Nina kisses my cheek and takes a seat at the desk beside me. 'Magnus, is there anything else I can do for you?' 'Could you please hand me the Shady Crest status report?' I say as I set aside a pile of paperwork that I had just finished signing on the desk. Rolling up her sleeve, Nina waves her wand 'Lifto Levitatous', she says. The paper rises and swirls in a circular pattern, one page at a time, before settling in a neat stack in front of me. 'Nina, it was literally in front of you. You could have just reached for it, you know?' 'Well, where's the fun in that?' she gives a warm smile. 'Do you suppose you could conjure me up a mug of coffee, by any chance?' I grin. 'Magnus, you realise I'm not capable of doing that?' 'Honestly, I'm not sure what you are capable of yet. You read that spellbook each night and refuse to tell me what you've learnt.' 'Well, you have to admit that seeing me cast the spell rather than listening to me explain it is far more interesting.'
'Who are you? How did you get into my territory without us noticing?' The person in front lowers their hood. 'Yiselda?' I say. 'Alpha Magnus,' she murmurs before turning her focus on Nina. She acknowledges Nina with a smile and a nod. The four hooded people behind her all bow their heads to Nina. Nina and I exchange a troubled look. 'What brings you here, Yiselda?' Nina inquires. A mouse sits upon Yiselda’s shoulder and begins to clean its whiskers. 'After all, Magnus, it's fantastic to see you were able to break the spell,' she replies, dismissing Nina's query. 'I did,' I admit. 'But I can't help but think that's not why you're here.' 'Alpha Magnus, I would like you to meet the Midnight Coven's members. Introduce yourself to Fern, Ela Ria, and Lilac.’ As their names are called out, the women drop their hoods. They are all stunning women. Fern is a woman with brown hair and blue eyes. Ela has brown eyes and blonde hair. Ria has red hair, green eyes and numerous frec
'However, enough with Pandora's Box. We want to invite Nina and May to join our coven as sisters. Joining us also means that it will be our responsibility to protect and keep each other safe in times of peril,' ‘But Nina and May are part of the Shadow Crest pack,’ ‘Because they are half-witch, half-wolf, they can be part of both. This would also unify us as one prominent coven or, as you call it, pack.’ 'I appreciate it, Yiselda.' At tomorrow's meeting, May and I will discuss it. Let's get to know each other a little better in the meanwhile and roast some marshmallows?' Nina proposes. We're all holding our sticks, placed above the fire with marshmallows. Then Yiselda works her magic and puts on a performance for us to enjoy. We watch a little bird who is still unable to fly like her siblings. However, the little bird does not give up and continues to attempt to fly every day. She eventually learns to fly and flies past her siblings. We applaud Yiselda for the charming stor
Nina and I walk into town to meet up with Shadow Crest's local pack members. Although the majority of the group has accepted Nina's half-witch status, a few members remain concerned about her abilities. Mrs Turnpot is squatting in her vegetable garden as we come to a halt at a small picket gate. Nina pokes Mrs Turnpot over the fence and says, 'Hello, Mrs Turnpot.' When Mrs Turnpot notices Nina, she glances up at us and falls back. 'Oh!' she trembles and retreats. 'Mrs Turnpot, what are you planting today?' Nina is overjoyed. 'C-Carrots,' she replies, 'but they haven't been growing.' Nina takes a look around the garden. 'Perhaps I can assist? Revito Sprouto,' she says. Mrs Turnpot's carrots are sprouting and growing right before our eyes. 'Thank you, Luna, thank you. Mrs Turnpot says as she vigorously shakes Nina's hand. 'No problem, Mrs Turnpot, I'll see you later,' Nina smiles. We resume walking. 'How long have you known that spell?' I enquire. ‘A few nig
We see Zak and Pipsqueak stapling fliers to lampposts across town, telling Shadow Crest of our upcoming merger with the Midnight Coven pack. The pack huddles together to read the posts. They are unsure what to make of it. Nina and I approach them in the hopes of reassuring them. 'Hello everyone,' Nina says, smiling. They all smile politely. 'I want to reassure everyone that joining forces with the Midnight coven is a beneficial move. Extra aid around town would be beneficial, as would magical protection if our community were ever in danger. Witches are not to be feared. Your loving Luna is one, along with her sister May and has never caused us any harm. They are on our side and want to live peacefully amongst us and help keep humans and us safe from any threats to our communities. You are all welcome to join us at midnight tonight if you wish to.’ Everyone nods and smiles at each other, and all appear to be more at ease. *** It's nearly midnight. Everyone in the packhouse
Nina and May break the circle by releasing everyone's hands. Nina is the first to make her way to the gateway. Smiling, she takes a deep breath and vanishes into Silverfay forest, the realm of familiars. May is so excited that she doesn't hesitate and rushes in after Nina. Nina I'm standing in the most enchanting gorgeous woodland I've ever seen. The trees are not just various colours of green but also pinks, purples, and blues. They generate a glow that gives the trees the appearance of being composed of diamonds. A silver mist floats in the air, glistening in the breeze. May slams into the back of me out of nowhere. 'Sorry,' she chuckles as I stare her down. ‘Wow! This place is beautiful.' She says. We begin exploring and come across a variety of animals. A sloth climbs a tree slowly as a bat hangs upside down on a branch. A possum pokes its head out of a tree hollow. 'Hello,' I say, waving at the animals. May gives me a strange look, then comes to a standstill and cast
I'm feeling more powerful than I've ever felt before. My veins are filled with a fresh wave of energy. 'This power,' I murmur, twisting my head to look over my shoulder at Reaper. 'Does this come from you?' Reaper squawks before responding over our mind-link. 'Yes, now that we're bonded, I can give you as little or as much power as you need.' 'Do you mean that what I'm feeling now isn't the whole extent of your power?' 'You mean our power, and no, not at all. Let's just pray that you'll never have to utilise the full amount.' 'What would happen if we had to utilise it all at once?' 'I'd very likely die.' I take a breather. 'Well, I'll make a mental note not to absorb it all,' I say. 'We'll see,' Reaper says. The portal to Shadow Crest has opened. 'It's time for you to meet your new family, Reaper.' I flash a smirk. 'Yes, I can't wait,' he answers unenthused. 'Don't be that way, Reaper. You'll adore them, and there are more familiars among the five other witc
It started around 7 a.m. with a series of caws. Magnus puts a pillow over his face and his ears. Unlike Magnus, I take my pillow and fling it at Reaper. As the pillow knocks him off the foot of our bed, his Caw switches to a squawk. 'Good morning to you too, Master,' he hisses via the mind-link. 'You're a Raven, not a Rooster, Reaper!' I growl. Magnus chuckles but stops as Reaper shoots him a death glare. I grab Magnus' pillow and toss it at Reaper, missing him by a centimetre. 'And stop staring at Magnus in that manner,' I say. 'Fine, I'm hungry for grubs anyway,' he adds before flying out the window. I roll onto Magnus, and we kiss and snuggle for a few moments before getting ready for the day. We can hear Fern, Ela, Ria, and Lilac giggling as they go down the stairs. When I opened my door, Lilac slides down the railing backwards. 'Skedaddle Dash,' Ela exclaims and vanishes. Ria races down the stairs while Fern leaps over the balustrade and skips half the steps. Magnus