《An Age of Gray》 Chapter 1 The bell chimed, its echo trailing Cera as she entered the dimly lit shop. Her light brown hair, damp from the Seattle rain, clung softly to her shoulders. The scent of dried herbs filled her nose as she surveyed the small room. Light blue paint covered the walls, and plants on small tables near the window strained for light on the rainy day. The shop almost seemed cluttered, but despite the abundance of various items, it was remarkably clean, Cera thought as she made her way to the shelves. The shelves were lined with books, tarot cards, and a variety of rocks in different colors and shapes, some gleaming in the candlelight that cast a warm glow throughout the shop. Despite the approaching closing time ¨C it was almost an hour ¨C the shop remained curiously empty. Cera had come on the recommendation of a coworker, eager to explore this place her friend had raved about over coffee. "This place will give your home good energy," her coworker had suggested. "Stop by on your way home from work if you have time." The relentless grind of the corporate world was slowly chipping away at Cera''s spirit. Once a vibrant soul who thrived on embracing the unexpected and unconventional, she now found herself reduced to simply "Cera from accounting." Her days were consumed by the glow of computer screens, filled with an endless parade of numbers and charts, a stark contrast to the free spirit experiences she once craved. A gnawing sense of alienation had taken root, a constant reminder that the business casual facade she wore never truly fit. She wandered slowly through the shop, her eyes set on the stones lining the shelves. "What was it again?" she murmured, searching the shelves high and low. Trying to recall her coworker''s recommendations, Cera thought that the whole idea of rocks easing stress and work anxieties felt a bit out there. "Can I help you?" A voice startled Cera from looking at the shelf of stones. She turned to see a slender, middle-aged woman with long black hair, a single silver streak tracing its way down the side of her face. The woman''s faded black dress flowed loosely over a thin frame. She offered a gentle smile, but Cera couldn''t shake the feeling of being subtly scrutinized. The woman''s gaze lingered a fraction too long, locking with Cera''s hazel eyes before drifting down her form in a way that felt more like an assessment than a greeting. The woman''s appraisal was now on Cera''s figure, taking in the generous curve of her hips in her gray slacks and the fullness of her breasts that were revealed from Cera¡¯s light colored blouse. Perhaps the woman found Cera attractive, but it was difficult to tell. Cera, feeling unease, offered a hesitant smile. "My friend recommended this place," she said. "She said you might be able to help me with stress?" The woman''s intrusive scrutiny ceased as she met Cera''s gaze directly, a spark of curiosity igniting in her eyes. "What troubles you, dear?" the woman inquired, taking a step closer. Cera, feeling a flicker of nervousness, responded, "Just a lot on our plates at work, you know?" She reached for a blackstone on the shelf, its smooth surface cool in her grasp. "Do these help with stress?" The woman''s smile softened. "Black tourmaline is said to have calming properties, yes." "Perfect," Cera said, adding another stone to her collection. "Maybe I''ll take a few then." "Forgive my curiosity," the woman began, "but what line of work are you in?" Cera, captivated by the shifting shadows cast by the blackstone in the candlelight, replied, "I''m an accountant for a tech consulting firm." ¡°Your aura doesn''t quite match what I''d expect.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°You just have an energy that says free and powerful,¡± the woman responded gently, touching the rock in Cera¡¯s hand. ¡°I sense something special about you, my dear.¡± ¡°Thanks?¡± Cera replied feeling puzzled as she looked down to the woman''s hands glancing at the age lines of the top of her wrist and hand. The lines contrasted sharply with the age of her face. Cera couldn''t help but find it strange, especially since there were no signs of surgery. They seemed to be that of someone who was at least twenty years older. "I have much more to offer than just rocks and intention journals that I sell to the average person." "I''d say I''m pretty normal, miss," Cera replied. "Call me Dawn Jean, dear," she replied, carefully twirling her fingers around Cera''s palm. "Trust me, you''re anything but normal." Startled by the comment, Cera stammered, "What do you mean I''m anything but normal, Mi¨C" "Dawn Jean," the woman interrupted gently, rubbing Cera''s hand. It was a strange feeling, but Cera''s face began to blush, and a tingling sensation spread through her body. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± "Cera," she breathed, her name escaping her lips without a second thought. The earlier unease had vanished, replaced by a sense of warmth and welcome in this unfamiliar place. ¡°Cera, that''s a beautiful name,¡± Dawn Jean replied as she rested her hand on Cera¡¯s lower back gently nudging her to guide her around the shop ¡°A name quite fitting for your aura and youth.¡± "Thank you," Cera replied, subtly flustered as she continued to be guided. She passed a table with small bags of herbs spread on a black tablecloth as Dawn Jean led her back to the front door. Outside, the rain had intensified, a low roar of thunder echoing in the distance. As they reached the doorway, Cera hesitated, unable to shake the strange feeling that had overtaken her. "What sort of things do you know, Cera?" Dawn Jean asked, a knowing smile playing on her lips. Cera glanced out at the downpour. "I know the entire Microsoft Office suite pretty well," she said with a nervous laugh.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. "I wasn''t referring to your work, dear," Dawn Jean replied, her voice soft. "Then what are you talking about?" Cera asked, curiosity flickering in her eyes. A lingering touch brushed down her back, gentle and warm, sending a shiver through her. "What do you know of magic?" Dawn Jean''s question hung in the air. "I don''t believe that magic exists, Dawn Jean," Cera replied, her voice firm despite the tingling sensation that spread through her as Dawn Jean''s hand traced a path up and down her spine. A curious smile curved Dawn Jean''s lips as she reached for the open sign, flipping it to the side that said closed. "Such a shame," Dawn Jean murmured. "Such potential, wasted." "What do you mean?" Cera pressed, her voice a mixture of apprehension and intrigue. She watched as Dawn Jean''s wrinkled hand secured the door to the outside world. This would have bothered Cera under any other circumstance, but for some reason, she felt strangely at home. "Well, let me show you some things," Dawn Jean whispered gently into Cera''s ear, trailing a hand down her back before brushing lightly against her bottom. A flicker of arousal danced within Cera, overshadowed by a deepening confusion. "Do you like that, Cera?" "I don''t know," Cera answered, the question dissolving into a fleeting thought as excitement overwhelmed any reservations she might have had about the situation. Then, as Dawn Jean''s hand ran down her breasts, a spark of clarity flickered. "Is this a sexual thing?" she blurted out. ¡°We can explore that over tea, my dear," Dawn Jean replied with a seductive purr. Her hand returned to Cera''s lower back, gently guiding her towards a door behind the counter. "There''s much we need to discuss, you and I." "Alright," Cera muttered timidly, she felt as if her mind was racing through a fog, but Dawn Jean began guiding her again to another room. Candlelight danced across the crimson walls and dark hardwood floor, casting long, flickering shadows. Dawn Jean ushered Cera to a small table and gestured for her to sit. Cera sat almost as if she was commanded by the woman. She watched Dawn Jean move with unsettling grace, Cera saw her retrieve a book from a shelf. It was old, undeniably so. The dark leather cover, cracked and worn, whispered of secrets kept. The pages, stained a pale yellow, seemed to shrink back from unseen touch. The binding frayed at the edges, adding to the book''s unsettling appearance. ¡°I will be right back, Cera,¡± she said with a flirtatious grin across her face which looked more beautiful than Cera had noticed before. ¡°Just sit and relax.