“I guess it is true; you can’t lie to an empath.” Victor looks over and sees Leo is still looking for a book. “Do you have anything about blood oaths?”
Wren raises an eyebrow. “Blood oaths?” As Victor nods, she looks over at Leo. “Could it be something along the lines of marriage blood oaths?” Victor looks back at Leo as Wren continues, “Let me see what I can find for you.” She steps over to a tome and waves her hand over it. The pages flutter rapidly. Wren’s eyes shift vigorously side to side as she scans the pages. Once the pages land on what she is looking for, she lets out a“hmm”as she studies it. “Most of what I have on the shelves are more current oaths. Maybe I can narrow it down a little. Do you know when he took his blood oath?”
“I think it was back in 1982,” Victor offers.
Wren stands up straight and starts tapping her chin with her finger as she gently flips through several other pages. “Most of these oaths were created in the late 1970s, but the oath you’re looking for isn’t here. My tome would know what oath was used when Leo married Derek. What we’re looking for needs tocontain old magic. I might have something in the archives. It may take a day or two for me to find it.”
“Please. I know Leo is miserable. And yes, I’m upset with him, but I have a reason for projecting my anger,” Victor informs.
Wren returns to her seat in front of Victor and gives Victor a slight smirk. “I’ll get a hold of you once I find something.”
Leo returns with two more books. “I think I’m ready.”
Wren picks up the books and starts reading their spines. “If he’s going to practice Fire Magic, you’ll need a couple more to read.”
“I think he’ll be okay. He’s going to have an excellent teacher,” Leo remarks.
Wren packs the books into a small box and slides them over to Victor. “Talk to you boys soon.”
Victor and Leo are escorted to a study where Superior Charles sits behind a large wooden desk. Superior Charles looks up over his reading glasses and waves them in. As they walk further into the study, a man sits in one of the chairs in front of the desk. He’s clean-shaven, with snow-white hair. He is wearing an all-lavender suit and has a black walking cane with a mother-of-pearl orb on top. He looks up at Victor as he approaches and smiles.
“Victor, please meet Superior Eugene Mitchell. He has come to see you,” Superior Charles says while reading paperwork.
Superior Eugene stands up and extends his hand. “Ahh, the young empath. I’m so pleased to finally meet you.”
Victor shakes his hand. “Thank you, Superior. It’s a pleasure to meet you as well.”
Superior Eugene is pleased with Victor’s response. “Ah, so refreshing to see such a polite gentleman. And what a nice firmgrip you have there.” Superior Charles rolls his eyes. “I saw that, Charlie.”
“Please don’t call me Charlie,” Superior Charles says annoyingly.
Victor wonders how much longer he will be shaking Superior Eugene’s hand. “So, you’re here to meet me?”
“Ah, yes,” Superior Eugene releases Victor’s hand and digs into his inner jacket pocket. He pulls out a lavender triangle business card with a white emblem. The emblem resembles a staff with a large orb at the top, crowned with thin triangles representing rays of light. “I heard that you’re taking invites to join covens. And I wanted to extend an invite to mine.”
Victor accepts the business card. “Thank you, Superior. I’ll take yours into consideration.”
Superior Eugenefixes the buttons on his jacket and stands tall, holding onto his cane. “I would also like to inform you that normally, a new warlock sees me first to do a couple of exams before they are sent off to their studies. But being the empath you are, it can wait until you finish your basic lessons.”
Superior Eugene places both his hands on top of his cane. “Now, I know you have many questions, and I will answer all of them for you, but I have a mani/pedi appointment to get to, and you have Earth lessons to go to. So, I look forward to seeing you again soon.” He turns to Superior Charles and smiles. “Talk to you later . . . Charlie.” Superior Charles ignites his fists into massive fireballs. With a flourish, Superior Eugene walks out of the study, snickering overCharlie’sreaction.
Superior Charles lets out a deep sigh of relief and extinguishes his fists. “I’m so happy he left. He’s a good man, but a lot to take in.” He removes his glasses and closes the file he was reviewing. “Word has gotten out that you’ve been receiving invites to join covens. So, expect to meet many more superiors and receivingmore of their invitations. Eugene’s coven is in New York, in case you were wondering. Both of you, take a seat.”
Superior Charles flicks his wrist and closes the door to his study. Victor and Leo sit as if they were sent to see the principal. “Did you talk with your friends last night?”
“For the most part,” Victor replies. “Although we might have more talking to do later on. It was getting late, and everyone was tired. Maybe even a little drunk.”
Superior Charles clasps his hands together and leans on his desk. “I thought about your plan, and I’m okay with it. As long as the two of you are willing.”
“We are,” Leo responds.
Superior Charles focuses his attention on Leo. “Leo, if Derek is the warlock that’s been projecting his aura onto Victor, you cannot fight him, per your blood oath.”
“I understand, Superior,” Leo acknowledges.
Superior Charles leans back in his seat, placing his clasped hands in his lap. “Young empath, I want to ensure you do whatever it takes to keep Leo safe. He’s valued in my coven. And make sure he does not, by any means, attack Derek.”
“I’ll keep an eye on him, Superior,” Victor promises.
