The Forgotten Twin

The Test

Sage

Motherhood isn’t actually as I thought it would be. I really didn’t know what I thought it would be once the girls had gone older. During my whole pregnancy I thought daily of how life would be with my girls. All the joy and wonders of the world. I dreamed of seeing all of their milestones. I imagine their first spell cast, their first crying session, their first problems, first day at school. I imagine pretty much every first and more of everything a mother can think of when it comes to their children.

I honesty didn’t think that none of this would of happen. I never thought in all my centuries on this Earth, that I would have to give up on one of my own.

At first I was hurt when I notice Liv’s failure. Her sister Meredith was doing so well, I just didn’t see why Liv wasn’t. Liv was just as smart and gifted as Meredith. I mean Meredith can be more accepted in her skills but Liv seems to do just the bare minimum. I had to be more hard on Liv than Meredith. I figure it would encourage her to do better and usually it does. But when it comes to our lessons, it doesn’t seem to have the same efforts.

Liv was going off track with her magic. And I just had to push down all my feelings as a mother. I can’t hold her hand and baby any of my girls. Mother isn’t going to help all the time. They need to learn how cruel the world can be. No matter how bad I want to shelter them, I can’t. I know all too well what will happen if I do. I couldn’t show my true colors otherwise Liv would be weak. But even than it seems she wasn’t able to strengthen her magic.

I have call onto our Ancestors to see what was going on. To get some kind of answers to why Liv’s magic was draining. I have never seen this happen before. In all history when this happens to a witch, it only seems to happen when they do something to upset the Ancestors. And normally these witches are withheld their powers for years before doing anything that can cost them of having their magic strip away.

Liv had just started, I just didn’t see what was wrong. What could of Liv done at such a young age that would cost this upon our family? What could of it have been? I ask myself and our Ancestors this for quite some time time. The Ancestors won’t tell me the actual reason for this inaccuracy. There’s no evidences, no call back or motive for this to occur.

The Ancestors say it was on many grounds that the act was on placed. Once it was in motion, there was no going back. That, I was warn for precautions of my actions. I still didn’t quite understand. I did what I had to do, but this wasn’t what should of happen. This wasn’t part of it. I did everything right as a mother, this was not on me. This was not my fault. This was on Liv and Liv only.

Today I had a meeting set in place with the Elders. It was mostly held with the most respected and strongest witches. And today they came here to discuss our grounds. I had been preparing for the meeting for months now. Getting everything in the right orders to where it needs to be. I had made the right deals and spoke upon my coven’s behaves with all the others. Making alliances with the right people.

I am doing my part to keeping us strong and safe. I am the right person for this coven’s keeper. I am the strongest witch here and no one dears disagrees with me. They all fear me when it comes down to anything. I need this Elders meeting to go right, so one day I can be title as High Priestess. I wasn’t in any ranking for I will not settle for nothing less than High Priestess. But I pull all the task and do’s that make me fit for the job. That’s why with my main situation with Liv was a big problem for me. I wouldn’t be able to get my title if I don’t see fit with an ungifted daughter living among us. I couldn’t have that, I won’t have it. The Elders wouldn’t think I’m fit. But I have work all to hard for this.

“Tell me Sister Sage, has all the arrangements been set in motions?” An Elder brother name Karl ask.

“Yes Elder Karl. I have spoken directly to all of them. And made the proper deals to keep them off our grounds. Everyone should be please.” Straighten my back and placing my elbows firm on the table to show no emotions. I want to show them what a good High Priestess I can be.

“Good sister.” Elder Karl reply with a nod.

“Now tell us Sister, how did you get these agreement approve of?” A short red hair witch spoke. She was new and known to be very stubborn they say.

“Sister Paige I have set these meeting with them over time and time again. Setting forth the right reasons to keep not just us but everyone safe for the hope of a better future for our children..” I look at her cold eyes. I wouldn’t be seen weak, not even for a newbie like her.

She raise her hand as I spoke, making me stop mid sentences. “And how did these furry beast respond? I have heard of your near by pack to be very stubborn?” She raise a high eyebrow. Intimating my skills.

What a fool!

I clear my throat as I let a small smile out. “I set my mark with with them. Giving them an offer their Alpha couldn’t decline. Don’t worry sister he will come around in the next few days.”

“So they have not agree yet, is that what you tell us Sister Sage?” She sharpen her look as she spits my name. Her bitter ego is quite annoying.

“Like you say, their Alpha is stubborn. But I know I will have an answer from him soon.” Tighten my grip on my hands to hid my anger.

“Mhh, I guess we will see.” She lean back into her chair as if she had won.