¡± Cera sat in silence as she watched Dawn Jean leave the room. She could hear the water faucet running and a beeping sound coming from the room. She wondered to herself what was happening. Why did she feel different than she had when she first walked into the shop? "What sort of tea are you making?" Cera called out, her voice growing more curious as seconds stretched into what felt like hours. The sounds of cabinets opening and closing, along with the faint hint of water being poured, drifted from the other room. ¡°Hello?¡± Cera called out again. ¡°One of my special blends,¡± Dawn Jean answered as she walked back into the room. An aroma of different herbs loomed from the mug that was placed in front of her. Dawn Jean took a seat across from her with a welcoming smile. Cera lifted the warm mug looking at the steam coming from the dark liquid in a ceramic gray mug. ¡°It just needs a little bit longer to steep.¡± ¡°What does it do?¡± This should help you relax further. You did mention feeling stressed, didn''t you?" Cera nodded and asked, ¡°What¡¯s in it?¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t worry too much about that. Why don¡¯t you just take a little sip.¡± The mere suggestion seemed to be enough for Cera to take a drink. It had bitter licorice flavor and other almost tart flavors. ¡°So, is the blend for sale?¡± Cera asked. ¡°This one is a special one, it contains some very powerful properties.¡± ¡°Like magical properties?¡± ¡°You shouldn¡¯t worry too much about that. You¡¯re very interesting, actually. I should give a discount to your co-worker who brought you in.¡± Cera took another sip of herbal tea and asked, ¡°Maybe I could pass some sort of coupon when I see her tomorrow at work?¡± Dawn Jean grinned and looked over, studying Cera again. This time, Cera started to feel strange, almost intoxicated. "I would say it''s my lucky day, too," she said. "I think I was going to try meeting him looking like this." ¡°Who were you going to meet?¡± "The one they call the Grey Sorcerer, Cera." Cera''s words slurred slightly. "Who is that?" The sense of intoxication was becoming more powerful by the moment. Dawn Jean stood from her chair and walked over to Cera. ¡°Does he do magic? Because I don¡¯t believe in magic, Dawn Jean.¡± "It''s very real," Dawn Jean said curtly. She rubbed Cera''s cheek, then slid her hand down to Cera''s neck and chest. "It''s been a while since I''ve had a curvy body. It might be time to change things up." Cera giggled like a drunk and replied, "Hey, if you want these hips, have them. Just hope you have luck finding a pair of jeans that makes them look good." "Oh, I''ll take you up on that offer, my sweet Cera. I must ask, how old are you?" "Twenty-five, a few years away from the dirty thirty," Cera laughed out loud, as she looked again and remembered seeing how the age lines on Dawn Jean''s hands didn''t match her face. "I have to ask something, and you don''t have to answer, but who did your work?" ¡°What do you mean?¡± "Well, your face looks so much younger than your hands, Dawn Jean," Cera said, fighting back the giggles. Dawn Jean continued gazing upon her, her gaze lingering on the softness of Cera''s skin and her full breasts. "It''s because after a while, my soul begins to rot the body I''m inhabiting," Dawn Jean explained. "Dawn Jean here isn''t even fifty yet, but sometimes when I stay too long, my host starts to break down. That''s why I''m so lucky you came in today." "For real? I''m so glad I came in by myself." ¡°It¡¯s almost like fate brought us together. Your looks will surely impress him, and your aura with its untapped power might even help sustain your body much longer. I think he would like this body much more than Dawn Jean.¡± ¡°Do you have a crush on this guy or something?¡± Cera blurted out with a giggle. ¡°And to think I thought you were coming on to me earlier.¡± ¡°Well, one must make a strong impression on powerful people,¡± Dawn Jean replied coolly. "Are they really that big of a deal with a name like sorcerer?" Cera asked, snorting with barely suppressed laughter. Dawn Jean slid back to her seat, her hands rising into the air. A cold shiver snaked down Cera''s spine as the candles erupted in a frenzy of flickering. One moment they blazed brightly, the next they threatened to dim entirely, before settling back into a steady, if erratic, burn. "Wow, how''d you do that?" Cera blurted out with childlike curiosity as Dawn Jean opened the book. ¡°Soon you¡¯ll see yourself do it too,¡± Dawn Jean said, her voice barely a whisper. The candles almost paused as Dawn Jean took a sip of her tea, then the room fell eerily silent. It was as if she had become entranced. Dawn Jean dipped into a low hum, her focus turning inward. Her eyes glazed over as the humming rose in volume, a sound both hypnotic and unsettling. The air chilled once more, growing stagnant and heavy. Something shifted, a presence Cera couldn''t decipher through the haze of intoxication. But then, abruptly, something snapped Dawn Jean from her trance. A loud knock coming from the other room. Chapter 2 "Hello?" A male voice boomed from the other room, shattering the bizarre scene. Dawn Jean''s frown deepened, a furrow etching itself between her brows. Cera, still caught in the throes of her laughter, could only stare, the absurdity of the situation hitting her full force. Crystals? This? Her mind reeled, struggling to grasp the reality of the strange room and the otherworldly scene unfolding before her clouded senses. The knocking grew louder and more demanding. Dawn Jean''s face became more annoyed with each sound coming from the other room. Cera laughed and yelled, ¡°Go away, the lady is trying to show me a magic trick!¡± "Can someone please open the door, I just need to pick up a couple of things!" the man''s voice boomed again, followed by another insistent knock. Dawn slammed her hand beside the book, a frustrated gesture, before rising from her seat. "Give me a moment, Cera. But while you wait, why don''t you drink some more of that tea?" she said, her voice strained. With that, Dawn quickly left the room. Cera sipped her tea as she heard the sound of the bell ¨C the one by the front entrance ¨C ringing just like before. ¡°We are closed," Dawn Jean called from the other room. The bell clanged again, even louder this time. "Sir, I did say we''re closed," she said, her voice firm. "The sign outside says open until six," the man argued. "Google says the same thing." He entered the shop, the muffled sounds of his footsteps preceding him. ¡°We closed early because of the weather.