Page 90 of Rituals & Rivalry

After making our final announcement, we step down to let Jewel take her rightful place at the head. It’s hard to say whether Aurora or I are winning the competition, and most of the time, I forget we’re still competing at all. It doesn’t feel like we are when we high-five, stepping off to the side to listen to Jewel speak about next month’s plans.

I lean down, whispering in Aurora’s ear, “Good job up there.”

She nudges her shoulder against mine, our fingers brushing. “You did pretty well yourself.”

It’s not much of a compliment, but I know I’ll be buzzing from it for the rest of the evening. To me, Aurora is more than a friend. She’s the first person I’ve fallen for in years. She’s the only one I want. I want to protect her, to give her everything she wants, to make her happy.

Being her friend feels really damn good, too. I like working with her around the office and in the coven. I like driving her home. I like it when she texts me because something reminded her of me.

I’m happy. Really, truly happy.

She’s probably safer this way. Her lifeline is still strong. And since when do I remember how to be a boyfriend, anyway?

When the announcements end and the gathering begins, Jewel approaches us, her eyes sparkling. “You two are a good team, aren’t you?”

Aurora looks at me, biting her lower lip. She nods.

“Yeah,” I say, slinging an arm around Aurora’s shoulder. “I guess we are.”

Aurora turns her head to look at me, her face far too close, and my heart goes racing. Jewel is here. Everyone is here. I’ve never been the type who enjoys PDA, but for a moment, I want to kiss her.

Even though Aurora thinks she doesn’t have any magic, she has me completely under her spell.

A vibrant voice breaks through the haze before I can act. “Sterling! Can I show you something?”

I turn my attention to Ryan, offering him a warm smile. I’ve seen him recently around town with his friends, and he’s seemed happy, but that’s nothing compared to the way he’s looking at me. It’s good to see him so happy. Being a hedge witch—with ties to death—can weigh on some.

“Sure thing.” I step toward him but pause, gesturing for Aurora to follow.

She points at her chest and mouths, “Me?”

I nod.

Aurora’s presence was so threatening when she first came. Hilarious. Larger than life. Confident. I was so afraid she would steal my spot in the coven, but now I can see she needs this coven as much as it needs her. If Jewel can see a leader in her, maybe that’s a good thing.

Even if the idea of losing my spot to anyone still feels like a wound.

Ryan leads us outside, where the same bluebird we worked on before sits dutifully on top of the Town Hall sign. The bird flies down and lands on Ryan’s shoulder, and Aurora lets out a sharp yelp.

“He’s doing much better,” I say slowly, cocking my head.

“You know this bird?” Aurora asks, awe dripping from her voice.

This would be a good time to tell her about my magic, and I’m half afraid Ryan will do it for me, but he only nods. A good kid. “Sterling was there when I healed its wing. I kept helping it after, and it recovered. See?”

This creature has such strange behavior for an undomesticated bird. Aurora looks absolutely baffled; she’s silent as I consider the energy behind the creature.

“I see…” I lean in, expecting the bird to fly away, but it doesn’t. “Have you named it?”

“Named… it?” Ryan blinks. “I mean, it’s not a pet.”

“No.” I shove my hands into my pockets and step back. “But it is your familiar. So, you should name it.”

“My familiar?” He lets out a laugh. “A bird?”

Some witches don’t have a familiar—I’m one of them—but many do. They’re creatures a witch soul bonds with, which grants the creature with magic. Cats and dogs are typical, but birds aren’t unheard of, and it’s clear their souls are linked.

Only time will tell what kind of magic. It could be a messenger, could assist with spells, or something else entirely.