The meeting ended not long afterwards. For they do have other arrangements else where. As I leave the dome where our meeting was being kept at. It was a rounded building center near the back of the land near our crops field. No one enters the building without being ask to enter by the ranking witches. Which for our coven is still being set in motion.

“Hello my queen? How was your meeting?” Caden was suppose to be in the meeting with me but he had other arrangements to attend to.

“Ohh my Caden it went just as I plan it to be.” Taking in his sweet kiss to embrace me with.

“And how did Sister Paige react, today?” Caden has noticed the last few meeting, that Sister Paige and I’d have some kind of head to head thing.

“Don’t worry dear, she doesn’t have a finger on me. She can scared everyone but not me.” I peck his lushest lips that scream for me.

I pull away from Caden, only for him to growls and bring me back to him. Seeing him biting his bottom lips with hunger. It drives me crazy but I love to keep our romance scene in the bedroom. “Mmhh will we continue later my queen?” His gaze slowly as he scans my whole body.

“Yes dear of course.” Our hands still interlock as he reaches my eyes.

I try to pull him along with me but he didn’t move. God damn his gift, sometime it really bugs me to the core when he use it on me. As I sprang back to face him. His whole facial expression change to something more serious.

“What is it my dear king, what is scattering in your walls?” I ran my hand along his face until I hold his jaw in my palm.

“Do you know what you plan to do after todays lesson with the girls?” His eyes spoke with reasons and I know I had to hold up our strong walls for him.

I know this wasn’t an easy topic with him. He has been asking what I have plan after our talk down in the cellar. After I had told him all about Liv’s failure. And how the Ancestors are striping her. All I have told him every time he had ask. Was that the Ancestors saw a future where she was not needed. There for she must be stripe of her magic and farther precautions along with consequences must be taken care of. Caden seems to be sadden and hurt each time I explain to him. What bother him the most was not knowing what’s to become of Liv officially.

“Yes Caden my king, yes I do.” Slowing letting out my words as I give him time to take in on what I have to say. I stay silence for a good minute until he broke it. Grabbing my hand, staring deep into my eyes. They had words hidden. It almost made me feel bad but not really. I had already felt at peace with my decision and I had plan this out right. Everything was to be set in motion soon.

“You’re doing the test today aren’t you?” His word spoke coldly but not towards me.

“Yes. I have to Caden. We need to know already.” I said and his gaze never left mine. “This will all be over soon, I promise. We will not worry about this no longer, I swear on it.” I lean in for a kiss but he pulled away. I frown my eyebrows at him. For all our years together he has never pulled away from my kiss.

“I know you don’t think she will pass but you never told me what you plan to do afterwards?” I let go of his jaw and place my feet firmly on the ground, holding my chin up high.

“The four of us will meet down in the cellar. I will explain the test to the girls and if Liv does not pass I will give you a look.whether it’s light, I will let you know by one look.” Showing him the look.

“Liv will be pull away outside the coven grounds. But not far. And afterwards, she will cease to live. And we will mourn her tragic death and move on. Fast and simple my dear king.” Caden step closer to me, closing the space between us. It made me hot in heat with him close like this.

With inches away from my face he kisses my cheek, making me close my eyes and feel my knees weaken with his kiss. But I do not let them fall, I keep them steady. “Okay Sage, okay.” As he whispers his final words to me. He takes my hand into his and we walk side by side. Making our way back to the house.

Liv

Mery and I had been waiting in the cell awhile as we wait. Father had call aunt Mable and told us to wait for them there. It was in the evening now and normally mother would have Mery and I met her down in the cellar after breakfast. But mother had one of her Elders meetings and father had some grounds to cover. With how long the stay had been I figure we were going to skip lesson today but now I guess mother had squeeze in time.

“What do you think we will learn today?” Mery ask me.

“I don’t know, mother usually tells us last lesson but she didn’t.” My words seem a bit shaken. I was nervous with every day we had lessons, for I worry mother will have us do the Stone Test and today will be my last day here.

My skin starts to crawl with bug like feeling as my legs shakes uncontrollable. I start to lightly scratch my arm at the feeling and then I felt a hand grip my wrist. I turn to look at my sister comforting me.

“Are you okay?” It had been a long time since we had this kind of moment. I had been pretty good at hiding my feelings, but today seem different. The air seem to shift a little.

“Yeah i’m fine.” She lets go and continue to scan through her notes.

Not that long, we heard footsteps coming down then stairs. They were two different type of patterns. One was more of a glade and stomp, the other was firm and heavy. I already knew by the first few steps that it had to be mother and father coming down. Mery and I turn our heads and nod with a smile. We both say hello to our parents entering the cellar. Father smile back as he stay behind us. And mother only spoke the word of manners as she takes her place near the lesson board. Father doesn’t normally or never comes down to join our lessons at all. This only had me wondering if today was the day even more.

