“Not even at the Union of Mages competency exam?” My mouth falls, but she continues, “You can’t keep secrets from me.”
“How did you know?”
“I chat with Kai sometimes.”
I frown. “Then you know I failed the exam.”
“Not a problem. There will be other exams.”
“It’s cool. The only spell I care about is glamouring.”
“Oh, but there’s so much more you can do.”
“Apparently not,” I murmur. Mama doesn’t like that I have no deep interest in spellcasting, so I should probably drop the subject. “I’ll just keep, um, studying.”
“That’s great, dear, but I’m concerned for your well-being. There are young witches in your cohort. Are you befriending them?”
Loxley’s precious face fills my memory. He may have been the dick who called me his familiar, but he also failed the exam. Something about him makes me feel like he’s almost as lonely as I am. I’m sure his speech impediment makes socializing difficult for him as well.Why am I drawn to him?
“Not yet, but…I’ll try.” I rub my head as Mama finishes talking about what she and Papa are up to. When I hang up, I recall that I left my online buddy hanging. He asked to meet up, and I kind of ghosted him.
Checking the game, I notice he messaged “Gotta run, let me know later, yeah?” and that he’s not online anymore.
“Today is going to be totally relaxing,” Seb says, sitting back on the lawn chair. “Don’t sweat it. There’s nothing to be ashamed of just because you technically didn’t pass the competency exam.”
“I’m not ashamed,” I say, crossing my arms. He frowns, and I relax in the seat next to him. It’s been an hour since I chatted with Mama, and as I promised Kai, I’m now taking magic lessons from Seb. My roommates have been nothing but helpful and chill, graciously letting me live here rent-free, so I should be more polite.
“So, you’re a late-bloomer, so what?” Seb says with a point. “You’re related to the great Jade Lion. In no time, I’m sure you’ll have arcana dripping from your turtle claws!” He laughs, and even I have to grin.
“Alright, magic lessons.”
“Right.” Seb takes out his hand and puts his fingers up, like he’s holding an invisible ball. “Try conjuring some energy.” In moments, yellow light flickers around Seb’s fingers.
I sigh and mirror him. Concentrating on my green fingers, I attempt to feel for magic.Come on, light up…
After ten seconds of nothing, I sit back and let out a frustrated breath. Seb cringes and says, “Sorry, man.”
“It’s not your fault. You didn’t curse me to be a giant turtle devoid of magic.”
“But still,” Seb replies. He flexes his hand a tiny green fire floats up, then disappears. “We promised to help you with stuff. I was sure that being around us would spark something. Since you guys are kin.”
I shrug and wipe my face. “I’m not the Jade Lion. I’m the Ruby Turtle, whatever that means. Maybe magic skipped me.”
Seb frowns with concern, then hops up and takes out his phone. “We’ll keep at it, Gordy. I’ll get the door, you keep trying.”
He leaves, and I’m left alone in the backyard. After trying to spark any modicum of magic, I give up and gaze at the sky. I wonder what Speakeasy is doing right now. Even if he wasn’t interested in me romantically, gaining a friend would be awesome. Someone I could really talk to about my problems.
A shiver runs down my spine when I hear people walking through the backyard. “There’s more space in the back,” Seb says. “Kai’s not here, and I don’t wanna, like, burn anything down.”
“Makes sense,” Lisbeth replies.
I sit up straight when I see the face trailing behind Seb and Lisbeth. Loxley is in my backyard, looking equal parts nervous and apologetic. Admittedly, in his dark hoodie and skinny jeans, I find him delectable.
“I think it would be better if we practice together.” Seb hooks his thumb back to Loxley. “Loxley didn’t pass either. We’re all one greater Boysen House coven, and witches are stronger together.”
“Yes, even though we have geo arcanum now.” Lisbeth claps her hands and points at me while Loxley slowly looks around.His proximity once again has my pulse racing. “Witches need to stick together; we have for centuries. It’s how we honed our witchcraft. Once you pass the examination, you’ll get a magical rock attuned only to you. But none of that matters if you can’t master basic spells.”
Lisbeth smiles at me, and I try not to appear too uncomfortable. “So what have we done so far?”
