Quinten turned and hurried away, not looking back. They watched him walk away and disappear, and then his faint voice came out of the darkness. "Your testing will begin tomorrow morning."

Daniel and Jasmine turned back to Jennifer, only to find her gone.

Eight...

DANIEL AND JASMINE hurried back to their suite and burst through the door. They called out and when they heard voices out in the garden they rushed outside, relieved to be home amongst family. In the garden, they found Jennifer, resplendent in her plate armour, the symbol of Syn glowing on her chest, with Amber, Amy, and Bitty standing before her, listening.

“Daniel, Jasmine, over here, please," asked Jennifer.

They joined the others, and they quickly hugged.

"Folks, I have to leave. Syn has called me to the south. Something bad has happened, but I don't know what. Syn rarely gets involved in the world, content to steer rules and laws to their best definitions through others. This time she's more directly involved, and it means I have to move quickly.”

Daniel stepped forward and took her hands. "Thank you, Jennifer, for saving us back there."

“Saving you? What happened?" cried out Amy and Bitty.

Jennifer smiled at them as they crowded Daniel and Jasmine and grasped at them. "A minor incident with Quinten and those two boys.

It's over and in the past. A new witch will arrive soon to teach you.

Her name is Glenda Gables."

A gasp came from Amber, and Jennifer lifted her smile to her.

"Yes, Amber. That Glenda Gables. She owes Syn a favour, and this is it. She'll be your new teacher. You can trust her. Correct, Amber?"

They all looked at Amber and she nodded her head, her eyes wide open.

“Tomorrow, you have your testing. You will do well. Hold nothing back.

Let the Academy see what you can do. Make Grace proud of you."

Daniel could sense that Jennifer was about to leave. "Wait! Who is this One God? You seem to know! Tell us!"

Jennifer looked saddened. "Syn forbids it at this time. What is happening right now is a more divine nuisance than anything else.

There are rules for entangling mortals in those affairs. Be careful around Quinten. He is tamed for the moment, but his so-called god will not be happy to do nothing. It is his very nature. Once Glenda gets here, you will be fine, I promise you. Stay here in the suite.

Don't go out. Even after your testing. Wait until Glenda arrives."

Jennifer looked around at all of them and smiled. "Syn is proud of you. She knows you don't follow her, but she is interested in you.

Keep up the good work. Good luck tomorrow. Syn will be watching."

Jennifer went to each of them and gave them a wet kiss, with lots of tongue. And then she walked away and was gone.