Page 10 of The Rowan
“You’re wrong, and you’re forgetting something.” I smile sweetly, ducking under his arm.
“What’s that?” he mocks.
“While the princess was my guardian, I lived in the House of Light…and Karth. Vargas Karth’s house. You know, Lucifer’s executioner?” I remind him as I walk backwards. Seeing the astonishment reflected on his face, I turn around and laugh. “Thanks for the ride.”
* * *
Double doorsat the end of the hallway lead into a cavernous training room. By the looks of the equipment and weapons, they dedicated one end of the room to fighting and physical training. And on this end of the room, they enclosed a large space to allow for the safe practice of magic. The “walls” are magical barriers made to absorb and neutralize spells and magic.
Stepping through the barrier, I enter the space and walk towards Lord Theron and the two women standing with him, who I presume to be the witch trainers. Tightening my shields, I stroll up to them and hold out my hand for introductions.
“Hello, I’m Arden,” I say and give them my most pleasant smile. Lord Theron would probably look startled if he wasn’t Fae, but all I get is the tiniest flicker of one eyebrow. I don’t know why he’s so surprised. I wasn’t raised in a barn. Solandis is a terror for proper manners. As a Princess of the Light Fae, etiquette was a high priority in our house.
“Hello, Arden. I’m Clare Pennington and this is Bianca Perrone. Let’s get started, shall we?” She smiles briefly at me, and with a spell, transforms the space around us into a miniature training facility. Tables set with various training objects, including candles, potion ingredients, a grimoire, a map, and other similar items. I feel like I’m five years old again. I turn to give Lord Theron an irritated glance, but he’s immersed in his phone.
“I’m not sure all this is necessary. I know the basics,” I reassure her.
“That’s for us to decide. Besides, these training items test your affinity for specific bloodlines,” she replies, motioning me to the first table. “This table tests your elemental abilities. Using fire, air, earth, water, and spirit, you will complete each of the tasks. Instructions are beside each one. We’ll grade you on your effort and rate you, according to a predetermined scale, on your affinity to this bloodline. I’ve got to make a phone call, but Bianca is well qualified to complete the elemental testing.”
“Elemental is a bloodline?” I ask while stepping up to the table to read the first card. The instructions state, “Light the candles.” Without a thought, I glance at the candles and they light.
“Were you not taught the bloodlines?” Bianca asks, shock in her voice. “Yes, bloodline five is elemental powers.”
“My mother died shortly after I was born, and my guardians raised me. They brought tutors in to teach me magic, but none would share any witch knowledge or history with us.” I purposely do not mention my guardians were demon and Fae, not witches.
Looking at the second card, it states, “Extinguish the candles.” Frustrated, I blow out a breath and direct it towards the candles to extinguish their flames.
“That’s odd. The bloodlines are not a secret,” she remarks. “There are six bloodlines passed down from the six founding witch families. While witches may have a mix of powers, their strongest affinity is their bloodline. For example, the Peronne family’s strongest affinity is to bloodline one, which is mastery of portals and precognition. We’ve had many seers in our family, including Gia Perrone, the most powerful seer in the last thousand years. I, myself, only experience the occasional vision, but I’m a master in creating portals, with the ability to create them between worlds.”
My heart skips a beat. “It’s passed down through the families? So, it’s a literal representation of the blood and family’s power? What are the other bloodlines?” I ask steadily, as if the answers are of no consequence.
Looking down at the third card, I read the instructions. “Make the plant grow.” Using a mixture of my magic, earth and water, the plant shoots up through the soil until it stands four feet tall with a multitude of leaves. At the tip of one branch, a brilliant pink and white camellia flower blooms.
“Well, bloodline two is illusion and glamour. Both the ability to magic them and the ability to see through them. Bloodline three is spell casting and shielding. The Pennington family has the strongest affinity to bloodline three. Bloodline four is healing and potions. Bloodline five is elemental powers, bloodline six is transfiguration,” she says absentmindedly as she studies my test and writes my performance on her tablet. “There’s one more card, dear.”
Glancing down, I note the instructions. “Use spirit to direct your thoughts to another witch.” There’s a hell of a lot more to spirit than telepathy, but sure.Thank you for telling me about the bloodlines.
Bianca nods when the words reach her. “It was nice of you to add a camellia to the bush.” She motions to the flower. “One of my ancestors planted hundreds of them around the grounds of our estate. I prefer the purple ones, but the April Dawn camellia is pretty, too,” she says with a smile, pointing to my pink and white flower.
“They were my mother’s favorite flowers,” I tell her absentmindedly as my brain digests the information on the various bloodlines. I’ve never healed anyone, nor have I transformed into anything. That leaves four bloodlines I know I can master easily and equally. “Can you have an affinity for more than one bloodline?”
“Yes, our most powerful witches have mixed bloodlines and therefore strong affinities to several powers. Clare’s niece, Cassandra Pennington, whom you’ve met, is a mixture of five bloodlines. Another witch, Reyna Martinez, is a mixture of four bloodlines. Over the years, the families intermingled pretty heavily in order to create a powerful witch heritage.” She turns the tablet around so I can see my scores, which mean nothing to me since she hasn’t explained the rating system. “You did well with elementals, showing a strong affinity for this bloodline.”
“Wonderful,” I say dryly. “What’s the next test?”
“Oh, we conduct one test a day, so the witch’s power isn’t depleted. We’ll come back tomorrow and test you for bloodline one,” she explains, packing it all away with a simple incantation. “Clare, are you ready?”
“Coming,” Clare responds, telling the person on the phone goodbye. “You did well today. We’ll resume testing tomorrow. At the end of the testing, the council will review the results and invite you to a coven induction ceremony, where you’ll find out your placement.”
“Placement in what?” I ask.
“The coven is a hierarchy of power and bloodlines. Based on the placement, you’re given access to money, prestige, power, and the overall benefits of the entire coven. The council will use your scores to place you where you fit the best and can serve the greater good of the entire coven. We’ll see you tomorrow. Come along, Bianca.”
Lord Theron reappears near the door to escort them out. I give them five minutes to reach the elevator, then let out a long sigh, along with the tight restraint on my power. My magic stretches fully, as if waking from a long nap. It buzzes around the contained room, leaping with joy and crackling with power. Tension eases from my shoulders, and I laugh with sheer happiness at feeling whole again. This room is the first time I’ve had the option to release my power since arriving in this city. I’m so immersed in the moment, it takes several minutes to realize I’m being watched. Drawing my power to me, I crouch in a defensive position and whirl around to face the threat behind me.
Lord Theron and Astor stand shoulder to shoulder. Lord Theron’s eyebrows are drawn together in fury, while Astor’s eyes bounce between me and Lord Theron, apparently fascinated with both my power and Lord Theron’s blatant display of emotion.
This wasn’t how I wanted to tell him, but now he knows, I’m hoping he’ll get me the magical training to fit my needs.
