It was raining by the time my dad parked the car in front of our cabin. There were a few other mages around holding umbrellas, opening doors for more prominent mage families, and I gave them a sideways glance before opening my door. I lifted a hand up and called for some magic, making a sort of energy umbrella to keep the water away from me. It didn't stop me from getting soaked during the conjuring though. Dad got out of the car and followed me toward the trunk where we picked up our luggage and then booked it to the covered porch in front of our cabin.

  "I'm going to check in with the guild," Mom said when she got out of the car. "Will you boys have everything set up by the time I get back?"

  "Of course," Dad smiled, placing the two suitcases he was holding onto the wooden floor while fishing out the cabin keys from inside his pocket. "I'll have a nice meal ready for us in no time."

  Mom blew a kiss to both of us and then walked toward the larger of the cabins, her own magical umbrella keeping her dry. When dad managed to open the door, we moved the luggage inside and took our wet shoes off, leaving them by the door. I took my duffel bag and backpack and ran up the stairs into what was usually my room.

  Letting the door shut behind me, I quickly threw my bag onto the bed and pulled out a new shirt and a pair of shorts to change into. My wet clothes laid clumped up in a corner of the room and I gave them a glance before groaning to take them to the bathroom across the hall. Upon my return, I also fished out Bleddyn from my backpack and gently placed him beside a pillow, gave the wolf plush a quick pat on the head, and then flopped down in the bed next to it.

  "Well, Bleddyn. We're here again. In this crappy cabin," I said, looking at the wolf beside me. The plush just stared back at me with beady blue eyes. I paused a moment, looking at my old toy's messy white fur. I should really wash the poor thing. Especially since it was often out in the woods with me in the treehouse.

  The last time we were at this cabin was for another Coming-of-Age ceremony. It was about two years ago, and I remember that Mom was upset that we were forced to attend by the guild. Back then, I was too amazed at the cabins and how awesome it had been to be surrounded by so many lakes and hiking trails to notice just how stressed Mom was, or how hard Dad was trying to keep her cheered up. I'm not too sure just what words were said exactly, but each night, Mom was left crying in our cabin. I wasn't aware then that the guild had forced Mom to move back to the east coast. To upend our life in San Diego and move to Boston.

  It got even worse the next few days. I had taken the chance to wander on my own. The woods here had an allure, unlike the sparse wooded trails where I grew up, that I couldn't resist and I eventually started hiking alone through one of the many trails around the cabins. Not too far in, I encountered some other mages that were coming of age. It was the first time that I had been called a "half-blood".

  At the time I wasn't too sure what it meant, but as nights went on, I realized they were making fun of me. Because of who my parents were. That because of them I was just some diluted freak who wouldn't amount to much in the guild. When I told my parents about the encounter, it was then that we finally left and went home, and I learned that the guild wasn't real family.

  We hadn't heard from the guild since then, besides a curt acknowledgement that it was ok to move to Greywood instead of Boston. That was until earlier this year, when they sent my invitation to the Full Moon Festival at the cabins for my Coming-of-Age ceremony. And while I can admit that I am excited to finally be getting my magical focus, having to endure the onslaught that is the other guild children was not something I was looking forward to.

  "What am I going to do, Bleddyn?" I asked aloud. "I have to be here to get my focus through the ceremony, but I absolutely hate the guild for how they treat us. Do I just... deal with it?"

  Again the plush said nothing. I mean, what else could it do? But I found myself feeling lonely none-the-less. Bleddyn being a poor conversationalist, I pulled out my phone to chat with the gang.

  Ky: Yaaaaay. Family time.

  Cayetana: HAAAAAPPY BIRRRRTHDAY!!!!

  Benji: Wish we could all be partying, but I hope you're having fun with family!

  I paused here for a moment and bit the inside of my cheek. I imagined seeing their smiling faces beside me. Or how we'd all be laying down in the bed complaining about the rain. Or how Cayetana would want to explore the woods to see what kind of cryptids lived there as Benji complained about getting lost and all the bugs.

  Ky: I already miss you guys.

