Page 150 of First Ritual

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Page 150 of First Ritual

I glanced over. “I hope dawn has served you well.”

He beamed.

I walked on. Varden was an early breakfaster, so I’d have the best chance of—

“Miss Corentine, could I ask you a question?”

The whisper nearly didn’t register. I turned to the girl who couldn’t be more than twelve. By this stage of her life, my grandmother had read several books about inflicting pain on others. “If I can ask you why everyone is calling me Miss Corentine?”

She ducked her head, smiling. “You’re an esteemed now.”

“I live in esteemed quarters, but I’m a proven.”

Her beautiful brown eyes widened. “Everyone knows you’re really an esteemed though. We all think it’s so cool that you chose to go proven though. Totally cool.”

I scanned the area. Other young magus were congregating around us. Freaky little shits. “I see. What was your question?”

She flushed. “My father was saying that you did special preparation for esbat, and I wondered what that was.”

“I prepared a purification bath. I purified my personal space, then spent time recentering to balance my affinities.”

“How did you purify and recenter though?” Her gaze flew to mine. “I mean, I know how to recenter, but you do it different…” She trailed off, and I heard a few snickers.

“I do,” I answered. “I use many things that our ancestors used to smooth the path of the mother’s power. Objects infused with magic, gems that store magic or belonged to those before me, and various plants that bring me back to my most complete self.” The young magus appeared awed and out of her depth. How was it that these magus knew so little about augmenting their magic? It was a crime.

I summoned my purification kit from my duffel. Opening the lid, I then jolted magic through my battle affinity and carved labels into the wood—I didn’t label anything anymore. “Here is the kit I always use for purification rituals.” I held it out to her.

“Y-your kit,” she stuttered.

“My kit. Study it. The labels are there.”

“But how do I know what to use?”

I smiled. “When you next wish to purify, you get this kit out and you release your magic. Let it guide you.”

“I’m not an apothecary affinity.”

“You don’t need to be to use these. An apothecary can gather and prepare everything for you. Let your magic select from the kit. See how you feel each time you do it. Study the effect, and with practice, you will grow in confidence.”

The magus clutched the box tight, her mouth ajar. “Thank you, Bronte. I mean, Miss Corentine. Thank you so much.”

The other teens were murmuring, and when I left the girl’s side, they rushed to join her.

I wasn’t sure when I became a role model for younger generations, but I wasn’t enthused with the development. Bedwyr had a lot to answer for.

Varden wasn’t in sight when I got to the eating chamber, so I filled a tray. Half the tables were empty with everyone out on the knolls.

I studied the contents of my tray, and my stomach lurched at the smoothie’s texture. Even the bread looked weird, stale and stodgy. Despite the slight nausea, I picked up the slice and nibbled at the edges.

I’d made a vow not to let myself grow weak again.

“Hey,” Rooke said as she slid her tray onto the table. “Good walk?”

“It was,” I answered. “Had to find a quiet spot to myself with everyone out there, though. How was your night?”

She colored. “I’ve got to tell you something. I went there with Sven. Like several times. And several times since.”

She clearly wasn’t the one to unravel my sound-proofing charm or she would’ve known I was there. “Verdict?”




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