¡± "It''s Seattle," the man countered, "it rains all the time. I promise I''ll be quick, I just need a couple of things." His voice pressed on, making it clear he wouldn''t accept no for an answer. Frantic footsteps echoed from the other room. Cera could then hear the heavier thud of the man''s steps intermingled with the shuffle of Dawn Jean''s following him. "Wormwood and horehound, that''s all I need," he called out. ¡°I would be happy to send you another shop I know of, sir,¡± Dawn Jean said with annoyance in her voice. The footsteps continued for a moment before pausing. ¡°They really aren¡¯t too far from here, I can even give you the number to call them to make sure they have what you need.¡± Why, when you have what I need right here on this table? I''ll even pay double what you''re asking! I don''t have time to go to another store. I''ll even pay more than the marked price!" "Sir, I''m asking you to leave. I have the right to refuse service." "Closing early for rain in this region? And turning down more money for your common herbs? Sounds like you''re not much of a businesswoman." Cera started to giggle again as she was listening in. There was a silence for a moment, which made her even more curious of what was happening in the other room. What normally would sound like an awkward exchange seemed to play out like a comedy in Cera¡¯s state. "How about I make you a deal?" Dawn Jean said, her tone shifting to a warmth similar to what Cera had experienced earlier. ¡°I can show you something that is really special.¡± The other room fell silent. Cera, wondering what was happening, didn''t hear the doorbell ring, which meant the man hadn''t left. Then, she heard footsteps ¨C slow, methodical steps approaching her. The two figures appeared in the doorway. Dawn Jean wore a wide grin, and the man stood beside her. The man was tall and lanky, clad in a black peacoat damp from the weather outside. His sandy blonde hair was wet and messy, mirroring his well-trimmed beard of the same color. Even with the beard, his well-defined jawline stood out, accentuated by his deep blue eyes. "You are going to witness something tonight that very few ever see," Dawn Jean said, her eyes turning back to Cera. She grabbed Cera''s hand and began twirling her fingers again gently against Cera''s palm. "After I swap bodies with this pretty thing, I am going to have some fun with you." Cera laughed. "Swap bodies? That''s not very possible." "It is possible," Dawn replied. Cera began to feel the same warm feeling from earlier, her body growing more relaxed and her thoughts drifting away. "Soon I''ll be in your body," Dawn continued, "and you''ll be watching as if you were a passenger." ¡°What will you do with me?¡± The man mumbled barely audible as Dawn Jean walked back to her seat, sitting comfortably as she raised her hands to candles dancing as they had before. ¡°I am going to get creative, but I can¡¯t let you leave after seeing my secrets,¡± Dawn Jean answered. Dawn Jean''s humming began again, a low, haunting tune that sent shivers down Cera''s spine. The man remained a statue, silent and unmoving. Dawn Jean''s eyes glazed over, her voice dropping to a murmur of words that seemed to crawl from another world. ¡°So you use the Naan Dar Shiv¡¯s method,¡± The man interrupted suddenly with a cracked grin across his face. Dawn Jean¡¯s focus once again broken, a puzzled look on her face. ¡°It¡¯s sort of rudimentary and does require the person to consent to being entered.¡± ¡°How dare you talk to me that way, apologize immediately!¡± ¡° No, I don¡¯t think I am going to do that,¡± the man replied. ¡°So you charm them and then basically drug them with Darkwood tea?¡± Dawn Jean¡¯s face went from puzzled to shocked. Cera was even more confused as she wondered what the man meant by being charmed. ¡°Your aura is almost non-existent, there was no way you could have resisted.¡± ¡°But I did,¡± the man replied dryly. "Who are you?" Dawn Jean demanded, rising from her seat, her eyes locked on the mysterious man. The air began to chill, the flickering candlelight overwhelmed by the frigid air quickly plunged the room into darkness. "Maybe he''s the Grey sorcerer dude you''re crushing on," Cera interrupted, a fit of laughter escaping her lips. Completely oblivious, she shattered the tense atmosphere Dawn Jean and the man shared.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. "What''s your name, young lady?" the man inquired, his gaze unwavering from Dawn Jean. "Cera," she replied bubbly. "Well, Cera, I apologize for the discomfort this will cause," the man responded, turning his palm towards her. His fingers danced in intricate movements before he uttered a single, powerful word: "Purge." Cera¡¯s stomach began to recoil and she did indeed feel a discomfort as she felt something starting to rise in her throat. It happened quickly as she turned her head to the left facing the ground and began to purge the contents of her stomach to the floor below. She wretched for another moment, but then she began to feel clear-headed. Her eyes widened as she looked at the two magic users standing before her. She had never seen anything like it. Faint colors seemed to radiate from the two figures as they stared at each other. The man glowed with a variety of reds, almost like heat radiating off him, as if he''d just stepped out of a scorching shower. Dawn Jean mirrored the effect, though her aura pulsed with a deep violet that concentrated around her head and shoulders. It was far more intense than the man''s. "What the hell is happening?" Cera shrieked, her mind snapping clear as she witnessed the tense standoff. Dawn Jean, a wicked smile twisting her lips, kept her gaze locked on the stranger. Her fingers danced in the air, and with a flick of her wrist, the candles flared to life, pulsing brightly and bathing the room in an fiery glow. Another flick of Cera''s wrist intensified the dark violet aura around Dawn Jean. The man, caught off guard, went flying into the wall with a heavy thud. A groan escaped his lips as his body crumpled to the floor. Dawn Jean let out a chilling laugh. "A pathetic parlor magician," she spat, her voice dripping with contempt. ¡°This isn¡¯t real,¡± Cera said. ¡°Is this some sort of sick joke?¡± Pushing himself up with his palms, the man locked eyes with Cera, blood trickling down from his split lip. "Get out of here now!" he yelled. Cera''s eyes widened as she saw more hints of the violet colored aura spreading through the room, almost consuming the room they all stood in. Dawn Jean started walking towards the man who finally stood. ¡°I see you might be a little fun,¡± she cackled. "I thought I told you to get out," the man said, regaining his balance as Dawn Jean''s fingers tightened. Cera froze, the euphoria she''d felt moments ago replaced by a growing sense of danger. Her eyes darted around the room. To escape, she''d have to run past Dawn Jean. "Go!" the man yelled, his fingers curling into a strange pattern. Red aura flickered from his fingertips as Cera made a desperate dash for the door. She caught a glimpse of Dawn Jean''s face, a wicked grin spreading across it. With a subtle flick of her hand, a forceful gust of wind knocked Cera to the ground. Dawn Jean laughed as her gaze returned to the man. With a swipe of her hand, she knocked him down with even more force. The red flickers between his fingers began to dim as Dawn Jean waved her hand again, launching him from the floor into a sickening thud against the wall. "You''ve