The new Shade extension had this futuristic feel—the mixture of steel and glass against the ocean water created a plethora of light reflexes that simply dazzled me. By contrast, the party was a splash of color and fluid shapes versus the sharp design lines of the new living units. I had trouble looking away. They’d truly done a marvelous job with this place.

I spent most of the evening with Mom, Dad, Grandma Corrine and Grandpa Ibrahim, and, by extension, Sofia, Derek, Hunter, and the rest of the “old boys club.” Because of my magical upbringing, I was more comfortable with the elders, rather than those my age. Elonora and I got along great. By most standards, we were pretty much besties. We’d hit it off since we were kids, probably because we were weirdly different from the rest of The Shade.

I’d spent a lot of time traveling and spending time with the humans, while Elonora had practically grown up in Nevertide, prior to moving to The Shade, where she’d fallen for the humans’ way of life. We’d both had dreams of going out in the world and living in their societies. Our favorite spot was New Orleans. But life had this way of throwing us off the path and making us change our direction. Elonora was the first to choose GASP over humans a few years back, shortly after Connor broke her heart. It took me longer to put New Orleans aside—everything changed for me when I met Lumi and understood the power of the Word.

Swamp witch magic resonated with me in ways I’d never thought possible. Over the last three months, Lumi had been patiently grooming me to join her as an apprentice. At first, she’d asked me directly if I wanted to follow the path of the Word. She’d said I had the spark, the talent, and the resilience required for such an endeavor. She’d also told me to take as much time as I needed before I committed. In the meantime, however, she’d started teaching me.

My sessions with Lumi kept me away from The Shade for longer than usual. My mom and dad had noticed my frequent visits to Calliope, but they didn’t say anything. Mom always said that I should only do what made me happy, as long as it didn’t infringe on the happiness and wellbeing of others. So she didn’t ask too many questions. I had a feeling that, deep down, she and Dad knew.

I didn’t tell Grandma Corrine much about my sessions with Lumi, either. But she didn’t seem too happy about me spending so much time with a swamp witch. I wasn’t sure why, since she and Lumi had become close friends, but I’d made a decision the night before regarding my path, so I wanted to take advantage of the party to tell the family altogether. With parents and grandparents present, I figured their reactions would be contained by the size of the crowd—so they wouldn’t get too vocal or overreact. I wasn’t very good at guessing their potential reactions. In a way, I felt like the party was a good place to open this can of worms, especially since Grandma Mona and Grandpa Kiev were away. I knew Grandma Mona would’ve had something to say about my choice, too, and I wanted to first start with Grandma Corrine and Grandpa Ibrahim.

The only one who knew all the details of my work with Lumi and my plans was Hunter. Sofia’s adopted brother, a white werewolf, was my best and closest friend. We’d practically grown up together, and he knew me better than most. He understood each and every one of my quirks, accepting me for who I was, no questions asked. He knew how much swamp witch magic had come to mean to me. He’d listened to me drone on and on about it, from the first day I’d met Lumi.

And, as I stood there with him, my parents, my grandparents, Sofia, Derek, and Aiden, I frequently sought Hunter’s gaze for an ounce of comfort. I was getting more nervous, the closer I got to making my announcement.

“Have you spoken to Lumi lately?” Grandma Corrine asked me.

The half-smile she wore told me that question had a deeper meaning, as if she knew what I’d been doing with Lumi. I felt a little guilty for not telling her and Grandpa Ibrahim or my parents about it, but I’d decided to keep it all to myself until I made a decision about the apprenticeship. That was a choice I didn’t regret.

“I saw her yesterday,” I replied, taking a sip from my fruity cocktail drink.

The crowd buzzed around us. Strings of laughter, conversation snippets, and musical notes from nearby speakers undulated across The Shade extension. The place looked and felt so alive, it filled me to the brim with pure white energy—the kind that made me move mountains and reach for the stars. It put me in a good mood.

“You know, you’ve been spending a lot of time with her lately. Don’t think I haven’t noticed,” she said, then looked at Mom and Dad, slightly amused. “I’m guessing you two are aware of this?”

Mom and Dad glanced at each other, then gave Grandma a pair of nods and smiles in return.

“Kailani is a big girl and a capable witch,” Mom replied. “She knows what she’s doing, and she also knows I’m here if she ever wants to talk,” she added, looking at me.

