ind," Iris said as she squatted on the linoleum floo

loud- spells- as she flicked her wrist and waved her right arm

w in intensity until she had to tu

light disappeared. Her dark e

ddle-aged woman. "But I'm n

u c

an anno

ment where she taught martial arts and combat to students. The agreement betwee

witch who belonged to one of the biggest witch/warlock orders in the country.And Iris

ction. Since then, they had become friends somewhat, Iris keeping A

Self-doubt. After so long, you still fight

hispered some words under her breath and then drew an arc abo

othing happened. No

earth trick you taught me, after a whole month of training since we met. Th

stoo

resentatives of the Council, I could sense magic strong ins

broken-"

"You are a hybrid- a beautiful blend of a witch an

werewolf,"

it is in your g

have told you any

s why you have to belong to an order or a pack- somewhere. You can join one of the strongest witch

"Screw your packs! I want none

ll as Ava's voice mildly echoed in it, and

t have- none of this is your fault- non

. "Neither is it your fault

Even worse: I am a failure. I can only perform a few spells and my wolf.

t difficult for you to see beyond your failures and weaknesses. Stop doing that." Iris stretc

ce stopped her. "No," she said. "Not magic

d she turned towards the arranged

she at least did

ll couldn't cast the bright light spell, but at least, she was in a

n and headed for her car. While she fumbled inside

here, teacher's p

hunter- a cocky agent named Lance. He was one of the most skilled agents of the RCA an

A. It seemed the assumed rivalry between Ava and Lance- the competition between them- was eno

want Lance?"

ng at the witch's

d some trainin

he agency," La

petition and overall expectations," Ava said. "Maybe I w

be friends with supernaturals. They're dangerous and the rogues among them must be controlled. Befriending one

hed Lanc

s what I was talking about

snapped at him. "You'v

nt this Tuesday," La

d not be

she

u will work next to one of the top bounty hunters

h yourself, are you? Why don't you a

ing to bring in Beatrix Sherwood this week

I would miss work for at least two days-

et her quickly then," Lance said unfeelingly. "Do

I've talked to him, you won't have me burden

the RCA, but also, she had links with Nathan Elmsworth, who was a friend of the director. And so Ava usually had concessions where most wouldn't have. She was go

ar drive away, his