First thing next morning, Neferita, entered into the infirmary chamber. She brought with her three additional members of the coven.

Jacard watched Alara sleep with her head resting on his chest. He closed his eyes when he heard the group enter the room.

Neferita frowned. “Getting a bit personal are we Alara?”

Startled, Alara jumped up as she realized her position. “Sorry, Neferita, I must have fallen asleep.”

“If you say so.” Neferita raised an eyebrow.  Speaking in a sterner voice. “Wake up young Jacard. It is time. I ask you one last time before we start. Are you sure you wish to go forward and become or go back to being what you were before?”

Jacard opened his eyes. “My mind has not changed. I need to know what I am.”

Each witch took a point around Jacard forming an unseen pentagram.  Neferita took the north, the position of power.

Alara had walked to the north as well. Seeing Neferita already, there she frowned and took the southwest.

They prepared the area, drawing the pentagram and symbols. Jacard had a hard time seeing and tried to stretch his neck, but he was still in a state of suspension.

A coven member brought in a glass decanter filled with a red liquid. The iron-rich smell gave away that it contained blood. Neferita wrinkled her nose at the smell. “Jacard, when we release you from the suspension, you will feel ravenous. You have not fed since this started.”

Jacard’s eyes got big. “You mean you want me to drink…drink that?”

“You are a vampere. Is there something wrong?”

“I do not mean any disrespect at the offer. I am a vampere, not a vampire. I do not particularly like blood.”

Several members, of the coven, snickered.

“What do you eat? You can not bite any of us.” Neferita shook her head. 

Jacard was horrified. “I would never do such a thing. Do you by chance have any meat? Preferably rare beef?”

“We can get that for you. But just in case.” Neferita waved and two of the acolytes brought forth chains and strapped Jacard down. “It is just a precaution.”

“Prepare yourself. Jacard. You are about to experience pain like none before.”

Neferita started chanting. and Alara and the others echoed her lead.

Jacard started to get concerned. Beads of perspiration formed upon his brow. “Do you have any painkillers by chance?”

Neferita ignored his statements and continued.

The spellbinding that held Jacard was released. He screamed. He also sent a psychic shock that rippled through the entire coven. His body expanded, nearly to the point of rupture. The only thing holding him down was the chains securing him in place. His face contorted. His body elongated, skin became scales, pink became gold.

Mili, the Magna of the coven, rushed in. “What do you think you are doing?”

Neferita’s eye turned to the Magna, but she kept casting.

The Magna brought forth her staff and hit the ground. “Enough!” A wave of force issued and caused all but Neferita to fall back. The chanting stopped. The spell was broken. She went to Jacard’s side. She touched his face with her hand and whispered in his ear. His pain left, his body shrunk. The chain went lax. He was back to being his old self.

Jacard’s haze cleared. “What happened?”

“Hello, young Jacard. It is nice to meet you. I am the Magna, the leader of this coven. You can call me Mili.”  The Magna looked deep into his eyes. Jacard felt she looked at his soul.

Most members of the coven emitted short gasps.

Neferita’s face turned red. “Magna? You will let him call you by your name?”

“I told you before. He is very special. He is not ready for his change to occur. There is much work to do before that can happen. Jacard… rest… eat. I will personally train you starting tomorrow.”

Everyone was shocked at that statement, including Alara, “Magna? May I help too?”

The Magna looked at Alara and then took a longer look at Jacard.

Jacard grabbed the beef and started shoving it into his mouth faster than he could chew. He swallowed whole pieces. His hands and face bloody from the rare beef, he looked up. “Sorry. Can I get a napkin?”

Everyone laughed.

The Magna walked back to Jacard, handed him a towel, and took another good look at him. She looked back at Alara. “I see. How long have you been joined together?”

Jacard almost spewed his beef. “What? I, we, I have been magically paralyzed. I have not touched her, nor she, me. We have not joined.”

“Yes, joined, Oh.” The Magna laughed so hard tears formed in her eyes. “Not physically, Jacard. There is a part of Alara inside you. Think of it as part of the energy of her soul. It must have been what kept you alive.”

Furious, Neferita looked hard at Alara. “That is forbidden magic. Do you know the penalty for doing such a thing? It is exile or worse. Why would you do this?”

“I could not let him die. He called to me.”

Raias ran into the room. “You idiot! I knew there was something strange going on. Why? Why would you throw away your life for this man?”

Neferita turned to Raias. “Why hello Raias. Please join us. I apologize. I must have forgotten to send you an invitation.”

“Sorry, Neferita. I was just outside waiting.” Raias bowed her head. 

The Magna spoke strongly in a commanding tone. “Indeed. There will be no exile or expulsion today or any punishment this time.”

Neferita had enough. “No punishment? Who is this Jacard? Why is he so special that we can just break all the rules for him? This is absurd. I will have nothing to do with this anymore. He is human once again. He can leave now.”

Magna walked up to Neferita, placing her face inches from hers. She was inches shorter, and yet she seemed much larger. “No!”

Neferita turned white and stuttered. “I am still in charge of our home. He must leave.”

The Magna became quiet. She looked up, straight into Neferita’s eyes. “I am overruling your decision. If you have a problem with it, we can settle this in the old way.”

“I am sorry Magna, I overstepped. Please forgive me.” Neferita gulped, then sighed. 

Jacard finished his meal. “Excuse me, Mili. I am confused. Is that why I have such strong feelings towards Alara? And you mentioned training? What training?”

The Magna smiled. “Worry not, Jacard. Your feelings for her and hers for you are very real. That is for the two of you to decide what to do next. You will start training in magic. You have much to learn. When you are ready, we can complete your transformation.”

“When will that be?”

“When you are ready.” The Magna’s eyes became unfocused and distant.  She nodded as if to herself. “Yes. When you are ready.” She looked at Jacard once more. “Be at my chambers tomorrow at five a.m. sharp.” The Magna smiled one last time at him and left the room.

The acolytes followed.

Neferita, scowling, left quickly behind them.

Jacard and Alara were left alone in the room, looking at each other. Neither knew what to do next.