The Dark Society

17

Sabrina's fixation on Luis grew with each subtle glance, her interest becoming increasingly obvious. But like Alex minutes before, Tatum also noticed the continuous gestures.

"What the hell?" Tatum muttered.

"He's attractive," Sabrina admitted, facing forward to avoid detection. "Though his friend is even more handsome."

Meanwhile, Alex took his seat, appearing excited about his reconnaissance mission.

"What did you find out?" Luis asked eagerly.

"The brunette is personable but somewhat shy."

Luis leaned forward, gazing across the room with renewed interest.

"There's something more, isn't there?"

"Her name's Sabrina, and her friend goes by Tatum."

Luis beamed and relaxed against his chair. Sabrina--a name he would remember. However, they weren't the only ones taking notice. Karen and her sisterhood were also in attendance, watching from across the lecture hall.

"Who is she?" Karen questioned, her voice sharp with suspicion.

"I don't know," Sienna murmured, leaning forward intently, "but she's not one of them."

Sienna Quinn served as the formidable second-in-command within the sect. Often perceived as rebellious, her primary concern remained the coven's survival. She possessed an invaluable insight into spiritual gifts, making it natural for her to perceive a witch's ethereal aura. Her kinship with Dena Pierce ran deep--their shared philosophies had bonded them instantly.

However, Sienna's growing hostility toward Wiccan law had begun to corrupt her practice. Bishop Luen mentored Dena with a stern hand to counteract this influence, though the appeasing nature of sister Lesley Ashton often prevailed. The fiery redhead possessed an aptitude for witchcraft that few understood, and more importantly, she harbored a passion for brutality when facing external threats.

"She has power," Lesley admitted quietly.

Karen immediately turned to Dena, though she wouldn't rush to judgment based on first impressions alone. Whatever the case, Sabrina radiated strength with an undeniable essence that couldn't be ignored.

"I'm worried," Dena murmured as their gazes shifted toward the unsuspecting girl.

Karen adjusted her position and squinted across the room.

"Why?"

Dena cringed, her concern evident. "She's a virtuous witch from an established bloodline."

Karen leaned back with a groan. "Impossible, unless..." She trailed off, confusion clouding her features.

Karen found herself perplexed at every turn. She knew Luis typically preferred redheads or women with sandy brown hair, but neither Tatum nor Sabrina fit that description. Nevertheless, Sabrina consistently attracted attention--though American women often did among their English counterparts. Still, she seemed particularly popular with Luis, which troubled Karen most of all.

"We have admirers," Tatum joked while gathering her belongings as the lecture ended.

Sabrina peered into the distance, noting the lingering stares. "I see that."

After leaving the building, the girls encountered several housemates returning from breakfast.

"Hey, Brie," Kyle called out warmly.

Kyle and Logan always referred to Sabrina by her nickname "Brie"--a moniker she adored and an identity she'd embraced. More than that, she genuinely loved the siblings and treasured their friendship.

"Hello, Kyle," she replied with a genuine smile.

Logan rolled his eyes after recognizing his brother's flirtatious behavior. "Must you?"

Kyle embraced Sabrina playfully. "I told you, she's mine."

Sabrina gradually extracted herself from his arms. "You wish."

Tatum scowled at the display. "Anyway," she interjected, "are we still hosting the reading tonight?"

Sabrina glanced at her friend in confusion. "Reading? When did this happen?"

Logan chuckled. "I thought you knew."

"No, no one told me," Sabrina said, glaring pointedly at Tatum.

Lyndsey stepped forward and took Sabrina's hand. "It's my fault," she confessed. "I wanted to keep it as a surprise because we know how homesick you've been, so I hope you can forgive me."

Sabrina shrugged and giggled despite herself. "I'll think about it."

Logan glanced at his watch and gestured toward the academic buildings. "It's time for classes."

Sabrina and Tatum headed toward the west area of campus while Lyndsey departed for the east wing. Simultaneously, Luis and Alex entered the law complex, though instead of focusing on his upcoming classes, Luis remained fixated on thoughts of Sabrina.

"Hey, are you all right?" Alex inquired, noting his friend's distraction.

Luis hesitated but maintained his smile. "I'm fine."

Sabrina's beauty and grace had clearly affected him, making Alex uneasy. He recalled Luis behaving similarly after first meeting Karen, yet with Sabrina, the attraction seemed even stronger. Alex didn't want to speculate, but his best friend appeared thoroughly infatuated once again.

Forgetting Karen had proven challenging enough, but Sabrina had inspired an unexpected resurgence of romantic hope. Any first impression with her would need to be nothing short of magical. Meanwhile, news of the evening's reading spread throughout their social circles--an event Luis now felt compelled to attend.

Back in the lecture hall, Karen's jealousy burned prominently. As the room emptied around her, she observed the departing figures, feeling excluded and threatened. Regardless of whether her instincts proved correct, Sabrina clearly harbored secrets that could prove dangerous.

Karen needed to learn more, but she found herself at a disadvantage, uncertain where to begin her investigation. At that moment, she recalled Evelyn Gardens--a connection that until now had remained conveniently ignored. Karen had, after all, guided the shamanic revolution on campus since its inception.

As various groups adopted her Wiccan philosophies, two notable holdouts remained: Trina Saint Claire and Jasmine Lloyd. These devoted atheists had repeatedly acted against the sect, commonly staying reclusive while Karen openly paraded the sisterhood around campus.

"It seems the Bishop was right," Lesley whispered ominously.

Karen's scowl deepened. "First, find out everything you can about this girl," she instructed her followers. "Then see to it that Trina and Jasmine begin seeing things our way."

"That won't be easy," Dena remarked sternly.

"Obtaining absolute power never is," Karen replied coldly.

"What about Luis?" Sienna questioned.

"Leave him to me," Karen retorted. "I'll handle that matter personally."

The group soon departed for their dormitory, where they and several others needed to prepare for the evening's reading. More importantly, with Luis likely to attend, Karen saw yet another opportunity to reclaim what she believed was rightfully hers.