2. The Wiccan Council

My world stood still and I stared the scroll which lay in my hands, mouth agape.

The red emblem on the scroll, as well as the pixie messenger represented only one thing, a message from the Wiccan Council. The highest authority in our community, five of the wisest and strongest wizards and witches ruling over our realm.

My fate was sealed when the pixie appeared on the beach, destined either for greatness or for doom. This is because a letter by the Wiccan Council could only mean one of two things, a glorious appointment with the council or punishment which results in death. 

What would the council want with me? I am nothing but a soon-to-be nineteen year old witch. 

Clutching the scroll tightly in my hand, I swiftly gathered my stuff from the beach and sprinted as quickly as my petite legs could take me towards my car, my hair flying wildly behind my shoulders. 

Twenty minutes later, I finally arrived in my bedroom, panting and out of breath. Having locked the door, my heart thumped erratically in my chest, my eyes wide as I pondered the contents of the letter. Standing in the middle of the room, I took a deep breath to steady myself before breaking off the wax seal. 

Slowly, my trembling fingers unrolled the scroll, letters appearing by magic, one in front of the other, only to disappear once I had read the whole message. And just like the pixie, the scroll vanished in a cloud of smoke just as I finished reading the final word. 

The message consisted of only a single line and eight words. Short but powerful enough to make my knees buckle.

“The Wiccan Council expects you at eight tonight.”

**********

Royal Hall, Former Wiccan Castle, Crimson Bay

I arrived with only five minutes to spare.

The hall that greeted me was huge, with high ceilings and sublime architecture. Tapestries hung proudly against the wall, embroidered in threads of gold and silver, proudly depicting the royal crest of the Wiccan. We used to have a royal leader, the King and Queen of our kind, however it all perished many years ago. Now, the Wiccan Council has taken over the role of leading our kind.

I stood before the Wiccan Council, my eyes large, body quaking and skin tingling with fear as I awaited them to address me.

First rule when meeting the council, keep your eyes to the floor and do not speak unless you are spoken to. 

There are five council members in all, but tonight, only four sat in front of me. I could see the auras of their magical powers radiating behind their figures in colours of blue, red, yellow and green, representing the elements of water, fire, wind and earth. Callum, the fifth council member has been missing for a while now, having left for a mission to another witch coven and haven’t returned since.

“Sit down, Nari. We have been expecting you.” Raven, the only female council member, greeted me with a soft melodic voice.

Her beautiful oval face was framed by long, dark hair, making her appear more like a hippie than a powerful witch. She smiled gently at me, her eyes crinkling, warmth radiating from her face. She looks like your average, kind, next-door neighbour.

However, I know better. 

Behind that beautiful façade lies a cold, malevolent heart. She became a part of the council only because she killed the previous council member and claimed her seat by presenting the heart of the dead council member.

I took my seat and my eyes darted at the wizards seated next to Raven. The other three council members, Maxwell, Thorne and Williams, all looked at me silently, their gazes cold and faces sombre. Similar to Raven, each of them paved their own path in becoming a council member. 

Unlike the Alpha in a werewolf community who are born into the position of power, witches and wizards have to prove themselves worthy of the position as a Wiccan Council. Aside from killing the previous council member like Raven did, there are many different ways you can be inducted into the council.

All of them include blatant displays of their magical prowess.

“Do you know why you are called here, child?” Raven continued, her voice taking on a musical lilt and I could see an enchantment spell twirling within the vibrations of her voice causing me to slowly lose my faculties. My vision started to blur, my body shrouded by something dark and sinister.

An enchantment spell? On me? 

Oh, this is nothing but child’s play.

I smiled internally and blinked, tendrils of magic escaping from my fingers, breaking the spell from embedding itself into my skin. If the spell were to latch on me, my mind would no longer be my own, turning me into a puppet, at the mercy of the powerful council elder.

“Very good.” Raven looked at me approvingly, her eyes glittering with admiration and malice, having noticed that I had very easily broken her spell. The other council members nodded in agreement, satisfied with my defence capabilities. 

I have passed their test, for now.

There will be tests by the other council members, I know. One more difficult than the other. 

“As you know, Callum, our fellow council member, has vacated his post recently, leaving us with an opening. We have reason to believe that you would be suitable to replace him.” There was a feline smile adorning her lips, her eyes sweeping over my petite figure.

I took a step backwards, my mouth gasping in astonishment as I dumbfoundedly stared at the council members, unable to believe the proposition that came out of Raven's mouth. What shocked me more were her next words. 

“There is a seat at the Wiccan Council for you, Nari.”