章 4: Am I a Witch?

"This is pointless," complained Dee.

"If this is pointless, then so has any other time we have ever come here." quipped Bina. "At least this time we have a purpose."

"Ugh, why do you always have to be right?" she groaned back.

"I don't know, maybe it has something to do with me being the older sister."

I smiled to myself as I listened to the two bicker amongst themselves. It's been a couple of hours since we started looking for a book on witches coming of age. We even took a lunch break, and it's starting to get dark. I hope if one exists we'll find it soon, but at this rate I doubt it. I strolled over to where they were still skimming shelves. "I don't think we are going to find anything. We should just let it go. I'm probably not even a witch anyways," I said feeling pretty bummed. "Thanks for trying to help me out though."

"Why quit now when there's only one section left? Why don't we search there and if we don't find anything, we'll head to bed," Sabina suggested.

"You guys can look, I'm tired," complained Dee. " Hey, how about while you guys look, I'll ask to have one of the parlors set up for a slumber party! You know, one last hoorah before we all might become engaged."

"Hey, that sounds like a great idea. I'm feeling pretty bug-eyed from reading all these spines. Do you mind if I tag along with Dee, Sabina?" I asked while fluttering my eyelashes at her and sticking out my lower lip in my best attempt at a begging puppy look.

"Whatever, but you owe me one, Elle. BIG TIME!" she said seriously, but I could see the smirk she was holding back. As mature as she always acted, she couldn't deny that she loved our slumber parties. "Now go before I change my mind and decide to hold you hostage until we are completely done looking," she added playfully.

"Come on, let's go," Dee whispered as she tugged on my arm.

"I love you, Bina!," I claimed with a huge grin, causing her to crack the smile she was so desperately trying to hide.

'Yeah, whatever. You too, Elle," she muttered as Dee and I started to leave.\a

We made our way out of the secret passage, and headed towards the parlor closest to our rooms. We stopped a few maids on our way to ask for help to set up.

As the group of us were walking down to the end of the hall, we came to an abrupt stop. Coming around the corner and glaring at us was none other than Greta, and man did she look pissed. You could eat a dozen lemons and never make a face as sour as hers, right now.

"AND WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!?!" she screeched at me, causing the others to step back wide-eyed and shift around uncomfortably.

"Careful, Greta. Don't forget your manners, now. You wouldn't want word to get out and to my father of how you screamed at your future queen, now would you? Especially without properly greeting her first," I scolded her. "Besides, it doesn't matter where I have been. I never left the castle walls and was with my dear friend, Dee, the entire time. As to why you couldn't find me, that's your problem. Don't blame me for you not being able to do your job properly."

Honestly, I felt bad for kind of gaslighting her like this, but half of what I said was true, and she needed to be reminded of her manners. Her behavior was unacceptable. Especially in front of some of the other maids. She didn't lose her temper like this often, if ever, but acting like this in front of witnesses will get around, and fast considering how many of them were behind me.

Her face paled after registering what I just scolded her for. "I apologize, your Highness. I… I got carried away, and forgot my place. Please, I am so sorry," she groveled.

"You are forgiven, but if you ever DARE to raise your voice at me or the Carter sisters again, your services as headmistress will no longer be needed. And don't think for a second that my father can save you. He may be king now, but this time tomorrow I will have just as much say in this castle as he does."

I swear she's trembling now. Have I gone too far? Nah. I think she has become too comfortable bossing me around like a child over the years. Taking advantage of her position.

"Of course, your Highness," her comment came out a bit shaky. "Again, my apologies."

"Now, was there something you needed? A reason for you to be searching for me?

I am quite exhausted, and wish to be on my way to rest with my friends until tomorrow."

"There was your Highness. However, if you are that tired, it can wait until tomorrow." she stated.

"Very well then. We will be on our way, and you may bring the matter to my attention tomorrow morning. You may go."

"Yes, your Highness. Good night."

As she turned to leave, I could feel Dee come up behind me. "Well that was quite the show." she snarked in my ear quietly so the maids couldn't hear. "How long do you think it will be until she forgets her place again?"

"Hopefully never. I think I got the point across." I responded. "Let's go. It's late and I want to have things all set before Bina joins us. She's going to be more exhausted than the pair of us combined."

We set off towards the parlor again. This time we had no interruptions, and the maids helped us set it up with ease. After doing this so many times over the years, they've become very efficient.

"Thank you, ladies," I praised. "I know things will be busy tomorrow with the ball, but tell the headmistress that I said you could have an hour to yourself in the morning. If she gives you any trouble about it, you come straight to me, and I will take care of it."

They smiled at me with such gratitude. I knew they worked hard and didn't get breaks like that very often. After saying their thanks, they left Dee and I to add some finishing touches.

"You know, it has to be close to midnight. Do you think Bina is ok? I mean it's been quite a while." noted Dee.

"Yeah, I would have thought she would have joined us by now."

"Do you think she got lost?" she quipped. "Or maybe she fell asleep by accident."

"Ha, no. I highly doubt that. Come on, let's go check on her. Luckily, it's late so we shouldn't run into anyone." I said as we put on our robes and made our way to the royal library.

Upon our arrival, we could see a small light still lit in the wiccan section.

"Saaabiinaaa," I called out in a loud whisper.

"Yeah, I'm here. Sorry. After you guys left, I found this book all the way in the corner of the bottom shelf. I almost didn't see it. It looks exactly like the one you were reading earlier, Elle. Minus the hole cut out of the middle of it, of course." As Dee and I inched closer, she began to read.

"On the day before a young witch comes of age, there will be a magical static felt by all supernatural creatures. This static will grow until the strike of midnight signifying her eighteenth birthday. At midnight, the young witch will absorb the static, causing her hands to glow the same color as her ancestors. This will identify her ancestral line and her role in her coven.

-Yellow- low ranking, simple magic capable of small enchantments and potions

-Blue- moderate ranking, everyday magic capable of stronger enchantments and potions, also able to move small objects without touching and with the slight wave of the hand

-Red- high ranking, strong magic capable of the same as blue magic witches. However, they can move larger objects, and without the use of her hands.

-Purple- highest ranking, rare, only one ancestral line of purple magic exists. Those carrying the purple color are capable of anything the others can do. The only difference is that she can create more witches through blood absorption. However, this method should only be used with caution, as a non-born witch, or human, is not always capable of handling magic and could die."

"Holy…wow, that's a lot to take in," I commented while glancing at the old, huge clock on one of the walls.

Haidee followed my eyes, "It's 11:57. If you are a witch, it's too late to go back to the parlor. We'll have to wait and find out here."

"Honestly, it's probably best that way," Sabina added, "it's more safe here since it's locked and no one is allowed to be in here."

And so we waited…

11:58…

11:59…

And midnight…

We all looked down at my hands, not sure what to expect, and…