wasted enough of my time today," Dawn Jean hissed, stepping forward with a menacing flourish of her hand. The man was propelled backward with renewed force, crashing into the wall once more. "Pathetic little magic users, overestimating your abilities." The man slid down the wall, his body crumpling onto the hard floor. Dawn Jean walked over, casually resting her foot on his chest. She studied him intently, her gaze falling to a strange necklace wrapped around his neck. A peculiar round medallion, adorned with unfamiliar inscriptions, hung from the chain. The man laughed weakly, coughing from the pain of being tossed around like a rag doll. Dawn Jean knelt over him, studying the medallion. The worn bronze was heavy, the meticulously carved inscriptions gleaming faintly in the dim light. As she grasped it, she felt a strange sensation. "What is this?" she gasped, watching her own aura being drawn into the heavy bronze circle. Cera noticed something even stranger: the red hues emanating from the man intensified dramatically. These crimson shades flooded the room, overpowering the purple tones of Dawn Jean''s aura. "You were right, pathetic magic users overestimating their power," the man said with a bloody smirk. He reached behind his neck and removed the medallion, placing it in Dawn Jean''s hand as the red hues consumed the room. The crimson light intensified as the man stood up. "This can''t be," Dawn Jean gasped, dropping the medallion onto the wooden floor with a dull thud. She quickly stood up and waved her hands as before, unleashing another forceful gust of wind. The man was struck with a heavy impact, but remained standing, unfazed. Cera watched, stunned, as Dawn Jean swiped her hand again, unleashing an even more ferocious gust of wind at the man. The powerful blast barely ruffled his hair or jacket. Dawn Jean''s eyes widened in panic as she frantically waved her hand, sending one final, desperate gust that flew past the man and cracked the wall behind him. ¡°Enough,¡± the man said as he flicked his wrist and curled his fingers simultaneously. The room fell silent as Dawn Jean arm quivered as if she was trying to move. Her eyes were wide, full of panic, and as Cera looked her mind turned by all the things she was witnessing. ¡°What is this?¡± Dawn Jean shrieked, still struggling to move her arm. Cera watched in astonishment as she realized Dawn Jean¡¯s legs were behaving similarly, struggling against an unseen force. It left her utterly bewildered. Just moments ago, Dawn Jean had been throwing the stranger around the room, but now the tables seemed to have turned. ¡°You haven¡¯t figured it out?¡± the man said, advancing towards Dawn Jean. ¡°Look closely, and you¡¯ll notice my aura has essentially wrapped around you.¡± Dawn Jean¡¯s eyes darted around her body, and Cera saw it too. It was as if the woman were being engulfed by a vibrant red hug emanating from the strange man. Dawn Jean began to struggle as the man casually approached her, his demeanor completely changed from the previously being outmatched. ¡°How long have you been doing this?¡± he asked curiously. ¡°Since before you were pissing in your pants,¡± Dawn Jean spat out, her helplessness turning to anger. As she tried to twitch her fingers to no avail. The man placed his hand on her forehead and stared at Dawn Jean as she continued to struggle. ¡°You would think one would have spent time learning more than Naan Dar¡¯s basic spells,¡± the man replied. The red hues began to swirl around the room as if a vortex were spinning around him. Colored energies began to glow from his hand as he chanted a simple phrase, ¡°relinq corpor.¡± Cera felt a strange pressure on her body. It was almost suffocating, but her eyes were locked on the two as she saw the red shades from the man enter Dawn Jean''s eyes. She trembled violently, as if convulsing, but after a moment, shades of purple and violet began to erupt from her eyes, as if the red energy coming from the man was forcing the violet and purple energy to purge from her body. The agonizing screams came from Dawn Jean, but the man held his hand firmly on her head as if patiently waiting for it all to end. Cera felt the pressure on her body intensify, and exhaustion crept in as she struggled against the force, yet she dared not look away. She forced herself to watch as Dawn Jean¡¯s body began to wrinkle, her skin sagging, and her form growing limp by the moment. The colors in the room swirled from shades of red to purple, erupting from Dawn Jean¡¯s eyes. The man then removed his hand from Dawn Jean¡¯s forehead. Her body crumpled to the floor with a sickening thud, like a dropped bag of produce, splattering across the ground. Cera¡¯s eyes remained fixed on the man, but her eyelids grew heavy as the oppressive weight of the room bore down on her. He walked over to the bronze medallion lying on the floor and picked it up. After a moment¡¯s contemplation, he slipped it around his neck. The crimson hues that had suffused the room began to fade subtly, and the pressure on Cera¡¯s body gradually eased. The room was a wreck: cracked walls, dust-covered floors, and remnants of overturned candles. Cera struggled to stay awake, her body heavy with exhaustion. She kept her eyes on the stranger, mustering the last of her strength to mumble, "What was that?" Chapter 3 Cera awoke to the familiar sight of Dawn Jean''s floor. Her body felt heavy, as if she had run a marathon. Her arms ached as she pushed herself up. Her vision was blurry, but she could make out a pair of dark leather shoes. Pulling her head up, she saw the same man from before looking down at her from a chair. "I was starting to worry you wouldn''t wake," he said, leaning back in the chair and letting his arms dangle. He turned his head toward the ceiling. "I''ve seen people fall into a coma when I''ve released that much power." "Is she dead?" Cera asked, her voice still weak, as she looked over the shriveled remains inside the clothes Dawn Jean had been wearing before Cera had passed out. The limbs almost looked like brittle tree branches in both size and color. "Yep," the man answered, still looking at the ceiling as if he were deeply relaxed and almost about to drift off into a nap. "All that remains is the last poor soul she possessed, and it looks like she had been in there for quite a while. The body is almost completely hollowed out." "What the hell was she?" "A witch who thought she was more powerful than she actually was. She was a parasite, living in other people''s bodies and draining their life to sustain herself. A rather pathetic one, if you ask me." ¡°Was she about to do that to me?