Page 22 of Of Flames and Crows

“You’re up early again,” the cook said somewhat accusingly as he dished out a healthy portion of fried breakfast onto Nikolai’s tray.

Alastair made an approving noise when the man placed a bowl of fruits and seeds next to Nikolai’s plate.

Nikolai smiled faintly. “No rest for the wicked.”

The cook narrowed his eyes before stabbing a spatula at him. “You really should stop talking as if you’re the son of Satan.”

Nikolai made a face. “I kinda am.”

The cook, a retired sorcerer, shook his head. So did the newt perched on his hat.

“You keep forgetting who gave birth to you, kid,” he grumbled. “Your mother was no bride of Satan.”

An unexpected wave of grief constricted Nikolai’s throat at his words. Gabriela Stanisic had indeed been the very opposite of all that was evil in his life.

He swallowed. “You’re right.”

The cook’s face softened at his expression. “Now, go chow down. I get the feeling Julius won’t let you off easy today.”

Nikolai made a face. Julius Vlach was Marlena’s second-in-command and the most powerful Moon Magic sorcerer on the continent. To say that he’d kicked Nikolai’s ass on a regular basis during the first two weeks of his training would be an understatement.

He ate hastily and spent most of the morning in the library before availing himself of the private chamber Marlena had reserved for him in the basement to practice his magic. It was late afternoon by the time he emerged and made his way to the council’s main training ground.

Built like an ancient Roman amphitheater, it occupied an immense, central courtyard in the headquarters. An orb that mimicked the moon levitated high above the arena, protecting the area with a barrier at the same time as it enhanced the inherent power of the sorcerers and witches born with Moon Magic.

Julius was chatting with Marlena and Klara near the entrance to the arena.

His face brightened when he saw Nikolai. “Niko!”

He came over and greeted Nikolai with a hearty slap on the back, strong enough to break his bones. His hawk squawked a welcome to Alastair.

Nikolai winced. “I told you I hated that nickname.”

Julius’s eyes glinted with a hint of steel. “And I told you I’d stop calling you Niko the day you beat me hands down with Moon Magic, kid.”

Nikolai lowered his brows. “You’re only ten years older than me.”

CHAPTER10

Marlena and Klara approached,their familiars at their sides.

“Good morning,” Nikolai’s aunt said with a gentle smile.

Her black terrier woofed a hello.

“Did you sleep well?” Klara asked anxiously.

Her ferret’s nose twitched amicably where he was wrapped around her shoulders.

Nikolai’s face relaxed in a wry grin. “If you’re asking if I’ve rested enough for you to collectively beat me up, the answer is yes.”

Marlena had the grace to look abashed. Klara flushed.

Truth be told, Julius had not been the only one to regularly thrash him during his training sessions. Marlena and Klara were extremely powerful Moon Magic witches in their own right.

“A little bird told me Linus is visiting next week,” Nikolai told Klara as they made for the center of the arena.

Linus Jarrett was the sorcerer who’d represented Isabelle West at the covenstead in Philadelphia. Blackmailed into working for the Dark Council to save his High Priestess’s life, he’d balked when they’d asked him to kill Klara and had valiantly risked his life to protect her instead.

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