming clean about the borahn demon and how we all almost died or got sold as batteries, and—” Quinn’s expression had altered dramatically, and Sarah got a sinking feeling in her gut. “She didn’t tell you any of this, did she?”

  Why did you have to open your big mouth?

  “This is the first I’m hearing about demons. Or dying, or… Did you say, ‘batteries’?”

  Sarah clapped a hand to her mouth. “I am so sorry. I thought she told you everything, I…”

  Sarah’s mind reeled for a way to fix it, but this was not a bell she could unring.

  “I thought she did too.”

  Quinn’s expression was unreadable. She couldn’t tell if he was angry or worried or both.

  “I’m sure it’s because we’re all fine. Eden killed him and—”

  “Eden killed a demon?” Quinn’s voice rose an octave, and he looked around, but the cafe was empty.

  Stop talking, Sarah. You’re not helping.

  “She really did, but… He deserved it, if that helps.”

  “Sure. That makes it fine.” Quinn rose. “I should probably get back to work.”

  “I’m really sorry you found out like this. I’m sure Eden would have told you.”

  But why hadn’t she?

  That is so none of your business.

  Quinn went back behind the counter, and Sarah packed up her things, wishing the earth would swallow her whole.

  Jules sat in the common room doing her best to study, but over and over she got trapped in daydreams of Ash. Not that she minded, but she really had to get this paper done. Being put on academic probation would not sit well with Carolyn.

  The door opened, and a gust of chilly air blew through the room along with Sarah.

  “Hey.” She stripped off her coat and hung it on a hook by the door. “Have you seen Eden?”

  Jules shook her head. “Sorry.”

  “That’s okay. Just something I have to tell her.” Her mouth twisted in a way that made Jules think it wasn’t something good.

  “But since you’re here…” Sarah sat on the sofa. “I hear things went well on your date last night. Eden says there was smoochage at the club.”

  Jules felt her cheeks grow hot. “She saw?”

  “I know, right? Getting caught kissing is so embarrassing.” Sarah leaned forward. “But since you did… How was it?”

  “Is it the corniest thing in the world to say magical?”

  “Totally.” Sarah grinned. “But I know exactly what you mean.”

  “He walked Eden and me to the porch, and she slipped inside so we could have privacy.” Jules sighed with her whole body. “I think that kiss might have even been better than the first.”

  Sarah smiled, her expression saying she knew exactly how Jules felt. “Did he text today?”

  Jules grinned. “He asked me out for Saturday.”

  “Where’s he taking you?”

  “He didn’t get the chance to say. I invited him here.”

  “Here?” Sarah looked around. “Why here?”

  “Because it’s the night of the party, remember? I’m pretty sure it’s mandatory.”

  Once a quarter, Coventry House had a community mixer. As low a profile as they tried to keep, the place had quite a reputation. Carolyn said the mixers were a chance to soften that reputation.

  Recognition dawned on Sarah’s face. “I forgot all about it.”

  “Now that you remember, are you bringing anyone special?” Jules twitched her eyebrows.

  She knew Sarah was going out with someone. Some nights she didn’t even come home, but she seemed to want to keep it private, so Jules hadn’t asked.

  Sarah appeared stricken. “I invited a friend weeks ago, but I’m not sure if they can make it.”

  “Oh, too bad. It’s kind of nice that we’ll get to meet each other’s non-magical friends.”

  “Or cute new beaus.” Sarah grinned, back to herself again.

  “He’s not my beau.” Jules bit her lip.

  But maybe…

  “Whatever he turns out to be, he’s lucky to have you.” Sarah gave Jules’s knee a squeeze and stood up. “I’ve got to find Eden, but I’ve been meaning to ask—how is she doing with the spell your group is working on? Any better luck?”

  “Luck?” Jules hadn’t heard Alex approach. It was just like her to eavesdrop. “Why would Eden need luck? Carolyn wouldn’t dream of flunking her pet. Not with all of her precious potential.”

  “Uh-oh.” Sarah flashed Jules a knowing look. “Sounds like someone has potential envy.” She turned back to Alex. “You know, Freud said that’s the very worst kind.”

  Alex rolled her eyes. “Wow. That was so clever how you swapped penis for potential. Of course, your preference is always to avoid penis, right?”

  Sarah blinked and seemed taken aback, but then her jaw tightened. “Just yours. And I see that rose quartz is really helping you tap those subtle energies, huh?”

  Was Sarah gay? How did Alex know if she didn’t?

  “Whatever.” Alex turned abruptly.

  “Oh no,” Sarah called after her. “Not the dreaded ‘whatever.’ I’ll be reeling for days.” She turned to Jules. “I swear she brings out the devil in me.”

  Jules grinned. “I guess we know where her potential lies.”

