The dreams started a week ago. The desolate forest, a full moon hanging high in the night sky. The yellow eyes in the brush, watching me. I could never get close enough to see who or what they belonged to. I wasn't afraid. Just curious. I would be at a standstill, the eyes unwavering.

Then I would wake up.

I combed out the tangles in my damp hair, my thoughts still stuck on my dream. At first, when I thought it was a one-off, I kept my mouth shut. Now that it had been a daily occurrence it felt too late to speak up. A naïve part of me hoped it was some sort of sign that my magic was finally going to kick in. The realistic part of me thought I must be going crazy. I wasn't dumb, I read enough, heard enough lore, to know that the yellow eyes most likely indicated a werewolf. But why was I seeing them?

I quickly pulled on a pair of jeans and a plain t-shirt before I began to rummage through my stack of books, stuffing a couple in my bag. Even though it was spring break, I had plenty of work to focus on. Imbolc was coming at the end of this week. The town would treat it as a normal spring festival, but for my coven it would be an opportunity to show gratuity and perform a fertility ritual to bless our group with the promise of another generation. Of course, I would be there on the outskirts. Nothing but a bystander.

My stomach coiled and I pushed the feeling away as I headed downstairs. I made my way down the hallway, the alluring smell of scrambled eggs and bacon making my stomach growl. I heard a muffled conversation coming from the kitchen and I came to a stop. I lingered in the hallway trying to pick up on anything being said.

"I don't like this." Mom hissed.

"Aimee, we don't have a choice." My dad responded without hesitation.

"Please calm down. She's here." Morena's raspy voice cut through their frustration.

I stiffened.

"Ceres, you can come in." Morena summoned me.

Like a scolded child, I stepped into their view. The three of them sat at the kitchen table like they were having a secret meeting. Which by the looks of it…

Dad's hunched shoulders and furrowed brow were enough to tell me that something was wrong. His tie was loosened around his neck, and his glasses were neatly folded next to his cup of coffee. He sold insurance. A bit bland if you asked me, but he liked numbers and talking to people.

"Good morning honey." Mom's saccharine voice was overcompensating for the awkwardness I began to feel. She ran her hands down the front of her navy-blue scrub top and she forced a smile at me.

I turned my attention to Morena, "You're back."

"In the flesh." She grinned.

As our only elder, Morena received our utmost respect. However, she was also the youngest elder in the history of the Inex coven. She left a few days ago for Virginia on business that I was not privy to.

"What were you guys talking about?" My grey eyes clashed with my mom's blues. She averted her gaze, so I turned to my dad, only to receive the same reaction.

My frustration grew. I was used to this from the rest of our coven. Not my family.

That's what it was like growing up being the only one unable to practice. I awaited every milestone in my life, every birthday or ritual, even my first period, thinking that would be enough to overcome whatever was missing inside of me.

Just a flicker of power to prove I belonged.

Sensing my inner turmoil, Morena stood. She put her hand on my shoulder and I reluctantly looked at her. A sunburn lingered on her usual pale skin and her emerald eyes looked exhausted.

"I left to meet a friend. She gave me something that I want you to have." Morena explained.

Mom slammed her hand on the table, "Morena. No."

I flinched. Mom was the last person to speak up and if she did, it was always nonconfrontational. My dad pinched the bridge of his nose, a heavy sigh coming from him. Morena's gentle demeanor shifted, and she pulled her shoulders back.

"It's a grimoire." Morena finished, unmoved by my mom's reaction.

My ears perked, "Really?"

Morena nodded, "We can look through it together. Tonight."

My mother pushed away from the table, jumping to her feet. "I'm going to work. Since apparently, it doesn't matter what I want for my own daughter."

My dad pressed his lips together in a tight smile, "Sorry kiddo. Don't worry about her, she'll come around."

He left after her.

Morena cleared her throat, "Well, it's been an eventful morning."

I shrugged, my mind wandering to the grimoire and the spells it contained.

"I don't know why she's so upset. It's not like I can even do magic."

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I could feel their eyes on me as I read over the same line over again. At this point, the words were blurring on the page. I tried to tell myself it was better than them talking about me, not that it really mattered. Few people talked about the girl with no magic now. Instead, it was like I was a traveling circus. Everyone wanted to watch.

