The Witch’s Familiar

**One year later** Hazel stood in front of her classroom, watching five young witches practice levitation spells. At six years […]

Two months after the final battle, Hazel noticed something was different about Orion. It was subtle at first. A slowness

Three weeks after the bonding ceremony, Hazel woke to the smell of smoke. Not the pleasant wood-smoke of a fireplace.

Word spread fast. Within a week, Moonridge was flooded with familiars and witches wanting to see the “bonded equals” for

The ritual space was beautiful. Meadow had transformed her back garden into something sacred. Candles floated in the air, casting

The magical council was exactly as intimidating as Hazel expected. Five witches and wizards, all ancient and powerful, sitting in

They spent the day in bed. Not because they were still recovering—though Meadow insisted they rest—but because after weeks of

Hazel woke to voices. “—never seen anything like it. The amount of magic she used should have killed her.” “But

They were securing Mara with magical bindings when everything went wrong. The dark witch’s eyes snapped open. “Did you really

The next week was torture. Orion was cold. Professional. He trained her in combat magic with clinical efficiency, correcting her