Early the next morning, Spalding was already downstairs preparing breakfast for the academy.
Charlie woke around the same time as the young witches, though the events of the previous night had left him feeling slightly groggy.
He dressed, secured the Glock inside its holster, and opened his bedroom door.
Madison stepped into the hallway at almost the same moment, looking as polished as ever in an expensive outfit with flawless makeup.
“Good morning, Charlie.”
Her bright smile showed no trace of the fear and rage she had experienced at the fraternity party.
“Morning, Madison.”
Charlie had to admire her emotional control.
Madison had worked in Hollywood since childhood and spent years surrounded by demanding directors, agents, reporters, and fans.
Whatever she felt inside, she knew how to hide it when she wanted.
Zoe emerged from her room a moment later.
Her expression brightened when she saw Charlie, and she walked straight into his arms before greeting him with an affectionate kiss.
Charlie returned it carefully without allowing the moment to go too far.
Zoe’s inherited power remained dangerous even if an ordinary kiss appeared harmless.
Madison watched them from a few feet away.
She made no effort to look elsewhere and merely curled her lips with mild amusement.
The three headed downstairs together.
When they reached the dining room, Charlie finally remembered that he was supposed to be Spalding’s assistant and entered the kitchen to help.
Spalding gave him a cold glance but did not object.
Charlie sliced fruit, arranged it on several plates, and stayed out of the older servant’s way while Spalding prepared the rest of breakfast.
Charlie considered himself fortunate.
Most supervisors demanded that their assistants work harder.
Spalding preferred handling everything himself because he feared being replaced, which allowed Charlie to contribute very little while still receiving credit for being helpful.
Even better, the academy’s residents already seemed to appreciate Charlie more than the man who had served them for years.
Spalding’s miserable personality made that achievement almost effortless.
When breakfast was served, Madison sampled a piece of fruit and immediately smiled at Charlie.
“This is delicious.
You’re improving already.”
Spalding stood nearby after preparing almost everything on the table, but Madison did not even acknowledge him.
Charlie was not shameless enough to accept praise for work he had not done.
“Spalding made most of breakfast.
I only cut the fruit.”
Madison’s expression did not change.
“That’s what I was complimenting.”
She lifted another slice with her fork and examined it as though it were a piece of art.
“The presentation is beautiful.
Even the fruit tastes better when Charlie prepares it.”
Charlie looked at the ordinary slices on her plate.
He had chopped them quickly without any special technique, but Madison had clearly decided to praise him no matter what he did.
“Thank you.
I’ll try to maintain such high standards.”
A sharp clatter interrupted them.
Spalding had been gathering the empty dishes, but he slammed two ceramic plates together harder than necessary.
His expression grew darker as he turned to leave the dining room.
Madison watched him with open satisfaction.
“Spalding, throwing a tantrum is beneath you.
If the people you serve ask you to improve, you should listen instead of sulking.”
He stopped and glared at her.
Madison leaned back in her chair.
“Do you disagree?
Go ahead and tell us.”
She paused, pretending to remember something important.
“Oh, that’s right.
You can’t.”
Madison’s smile became crueler.
“I’ve always wondered how you lost your tongue.
Did someone cut it out because you said something inappropriate, or were you simply terrible at using it?”
Spalding’s eyes burned with hatred.
He turned away and stormed from the dining room before Madison could provoke him further.
“Don’t leave yet,” she called after him.
“Let me examine what’s left.
Maybe I can use magic to grow it back.”
She watched until he disappeared down the hallway, then turned toward Charlie and raised one elegant eyebrow.
“This house only needs one servant.
When I finally get rid of Spalding, you can find a suitable way to thank me.”
Charlie finally understood why she had been attacking the old man so enthusiastically.
Part of Madison’s behavior came from her natural cruelty, but she also wanted to clear the position for him.
“I appreciate the thought, but I’m comfortable with the current arrangement.”
If Spalding disappeared, Charlie would be expected to cook, clean, carry luggage, maintain the mansion, and wait on the witches from morning until night.
Allowing the old servant to keep his position was far more convenient.
Still, Madison’s vicious tongue confirmed Charlie’s earlier judgment.
She could damage someone mentally before she ever needed to use magic.
Combined with her telekinesis, she was exactly the kind of partner he wanted beside him while investigating a haunted location.
Human criminals and supernatural creatures alike would have reason to fear her.
Charlie became even more certain that he had chosen the right helper.
By then, Zoe, Queenie, Nan, and Madison had gathered around the dining table.
Everyone ate breakfast while the morning news played on a nearby television.
