Page 3 of The Darkness in the Magi

As head warden, he manages the lives of those under his charge, testing them in each of the elements and moving them to other covens if needed.

He’d never bonded with a magi and it was always assumed it was due to his inclination towards the fringe element of light.

I guess inclination isn’t the right word. He’s the most lawfully good being the Great Magus ever created, which only strengthened his talents in the light, making him the perfect lux warden.

And he’s looking at me with glowing, condemning eyes because he hates me.

“No…” I blurt.

“Take your position,” the maven mother tells me.

“But Lucius isn’t meant to bond!” I hiss. “He doesn’t even go to the tribunals!”

“Just because he hasn’t been chosen for a magi yet, doesn’t mean he’s incapable.” She looks over at the lux warden. “The truth is, the reason he hasn’t been chosen is that I knew that one day I’d need him.”

Lucius mutters something under his breath that sounds hateful, but takes his place.

Of all the wardens to be tethered to, Lucius has got to be the worst. There is no kindness to him. Or joy.

Just condemning eyes and a shit personality.

Sure, lux wardens are all but worshiped because of their abilities to heal and cleanse taint, but from what I’ve seen, they’re all insufferable.

“There has to be someone else,” I beg.

“Lucius is strongest in the light.”

“How strong does my warden need to be?”

“Strong enough to keep you tame,” the maven mother says matter-of-factly.

My eyes draw to Lucius, falling on his thick, naked torso. I’ve never seen him without his warden’s attire, but I suppose he hadn’t expected us.

And unfortunately, I’ll be seeing more of him like this, as a magi can never stray far from their warden. While some revel in the closeness, I doubt anyone would be happy tethered toLucius, because not only is he the most condemning asshole in the coven, but there’d be no hope of intimate relations, which some magi are keen to explore.

Lucius would never.

“I promise to be good!” I plead with the maven mother. “You’ll see. I’ll stay close and?—”

“Do you think I have time to babysit you?” she snaps. “That’s why I’ve chosen Lucius. He’ll know your intentions before you do, and he’ll always do the right thing.”

She’s right. The bond between a magi and her warden allows them to sense each other’s emotions, and it’s said a warden often knows their magi more than a magi knows herself.

And magi who take to the shadows sometimes find themselves in a very dark state. A kiss from one is said to be poisonous, something only a lux warden could endure.

Not that Lucius would ever.

“Hurry and take your spot, unless you’d like for me to render you.”

Would rendering be preferred to being bonded to Lucius? I wish I had time to think on it because I’m genuinely not sure.

The maven mother turns to Lucius. “You will lead in all things, and if she steps out of line, you’re to tell me.”

“You need not worry,” Lucius says, his eyes ablaze with disdain. “I will manage her well.”

Everyone knows the magi always leads. I’m being punished for doing…nothing.

No wonder stygians so often turn to dark practices. We’re vilified for breathing.

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