Chapter 5

Her surroundings were growing darker as Violet followed Belinda into the cave; she noticed that the torches were not lit around the cave. Although she thought it was odd, she didn’t question it and was attuned to her Vampire senses, which allowed her to see in the dark. Belinda turned to look at her student and jumped in surprise when she saw a pair of red eyes staring back at her. Clearing her throat in embarrassment, she walked to the center of the room. “Let’s start with what you do know, there are 7 torches around this room, can you light them all at once?”

Chanting a few words, she raised her hands and the flames came alive. The room got brighter and she looked around, to her surprise, she noticed 15 torches lit instead of seven. With the additional light, she switched back to her normal vision, turned to Belinda, and smiled proudly. Belinda looked around and counted the lanterns, then looked back at Violet with a mixture of disappointment and awe. “You got 15, that’s more than most can do on their first time. You missed five though, so we do have some work to do there. We are going to test your elemental abilities now. There are 17 practice dummies around the room, please hit them all with either a fireball or water.” She completed the task with ease, and then Violet turned around again and awaited further instruction.

“Let’s try two more exercises and then I will know what I’m working with. Belinda pointed to the other end of the room, there was a small green plant sitting there. “Please make it grow,” she ordered as she pointed to the plant. Violet looked at the plant and said a few words; the plant grew a small flower, but not taller or wider. She frowned and looked disappointedly at Belinda, then shook her head in defeat. “Ok final task, I’d like you to imprint to me the drive you had to get here.” Violet's frown got more visible as she looked at Belinda in confusion.

Violet had no idea what she meant by imprinting. “Ok, I’ll take that as a no, too. Do you know how to shapeshift?”

“Do you mean my wolf?”

“No, I don’t mean into your wolf. You have enough power to not only shapeshift, but your Vampire side should also be able to shift as well. You’ve never learned any of this?”

“No, Hearthstone Coven in Alaria was destroyed over 30 years ago. I’ve learned what I could through my mother and grandmother, but they couldn’t teach me anymore so I was sent here.”

“I see, well it looks like I’ve got my work cut out for me then. Head home for the night, I’ll see you tomorrow no later than noon, and take my daughter with you.”

Violet nodded and she left the cave and made her way towards the building they took Emma to. Unable to shake the strange feeling that someone was watching her, she ignored it and chalked it up to being tired. She climbed up the steps, walked through the door, and smiled to herself. Emma and Scarlet were lying on the couch together hand in hand. “I’m finished for the evening, are you two ready?” Once they nodded they were ready to leave as well, Scarlett ran to her house to pack a bag and they went to Violet’s car. As they were all climbing in the car, Violet couldn’t help but have another feeling that she was still being watched. She looked around but saw no one staring or any indication that someone was watching her. Chalking it up to nerves from her Witch test, she threw her car in reverse and headed back to the college.

The group walked up the steps of the White Branch Dormitory, they decided that they would call and introduce Scarlett to Gemma and Patrick. They all entered Emma’s room and took a seat on the couch as Emma dialed the number through her computer. Almost instantly her mother answered, “Hi Mom!” Emma stated with a huge smile on her face.

Gemma looked at her daughter’s face and looked at the third girl in the room. She knew that look that Emma displayed, she has seen in on her son when he was around Allison. “Hey Baby, hey Violet, and hi Emma’s mate,” she said smiling happily.

“Wait... How did you know?” Emma tilted her head and asked in confusion.

“Baby, I’ve seen that look a million times with your brother, now are you going to introduce us or am I going to live in suspense forever?”

Emma’s mouth was stuck in the open position, she knew her mother wouldn’t mind that she was mated to a female, but she was unsure about the Witch aspect. “This is Scarlett; she is one of Violet's trainers from the Starfall Coven.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Scarlett; I am Emma’s mother, Gemma. This is Patrick her father,” she said as she yanked Patrick’s arm and pulled him into the picture.

“Welcome to the family Scarlett,” he said with a smile.

“Wait, Emma found her mate?” Gemma and Patrick turned and quickly bowed, suddenly Heather popped into the picture also.

“Will you two stop doing that...” Heather said as she rolled her eyes and glared between Gemma and Patrick.

“Hi mom,” Violet said waving to the screen.

“How was Witch training,” she asked curiously.

“It was interesting, I have a lot to learn, but I’ll call you later, this call is about Scarlett, not me,” Violet said with a smile at her mother, who just nodded in agreement.

“Scarlett, it’s great to finally put a name to the voice, I spoke to you earlier last week. Welcome to our happy dysfunctional family,” she said grinning.

“Wow, thank you so much, everyone,” Scarlett was astonished that this group of wolves would openly accept a Witch with no concern for their safety or apprehension about her magic.

The group sat and got to know Scarlett for close to an hour. Once the phone call was finished, Violet headed back to her room to relax before she went to sleep. She entered her quarters and walked over to her desk to grab her tablet. However, it wasn’t there. She found that extremely odd knowing she had not used it since she has been here. Figuring one of her friends used it; she looked around, and finally found it on the kitchen counter. She headed into her room and put on some pajamas, turned on her tablet, and surfed the Internet until she was ready to fall asleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~

As he looked through the paperwork that had been acquired the Vampire King couldn’t help but smile at the progress he has made. He knew that he was starting to run out of subjects, he called his wife into the King’s office.

She seductively entered his office, and slowly walked towards him her red eyes glowing in lust. “You beckoned my dear?”

“I did,” he said as he stood up slamming her against the wall and smashing his lips on hers. “I think it’s time we move to part two of our plans, so I need you to find that kid and get the troops set up. We will be moving on to the Werewolves in the morning.”

Once she heard his words, she couldn’t help but smile in acknowledgment. “You certainly do know the right things to say to a girl My Dearest,” she said as she played with the button on his shirt and kissed down his neck.

“We will finish this later that I promise you, but war waits for no one. Do as I ask,” he said as he pulled away from her.

With a nod of her head, she left the room and made her way down the hallway to another room. She opened the door and let herself in. She locked eyes, then smirked at the Vampire who glared in her direction. “I need you to arrange a march on the Werewolf lands in the morning.”

“Why, wasn’t your lusting for power good enough when you killed my parents and family.”

“Well that’s not very nice,” she said as she walked up and snaked her arm around him in an intimidating manner. “After all, I’m your family too,” smiling at him she grabbed him by the chin, squeezed him hard, and forced him to look at her. “And if you’d like to continue to live, I suggest you do what I ask.”

He yanked his head back from her grip and glared at her as he tried to control his anger. He continued to focus on his breathing to help calm himself down before he attacked her.

“Thank you for your cooperation, Little Brother,” she said as she sent him a wink then she left the room.

He took a few more deep breaths to calm his nerves; he knew he had to do something to get out of this. But at this time, there was nothing he can do but follow orders. With a defeated sigh, he left the room and made his way towards the lieutenant to plan the marching on the wolf lands.