The Coven--The Transformation: The Coven Series, #2

By Ashlynn Stone

Book Two of the Coven Series!

Aurora Washington is terrified! King Alex Barrington is aware that she knows about The Tacitus Coven and forces her to choose between two life-altering decisions. She can either marry Prince James Barrington, transform into a Tacitus and live a thousand-years, or choose certain death.

Her decision is obvious, but it doesn't come easy. As she nervously prepares for her new life as the future Princess of the Tacitus Coven, she loses someone close to her. Aurora fears it is the same killer that she, her partner, Detective Drew Cameron, and an entire task force, have spent thousands of hours desperately searching for—the identity which she has known all along but is not allowed to disclose to humans in order to protect The Coven.

Aurora struggles with the secrets she is forced to keep. She conforms to the Barrington lifestyle and deals with the vicious bullying that comes with it. She comes to terms with losing her humanity and prepares to say goodbye to her family. Since the deal Aurora made with the King of The Tacitus Coven has left her scared, overwhelmed, exhausted, and devastated, will she follow through with their agreement?

This must-read will fulfill your need for suspense, murder, and mystery. It is a page-turner that will leave you wanting more!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ashlynn Stone
• Release date: Jul 21, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393987802

Book preview

The Coven

The Transformation

By Ashlynn stone

THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION. The characters and events in this book are a creation of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual people, living or deceased, is not intended by the author and is purely coincidental.

Cover design by Ben Murphy, 2020

Photography by Kenzie Rhea Photography, 2018

Edited by Carolyn Legg, 2020

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form (e.g., electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recorded, scanning or otherwise,) without written and signed permission by the author.

Copyright © 2020 by Ashlynn Stone.

All rights reserved.

A Special Thanks

A BIG THANK YOU TO you—my readers—for continuing The Tacitus journey with me.

Thank you, Carol Haight, Maggie Knight, Dana Conners, Jess Hastings, Dovenetta Johnson, Helen Jo Miller, and Marci Emery for all your beta reading help! I truly appreciate it!

Harlee Davidson—Thank you for taking the time you did to dissect this book and all the hours you spent on the phone with me going over it. You will never know how much you helped me!

My aunt, a retired Law Enforcement Officer—thank you for the many, many phone calls, asking for your expertise.

Bill Haight—I needed so much help with wording, and I’m sure I bugged the heck out of you with the dozens of 5:00 am phone calls. I can’t thank you enough for helping me each time!

Kenzie Walters—You have no idea how much I appreciate your help with creating terms. It was a lot of fun!

My editor, Carolyn Legg—The words thank you sound so small and insignificant compared to the help you’ve given me. You taught me so much about the craft that I’m working hard to perfect. Thank you, because there’s no way I could have done this without you! Title Earned!

My husband, Jake—Your help and encouragement motivated and allowed me to work at the speed I did. Thank you. I love you...7!

Fear doesn't shut you down. it wakes you up.

― Veronica Roth

Dedication

Mom,

Throughout my journey—writing and life—you have remained my #1 fan. I thank you... for everything you have ever done for me! You are my life’s beacon.

I love you,

Ash

Chapter One

The Agreement

ARE YOU GOING TO KILL me? I asked as I swung the door open for Alex Barrington, King of The Tacitus Coven.

The tall, stocky man smirked as he passed me, carrying himself like someone with authority. After he sat down, I took a seat in my purple chair. He eyed me as I picked at the skin around my cuticles. I quickly slid my hands under my thighs, embarrassed because he noticed. I’d never conversed with anyone who held such power and wealth. As King of his coven, he unknowingly commanded respect, leaving me intimidated.

He leaned his black briefcase against the couch. While sliding his crimson scarf from his neck, it brushed against the side of his head, forcing a few short, dark hairs out of place. He neatly folded the scarf and laid it on top of his briefcase before running his hands through his shiny hair to fix the out-of-place strays.

I wish not to waste your time, Ms. Washington. I will get right to the matter at hand. My son tells me that he has disclosed my coven’s secrets to you. James also tells me that you found something at a recent crime scene.

