Page 28 of Enchanting Her Mate

CHAPTER 16

JO

“Ofah,” I grunt in frustration when the orb rising in the middle of the circle dissipates. Rulya, Divahni, and Qayeko avoid my gaze as I take a deep breath and try again. We have been trying all morning to practice this spell, but it is me who continues to lose focus and ruin it just when the orb starts to glow a bright green shade.

Qayeko clears his throat. “It is all right, Jobaki. We shall start again,” he says, trying to reassure me that I am not a complete failure. However, his efforts are futile because if I cannot even channel our shared energies into an orb of peace, how am I ever going to lead the coven as Prime? This is a simple spell to cast, which is why I chose it. We cannot even get this right.

Tibik stumbles upon our circle as he steps out into the side yard and shakes his head at us. “Why was I not invited to join this circle? It seems an egregious error to exclude the Prime from such an exercise.”

“You were not home when we gathered for spell practice,” I reply in a short, clipped tone. He is never interested in joining us for spell practice unless the spell we are practicing is a hex on another, or a ritual to extend our lifespan. Those are his two passions in life.

“Still,” he says, coming to stand behind me, leaning over with pursed lips as he scrutinizes our setup, “you should have waited.”

I blow out a steady, calming breath, trying to push away his toxic energy. I must not engage with his passing comments. He is trying to goad me into an argument, which he has successfully done twice since Alu left yesterday. The tension among the coven is at an all-time high, and I do not want our clashing viewpoints to take a toll on the other Hexrins. They do not deserve to be caught in the middle.

“I am beginning to think you do not value me as Prime of this coven, Jobaki,” he says in a condescending tone. “There will be repercussions if this lack of respect continues.”

An unexpected roar of laughter rips from my throat, and I blurt, “As if your power could do anything to hurt me.” I do not recognize my own voice or the disdain dripping from every word. I break the circle by getting to my feet and stepping into Tibik’s personal space. He is taller than me, much taller, in fact, but he is weak. Pitiful. He does not scare me with his idle threats. I press my pointer finger into his chest, letting my sharp claw push through the fabric of his tunic. “You are nothing but an insect taunting a storm cloud.”

“Is that so?” he leans into my claw, towering over me in an effort to intimidate me. “Are you implying that your power is greater than mine?”

“No,” I reply instantly, tilting my chin up to meet his defiant, furious gaze. “Toimplywould mean I am passively suggesting it. I am telling you directly, and in front of our coven, that your power is no match for mine, and it never will be.”

He scoffs as he takes in the other members of our coven whose attention is now locked on the two of us.

“Have you forgotten the arrangement we created when we first joined together, Tibik?” I ask him. Normally, this is something I would bring up in a quiet voice, and in private, but as I have reached the end of my patience with him, I ask the question loudly.

He swallows, looking unsure of himself. The movement is subtle, but I notice it.

“What arrangement?” Divahni asks.

Then he lowers his voice as he says, “That arrangement was made long before I honed my power. I was not the Hexrin I am today.”

What an incredible delusion he has created. “So you are saying you think you deserve the role of Prime? That you have earned it?”

He jerks back, looking offended. “Of course I have earned it. Otherwise, I would not still hold the title.”

“You hold the title because you have yet to be challenged for it,” I remind him.

He chuckles, and his chuckle grows into a loud cackle that shakes his entire body. “What are you saying?” he asks the moment the laughter fades just enough to allow him to speak. “That you wish to challenge me for the role of Prime?”

I nod. “Indeed. That is what I am saying.”

The other Hexrins gasp as they get to their feet.

“Kituva Bravati?”Rulya asks both of us.Challenge of Power.

“Yes,” I reply as Tibik protests.

“No, this is a foolish endeavor that will be a waste of everyone’s time.” He is afraid or in deep denial. Either way, I am looking forward to defeating him.

I shrug. “It will not be a waste of time for the coven, or the clan, to see which of us is the rightful Prime.” Then I lean closer to Tibik. “Unless you are concerned you are not strong enough to emerge victorious?”

“When do you wish to hold theKituva Bravati?”Qayeko asks. “We will need enough time to prepare the supplies and gather the clan.”

“Excellent point, Qayeko,” Tibik says with a proud grin. “Let us schedule theKituva Bravatifor the eve of the full moon next cycle.”

“Why would we wait until the next cycle when there is a full moon this very eve?” I point out. I know why he wishes to put it off––because he knows I will beat him. I just want him to admit it.

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