Under A Blood Moon (Elemental Enchanters) by Carrigan Richards Page A

nervous, which was rarely. “Where is this guy?”
    Colden poked the fire, making small embers rise. “We do not know.” There was a hint of irritation in his voice.
    “Some of our Aureole are investigating and trying to track him down,” Savina said. “The others are traveling here to train you all.
    “Why would we need so many to train us?” Ava asked. “I thought only our coven leaders did that?”
    Colden shook his head. “No. We cannot do this,” he shouted at Savina. “They are too young, Savina.” Ava detected concern in his voice.
    She gave him a stern look, and Ava assumed she was speaking to his mind. What was she saying to him?
    He took a deep breath and placed the poker back in its place. “Forgive me. We will explain more once we go into the conservatory.” The scared look in his eyes worried Ava.
    “Why is he seeking revenge?” Ava asked.
    “ For killing Corbin and forcing him and others into the Cruciari. He has also killed Ephemerals in his path but now he is making them into Enchanters for his army. He wants as many able bodies as he can get to fight us.”
    “Halflings in his army?” Ava asked. “That doesn’t make sense.” Devon must have been desperate for an army. Corbin had hated Ephemerals and there was no way he would make half-blooded Enchanters. He had only wanted pureblood for his military.
    “He is willing to do anything to avenge Corbin,” Colden said.
    “I want you to know I can read minds , and you all will need to learn how to hide your thoughts,” Savina said. “Along with healing, I can inflict mental pain. I must teach you how to use this craft well. Over the next few months, you will learn to master your power.”
    “ But in the meantime, you must be aware of potential spies,” Colden said. “And we are to execute those who are dangerous,” Colden said.
    “Why would anyone be spying on us?” Gillian asked.
    “Comes with the territory of a possible war,” Jeremy said. “He’s seeking revenge against Savina and Colden, and we’re a part of that. They probably want to know what we’re up to or our every step.”
    This wasn’t happening. It was all too much. They were going to die. Ava couldn’t stop shaking, and she didn’t even notice Thomas’s arms around her.
    “ You all have come here tonight to pledge your dedication to your Aureole,” Savina said. “This coven is founded upon commitment, trust, and love. You must not break it nor betray each other. Betrayal will lead to expulsion and loss of powers in most Aureoles,” she explained as casually as if she were teaching history.
    Ava gripped Thomas’s hand once more. Her dad never mentioned any of that. She could not get over Benjamin escaping…impending war…potential spies…betraying the Aureole…Halflings. A bowling ball seemed to weigh inside her stomach and she felt dizzy. Several questions bubbled on her tongue, but she remained quiet. She felt as if her insides would pour out, but she held herself together.
    Savina stood and walked to a cherry oak chest under a window and opened it. She pulled out six small, black velvet boxes and handed them out to Ava and the others.
    Ava opened the box with shaky hands. Inside was a necklace similar to the ones her parents always wore. The pewter pendant that hung on a black leather rope was a pentacle, a star within a circle. An intricate Celtic design adorned the circle. Worked into the scrolls were five red garnet stones. A larger garnet was set in the center of the star. Each stone represented a person in the Aureole, the middle belonging to the wearer.
    Ava pulled it out and, like the others, wrapped it around her neck, and clasped the ends together.
    “This is my gift to you,” Savina said. “ Never be without it. These pendants are magical, and they give each of us an intuitive connection.”
    Ava remembered her dad talking about it when she was younger. It was like a mood necklace , and at the time, she thought it was the coolest