¡± Cera inquired as she steadied herself and sat on the floor, trying to come to grips with what she had witnessed and how her body felt. She looked around to see the damage around the room was much more significant that she had imagined. "Yep, to think all I wanted was some herbs," he replied. "And I wanted some magic rocks," Cera said, straightening up with a wobble that nearly sent her back to the ground. She regained her balance, however, as the man continued to chuckle. "What''s so funny?" "I didn''t expect you to be into magic rocks, let alone be so easily charmed, judging by your own aura." "What are you talking about?" Cera asked, raising her hand to examine something unusual. A strange sensation washed over her as she gazed at her hand, leaving her in shock. "What the hell is this?" The stranger looked puzzled. She saw hues and shades of orange radiating from her hands. She looked around her body; it was all around her. From her feet to her head. An orange glow surrounded Cera as her eyes widened. "What is going on?" "What do you mean?" "I''m glowing orange, dude!" Cera yelled. The man laughed again, as Cera became more frustrated with his lack of seriousness. He walked over to her, placed his hand barely above her hand, and began to motion through the aura coming from her. "Tell me what''s going on." "It''s your aur¨C" "I don''t have an aura!" "Wait, are you serious?" the man asked, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion. Waving his hands around her, he demonstrated how the aura moved with his motions, like a hand passing through a small cloud of smoke. "You''ve never seen this before?" "No!" Cera screamed. "I''ve never seen anything like this until today, and I met you weirdos." "Oh, well that''s interesting," he replied, walking around her and observing the colors emanating from Cera''s body. Cera was at a loss for words. She thought the strangeness of the day had ended. "So it is actually Cera, right?" "What do you mean?" "Your name is Cera," he replied, stepping back and studying her. "You have an aura, a name that sounds like a sorceress, and you''re somehow confused by this?" "Yes!" Cera yelled. "And by the way, I don''t even know your name." "That''s because I didn''t give it, nor was I asked." "Alright, smartass. What is your name?" "Sullivan LePage," he replied as Cera frowned. Her mind couldn''t comprehend what she was seeing. At first, she thought she was sick, perhaps from some sort of poison Dawn Jean had given her, but she remembered throwing it up on command from the man standing before her. "But everyone who knows me calls me Sully." ¡°Okay, Sully, how about you tell me what the hell is going on here?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t really know,¡± Sully replied. ¡°You have an aura, which seems a little above your typical magic user.¡± ¡°Magic doesn¡¯t exist!¡± Cera replied. ¡°It¡¯s only found in books, movies, and those role-playing games my ex used to play!¡± ¡°Well, apparently, it does,¡± Sully said, turning around and starting to walk towards the front of the store. She watched as Sully examined a small table full of small plastic baggies of dried herbs. ¡°So, let me guess, your ex played a bard, didn¡¯t they?¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°A bard, the guys who play lutes and have charisma,¡± Sully answered, continuing to rummage through the baggies, picking up each one and inspecting it carefully before returning it to the table. ¡°I¡¯m more of a fighter type. Being a magic user in tabletops would seem a little clich¨¦, at least in my opinion.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care about any of that,¡± Cera said, marching towards Sully as he cracked a grin at a small baggie labeled wormwood before he pocketed it. ¡°Wait, are you shoplifting right now?¡±Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. "I doubt the shop owner will mind," Sully chuckled again, glancing back into the other room. He moved to another table, discovered a small bag labeled ''lavender,'' and slipped it into his pocket. "That should do. And why do you care, anyway? She tried to steal your body." Cera paused, considering his point. She looked down at a small table of crystals and stones, selected a few, and stuffed them into her pockets. She watched Sully do a quick scan of the room before heading toward the front door. "Where are you going?" she asked. He paused and turned to face Cera, seemingly puzzled by the question. "Well, I got what I needed," he replied. "Can''t see much reason to stay." As he gently pushed open the front door, the familiar bell rang through the room. "Really?" Cera asked, exasperated. "That''s all I get?" "Nice to meet you," Sully replied. "That''s all you got?" "What do you mean?" "Oh, hey, I saved your life from an old woman who tried to take over your body, made you pass out somehow, and when you woke up, you started to glow orange. And by the way, magic is real. And it''s nice to meet you!" "I''m not really seeing the problem here," Sully said as he stared back with the door still open. "I saved your life, shoplifted some herbs from a dead witch, and now I''m moving on." ¡°You don¡¯t do people well, do you?¡± Cera remarked as she walked towards the door next to Sully. She noticed the rain had stopped, people were strolling along the sidewalks, and it seemed like a typical day. ¡°I have so many questions.¡± ¡°Can you ask them while we walk?¡± Sully replied, stepping outside. A sliver of sunlight pierced the overcast sky. Sully walked away from the shop and stood on the sidewalk, looking back at Cera. ¡°Are you coming or not?¡± ¡°Where are we going?¡± ¡°A cemetery.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not exactly reassuring, is it?¡± ¡°What do you mean about a stranger and a young woman going on an adventure to a cemetery after the stranger essentially killed an older woman in front of her?¡± Sully commented as he turned and started walking down the street. ¡°Your choice.¡± Cera hesitated only briefly before following Sully. She looked around to see that no one else seemed to be aware of her aura. They appeared like ordinary people, walking while looking at their phones, letting their dogs pull them, and simply going about their daily lives. ¡°I guess I should start by asking why you were at the shop,¡± Cera said. ¡°I needed a few things before I went to the cemetery down the road,¡± Sully replied. ¡°So you have some kind of magical way of tracking down other people like you?¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Sully responded, seemingly confused by Cera¡¯s question. The two continued walking, passing more people on the street. ¡°Like how did you know where to find the shop?¡± ¡°Oh! That¡¯s what you mean. Well, I have one of the most powerful tools in existence,¡± Sully answered as he reached into his pocket. Cera watched curiously to see what magical item Sully might pull out. He withdrew it and briefly showed it to her, ¡°It¡¯s a phone, and it has Google on it.¡± ¡°Very funny,¡± Cera grumbled as Sully placed the phone back into his pocket as he cracked a boyish grin. Cera realized she was going to have to ask questions that didn¡¯t allow her companion to be a smart ass, ¡°Alright, let¡¯s ask a more personal question then?¡± ¡°Shoot.¡± ¡°How long have you been doing this?¡± ¡°Saving people by accident and then answering questions while walking?¡± ¡°No, how long have you been doing this magic thing?¡± ¡°Since I could talk, honestly,¡± Sully replied. ¡°I was born into it. I said my first words, and then I started learning from my Mother and her sisters.¡± ¡°Alright, so is everyone like that?¡± Cera asked as Sully quickly turned left onto another street. ¡°Do you have to be born into a magical family?¡± ¡°Not exactly,¡± Sully answered. ¡°Some of us are born into practicing families, while others start to realize it when they¡¯re teenagers and get educated on how to do it¡ª¡± ¡°Like Hogwarts?¡± Cera blurted out with a laugh. As Sully continued at a steady pace, she could see a slight look of disgust on his face. ¡°No, it¡¯s not like Hogwarts,¡± Sully responded. ¡°It¡¯s much more rigorous than just sitting in classrooms with Alan Rickman.