23 Caroline

The young witch awoke earlier than usual, long before the rooster could startle her into wakefulness. She had spent the rest of the previous evening and well into the night pouring over the volumes Jerel had let her borrow from the library. Her fingertips were still stained a faded black from the many notes she had taken despite scrubbing them thoroughly in the basin the night before.

The sky was still a murky gray as Caroline quickly ran a brush through her long hair and donned another extravagant gown. The dress today was composed of blue satin overlaid in a white floral pattern. The dress neckline sat a little lower than she preferred, and for a moment, she lamented the fact that her chest did not fill the bodice quite as thoroughly as some of the women she had seen in the city yesterday.

After tying the ribbon at her waist and loosely braiding her hair, Caroline sat at the small desk and began to read. The day before, she had mainly read about plants and herbs, but one book had caught her eye in the library.

The leather binding was simple, and no title could be seen, but she had still been drawn to the tome. While pursuing the library, Caroline had felt a faint pulling sensation begin to tug her towards it, sitting on a dusty shelf. Before Jerel could ask any questions, she had hastily placed it on the pile of books to bring back to her room.

Caroline opened the book to find a small handwritten script on the inside cover, "Books of Spells and Bindings," Caroline read aloud, below the handwritten title was a single name. Alondaria Desmond. How did a book of spells end up in the Mont's collection? she thought to herself. She turned over the pages slowly, her tiny hands moving so as not to damage any of the brittle text. Each incantation read like an intricate recipe. She could begin to understand some of the book, but much of it was written in a language she did not understand but somehow seemed vaguely familiar.

The young witch took notes in her little book as she skimmed the text for a sound-dampening spell. It seemed a witch did not need many items, if any at all, to complete any of the magic listed. Instead, she must focus her intention along with accessing the reservoir of 'onya' within her. Not fully understanding, Caroline continued to study until faint rays of sunlight began to filter into the room.

Stomach growling, Caroline decided to head down to the kitchen. She wasn't sure if she could wait until breakfast and was eager to return to Alondaria Desmond's book. Lost in thought about the last spell she had been reading, the witch made her way down a stone hallway she knew led to the grand staircase. As she rounded, the corner voices could be heard from Lucian's office.

Caroline angled herself to remain out of eyesight but was able to peek into the doorway. Surely the brothers would become aware of her presence, but she stood listening for a few moments before entering anyway.

Peering in, she could see that Ender was standing at the fireplace mantle with his back to the doorway. Her face was reddening furiously at the sight of the bare-chested man. She had, of course, seen shirtless men before working in the fields back home, but this felt more intrusive. Her cheeks flushed even more at the thought. Feelings of guilt at spying on the two vampires were quickly dismissed as she remembered Lucian watching her sleep the morning before.

Caroline prayed they wouldn't hear her as she watched the pair in stony silence. She studied the younger vampire more intensely than she had intended. His back was a melancholy cross-hatching of various scars and marks surely sustained in the many battles he must have fought in over the years. The freshest of which was still pink and healing on his right side.

Her eyes widened in amazement to see the wound had already closed. Just two days ago, the laceration was oozing blood when she had first met him. Caroline could not fathom how someone could still be alive after sustaining so many marring injuries. Undoubtedly his ability to heal must be linked to the vampire blood within his veins, she surmised.

At Lucian's mention of "telling Caroline," her ears perked up. Before a logical plan could form in her mind, the words blurted out of her mouth,

"Tell me what?" she asked, entering the room. Her eyes locked with Enders for a brief moment. Clearly, the vampire had no embarrassment about being half-naked in front of her. Lucian shot her an exasperated look from the armchair.

"We're leaving." the younger vampire told her, his expression grim. It wasn't a far cry from his usual stoic facade, but she could tell something was worrying him, noting that his brow was a bit more furrowed than usual. She watched as the vampire rubbed the scar at his temple as thoughts began to race through her head, where were they going? Was Ender going to leave her here with Lucian? Caroline had only just arrived at Castle Mont, and already they were planning a departure. She could feel a sinking sensation in her stomach begin to grow.

