Winter Fire (The Witchling #3)(29)

“I want to know something first, so I know you’re not manipulating me,” she said firmly. “How will I know who is Beck’s counterbalance?”

There was a pause. The shadows shifted. Finally, it spoke.

Beck is an earth element. The Master of Dark must be a fire element. To increase the chances that his successor is born with fire magick, both Masters must be able to produce heirs with fire magick. When the Master of Light does not inherit the fire element, he will likely be drawn to one as his counterbalance.

“That girl?” Dawn asked, stunned. “She’s not even pretty!”

It is potential only. It is rare that pure fire witchlings stay Light. If she goes Dark, the potential is lost.

Dawn was quiet, thinking. It sounded easy. The girl after her Beck was already likely to fail. Dawn just had to push her over the edge, force her to go Dark, and Morgan was out of the picture. The idea of Beck falling for the fire witchling, however, filled her with fury and frustration.

No, it wasn’t enough to make her go Dark, like they had done to Summer. If the fire witchling was alive, Beck would always be tempted by her.

“Okay,” she said after a moment. “I agree to your conditions. What do I need to get from the school?”

First things first. Invite me in.

Air magick swirled around her, whispering warnings. Dawn’s gaze remained on the shadows in the corner. She drew a deep breath.

“I invite you in, Bartholomew-the-Terrible.”





Chapter Nine


“You gotta relax, Son.”

His father’s voice was soft and deep.

Beck sighed. It was a chilly morning, and they were seated in the forest, at the edge of the Light source. The earth had cleared and warmed a spot for both of them. Normally, Beck did this alone. Today, he hoped his father’s calming influence would help him concentrate. The toll of the past few weeks was beginning to drag him down, along with his insomnia. He spent last night pacing, trying to figure out what to do, now that he kissed Morgan, and Dawn was suspicious.

“You need to talk?”

Opening his eyes, Beck saw the crinkles around his father’s dark eyes. Athletic and warmly dressed, Michael Turner was the backbone of their family. He always knew what to do. A strong Earth element, he balanced out the former Mistress of Dark, who was best described as teetering on the edge of Darkness on a daily basis. Beck understood what that was like, after dealing with Decker for all the months when Summer was gone.

“I just need to focus, Dad,” Beck mumbled. “I’ve been working on meditating, but sometimes, it’s hard to just shut my brain up.”

“You got a lot going on up there. Go easy on yourself.”

“Kinda hard when the whole world is relying on me.”

Michael smiled.

“I know you know that feeling,” Beck added. “Sometimes, I just wish the earth would answer a direct question. Like, tell me what I need to look for.”

“Is that what’s bothering you?”

Beck eyed his father. “Did Decker text you?”

Michael nodded.

“Look, I called it off last night. I know I shouldn’t have anything to do with her, but just thinking about her is driving me crazy,” Beck replied.

“You’re considering seeing someone?”

Beck stared at him. “What did Decker say?”

“That Dawn confronted you at the wharf.”

Dammit, Beck! Of course, he should know his brother wasn’t going to say anything about Morgan to their father. He might to their mother, but this was one area his father wasn’t going to take well.

“I don’t want to bankroll another custody battle.” While calm, Michael was frowning. “Or deal with the police about another murder.”

“Oh god, Dad!” Beck flinched. “You sound like Mom.”

“Tell me there’s not another girl.”

“Well, there’s not.”

They gazed at each other, Michael’s eyebrows raised.

“You’re eighteen. You can legally do what you want,” his father said, disbelieving. “But it sounds like a good time for your weyekin rite of passage. Take your mind off things and help you relax.”

A full-blooded Native American, their father waited to arrange their spiritual coming-of-age rites, as was traditional in his tribe, until after Beck and Decker took their places as the Masters.

“Yeah, actually, that might be nice,” Beck agreed. “I haven’t had a break in awhile. I’m feeling it. I take it the legal team will be off for the holidays soon?”

“Starting tomorrow.”

“Thank god. No lawyers, no court, no police interviews.”

“The only catch about the tradition is that once the rite starts, you can’t use magick for three days or until you complete it,” his father added. “So, I’d say to pick a time where things are quiet.”

“Maybe the Dark will take a break for the holidays, too,” Beck joked. “I think this week will work. My issues are mainly … humans. The Darkness isn’t bothering me.”

“I’ll talk to your brother about it. My niece’s wedding is this week, so the family is in town. I’ll have lunch with my brother to see if he has time to arrange a rite and ceremony for you.”