United. (Book 5 of the Lupus Antiqua Series)

Anya, the High Witch of Earth looked between Abby and Endymion with a wicked little grin and one arched brow. The expression was all Abby needed to see to understand that the woman knew exactly what had happened between them.

She was glad of the High Witch's timing, since they'd only crawled out of bed an hour ago, and just got out of the shower a few minutes ago.

"While I hate to interrupt what has obviously been happening here, I thought you might wish to know what will happen now." Anya murmured, voice amused.

"Yes." Abby said awkwardly. Endymion simply grinned and leaned against the vanity beside her, looking smug and victorious which only made him more attractive somehow.

"As I expected, you were cleared of punishment. Your actions are considered justified. Since you are a War Witch, you are bound for the War College."

"And what will happen once we get there?" Abby wondered.

"Once you arrive, you will be housed in the initiates section, though you will be given private quarters since you are arriving with a mate.

Once you've been situated, Endymion will be under the charge of Kyle De Sorin, who will help him find a purpose within the college. Given your background, Endymion, you could be of great use, but you will not be required to do this unless you choose. You are not a True Witch and therefore are not required to serve as Abigail is.

Abigail, you will be under the purview of Kani. She is the High War Witch. Though she is not on the council, she has the same status, so treat her accordingly.

Normally, an initiate entering the college would attend classes with the other initiates, but your situation is unique. You are entering the college already full grown, and already mostly trained.

Kani will be in charge of you War Witch training specifically, and she will get you up to speed. She will not be easy to impress, but if you manage it, you couldn't ask for a more valuable friend."

"And what happens once training is done?" Abby wondered. She was perfectly fine with doing her duty by the True Witch community, she just wanted to know precisely what that would be.

"You are an Imperium, my dear. You will continue in The Duty of the Blessed. Your other duties will be decided by Kani. The High Council doesn't decide it in the end. Only the High War Witch has that duty."

"Why is that?" Abby wondered.

"To prevent corruption." Endymion murmured, his voice a tad dark with memory and pain. She leaned into him, wrapping her arm around his waist. If anyone understood the consequences of corruption, it was him. He'd lost everything to it's vagaries.

"Endymion is correct." Anya murmured seriously. "The High Council is already extremely powerful. Kani and the war college are the check and balance to our power. Should the High Council become utterly corrupt or incompetent, the War College can stop us. If the College becomes corrupt, the High Council can stop them.

It's in this way that we have prevented more witch wars, and kept our rule just. Our united front has also kept the True Witches safe, and enabled us to take America for our own. This is how we are able to keep other supernatural beings out. With the exception of werewolves of course." She gestured to Endymion. "Since you are considered part of nature, your condition being granted by a natural deity, you are not 'other', and therefore welcome."

"Thank you, for explaining." Abby said quietly.

"I know this is a lot to take in, and that this is a drastic change for you. If you need to, the healer circle had therapists. Should I send one?" The offer was meant kindly and Abby appreciated it.

"Thank you, but I think I'm okay. I have Endymion, and I'm glad to be doing my part and getting back on track after everything." She admitted.

"Good, I'm glad. I've already had all of your things moved to the war college, and one of the elders has taken residence in your cabin to take care of it and keep you lovely gardens lovely. She will resume the potion and medicine making that you were doing, so you can go forward in life knowing that all of it will cared for.

I don't mean to rush you out, but I can transport you whenever you are both ready." Anya stated, all business now. Abby blinked at how suddenly this was happening and looked up at Endymion. She was going nowhere until he was also ready.

He smiled gently down at her.

"I go where you go, Mate." He murmured. She kissed his shoulder and turned to Anya.

"Then I suppose there's no point in wasting anymore time. Let's go." She said more confidently than she felt. Anya smiled and between one blink and the next, they were standing on a paved drive before the most massive set of wrought iron gates she'd ever seen. They stood open, but there was nothing about the place that was welcoming.

There was a lingering sort of terror about it that made every single instinct she possessed beg to run in the other direction, or collapse and scream in fear.

She took a deep breath to try and center herself.

"What is this?" Endymion growled, on guard and searching for the threat. That's when she realized.

"It's a ward." She murmured. "It's meant to keep people out." She reached out her hand and pulsed her power out of herself and the air in front of her rippled.

"Interesting." Endymion said. "How do we get past it?"

"Knock, I suppose." She said. She tapped her index finger on the rippling air a few times and each time, something like a sonic boom sounded and rippled all over the length and width of the ward.

Less than five seconds after the last knock finished echoing, seven women appeared in front of her, looking ready to eviscerate something. When they took her in they all paused and stepped back a little but, surprise and uncertainty in their faces. Abby cleared her throat.

"Hello. My name is Abigail, or Abby for short. I was sent here by the Council for training. My mate and I are expected?" She murmured, wondering if she'd done something wrong.

One of the woman stepped forward, a wary smile on her face.

"Sorry, when you attacked the wards, we thought someone was trying to break in." She sounded mildly afraid. How weird.

"Attacked? I was just knocking." She murmured in surprise. All seven women's eyes widened and if anything they looked more afraid. What had she done.