Marston, England 1999

The day was cold and gray. The Highest Coven leader, Ford, smiled appreciatively. Alsa, the devil, had blessed them today. Today was special. In front of Ford stood two boys, one about six, and the other, eight. They both stood very straight, but the younger one, a boy with blond hair and sky blue eyes, kept stealing glances at the older one, trying to catch his eyes. Ford laughed, but quietly. The youngest had probably idolized the older boy before they had trained to join the Highest Coven. Behind Ford, in a V-line formation, stood the thirty-seven other members of the coven. This was one of the smallest covens, but that was expected, this was, by far, the most elite in the whole Coventry.

The coven that stood behind Ford had trained, since they were younger than the two boys, to join this coven. To join, you had to be cunning, manipulative, but above all, ruthless, willing to do what ever it took to keep peace between the magical beings, Wizards, and Immortals. A church bell chimed from somewhere. It was officially the start of the initiation ceremony. Ford threw up his hands, and immediately, everyone looked at him.

"Welcome all." Ford glanced at the boys. The blond one was no longer trying to glance at the older boy anymore. He was smiling triumphantly at his soon to be coven members, probably trying to break into their minds. Ford had to admit, he'd have to watch out for the younger boy, because he was an exceptional mind reader. Ford projected his voice once more.

"The Highest Coven recognizes its two newest members – and probably the most powerful, Ford thought – Alexander Cordova and Jared Borden!" … ..

'It's been almost a year since Jared and I have joined the Highest Coven.' Alex had written to his father. Now, he raced outside, barefoot, taking only minutes to run downstairs and out the door. It was very early morning, and Alex didn't want to risk waking up anyone. He went out to the mailbox, and stuck his letter in, desperately hoping the mail carrier would come soon. He started looking around.

Life had been great here, in Alex's seven-year-old mind. Ford had taken him aside every day, after his usual classes, and taught him all sorts of advanced magic. He also taught Alex how to open his mind farther… farther and farther, until he could get into other people's minds, and stay in there, undetected. Alex had found that very exciting, and it boosted up his self-confidence every day. Ford had picked him out of everyone to mentor. Alex stopped looking around. He guessed since it was still early in the morning, the sun hadn't even come up yet; the mail carrier wouldn't come until later. He sighed. Alex had never tested his newfound ability, and, at that moment, he decided Jared would be his first…experiment. Alex sprinted to the house's front door, and clicked his fingers. It was a lot easier to Transport than run, especially when he was trying to keep the element of surprise on his side. He landed in his and Jared's room seconds later, as silent as a lion stalking its prey. Ford had also taught him the art of being perfectly, and beautifully silent, even when running.

In his twin bed that sat right next to the left wall of their room, Jared was fast asleep. He looked in pain though, and for a second, Alex wondered if it would be a good idea if he should enter Jared's obviously distraught mind.

Yes, Alex thought. There is no other person I would want to do this to.

The last couple of months had been the rockiest when it came to Alex and Jared's friendship. Alex, a few weeks back, had just come back from his dueling training with Masterna, a mean-looking witch with perfect almond eyes and blue skin. He was walking along the corridors, going back to his and Jared's room so he could go to sleep. Tomorrow, he had an early test with Huym, his history teacher, and Alex didn't want to be late… again.

"The Order's leader is dying, Johnston."

Alex stopped dead. Ford's voice was echoing off the walls. He was very close by. Alex hurried to the next room's opening, and was just in time to see a smile playing along Ford's lips. Johnston and Ford turned their backs to the door, giving Alex time to slip in and hid behind a big, old statue that stood in the corner of the room.

"He has asked me personally to step in," Ford said again. Johnston looked at Ford grimly, like he wasn't as happy about this news as Ford was.

"Ford," Johnston started, frowning. "How long does he have? Who will you pick to replace you?"

Ford's grin grew, but in an odd, chilling way. He turned around slowly, followed by Johnston, and stared at the statue that Alex was hiding behind.

"Soon Johnston, I'm afraid," he said quietly. Ford never took his eyes off the statue, but Johnston looked at him. "And, as to the new coven leader, they will need to be powerful, more powerful than me. They probably already are."

They turned to face the giant, floor to ceiling window that was on the opposite side of the room. Alex took this opportunity when their backs were turned, and crawled out into the hallway, shivering with excitement. He knew what Ford had meant. He had just told Alex that he would be the new coven leader. Alex ran the rest of the way down the hallway, to a dead end, and rushed inside of his room. Jared was sitting on their desk, his legs swinging freely off the side, reading. He looked up as Alex came bursting into the room.

"What happened?" Alex ran over to the desk, and sat down with Jared. He told the whole story about what happened minutes ago. When Alex was done, Jared hopped off the desk, and looked at Alex like he was a piece of gum on the bottom of his chair.

