Page 43 of Dawn Unearthed

“Will I be able to use other spells?”

“Yes. But first, let’s do what you’re good at.”

“You mean what Ishouldbe good at,” I said dryly.

I repeated the words, doing my best not to stumble over any, and magic sparked within me.

My body warmed, and I felt the water beneath me, slowly rising into the sky. I opened my eyes, not realizing I had closed them. A perfect sphere rose from the pond’s surface, floating high into the air until it was almost at chest level. My hands shook, but not from strain, from the power. I could feel the water in the pond, the moisture in the air and earth, the liquid in the bottle behind me.

“Focus,” Rowen murmured, and I did, looking at the perfect sphere in front of me as it twisted, slowly spinning as if it were a top.

“Now, let it fall into a trickle, not a mist. And not too quickly. Slow. Easy.”

“How do I do that?” I asked as the water ball bobbed in front of me.

“Feel the particles and let the magic flow through you. Then, direct it.”

I did as she said, warmth slicing through me as my magic ebbed and flowed. It did as I wanted it to, and the water sprinkled into the pond. At least for a few moments until the rest of the sphere popped like a balloon and splashed.

My face turned red, and I winced as I looked over at Rowen.

She raised a single brow at me and then spun her finger in the air. A wind tunnel appeared in front of us and air-dried her formerly wet skirt and shirt. “Next time we practice, you’re going to stand a little farther away from me.” She studied my face before she smiled widely. “Honestly, Sage, that was amazing. I’m not even sure I did my air equivalent of that spell so well the first time.”

“I splashed you,” I said, even though pride filled me. “Are you sure I did such a good job?”

“You’re only beginning and already surprising me. I knew you had a wealth of power, but wow. Let’s try it again.”

I bounced on the balls on my feet and looked around, feeling the magic in the air. “I’m doing this.”

“You’ve always had it in you. It’s been in every loaf of bread you’ve ever made, and in every hope and dream you put your soul into. You have always been a witch, Sage. It’s only now that you’re truly able to realize who you could be.”

“And who is that?”

“That’s up to you. You are a witch. You could be a great power, but you are of our coven.” She paused. “And you could also be a bear’s mate. Or, you can stand alone but with strength.” I opened my mouth to say something, and she pressed her lips into a thin line. “It’s okay to be alone, Sage. Not everybody can stay with those they are fated for.”

I didn’t say anything and then understood that maybe it wasn’t Laurel she had been talking about earlier. Perhaps it was Rowen, after all.

I might feel connected to these women, feel as if I could call them my friends even if our friendship was still a little new, but I didn’t know everything. I always seemed to be two steps behind—maybe more. I had pulled a sphere of water out of the pond and hovered it in the air today, and I would do it again.

We would find Faith, and we would create our coven.

Because while I might be new to Ravenwood, I knew I belonged here.

Chapter Twelve

Rome

“You haven’t claimed her,” Trace said, and I shook my head.

“No, I haven’t.” My bear grumbled at that, and I swallowed hard. “And please stop reminding my bear that I haven’t. He’s already in a fucked-up mood.”

Trace snorted. “It’s because you’re a gentleman bear.”

That made me laugh. “A gentleman bear? Like that’s an actual thing?”

“You’re making it so.”

Alden came in from the kitchen, beer in his hand. “I’m glad you’re not mated to her yet.”

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