Twin Mages Book 2: Deception

Chapter 10: Zephyr and Rebekah

Sanctuary, 25 years ago.

"Welcome to your new home, Xander." The young boy looks around, his silvery eyes wide as he admires the splendor around him. The children running through the grass in the massive courtyard he stands in. The teenager who brought him here from his home in Germany looks on, watching the students run and play. The teen walks up to Xander, tapping him on his shoulder and pointing to the door. "Let's get you inside. I have someone for you to meet." As the two walked inside, Xander looks up at the young man in the black cloak. "Sorry, but I don't think I ever got your name." The man looks down, chuckling with a smile. "Sorry about that. I'm Captain Felix."

Xander and Felix arrive at an elegantly carved door, knocking on it. A female voice calls out from inside. "Come on in, darlings!" They enter the room to see a beautiful office with an equally beautiful woman standing inside, her blond hair shining like gold strands in the candlelight. "Xander, right? Yes! Felix told me he was coming to get you today. Welcome to Sanctuary, Mr. Gale. I am Isabel Verglas, the 11th Headmistress of this school." Felix laughs, rubbing the back of his head as the Headmistress speaks. "Do you have to give the speech every time, mom?" Xander looks at Felix, and then Verglas. "Your mom is the Headmistress?" He nods. "Yep. The principal is my mom haha. But believe me, I get no special attention."

After the two boys finish the pleasantries with Verglas, they go on to find Xander a room. On the way, they run into two boys. They seem to be Felix's age, but aren't wearing black cloaks like his. They both wave. "Hey, Felix! This the new student?" One puts his hand out with a smile. "I'm Dimitri. Dimitri McCallum." The other tilts his head up in introduction. "I'm Fern Douglas. But my friends call me Venus." Xander shakes Dimitri's hand, introducing himself to the two older students. "Hi, I'm Xander!" As the four finish their conversation and Felix leads Xander away, he feels excited. He has friends here. Real friends.

As the two walk, Xander looks at Felix's cloak. "So what's with the black cape? Your friends don't have one." Felix smiles as he looks down. "I'm a Captain. Actually the youngest one ever. When you become an Apprentice one day, you'll get one." Xander nods, looking at Felix and the fire in his eyes. "So I can be a Captain like you one day?" Felix nods. "Sure you can! But I'm not going to stay a Captain. I want to be the Headmaster of the school one day. The most powerful mage in the whole world."

Sanctuary, 23 years ago

Xander waits in the courtyard anxiously with Fern and Dimitri, along with Dimitri's new pupil. A mousy boy with bottle glasses named Fox. They have similar magical powers, so Dimitri took him under his wing to help Fox get stronger. Fern puts his hands on Xander's shoulder. "You excited for Felix to get back?"

Xander nods, looking down at his Apprentice cloak, a single gold stripe woven into the solid black fabric. Suddenly, a cascade of crystals appear in the center of the courtyard, opening up to reveal Felix and a young girl with beautiful brown hair. Xander and the girl lock eyes, running up to each other and embracing in a hug. "I missed you, Rebekah!" The girl looks up smiling and in tears. "I missed you too, big brother!" Xander looks of to Felix, bowing in respect. "Thank you for bringing my sister to me, Master."

Sanctuary, 20 years ago

"Rebekah, watch out!" The girl looks to her side, jumping out of the way of a magical blast as Xander thrusts his hands forward, sending a cyclone at their opponent. The young woman looks over to her brother, panting. "Thanks, Xander." Suddenly, a plume of fire approaches the two, before they are surrounded in a thick purple fog and taken to safety. They siblings look over, seeing Dimitri and Fox standing behind them in their Captain robes. "Thanks, guys." The rest of the group gathers, tired and wounded. Felix the Master, and his group of Captains. Xander, Rebekah, Venus, Dimitri, and Fox.