¡± ¡°Alright, so families and magic college, but not Hogwarts, got it,¡± Cera continued, as she noticed a younger female waiting for a bus at a stop. She had multi-colored hair, facial piercings, and colorful tattoos on her arms. But that wasn¡¯t what Cera noticed. She glowed a soft yellow hue, turning to the two of them and gently nodding as if acknowledging them. Sully nodded back in return. ¡°What about her?¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°She glows like we do,¡± Cera whispered, turning back to look at the woman now texting on her phone. Sully turned back, giving her another look as well. ¡°Do you think she went to your not-Hogwarts?¡± ¡°How would I know that?¡± Sully said, looking ahead at the road where black iron fencing and stone headstones dotted a field of green grass. ¡°She could be from a family, or educated, or one of those people who learn from forums and subreddits.¡± ¡°Wait, there¡¯s an online community?¡± Cera said in surprise. ¡°You mean like people can watch tutorial videos on how to use magic?¡± Sully nodded. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s a more recent thing. It started in the nineties with newsgroups where people would write how-to guides for spells, learning from other magic users.¡± ¡°That¡¯s wild.¡± "Yeah, a lot of people aren''t big fans of it. My family didn''t like it either," Sully explained. "They think it causes a lot of danger or exposes those born into it. Honestly, some people even look down on those who get schooling." "How do you feel about it?" "I''m not one for gatekeeping or elitism." "Where is your family now?" "Most of them are dead," Sully replied, stopping at the black iron fencing that looked into the cemetery. He pointed to a headstone, heavily covered in crime scene tape. "That''s it." "What is it?" Cera asked, noticing Sully looking down the fence as he headed toward the entrance. She quickened her pace to catch up as she watched him approach a large hole with crime scene tape. "Why are we here?" Sully circled the yellow tape, peering into the deep hole. She finally caught up and looked down to see a coffin, crudely pried open. Its fabric was damp from the Seattle rain, but most importantly, the body was missing. "So why are we here again?" Cera asked, watching Sully kneel down and study the hole. She watched as he pulled out a small glass vial from his pocket and started to feel around the loose soil. "What the hell are you doing? This is a crime scene!" "It''s the entire reason why I''m here," Sully replied, clenching some dirt in his fingers and rubbing it before placing it into the glass vial. He looked up at Cera. "Alright, I got what I need," he said, standing up and beginning to walk away from the site. "Wait, not only have you made me an accessory to tampering, but you also haven''t told me anything!" "You asked questions. It''s not my fault you chose poorly." ¡°Seriously?¡± Cera responded with an annoyed tone in her voice. As Sully turned back around, walking over to her as he pulled out his phone. He handed over his phone, a beat up haggard older model. ¡°Put your phone number in there,¡± he replied as Cera put in her name and number in his contact information before handing it over to Sully. He started punching keys in quickly before Cera felt a vibration coming from her phone. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± ¡°It¡¯s an address, meet me there in the morning.¡± Chapter 4 The rain had finally stopped. His salt-and-pepper beard was still damp, and he could feel the last of the rain trickle down from the crown of his bald head to his lower neck. The clothes on his heavy frame were also slightly wet. He looked at the small diner across the street. It seemed peculiar to be meeting there, and he still had no idea why he''d been asked to come to Seattle in the first place. The walls were adorned with checkered tiles, while the booths were plush and gray, evoking a distinct fifties vibe with their vintage charm. The room was filled with the gentle hum of conversation as older men sipped coffee, some engrossed in newspapers, others lost in animated chatter. The man''s eyes scanned the patrons until they landed on a thin man, impeccably dressed in a black suit with a silver tie that complemented his slicked-back hair and neatly trimmed facial hair. A young blonde woman stopped and offered a polite smile. "Do you need a table?" she inquired. "No, I''m meeting someone," the man replied brusquely, dismissing her as he strode past toward the table where the silver-haired man sat sipping coffee. He sat down firmly at the table, staring into the silver-haired man''s dark brown eyes. They were the eyes of someone who chose his words deliberately and directly. The man took a sip of his coffee, placing it gently on a small napkin on the table. Showing no emotion, he spoke in a monotone voice, "Hello, Gore. Thank you for coming. How is the weather treating you?" "Wet," Gore grunted, as the same blonde server from before approached the table, setting down a neatly wrapped silverware set. Before she could speak, Gore barked, "Coffee, black. That''s all." "Coming right up," the server replied quickly, scurrying away from the rude customer who unfortunately sat in her section. The man sitting across from Gore lifted his cup carefully, taking another sip, seemingly preoccupied with avoiding coffee stains on his fine suit. ¡°Why have I come all this way, Pike?¡± Gore asked bluntly as the server returned, carefully sliding a white mug with a strong aroma. The man took another cautious sip of his coffee as Gore watched with irritation. ¡° They say he¡¯s here, Gore,¡± he replied. ¡°And who would be in this fucking rainy city?¡± ¡°The gray sorcerer.¡± Gore grunted again. ¡°He¡¯s been on the run for five years, Pike,¡± he said before taking a long sip of coffee. ¡°I, too, find it hard to believe he would suddenly be advertising his whereabouts,¡± Pike responded, gently setting his cup back on the table. ¡°But that is why you are here; he has asked you to investigate the matter.¡± ¡°Why would my mystery boss be so interested in him?¡± ¡°Because he thinks having someone like the gray sorcerer would be helpful in the fight against the cadre.¡± ¡°Ah, yes, because whoever he is thinks he is the second coming of Viktor Stonecroft,¡± Gore said with a scowl directed at Pike, who smiled dismissively in response. ¡°He will make a true believer when his plans are finally set in motion.¡± ¡°Fuck his plans,¡± Gore growled menacingly. ¡°I was still pissing my diapers when Stonecroft died. I don¡¯t care about any of it. You know what I want, and if it just happens to align with whatever your group is planning, then so be it.¡± ¡°He hasn¡¯t forgotten about our deal, I promise you that, Gore,¡± Pike assured him as the blonde server returned, refilling Pike¡¯s mug. She glanced over at Gore, who returned the glance with a sinister smile. ¡°The sooner we recruit more people, the sooner we can make our move.¡± ¡°What would he want with him anyway?¡± Gore asked. ¡°The rumor going around says that he has interesting powers that could benefit us.¡±If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. ¡°I don¡¯t work off of rumors.¡± ¡°Neither does he,¡± Pike responded. ¡°Then why doesn¡¯t he send his favorite errand boy to carry out such an important task?¡± ¡°Because he¡¯s asked me to attend to other matters for him,¡± Pike answered. ¡°Plus, he doesn¡¯t want any chances of getting ideas of our organization existing quite yet.¡± ¡°So you send someone disposable?¡± ¡°I would hardly say you are disposable, Gore,¡± Pike smiled again to the annoyance of Gore. ¡°We all know you can take care of yourself and you have certain luxuries that I do not have.