King Barrington referred to a triquetra necklace that I stole from a murder scene. The charm is the symbol of The Tacitus Coven. I feared it would lead police to my ex-fiancé, James, or to other members of The Coven. 

Having grown tired of hiding who he was, James shared The Coven’s secrets with me. That doesn’t sound like a big deal, but punishment for breaking The Tacitus’ first rule is termination. So, I needed to impress Alex, to somehow convince him not to kill me. I needed him to see that I would never share the knowledge I had about his coven.

Yes, sir, I said, pointing to the necklace on the coffee table.

While reaching for it, he asked, Why did you take it? The people of The Tacitus Coven thank you, but you are a police officer, so it is in your nature to turn it in as evidence.

I broke up with James months earlier because to be with him meant I’d have to transform into a Tacitus. Not only would my life span through a millennium, but I’d have to turn my back on my human life, including my family and the career I worked so hard to get. I loved James deeply, but my family and job meant the world to me.

Answering King Barrington’s question, I said, I thought it was James’ necklace. It looks just like his. I was afraid it could lead us, I mean, lead the task force, to him or your coven. I was so scared that it would identify James as the Vampire Killer.

Alex cocked his head. You are human, my child. Why do you care?

I shrugged. I understand your need for secrecy, and I didn’t want any of your coven members exposed. I couldn’t let that happen, especially to James.

I am sorry. I think there was a miscommunication. What I should have asked you was why you felt the need to protect us?

To be honest, Sir, I did it more to protect James than anything.

Alex pinched his brows together, trying to understand.

I still love him, I added.

A slight grin crossed his face. It gives me great pleasure to hear that. He held the necklace up and asked, Do you wish to turn it in now?

I shook my head. I can’t. I’d get fired. The federal government and CDC set up a task force to find The Vampire Killer. They’d consider that, I pointed to the necklace, to be a key piece of evidence. I’d be brought up on charges. I sighed and added, Not to mention they could find out The Vampire Killer is actually the entire coven. Should one of you get implicated, it could hurt your entire coven. Therefore, it would hurt James, and I couldn’t knowingly do anything to hurt him. 

May I call you Aurora?

I nodded.

Thank you. Aurora, please answer me with only truth.

I reached for my soda, and my trembling hand gave away my fear. My stomach rolled as I nodded.

In the same tone that a kindergarten teacher would speak to her students, he said, You are aware of the consequence you face from knowing what you do about The Tacitus people, correct?

Yes, sir, I said quietly with a nod.

And you are aware of James’ fate as well?

I sat straight, feigning confidence, and looked him in the eyes. I do, but please don’t punish him, I pleaded.

Alex leaned forward and said, You beg not for your life, but for my son’s, someone you are no longer committed to. He slowly nodded and said, I can see the depth of the love you still have for him.

Thinking of him killing his own son, just for explaining who he was, was crushing. A tear rolled down my cheek as I was reminded of the devastating pain I felt when a Tacitus murdered my best friend, Madeline, almost a year earlier.

I opened my mouth to say something, but instead of words coming out, a sob escaped instead.

I couldn’t let James get hurt. He couldn’t help who he was.

Please, do not shed tears, Alex said as he pulled a handkerchief from his suit jacket.

He reached over the coffee table to hand it to me. I wasn’t sure what he was doing, so I cowered back in my chair. He held his palms up, assuring me that he meant no harm. To keep me at ease, he gently placed it on the coffee table. Once I was certain he would remain seated, I grabbed the handkerchief and dried my cheeks.

When I put the cloth on the table again, he said, Last night, my son told me that if circumstances were different, your commitment to him would not have ceased?

Yes. That’s true.

He sighed and said, I come here today with an offer. Never has an offer like this been made, so I hope you do consider it.

The Tacitus Coven didn’t make offers. If a human learned of their secret, they ended up terminated. Dispatched. Killed. There was no compromising. What did I have that he could possibly want?

Wha—

My mouth was too dry to speak. I grabbed my Dr. Pepper. The liquid sloshed around in the glass as I raised it to my mouth. With my hands still trembling, I dribbled a few drops before lining the glass up perfectly with my lips.

