Crossed Spells

Chapter 12: Clandestine Training (Part 1)

Aria opened her eyes, awakened by the first rays of sunlight filtering through her curtains. A smile spread across her face as she realized that several months had passed since her arrival in Ravenswood. What had begun as an anxiety-inducing fresh start had transformed into an adventure she could never have imagined.

Glimmer, her light familiar, slept peacefully on her pillow, emitting a soft glow that pulsed in rhythm with its breathing.

"Good morning, little sleepyhead," Aria whispered, her smile widening as Glimmer stretched and opened its luminous eyes.

"Good morning, my dear!" Glimmer chirped, fluttering joyfully. "Ready for another day full of magic and secrets?"

Aria smiled despite herself. Glimmer's constant enthusiasm was contagious, even if sometimes a bit exhausting first thing in the morning.

"We have to survive a day of classes first," she replied, sitting up in her bed.

Glimmer fluttered around Aria's head, leaving a trail of sparkling light in its wake. "Oh, don't be so pessimistic! Every day is an opportunity to learn and grow. And don't forget, you have training with Lucas after school. That's exciting, isn't it?"

Aria felt her cheeks flush slightly at the mention of Lucas. Since the discovery of their familiars, Shade and Glimmer, two weeks ago, Aria and Lucas had spent a lot of time together exploring their powers. It was both exhilarating and terrifying.

"Yes, that's true," she admitted as she got up. "I can't wait to see what Shade and you have prepared for us today."

She stood up and began to get ready for school, her mind whirling with thoughts about everything that had changed in her life. A few months ago, she was just the new girl in town, desperately trying to hide her powers. Now, she had a magical familiar, a training partner in Lucas, and a whole new world of possibilities opening up before her.

As she brushed her hair, Aria couldn't help but think about how much her life had changed. She had found friends, integrated into the school, and even started to feel at home in Ravenswood. But the biggest change, of course, was the discovery that she wasn't alone with her powers.

"You're thinking about your dark and handsome partner, aren't you?" Glimmer teased, perched on the edge of the sink.

Aria felt her cheeks flush again. "It's not... it's not like that, Glimmer. We're just... training partners."

"Of course, of course," Glimmer replied with a mischievous wink. "And I'm just a particularly chatty nightlight."

Aria shook her head, amused despite herself by her familiar's teasing. She finished getting ready and went downstairs for breakfast, with Glimmer comfortably settled in her jacket pocket.

In the kitchen, Elena was already preparing coffee. "Good morning, sweetie," she said with a smile. "Sleep well?"

Aria hesitated for a moment before answering. She hated lying to her mother, but she couldn't tell her about Glimmer or her training sessions with Lucas. Not yet, at least.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she finally replied. "Just a bit tired with all this homework."

Elena looked at her carefully, and Aria had the feeling that her mother could see through her lie. But if she did, she didn't show it.

"Don't overdo it, okay?" Elena simply said.

Aria nodded, feeling a pang of guilt. She wished so much she could tell her about Lucas, about their familiars, about their training sessions together, and about all the new discoveries they had made in recent weeks. Her mother had always told her that no one should know about their gifts, that they had to stay hidden at all costs. Aria feared her mother's reaction. What if she decided it was too dangerous? What if she insisted they move again, far from Lucas, from Ivy, and from everything Aria was starting to build here? No, for now, it was better to keep the secret. At least until she understood better what was happening and found a way to explain it to her mother without risking losing everything.