  They were still laughing when Eden strode through the front door.

  “You just missed some sparkling banter with Alex,” Sarah said.

  “Let me guess.” Eden tossed her coat onto a hook. “I’m the teacher’s pet.”

  “That was the tune.” Sarah folded her arms. “A perennial favorite.”

  “Not sorry I missed it. I’ve got bigger fish to fry.”

  “A euphemism
that depicts animal cruelty?” Sarah raised her eyebrows. “Eden, I’m shocked. What’s gotten into you?”

  “Weirdness.” Eden marched toward Carolyn’s office. “I’ll tell you about it later.”

  Jules looked at Sarah. “Wasn’t there something you wanted to tell her?”

  Recognition flashed on her face. “Right.” Her head swiveled in the direction Eden had gone, but she didn’t move. “It can wait until she’s in a better mood.”

  Eden felt bad for blowing Sarah off, but she needed to talk to Carolyn…now.

  She opened the door to find her at her desk, working on the computer. Carolyn glanced up, seemingly surprised at the intrusion.

  “Knocking is the polite way to enter a room.”

  Eden wasn’t interested in a lecture on manners. “That relic I won is cursed.”

  Carolyn leaned back in her chair. “Yes, Eden, you’ve made your position quite clear. Although ‘cursed’ is a new level of hyperbole.”

  “This goes way beyond what I said before.” Eden rummaged through her bag, a shiver passing through her when her fingers closed around the stone. “This thing just opened a giant gateway to hell.” She dropped it on the desk.

  “It did what?” Carolyn sprang from her chair. “Where?” She scooped up the artifact and studied it.

  “In class. I fell asleep, and—”

  Carolyn’s cutting look was enough to stop the flow of Eden’s words.

  “This happened while you were asleep?” Carolyn folded her arms. “Tell me, when you awoke, what was the state of this ‘gateway?’”

  “Well…there wasn’t one. But still, I dreamed it, and you told us that some witches have the gift of dreaming.”

  “I see. And up until this point, just how many prophetic dreams have you had?”

  “None, exactly…” Eden wilted under Carolyn’s gaze. “But there’s always a first time.”

  “Eden, sit.” Carolyn retook the seat behind her desk. Her gaze softened. “I’m sorry you were frightened by a dream—a dream, I might add, that was probably a result of your attitude—but I assure you, this holds no curse.”

  “But—”

  “Watch.” Carolyn held the disc in one hand and passed her other hand over it, casting a faint glow. “As I said, there is no curse present. Over the centuries, this talisman has become imbued with the energies that surround it, but holds no magic of its own.” She released the aura and placed the stone on her desk. “It is an object of concentration meant to help you draw on both light and shadow. Nothing more.”

  “Anything that requires the shadow is nothing I want to create.”

  Eden was tired of Carolyn trying to convince her otherwise. What was so wrong with wanting to do good?

  “I see.” Carolyn’s words were measured and held regret. “In that case, you leave me no choice. If you do not pass this next test on the first try, I will be forced to bind you.”

  “B-bind me?” Eden’s heart began to pound.

  Binding wasn’t spoken about in anything but whispers. It was only a step above being stripped, which wasn’t spoken about at all.

  “I would release you for practice and rituals, but in your daily life, you would not be permitted to practice magic until you’ve proven you’ll follow instructions.”

  “But why?” Eden sprang from her seat, a screech rising in her voice. “Just because I don’t believe what you want me to?”

  “No. Because you’re dangerous.”

  “Danger—”

  “Sit down and listen to me.”

  Eden swallowed her anger and obeyed, though her pulse still raced.

  “You have the potential to be one of the most powerful witches in generations—far beyond even my own capabilities. It is my duty to not only nurture that power but teach you to use it responsibly. If you won’t do as I ask in even the simplest of tasks, how can I trust you when the stakes are higher?”

  “You don’t trust me?”

  That hurt worse than the threat. No one tried harder than she did.

  “Not when you behave like a child. I have warned you time and again what happens to young women who play at magic without proper training. Most just weaken the image of witchcraft, but when a girl like you, with inborn ability, taps it all at once—”

  “I know,” Eden said quietly. “Weather changes, viral outbreaks. I get it.”

  It could get a lot worse than nosebleeds. And it could affect others.

  “Do you?” Carolyn smacked the table. “Enough to do as I ask?”

  “Yes.” Eden dropped her gaze. “I’m not playing at being a witch. Magic is everything to me.”

  “Good.” Carolyn leaned back in her chair. “But my decision stands. I would not relish binding you, but I will. I will not leave the world at the mercy of a witch who refuses to learn her craft.”