Each chug eased the desert feeling in my mouth. Eventually, I cleared my throat and asked, What offer?

I am willing to spare your life, so long as James is by your side. My mouth parted, surprised he was willing to make an unheard-of exception, for me. Alex smirked at my shocked expression. For the offer to stand, you must do something for my coven.

Yes. Anything.

You are in the ideal position to help my coven. You must monitor the investigation and periodically report your findings back to us. Any evidence that could implicate us, you must steal and give directly to myself or James. 

I gently cocked my head. But, sir, I ended our relationship because I wanted to keep my family and career. Should I take your offer, am I allowed to remain human?

No, child. The knowledge you possess is too dangerous for The Tacitus Coven. I cannot permit you to remain human.

Not only was Alex asking me to ignore my Oath of Honor and break the law for The Coven’s gain, but the end result remained the same. I’d still have to give up my family, friends, and career. But most of all, once Alex stepped down, and James became king, I’d have no choice but to become Queen. 

Forgive me, but I don’t understand the difference between your offer and what James demanded from me if we stayed together. 

Alex harshly replied, There is an enormous difference, Aurora. Termination. My offer allows you to live.  

He brought up a good point. I didn’t want to die. Feigning enthusiasm, I said, Well, in that case, I happily accept your offer, sir. 

I’d been referring to him as sir a lot throughout our conversation. Even though it was a sign of respect, it was beginning to annoy me since he was a guest in my house, not my boss. I timidly hunched my shoulders and asked, Is there another way I may address you? 

His laughter echoed through my living room. My child, yes. You will be family soon. You may call me Alex. Once you marry, you may call me Father, if you wish.

I had no idea if I was supposed to reply, or what I was supposed to say. Thank you, Alex, was all I could think of.

Aurora, I need to make this clear. Alex arrogantly lifted his chin. Should I think you are not upholding your end of this generous offer, I will order for an Informant and, if need be, a Terman. He leaned towards me slightly and asked, Do you know the meanings to those terms?

Yes. James told me once. An Informant will warp me. I paused and remembered I made the word ‘warp’ up. I’m sorry. I meant to say an Informant will read my mind. A Terman would be ordered to kill me.

I see James has covered a lot with you. I was about to respond when he said, Now for what I have for you in return. My son has told me that you wished for two more human years before becoming a Tacitus. 

Yes, but James told me you would never agree to it.

Normally, Aurora, I would not. However, it will make my son happy, and it will protect my coven, so I will grant your request. After two years, you will become a member of The Tacitus Coven, and soon after, my son will take the throne. However, you must remain on the police force during those two years.

Shrugging, I timidly said, But, there’s one more thing I need to ask you.

Oh? he said in surprise. And what would that be, young one?

I’d like to get married to James while I’m human. I need the legal commitment before I change.

Tilting his head, he said, I must say Aurora, that is an unusual request. Why do you make it?

It’s going to sound stupid and petty.

I am interested to hear. Please tell me, Alex said reassuringly.

I rubbed the area where my engagement ring sat for only a few hours. I’ve seen women change the most important parts of themselves for a man. Then, for whatever reason, he ends the relationship. By that time, she’d become someone else, and when that happens, it’s almost impossible for someone to go back to who they were. If I make the change and something happens where James can’t or won’t marry me, I can’t ever go back to my old life. I’d have no family left.

You would have us, he said in a soothing voice.

But you aren’t my family.

Once a person makes the change, The Coven accepts them as family.

I tucked my legs underneath me, tightening myself into a ball. I’m sorry if this sounds disrespectful, Alex, but you know what I mean. My family is the most important thing in my life. I will give them up for James. I just want him... I rubbed my chin as I figured out how to put my thoughts into words. "I should say, I need him to be my legal family first. That way, I know I'll have a family by my side as soon as the transformation is complete."

After a few deep breaths, Alex leaned back and said, What you are asking for Aurora, is something unheard of within The Coven. Never before have we done something like that.