The sharp click of high heels suddenly echoed through the hall.
A tall blonde woman entered the dining room wearing a fashionable black dress.
Her clothes, jewelry, and confident posture announced wealth and authority before she spoke a single word.
“Good morning, girls.”
Fiona Goode looked over the young witches as if inspecting a disappointing collection.
“I’ll be replacing Cordelia for today’s lesson.”
She walked farther into the room without waiting for permission.
“I’ve reviewed your files.
If you think sitting inside this miserable little academy will somehow turn you into important witches, you’re mistaken.”
Her gaze swept across Zoe, Madison, Queenie, and Nan.
“My daughter has no idea how to prepare you for the real world.
We’re going on a field trip, so finish eating and get ready.”
Madison frowned at the stranger’s dismissive tone.
“And who exactly are you?”
Fiona slowly turned toward her.
Madison had never respected authority merely because someone acted important.
She looked Fiona over from head to toe before opening her mouth again.
“Did some bitter old woman escape from a private clinic and wander into our breakfast?”
Charlie reacted immediately.
He reached beneath the table and caught Madison’s wrist before she could continue.
She glanced at him in confusion, but the warning in his eyes convinced her to stop.
Madison possessed an impressive talent for insulting the most dangerous person in any room.
Fiona Goode was already terrified of aging and obsessed with preserving her youth.
Calling the Supreme an old woman was not merely rude.
It was almost an invitation to be killed.
Charlie allowed himself one brief look at Fiona.
Luxury cosmetics, designer clothes, and careful styling could not completely conceal the marks of age on her face.
An ordinary woman might have accepted those changes with reluctance, but Fiona possessed power far beyond any ordinary human.
She had spent her life believing herself untouchable.
The thought of growing weak, old, and replaceable frightened her more than death.
Charlie quickly lowered his gaze before Fiona noticed what he was thinking.
She had already raised one hand toward Madison, prepared to teach the younger witch a painful lesson. This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
Charlie’s intervention made her pause.
Fiona studied him with greater interest.
“At least one person in this house understands basic manners.”
She gave Madison a contemptuous smile.
“You are ignorant, vulgar, and painfully predictable.
Perhaps you should learn something from people with actual class instead of imitating every desperate actress in Hollywood.”
Madison’s face tightened, but Charlie kept hold of her wrist until she remained silent.
Fiona turned toward him.
“You must be Charlie Taylor.”
Her voice softened slightly.
“I can see why Myrtle decided to bring you here.
A polite young man is rare enough.
One who survives a witch’s deadly gift is even more unusual.”
Charlie rose respectfully from his chair.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Ms.
Goode.”
Fiona appeared pleased by his answer.
“Continue serving the Coven faithfully.
People who prove useful to witches often receive opportunities that ordinary men could never imagine.”
“I’ll remember that.”
Fiona nodded before snapping her fingers.
Every candle in the dining room ignited at once.
Flames appeared across the candelabras without matches, smoke, or visible effort.
Zoe and Queenie stared in amazement.
Even Madison’s irritation gave way to surprise.
Fiona turned toward the door.
“Now move, fledglings.
I don’t intend to spend my entire morning waiting for you.”
She passed Queenie, then stopped when she noticed the orange-red shirt beneath the young witch’s sweater.
Her face twisted with immediate disapproval.
“Dear God.”
Fiona looked Queenie over as though her clothing were a personal insult.
“Change your shirt.
Wear something black.”
She continued toward the entrance without another word.
Queenie looked down at her clothes and waited until Fiona was out of hearing range.
“Who the hell does she think she is?”
Zoe had only arrived at the academy the previous day and could offer no answer.
Madison was equally annoyed, though Charlie’s warning had made her suspicious enough to look toward him.
Nan smiled as she listened to the thoughts passing through the house.
“She’s the Supreme.”
The dining room fell silent.
“The Supreme?” Queenie repeated.
Cordelia had explained the position during their lessons.
The Supreme was the most powerful witch of each generation and the living leader of the Salem descendants.
Fiona Goode was not merely another instructor or member of the Witches’ Council.
She possessed abilities the younger witches could barely imagine and authority over the entire Coven.
Madison slowly looked toward the doorway Fiona had used.
Her earlier insult suddenly seemed far less amusing.
The witches abandoned breakfast and hurried upstairs to change into black clothing as ordered.
Before leaving, Madison moved close to Charlie and deliberately squeezed his hand.
Her gaze carried unusual warmth and gratitude.
Charlie had stopped her from insulting the most dangerous witch in the academy and possibly saved her life for the second time in less than twenty-four hours.
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