CHAPTER1
BILLIE
The room was beginning to feel suffocating. I stared down at my plate of food, but I had no appetite. I just wanted to leave.
The funeral hall was packed full of people who cared about and respected my father. He was a powerful wizard and a former coven leader. Yet, still, with all our magic, we were unable to prevent his death from a late-stage prostate cancer. Magic was helpful. It was miraculous. However, it wasn’t all-powerful. There were fates that we couldn’t escape, and some cancers, like my father’s, were detrimentally supernatural.
Although I had spent the last few months with my father while also searching for a cure, I was unsuccessful. My healing abilities were strong, but they were not limitless. I’d drained myself most nights working at the hospital and then come home to pour magic into my father. It had only prolonged his days until all my magic could do was stop the pain.
By the time of the funeral, my grief was no longer fresh, but that didn’t mean it didn’t hurt. I had mentally prepared, but grief was not a linear thing. It had peaks and valleys. Yesterday, I cried myself to sleep. Today, I felt numb, and my body itched to just get out of the air-depleting room of people.
I glanced at my friend, Lila Ramirez, and waved goodbye as she was talking to another member of our coven. I then got up and almost made it to the front doors when I heard my name being called.
I pasted a tight smile on my face.
I turned slightly to see an older woman with bright red hair cut in a bob shake her head at me before wrapping an arm over my shoulder. “I know you weren’t thinking of leaving without saying goodbye,” she said.
Chilli was the coven leader of the East coast. The position used to be held by my father years ago, but he had been promoted to head of the North American coven, leaving Chilli as head of the regional coven. There were smaller ones under her, particularly our Baltimore coven.
I leaned into her with a half hug, dropping my smile. I didn’t have to look happy to her. My sadness wouldn’t make her feel awkward or like she had to come up with comforting words. I could be myself. I’d known Chilli most of my life, as she was practically my father’s right hand. She was like family, and I respected and admired her. She was strong, wise and fashionable. Even today she was dressed to impress in a form fitting black sheath dress, a black lace fascinator on her hair, and colorful print stilettos.
“Sorry, Chilli, I just need to get out of here.”
She nodded knowingly. “I get it. There are so many people here.”
We looked around the grand hall. The space was huge. There had to be hundreds of people here. It all just made my chest feel tight, knowing the impact my father had made on so many lives.
Chilli rubbed my back, bringing my attention back to her. Her green eyes narrowed as she searched my face. “I know this is a lot. Your father prepared well for his death. The funeral was beautiful. And I know he has set some things up for you to make sure you are protected.”
I stiffened. I knew exactly what she was talking about, and I definitely didn’t want to discuss it in this setting.
Clearly seeing my discomfort, Chilli relaxed her face. “I won’t get into it now. But I did want you to seriously think about being more active in the coven. I know your father would have wanted that.”
I knew he wanted that as well. However, my life was full enough being a doctor. Not to mention I never considered myself a leader.
Chilli tapped her cheek, a worried look in her eyes. “With all that’s been going on with that awful dark mage terrorist group trying to steal control of our east coast coven, we need all the power we can get. You’re an omega witch. That’s a unique combination. Your particular strength would be a huge help. The loss of your father was tragic on so many levels.”
I nodded absentmindedly. I’d been hearing this half the evening as well. Currently, Chilli was in a power struggle with a growing dark mage sect out to control her coven and, subsequently, all the east coast covens. It started off as seemingly very political, with the dark sect leader losing to Chilli for her coven seat, but I’d since heard of violent attacks by the dark mages. They were trying to take out covens up and down the east coast, and there was even rumor they eventually wanted the ruling stone. It was an object that the universal coven leader had to have in order to have authority over us all. One had to be extremely powerful to wield it. Luckily the current supreme coven leader governing all witches, mages, warlocks and wizards world-wide was ethical and had not used her power for evil. Sure, she put forth policies I wasn’t a fan of but nothing detrimental. Nothing more unsavory than our regular politicians.
The violence was very new but still troubling. I wasn’t sure how I could be of any help. I didn’t fight for a living, but I would aid if needed. None of it was a fight I had any expertise in, and I hoped that Chilli understood that.
I crossed my arms, the tightness in my chest threatening to take my air. I had to get out of here. “Sorry, Chilli. I know I’m letting you down, but I just don’t think being a leader is my thing. I just have so much on my plate right now. Obviously, I support the cause and will play my role if it gets to that. I’m hoping it doesn’t.”
She rubbed my arms, pursing her lips. “I know. I’m sorry for cornering you like this. I just don’t get to see you as much anymore, and I try to dump all I can in your head. It’s not fair of me. I think so highly of you, and I don’t want you to feel lost or alone. No matter where you are or where I am, I will be there for you. Nagging you, advising you, setting you up on blind dates.”
She smiled, and I rolled my eyes at her, returning her grin. I knew she would do all those things and more. It helped knowing that she was there. My circle of family had become minuscule now, but knowing she was around gave me some small peace. I hated letting her down by not being more active in the coven, but until I got my issues taken care of, I couldn’t think of doing anything more.
She pulled me in for another hug. “Go, get some rest. If you need me, I’m a call away.”
I gave her a tight squeeze, feeling comfort in her embrace. When I released her to walk away, she called after me.
“Oh, and Billie, when you meet the alphas, I’d love to know your thoughts.”
My shoulders tensed, but I nodded and kept walking. She would never know my thoughts on that particular subject because I would never meet them. I was not going to be an omega who needed an alpha.
* * *
Idrove home in silence. Usually, I was a music listener during my commutes, but today, I couldn’t bother to connect my phone to my music service. I gripped the steering wheel tightly, letting my navigator blare directions through the streets of Baltimore, which I barely followed. I wasn’t familiar with the area of the city where the funeral was being held and had already gone off course twice now. Perhaps Lila was right. I should have just taken a car service or let her pick me up. However, I was in a stubborn place right now, and sometimes my thinking wasn’t rational.
