Page 342 of Sigils & Spells

“Now, as for your mother, I believe she was killed for asking too many questions about her mother’s death. Florence Newton and Luc Starre sacrificed themselves to save the rest of their coven.”

“From what?” I asked.

“Not what,” Brandon replied, shocking me. “Who. Isn’t that right, Headmistress?”

“Yes, who, Mr. Flint. By the way, the Watchman sent me your petition, and it is granted,” she said.

I was curious, but I did not interrupt. Whoever had been out to get my maternal grandmother, they had also been the cause of my mother’s death. I was so close to getting answers.

“The last battle ended when a fire witch, your grandmother, consumed too much energy to withstand the burn. She joined forces with Luc Starre, an air witch. In combining their two elements, they severed the bond of their entire coven. Alas, the power destroyed them as well.”

“The Mobilis Coven,” I said, surprising Armstrong.

Yes, I was glad to see her shock. But it was short-lived.

“In a statement after the fact, the Legalis Coven assumed control, calling themselves the Council of Covens. They claimed Florence Newton and Luc Starre had gone rogue.”

“Aye, I remember that. They were said to have formed an unholy alliance to take more magic than was theirs to hold. I admit, I was not thrilled when my son brought your mother home to meet me. Of course, after getting to know the sweet girl, I changed my mind,” Gran added, frowning sadly.

“The Council came out against the two, stating loudly and often that no one witch or wizard or coven should have that much power. I agreed at the time,” Armstrong admitted. “But I forgot then that diversity is the mother of invention. We segregated the elementals, keeping fire, water, earth, and air apart. But we were wrong. We need them now more than ever. We need a new Mobilis Coven,” Armstrong said.

“And you want us to be that?” I asked, astounded.

Excitement filled me, and fear. So much so, it was difficult to breathe. It had been so long since I felt part of anything, and here was this person telling me the alliances I’d made and friendships I’d forged were part of some grand plan.

Well, I might not agree with her methods, but I agreed with one thing. There was something very special about the witches in room 563W. Whether it was Armstrong or the Fates who’d made the decision to bring us together, well, they could duke it out. I was just glad we were a team.

“Miss McKenna, I know it is hard to believe but you and your friendsarethatalready. There will be mistakes along the way. Hardships and whatnot, but I believe in you all. The facts are magic is dying and we are all suffering because of it. If left unchecked, the power of witches and wizards will continue to dwindle until it is blinked out of existence. I can only assume the other races will follow.”

Was she trying to scare me shitless?

I swallowed hard, stomach knotting at the very suggestion.

Magic dying?

Fuck.

That was really bad.

Holy understatement.

“You and your friends are destined to bring it back, Miss McKenna.”

I waited a beat before nodding. I might not like the fact she manipulated us, but she was not wrong. I had to tell the others. If we were going to work toward fixing this mess, we had a lot to do.

“Okay,” I said. Whatever the others decided, I was in.

CHAPTER14

“Creation is important to everything,”Enok said to Enid and Rio.

They were going over another private magic lesson. The mage had taken it upon himself to start a study group for the former normals. I hated to interrupt, but I figured now was as good a time as any. Jade had just finished popping a veritable mountain of heavenly smelling popcorn—mine with a touch of rosemary oil and sea salt, and we were all sitting around the living room.

“Guys, I have something I need to share,” I said, sitting crisscross applesauce on the cool floor.

Now that I’d started using my powers to train, I was never cold like before. But I loved it when Brandon came and sat behind me, pulling me between his legs and encompassing me in his dragony heat.

Sexy beautiful mate.

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