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Tabitha took her time taking sips from her cup and watching her. Those intense leaf green eyes forever latched onto her face. “The first customer was Annabelle. She is the wife of Mark, the butcher's son. So yes, you obviously know about the village scandal.”

“She seemed really nice. I don't know how he could have...”

“Some men are not worth the air they breathe.”

From that statement alone Cora assumed Tabitha didn’t hold a candle for the opposite sex. “Are you married?”

“No. I didn’t feel the impulse to marry. I have, of course, found certain men
interesting
and they have over the years filled up my time quite nicely, but I would never take it further.”

“Why?”

“Well, I don’t feel like I need a man to define who I am as a woman. I’m more than happy with my little shop and my life. Do you want to marry?”

Cora spluttered sending her hot chocolate firing in every direction. “I’m seventeen!”

“Actually, you’re not,” Tabitha said with a sly smile and lifted her hand guiding the heat to mop up the spill. “But I just wondered if you had ever thought about it?”

“I don’t know.”
She shrugged her shoulders. “She was looking at some interesting spells though.” She felt like she had to tell Tabitha.

Tabitha was nodding. “Yes. She's been in quite a few times looking at those kinds of spells. He wouldn't get anything more than acne or warts. Nothing that would be life threatening.”

“Tabitha! That’s terrible!”

“That man left her with child, one that is ready to come any day now.  Acne won't hurt him. Anyway, I would intervene if she decided on something a little stronger.”

“Would you?” she asked. She wasn't entirely sure Tabitha would.

Tabitha smiled and Cora noted the lack of an answer. “You seem to be handling the whole situation better. Have you spoken with your mother?”

“We talked this morning. I couldn't have asked for a better parent, she’s been amazing.”

“Yes, Laura is quite unique. You are very lucky.”

“I am. She wanted a demonstration this morning but it didn't go well. I can't control my power much.”

“That will all come with time and practise. I didn't master my gift until later in my life.”

“How old are you?”

Tabitha laughed loudly. “I'm not going to tell you that.”

“Are you over a thousand years old?”

Tabitha continued laughing. “I’m not telling you.”

“Fine,” she mumbled and then smiled. “So, I could become more powerful?”

“Yes. In time you will be the most powerful witch in your coven.”

“I couldn’t become more powerful than you.” She refused to believe it. 

“Hmmm...” Tabitha looked at her. “You will.”

“One more question, when Jack and I, you know, the wind flew around me which I know I was controlling but there was thunder, no rain, just thunder. What does that mean?”

Several expressions crossed Tabitha’s face. “This is very unusual. Usually a witch’s power takes on one form, for example I can only deal with fire. I need you to be clear when you tell me this, the thunder that came, when did it happen?”

“It happened when I got really mad. I knew how to accept my power and kind of pulled it towards me so I could use it.”

“It would seem your gift is more powerful than even I had expected. Your mother was a very strong witch, her gift wasn't entirely different from yours. She had the powerful ability to manipulate air. Everything slowed down, birds, animals, cars, people. I will have to look into your dual power.”

She sat mulling this over as Tabitha stood.

“Well, I understand you may be tired but we have a very busy night ahead of us.”

“What busy night?  I need a hot bath and my bed.” She tried to bite back the sound of a whine but was unsuccessful.

“You will go to bed at a reasonable hour so there’s no need for any whining. First you must meet your coven.”

Cora repressed a sigh and followed Tabitha down the staircase into the darkness.

LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER

The door clicked behind her taking away the only light source. She edged closer to Tabitha not caring if this made her look weak.

“Wait, I have an idea.” Her words echoed, the sound making her shiver.

“What is it?”

They had both come to a stop in the darkness. She could only see the dark outline of Tabitha’s face so she couldn’t judge whether Tabitha was angered by the interruption or if she was intrigued.

“Well, you have the affinity for fire, so does that mean you can make things light up like a fire?”

“Yes, I can make things light up, why do you ask?” She could almost hear the smile on Tabitha’s face.

“I want to try something, do you trust me?”

This time Tabitha did laugh, the tunnel intensified the sound of her laughter. “Of course I trust you.”

Tabitha raised her hand and summoned a small flame. Her stomach knotted with concern, it didn’t sit right to see a person’s hand on fire. She could see Tabitha watching her. Her gift reacted sooner than she thought it would. How was she meant to control it so it focused on just one area? That was her next problem. She'd so far just pushed it out of her without thinking about its direction. What if she pushed Tabitha?

             
Holding her breath, she couldn’t say why but it helped to contain her anxiety, she lifted her hands to meet Tabitha’s small flame and very gently forced her element out of her hands. The flame on Tabitha’s hand disappeared. Darkness surged forward clinging to her.

Her heart sank.

She was about to tell Tabitha they should continue when she heard the laughter. There was a sharp hissing before the tunnel was alight with a soft glow. Tabitha smiled and nodded as Cora held back a little victory dance.

             
The tunnel remained lit allowing her to walk without holding on to Tabitha. She stopped in her tracks whe
n she came face to face with
strangers.

“Cora, I would like to introduce you to Ember Smith and Ayden Quinn, they are members of your coven.”

Cora started nibbling on the remains of her index nail. Her nervous habit was getting worse. What was she meant to say to these people? The first thing that came to mind was the
question, ‘so, you're a witch?'

How original.

The woman introduced as Ember stepped forward with her hand extended. Cora took her hand out of her mouth and wiped them on her jeans. She was sure it wasn't polite to wipe your spit all over another person.

