Elara

It took her a few seconds to open her eyes. Her attention was drawn to Clara who was standing tall in what seemed to be a protection sphere or something. Elara frowned and looked around her only to see a few trees burning up.

She looked down and gasped at the sight before her. Huge raging flames were dancing wildly in both her palms. She did it, she called to the fire.

"Yes, you did, and you almost burned the forest!" Without much movement, Clara extinguished the fire. "Now, take a deep breath, control that fire in your palms, it's too wild."

Elara focused on the fire in her palms, one of them was gone, and the other one diminished. She wasn't aware how she'd done it, but it felt like her mind was linked to it. It felt like it was another part of her body being ordered around by her brain.

"Great. Do you see the candles around you? I want you to light them, using your fire."

With a flick of her hand, all the candles were lit instantly. She looked straight at Clara who was grinning.

"See, I told you, nothing happens by chance. You are an elemental witch and you can control fire." She took a step back and dropped her shield. "Before making any spell, dangerous or not, you need to cast a circle of protection. It will keep the demons and bad spirits out."

"How do I do that?"

"Most covens draw a pentacle but we don't. We are much more powerful than any other coven, and we can only use a simple circle while using our magic and still be protected. So, all you have to do is draw a circle, and light candles all around it, which in our case is already done. You'll need to cleanse the circle spiritually by pushing all negative energies out of your circle. Now if you look closely, you'll notice the candles are of different colors, it's our way to call to the elements. Green stands for earth, yellow stands for air, red stands for fire, and blue stands for water."

"What about the fifth element?"

"It's space. We have our stone pillars binding our space. Usually, you'll need tools during your rituals, you'll need to have a table inside the circle with everything you'll need on it. You can purify your items with sage before you use them. But today we won't need any of that. I want you to call for wind."

That one is easy... Elara thought before opening her palms and taking a deep breath. The wind started whirling around them and she only stopped it when she saw the smirk on Clara's face.

For the next hour, she made her conjure the elements each time asking her to do something with them. Like making animals out of the water, or making a castle out of the earth. For the most part, it was fun but Elara started to feel drained and needed to eat something before becoming disagreeable.

"I need to eat."

"I know, I can hear your stomach growl." They both laughed as they made their way out of the circle. Clara put out the candles and looked at Elara, "I'm proud of you. You lasted longer than I thought you would."

"Thank you, but I do have a question. Laura, my friend, once told me that accessing my powers using anger or hatred is considered dark magic."

"So what's your question?"

"Well, why did you tell me to do that?"

"First of all I told you to find the strongest emotion within you; it could have been love for all I knew so I didn't know it would be anger or hatred. Second of all, I never told you I wasn't going to teach you dark magic, I have to Elara. This is my job and in order for you to survive in this place you need to know everything about it." Clara let out a deep sigh before facing Elara again, "I know it's too much, but you can do this. I know you can. You can learn everything and it's up to you how you use your magic."

Elara said nothing she just nodded and walked away, toward camp. She felt somehow betrayed even though she knew Clara was only looking out for her. Sometimes it felt like Clara was her older sister taking care of her, helping her transition from one phase of her life into another. All in all, it felt weird.

"Elara? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine Clara, I'm just hungry I need a huge burger right now." Burgers, the burger hut, Nolan... she missed him so much it ached.

"Alright then, burgers it is."

They walked silently but hurriedly back to camp going straight to the food hall where Elara ignored the stares she was getting and went straight for the trays. Thankfully, there was not a long line and it was her turn soon enough.

To her disappointment, no burgers were on the menu for the day and she started shaking. She hated being so angry over something so stupid and so meaningless. Something was happening to her. She could feel her anger bottling up little by little. It wasn't like her.

"Hey, are you okay?"

She looked behind her and found Nathan. Probably the number one person she had to avoid around here, but for some reason, she felt relieved to see him.

"No. I'm not. And top it all I need a burger."

Nathan chuckled shaking his head, "Come with me." He grabbed her hand and led her to the staff door taking her to the kitchens where an elderly lady and a few teenagers were working.

"Samantha, hi, how are you today?"

"I'm good Nathan, what about you?"

"I'm doing just fine but I do need a favor."

"Oh, some things never change around here." The elderly woman laughed "What is it this time?"

"Can you make us two hamburgers? The ones I really love?"

"Sure thing, I have nothing else to do anyway. But you'll have to eat them in the back garden, I don't want anyone saying I'm doing you favors."

