Covens of Midnight

Water slammed upward like a living beast, parting and crashing aside until a figure was forced from its depths.

She emerged with a hiss of displaced water: long waves of cerulean hair cascading down a body cut from fantasy, eyes crystalline and unblinking, luminous with irritation.

"What now?" Sirene snapped, wringing water from her hair. "First that vampire, and now you come shouting at me."

My jaw tightened. Vampire?

"You dare ask me that after what you did to Iris?"

She rolled her eyes. "That she-wolf again?"

"You saw she was mine," I snarled, stepping closer until sparks crackled around my fingertips. "Yet you still laid a hand on her. Do you want to die, Sirene?"

Her lips curled upward in a disdainful smirk. She flipped her hair over her shoulder like a queen chiding a petulant servant. "Try me, if you truly believe you can."

"You really want to die, then?"

Arcane energy surged through me—lightning humming beneath my skin, eager to be released. I thrust my hand forward, but she dissolved instantly into water, her laughter echoing from every corner of the lake.

"It’s useless, Zephy..." her voice sang, rippling from the surface. "You cannot fight me here. This is my territory."

The water rippled, shifted—her form appearing everywhere at once. I lunged, closing my hand around her arm, only for her body to liquefy into shimmering droplets that splashed through my fingers.

"Teeheehee... come now, Zephy! Try harder. Let’s play some more."

Clicking my tongue, I stepped forward again, striking at another illusion only for it to collapse like melted ice. She re-materialized behind me, then above me, then to my right—mocking, taunting, her voice ringing with childish delight.

"If you don’t get serious, you will never win," she chimed. "Hmm... perhaps I should visit the little she-wolf again? All it takes is one touch of water. Maybe a bath... maybe a drink..." Her giggle darkened. "And this time, I might just take her with me."

A muscle in my jaw twitched.

She was baiting me. She always baited me. And normally, I ignored it. But the thought of Sirene creeping near Iris again—of Iris trembling, unaware of the danger beneath her bathwater—ignited a fury so sharp it hummed in my bones.

"I told you..." Both my hands lifted. The air stilled.

Then the entire lake rose.

Water obeyed my call with a deafening roar, spiraling upward until it hovered in a massive sphere above us, leaving the lakebed exposed.

Sirene was forced out of it, her form collapsing onto the damp ground, fins slapping helplessly before reshaping into legs.

She lay there naked, beautiful, dripping, hair clinging to her like silk threads. The sight didn’t faze me; it never had.

"Now," I said softly, dangerously, "depending on your reason as to why you prank her, I may kill you where you sit."

Sirene’s eyes widened, rage flashing hot. "Are you insane?! Is that girl so precious to you? Have you forgotten our time together? Have you already replaced that memory with me? We’ve known each other since day one here!"

I glared down at her. "I have not. Iris is merely my toy. Find your own."

Her expression froze—then twisted.

"Toy..." she whispered, trembling. Her bottom lip quivered before she burst out, shouting, "We’ve known each other the longest, Zephy! If you wanted toys—if you wanted someone to play with—then play with me! Not that girl!"

I stopped.

Her voice cracked.

Tears gathered in her eyes, shimmering like pearls against her cheeks. For the first time tonight, she looked less like a monster of ancient waters and more like a lonely, foolish girl drowning in her own jealousy.

The suspended water crashed back to the ground all at once, flattening in a tidal wave before stilling into its natural calm.

Past curfew.

No students wandered this late, and even if they had, the guards all knew what Sirene and I were to each other—disasters wrapped in familiarity. They would not interfere.

But this...

"You..." I exhaled sharply, rubbing my forehead. "Are you a child? Did you play a prank on Iris because I didn’t play with you? Sirene, do you even remember how many centuries old we are?"

She glared up at me, cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "I’m bored of you ignoring me! If you don’t want me teasing her, then play with me instead!"

I sighed, long and tired. "For old times’ sake, I will overlook this. But if you touch Iris again, Sirene... I will punish you myself."

She stuck her tongue out—immature as ever—before diving back into the lake with a splash.

"What’s so good about that she-wolf anyway? Hmph! I don’t care anymore!"

I doubted that very much, but at least it would make her think twice of harming Iris again. And with the necklace I gave her, she should be protected.

If only that girl would listen and keep it on.

I turned to leave, but the lake stirred again.

"Hey..." Sirene surfaced halfway, hair floating around her like a dark halo. "That Vladimir Nightborne."

I paused.

It was the first time I’d heard her speak his name. Usually, she didn’t care about anyone here but me.

"What about him?" I asked. "Did you fall in love with him too?"

"Who would?" she scoffed. "That vampire might look gentle and kind on the outside, but he’s a sadist."

"I’m glad you know that. Is that all?"

She bit her lip, then glanced aside—a rare gesture of uncertainty. "Be wary of him. And of that girl. In fact... you should stop associating with Iris altogether. She’ll only bring you misfortune."

Before I could question her, she sank beneath the water, disappearing without another ripple.

I stared at the surface long after she was gone.

What was that about?

Was there truly some connection between Vladimir and Iris?

Iris was a werewolf. Vladimir, a vampire. Their kinds were sworn enemies, ancient rivals with bloodshed for history. And they didn’t act as though they knew each other.

I huffed under my breath and turned back toward the academy.

Whatever Sirene meant, I would uncover it soon enough.

For now, I returned to the library—already late thanks to that troublesome, jealous monster of the lake.