"He could have just heard you breathing or something, you know."

Alex sighed, obviously, Jared didn't get it, or he was refusing to believe it.

"No! He looked right at my hiding place. He said –."

"Yeah, I know what he said." Jared snapped, cutting Alex off. "But if you think that means Ford's going to make you our new coven leader, then you really are arrogant." Jared spun around, going toward the door so he could go somewhere quiet, and read. Alex grabbed his arm, stopping him. Why was Jared refusing to believe the obvious? Jared turned around forcefully. He was irritated that Alex was keeping his way of thinking. Why would Ford even consider Alex as a coven leader?

There was a sharp, sudden bang, and Alex flew through the air and landed with a sickening crack against the opposite wall. Alex sat there for a moment, surprise sweeping through him more than the pain. Jared looked at him from across the room, clear remorse in his eyes.

That's, at least, the fifth time I've done that. He thought. He felt a heavy wave of guilt crash over him, as Alex kept staring at him, stunned. Jared refused to look at him, but Summoned his book, and clicked his fingers, disappearing into thin air.

Eight years later

The snow fell gently onto Alex's face. It fell onto his eyelashes, and in his hair. He was standing outside, right by the mailbox. Every year, this had become sort of a tradition. Alex would always mail his father a letter, telling him what was happening, and how he was doing. He knew his father didn't really care, but it let Alex sleep better at night. He knew his father knew how he was doing, and where he was. That was enough for him. Alex started pacing around, avoiding going back inside, if he could help it. Everyone was so tense these days, ever since Ford had made a speech about the Order's leader, Master Carruthers, dying, and how he was replacing him. Everyone was on edge now, and tensions were above the roof. They all wanted to be the Highest Coven's leader. Not Alex, sure… he used to be when he was younger, but not anymore. He was happy with his ranking right now, plus, he didn't think he could handle all the stress. Alex already knew who would be the new coven leader, though. It was a kid, now seventeen years old, and he roomed with Alex…. Jared. Alex shivered, and not from the cold. No, he was imagining what the Highest Coven would be like, if Jared was in charge—

A sharp chiming sound brought Alex out of his thoughts. What was Ford doing, calling a Meeting early? The sun had not even thought about getting up yet. Nevertheless, Alex started to run, and made it to the door before he stopped. Run? Running was for Innocents who had no powers. With a click of his fingers, Alex instantly was in the dining room, where most of the Meetings were held. As soon as Alex landed, he saw the difference immediately. Instead of tables and chairs, there was a small stage at the front of the dining room that, even though it was small for its size, drew away attention from the rest of the room. Exactly thirty-seven chairs were placed after the stage. The whole set up made it feel like Alex was about to watch a play.

Already, all of the coven members were here, except for Ford. Alex took the last seat at the end of a row of chairs. There was a sharp click, like someone had just snapped their fingers, and Ford appeared on stage, looking rather smug and pleased with himself. All thirty-seven pairs of eyes looked at him, some dull and sleepy-eyed, some alert and awake, despite the early morning. Alex gulped, looking at Ford's face that was still glowing with self-pride. This could only mean one thing… The Order's leader must have died, and Ford was picking their new leader this morning.

Ford cleared his throat.

"Sorry to call you all so early." Johnston yawned widely, unable to contain it. Ford shot him a meaningful look, then continued.

"As some of you know already— he shot a look at Alex— the Order has asked me to step in Master Carruthers place as leader. I've just received word that he has passed away last night." The last words hung in the air, creating a heavy fog, but most of the coven members hadn't really heard it. They were still reveling in the fact that Ford was going to be the leader of the Order. All around, the Highest Coven members were looking at Ford, and each other, with mild astonishment. Alex was included, but he couldn't hide his non-surprised face. If anyone were to be the next Order leader, it would be Ford.

Still, as Ford plugged along with his farewell speech, Alex was trying to get the sickening feeling in his stomach to go away. Ford would be picking the new leader any second now, and who ever it was, would have a second scar running across their fingers. Alex flipped over his hand, and glanced quickly at Ford, to make sure he wasn't being noticed. Ford was now gesturing to someone on the far side of the chairs, and everyone's eyes were on them. There, on his palm, lay a thin scar that started at the top of his pinky, and ended just at the base of his thumb, outlining his entire hand, and going right through his odd-shaped birthmark that sat at the heel of his hand. It was an identifying mark, telling the whole world that he was a Cordova. Alex looked up from his hand, but did not focus on Ford. Instead, he looked at the stage, and let his eyes go out of focus, wondering for a minute what it would be like… if he was the leader….

Polite clapping brought Alex out of his thoughts. He seemed to be dazing off increasingly these days. Alex jerked his head up, and was startled to see that all eyes were on him, including Ford's.