I loved Mom for that. She’d not once pressured me to do anything I didn’t want to. She’d let me go out into the human world on my own when I turned sixteen. She knew I was perfectly capable of taking care of myself. In all fairness, I’d proven that repeatedly while growing up. After all, I was one of the youngest supernaturals to be accepted into GASP at the time.

“Does Mona know?” Corrine asked, pursing her lips.

“Well, she and Grandpa Kiev are away,” I replied. “We’ll catch up when they’re back, of course.”

Derek and Sofia looked a bit confused as they watched the exchange. I took a deep breath. It was time to tell them.

“I actually wanted to talk to you all about something,” I added, my voice trembling slightly. I was nervous. Hunter briefly winked at me as a form of encouragement. “About Lumi, that is.”

I had my family’s full attention now. Grandma Corrine was amazing, and I looked up to her. I’d grown up wanting to be like her, Mona, and Mom. But sometimes we did butt heads, probably because we were equally opinionated and ambitious, always speaking our minds even when it made the others feel uncomfortable.

“You see, Lumi has been teaching me swamp witch magic for the past three months,” I continued, carefully watching the expressions around me. I tucked one of my long, dark brown curls behind my ear, then smiled. “She asked me if I would be interested in becoming her apprentice and learning the power of the Word,” I added. “Last night, I decided to say yes.”

A couple of seconds passed in heavy silence. Mom and Dad didn’t seem shocked. They didn’t seem much of anything, really. They didn’t show any emotion, but they listened, quietly. Grandma Corrine, on the other hand, didn’t look happy. Grandpa Ibrahim had an eyebrow raised, as if waiting for me to explain myself. Derek and Sofia were surprised, though not necessarily in a bad way. Hunter just smiled. It warmed me up on the inside, knowing that I could count on him for stuff like this.

We’d talked about it before, even prior to the party. He’d said something that had stuck with me—if I didn’t tell them now, as soon as I made the decision, I would give them the impression that I wasn’t happy with said decision, or not sure of my choice at all. Determination had become one of my most well-known personality traits among the Shadians. I had to live up to it.

But I’d already felt Grandma Corrine’s skepticism about my involvement with swamp witch magic. She didn’t even have to say anything, specifically. It was written all over her face whenever I came back from a session with Lumi, and it made it difficult for me to speak up.

“You’re telling me you want to become a swamp witch?” Grandma Corrine asked, her tone clipped and her face straight.

I nodded. “Yes. I know it’s a long journey, with lots of trials and tribulations. But I love Lumi’s craft. I’m amazed by what one can accomplish, just with words, once they’ve connected to this power. I want that for myself,” I explained. “It just… feels right. I mean, I’m already a witch, and I know my way around magic. Taking in the power of the Word would basically amplify what I can already do. I could help so many people with it.”

Grandma Corrine scoffed, but Mom was quick to intervene, gently squeezing my shoulder. “Are you sure about this, honey? Do you fully understand what the implications are, what it takes for you to become a swamp witch? Because we don’t,” she said. “Lumi keeps the induction rituals secret, as part of tradition. But I’m hoping she has told you, at least.”

“I doubt you know what you’re getting yourself into, sweetie,” Grandma Corrine interjected. Now, I was truly thankful that I’d kept Grandma Mona out of this conversation. I was going to have to go through the same process once she was back, but if I didn’t get Grandma Corrine on my side, chances were I wouldn’t get Grandma Mona, either. I listened carefully, though, as Grandma Corrine spoke. “I’m not sure you understand the sacrifices you’ll have to make for this. The one thing I do know about swamp witch magic is that, once you go down that road, you can never come back.”

“I know, Grandma,” I replied. “And rest assured, she’s told me everything I need to know to begin my journey. I’m confident I can pull this off.”

“I trust your judgment, honey,” Mom said, smiling. “And, whatever you choose to do with your life, I’m behind you. As long as—”

“As long as it doesn’t infringe on the happiness and wellbeing of others.” I chuckled softly. “I know, Mom. Thank you,” I added, then looked at Grandma Corrine. “I need you to trust me on this.”

Corrine exhaled sharply, then crossed her arms. I could almost feel her closing up. She wasn’t convinced, but I needed her to be okay with this.

“Can you tell me what the induction rituals are about?” she asked. “I’ll feel a lot better if I know what she’s going to put you through.”