“Do you girl know what todays lesson is?” Mother ask with a firm voice. We made a quick look at each other as we both responded with a no. “Well today isn’t a regular lesson day. We will not be spending hours here going over new spells and healing tricks. But instead, I figure I give you girls a break.” She said with a lace tone. This was very, very odd. Mother never gives us breaks like this. She always tells us that magic school was very important for a young witch to learn. Even when one of us is sick mother still has her way to keep us learning in tradition.

“Today I’m just giving you girls a Pop Quiz!” She turns around as she held a small box in her hand. It was dark leafy green box. “In our culture we call this more of a test. And to be more specific this test is call the Stone Test or as in the books, Power Scale Stone.”

My eyes widen with fear and my heart dang near jump out my chest. This was why today seem so much different. I was right, today was going to be my last day.

“Do either of you girls know what this test is use for?” Walking up closer to the long black table. Mery rose her hand, as for me I felt like I was frozen to my seat. I couldn’t hear them speak, it was like muffing voices running through. I couldn’t take my eyes off of the little green box. Knowing what’s inside of it.

“Liv, Liv, Liv!” Mother shouts until I broke through my trance.

“Yes mother, i’m sorry mother.” Stumbling softly as my gaze broke off.

“Okay, as I was saying,” her eyes sharp to a cold harsh look, burning inside of me.

“This Test is quite simple girls. It allows us to know if you hold magic within or not. With that being said, all you have to do is hold this stone in your hand and allow your magic to let it glow. You will feel a small warmth sensation with it. For which it does, then you are doing well and will further achieve your witches duties.” Mother went on to open the box and took out the clear stone. Showing us how it works with the simple task of letting the stone find our magic. As she explain to us she went on to place the stone on the table.

My gaze never leaving the stone. I build up the strength to speak. “What happens if it doesn’t glow. What if there’s no magic for someone?” The room got silence. I look up and around to feel and see everyone staring at me. I shouldn’t of ask, but I need to hear what mother had to say. I need to hear it from her mouth, have her say those awful words that’s been floating in my brain.

“Rare occasion where the stone has not glowed. Umm.” Mother clears he throat. “Action would take place for the witch.” Mother look at father for a quick glance. “But do not worry girls. We have been doing lessons for quite some times now. I believe you two will pass,” giving Mery and I both smiles to reassure us.

I wanted to ask for more details but I know if mother didn’t explain it now then she won’t explain it at all. So I bite my tongue knowing deep inside what will really happen if one of us, I mean if I don’t pass. Mother will most likely get rid of me in some kind of way.

“Okay Meredith why don’t you come up and try for yourself.” Moving to the side for Mery to stand in front of the stone. Mery follow mother’s way just like mother had done. And as we all thought, Mery had no problem to pass the test.

“Good job, you may sit now.”

“Liv it is your turn now.” I got off my seat and made my way to mother. Every step I took felt like I was stepping onto hot rocks with my bare feet. When I came face to face with the stone, a cold shiver took over me. I couldn’t get the courage to pick it up.

“Here dear hold the stone in both your hands and close your eyes.” Mother had took the stone and place it in her hands. Holding the stone above mine.

“Close your eyes Liv,” I follow her words. I close my eyes and seconds later I felt a light object weighting on them. And then seconds later it was over. “Good job Liv, sit please.” When I open my eyes. It had seem the stone glow onto my hands. And a small single tear came out my corner eyelid. Surprise to see it at all. I didn’t feel the warmth. Was that normal?

I sit back down trying to feel happy but I didn’t. Feels like I shouldn’t. This day just didn’t feel right to me. I turn to face father and his face was odd as he made an exchange look with mother.

Yup something is not right today.

“Okay that is it for today, you girls can go play.” Both Mery and I would ask why but we took the command and made our way out. Before mother subjects us to have a full lesson today.

We were having a fun time and then Mery just went off to play at a friend’s house, while I stayed by playing with a rabbit that rans through here. It was getting late and I was about to make my way to get Mery but then I felt a gust of wind blow all around me. I got a warm feeling along my spine and my finger tips tingles with joy. I looked up to see the moon glow a fine beauty. Knowing that the Goddess was trying to speak to me.

I closed my eyes and say a small prayer to her. “Thank you for not giving up on me, I will not fail you Goddess.” As I pray, I felt the rabbit jump out my hand in fear and sprint to the forest direction.

“Hey where you going?” When I gotten up to follow him my body felt a dark mist near by. Something was wrong.

“Aaahhhhh!!!” Multiple screams coming all around. My fear mood took over and stood around looking for the danger.

“Aahhh. Nnoooo.” Cries flood around the screams. Danger and death linger in the air.

Yup today was not going to end well, I knew it. I just knew it.