  Cayetana: Oh come on. It can't be that bad being with your family.

  Benji: You don't have like some cousin with two bully best friends do you?

  Ky: Wow, that's oddly specific, Benben. Are you hiding something from us?

  Benji: NO! I'M ONLY ASKING GAWD.

  Cayetana: Take pictures for me! If we analyze them later we could see if any spirits or ghosts get caught in the shots!

  Benji: Oh god, please no more ghost shit. I'm sure Abraham Ballard is still after me.

  "Ky? Can you come down?" I heard my mother shout from downstairs.

  My brows knitted together, noticing the wary way my mother had spoken. I sent the others one final message, letting them know I'll be busy the next few hours, then flew back down the stairs. Both my parents were facing away from me when I arrived, the two of them finally turning when I got close enough, big smiles on their faces. Immediately my eyes widened when I noticed the acoustic guitar in their hands.

  "What is that?" I cried out.

  Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

  "Happy birthday, kiddo," Dad said, extending the guitar out toward me. "We know your other one was getting old, so we figured we'd pitch in some money to buy you a nice one."

  I can't help the big smile painted on my face as I pulled the strap around me and held up the guitar. Its weight felt good against me and I strummed a few chords to hear the sound. Again, my eyes widened and I looked up at Mom. "Is this enchanted?"

  She smiled and nodded. "I made sure that it would always be in tune for you. Do you like it?"

  "I love it," I said honestly, my fingers strumming a few more chords before I looked up at the two of them again. "Thank you."

  Dad patted me on the back. Before he was able to say anything the front door opened abruptly. Mom and Dad turned to see who our guest was and I immediately bit my tongue to not say anything inappropriate. The man who entered had a stern expression on his face, and he waltzed in as if he owned the place. His outfit wasn't one you'd normally encounter out in public, but it still gave him a strong air of authority. As he approached, red and black robes flowed with each step. His green eyes flickered to Mom a moment, lingered on Dad a bit, and then settled on me.

  "Welcome, Fischer family."

  "Archmagus," Mom said, bowing her head. I saw Dad had done the same and I followed suit anxiously. "What honor you bring us by your visit."

  Honor? Yeah right... I thought, once again biting my cheek.

  "I wanted to see the boy."

  Boy. He couldn't even say my name. I wondered a moment if it was intentional on his part or not. Somehow, I'm sure it's intentional. My eyes saw his feet come closer to me and a palm forced my chin up to meet his gaze.

  "Hmm. Blue eyes."

  I wanted to blurt out a, "Yeah? So?" but I held my tongue again. Mom looked a bit nervously between us.

  "So you're sixteen now," the Archmagus droned. "You'll be receiving your focus tomorrow night along with the other mages who are coming of age. Do you know what is expected of you during the festival?"

  Again, I looked to Mom a moment before returning to the Archmagus's gaze, giving him a curt nod. "I have the chants memorized and have been focusing my mana for it."

  "And what of the procedure?"

  I gulped. "All mages involved create a circle and take turns in the center to receive Hecate's blessing. Once blessed, we step out and form the outer circle for the other mages."

  He glared at me a while longer. After a moment, he gave a firm nod and turned back to my parents. "I see you have instructed him well, Lorraine. Perhaps he won't be as lost a cause as your parents say."

  If I could punch this guy...

  "Have you considered a school for him?"

  Here I paused. My dad fidgeted a moment and I saw Mom was taking her time choosing her words. This wasn't something we had discussed before. No one asked me about what I wanted, but I definitely didn't want to go to some mage school away from home. Away from my friends. We've already moved from San Diego, I didn't want to have to restart again. Especially with other kids who would immediately look down upon me because of my family make up and me being a half blood.

  I relaxed when Mom finally answered with, "I intend to home school him in magic."

  The Archmagus's eyes narrowed and I heard him click his tongue in disapproval. "Very well. But there are other mages in Greywood. Perhaps their parents may also provide ample opportunities for the boy to learn magic as well."

  He means he doesn't trust Mom to do a good job. I rolled my eyes.

