Page 256 of Fated to be Enemies

My stomach lurched, and beads of sweat dotted my forehead.

“Cursekeepers.” Alma looked at me and nodded. “You’ll be joining our dear Elle and Maddox over there.”

Everyone looked at us. My insides knotted. He glanced over, and I felt my cheeks flush with heat.

“I guess we were all wrong,” Maddox said as Viktor walked in our direction. Alma didn’t usually address us face-to-face. She was far too important and spoke to us in large groups, but tonight, her eyes were focused on mine. Viktor scanned the three of us. He strode next to her, closing the distance between us.

Alma’s green eyes matched mine. She, like me, had soft features. There wasn’t anything sharp about her, yet she wielded incredible power. “Elle. Maddox.” The authority in her voice made me stand straighter.

“Elder Alma,” we said in unison.

“You will take care of Viktor, show him how we operate here, and introduce him to Edmund and Dora.”

My gaze flickered to Viktor’s. An arrogant smirk unfurled on his lips as he thanked Alma. His voice was deep and smooth, and I detected something ingenuine in his thank-you. He watched her walk away like a predator watches prey.

“I believe we already met.” He turned toward me when she was gone. “Elle.”

“Yesterday,” I said quietly.

Naomi extended her hand toward him. “I’m Naomi.”

“I’m Viktor.”

“Obviously,” Maddox said with a sarcastic smirk, and I loved him for it.

“I’ll assume you’re the sarcastic one.” He didn’t appear shaken. “Good. I like a challenge.”

Maddox’s cheeks pinkened, and by gods, he was actually silent. No quick-whipped response? Viktor looked back at Naomi. “I’m in trouble. Are all the keepers so attractive?”

She giggled, flicking back her tight curls, and Maddox grinned. “I’m not a keeper, but I wish I was now.” Her eyes brightened. “Dora and Edmund are old, so probably not your type.”

Maddox scoffed a laugh. “I’m sure they’d appreciate hearing that.”

Naomi continued. “The only trouble you’ll have is Maddox and Elle.”

Viktor let out a low chuckle.

I giggled, and his gaze flicked to mine. “Well, I do love trouble.”

The stars were bright tonight, shining against their inky canvas. The moon was a putrid yellow, hanging beyond the forest’s edge in the distance, reflecting off the lake at the edge of town. The cobbled roads wound toward each of the houses, some bigger than others. The casters had a small village within our town, with many houses, an academy, several training halls, and even their own small stores. The magicians lived in a mansion hidden within the confines of a wood, close to the cemetery. Ours was a mansion too, but up on a hill. It overlooked the town, hidden behind neatly trimmed hedges, wrought iron gates, and a long winding path leading up to it.

Viktor had spent the rest of the afternoon talking to the other covens, who all loved him. I shouldn’t have been so bitter, but I hated it. None of them had given me the same treatment, and Viktor and I were both human-born witches.

“I better be taking off,” Naomi said before we could set off in the direction of the mansion. “They’ll be worried.”

Viktor flashed her a charming smile. “I’ll see you soon, doll.” He half hugged her. She looked intoxicated when she turned toward me. “Night, Elle.” Her tone lightened. “Maddox.”

“Be safe,” I called as she walked into the darkness. “Send me a magic quill if you need me.”

“I will,” she called back, leaving us three alone.

Maddox broached the silence. “You’ll love the mansion. We have so many artifacts, books, and magical objects.”

“If he even likes history.”

Viktor arched a dark eyebrow. “History is the only way to prepare for the future. I’m looking forward to learning all about Istinia’s.”

Maddox grinned. “Hear that, Elle? You could learn something from him. History isn’t boring.”

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