Brother’s Best Friends Are My Mates novel Chapter 51

Lia

I needed someone to teach my magic, that much I was sure of. The Rosewater Coven was going to continue to be a thorn in our side so I wanted to protect myself.

What better than to use the magic they were trying to use again us and turn it around on them?

A few times this week I tried casting a spell, but nothing happened. It made me wonder if I truly had magic within me.

Then Rain offered me words of wisdom put in the simplest way possible.

“Maybe it’s within you but has to be awakened?” Rain suggested, shoving a huge bite of pancakes in his mouth. “I didn’t know I had vampire blood until I was cursed.”

Colby wrinkled his nose in disgust.

“He’s gross, but what he’s saying is right, Lia. Maybe it sleeps with in you.”

“But if that’s the case how do I wake it up?” I asked desperately.

Jesse blinked. “None of us are magic experts, Lia. You should speak with someone who knows magic-like that woman you spoke to the other day.”

“Yeah, that’s a good idea, Lia,” Matt exclaimed. “That woman we spoke to in the bookstore seemed to know what she was talking about so why don’t you speak with her?”

I sighed softly. “I suppose it can’t hurt if I reach out to her and try to see if she could help me.”

What did I have to lose?”

“One of us should go with you,” Colby said, rolling his eyes when I glared at him. “Hey everyone else was thinking it. I’m the only one who had the guts to say it out loud.”

Jesse sipped at his coffee. “I was just going to go but I suppose your method works too.”

“No neither of you are going with me,” I said, looking at each and every one of my mates at the table. “None of you are, actually.”

“You can’t go alone!” Rain cried. “At least take me with you. I’m a vampire-werewolf!”

Matt rolled his eyes. “Can you even control any of your powers yet?”

“I can retract my fangs see?”

“Don’t show us that,” Colby snapped, a shudder of disgust running through him. “Rain, you’ve also lost the plot. We are trying to convince Lia that she should take one of us with her and I think this is doing the opposite.”

I shook my head. “I’m taking Simone.”

There were a few pouts and glares from across the breakfast table but I ignored them. I was going to take Simone with me because I didn’t want to deal with their overprotectiveness while I was out and about.

It made for a less of a headache for everyone involved.

***

The bell above the door jingled as I entered the bookstore.

“Lia?” the woman behind the counter called out, looking up. “Back again so soon?”

“I missed this place,” I admitted, approaching the counter. “But… I’m not just here to visit. I need help.”

“Help?” She raised an eyebrow, setting down the book in her hands. “What kind of help?”

“I want to learn magic,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt.

She blinked, then let out a soft laugh. “Magic, huh? That’s no small request, you know.”

“I know,” I said quickly. “But I’m serious. I want to learn.”

She leaned against the counter, studying me. “And why do you want to learn magic, Lia? Don’t give me the polite answer. The truth.”

I hesitated. “Because I don’t want to feel powerless anymore. I need to understand the things I’ve seen. The things I’ve felt.”

Her expression softened. “Good reasons. But magic isn’t just about wanting it. You’ll need commitment. Patience. Sacrifice.” “I’ll do whatever it takes,” I said, gripping the counter.

“That’s what they all say at first,” she said with a faint smirk. “But you’re different, aren’t you?”

“I’m ready,” I said firmly.

She tilted her head as if considering. “You don’t have the air of a novice. You’ve brushed against magic before, haven’t you?”

I nodded. “Once. But I didn’t understand it. I want to.”

She drummed her fingers on the counter. “All right, Lia. I know someone. A witch. She’s… selective about her students.” “Can you introduce me?”

“I’ll put in a good word,” she said. “If she’s interested, she’ll contact you. But I can’t make any promises.”

“Thank you,” I said, relief washing over me.

She held up a hand. “Don’t thank me yet. If she agrees, your life will change in ways you can’t imagine. You sure you’re ready for that?”

“Yes,” I said without hesitation.

“Then take this.” She reached under the counter and pulled out a worn book. “This will give you something to chew on while you wait.”

I took the book and glanced at the faded title. “Foundations of the Craft?”

“Basics,” she said. “But it’ll test how serious you are. Start there.”

“I’ll do it,” I said, clutching the book.

She smiled faintly. “Good luck, Lia. You’re going to need it.”

“Wait, how am I supposed to wake up magic within me?”

“Oh, I can solve that with a little fairy dust. It’ll awaken up the magic inside you.”

Before I could process what was happening, she pulled out a small pouch and threw it onto me. I coughed, this sparkly dust showering me and getting everywhere.

“Next time you could warn me…’

She shrugged. “No need. Your magic is completely awakened now so there won’t be another time.”

“Oh, shut up,” she muttered, rolling her eyes. “You’re deflecting. The point is, warn me next time! My heart can’t handle surprises like that.”

“Fine, I’ll warn you next time.”

“Thank you,” she said with an exasperated sigh. “But seriously, you just casually levitated my phone like it was no big deal. What else can you do?”

I shrugged. “Honestly? I have no idea. But I want to find out.”

“Well, maybe don’t practice on my stuff, okay? Try… I don’t know, a book or something less expensive.”

“Books don’t scream,” I pointed out with a grin.

“You’re impossible,” she muttered, though I caught the hint of a smile. “Just promise me you won’t start testing spells on me next. I’d rather not float, thank you very much.”

“Noted,” I said, laughing. “But don’t tempt me.”

“Lia!” she exclaimed, clutching her phone tighter.

“Relax! I’m joking!”

“Barely,” she grumbled. “I need a drink. Or chocolate. Maybe both.”

“Don’t be so dramatic. You’ll get used to it,” I teased.

“Oh, will I?” she said, raising an eyebrow. “Let’s see how calm you are when your stuff starts flying around unannounced.”

“That’s fair,” I admitted. “But you’ve got to admit-it’s kind of cool, right?”

She sighed, finally relenting. “Fine. It’s kind of cool. Just… warn me next time, okay?”

“Deal,” I said with a grin.

“Good,” she muttered. “Now, if you’re done practicing your magic on me, can we leave the haunted phone behind and get back to normal?”

“Normal?” I said, laughing. “What’s that?”

Simone rolled her eyes, shoving her phone back into her pocket. “You’re lucky I like you.”

“And you’re lucky I didn’t accidentally set it on fire,” I teased.

She froze, staring at me. “Wait. You can do that?”

I hesitated, then grinned. “Guess we’ll find out.”

Simone groaned. “Nope, I’m out. I’m officially out.”

I looked down at the book in my bag, trying to contain the smile on my face. It was going to be a long road for me to even begin to make any headway in my magical skill. The only way I was going to get anywhere was to practice.