When Magic Flows

A CUP OF COFFEE

The next few days in the classroom passed like a blur. But they were not much different from the first one, except that by now, our force fields were the size of a basketball. I could feel my power to bend easier to my will, and this was progress. Right?

And the days passed like this: potions, protections, enchantments, spells, books, books and more books for research. Almost all the ancient magic cornucopia available for us. I knew it was hard work and I was practicing like crazy these days. I could see that my classmates were progressing too, and this was also a good sign. We were becoming a more united group, which also was good. This job would take us at least another 18 years, I mean, at least when my heir would assume the leadership of the coven. 

Thinking about having kids for me at this moment was surreal. I just finished high school and was in my training. Still, I could hear some people talking about me here and there. It was the truth that I still didn’t have chosen a life partner. 

As I said before, a life partner would make you stronger and wiser and would give you a new life perspective. I was willing to find him for my life, but still, I have nothing concrete for now.

Unlike werewolves, this was not a mate thing. You would not enter a room and smell something different and then look in the eyes of your mate. They operate by instinct, and honestly, sometimes I think that it would be easier to be compelled and instantly love someone at the point to give your life for him if necessary.

But not wizards. We must bound in different ways. We date people like regular humans, we try to see things in common, and one day if this bond is meant to be, you simply realize in your heart that you finally are in the right place and the same happens to your partner.

I dated a few times here and there and had a guy or other with whom I felt a spark. Nothing like with Nicholas, but I wasn’t sure if this would be allowed, even if I were the coven’s leader.

It was not a good thing to live without a coven. I was not sure what Nicholas’ dad did to be excommunicated like that. But I was sure about one thing: It had terrifying consequences. It was not an easy decision to excommunicate someone from your group. The group would be weaker, and the witch or warlock would slowly die. Excommunication was always related to the use of dark magic, and if light magic has already a price to be practiced, dark witchcraft has a higher price: it could cost your soul. 

I feared for Nicholas’s soul because he was currently in a grey area. He wanted the light but was raised in the darkness. I have learned some spells that would help to purify his soul as an attempt to bring him to the light path, but it was not a vast knowledge and I still wasn’t sure if this would be enough to turn him into a light wizard. 

But for his dad, this was another story. I was pretty sure that my spells would not enough for his case. I wanted to help and now I had a starting point, but I must learn more. I must be strong enough to win over wherever was his problem is.

So, I decided to ask for some guidance to Mrs. Evanora Cabot, our enchantress instructor:

"Mrs. Cabot, good afternoon! How are you doing?"

“I have nothing to complain, Allegra. How can I help you?”

“I was researching dark magic and how to fight against it. So far, I found some spells that could purify a soul, but what if you face pure evil? What if the darkness in someone was so dominant and still you want to bring this person back to the light?”

“Hypothetically?” she asked me suspiciously.

“Yes, hypothetically,” I assured her. 

“We have some books in our knowledge library that talk about darkness’ takeover and how to return to the path of light. It isn’t easy, though. It takes hard work, real sacrifice, and above everything, the wizard must want to come back. Do you understand me?”

“Yes, I think so.”

“You could also consult the oracle. After all, you are one of the few members in the coven to whom the access to the oracle was granted.”

I can’t believe I didn’t think about the oracle again! I certainly would not disturb the spirits again so soon, but it is a life or death matter, right?

“Yes, definitely! Thank you for your help, Mrs. Cabot!”

“Hey, Allegra? Promise me you will be careful, ok? Your safety is a top priority for this coven. Do you understand me?”

“Yes, sure. Thank you very much!” I told her and left the room.

Waiting outside in the corridor was Alistair. I haven’t properly talked to him since the Yule Ball. Not that I was avoiding him, it just that we didn’t find the occasion yet. He was smiling at me and I could see a little bit of that façade-free Alistair. Since it was the easy-going Alistair, I decided to smile back. 

“Hey, Allegra. It’s been a while since our last talk. How are you doing?”

“Fine, thank you, Alistair. I know it’s been a while since our last conversation, but It’s been really crazy days, you know…”

“Yeah, I know. No problem. I was just hoping that since we are leaving training now that you could come with me for a cup of coffee. What do you think?”

“Sure! Let me just grab my bag. I’ll be here in a minute” I told him, and then instantly I had a date with Alistair. To say that I wasn’t nervous at all would be a lie. Since the Yule Ball when this guy made my knees wobbly, I felt a little nervous about him. It was easy to talk to him, well, not the arrogant version, but the real one, and I was willing to know him better.

We left the training center, and I sent my folks a text to inform that I would be home later and then we got into his truck. It was a nice ride talking about our training. What we like and what we don’t do. In general, small talk. 

At the coffee shop, we got a small table in the back corner and sat with two extra large and extra hot coffees. The place has this cozy aura that made us feel comfortable the instant we get to our chairs.

“So, Allegra, how is everything doing?” Alistair asked me to start a conversation. I know that everything would start with small talk, but I was too anxious to do it. Still, I calmed down a little bit and started talking:

“Oh, is fine. Still getting used to our new routine, like everyone, but I guess we are going to be fine.” I told him, holding my breath because it was enough. I was curious about his invitation. 

“Honestly, I’m done with all the small talk about the counsel, lieutenants, coven, and so on. I wanted to break free from this theme just for five minutes and relax.”

“Yeah, me too. It seems as if my life turned around to this subject and there are no Allegra before it.”

“I know, right?” He told me agreeing with my previous comment.

After a few seconds smiling to each other, I took a deep breath to gather some courage to get to know him better, and started asking him: “So, Alistair, how was your life before all this mess started a couple of weeks ago?” I stretched the word before in there. The fact was that a guy was living his life before all the training and everything, and maybe this guy has more to offer than I have seen so far. 

“Well, I was a little far from the community and came back actually for your ceremony. I was studying engineering and wanted to build things. I wanted to have the ability to create things. Things that would be useful for people. I had this private joke about reinventing the wheel. Logic and creativity, harmonic design… usefulness. I was learning this kind of thing. I also like contemporary rock bands and action movies.” He started laughing, and I wasn’t sure if he was laughing at my question or at himself. “How about you? I mean, this was always your plan A, but what if you just were in a parallel universe where your life could be…” he started looking for the right word to complete his phrase.

“Simpler, right?” I replied dreamily. “I always liked ice skating and other sports activities. I had few to no opportunity to choose my path for myself, but I like dancing, skating, and other activities like that. If I had the choice, maybe I would be a dancer or an artist. I love art expressions and have a sensitive soul for all of this. Or maybe I could be a doctor, I don’t know!” I started laughing and he laughed too. “Having no choice since you were a kid just gave me the options of to feel sorry for my destiny or not to dwell on what it could be if it wasn’t the coven, and then I decided to not suffer for the lost future,” I told him. 

“Now, about music,” I continued "I love alternative rock and pop. I also have a place in my heart for the 80’s songs. That could be considered my aunt’s influence.”

“The 80’s?” he told me, skeptic.

“Yeah, give them a chance! I know you’re going to like it!” I made my case and waited.

“Fine! I’ll give them a chance if you allow me to have another date with you.” He proposed.

“It’s a deal. I’ll give a few artist names and you’ll listen to them. Then we’re meeting again to discuss your opinion.” I told him as seriously as I could. It was so easy to talk to him as if we have known each other for all of our lives. I was getting involved. I was like a piece of metal to a magnet. Something simply pulled me towards him, and I could feel that I was hitting the pedal on this road. Still, thinking about Nicholas’ kiss made me ask myself if any of this made sense, and if I was right to try and give one of those guys my heart. /*-y