I closed my eyes and replied, I understand, but I wa—

I opened my eyes, and Alex was squatting in front of me. I was taken aback when he gently rested his hands on top of mine.

Smiling, he said, You did not let me finish. Trying to be reassuring, he stroked the top of my hands with his thumb, but his jerky movements told me the gesture wasn’t natural to him. Please understand, Tacitus’ who cannot find their mate within The Coven, have even more difficulty searching among humans. It is rare for a Tacitus, and a human to feel the same connection as Tacitus mates do. However, he has found that with you. 

Embarrassed to be speaking to a stranger about my love life, I looked at my lap and said, James explained the connection that mates feel when they are meant to be together. He said it was like a strong magnetic pull. He also told me that it turns into an obsession, for both the human and Tacitus.

Good. So, you understand. Now, I may be King, but I am also a father who wishes for his son to be happy. Aurora, you are James’ mate. You bring him joy. Alex flashed back to the couch and sighed. I will not jeopardize my only son’s chance at happiness. It is for that reason that I approve your request. You may wed my son during your human years. Please understand, though, you will not be a member of my coven. Not until after you transform.

I rubbed my eyes with the heel of my palms in disbelief. Really? You would do that for James?

Alex nodded. Undoubtedly. Like any father, I wish for my son to be happy. Cocking his head, he asked, Do you think of me as a monster?

I cringed. How was I supposed to answer that? The truth was, yes! I did think he was a monster. The things James had told me about him led me to believe he was relentless and heartless. 

I chewed the inside of my cheek. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful or that I thought of you as a bad father.

Do not fret, my child. Please understand, my generous decision was made as James’ father, not as King Barrington. You and my son must make sure my people do not learn of your knowledge of The Tacitus Coven. At least not as of yet.

I was so happy that I would have agreed to ride a three-legged unicorn through a desert. Tears filled the corners of my eyes, but this time out of joy, not sorrow. 

Pressing my palms together, I simply said, Thank you.

James was probably in his office, wondering if I was still alive. I asked Alex, Is James aware of your decision yet? I told him you were coming over.

No. I only assured him that I would give you a choice with one option to remain alive.

Alex wrapped his scarf around him, grabbed his briefcase, and stood. With a puzzled look, I asked, Now what? I mean, what should I do now? 

He grinned and headed towards the door. If it were me, I would call James and tell him about our discussion.

I jumped up to get the door for him, but he motioned for me to stay seated.

He opened the front door and said, Aurora, I like you. I do look forward to having you as family.

I grinned. It will be a couple of years, but thank you. I appreciate you saying that.

"Dear, I said my family, not my coven. When my family’s ring is placed on your finger again, you will be family. You seem good for James. He chose well."

My smile shined brightly. Coming from someone who had lived for hundreds of centuries, I considered that to be a high honor. I thanked him, and at the same time, he asked about the type of wedding I’d like. 

I chuckled. A small but tasteful one. I don’t want a lot of guests, but I’m a girl, so of course, I want the elegant, white dress, the church, limo, cake... I looked at the floor and added, You know, the whole sha’bang. 

Why not have the wedding you wish for?

I briefly told him about my ex-fiancé, Jake, and how I left him the night before our wedding because I no longer wanted him to beat me. His lack of surprise led me to believe that he already knew. 

My dad paid for that wedding. I can’t ask him to pay for another, and on a cop’s salary, I can’t afford much more than overalls, paper plates, and a barn on a pig farm.

Alex tilted his head back and laughed. Aurora, I now understand why my son is so enamored by you.

Placing his briefcase on the table, he removed his wallet and walked over to me. Out of respect, I stood for him. He slid something out and handed it to me. 

It looked like a black credit card, but the gold edging and the diamond in the middle left me wondering. What’s this? I asked.

It is a credit card, Aurora, he said as though I should have known. Now, you can have the wedding of your dreams.

Is this a real diamond? I asked, pointing to the middle of the card. The moment the words exited my mouth, I regretted saying them. I sounded like a pauper. I glanced at the bottom of the credit card. It said, ‘Aurora Washington."

Running my finger over the print, I said, It has my name on it. Why?

