Page 253 of Fated to be Enemies

“I knew it,” Naomi said. “I wonder, though, how he managed to get away with it for so long.”

“With being a warlock?” Maddox asked.

“Yeah, like, how do you hide your powers for that long? He must have had people helping him conceal it. They have hunters actively seeking witches in Salvius.”

“Maybe his family helped him.” Maddox grabbed a slice of toast and covered it with marmalade, which filled the kitchen with the most delightful smell. He pointed the toast at me, his eyebrow arched. I nodded at the silent question.

“It’s all a bit iffy to me.” I recalled Viktor’s dark eyes. Something about them screamed danger. It was ridiculous to assume, but my intuition told me I was right to be afraid. He seemed nice enough, but the bad ones usually did at first.

The pastel-blue sky darkened into a dove gray, swept with clouds that warned us rain was coming. It was hardly a surprise. It rained two hundred days out of the year in our province, Fairwik. I didn’t mind it. I loved hearing the pitter-patter of drops hitting windows, and I loved breathing in the earthy aroma that lingered long after it stopped.

Maddox snapped his fingers, jolting me back to the present. He’d finished going over a spell, then had slumped into the armchair in front of the crackling fire.

Naomi picked her nails, sitting on the ledge next to the large window. “Pay attention, Elle.”

I blinked twice. “Sorry, I was thinking.”

“This is why you’re afraid of not passing the test. You’re not even trying,” he said simply. He was always so matter-of-fact, even if it hurt the other person’s feelings. I didn’t think he realized he was even doing it.

“Maddox,” Edmund snapped as he walked in, hot chocolate in hand. “Be nice.” He handed me the steaming mug of hot cocoa. “This is for you.”

I smiled. “Have I told you how much I love you recently?”

He pushed his glasses up his nose. “Only when you want something.” He turned his attention to Maddox, who drummed his fingers against the book. “How’re the studies coming along?”

“Someone isn’t paying attention.”

“Are you teaching her or chastising her?” Edmund asked as he walked to the fireplace and warmed his hands.

Maddox puffed out his cheeks, rolling his eyes. “Both, but she needs it. I just don’t baby her.”

Edmund tsked softly.

The fire’s crackling filled the silence. It mixed with the first drizzle of rain against the glass panes of the library, forming a melody and lulling me to sleep. I snuggled against the back of the chair, closing my eyes for a second. A hiss sounded, as Edmund must’ve moved the logs with the iron poker.

Dora, the other keeper in our coven, walked in holding a bright-yellow umbrella and wearing a pair of knee-high yellow socks and a white skirt and top. “It’s raining.” Her voice tinkled, bringing me back to life.

Edmund’s face lit up, like always when she was around. I didn’t know why he didn’t just tell her how he felt. It was obvious to everyone else, maybe except her.

Maddox looked her up and down. “How are you wearing that right now? You must be cold.”

“A bubble spell on the umbrella.”

“Clever,” Edmund praised.

Her pleated skirt hugged her wide hips, and her white top was tucked in at her small waist. Her brown skin had a golden hue under the yellow lights, matching the honey color of her wide eyes. “Thanks.” She turned from Edmund to me. “How are your studies coming along? Edmund told me this morning you won’t be taking the test this year.”

Naomi jumped up from the ledge and skipped toward us. “Actually, she said she’ll think about it. Isn’t that right, Elle?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Edmund nodded. “I am glad to hear it.”

Benji ran into the room and purred, curling around Dora’s ankles. She leaned down and stroked him behind the ears. He loved the attention and got plenty of it from Dora.

“What about you, Naomi?” Dora asked, moving her eyes to look at her. “Will you be putting your name forward in your coven, if there are any openings?”

Naomi nodded. “Yeah. There’s a couple of openings. One was taken last year, and all but me and one other are waiting. Quite a few haven’t even progressed from student-magicians to apprentices yet.”

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