In the middle of a forest, far enough from civilization to not be noticed, but also close enough to be just within the range of many people, Salem used her magic to make a space for her to live in. The outside would look and feel just like the rocky wall that she had found, but past the enchanted entrance would be a cavern. One that was too far too big to fit in the formation she had found, but as skilled as she was, it wasn't a problem.

Inside the cavern was everything a cavern, untouched and undiscovered by no-majes, would be expected to have. Running water, stalagmites, stalactites, and a big open area. This would be her new home and headquarters, at least once she did some actual work to the place.

"Stupid parents, trying to tell me what to do." The angry muttering caught Salem's attention, so she quickly turned into mist and observed. "I'm twenty-three, I'm responsible, I can take care of myself!" The person was a young woman, and she was a very angry no-maj, dressed for a long hike. "'Come to church,' they said. 'You'll be enlightened by these books,' they said. A load of bull if ever there was one."

"I'll try her out." Salem reformed behind the young woman, and started trailing her.

The young woman showed excellent awareness and finesse when she suddenly stopped, turned around, drew a long machete from the sheathe on her hip, and pointed it at Salem's face. "Who are you, and what do you want with me?"

"You have some impressive skills, young woman," Salem calmly stated, in spite of the blade tip inches from her face. "Tell me, do you believe in magic?"

"All that stuff the bible talks about? If you start preaching about that, I have half a mind to flay you on the spot, and the other half is almost in agreement!"

"I'm talking about real magic." With a flick of the wrist, the bone wand was out, and a moment later, Salem was levitating the young woman against a thick tree so quickly, the machete fell out of her grasp. With her free hand, Salem summoned the blade to her grasp, and admired it. "A very nice tool you have here."

"What are you doing?"

"Demonstrating magic on you."

Fear started to show on the young woman's face. "Please don't hurt me. I like living."

"There's nothing I would gain by killing you, and I do not need the attention." Salem turned into mist, and quickly reformed in the young woman's face. "I want you to answer me honestly: would you like to obtain and learn magic?"

"I. . . What?"

"Do you want to learn magic?"

"What happens if I refuse?"

"You wouldn't remember meeting me at all. But if you accept, you must swear your absolute loyalty to me."

The woman didn't have to think for long. "I accept."

"Excellent." Salem backed off and let the woman fall to her feet. "Of course, there is one obstacle: you don't have magic. That can be fixed, but I'll need another witch for the ritual."

"Ritual? Am I going to make a blood sacrifice or something?"

"There will be a blood sacrifice, but it won't be you. What's your name?"

"Autumn Blaze."

"How fitting for one as fiery as yourself. Come with me." Salem took Autumn's hand and brought her into the cavern. "Lumos!" With the light of the wand, some of the cavern was revealed to the no-maj. "I know it's not much, since I just found it, but this is where my base will be."

Autumn pulled a flashlight from her backpack and turned it on, the modern light outshining the ancient witch's wand. "So, are you just going to put furniture around here? This looks lame. No offense."

Salem let her light die off. "Observe." With a tap of the wand to the ground, walls rose up around the pair, making an open foyer. Underfoot, the cavern floor turned into a paved walkway with stones, dry and artfully designed.

Autumn marvelled at the sudden appearance of the walls and walkway. "And I'll be able to do this too?"

"With training and practice. I will teach you. Now, I need you to do some acting for me. You are to return to where you came from, and act as you normally would. Do not speak of this to anyone. I will have everything ready for the ritual in one week's time. Return next Saturday, and I will give you magic."


After Autumn was gone, Salem recast her Lumos, pulled her shrunken backpack out of her sleeve, restored its size, and went through her notebooks. "Let's see. . . Hmm, ah, here we go." She started looking over her notes, specifically the criteria and steps she had for the ritual. "Now for the tricky part. . ."