¡± ¡°What fucking luxuries do I have,¡± Gore growled. ¡°Would you be sitting here sipping coffee with that stupid smile across your face with me if you didn¡¯t want me to do something for you?¡± Pike''s smile momentarily disappeared. He sipped his coffee, slowly, as if he were trying to pick the right words. The only sound the two could hear was the chatter of the others in the restaurant, the scraping of silverware along plates, and the sound of footsteps as people moved around either to or from their tables. "Even to someone of your standing, Pike, I am considered lower than garbage, and to people like the fucking cadre, I am considered even lower than that," Gore snarled, awaiting for Pike to say something. Pike gently placed his coffee on the table, his smile returning. "Gore, you''re right. I wouldn''t be here if I didn''t think you were the perfect person for this task. Your standing makes you the ideal candidate to carry out something like this." "Drop the fucking pleasantries, Pike." "Fine. So, are you going to do it?" "Of course, but when it''s done, you give me what I want," Gore snapped, his fist clenching tightly. As the server approached, nervously refilling both men''s coffee, even she could sense the tension emanating from Gore. Her hand trembled slightly; something about his energy felt off, almost menacing. "That''s what I wanted to hear," Pike said. His smile widened almost sadistically as he watched the young woman''s hand tremble. He looked up at her, meeting her eyes. "Don''t be afraid, my dear. Just go get our check for us, if you would?" She nodded and quickly scurried off. "Now tell me how I''m supposed to find this rumor of a man in this city," Gore inquired. "That would be up to you, Gore," Pike responded. "I''m sure you know how to shake a few branches loose. This city is full of novices and online dabblers aching to be a part of something special." "There''s that high house elitism you''re known for," Gore replied. "Still a bit resentful that your family didn''t get a chair at the table?" "If anyone can agree the cadre is an antiquated idea, it would be you, wouldn''t it, Gore?" "I don''t care about your speeches, Pike," Gore replied. "When I find him, I will let you know." "Excellent, then let''s depart," Pike said, before taking a long drink of coffee and looking for the server. As Gore let out a laugh of amusement, Pike inquired, "What''s so funny?" "I''m not paying for this mediocre coffee," Gore said calmly, opening his clenched fist. Pike watched as dark hues of blue began to radiate from Gore''s hand. Pike''s smile widened again as the table started to tremble lightly, while the items, such as coffee cups and silverware, seemed to dance from the shaking. Pike heard a light thud behind him as he turned around to see an older man, dressed in a suit, lying unconscious on his plate of breakfast, breathing heavily. Another similar thud followed from another table as a woman passed out. Their server alerted the restaurant staff, hurriedly moving toward the man and calling out, "Is there a doctor here?" As she got closer, Gore began to concentrate more. Pike watched as her legs began to wobble, her eyes began to get heavy. She took another step as her knees began to buckle, falling to the floor. She began to crawl almost on instinct, but her arms slowly became limp before finally falling onto the floor, breathing heavily as the others. "Quite a way to dine and dash," Pike chuckled with amusement, as more sounds of people collapsing around them echoed through the diner. After a few moments, it was eerily silent. Pike stood up and looked around to see not a single person outside of him and Gore were conscious. The only sound was coming from the kitchen area, where he could hear the sizzling of food. The two men stood up, both amused by Gore''s work. The patrons of the restaurant were scattered about the restaurant, unconscious on their tables, counters, and floors. The smell of smoke filled the air as Pike looked to see a small fire coming from the kitchen. The flames bounced around for a moment before Pike snapped his fingers. The flames grew smaller as if they were being smothered. ¡°We don''t want to cause too much attention,¡± Pike said, grinning at their unconscious server lying on the floor. He knelt down, looking at her breathing heavily, and turned her over. She moaned as if she were being awakened from a deep sleep. Pike placed two fingers on her forehead before kneeling down further to whisper something into her ear. Gore began to walk to the door as Pike stood up, straightening his suit and began to follow him. ¡°I will let you know when I find him,¡± Gore said as he opened the door to outside. ¡°I look forward to it," Pike replied, casting one last admiring glance around. "It''s a shame to leave them here, but I''m sure he wouldn''t appreciate me playing with them too much.¡± Chapter 5 Cera looked down at her phone, then back at what looked like a vacant warehouse covered in colorful graffiti. Could she be in the right place? Not that she was above it; at one time, she had been a part of punk rock circles and had spent many teen years at parties in these abandoned warehouses. But to think that people could use magic in such dwellings was almost absurd to her. She looked down at her phone again to confirm the address. Slowly, she began walking towards the structure''s doors when she noticed them open and a middle-aged man emerged. He had dark red hair sprinkled with streaks of white, a color so pale it matched his skin complexion. He looked bookish, but Cera could sense a power emanating from him. He paused, his demeanor blank. "May I help you?" he called out as his feet crunched on loose gravel while he slowly walked towards Cera. "I''ve been watching you for almost ten minutes now, observing our home." "I¡ªwas given this address¡ª" Cera stumbled over her words as he stopped, giving her a penetrating gaze. That damn Sully had lured her into another dangerous situation, her thoughts wandered. Why did I even come here? Are a bunch of them waiting to sacrifice me for some weird magic ritual? "Who gave you this address?" "His name was Sully," Cera responded, as the man''s demeanor shifted, and he offered her a smile. He started to approach her again. As he stood before her, she could tell he was studying her with intent curiosity. "So, you''re the strange girl he encountered yesterday?" "I would say he''s the more strange one, honestly." He laughed. "Why yes, Sully is quite the character. My name is Mero, and I was told you would be arriving." "Where is Sully?" "He''s inside speaking with Amond," Mero answered, turning and beginning to walk back towards the doors. "I can keep you company in the meantime while we wait for them to finish catching up." Cera hesitated briefly, but something about Mero eased those dark thoughts of human sacrifice. As they entered, she saw a few others, including a girl who looked barely in her twenties. A green aura emanated from her body, but what amazed Cera was the fact that she could see this girl with a small frame lifting several metal beams as if they were nothing. ¡°Very nice, Janey,¡± Mero said with a smile to the girl, who Cera saw at a closer glance. She had blonde hair, tattoos covering her entire skinny body, and was wearing dark pants with a metal band t-shirt with the sleeves cut off. ¡°I see you¡¯ve been practicing your physical spells?