Amelia smiled and went through the door and down the stairs. She arrived in a large open room. It was plain with little furniture, apart from what looked like a ritual table with incense and sacred statues and other items, where Magda was currently kneeling.

Symbols were carved into the stone on the otherwise bare walls, and in the middle of the floor was a large circle. Symbols similar to the ones on the wall were all around the circle.

“Welcome, Amelia,” Magda said without turning around.

“Hi, I’m not late, am I?”

Magda bowed her head and stood. She walked over to Amelia with her hands outstretched. “Not at all. Welcome, sister.”

Amelia took the offered hug and felt a warmth from her new teacher. Magda took her jacket and hung it on the back of the door.

“Did you find out about yourself in the New Forest?”

“Yes,” Amelia said, “it was hard to hear, but I’m glad I know something about my mother and what happened the night she had to give me up.”

“I knew Sybil would help you. Apart from Sybil, after the attack, the cunning folk that were left fled to London and joined my coven. Did you find anything else?” Magda asked.

Amelia wasn’t sure what she meant at first, but then it came to her. “Oh, the voices?”

“The voices of our ancestors, yes. What did you hear?” Magda guided her over to just outside the circle.

“Voices all at once, loud and confusing, then…” How to explain the very private lovemaking that opened her heart and mind to the powers beyond?

“Your vampire helped you let go?” Magda smiled and Amelia felt heat in her cheeks.

“Um…”

“Don’t be embarrassed,” Magda said.

“After that, the voices started to become less clear.”

“Come in the circle and let me explain.”

Amelia followed her and sat on the ground. The circle had the same burr or buzz on her nerves and skin as the one in the forest. “This feels like the circle the cunning folk made in the forest.”

“Yes, and I will teach you the basics of our craft and how to cast a circle, but for now I want you to concentrate on hearing our ancestors. Get comfortable,” Magda said.

Amelia shifted around until she was in a meditative pose and tried to relax as best she could.

“Our ancestors, their spirits, their voices are where our power comes from. Every witch who has lived is a part of how and why we can use magic and manipulate reality. For now we are on this side, but one day we will be on the other.”

“The Grand Duchess and my mother?” Amelia asked.

“Yes, both powerful witches, and they are with us always.”

“Why did my mind open when I was, you know, with Byron?” Amelia felt heat building in her cheeks.