Page 261 of Castings & Curses

“What purpose would that serve if not to simply confuse the masses? Your job is clear. The directive I gave you, simple. Save magic. That is your task.”

“You call that simple?” Tana scoffed.

“Don’t you even care what we’ve been through?” Maia asked.

“Of course, I care,” she replied too quickly. “The assignment I gave you is not easy. Not entirely. But I know what you six can do, even if you don’t,” Armstrong said, the ever present medallion around her neck pulsating softly.

There was something different about her. I could not put my finger on it, her braided coil sat atop her head, same as ever. The long robe she wore was perfectly ironed and fell into place around her compact body. She looked the same, but not.

It was right there, I realized, in the tight smile, the wrinkles at the corner of her eyes, and the broken blood vessels from too many nights gone without sleep. Armstrong was clearly staying up late.

She was worried.

Nervous.

Interesting.

“Be that as it may,” I interrupted before the two of them could go at it. “We need to know more than the basics. The Council can’t just remove an entire chapter of our past without repercussions. Ignorance is our enemy, Headmistress. Surely, you can see that?”

Armstrong’s jaw tightened.

She was clearly not happy about this, but what did she expect?

Magic was more than a wish and a will. It took research, skill, and patience. Just like growing things did. The older witch could likely benefit from some time in a garden, I mused.

“The Mobilis Coven was made up of the most powerful elementals. Air, Water, Fire, Earth, Blood, and Spirit—”

“Blood?” Mabe blurted, but Headmistress Armstrong continued as if she’d never spoken. The arms on the clock ticked by, and I hardly took a breath for fear I’d miss something significant.

“They kept all others in check and worked together to create phenomenal magic that fed all stores, continuous replenishment for our entire kind.”

Armstrong emphasized each syllable until I felt them ringing in my head like bells.

If the former Mobilis Coven did all that, why had they been disbanded?

“I can see your mind churning, Miss Montrose, and I can tell you this, the Mobilis Coven grew too powerful. Many feared it. They did not want to have to beg magic from elementals. Corruption ran amok.”

“And we were put in our place,” I whispered.

It finally made sense why the most powerful witches and wizards in the world were reduced to making candles, blessing air currents, and growing herbs—power. It was always about who held the power.

“Can you unlock the spell wiping the histories?”

“I cannot. It’s not my spell to reverse,” she told us through tight lips.

Tana growled, and I felt her magic rise with her anger. I did not blame her. She had lost much because of the jealousy and power hunger that led to both Witch Wars.

“Can you tell us anything else?”

“Here. Take this card and contact Roald Dusek. He is the Lorekeeper. He will have the information you seek. Now, if you will excuse me, ladies, I have work to do,” she replied.

We filed out of the office and agreed to grab some grub before heading back to our dorm room. Something had happened inside that small office. I’d assumed a leadership role I never thought I’d want, much less take. And even crazier, everyone seemed fine with it. I glanced over at where Tana, Maia, and Rio were speaking animatedly, then to Enid and Mabe, who looked more worried than excited about what went down. Still, no one called me out for taking charge of the conversation in there.

I walked slowly behind everyone, looking deep within myself.

Where had this newfound moxie come from?

Magic tingled inside me, and as I passed one of the large mirrors, I paused.

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