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41
‘Stupid heart,’ I thought. Why’d it jump at the idea of Clyde liking me, too? I was with Aiden, anyway. It wasn’t right for me to have these kinds of thoughts.

“It is true,” Aurora added somberly. “You will be very hard-pressed to convince anyone to accept peace at the time being. No, this will be more of a natural process, Aria, not an all-at-once solution.”

“Simply keep doing what you’re doing now, kiddo,” Dia added with a chuckle. “You’ve already made nice with Aiden’s family, and certain members of Duskfall certainly hold you in respect after helping to find their traitor.”

As if spurred on by bad memories, Clyde finally joined us on the couches, making sure to sit directly beside me as a ‘friendly’ arm found its way around my shoulders. “Hey, in that case, you have to come to the Quadrilateral Ball, now!”

I blinked, glancing towards Aiden for more information. He looked clearly uncomfortable, squirming slightly in his seat before downing the rest of his tea. “It--that’s the fancy party I told you about earlier. The one we agreed would be a bad idea for her to go to?” he added, shooting daggers Clyde’s way.

“If she’s gonna be the Custodian any way, she’s gonna have to start hanging out with our packs more,” Clyde argued. “Besides, her Dad’s been there plenty of times, and everyone was cool with it.”

“I don’t know if I’d call, ‘tip-toeing on the edge of a fist-fight’ being cool with it,” Aiden said. “And if someone did try and make a move against him, Mr. Harvey could defend himself. Aria,” He paused, suddenly realizing the hole he’d just thrown himself into.

I shot him a scowl, then turned towards Aurora to speak. “You can do some kind of protection spell on me, right? Douse me in some anti-wolf smell, or something?”

Aurora chuckled lightly. “I could, yes.”

“I had completely forgotten about the ball!” Dia exclaimed. “Yes, I think that would be a perfect opportunity to introduce you as the Custodian, Aria. And it would be the perfect time to start the search for your mates, too.”

Neither of the witches seemed phased at all by what was just spoken into existence. I, however, was fully aware, tea cup partially raised before the full weight of that sentence hit me upside the head. I just about dropped my cup to the floor--Aiden straight-up did--and as the porcelain bounced across the carpet and rolled beneath the couch, all three of us just stared at Dia, hoping she’d elaborate.

She did not.

“W-Wait, wait, back up,” Clyde stammered out first. “You’re searching for what, now?”

The witches exchanged a look with each other, like we were the ones acting crazy all of a sudden. “Mates, Mr Ayers,” Dia repeated. “Lovers, romantic partners--it will very likely be a poligimous relationship, but I’m certain Aria will be more than qualified to--”

“I’m sorry, what?” That familiar static once more overtook my brain as panic turned to anger in my voice. “You--y-you’re not seriously suggesting I get with two random boys, do you?”

I turned desperately to Aiden, staring at that blank expression on his face. All at once, Vanessa’s words came back to me; a doomed love life, she’d said. This had to have been what she meant by that.

“It is what the prophecy suggests, after all,” Aurora began.

“Like hell it does!” I grab the journal in both hands now, staring intently at the page as panic built in my chest. “Look! It j-just shows the two lycanthrope clans on either side of me! Th-that doesn’t mean it’s two specific people I’m s-supposed to--t-to…” My voice trailed off, mouth too dry to continue the sentence.

“When the prophecy became aware of your part, did it not elect to paint your image?” Aurora asked. “There is no reason to assume it wouldn’t do otherwise with the two lycanthropes beside you.”

“Visually-speaking, prophecies are a bit of a one-trick pony,” Dia added with a laugh. “So, it’s very safe to say that we’re looking for two, specific lycanthrope, both from the respective packs. And that makes sense, given the nature of this prophecy, right? Division usually settles itself through unification of some sort.”

This was not happening. Some million year old book did not just decide who I was going to end up with in life. Not even a who--a whom--two people who destiny itself said would share in my future as some bringer of peace between people not interested in the concept. Two people I’d share a kiss with, stand at the altar with one day--oh my God, would we all share beds? Would they just take turns with me every other day? How would dates not feel like third-wheeling one of them, or sensual moments, or--o-or--!

“I think we’re done here.” Clyde stood, grabbing my arm as he forced me upright as well. I couldn’t help but wince slightly, surprised at how suddenly he wanted to leave. “Aiden?”

He nodded as well, though as he stood, he made sure to gently pry me away from Clyde’s grip. I let myself lean into his chest, rubbing my somewhat reddened arm. The witches simply exchanged looks, Dia rising as well as she held the journal out towards me.

I didn’t really want it, though.

“It will be important for you to carry this,” Dia insisted. “Once you get into contact with your mates, their images will etch themselves into the page.”

Hesitantly, I reached out and accepted the journal. With a satisfied nod, Dia sat back down and scooped up her cup of tea. Somehow, in all the time that had passed, it was still visibly steaming.

“I understand this is quite a bit to process,” Aurora said. “So do take your time and discuss this with your father.”

“But we implore you to attend the ball tonight,” Dia added. “It’s imperative you discover your mates as soon as possible.”

Wordlessly, all three of us left their office, struggling to get through the library without completely losing it. I practically relied on Aiden to keep me walking forward; it felt like my legs would give out at any moment.

Epilogue  

D

ia Circoni wasn’t one who often took interest in sports. Which was why, on this particular Saturday evening, she had tucked herself away within the cozy confines of her library, catching up on a bit of light reading.

“Oh, Mr. Leland,” she chuckled as she thumbed through the pages. “You certainly have a wild imagination about our culture.”

Her ears pricked slightly at the creaking of her door, followed soon after by the closing of her book. She sighed, gently taking in the sweet scent that filled her study before calling out, “Aurora, is that you?”

The school’s nurse appeared in the chair beside Dia’s, a cup of tea in hand as she smiled lightly. “Oh, I could never fool you, could I?”

Dia set her book on a nearby lamp desk, the title, Gospel of Witches just barely visible under the soft glow the room always emanated. “Any left for me?” she asked.

An almost childish giggle slipped out from Aurora as she plucked one of the many flowers from her hair. The leaves slowly molded into a cup as the petals melted into liquid, small curls of steam soon drifting past the rim. “So? What do you think of it all?” she asked, gently sending the cup floating over to her companion.