Page 18 of Seven Secret Spellcasters
Trent considered this information. “It could be one of two things. She can read your mind, or she can see into the future. Maybe not too far, a day or so. She watches the interaction between the two of you and modifies her reaction in real time. It’s a handy talent to have, but it’s usually only present in families, and you have to be pretty close to the person you’re reading.”
“Maybe that’s why we’re celebrating. She already knows?”
“I don’t think it works that way.” Trent started to tell her more, but Finn came into the room with a pitcher of margaritas and a tray of glasses.
“I hear it might be celebration time.” Finn set the tray on the table and poured the frozen treat into the glasses. “I didn’t know you were into real estate. My new stepdad is an agent. He helped Mom find the new house. That’s how they met.”
“I hate counting chickens, you know.” Mia also hated lying to the girl, but telling her she was taking the entrance examination to be a kitchen witch was a little complicated.
“Oh, I get it. I told my cousin last night about you guys setting me up with a room here, and he was so happy for me. I haven’t had the best news to share with anyone for a while. Now I have a job, and a place to live, and hopefully, my van will be fixed in no time. Next step, a real apartment.” She held up her glass. “Here’s to new beginnings. Yours and mine.”
Mia clinked glasses with her newest employee. “I can drink to that.”
CHAPTER8
When the results showed up on the coven’s website, Mia was ready to head to bed. Finn had already retired to her room. Mia knew the rest of the group was ready to crash too. Abigail had left at ten, when Thomas showed up to drive her home. Grans was nursing a cup of coffee she’d poured thirty minutes ago.
“Refresh the screen.” Trent nodded to the laptop in the middle of the almost-empty table. Christina and Levi had cleaned up a few minutes before, and now everyone was gathered and watching the laptop screen.
Mia met her grandmother’s gaze. “If I failed, this is no reflection on you. You did your best. I came into the training way late.”
“Just push the button.” Grans patted her hand. “We’ll deal with the consequences tomorrow. Well, actually, later today.”
“Okay, here goes,” Mia said as she refreshed the screen . . . and it went completely black.
“Did the battery die?” Christina leaned in. As soon as she did, fireworks exploded on the screen and came out into the room. A man dressed in a tuxedo stood in their reception area.
“Mia Malone, you are now officially a Level Three Witch with all the rights and responsibilities that come with the title. Your coven representative will be arriving soon with a handbook and your entrance paperwork. If you choose to continue your studies, the examination board feels that based on your answers during your entrance exam, you should be ready to take the test for Level Four next year. Good luck in your endeavors, and welcome to our society. We are certain that a witch of your talents will do great things.”
The man disappeared, and the laptop closed with abang.
“Huh,” Grans said, staring at the spot where the man had made his announcement.
Christina hugged Mia, but the other three, Grans, Trent, and Levi, looked at each other. No one said anything.
Mia stepped out of Christina’s hug. Something was wrong. “What? Didn’t I test high enough? I told you I was worried about taking the test this soon. We should have waited. How bad is it to be a Level Three? I bet you all are Level Five or more.”
Trent shook his head. “That’s not the problem, Mia. Everyone I know tested Level One. I only know one guy who tested out as a Level Two, and he was the smartest in our high school and coven class. He’s working for a coven in Europe now. I’ve never heard of anyone on their first test hitting Level Three, nor getting an invitation to test for Level Four in a year.”
“I tested too high?” Mia shook her head. “The test must be wrong. There’s so much I don’t know.”
“The test doesn’t only test your knowledge, Mia.” Grans finished her coffee. “It tests your potential. There’s never been a kitchen witch over a Level Three, not since we started taking the exam. We might need to rethink your career plan.”
“My career plan is to build a catering business here in Magic Springs. Without having to moonlight at the Lodge to keep the lights on.” Mia picked up her laptop. “I’m going to bed. I’ll probably get a correction notice tomorrow morning.”
“You mean today.” Grans kissed her cheek. “I’m taking the elevator, if anyone wants to ride with me.”
Christina and Levi followed Grans, but Trent grabbed Muffy and Cerby. “I’ll take these two out one last time.”
Mia put the laptop away in her office and started turning off the lights. Trent was still at the door, watching the dogs, so she went to stand with him. “At least I passed.”
“Mia, you don’t understand. If you truly are a Level Three, you will be expected to work with the coven hierarchy. Maybe that’s why you can read my mind.” Trent watched as the pups jumped on Buddy’s belly, waking the dragon. “And maybe the Goddess sent Cerby to me because of your power.”
“What, you need protection from me?” She leaned closer. The cold was making her shiver. At least she thought it was the cold air.
He pulled her closer and into the curve of his body, with one arm around her. He was still watching Buddy and the dogs wrestle in the small yard. “I’m beginning to think that maybe I’m supposed to be your protector, not just your boyfriend. This sheds a whole new light on what happens next in our lives.”
“Let’s not go crazy.” Mia snapped her fingers, and the dogs came running. “I’m betting I’ll get a correction tomorrow morning. Good night, Buddy.” The dragon snorted and jumped back into a tree.
