Chapter Thirty #2
“Ugh, this book has too many plot holes,” she says to herself as she begins to write something down on a paper pad.
She looks at the little bird on her shoulder, asking, “Do you understand it, Cactus?” As Victor and Leo get closer, she notices them and smiles brightly.
“Leo! So nice to see you again. I have the books you ordered.”
She turns around to grab a pile of books behind her as Cactus flies over to Leo and lands on his shoulder. As she turns and sets the book in front of them, she looks at Victor. “You must be the empath I’ve heard so much about.”
Leo pulls the books closer to him as he introduces the witch. “Victor, this is Wren Llewellyn. And this little one is Cactus. Wren practically runs this place.”
Victor shakes Wren’s hand. “Pleasure to meet you. Is Cactus your familiar?”
“You do know about familiars? I like you already,” Wren grins happily.
Victor holds out a finger, which Cactus notices and perches on. “I guess your name is Cactus because you’re a cactus wren,” Victor says to the tiny bird. Cactus flutters her feathers and sings a little melody, as she is pleased Victor knows that.
“Very good,” Wren says. “How did you know she was a cactus wren?”
“I’m from Arizona. She’s the state bird,” Victor explains. “So, I’m familiar with your familiar. And it seems appropriate, since your name is Wren, to have a familiar be a wren.”
Wren giggles. “Actually, I have a chime of wren as my familiar.” The five birds flying around come down as Wren whistles a bird call.
They line up as Wren says their names. “This is Winter, and then this is Sedge. Carolina is a feisty one, so be careful leaving food out. Rock might act tough, but she’s a sweetheart.
And Song is the baby of the bunch.” After they greet Victor in their own way, all of them, including Cactus, fly off.
“So, you’re the one I have to blame for providing Leo with all the books I have to read,” Victor says to Wren.
“Well, it’s my duty to ensure you have the right reading material. If I couldn’t do that, then I wouldn’t be a good librarian,” Wren smiles.
Victor looks down at her notepad. “Looks like that pen has seen better days.”
Wren looks down at the pen. “Oh, I like to review the books as they make their way on the shelves. I’ve read every book in this library and can recommend anything you’re looking for. I used to use pencils, but I kept eating the erasers.”
“Is this all we need for now?” Leo asks.
“Well, the next lesson is Earth. And from what you told me about how quickly Victor is picking up magic, this should be all he needs,” Wren responds.
Victor raises his eyebrow. “I hate to ask, but if I weren’t picking up things so quickly, there would be more than three books to read?”
“Seven, to be exact,” Wren responds without hesitation.
Victor’s eyes widen. “I’m glad I don’t have to read seven books in a day.”
“Really? Because I can read seven in a day,” Wren comments with a cheesy smile.
Leo lets out a low chuckle. “I’ll be right back. I need to get something else while I’m here.”
As Leo walks away, Wren leans in and speaks to Victor in a hushed tone. “You shouldn’t be upset with him.”
Victor is caught off guard. “I’m not upset with Leo.”
Wren looks at Victor over her glasses. “You can’t lie to me. I can see it all over your face.”
Victor briefly studies Wren. “You’re an empath, aren’t you?”
Wren places her finger over her lips. “Not many know that I’m an empath.
I’ve been in hiding for several decades now.
Leo and Charles are a few who know that I am one.
My superior helped me get this position with the library to keep me off the radar.
The wards around this place are ancient, so it offers great protection. ”
“Leo told me that some with abilities are hiding from the dark covens,” Victor says.
“Is that what he calls them? Well, he’s not wrong.” She pauses for a moment. “You need something from me.”
“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 to contain 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 firm grip 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 Eugene fixes 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 over Charlie’s reaction.
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 receiving more 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.
Superior Charles flicks his wrist and opens the door to the study. “Now go. Chancellor Eduardo is waiting for you two.” As Victor and Leo are about to exit the room, “Leo, a word.”
Leo nods to Victor. “I’ll meet you at the mirror.” He walks back up to the desk while Victor exits the office. “Yes, Superior?”
Superior Charles waits until Victor is out of earshot. “He’s upset with you. Why?”
Leo takes a deep breath and looks down at the desk. “I think he’s more upset over Derek than me. But it’s hard to tell.”
“His feelings are hurt. Whatever happened, you’ll want to fix it. We can’t have a young empath-in-training with conflicting emotions. He needs to be focused,” Superior Charles suggests.
Leo nods doubtfully. “It’s not going to be easy to fix. I thought he was going to melt my face off when he spoke to me before we met up with Wren.”
“Then figure out a way.” Superior Charles gestures to Leo to leave.