And what a plan it was. She hated what she had to do, she truly did, but she saw the future in which her parents won.

The Unseen was the true leader in all this. Her parents were merely puppets, along with Julius, Tharin and any other members of the Adelian.

She used to respect her parents. Some ancient Sanhauk values drummed into her head for so long that family was the most important unit in her life, and Elnora would do everything to earn their respect and their love. But, when she arrived at Hadwicke’s, ready to perfect her magic, she met three other witches in her dorm. And her life and priorities changed completely.

Circe was the first to introduce herself. She strode up to Elnora, completely confident, her dark eyes assessing her like a lioness stalking prey. Agatha, she recognised, they used to attend the same parties. Or what Elnora like to call ‘snob fests.’ They didn’t really talk much during such events. Elnora’s mother was too busy trying to throw Elnora into the arms of Miles Thornton, who Elnora supposed was likely part of the Adelian. She curled her lip at the thought.

The last person she met was Bethan. She had never heard of the Kore last name until she met her. Bethan didn’t make too much of an effort to be her friend, which frustrated Elnora because everyone wanted to be her friend. It seemed Bethan was perfectly content with only having Dana, but that soon changed in the first class Elnora and Bethan had together.

Circe and Agatha took up a different set of subjects, so it was only Bethan that Elnora knew in the History of the Old Kingdom class.

She hated the class, especially the group of girls at the back of the class. Elnora wasn’t one to care when people made fun of her. Because four teenage girls snickering in the corner was nothing compared to the tabloids that come out about her. But it wasn’t Elnora these girls were making fun of. It was Bethan.

Elnora saw it as the perfect time to get in her new friend’s good graces. The hex was easy enough. It didn’t last long, but every time those girls laughed, the sound they emitted wasn’t a normal humanoid laugh but one of pigs squealing.

It was Elnora’s first taste at making potions, and like her mother, she had a natural gift for it. All witches could make potions, but none were quite like hers or Sunni’s.

It was also when Elnora realised just how much she liked protecting, being in the background, watching other’s backs when they weren’t themselves.