The bearers of magic

Chapter 3 - Something is coming

It had been a long day teaching Biology to a number of teenagers who would rather be anywhere but in the classroom listening to Gem discuss Osmosis. The whole day there had been a niggling feeling at the back of her mind that she was unable to put her finger on. Her head was buzzing and she couldn't shake the feeling. Something wasn't right but no matter how hard she tried to concentrate and focus her magic she could not grasp what the Universe was trying to tell her. Tonight was a coven meeting and with the combined strength of her Sisters she knew they would be able to understand what was happening. The joining of magic made them stronger, it had always been that way.

Gem headed out to meet with her coven after dinner, it wasn't a large group, 22 sisters were all that was left. Witches were a dying breed, pure blood witches even less. None of the witches in her coven had bore any children in the last 20 years and the effects of that were showing in their dwindling numbers.

Fabrachina was the second oldest witch in the coven and close friend and confidant to Gem. They had been through many things together in their long lives and Gem trusted Fab, no questions asked. It was to Fab's coffee shop that Gem now headed. With a good sized room in the back and beautiful garden surrounding the back of the coffee shop, giving them privacy and protection from unwanted, nosey guests.

Gem opened the door to the Cafe, activating the bell that hung down announcing someone's arrival and headed for the room at the back. Swinging the door open she took one look at Fab's face and knew she was not the only one that had been feeling something all day.

Sitting in a circle, all 22 witches were holding each others hands to connect the flow of magic while Gem prepared to do a spell that allowed them to understand what was happening. All the bearers of ancient magic within the room had felt on edge today, some more than others and Gem needed to know why.

"Ancient bearers of magic in times gone by, I call upon your spirits, strength and wisdom. Show us what we cannot see, allow us to understand that which we cannot understand, help protect your Sisters by revealing that which is hidden to us."

The witches did not have to wait long before a voice was heard within the circle.

'My sisters, godess blessings to you all. My name is charisma and I come forward to warn you of a great danger that is unfolding".

With a bright white light a faint outline of a body appeared within the circle. The witch Carisma looked young and Gem wondered what had ended her life.

"Sisters, my time here is limited as I have travelled through Universes to speak to you today. There is one being awoken and he will be known as the destroyer, the destroyer of magic".

"He looks to destroy the last of us that bear the ancient magic", Gem asked.

"He looks to destroy all bearers of magic with guidance from those that hunt us", replied Carisma.

" So what is to be done, how do we defend ourselves when our magic is kept in the shadows. We live a life so that we do not attract the ones that hunt us", Fab asked.

"You alone cannot my Sisters, it is time for all bearers of magic to rise up and work together for the destroyer will watch the world crumble and the humans suffer if it means the destruction of magic".

"It has not been so for hundreds of years, we do not work together" Gem replied.

"Sisters, my time is at an end, remember what I have said, together you are stronger. The likes of the destroyer has never been seen and it will take all to defeat him".

With that Carisma disappeared leaving 22 ashen faces with more questions than answers.

' I need to call Tib, we must have a meeting with the Warlocks to discuss what has just happened". " I am not sure I fully understand it myself but let's set up a meeting and we can try and explain it the best we can", Gem looked at every witch in turn and they all nodded their agreement.

After a phone call to Tib a meeting was set for the next night. The Warlocks would come to Fab's Coffee shop and met with the Witches there.

All that day, knowing that Gem had called a meeting with his Coven and hers, Tib was on edge. His own magic yesterday and today had been pocking at something in his head, trying to get his attention but he couldn't quite get a grasp on what was happening. The fact that the meeting of the 2 Covens, who respected each other but very rarely mingled, was happening did nothing to settle that uneasy feeling he was having.

It was a long day of teaching History before Tib could go home and change before heading for Fab's coffee shop. On the way there he bumped into Sidonius, his long time friend and brother Wizard. Sid wasn't quite as tall as Tib but his eyes held a deeper purple tinge, the colour that all ancient bearers of magic bore.

" Why do I have the feeling we are not meeting for pleasantries, coffee and cake with the Witches tonight", Sid expressed as they walked together.

" By the way my head has been buzzing for the last two days and I have been unable to understand why. I have a feeling that cake is not on the table tonight ...... and I love cake", Tib replied.

Sid smiled at his friend, tonight was not going to be fun, he could feel it in his magical bones.