Uncovered

Chapter One:

(Anne's POV)

Jeremiah had called the council together. Half-awake, I sat in my chair, waiting. Kimberly, our oldest healer, appeared next. She grumpily sat beside me. Her blue eyes were hard as steel.

"Do you know what's going on?" I looked at her.

"I'm not sure. Someone was coming though. I heard them in the woods."

"Must be a friend of Jeremiah's."

We watched everyone else show up and take their rightful spots. Our coven leader came in last. He sat to my left; his hands folded in his lap, and legs crossed in his seat.

"I'm sorry to call all of you in so late tonight. There's much to discuss and plan," Jeremiah said quietly, evenly.

"What's going on with our borders?" I asked before anyone else could.

"We're going to sign a treaty with our neighboring covens. It'll be good for us," he sighed.

"Really? We've never done that. They threatened us with war," I glared, "And you're too afraid."

Anger flashed in his eyes while he gripped the chair. I smiled, knowing my words bothered him. Jeremiah had ten years of experience on all eight of us. He became leader after Julie was killed. Age could blind someone into being a coward.

"Why do you argue with me so much, Anne?" he laughed after a bit.

"You selected me for it. Seriously though, we don't need a treaty," I smiled assuredly.

"Our people don't need the stress. This isn't why I needed everyone tonight. Benjamin is back. He's watching us, learning our habits," his voice was low now.

Silence fell over the room. I watched Kimberly's thin face flush pale.

"So...Who is Benjamin?" I glanced around.

"Right. You're a young witch still. I'm assuming you read the legends. Benjamin is one of the eight strongest people. He was on this council since I became leader. Then, he betrayed us. So I banned him," Jeremiah explained.

"Why's he back?"

"I don't know. I can sense his energy though."

I raised my hands as the bronze door creaked open. A man with leather armor walked confidently into our hall. White energy flowed around him. I couldn't figure out what he was doing. Jeremiah stood; gentle, pink flames licked his knuckles. They stood feet away from each other.

"You betrayed us. For two years, the coven has been in hiding. How the hell do you have the courage to walk in here?" Jeremiah demanded coldly.

"I didn't mean to betray anyone. None of our council listened to what each other was saying. We became power hungry and emotionless. The coven doesn't have to hide anymore," Benjamin assured us.

I sat on my chair's edge. My eyes lingered on Benjamin's chiseled face. The clear anger in his stare.

"You speak of my coven like it's your home still. It isn't. My council hasn't changed and I can't offer you a place here again," Jeremiah waved his hand and turned his back.

My heart ached. Ben had been a legend since I was accepted here. He was one of the strongest warlocks in history, apart from Jeremiah and I. Ben's grey eyes locked onto mine.

"Why don't we give him a chance? Our territory is being threatened already. If he's as strong as rumors say, then we could use him," I turned to our leader.