"Come up here, Alex." Ford's whisper projected all around the room. Wordlessly, Alex stood up and walked on stage to join Ford. He kept his eyes straight ahead, because he could feel every pair of eyes follow him, and a little shyness was starting to set in. Ford gripped Alex's shoulder, and spun him around, so he faced the crowd. There were no longer any sleepy-eyed people; everyone looked at Alex in awe.

"I know you will be a great leader." Ford whispered in Alex's ears.

Suddenly, Alex's whole body felt like lead. Him…. Ford had picked him to take over. Alex stopped looking at the ground, and stared straight ahead, trying the whole time to keep his body from lurching forward. He caught many people's eyes, who all smiled at him reassuringly. His body felt a little bit lighter. Alex felt himself subconsciously scanning the crowd for his best friend….

Jared was sitting in almost the very back row, right in the middle seat. He looked livid. His normally cold gray eyes were burning like white-hot magma. Jared caught Alex's eye, and narrowed his own. Alex knew, at that instant, something had broken between them. It was a crack that could never be repaired. But, instead of trying to fix it, Alex let it grow. He smiled triumphantly at Jared and scanned the rest of the crowd.

It took a few minutes for it actually to sink in that, he, Alex Cordova, a fifteen-year-old kid, had beaten everyone in this room, and was now the leader of the Highest Coven. Alex felt on top of the world and thought that nothing could bring him down…

Not even a year later, things had turned around completely for the Highest Coven, and their new leader, Alex. Ford had definitely picked the right person to take over. In such a short time though, Alex's self-confidence had gone past the point of cockiness, and it made him, pretty much, willing to do anything. He was positive that he could do anything, because he was Alex Cordova. Also though, he had become ruthless, and that made him highly respected and well liked by his coven. Gone were the days of Alex, the little boy. He now had many important responsibilities. Thirty-seven people depended on him, everyday, to keep them safe and away from harm. Alex had to do anything to make sure that remained true.

Alex now sat on the foot of his bed, in the leader's bedroom. He was thinking about a new way to keep the peace between the Pixies and Sprites. They were very violent when their tribes got close to each other, and recently, they had burnt down a wizard village not far from here. The Order wasn't very happy with that, and they blamed Alex for not doing something. What was he supposed to do? A soft knock came from outside the heavy, oak door. Alex already knew who it was. It was Eli Johnston, the leader's personal advisor and assistant. Alex rubbed his eyes. He wasn't sure why he needed a personal advisor, but, nevertheless, he really liked Johnston. He never beat around the bush, and he was very nice, but reserved, so he never talked too much. Alex liked that about him.

"Come in, Johnston."

Johnston entered quickly, not closing the door behind him. He had a look of annoyance on his twenty-year-old face.

"Alex… Jared wants to see you right away."

Alex crossed his arms, but was momentarily taken aback. Jared? What did he want?

"Sure," Alex said, waving his hand dismissively to Johnston. "Where is he?"

"Right here." A third voice said from out in the hallway. Jared stepped in the room.

"He was harassing me all morning." Johnston said, shooting a dark look at Jared. Jared ignored it, and kept looking at Alex. Johnston turned on his heels and left closing the door silently as he left.

Alex folded his arms tighter, glaring at Jared.

"Can I help—?"

Catching Alex off guard, Jared threw a spell at Alex, knocking him to the ground.

"I've always wanted to do that… again." Jared's tone was cold and icy.

Alex's head swam for a moment, from the force of the impact, and confusion. What was happening? Jared again raised his hands, to summon another spell, but Alex's brain came back into focus, but the confusion did not go away. He sat up, and flicked his fingers, causing an angry red gash to appear on Jared's calf. Jared bit his tongue, refusing to cry out in pain. He really didn't want to give Alex that satisfaction. Jared threw another spell at Alex, who distracted because he was getting to his feet, and a large cut appeared on Alex's stomach.

The fight went on and on, colors were springing madly through the air, and furniture was being destroyed for being in the way. Alex and Jared were both getting weary, both desperate to end this… but they didn't want to give up. Alex was horrified that this was actually happening, that he was fighting Jared his used-to-be best friend. Tables and chairs, and Alex's bed, all splinted at the force of the spells. If Alex continued living in this house, he would have to find a new room. Alex, finding his way through the ruined room, went over to Jared, who was lying on his back. He was badly wounded, but as Alex came closer, his hatred boiled up, and he wanted to fight some more. But, another thought struck him. Let Alex come over here…

As soon as Alex got close, Jared leapt up, and fired one last spell. What he didn't expect was that Alex had done the same. Again, Jared fell to the floor, hitting his head on a splintered part of an overturned table, but not before he heard another sound. A thud, like someone had hit the floor with him. Jared smiled just before he blacked out. Alex had fallen too….