  "I'll be sure to reach out if we need help," said Mom with another bow of her head. "If there is anything else, Archmagus?"

  "That is all," he said curtly. "I have other cabins to visit as well as other mages to see who will be participating this year. There are twenty two kids this year, so I have a lot to do." He made his way to the door and opened it. Before stepping out, he turned toward us one last time. "Be sure to be at dinner in an hour. Your parents expect you."

  None of us moved from our spots after he left, letting what he said settle in. I could hear my mother's deep breathing as she tried to calm herself and Dad instinctively wrapped an arm around her.

  "Do... we have to see Grandma and Grandpa?" I already knew the answer, but that didn't stop me from asking.

  "It's an order," Mom answered simply. "I'll... go first. You two don't need to be there for that yet."

  "That will only make them more angry," Dad said. "You know they will want to see us."

  "More like make fun of you and Ky," she sighed and sat down on the living room sofa, hands massaging her temple. "I thought we could at least avoid them a bit longer."

  "It's his sixteenth. They'll want to... see him."

  I snorted. "So they could see if I'd be of any benefit to the family, you mean."

  They didn't answer. And it was because we all knew I was right. It sucks. Mages more interested in prestige and power rather than the people in their families. As if we were just some commodity to grasp rather than actually get to know and love. My grandparents were really big on that. Enchanting wasn't a very noble or prestigious focus to them so they were quick to let my mom go when she got her focus. I'm pretty sure they'd do the same to me.

  Though, I'd still want a cool focus...

  "I will deal with them, first," Mom decided. "I will set boundaries and then, if we come to an agreement, we will meet."

  Dad looked at her a moment, studying her face. After a while he nodded and looked back to me. "Is that alright with you, kiddo?"

  I shrugged. "Not like I can do anything to change their minds, right?"

  There was that silence again and it was making my anxiety spike even more. "I'm gonna go for a walk then."

  Mom got back up once more and placed both her hands on my shoulders. "It'll all be alright, Ky. You'll get your focus. We'll say hi to your grandparents. And then we'll just go back home." She smiled. "And then I can formally give you your magic lessons."

  "Looking forward to it." And I meant every word of it. Mom had only been able to give me some minor lessons, but all that changes once I get a focus. I will be considered an adult mage and ready to learn more advanced spells since my control and mana increase.

  Dad placed the guitar's case next to me and I gently put my gift away. "Thank you for the new guitar. I love it."

  "Sorry ArchDingus ruined the moment," said Dad with a weak smile. "You'll have to show off to your friends."

  "I will," I replied, returning his smile.

  "Ky, be sure to stay within the boundary," cautioned Mom. "The guild defenders have kept it up to keep the nasty's out, and even though the area is mostly safe, you never know what else is out there."

  "I'm sure there's nothing to worry about." I gave them both one last hug and the guitar a final loving pat before scampering out the front door.

  The rain had stopped now and the smell of damp earth and pine was strong in the air. I took in a deep breath, enjoying the scent, and darted toward the tree line. There were a few other kids around enjoying the outdoors now that we were able to. Some were throwing a football - rather mundane if you asked me. Others were looking out at the lake, pointing curiously to the cabins on the opposite shore. Another group of kids were trying to levitate rocks before pelting them at an opposing team. However, upon noticing me they all gave me a mix of curious looks or sneers.

  I'm certainly not making friends again, I thought to myself and quickened my pace. I felt most at home in the woods anyway.

  When I broke past the first set of trees I let myself relax. There was a designated path to my right, but I ignored it and chose to go deeper into the wilder area of the woods, keeping the lakeshore to my left as I waded through wet underbrush and twigs. The smell of petrichor was strong from the rain, and a few times my feet sank into the earth with loud squelches.

  There was a small clearing ahead beside a dead old tree surrounded by tall grass, but the sound of frustrated grunts and splashing water came to my ears. I furrowed my brows, annoyed that someone was invading my private time in the woods. However, when I made my way closer to the water, I saw the form of a strong looking boy with red hair and instantly my heart sank into my stomach.

  What is Rory Grey doing here?