Page 262 of Fated to be Enemies

My heart hammered. I looked to Edmund for some clue as to how Viktor had mastered it so quickly, but he looked as perplexed as me.

“How did you do that?” Maddox arched an eyebrow.

Viktor shrugged. “I willed it to do what I wanted it to, as if it were an extension of my hand.”

I swallowed thickly. “No one’s done that this fast before.”

Edmund clapped his hands together. “Beginner’s luck, perhaps. Let’s see what else you can do.” He walked to the shelves and grabbed a pocket watch, which had been spelled to act as a compass rather than a watch. “Make it tell time once more.”

It was another puzzle given to students, but usually a month or two after training. The box had to be a fluke. There was no way he’d be able to pass this straight away.

He took the pocket watch, which looked small in his big hands, and curled his fingers around the smooth, gold surface. He fell silent for several minutes. I picked at my nails, wondering what Dora was going to make for breakfast. I wasn’t usually up this early. We’d be in here for ages while he tried to figure out the watch, and my stomach growled in protest.

“He’s done it,” Edmund announced, surprise guiding his tone. I looked over, and a lump formed in my throat. The watch ticked away, pointing to several seconds after ten past nine. “This is unprecedented.” Edmund smiled. “I must let Alma know. Maddox, take him to see the books on Lor. I wonder how quickly he can learn to translate.” His eyes sparkled with excitement, whereas I felt like I’d swallowed a lead balloon.

Maddox walked to my side, his eyebrows raised. “Looks like you will have some competition for keeper. If he keeps going like this, he’ll be an apprentice within weeks.”

Viktor smiled in my direction. I looked away. As he stood, with Maddox and Edmund praising him, I didn’t see him as the hot new guy. He was going to steal everything I had worked for, right from under me. No one had excelled that quickly, and I didn’t stand a chance.

“Elle, you coming to help us show Viktor some Lor?”

I ground my teeth. I hated being petty or bitter, but the ugly emotions rampaged beneath the surface. “I’m going to eat. I’m sure Viktor won’t need any help.”

Maddox rolled his eyes, then turned toward Viktor. “Let’s go. I’ll show you the archives first.”

“Don’t be jealous.” Dora paced the kitchen table in her sunflower-patterned apron. “You should be pleased our coven is growing.”

“I need to become a keeper,” I explained as I sat in front of a plate of bacon and eggs. I’d explained everything to her, although I was sure Edmund would tell her again once they were done and came for lunch.

“Edmund said you weren’t going to take the test, so it’s your own fault. Your putting it off means he’ll have a chance. If you put your name forward at the call, then you’ll fill the position before he has the chance to train for it.”

I chewed on the inside of my lip, looking down at the steaming cup of coffee she’d placed in front of me. Sighing, I fumbled my thumbs. “What if I’m not good enough? What if I can’t pass?”

“There’s no reason you wouldn’t.” Dora sat across the table from me and sipped tea from a small, bone china teacup. “You’ve practiced enough. Just get your head down and study those last books, and you’ll be good to go.”

I curled my lips behind my teeth, closing my eyes as I did. “I don’t think that’s enough.”

“What’s the harm in trying?”

“I can’t wait years until I can try again. Next year I’ll be better equipped, and…”

“So will Viktor.”

My jaw clenched. “Right.”

She gave me a look. “It’s not his fault, Elle.”

I blew out a long exhale. “I know.” I rolled my eyes. “Maybe he will be terrible at translating Lor.”

“Maybe.” She half smiled, then grabbed the day’s newspaper and scanned the articles. The latest murder was scrawled across the front page. A girl, no older than me, had been found in the woods.

Young Woman, Eighteen, Found Dead in Another Murder Sacrifice.

Dora shook her head, letting out a heavy exhale. “Whoever is it, Estia will see they’re caught.”

I stared at my breakfast. I didn’t have much faith in anything other than us to find the murderer. I hoped what Maddox had said was true, and it was some crazed witch who was great at cloaking spells, but something in my intuition told me it wasn’t the case. If they weren’t a witch, then they were more dangerous than anyone was anticipating. Bringing in a caster was of utmost importance, although Edmund was certain they would bring one in today.

I skipped lunch and headed for the woods, my sketchbook and charcoal in hand. Maddox was still teaching Viktor Lor, and he apparently was a natural. Go figure. I needed some time away from hearing everyone sing his praises as he inched closer to taking the spot that was supposed to be mine.

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