Nathan smiled and nodded, "we'll be waiting there. Thank you, Samantha, you're amazing!"

He led Elara back and she sat on a bench tapping her fingers on the cold concrete of the table impatiently while trying to focus on a bird flapping its wings in the sky just to not look at Nathan.

"What's bothering you?"

She squinted her eyes at him. She wasn't sure she could trust him, she felt comfortable around him but it might just be his good looks. Yes, that might be it, he was just so handsome with his green piercing eyes and his light brown hair.

"Come on, you can tell me. I won't tell anyone. I know this place can be suffocating."

"I had my first training session today. I had to use dark magic."

"And it bothers you?"

"It feels odd. It felt good while using it, the power, the rush, but now I just feel empty if that makes any sense. And back there, I couldn't control my anger...I'm not like that."

"It does. That's how I felt the first time I cast a spell using my anger." He gave her a reassuring smile reaching for her hand and giving it a squeeze. "You'll be alright. I know you will. You seem like a fighter Elara, don't worry about anything else."

"Actually, I am worried. I came here willingly, not knowing much about the coven, and I thought I could adapt but, to be honest, I'm worried using dark magic will change me."

"It depends on how you use it. I'm still the same, yet I'm told I'm very powerful and have high potential. But at the end of the day, I'm still a good person."

"Are you?" Elara smiled lowering her gaze to the grass.

Nathan chuckled "Being a playboy doesn't make me a bad person."

"Doesn't it? Aren't girls being hurt?"

"No, because I'm honest about who I am and what I want. They know they'll only get one night with me."

"And that's not cocky at all." They both laughed and for one minute, everything felt normal again. Elara felt happy and almost forgot where she was.

Samantha came out with two burger plates that looked amazingly good. Elara ate hers and half of Nathan's still feeling hungry. He assured her that it was completely normal to feel drained and hungry after using her powers for the first time. They stayed hidden in the back for a while before Elara decided it was time to head back to the cabin. She was certain Clara was already looking for her.

"Hanging out with you was fun." Nathan winked, tucking a strand of her hair behind her.

Elara took a step back and gave him a warning glare. "It was fun, but it doesn't mean you get to flirt with me. I'm not like those..."

"I know you're not. That's what I like about you. And I'm sorry if I offended you. It won't happen again."

"I hope not." she climbed the steps to their cabin and was about to knock when Nathan stopped her.

"Hey, Elara, whenever you need to talk or just hang out, you know where to find me."

Giving him a smile before making her way inside, Elara's guilt instantly washed over her. She wasn't in a relationship with Nolan, but he was her soulmate and she felt that she betrayed him in a way. Even though she hadn't done anything wrong, she knew it would hurt him to know she spent time with the biggest playboy of the coven. The fact that she enjoyed herself didn't make things easier on her.

She pinched the bridge of her nose and made her way to her bedroom. Clara was nowhere to be seen. It was odd but good, she needed some alone time. Exhaustion was taking over and her mind needed a rest.

She threw herself on the bed and let out a moan at contact with her fluffy covers. Feeling drained, it only took her seconds to slip into a deep slumber filled with vivid and somewhat scary dreams. They weren't like the dreams about wolves she used to have after she got bit. They were more nightmares about her turning into a dark witch and hurting people, people close to her.

The next morning, Elara opened her eyes even before her alarm went off. She lazily sat up on her bed and looked around her bedroom. She was still in yesterday's clothes, her hair was a mess and she felt awful after the nightmares she had last night.

"Good morning sleeping beauty, did you get some rest?"

Elara groaned "It was awful. I feel like I have a hangover."

"Come on, take a shower and drink this," Clara gave her a glass of green juice that looked like something she would never drink. "It tastes better than it looks, and it will power up your body."

"Where were you last night?"

"I had a meeting with the Queen, and after that, I had a ritual to perform."

"Everything went okay with your meeting?"

"Yes, it was mostly about you. She told me how you pushed her out of your mind and she asked if I knew how you did that. I told her I taught you. She also asked about our training, and I told her you can control water."

"What about the other elements?"

"She doesn't need to know that."

"Why are you so hell-bent on protecting me?"

"I have my reasons Elara, now come on, get out of bed I'll make you breakfast."

"Which are?"

"None of your concern."

"But how can I trust you when I don't know the reasons behind your protectiveness?"

"You can't."