I told you, you are family now. All members of my family carry one. Use it as you wish, for there is no credit limit. With a smile, he jokingly added, If you should choose to buy a house though, I wish for you to use the bank the Barrington Family uses, rather than the card.

I didn’t know what surprised me more: that he gave me a credit card to use as I wished, that he planned to pay for an expensive wedding or that he had a sense of humor.

Does James know about this?

Gently shaking his head, he said, You may tell him, though.

I extended my hand and thanked him. I can never thank you enough for putting so much trust in me. I promise I will not break it.

I have trust in you, he winked. I look forward to the day you become Aurora Barrington. This is true. In a surprise move, he lightly kissed me on the cheek. Until our paths cross again. 

Chapter Two

The Reconciliation

THE MOMENT ALEX LEFT, I dug into my purse and pulled out my cell phone. Before it had a chance to ring, someone knocked three times on my door. A second later, James walked in. He wrapped his arms around me and buried his face against the side of my neck. A tear rolled down my cheek. Everything finally felt as it should.

God, how I have missed you, he whispered.

Yeah. I know, I said. I pulled back and cupped his face in my hands, leaving only a few inches between our faces. I never want to be apart from you again. I can’t go through losing you again.

I agree with you, my love. He smiled and said, Just a moment. He flashed into the kitchen and, in less than a minute, returned with a cosmopolitan. I assume you are in need of this.

It wasn’t that bad, actually, I admitted.

In full detail, I explained the entire conversation between Alex and myself, including his offer to pay for a lavish wedding.

Since you have agreed to marry me again, will you wear your engagement ring? I wish for the world to know that you intend to be my bride.

With everything going on today, I completely forgot about the ring. 

I ran to my bedroom as fast as I could and pulled the beautiful purple diamond ring from my jewelry box. As I lined it up to the tip of my finger, James snatched it from my hand, causing me to jump. I hadn’t heard him follow me into my room.

He took ahold of my left hand. Aurora, you know how much I love you. Please, agree again to marry me. Not because it is part of your agreement with Father, but because you want to spend a millennium with me.

Although brief, his words were touching. A tear dripped down my cheek as I said, I can’t imagine walking this earth without you next to me. I love you too. I want nothing more than to be your wife.

James slid the ring on my finger. He fiercely smashed his lips against mine, and my body soon responded. I slid my fingers through his hair. He grunted when I knotted some between my fingers. I was about to guide him towards the bed when he broke our kiss. 

Instinctively, I took a step back. Did I do something wrong? I asked.

He shook his head. Of course not. With a sly grin, he said, I have a gift for you and would like for you to join me outside.

James took my hand and led me to one of the visitor's parking spots. James widened his arms, like a game show model, and loudly said, Ta-dah.

I looked around, trying to figure out what he was showing me. Are you giving me the universe or immortality? I don’t get it.

He laughed. No, silly girl. He tapped on the purple SUV parked next to him. This is your re-engagement gift.

I froze in shock. The world around me went silent. You... You bought me a car? 

His smile reached his eyes. Bouncing in excitement, he asked, Do you like it? It was a special order.

I looked at my Honda CRV parked in front of the private entrance to my townhouse and back at James' gift. I loved my Honda. Madeline and I both bought brand new, matching vehicles together. Since her murder, it was one of the last things I owned that reminded me of her. A car, I whispered again.

James’ expression fell, and his shoulders slumped in disappointment. You do not like it? 

No. I shook my head to try to snap back into reality. I mean, yes. I love it. It’s just... I’m shocked. I can’t believe you bought me a car. A smile crept on my face as the reality began to sink in. 

He shared my smile and clapped his hands. I know you like SUVs, and I knew you would love the color, given it is your favorite. Without letting me say anything, he added, Plus, yours is getting up there in age.

I put my hands on my hips. It’s two years old, James.

But it is not purple, he said jokingly. 

I didn’t recognize the brand from the side of the car. What kind of car is it? 

A Porsche. What else? A Cayenne, to be specific. You know how much my family loves them.

