NALEDI’S POV
One order. Two words.
That was all it took for the most pleasant scent of earth and flowers to fill my senses. So much so that I doubled back in shock. Another peculiar thing was that I could tell exactly where they were coming from.
Marcus.
It was all Marcus. His scent wrapped the air like a proud peacock and that’s when I felt it. His essence. Earth. So much earth that it felt like I walked into the woods. Wild earthy scents mixed with the allure of beautiful sweet flowers.
“Your essence.” I gasped in a small voice, basking in its regal glory. “It’s beautiful.”
That was the only word I could manage.
“I never want you to hide your essence. It’s so intoxicating, and unforgettable. Does all witches have this kind of essence?” I asked, barely able to contain myself.
“Exactly why it needs to be hidden,” Caellm said and suddenly I felt his essence diminish.
I mourned the loss of the paradise it exuded, and couldn’t help the accusation in my eyes as I said, “You hid it again.”
“Every witch’s essence is different.” Marcus lectured like he hadn’t just robbed me of my little paradise. “Like I said earlier, we are servants of nature and nature decides what our essence would be made of.”
I was confused, “What?”
“My essence is rich in the earth. The soil. plants, and if you looked deeper, a little water. That is because nature decided to give me that combination,” He pursed his lips, “And as far as I know, my powers are from the earth.”
Caellum must have noticed my fool’s gaze because he translated most rudely. “His powers are drawn from the earth. From natural sources, plants, soil, try to keep up.” He gritted.
I nodded my head, not before sending Caaellum the snarkiest look.
“That explains your rich earth scent.” A bulb went off my head. “And the need to cause a distraction when I was suddenly out of sight. Does this mean your powers are limited to your access or nearness to the earth?”
Everywhere suddenly went silent. That meant I was guessing the truth, or something close to the truth.
“For someone who was having a problem understanding the concepts of witches and their powers, you sure are getting ahead of yourself.” That was Caellum.
I gave him the look. “I was curious, and I made up things that made a bit of sense. Sue me.”
“You are right.” Came Marcus’ reply. “My powers are from nature. And with nature, there is always a balance. Making no one invincible.”
I nodded my head, unable to speak. I hadn’t expected him to fess up to me. But I appreciated his trust in me. Something Caellum lacked.
“Is it my turn yet?” Korah suddenly spoke, barely hiding her excitement.
“Sure,” Caellum said, and I couldn’t help but detect a fondness in his eyes as he guarded her. “Unveil yourself, Korah.”
He didn’t need to say it twice.
The next second we were covered in a very warm atmosphere. At first, it was so much, like standing before a boiling cauldron. Until it suddenly started diminishing, until it was a gracing in the face.
A perfect summer weather.
Just when I thought that was all to it, I saw a white glow around her and a fresh wind cooled the atmosphere. It felt like a windy furnace around, and it gave off a dangerous feel. A perfect combination of the fierceness of fire and the coolness of wind.
“Fire and wind.” She said. “Those are my elements. More of fire because I was born a fire elemental witch but the wind, I’ve learned to control best.”
I nodded my head, impressed by the lady beside me. One would think she was ordinary. But I knew, trust me, I knew first-hand how destructive and powerful her powers were. If last night’s fire were anything to tell of her abilities, I needed to keep myself in check.
Especially my darned mouth.
“Korah had her powers locked for a long time. So she’s fairly new to using it, and thus her essence is still lacking.” Marcus gauged her with a look I couldn’t pinpoint. “With time and learning, she will be able to master the four elements.”
That took me by surprise. “Is that ability a given for all withes?”
Caellum shook his head. “Every servant of nature is born with given abilities and have limitations, which grants them the ability to only control the elements they were born with.”
Marcus chipped in. “For me, I am an earth warlock, given the gift to also be a water elemental. However, those are the only things I can control.”
“But for me, I can learn all four. Because I am not just a witch, but a favoured one.” Korah said. “I am able to control all four elements. If I put in enough work and practice of course.” She added when she saw my widened eyes. “I’m not there yet so I could basically pass off as a witch.”
“A witch with so much potential,” Marcus said. Again with those eyes he reserved for Korah, who blushed in oblivion.
“Marcus is teaching me to hone my skills. Everything I am capable of, he taught me.” She said, a bit too fondly if you asked me.
I looked at them with narrowed eyes. Then locked eyes with Caellum. If the slight tilt of his lips was anything to go by, then he saw the exact thing I thought I was seeing.
“I feel like I’m meeting you two for the first time.” I voiced exactly how I felt.
The atmosphere soon became normal. This time, I could sense both their auras but it wasn’t at full blast. It seemed like it was toned down a bit. Not so that I didn’t know what they were but little enough that it didn’t scream ‘We are witches.’
“Not to be the bearer of bad news but you’ve only met the suppressed version of them. Most of the time while they were concealed, they were too busy trying to keep up the appearance, to show an authentic version of themselves.” Caellum said,
“Agreed!” Korah said, “Concealing oneself is honestly so suffocating. I don’t know how Marcus handles himself, going months on a roll.”
By being an ass. I said in my heart, sporting a lax smile. “If that’s the case, then nice to meet you. Marcus, Korah.”
“Great. Now that’s settled. Let’s talk about more important things.” Caellum said, and I narrowed my eyes.
“And what is that?”
“Your next appearance as Amara Cordel.”