“Merry meet, Cora,” she said flashing her perfect white teeth.

Cora looked at her dumbstruck. She'd never seen someone who was so flawlessly beautiful before. She’d believed Tabitha to be beautiful but this woman blew her out of the water. Her cream oval face was surrounded by long silver hair that was parted to one side, stray strands curved delicately around the contours of her face. Little yellow flecks flashed within the light grey of her eyes.

             
Ayden moved towards her, his large muscular frame making her feel a little intimidated. He picked up her hand gently brushing his lips over her knuckles. She could feel the rush of crimson explode in her cheeks.

“Merry meet, High Priestess,” Ayden winked at her as he stood back.

He had a very nice smile, the kind of smile that was sexy on an older man. His blonde hair was cut close to his head.

“Right,” Tabitha spoke, “introductions are done so we can get down to business. Cora, it is very rare that we actually sit down and give thanks to the Goddess. However, this is a special occasion, so to welcome you into your rightful place we shall begin our first ceremony with you here.”

             
She didn't ask which Goddess. She didn't want to appear dumb. Tabitha walked to a chair as the others began to take their place. This left one chair for her at what seemed like the head of the table. She sat down nervously awaiting what would happen next and prayed the butterflies in her stomach wouldn’t turn into something more.

“We are ready to begin.”

The cove went black as she felt her element snap back.

“I pledge allegiance to the Blessed Goddess, here we are, gathered on this night to offer you our gifts in celebration of our High Priestess joining us at long last.”

Fire ignited allowing her to see. Tabitha hands were in the air, the fire dancing between the two. Warm orange and reds shimmered over her beautiful features. Tabitha threw her arms and hands wider, fire flew towards her. Cora nearly scrambled back but managed to remain in her chair. She swallowed, pushing her heart back into its rightful place as she watched the fire float from Tabitha's hands and ignite the candles on the table.

“Blessed Be,” Tabitha whispered.

How had Tabitha controlled her fire like that? She could barely use her power without destroying things; the scrambled eggs were a perfect example. Ayden stood up to her right and walked to the smaller table picking up two tall white candles. He walked over to her, gave her a mischievous grin and placed them in front of her. He continued to stand.

“I pledge my allegiance to the Blessed Goddess, you bring eternal peace into this world and I am honoured that I do your work here on earth. Accept these wands which represent the ability to acquire knowledge. Blessed Be.”

Nearly pinching herself, she gaped at Ayden. Five Ayden’s were stood in the room. Their appearance was identical
;
they all wore the causal jeans and blue shirt, faces held the same wicked expression. She was shaking her head, words failed to form in her mouth. Ayden looked directly at her and with a sucking
pop
he was one again.

Bloody hell.

Her heart started palpitating. For the fi
rst time it wasn't fear, it was
excitement that ran the full length of her body just thinking about what could happen next. She sat a little straighter in her chair and watched as Ember took a deep breath.

“I pledge my allegiance to the Blessed Goddess. I give you the chalice filled with ritual wine.” She stopped to take a sip before passing it to Tabitha. “I commit myself to you. Blessed Be.” Ember’s chin fell down to her chest and then her body stilled.

             
She could see from the corner of her eye that Ayden was trying to pass her the wine goblet but she couldn't take it. She concentrated on Ember willing her to move or do something. Had something happened? Had her spell gone wrong? Shoving her chair back she reached across to Ember.

“High Priestess, I’m fine.”

A hand touched her shoulder making her squeak. Ember took the wine goblet from Ayden and raised the goblet to her lips making her drink. Her eyes must have looked like two saucers because Ember laughed.

‘High Priestess, please do not look so distressed. This is my gift. I can astral project which means leaving my body, as you can see.” Her hand pointed towards the sleeping Ember.

Wasn't it weird to see yourself like that? Ember placed the goblet on the table and sort of shimmered back into her own body. With a sigh, Ember’s eyes opened and she looked up with a smile on her face.  How could she compete against them? They'd been witches for decades, she been one for a whole day. A staggering twenty-four hours.

             
She couldn’t feel her legs but knew that they quivered beneath her. She hated public speaking. She didn't care if it was three people, it might as well have been one hundred people.

“I pledge my allegiance to the Blessed Goddess. I have no gifts but my own gift to give you.” She stopped and nervously bit her lip thinking of what she could say. “I want to thank you for my gift because it makes me feel like I belong in this world for the first time in my life. Blessed Be.”

Her ponytail whipped erratically as the wind built around her.  Stray hairs broke free of her bobble caressing her face. The candles around the table flickered then sizzled out. Darkness surrounded her making her heart skip several beats. Gathering the wind around her body she knew what she had to do.

“Tab?”

She sensed Tabitha lift her hand. Cora felt the heat dance happily within the wind.

“Light.”

The candles ignited. She raised her right hand and playfully flicked her index finger towards the two remaining candles. She watched as a slice of wind guided the heat making them spark to life, each burning a brilliant emerald green.

             
Feeling quite pleased with herself, she smiled and then noticed Tabitha's expression. Her eyes shimmered until she blinked allowing big fat tears to escape and leave trails down her cheeks.

“Cora, you need to name this coven as your own,” Ember instructed her.

What? Why did she have to be the one put in charge? She couldn’t voice her questions; she didn’t want them to think she was a silly, insecure girl. Of course, she
was
all these things.