My jaw dropped. A Porsche? You bought me a Porsche? I didn’t even know they made SUVs.

Pay attention, my love. They are all over the road these days.

I shook my head in bewilderment. I can’t believe it. I love it! I shouted. While I was peeking in the driver’s side window, I thought of something. I love the color, but I bet it embarrassed the hell out of whoever drove it here.

It did. The Tacitus I had asked refused to be seen in a purple car. He would not go near it. James slapped his leg and chuckled. It was as though your car would give him the plague. His wife drove it here instead.

The shock finally wore off, and I threw my arms around James. It’s perfect! I love it! Thank you! I glanced at my Honda again and firmly said, I’m keeping my car, though.

James nodded and dropped the keys into my hand. As I wrapped my palm around them, he hollered, I almost forgot. Look at the license plate!

He led me to the back of the car and pointed to the plate.

WSHNGTN. 

I snorted. My last name. Perfect. Now the world will know I’m a purple-loving, narcissistic snob, I joked. I slid my arms around his waist. I do love it... and the plate too. My face turned red as I said, I don’t have anything for you, though. If you’d like, I can make you dinner as a thank you.

No! he replied loudly before thinking his words through. He back peddled and said, I always appreciate the effort and thank you for offering, but I have tasted your cooking. He looked away and added, And it is enough to kill the average human.

It was no secret that I couldn’t cook. Not for the life of me. There was cause for celebration if I managed to make a pancake correctly. 

Ass, I mumbled.

Once inside, he noticed the credit card Alex had given me. Rubbing the base of his neck, he pointed to it and asked, What is this?

I forgot to tell you. Your father gave it to me to pay for the wedding, and whatever else I want. Cocking my head, I asked, Was he just being nice?

Father only speaks what he feels is truth, Aurora. If he said to use it as you wish, then he meant it.

I tapped on the card and asked, What’s up with the diamond, though? Is it real?

Yes. It is almost a third of a carat.

James noticed my empty martini glass and flashed to the kitchen to refill it for me. 

Knowing he’d hear me with his superhuman ears, I asked, Who the hell puts diamonds on their credit cards?

James returned in a flash and handed me another full glass of my favorite red liquid. He said, The kind of company that is invitation only. It is an elite card. Very few are invited to apply, and only a fraction of those people are approved. He took my cell phone off the table and said, Now, here. Call your parents. I know you are itching to tell them the good news about the wedding. 

He was right, but it seemed like James was more excited than I was. I’d never heard him speak with such excitement. Not even the first time he proposed to me. 

James held his hand up. Wait. Perhaps we should first pick a wedding date. You know, your mother will ask.

I took two large gulps of my drink and wrapped my free arm around him. I pressed my cheek against his chest and said, I don’t know about you, but I want it as soon as possible.

Me too, he said, resting his chin on my head. What about this time next month? He glanced at my wall calendar. April 14th? It is a Saturday.

There was no way I could pull off the wedding of my dreams in only a month. It would take that long just to find the perfect dress. My body slumped in disappointment. I want a larger wedding, James. Maybe two hundred guests. I want the flowers, church, limos, a DJ, special order invites, and the perfect dress. A wedding like that can’t be planned and executed in a month. The invites alone are normally sent out six weeks ahead of time.

Give me a second, he said while dialing a number.

I went to the kitchen and poured the remainder of the pitcher into my glass while James made a call. Whoever he called knew about weddings; I overheard him speaking about ours. I settled next to him on the couch and leaned my head against his shoulder. 

Okay. Thank you for your help, he said before hanging up.

Who was that?

Elizabeth, he said. "She is a Tacitus who specializes in high-end event planning. She pulls off last-minute events for my family often. My family only deals with her because she is the best in her field.

You were right. She said we must send the invitations out six weeks before our wedding. However, she can have your dream wedding planned in two months. 

Stacy took a year to plan her wedding and a full two months to find her dress. By the time her wedding came around, family members had pressured her into changing so much that it wasn’t her wedding anymore. She told me she wished she had eloped. 

Will she plan her wedding or mine? I want a fairy tale wedding, don’t get me wrong. I just want it to be mine, not one that someone else wishes for.

