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in. Carefully now, don’t crush it.” I pinch a tiny petal in between my fingers and throw it into the pot. “Hmm, almost” she says. “Now, hold your hand over the steam and cast Cleanse.”
    I feel for the tiny spark but my hands are shaking too much. It’s just like being in school all over again. Georgia looks at my quivering hand and then up at me. “No need to be so afraid dear. There’s no one here to judge you, this isn’t for a grade,” she says guessing at my insecurities. She’s right. No one here will laugh at me for not being able to use magic. I’m not going to fail this test. Plus, I have been able to do so much more magic lately. I can tell that I’m not fully charged, but I’m the only thing holding me back.
    “Cleanse,” I cast and watch as the dark liquid boils ferociously before fading to a pale blue color.
    “Good.” She grabs three mugs from the cabinet and plunks them down on the counter. “Don’t just stand there, pour the stuff while it’s still hot, it will taste terrible otherwise.”
    “Oh is that your Cleanse Tea?” Ruby asks, emerging from the hallway holding Edgar. He mews up at her and I recognize those begging eyes. I find a small saucer from one of the cabinets and pour some tea in it for him. He jumps from her arms onto the countertop and nuzzles against me.
    “It’s hot little guy,” I warn him lovingly. I can’t help but wonder why Edgar hasn’t started talking to me now that I know he can.
    “When he’s ready,” Georgia says, once again guessing at what I’m thinking. “Cats don’t shift very often, if ever. He’s likely experiencing some magical aftershock at being forced to by your Dragon friend. The tea should help a little.”
    Ruby and I grab our mugs and join her at the table. The blue tea tastes like springtime and fresh rain. I take a hearty gulp and find the flavor of fresh cut grass and warm cookies.
    “This is delicious!” I say, wishing the hot tea was cooler so I could drink it faster.
    Georgia chuckles at my enthusiasm. “Those who have the most to cleanse tend to find intoxicating. Take it slowly dear.”
    The effects of the tea wash over me. I can’t fight back the tears that are forming. “What’s wrong?” Ruby asks.
    “I’m just really worried about Asher. We… well I sort of left him abruptly...” I admit. “We have been through so much lately. It’s not like it used to be…”
    “Used to be?” Georgia asks. Ooops! I guess I’m gonna have to explain more than I anticipated.
    “Ash and I met a long time ago, but not in the real world. I started having these… dreams I guess you would call them, except to us they were very real. Anyways what started out as a friendship ending up being so much more. But now that we’re here we just keep fighting about the most ridiculous things. I guess I just thought it would be different…” I twist the bracelet on my wrist. It’s still not charged up and if it were I would portal to him right now.
    “Do you love him?” Ruby asks wistfully.
    “I do,” I admit. “But he’s just so impulsive. You saw him at the Council. He gets mad and can’t help shifting into his dragon form. And now he’s off with this werewolf trying to recruit more shifters to help him defeat the Fae, but it’s too dangerous! And I don’t think he even considers using me and my magic as a way to help him, but I know that I can! I have to, I can’t lose him again.”
    “I think you’re right Melinda. You can help him. You were a crucial part of the prophecy and I don’t think you’re done just yet.” Georgia says looking over at Ruby. “The Council was rash in setting up that coven so hastily, but they wanted to show Asher that we were powerful and skilled. I warned them that setting up a coven takes more than just gathering a bunch of witches. Do you know why the circle failed?”
    “Because we weren’t ready?” I guess.
    “It’s more than that. Think about it. Not only did you just meet