Testing The Waters Novels & Stories

His mother still stood in disbelief, so he said, “Mom, get me a pitcher of water.” Looking as if she thought they all belonged in a mental ward, Rebekah crossed to the kitchen, filled a pitcher with tap water, and placed it on the cheap wooden coffee table. Christian eyed the water, his green eyes intense, then placed a finger on the surface. Suddenly, the water began to swirl. Starting in the center, a vortex was created and soon enough the entire contents of the plastic pitcher were flowing around a perfect hole in the center. Rebekah gasped and sat heavily to the chair. She toyed with her hair nervously. “Is it . . . are . . . are you some kind of mutant? Is that what your school is for?”

She looked all over the place, but there was no movement in the water. Her heart struck in her chest and she leaned over a little to see clearly in the water. She probed, 'Tae, Is that you? There was no single response and she licked her dry lips to soothe her anxiety. She pressed her lips and whispered, 'It must be my hallucination'. She sighed and was on the verge of turning when the soft music began to play.

“According to our tradition, the first test is for strength. That was the ice bath—and you passed. The second test, however, is more... complicated. It’s a test of endurance.” She trails her fingers along the moss-covered rim of the well. “This well has been dry since the last drought,” she says with a chuckle. “It will be your second trial.” My eyes widen, confusion twisting into panic. Before I can respond, I feel powerful arms seize me from behind. Margaret’s face hardens. “Throw her in.”

I’m already reaching. The connection surges. The threads respond. I find his. Weak. Fading. Barely there. And I try to hold it. To stabilize it. To do what I did before. But this— This is different. The thread doesn’t resist. It doesn’t fight. It doesn’t even react. It just… Slips. Like trying to grab water. “No, no, no—” I whisper, pulling harder. The thread flickers once. Twice. Then—

The water glows faintly from within, silver-blue and still as glass. “The Still Waters Trial,” the Herald intones. “Each of you must cross the lake and reach the far shore. Simple enough.” Its grin is a thin slash of light. “But the water listens. It remembers. What it hears, it will use against you.” The words crawl across my skin. The water listens. My throat tightens as I think about what Silen and I said on its shores just the day before. “Those who reach the shore will advance,” it continues. “Those who do not… will belong to the depths.”

Then, after a pause, "Not bad." The chamber hummed faintly, the air alive with old magic. This was the testing room. Where wolves were measured at sixteen—strength, affinity, control. The pool at the center churned softly, though no trial was being conducted. No reason for the waters to move at all. My lips pressed together. Six years ago, the water had done the same thing. I hadn't known why then. I knew now. I felt the priest's stare again, heavier this time, no longer pretending. I bit the inside of my cheek, jaw tightening, and turned my head just enough to meet his eyes.

I stared at the water, searching for some kind of reaction as I slowly continued pouring the water. I wanted to see anything at all that would tell me that the spell worked on the water. Then something happened.

The Water Weaver's elemental core resonated with an emotion I immediately recognized, profound relief, layered with fierce pride. We will discuss partnership, Anchor. If you can control the chaotic waters, you may understand our peace. Welcome to the Aquatic Nexus.

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I'm hot, it's hot and I think I'm going to take a swim soon. I realized she was just testing the waters even though we were on dry land. She wanted to see if her father was going to say anything to her. When the conversation continued without any acknowledgement of her taking off her shirt, she reached behind her and unsnapped her bra and let it fall to the ground next to her shirt. She massaged her tits before she said, "Awwwww ... that feels much better."