Sometimes it would just be a look of pity.

Poor Ceres, I don't know how she does it.

Other times, looks of suspicion.

She must have done something to lose her magic…if she ever had it in the first place.

Hating myself for having less self-control, I looked up at the group of girls a few tables across from me. The three of them smirked at me. Didn't they have anywhere to be? I chose the smallest coffee shop that was typically empty. Even though our coven was higher in numbers than usual, sometimes it felt like the entire town of Eelry was made up of witches.

My entire body filled with dread when Raven sauntered over towards me. I closed my book and began to pick up my notebooks and pencils.

"Hello, Ceres." Her sing-song tone made me want to die.

I ignored her as I shoved my things into my bag. Her red curls were like the flames of hell as she stared down at me. Raven was relentless when she set her mind on something. She loved having power over others. I swear she must have been born chanting because I never saw someone do magic so effortlessly. And she knew it too.

"What are we reading?" She snatched the book out from my fingertips, "Magic For Beginners?" She teased.

My ears began to burn, and I could hear the others snickering.

"Relax. I'm just kidding." Her voice indicated otherwise. She tilted her wrist towards me, the pages filled with magical text, hovered near me. I took a breath and pushed past her, rushing past the other girls too. Leaving my book behind. Maybe Morena had another copy?

The last sound I heard was of their laughter and I'm pretty sure one of them called me a freak.

I pushed the glass doors open and came to a halt once I was down the block. I hid in an alleyway. My heart continued to race at the mere threat of hostility. The bright sun shone down on me, warming my face even more. I welcomed the cool breeze and inhaled until the air filled my lungs completely. Slowly, I breathed out, trying to calm myself down.

The hairs on the back of my neck prickled and I swore someone must have followed me. I swirled around without a warning. I looked down the main street, nothing out of ordinary. People filled the street, spending their Saturday afternoon shopping and killing time.

"Could you be any more paranoid?" I muttered to myself.

With my current plans crashing, my only option was to go back home. Wandering around aimlessly all day seemed to be a waste of time. I had seen everything Eelry had to offer. I just wanted it to be nightfall so I could meet back up with Morena. At least my house was only a street over.

I rounded the corner, but just as my foot hit the concrete sidewalk, a splitting crack went up the sides of my skull. I let out a gasp and grabbed my head with both hands. My knees buckled as images of a man with electric yellow eyes and canines like a wolf assaulted me. I couldn't breathe as the man moved in closer, the pain only getting worse.

And then it vanished.

I steadied myself against the brick wall, returning to a standing position. Adrenaline coursed through me. My hands shook as I dug through my bag, trying to find my phone. I had to tell someone. Morena would probably be my best bet. I knew she would believe me. My parents would just be angry that I kept something from them.

"Are you alright?" A gravelly voice interrupted my frantic thoughts.

My head shot up, my eyes landing on a pair of hazel eyes.

They belonged to a man with dark brown hair donning a fresh-pressed suit. He stood a few inches taller than me. I could tell his body was muscular beneath the fabric he wore. His cheekbones were angled high on his face, contrasting his strong jawline. There was no way he was from Eelry.

It took me a moment to find my words, but I collected myself, "Y-yes."

"Are you sure?" His eyebrow quirked.

I nodded, not quite ready to pull myself away yet, but I knew I needed to go. As handsome as this stranger was, something was off. I hugged my belongings closer to me as I created a wide distance between us before walking past him.

"You know the visions will get worse." His voice followed after me.

I stopped in my tracks. I twisted my neck, looking back at the man. He hadn't turned to face me. Instead, he held his head high, his back straight.

"What did you say?" I asked him.

"The visions," He turned towards me now, "My brother has a flair for the dramatics I'm afraid. He is not likely to relent anytime soon."

My brow furrowed, "Who are you?"

All his features stayed perfectly still, except his lips. They curved into a genuine smile, almost amused.

"I'm Elijah."

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After realizing there is just not enough Elijah fanfiction out there, I decided to write my own. I hope you guys enjoy the story as much I do writing it. Thank you for reading! Let me know what you think :)