Of Witches and Warlocks: The Complete Series

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Grey light filtering through the window was the first thing I noticed when I opened my eyes slowly the next morning. Rolling over, I reached for Vance, only to find him missing from his side of the bed.

"Vance?" I called out softly, glancing around the empty space.

There was no answer.

Swinging my legs over the edge of the bed, I pulled on my robe and walked toward the bathroom.

"Vance? Are you in here?" Knocking first, I cracked the door when he didn't reply and poked my head inside. My heart leapt up in tempo when I realized he wasn't here either. I turned to go back into the bedroom, and there was a soft knock on the door.

Tightening the knot on my robe, I went to answer it, finding Colin standing there.

"Good morning, Colin," I said with a small smile.

"Good morning to you, Madame," he replied with an ever so slight bow. "Mr. Mangum requested that I remind you he's fencing with Mr. Cummings this morning. He's invited you to take your breakfast with him in the gymnasium, unless you prefer to have it here in your room instead."

Immediately, I recalled our after-dinner conversation with Douglas and Fiona from the evening prior. Douglas had asked Vance if he knew how to fence. When Vance replied in the negative, he offered to give Vance a lesson in the morning.

"Thank you, Colin," I said, my thoughts returning to the present. "Would you please tell Vance I'll be down soon, and I'll eat my breakfast there with him?"

"As you wish," Colin said with a curt nod, turning to walk away.

I closed the door and meandered over to the closet, pulling out a pair of comfortable black jeans and a teal-colored shirt before heading into the bathroom.

After I was done showering and getting dressed, I opted to go casual for the day, knowing we would be getting fixed up for our reception this evening. Pulling my hair back into a ponytail, I briefly smoothed it before lightly applying some mascara and pale lip-gloss to give some shine.

I had no idea where the gymnasium was in this place, but it didn't matter. True to form, Colin appeared magically at the bottom of the stairs and led me through the massive house and into the gigantic room.

Trying to keep my jaw closed, I cast my gaze around the ornate space. Large white pillars graced each corner, twisting up to a domed ceiling with a grand mural that depicted ancient dueling scenes from eras gone by. My eyes flitted back down over mirrored walls to the outer wall, which was covered in multiple French doors that led out to a beautiful fountain area. I caught a glimpse of some of the rolling grounds beyond. They were breathtaking, rolling grounds of lawns around a crystal clear pond. Even the yellow hues of the dead winter grass couldn't detract from it.

Colin cleared his throat slightly, catching my attention once again, gesturing for me to follow him to where Fiona was sitting at a round white table. A delicious looking breakfast was spread in front of her. Choosing a vacant chair right beside her, I sat down.

"Good morning, dear." She smiled as Colin placed a plate in front of me and poured me a glass of orange juice.

"Good morning," I replied smiling back. Vance, however, and what he was doing on the mat in the middle of the room immediately captured my attention. Watching as he listened to some instructions from Douglas, I couldn't help but think how amazing he looked in the white protective gear he was wearing.