  Her words hung in the air until finally, Eden stood. There was nothing else to say. Carolyn had made up her mind, and any thought she had of asking about the nosebleeds had evaporated.

  Eden closed the door behind her, surprised her wobbly legs had carried her that far.

  She’d seen Carolyn angry before but never like that. She hated to admit that Alex was right about anything, but she had a point when she called Eden teacher’s pet. Carolyn did take special care with her training. Alex wasn’t the only sister who’d gotten tired of hearing about how powerful Eden would be one day.

  As if thinking of her had made her appear, Eden looked up to see Alex approaching

  “Sorry.” Eden stepped away from the door. “Are you here to see Carolyn?”

  “No, I was eavesdropping.” Alex’s words dripped with sarcasm. “Because I find you endlessly fascinating and long to know every detail of your existence.”

  “God, Alex, what is your problem?” Eden usually held her tongue. Alex had the power to make her life uncomfortable, but she’d been pushed to her edge. “I mean, really. What have I ever done to you that’s so awful? I called you a bitch once. So what? I can’t be the only one.”

  Alex ticked off items on her fingers. “You’re smug, self-righteous, phony—”

  “You know what? Never mind.” Eden brushed past her. “Whatever your problem is, it can stay your problem.”

  “You sure?” Alex called after her. “Because I haven’t even gotten to that delightful scent of dog shelter you wear.”

  Eden rounded the corner and slumped against the wall. She couldn’t let Alex’s taunts distract her. She needed to stay focused on what was important.

  Bound.

  Whatever it took, she had to pass this test.

  Chapter 10

  “And the suck just keeps on coming.” Eden rubbed her temples.

  “I am so, so sorry. I thought you’d told him.” Sarah’s eyes and tone were pleading.

  Eden’s stomach twisted into a knot. “What did he say?”

  “He got kind of quiet.” She hugged one of Eden’s pillows to her.

  Quiet could mean a lot of things from Quinn.

  “And that was it?”

  “Yeah.” Sarah twisted the corner of the pillow. “He just went back to work.”

  “Guess I know what we’ll be talking about tonight.”

  Was it only last night she’d been thinking how lucky she was? When was she going to learn not to jinx herself?

  “Is there anything I can do?”

  Sarah’s guilt was palpable.

  As well it should be.

  But she knew she should let her friend off the hook.

  “It’s okay—it’s my fault too. I should have told you I’d only given him part of the story.”

  Sarah let out a long exhale. “You are kind-hearted and I don’t deserve you.” She set aside the pillow she’d been clutching. “So, what was that thing with Carolyn about? Is everything okay?”

  The knot in Eden’s stomach twisted tighter. “Not even remotely. In fact, it would take the light from okay a billion years to reach the earth.”

  She relayed her dream
and subsequent conversation with Carolyn.

  “Bound?” Sarah couldn’t hide her shock. “That’s pretty extreme even for Carolyn.”

  “Yeah, well, great power, great responsibility. Pick your cliché. Bottom line is, I’ve got to pass this test.”

  “How’s it been going?”

  “Not good. I’ve managed it once.” The admission stung.

  “Have you asked Jules for help? You know she wouldn’t mind.”

  Eden considered. “I haven’t, but that’s not a bad idea.”

  She hadn’t been wanting to admit just how badly she was struggling, but the time for pride had passed.

  “I wish I knew the spell so I could help.”

  Eden arched her eyebrows. “I think you’ve helped enough for today.”

  Sarah’s eyes narrowed. “That was low.” She tilted her head and smiled. “Accurate. But really low.”

  “Why should I be the only one to suffer for your misdeeds?”

  Sarah swatted her with the pillow. “You forgave me!”

  “I forgive.” Eden tapped her temple. “I do not forget.” She smiled and rose. “Now get out of here. I can only deal with one impending disaster at a time. I’ll worry about the test tomorrow. Tonight I’ve got to focus on fixing things with Quinn.”

  Sarah had tried to get Kai to stay in for the night. She still felt awful for screwing things up between Eden and Quinn. A quiet night sounded perfect. But two of Kai’s friends were throwing a house party and it seemed important to her, so Sarah agreed.

  And this time you won’t freak out about being introduced as her girlfriend.

  She also thought it might soften the blow of uninviting her to the Coventry House party if she did it after a fun night with Kai’s friends. She just couldn’t face the ridicule it would bring on from Alex and some of her cronies. Would they mock her in front of Kai? Or worse? Turn their ridicule on her instead? She hadn’t even realized Alex knew until she’d made that crack earlier. But really, did she expect no one to notice Kai shimmying down the trellis first thing in the morning?

  “Everything okay?” Kai asked as they approached her friends’ house.

  “Just school stuff.” Sarah smiled as they climbed the steps. “Nothing a party can’t fix.”