“What if you don’t like the rituals? Do you think you’ll be able to stop her from doing what she clearly wants to do?” Lumi cut in.

My heart jumped. I hadn’t even seen her approach us. Judging by the surprised looks on the others’ faces, they hadn’t spotted her, either, until she stood by my side. Grandma Corrine gave her a polite nod and a brief smile.

“I doubt I would ever be able to get between Kailani and whatever objective she sets for herself,” Grandma Corrine said. “But I’d like to sleep a little better at night, knowing what she’s about to get herself into.”

“You know it doesn’t work like that,” Lumi replied. She then looked at me, her bluish-white eyes leaving puncture marks on my soul. She had this way of demanding my attention. “Kailani has been made aware of what the transition ritual entails. And I’m glad to hear she decided to accept my proposal. I wasn’t aware until now.”

I smiled, then shrugged lightly. “Sorry, I just wanted to tell my family first.”

“As you should,” Lumi replied. “It’s an important decision.”

Grandma Corrine groaned slightly. “Will it be safe?”

“Corrine, I doubt Lumi would let anything happen to Kailani,” Derek cut in. “She’s a friend and a partner of GASP.”

“The journey is not without its perils,” Lumi said. “But it’s something that Kailani is willing to undertake. Becoming a swamp witch requires some level of sacrifice, but it will be between Kailani and the Word to agree on what that entails.”

“What sacrifice did you have to make to become a swamp witch, then?” Grandma Corrine asked.

Lumi sighed. “Relax, Corrine, I didn’t give up a kidney or anything like that,” she replied, then chuckled softly. “The traditions and my choices are a secret. They are strictly between me and the Word. The same will be true with Kailani when she connects with its power for the first time. A deal will be made. Terms will be agreed upon. And Kailani will have the option to say no, should she consider the price too high for her to pay.”

“Grandma, please,” I said, frowning. “You know me. You know I’m not impulsive. I thought about this a lot before even making the decision. But I’ve already seen what swamp witch magic can do. I can’t get it out of my head. It just… It feels right for me, down to my very core. Can you please just trust me on this?”

“Corrine, I’m pretty sure we’ve become friends in the time since we first met,” Lumi chimed in. “I say this from the bottom of my heart: I would never put Kailani, blood of your blood, in a life-threatening situation. Ever. Arwen and Brock have raised her well, and your influence on her, Mona and Ibrahim’s as well, are indisputable. My craft would simply amplify all that and take her to the next level. There is greatness in Kailani’s path. I only wish to get her there.”

“But you do get something out of this,” Corrine replied, grinning.

“Of course,” Lumi agreed. “I get a disciple. I get to perpetuate the power of the Word. My magic will not die with me. I’ll have an heir. You know we don’t live forever, Corrine. We do have a lot of time in this world, and we have to make it count for something. I refuse to go out as the last of my kind. And Kailani has what it takes to become a superb swamp witch.”

Just then, I caught movement somewhere behind Hunter. A beautiful succubus passed by, her hourglass figure splendidly clad in black silk. She must’ve unleashed her nature on him, because I could see Hunter’s pupils dilate and his nostrils flare. He caught her scent. And something tugged at my heart.

“Can you promise me that you won’t let anything happen to her?” Corrine asked Lumi.

Mom, on the other hand, was clearly getting tired of this. “Come on, Mom. Life is dangerous. Our choices are dangerous. Sometimes, they get us killed,” she said. “That doesn’t mean I like it or that I’m comfortable with it, but I’m confident I raised a whip-smart witch who knows what she’s doing and will not get herself killed in perfectly avoidable scenarios. I refuse to believe otherwise. You should give Kale a bit more credit, like you did with me when I was her age and just as hard-headed.”

Dad chuckled softly, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. Grandma Corrine smirked, her eyes glimmering as she probably remembered the exact moments that Mom had just referenced.

“Besides, I can’t promise you that,” Lumi replied. “Only Kailani can do that. This will be her trial, her choices. Not mine.”

Grandma Corrine nodded slowly, gradually internalizing the entire conversation. I had a hard time concentrating at that point, as, for some reason, I couldn’t take my eyes off Hunter. The succubus passed by him. Her presence and her scent made him turn his head.

Their gazes locked on one another, and, a split second later, I watched Hunter quietly leave our group and proceed to chase the succubus through the party crowd. My stomach churned.