¡± ¡°That¡¯s all she does,¡± A man shouted, when Cera turned to see a man around the same age as the girl Mero had called Janey. He was thin, with dark brown hair, and brown eyes that sat behind his black-rimmed glasses. ¡°I tell her she should work on her fire magic, but she doesn¡¯t listen.¡± ¡°Why would I need fire magic, Stefan?¡± Janey responded sharply, as he started emitting a dark burnt orange aura from his left hand. Cera watched as his hand began to crackle and spark, a flame slowly growing in his palm as he gave a grin and pointed it at Janey. ¡°What if someone were to use ranged magic on you?¡± ¡°Then I would just do this!¡± Janey shouted, hurling the metal beams towards Stefan. He looked up in alarm as the beams plummeted towards him. His burnt orange aura flared, and he quickly leaped backwards, narrowly avoiding the crashing metal. "Stop it, you two!" Mero chided, "Can''t you see we have a guest?" The two young magic users halted their display, their auras subsiding as they turned towards Cera. "What can you do?" Janey inquired, her deep blue eyes fixed on Cera as she circled her. "With an aura like that, you could be quite adept at physical spells or battle mage spells." "I can''t do anything..." Cera replied softly. "Ah, a secretive one, keeping your skills close to the vest," Stefan smirked, studying Cera. He made her feel self-conscious; she had only witnessed these extraordinary abilities yesterday, and now they assumed she possessed similar powers. "Seriously, what are your talents?" "I''m quite proficient in the Office 365 suite," Cera joked awkwardly. "So it''s true, then?" Mero asked, "What Sully said¡ªan above-average aura but no magical abilities?" Cera blushed slightly. "Yes, until yesterday, I had no idea this kind of thing existed," she admitted.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. "Fascinating," Mero mused, stroking his chin as he observed Cera. "I sensed her aura from outside," Stefan interjected. "I couldn''t detect Amond''s friend, but hers was immediately apparent." "That''s because Sully effectively conceals his aura and employs enchantments in his clothing to further obscure it," Mero explained. "I understand why he brought this young lady here now. Amond will be eager to speak with her." ¡°So is this like one of those schools Sully told me about?¡± Cera inquired, surveying the warehouse. Its graffiti-covered metal walls, bare concrete floor, and grimy windows weren''t what she had expected. ¡°Not exactly,¡± Mero answered. ¡°We consider ourselves a coven, but we also teach magic here to those who join. Amond founded it when he moved here to foster a sense of community.¡± ¡°Are there many covens?¡± Cera asked. ¡°Yes, of all kinds. Some are very exclusive with their membership, but Amond doesn''t subscribe to the old ways,¡± Mero explained. ¡°Both Stefan and I were expelled from our previous covens," Janey said. "They disapproved of my appearance, claiming I attracted too much attention with my tattoos and clothing." "Called you ''Tumblr Witch,'' right?" Stefan chuckled. "Shut up, Stefan," Janey snapped. "You were kicked out of yours for setting the coven library on fire!" "You two get back to practicing your spellwork," Mero directed. "Would you like to join me for some tea, Cera?" "After yesterday, I''m not taking anyone''s tea," Cera replied. "Ah, yes, well, I assure you mine is not enchanted, but just a rather plain Earl Grey with a splash of milk," Mero reassured her with a gentle smile. "But I understand the hesitation, so can I offer you a bottle of water if that would make you feel better?" "Okay, that sounds good," Cera replied, following Mero through the warehouse. She saw what appeared to be an old office, and inside she could see a man sitting down. He had long, dark hair, a full beard, and a serious demeanor. "Is that Amond in there?" Mero nodded. "Amond and Sully go way back." "How far back?" "From their teenage years," Mero responded as they headed to a small area that served as a makeshift kitchen. "I''ve known Sully for as long as I''ve known Amond." "I''m surprised Sully has any friends at all, just from dealing with him yesterday," Cera joked. Mero let out a small chuckle as he walked over to a small stove and began heating a kettle. "He''s not exactly charming, actually, he can be a bit of a dick. No offense, of course." "He doesn''t have many friends these days," Mero replied, opening the fridge and pulling out a bottle of water. He walked over to a small table and motioned for Cera to sit, which she did. "I can''t fathom why he doesn''t have many friends." "Don''t let his aloofness and quips fool you, he only uses them to mask his true emotions." "So, deep mystery magic man, has a heart of gold?" "I wouldn''t go that far, but he''s not without some good qualities," Mero answered as the tea kettle began to heat up. "But I am glad Amond was able to get hold of him." "So is that why he is in Seattle?" "Yes, Amond and I have been hearing strange rumors of a gray sorcerer and feel that he would be best equipped to investigate it." "That''s who that Dawn Jean woman kept talking about yesterday!" Cera exclaimed as the tea kettle began to whistle, and Mero walked over, pouring the hot water into a dark-colored mug. "He sounds like a big deal." "He very well could be. All of the city has been talking about him, but no one quite knows where to find him," Mero said. "But now we have another mystery on our hands." "Me?" "Yes, Cera, you are our other mystery." "I don''t understand why," Cera inquired, opening her bottle of water and taking a large gulp. Mero sat at the table, settling into the chair and looking her directly in the eyes. "Sully sensed something peculiar about you, and I have to say, I sense it myself." "Listen, I seriously didn''t know any of this stuff existed until I walked into that magic shop yesterday." "Yes, that''s what''s strange ¨C how somebody your age could go so long with an aura like you have and no one, including yourself, has ever noticed it until yesterday." "Is that even possible?" Cera asked. "Like, have you ever witnessed something like that before?" Mero shook his head and took a sip of tea. "No, and neither has Sully." "That''s comforting," Cera remarked as she could hear a door open and footsteps approaching the area. "What about Amond? Do you think he would know anything?" "I don''t know," Mero replied. "But between all three of us, maybe we could give you some answers." The footsteps continued to get louder and then there was a pause as Cera turned from the table to see Sully looking over at her, and next to him was Amond, who gently smiled towards her and said, "So this is the girl, Cera?" "I mean, she''s the only person I gave the address to, Amond," Sully responded dryly. "But yes, it is her." "You''re right," Amond said. "I can sense her aura from here. But she can''t use any spells?" "Cera, have you learned how to use magic in the last twenty-four hours?" Sully chuckled. As Amond walked over and gestured his hands over the top of Cera''s head, immediately the same colors from before started to appear, radiating from Cera''s body. "See, I told you, Amond." "I could sense it the minute she walked in, Sully," Amond commented. "Very strange, her presence alone should have alerted someone in the city, especially me." "So what do we make of it?" Sully asked curiously as he waved his hands through Cera''s aura. Cera stood up and stared at the two men, as she could hear Mero sip his tea with a loud slurp before setting it down on the table. "Let''s go to the office. I have much to ask," Amond asserted.