I couldn't believe that I was in the same room with two of the most powerful witches of our time. As Tristan said, I had to give myself credit. Each of us had our own unique gifts, distinct powers, and expertise in practicing magic.

Alessia specialized in elemental magic. Aris had been focusing on harnessing energy to perfect her recent foray into white magic. I had mastered ceremonial and blood magic. And together, we’d complete the circle.

We were in the basement of Tristan’s estate. Devin and Tristan were standing in the background in the same room, and of course, Dawson wasn’t going to let his mate do anything dangerous either, so he was there as well.

It took most people years to earn the level of trust we were going to give each other, but given the time limit, we needed to approach this from a non-self-serving standpoint.

“Other than Elisa, this is the first time I’ve met others with so much power,” Aris noted.

Alessia smiled. “I can’t believe you’re my family. Technically, you’d be my aunt, but you’re not even older than I am.”

Aris grinned. “It’s great to know that I have a sane relative left in the world.”

“Family extends deeper than blood, Aris. I learned that when I met Dawson’s pack. Devin is kind and protective. Elisa is extremely patient and smart. When I was trying to understand my magic, she helped me a lot, even when she didn’t understand it all. We figured it out together. My magic works differently from hers and vice versa,” Alessia told her.

“Makes sense,” Aris said, and then pointed to some words in a book I had placed on a stand earlier. “I’ve done a spell like this before but with different elements. Caedmon spells are a little different than the common spells I’ve learned here and there.”

“You’ve met other witches before?” Alessia asked.

Aris nodded. ”Oh yes…they're all over the world. Many bloodlines spread out between continents. As I said, none of them were like you or Elisa. They relied on witchcraft, common spells, and natural elements more than the spirits.”

“Where did you live? After the orphanage?” Alessia asked.

“Everywhere.” Aris smiled. “Traveling was what kept me happy and my mind off being without a family. I tried to avoid witches and I stayed away from shifters, of course.”

“Well, you don’t have anything to worry about the shifters in our packs…if you want to stay and learn,” Elisa said.

Aris looked around shyly, her gaze darting back and forth between the men who were pretending not to listen. She sighed, and then said, “Remember when I told you I think I’m like you when it comes to seeking independence? You had your freedom when you were attending college and traveling and bidding on artifacts at the same time. I want the same. I don’t like staying in one place. I actually like to travel.”

“That was before I saw the value in staying with my mate,” I told her. “But I still travel. Marriage won’t stop me from doing that.”

“Yes. But…I guess we are different. I’m not a shifter. There’s no such thing as a true mate for me. According to tradition, I’m just a lone witch who may never find her husband. And if I do find him, I don’t think I want him to be burdened with my magic or afraid of it.”

I thought back on what Aris said about wanting to be free of her powers. I placed my hand on her shoulder. “You were alone before while trying to understand your powers. I’m honestly in awe that you learned so much without the help of an elder. Maybe if you weren’t alone anymore, you’d welcome your powers with open arms. You just told us that you used your magic throughout your travels to help people. Don’t you still want to help people?”

”Yes, but there's a dark side as well. My blood is tainted with black magic. I've delved into it before on my own. Trust me. It's not something I want to have access to my entire life,” Aris said.

“Well you’re in control of your life. You can be in control of your magic too. The dark side never needs to surface. Not unless you want it to,” I replied. “I never told you the story about how I inherited my dark magic. I don’t tell it often as I’m sure it would scare some of us.”

Aris shook her head.

“When I was taken by an Osborne—one of your much older evil sisters, to be exact—she tried to steal my magic. She tried to siphon everything in me. Tristan and Devin had her tracked and we were able to end her. As she was fading away, I reversed the spell she executed that night. All my magic came back to me. Including hers. Including the dark magic. I don't delve into that kind of magic. I could if I wanted to, but there’s so much more to me than that.” I placed my hand on Aris’s shoulder. “You have nothing to be afraid of when it comes to something you can control.”

“But your mates don’t trust me,” Aris commented. “When I drove to the estate, the shifters looked at me like they wanted to eat me or something.”

Alessia chuckled. “We’re witches. Don’t you know what we’re capable of doing to them? They didn’t trust me either when I first met Dawson.”

“But Dawson is your true mate. He instantly knew your true intentions,” Aris countered. ”I have to work extra hard to prove myself.”

“So much has happened in the packs. None of our leaders trust easily, but that’s why we’re here. To show them the way. My visions have revealed this. As it began centuries ago, the witches were very much a part of the Caedmon pack. In the future, witches like you, me, and Alessia will be the guardians of the shifters.”

“Guardians?” Aris laughed softly. “I’m too young to guard anything.”

“Well, it’s a good thing you have many years to learn,” I said.

I held out both my hands. “Ladies? It’s time to bound the circle.” They took my hands and I looked behind me at the men. Reluctantly, they gathered up their drinks and left the room.