It will be yours. I assure you. Before she can begin, though, she needs a list of everything you want. She suggested Saturday, May 12th. Is that acceptable?

I gleamed. I wasn’t going to have to wait long at all. It sounds perfect!

How in the world will Liz pull off such an extreme wedding in only two months? Shoot. Stacy told me the process was exhausting.

It is Elizabeth, not Liz.

I closed my eyes and slowly shook my head. What does it matter?

She is over seven hundred years old and old-school, Aurora. She loathes nicknames.

Fine, I pouted. "How will Elizabeth pull off such an extreme wedding in such a short time?"

This is what she does for a living. Since money is not an issue, it will be easy for her. Relax, Aurora. As I said, she is excellent at her job.

I nudged James with my elbow. I’m trusting you here. If she’s that good, then I’ll give her free reign. 

I briefly imagined some of the choices she’d make for me. Given it was to be planned by a Tacitus, we would have many more guests than I would have preferred. Most likely, most of the guests would be known worldwide.

I sighed. Is it possible to keep the guest list under a few hundred?

James shook his head. I am sorry, love. My coven alone has more than three hundred members.

Sighing, I said, I figured as much. I just didn’t want that many strangers there. I’ll deal with it, though. Not like I have a choice. The melancholy quickly faded when I remembered to call my parents.

When Dad answered, I asked him to put me on speaker. I was so excited that I couldn’t keep my volume at a normal level. I screamed the news that James and I had gotten back together.

Mom and Dad were both overjoyed because they thought the world of James. Although Mom never went into detail, she once told me that James rounded me out.

What about the engagement? Dad asked.

That’s back on too, and we set a date. Mark your calendars, I paused for a dramatic effect. It’s May 12th.

May 12th? Of next year? Mom asked.

No. Two months from now. The planner that James’ parents use pulls events off like this all the time on short notice. James said she’s excellent and will have no problem putting it together that fast.

By their silence and Mom’s long sigh, I could tell they weren’t pleased with the time frame. Are we on speaker, Aurora? Mom asked.

No.

I didn’t have to use the speakerphone for James to hear. His Tacitus hearing was so sharp that he could’ve been in the bedroom and still heard our entire conversation.

Mom asked, Why so soon? Are you pregnant?

James covered his face with a pillow and laughed. A Tacitus couldn't get a human pregnant, so the notion was comical to coven members.

Is that why you two are back together?

I rolled my eyes. No, Mom. We just don’t want to wait.

Dad said, It just ... it just seems so soon.

I tightened my jaw and asked, Why were you two excited when we got engaged last September and not now?

Dad lowered his tone. You two are in your thirties, so we assumed you’d both be responsible and take a year or so to plan the wedding. You guys would’ve gotten to know each other a little more during that time.

James laughed again. Dad thought James was in his mid-thirties when, in reality, he was close to ninety-years-old. The Tacitus people aged by centuries, rather than decades like humans.

Dad continued. You didn’t answer your mother’s question. Why are you getting married so soon?

I understood their concern, but there was no way they could understand how James and I knew we were destined to be together.

James once explained to me that when a coven member found their mate—human or Tacitus—both parties felt an unexplainable pull towards the other. A force that human mates could never feel.

He was right. It felt like we were magnets, pulling one into the other, and there wasn’t a thing we could do to stop it. Distance didn’t matter either. We could have been a mile apart or a thousand; the force would have been just as strong.

Because of that unexplained force, I obsessed over him during our six-month split.  No matter what I did, the supernatural, magnetic pull left me wanting nothing but him.

I looked at James, and he winked at me. Why wait, Dad. James is the one. 

Aurora, if he’s the one, then why did you break up with him last year—on the same day you accepted his proposal?

Not expecting a personal question like that from either of them, I was left speechless. Clearly, I couldn’t be honest. Even if telling them wasn’t against The Coven’s rules, how could I explain that marrying James required me to change into a superhuman?

Aurora? Are you there, honey? Mom called out.

"Yeah, but I don’t want to answer that question. It’s