ANATOMY OF A GIRL

november 16th, 1808

Location:
Cara'cius, Svet'dmai

For the first time in a decade, Calantha felt something akin to hope.

In just a few days, she would begin her apprenticeship. She would learn from the most powerful Witch in all the realms. It ached to think of such power at her fingertips.

She had lost her abilities as a Half-Witch, but magic could be learnt. It was a precious kind of magic, passed from one generation to the next. It had been brought to Calantha's attention that Elska's last apprentice had fallen ill, carrying her bounty of knowledge to the grave. She'd heard the distress it brought Elska. The fear that her legacy would not continue. Calantha knew the Witch searched desperately for a child that was pure at heart, with the potential to grow.

It was just a matter of pretending to be that girl. She was no rose. She was no blossom — would bear no fruit. But she was terribly good at pretending to be someone — something — she was not. And if it meant she could learn this magic, becoming a force not even her father could reckon with, it would be worth it.

But Caius did not understand this way of thinking. He did not understand her search for power. Her desperate desire to pull at whichever threads she can grab.

"What more could you want? We are immortal. There is no greater power."

"But there is, Caius. Immortal, yes, but not all-powerful. There is more power in the world than you can imagine, waiting to be stolen."

Her brother shook his head. She could tell he thought it a hopeless desire. Calantha felt almost sad for him — that he could not dream of a more blessed future. A future of great magical power, in which she ruled over the realm — more powerful than the goddesses. A throne of bones and magic.

The only dream Caius knew was to dethrone their father by any means necessary. It meant never-ending cruelty and brutality toward those deemed below him. To beat their father at his own game. It meant that Caius had two faces, equal in beauty but not in kindness. Calantha didn't mind much. It kept her brother busy.

"You may not understand, but please try and be happy for me," she said, smiling.

"Yes," he replied. "Alright."

Calantha rushed toward her brother, pulling him into a hug. "We must celebrate," she told him, pulling away. "The Half-Witches are having a party at the Kovyan clearing. You must go with me."

Caius nodded slightly, less than eager, prompting his twin to skitter around her room to begin preparing. It seemed there was nothing he wouldn't do for his sister.

*

It took fifteen minutes for them to reach the clearing. It was a perfect circle, surrounded by a line of trees on the circumference, deep in the forest, where the light was low.

Calantha found the largest collection of people she'd ever seen in Cara'cius. Talking, drinking, and using their magic to destroy almost everything.

Caius had been quiet during the walk, his face sullen. He'd become distant the past few days and Calantha hoped this would bring them together once more.

But it seemed her hopes were not to become their fate. It began when Cauis scanned the crowd, staring into the darkest edges of the clearing. Calantha watched Caius's face brighten at the sight of a girl. Suddenly, and without acknowledging his sister whatsoever, he walked toward the girl. She, too, seemed to light up at his approach. He sat beside her, on a log that appeared to be floating a half a metre above the ground, and they began talking.