“Kale, can you do me just one favor?” Grandma Corrine asked, demanding my attention.

I tore my eyes off Hunter, letting him vanish into the sea of supernaturals present, and gave her a weak smile. “Sure,” I murmured.

“If it feels wrong, or… I don’t know, too dangerous, will you promise me to step back and really think about whether it’s worth it?” she replied. “I understand you’re crazy about swamp witch magic, but I’m hoping you’ve got enough sense not to let it take over and push you over the edge.”

“So we’re kind of agreeing to disagree here, then,” I said, putting on a playful smirk.

Grandma Corrine grumbled something, then shook her head slowly, scowling at me. “Can you just promise me that?”

“Yes. I promise,” I replied, then stepped forward and hugged her. She wrapped her arms around me and held me tight. Seconds later, Grandpa Ibrahim, Mom, and Dad joined in, squishing Grandma and me between them.

We laughed as we separated, with Mom caressing my cheek.

“You know I’m proud of you no matter what, right?” she asked.

“Yup,” I replied, feeling my heart swell with all the love I had for her. Mom had been my forcefield growing up. She’d held me when I couldn’t stand. She’d raised and nurtured me—I was who I was thanks to her. “And you know I will never do something to hurt you or cause you any kind of grief, right?” I asked her, and she replied with a nod. I then shifted my focus back to Grandma Corrine. “That goes for you, too, you know!”

“Yeah, yeah,” Corrine muttered.

“Whatever you decide, Kailani, you have our full support,” Sofia said.

“I’ll have a talk with Mona when she’s back,” Corrine grumbled, crossing her arms. “She’ll need to hear this from me, first.”

“Thanks, Grandma,” I murmured, giving her a soft smile.

I looked around and found myself surrounded by some truly amazing people. I’d spent my whole life looking up to them, emulating them, and sharpening my own goals in life. My mission was to leave a mark on the world, to do great things and to help people, to be free and happy, and, at the same time, to change lives along the way.

Swamp witch magic felt like one of the most perfect tools to assist me in this endeavor. I gave Lumi a brief glance, then smiled, thankful to have her and my family. I was one lucky witch!

About ten minutes later, I excused myself and left the group behind to get a refill on my fruity cocktail. I made my way to one of the more secluded bars that had been temporarily fitted inside the ocean-facing glass units. The lines weren’t that long there, and there were plenty of quiet corners where I could just retire for five minutes.

I took a sip from my freshly mixed drink, then went on a short search for the perfect nook overlooking the ocean—a quiet spot for me to take a few deep breaths and be thankful to the universe for making my announcement much more pleasant than I’d expected. It hadn’t been easy, but it hadn’t left room for any family tension, either.

The night sky was covered in stars. The moon watched over me, casting its milky light across the rippling ocean waters. A couple of deep breaths later, I found that I was at peace with my decision. Most importantly, I’d let my family know. I’d already started learning the craft, but I’d just made it official. There was a trial coming. I was going to become a swamp witch and increase Lumi’s coven of one to two. It felt good.

A giggle reached my ears, followed by a low growl.

I couldn’t help but frown as I looked around, wondering who was ruining my little moment of peace and quiet. I walked along the edge of the terrace, which connected all the units on that extension wing. There were twenty- to thirty-foot-wide spaces between the new homes, with greenery and flowerpots scattered here and there.

The farther I walked, the louder the giggles got.

Something clawed at my stomach as I recognized the growl. It was low, guttural, and just a tad raspy. That was unmistakably Hunter. I’d grown up with him. I could spot or hear him anywhere, at any time.

I found him just around the corner, hidden between two units and further secluded by a decorative potted fern. He was making out with the succubus I’d seen earlier. Those were growls of pleasure that I’d been hearing. Her skin glimmered silver as his hands moved up and down her body. He’d hidden his face in her hair, nipping at the side of her neck.

I froze. My heart stopped. My blood ran hot and cold at the same time. I couldn’t move, yet I desperately wanted to get out of there. I hated what I was seeing, though I shouldn’t have felt that way. Hunter and I were best friends. There had never been anything romantic between us. Not even a hint.

