Coiled (Book 1 of 2)

Early Autumn, 1969

The Selwyn Family Estate.

Early Autumn, 1969.

It is well worth considering that oftentimes those who wield the most power, the truest power, do it so deftly, so completely commandingly, that you may be fooled into thinking it's just the natural order of things as opposed to someone purposefully orchestrating the strings.

Above all else, realise this: the richest among us? The most powerful among us? You don't know their names. You don't know anything about them. Unless you're one of them, of course.

Why?

... Because they don't want you to.

Rheda Selwyn and Audrada Carrow are two such witches. And just like their parents before them, just like the children they've each sired, like absolutely everyone in their respective families for time immemorial, they've known one another since before they could walk, before they could even babble.

They are undisputed members of the old guard, the ancien régime of the wizarding world. And as such, they take their role as guardians of pure-blooded ways and traditions very seriously. And today's no exception. Today they've got very important matters to discuss.

Walking quickly down the sunlit halls together, arms linked, the two women whisper to one another as the heels of their shoes click against the stone floors in perfect synchronicity. As they go, their long, opulent gowns billow after them.

It's Rheda who leans in and whispers to her companion now, "... Perhaps a round of Wizard Chess?"

Head whipping towards her ivory skinned friend, the refined and beautiful Audrada Carrow shakes her head at the very suggestion, "Bit bored of Wizard Chess if we're being honest. And besides, what's the point? We keep tieing, keep ending in stalemate."

It's true, the two women seem to be a perfectly even match for one another. They're both easily among the greatest minds of their generation and try as they might, they can't seem to best one another.

Their relationship's hopelessly complicated and seemingly in a state of permanent flux. There's levels at play here that an outsider looking in would never guess. At times inseparable, at times completely combative. In fact, the two women once went nearly two years without speaking.

But that feels like a lifetime ago now.

Time changes all things, I suppose.

As to the future, I've really no idea.

At present, they've reached an unspoken understanding. But there's still a constant tension between them, one that threatens to upend the delicate peace they've achieved.

Sure enough, unable to resist provoking the other women, Rheda Selwyn lets her arm fall away as she stares back at her companion, "Perhaps today's the day we finally change that? Perhaps today one of us finally triumphs."

Pretty dark eyes narrowing as she considers this, Audrada folds both hands in front of her, "If you're looking for an intellectual challenge with a more exciting playing field, may I suggest ..."

"Yes?"

"That we stop beating around the bush. Let's finally do it. Let's negotiate the arrangement."

Crossing her own arms at this and widening her stance authoritatively, Rheda shakes her head, "This is so very typical of you, Rada."

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

"You're an intelligent woman. You know what it means."

"And you're avoidant as ever."