AWAITING IN THE DARK

Chapter 1

Watching the night sky every night you would think I'd grow tired of it. You would be wrong. The way the stars lit up the sky amazed me. As if I was watching them for the very first time. I knew it was time to go back inside, yet I couldn't pull my gaze away from the sky. The beauty of it captivates me night after night.

Holding my robe closer to my body I try to stop the chill that runs through me. I know my mother is waiting for me inside the house for more lessons on witchcraft. 

Witches. Powers passed down every generation. You would think we would be indestructible with powers but that's not the case. Just like humans, we tire easily. Use too much power and you'll be sleeping for days. My mother is trying to train me on how much power is too much. Sometimes I fail, falling into a slumber. I don't know if I will ever get it right. 

Opening the door to my home I turn to give the sky one last glance. I wish to be able to look at the stars all night. To fall asleep gazing at the sky. I can't, unfortunately. My mother claims it is not safe outside. 

There are other creatures in this world and they want to use us for our power. Witches and warlocks have to be careful. 

My mother waits patiently at the dining room table. Frown lines appear on her face. She's reading a book about magic that the coven has given her. It's supposed to help her teach me how to use my magic better. If you ask me, it's pointless. I don't believe I will ever master my magic. At times it feels as though I am failing at being a witch. I am supposed to carry on the family's legacy. How can I do that when I can't perform simple magic tasks? 

Smiling up at me she gestures for me to sit down. I do as instructed and watch as she places a bowl of water and a candle on the table. Curious to see what I have to attempt to do tonight, I await her instructions. 

"Look at the candle, imagine it's lit. " My mother suggests. . 

I do this but nothing happens. The very familiar feeling of defeat starts to show itself. It's very present, making its way into my thought process. 

"Try the water. Try to move the water out of the bowl. " She urges. 

I try moving the water out of the bowel but just like the candle, nothing happens. 

"Why are we doing this?" I ask, feeling defeated. 

"I am trying to figure out what element appeals to you as a witch. We already tried air and that was unsuccessful. A witch can channel her powers through water, air, or fire. We still don't know your element. " My mom says with a sigh. 

"Dad didn't have to do that. " I said with clear annoyance. 

"You don't take after your dad's side of the family in magic. You take after mine.  "  My mother stated. 

"That seems a bit unfair. " I say more to myself than her. 

"As unfair as it might be, it's the reality. We will not know the full extent of your powers until we figure out which element calls to you. You should feel honored you get to have an element"

Feel honored? Warlocks can use their powers without needing to channel an element. I feel jealous   

"Did you have difficulty connecting to your element?" I ask my mom. 

"No. I just felt the air around me. It was like it was called to me.” My Mom recalls. She gently kisses my forehead. “You'll feel your element soon. Give it some time. "

I spend thirty minutes trying to concentrate on the bowl of water. Nothing happens. 

My mom has the idea to light the candle and see if I can draw from the fire. 

Thirty more minutes go by and the candle is running out of wax. 

Sighing in defeat, I venture off to my room. I grab my school books and do my schoolwork. 

After we reach twenty, we are enrolled in a coven school to learn magic. This is my first year. To say I am excited is an understatement. 

Some vampires and werewolves attend our school as well. They are mostly there for protection training. Our coven needs all the protection we can get. We can only use so much magic. What would we do when we run out of energy? There's nothing we could do. We would be taken and forced to use our magic against our will for other's evil intentions. That's why we have our protectors. In return, we help our protectors when necessary.  

Most of our protectors are werewolves. Don't get me wrong, there are a couple of vampire clans that do help out. They do for a few potions here and there that can help them walk around in the sunlight. It's a temporary fix. The potion effects fading after a couple of days. I can see how only being able to walk around at night would get exhausting after a long period of time. Only the members of the coven council can make the potions, as they want to make sure they end up in the right hands. They have their own personal screening for vampires before they will supply them. That's not to say that other vampires can't get potions from other witches. There have been evil vampires capturing witches since the kingdom fell in order to get what they want. 

The werewolves have been much kinder to us. Offering help when we're in need and asking for nothing in return. That's not saying they don't ask for our help from time to time, as they do. They don't require anything to lend out a helping hand. It has a lot to do with a mutual respect we have for each other. 

I start to think about tomorrow and school. I am excited to learn more about magic at school. Before covens started building schools, witches and warlocks learned magic from their families. The education was passed on to every new generation. Although I love my mom, I often wonder how good of a teacher she is. 

Turning off the lamp on my desk, I take my hair tie out. My long brown hair falls to my waist. I know I should cut it but I can't bring myself to do it. It has taken me years to grow out. The thought of cutting it now saddens me. I walk to my bed to lie down. Climbing under the covers I say a spell of protection over my room like I was taught as a child and go to sleep. 

When I awake I am in a rush. My alarm didn't go off like it was supposed to. I practically fling myself down the stairs grabbing my essentials and a banana nut muffin. I run out the door realizing if I don't pick up my speed, I am going to be late.