In all fairness, I’d always had a soft spot for him, but I’d pushed that back a long time ago. I was supposed to have gotten over him, already. He’d always referred to me as his best friend. I’d met his previous girlfriends. As the years went by, he’d listened to me drone on about my high school crushes. I’d heard his tales of conquering the ladies of the Vale. It had hurt a little, somewhere deep down, but not once had I felt as awkward and as betrayed as I felt in that moment.

Right then and there, I’d been brutally faced with an unpleasant truth: I still had feelings for Hunter, feelings I’d never told anyone about. Feelings I’d thought—or hoped—were gone.

The succubus stilled, her gaze finding mine.

All of a sudden, my heart went back on, galloping like an indigo horse. I broke into a cold sweat as Hunter noticed the succubus’s stiffness and raised his head. He saw me and turned pale.

I felt horrible for being there. I could almost feel myself slide into damage-control mode, as I thought of a way out.

“Kale.” His brow slowly furrowed.

I opened my mouth to say something, but the words just wouldn’t come. The succubus raised an eyebrow at me. She clearly wasn’t happy to see me. I’d just ruined a good moment for them. I took a couple of steps back, until I felt the terrace’s steel railing against me.

“S-Sorry,” I managed. “I… I didn’t know you were here. Sorry.”

My cheeks burned. I couldn’t even bear to look at Hunter anymore. The look in his blue eyes confused me even more. I dashed away, retracing my steps back to the bar, eager to return to the party, to mingle with as many creatures as possible and to forget about what I had just seen.

The claws kept tearing through my stomach, so I gulped the rest of my drink down and headed straight for the bar, aiming for a third. It did temporarily soothe my discomfort, so there were benefits to having another fruity cocktail, given the circumstances.

I was so overwhelmed by the plethora of thoughts storming through my head that I didn’t even hear the footsteps behind me.

“Kale, wait,” Hunter breathed, then caught my arm.

I stilled, just twenty yards away from the bar. To my left, the ocean trembled and murmured in the night. To my right, floor-to-ceiling glass windows offered a prime view of one of the new living units. Beyond that, I could see the decorative torches and the hundreds of supernaturals enjoying the party—laughing, talking, and drinking.

And I was stuck there, on the terrace, feeling suddenly miserable and not ready to accept that I still had feelings for Hunter.

“What’s up?” I asked, my voice noticeably pitchy. I cleared my throat and turned around, just as Hunter let go of my arm.

All of a sudden, I felt awkward and out of place, comparing myself to the succubus for some reason. I didn’t look half as good as she did in that black silk dress. I’d opted for a short, coral-red cocktail dress and sparkly heels. I didn’t have legs for days like she did, but I could hold my own. Hunter was three times my size, his muscular frame towering over me. His navy-blue suit, complete with a crisp white shirt, had been tailored to fit him perfectly, hugging his large figure.

I could see why the succubus had been attracted to him. I could also see why he’d been attracted to her. My only problem was, why did I feel so bad about all this? Why was I comparing myself to her? What the hell had gotten into me? You were supposed to be over this!

“Are you okay?” Hunter asked, his voice low and gruff.

It tickled my throat. “Yeah. Sorry I disturbed you,” I murmured. “I… I didn’t know you were there.”

“No, no, I’m sorry. I… I guess I should’ve been more careful,” he replied.

“With what? It’s not like you were hiding from me,” I shot back, instantly going into a defensive mode I knew I’d have trouble coming back from. “You can obviously do whatever you want, whenever, with whomever you want,” I added, then chuckled nervously. “It’s not like we’re together.”

Hunter didn’t say anything, but his pupils dilated as he looked at me. Within seconds, his eyes went from cool blue to deep black, and it nearly cut off my breath.

“Dude, it’s fine,” I added, further cementing myself into a friendzone I seemed to not like anymore. “You go back and, you know, do your thing.” I grinned. “I need to freshen this up, anyway,” I added, raising my empty glass. “Later, tater.”

I didn’t give him a chance to reply.

I walked away, holding my breath and focusing on the sound of my sandal heels clicking against the wooden floor. My heart was throbbing. My temperature was off the rails. This time, however, he didn’t come after me again.

Hunter had his way with the ladies—that much I had known since his first crush on a female werewolf when he was fourteen. The years had been kind to him, and he’d grown into a gorgeous creature, with short blond hair, chilling blue eyes, and the kind of square jaw they wrote stories about.

I knew he was a heartthrob. And yet, that evening… it didn’t sit well with me.