Alpha Asher by Jane

Chapter 162

 

Chapter 162

“Congratulations on completing your first spell.” Cordelia’s smile was small, hiding something I couldn’t quite place. “How does it feel to call on your magic and have it respond?”

It was moonlight alone that allowed me to see her delicate features from where she sat on the patio chairs. The leather chords around her neck were dark, but the silver charms that dangled from them glittered merrily.

A frown ghosted across my face and disappointment filled my bones. “I—I didn’t do that correctly, did I?”

“Not at all, but you tried, and your magic did respond.” She replied, patting the seat beside her when my sour expression deepened. “Come sit with me before we go inside and sort this out.”
“Everything alright out here?” Rowena’s flowery voice trickled through the small opening in the sliding glass door.

“We're fine, just a bit of sigil magic gone awry.” Cordelia shouted back, but kept her eyes locked on my face. A slight twisting sensation in the pits of my stomach told me something was going on with the two witches. Rather than ask, I sank into the seat I once occupied and waited for her to speak. “Now, tell me. What did you do wrong?” | I skimmed the spell again and again until heat flooded my face and neck, followed by the embarrassment of missing something so blatantly obvious.

“I was supposed to paint the sigil on myself, not the porch.” I mumbled, closing the spell book, and peering down at it’s leather cover.

Cordelia’s hand on my shoulder was meant to reassure, but before she could speak the words Rowena’s voice floated outside a second time.
“Cordelia, could I have a word with you?” This time a head of auburn hair appeared from the darkness of the living room, barely visible beneath the moonlight.

Rowena wasn’t able to see her agitated expression, but I could. The gnashed eyebrows and pursed lips were off putting on a face as kindas Cordelia’s, and for the second time tonight my stomach twisted with the feeling that something was amiss.

When the backdoor slid shut behind her and the sound of their muffled voices faded, I turned my attention to the box of supplies she’d handed me.
Within the mix of half-burnt candles, herbs, and oils was an old mirror. Other than being chipped at the corner, it was in decent enough condition. “That’s why the mirror was in there.” I snorted incredulously, pinching the bridge of my nose when a chilling sensation danced up my spine. Deep within the forest, I could feel them watching. The shadows were still keeping their distance, hiding from me after giving Breyona back her wolf. It didn’t matter how many times I asked why, there wasn’t a single whisper tossed in my direction. Rather than succumb to the anger that sprouted when they refused to answer my questions, I began flitting through the stack of spell books Cordelia left outside.

There was one in particular that caught my attention, mostly because of it’s cover. It was made from a pitch-black leather with an odd texture I’d never felt before. Each individual page was lined in silver so that they caught the light each time I turned to a new one.

Just as I found the first spell in the book, and realized what type of magic this one depicted, Cordelia was taking it from my hands and snapping it shut.

“Oh, no you don’t.” She shook her head much like Grandma did when she caught me gearing up to steal one of her sweets before dinner. “I can see the look on your face clear as day. You’re not ready for something as complex as protection magic.”

Even Maya’s attention was raised by the stirring of magic in our veins, coursing through our body and leaving little pinpricks in its wake. It rushed through us, flooding my head with chemicals even stronger than adrenaline. As it grew toa crescendo, I knew it wasn’t coincidence I was drawn to that particular spell book.

reason, I

the book from her. I bit back the intrusive thought, swallowing it along with my horror and surprise. There was a part of me ready and willing to tear it from her hands, no matter the cost. I wanted to stay far away from that side of myself, no matter how much I knew

could tell I was fighting an internal battle and captured my attention by clearing

like to come inside, I believe Rowena is ready for you.”

openly question Cordelia on that. Instead, I turned my attention to the dozens of pillared candles scattered around the living room. On the living room table was the great leather- bound book I started reading my first day of training. I’d learned what Sigil

craning my head to catch a glimpse

way. “Of course everything’s alright. There’s an

trailing off when I saw no sign of my dad’s bulky frame. “Where’s

I heard him shout and spun around to see the front door wide open with my dad standing just outside. Before I could ask him what he was doing, he nodded his head in Grandma’s direction and grunted, “...don’t look at me, look at

I thought he were

Grandma’s voice

You were hovering so

and narrowed his eyes, sending his bushy eyebrows colliding into one another. “

tossed over her shoulder, “I can still hear

tore through the house, promptly slamming the front door

she glanced at Grandma. I had no choice but to follow as she shooed me back into the living room. “ Now, now. Don’t worry about your father, he’s perfectly fine. Your grandmother’s barred him from entering

books in her arms before pausing at the stairs. There was a glimmer of light in her eyes that felt familiar yet foreign at the same time. “I'll see you tomorrow, Lola.” Without so much as a nod in Rowena’s direction, she went upstairs and slipped into her bedroom. Rowena gave no notice, or at least she pretended not to. She didn’t need to glance

in Rowena’s book

into the first paragraph, I found myself instantly missing my best-friend. Breyona had said if given the choice, she’d pick Divination as a magical skill. The further I read, the

reflective surface like a pool of water or even a crystal ball, but others more powerful need only sheer wil] and determination. Divination itself was incredibly

Clara, and me through the streets came to mind, stirring up a feeling of dread that left me with a dry mouth. I could still feel the heat of her flames and hear the rage in her voice when she realized we managed

amongst witches to the point that they would send them off to be

they could be manipulated were near endless, varying in power from monstrous waves to

the front door. In her hurry to take the plate of cookies in her hand outside, she’d left the front door cracked. Try as I might, I couldn’t help but listen in

all?” Grandma asked, growing more urgent the longer Dad was silent. “I’m not feeling much of anything...well, except for the

inside and closed the front door, her expression solemn as she shook her head at Rowena and darted back inside the kitchen. The clank of pots and pans rattling against one another drowned out her quiet muttering. Rowena’s lips fell in a sympathetic frown, and with her high cheekbones and

spells work the way you intend the first few times.” I caught her

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