A knock rang out from downstairs before her words could fully form to clarify the vampire's meaning.

"Ah, that must be Aniyoh!" Lucian exclaimed, raising his hands in with a grand gesture. Caroline noticed the handsome older vampire was still wearing the impeccable suit for the third day in a row. Maybe he just had many sets of the same clothing he always wore? She thought to herself. He certainly was a peculiar fellow. Whatever the case, the two vampires began to make their way out of the room. Ender slid by her in the doorway, only briefing settling his large hand on her elbow as he passed through.

The cold touch sent a tingling sensation up her spine, and for a brief moment, their eyes met. Ender's dark red eyes were piercing. She felt as if they could see through every layer of her being. The impulse to reach out and hold him in her arms almost overwhelmed her. Caroline had never felt anything like it, nor did she know what to make of the emotion. A mixture of sympathy after seeing his scarred torso and longing that was utterly unfamiliar to the witch swirled within her.

Only a few seconds had passed but long enough for Lucian, still standing in the study, to clear his throat loudly behind them. Ender exited swiftly, disappearing at inhuman speed. Lucian slid up gracefully from behind to stand next to her. He placed one of his outstretched hands on her shoulder lightly. Crimson eyes so like his brother's stared into hers through wisps of jet black hair.

The older vampire gazed down with a sympathetic look, "It would not be wise to fall in love with a killer. Death follows him." he said. Lucian's tone was one she had not heard before. He was no longer putting on a show but speaking truthfully.

"I don't...I mean, I'm not-" Caroline stammered, the flush returning to her face. She tried to decipher the vampire's cryptic words quickly, but his assumption was flustering her thinking.

"Come now, little witch, your teacher, has arrived. Let's not keep her waiting." Lucian said, guiding her out of the doorway and back down the cold stone hallway. Caroline caught herself frowning at Lucian's warning as they descended the staircase and met Mara at the main door. Ender had still not returned.

A young woman about her own age was handing her light spring cloak over to the serving woman. The woman was a few inches taller but just as slim, her hair hung in wild black curls around high cheekbones and a pointed chin. It was cut short, only down to her chin, still wind-blown from the outdoors.

"Lucian, you old dead bastard. It's been a long time since we last met." She said in a low smooth voice, a smirk played at the corners of her mouth.

"Caroline, the foul-mouthed woman before you in Aniyoh, your new lesson master," Lucian said with a nod, his lips pursed in a tight line. "Despite her complete disregard for manners and society, Aniyoh is the best at what she does. At least, for anyone who does not already teaching at the Academy."

"Thanks, old man," Aniyoh said with a grin. Lucian rolled his eyes and let out a small sigh. "And you're really great at impersonating a smooth-talking snake, but we're not here to exchange pleasantries, are we? Is this the girl?" she asked the vampire.

Lucian folded his arms over his chest and nodded slowly. Despite Aniyoh's crassness, Caroline couldn't help but find the new witch's manner endearing. Aniyoh only had a small round white tattoo on her neck consisting of interlocking circles. Her skin was the color of dark honey, and her eyes were amber-brown set within an angular face. Her round full lips seemed to be set in a perpetual smirk, not fully smiling. It appeared as if the witch was skeptical of everyone around her.

Caroline watched as Aniyoh skipped any introductions and began to appraise her with her eyes. She felt uncomfortable as the three of them stood there, silent at the entrance of the castle. The curly-haired witch was staring at her intently. Aniyoh's eyes moved to Caroline's neck, observing the intricate tattoo that extended to her ear.

When the witch's focus shifted to Caroline's hand, her almond-shaped eyes widened considerably. Dawning washed over her features as the woman realized that the marking covered the entire length of Caroline's arm.

Aniyoh reached out and grabbed the young witch's hand without asking, staring at the tattoo with awe. Aniyoh looked to Caroline and then to the vampire,

"Why didn't you tell me you had the most powerful witch in Ibudal?" the curly-haired witch asked.