Free The Doctor Witch (The Ward Witches) by Lauren McMinn Page A

the odds of meeting more than one are practically minuscule. It can be a fulfilling relationship or a harmful one, but it’s a strong bond. Then there’s the fact that once you have sex with this person, the bond will be complete and even stronger. You won’t even want to be with anyone else, for one thing.”
    “ That’s hardly fair. So people, or non-witches, can find love with a whole variety of people, really. But I can’t even have a normal relationship without unintentionally sabotaging it? Is that what you’re saying? You mean that Jeremy left me because I was too cold because something about my magic was off when we were together?” Her voice got louder and shrill, but she didn’t even care. He covered her hand with his.
    “ Sadly, yes. And indeed, it isn’t fair; I agree. Speaking from personal experience, it sucks. I am old enough that I feel I should have found someone already, but even my flings don’t work out.  If you’ve found someone whose magic is aligned with yours, you’re about three steps ahead of me.” He kissed the back of her hand. “Not to say that I won’t still flirt with you. I flirt with all pretty women.”
    She smiled.  “How do I know if it’s true?”
    “ I think you already know. I imagine, and correct me if I’m wrong, that you’re already thinking about a lasting relationship with this lucky man when you’ve never wanted one before.”
    “ That is true.”
    “ Would you like my advice?”
    “ Please.”
    “ No matter how your body and your magic is making you feel, don’t sleep with him yet. Make sure you’re compatible in other ways as well. It’s better to live without the bond than it is to have a destructive relationship. Remember that, Skylar.”
    “ I see.”
    “ If you don’t now, you will later. There aren’t many destructive relationships like that, but any number of them is too much. There’s a few of them in our coven’s quadrant, and it’s painful to see. Now look, I’ll bring you to the practice room then go round up your potential teachers and we’ll see who’s right for you.”
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    CHAPTER FIVE
     
     
    They went down a labyrinth of hallways and down to a basement with no windows. There were mirrors on all four walls, with many doors, and padded blue mats on the floor. Other than that, there was nothing out, making the room look especially large.
    “ There’s another part of the basement through that door that leads to the gym.”
    “ Then why were you leaving the Coven House to work out?”
    He didn’t answer, but deflected the question with a comment about finding people.  Sure enough, about fifteen minutes later, he showed back up with five people.
    “ Now this is a weird part,” Justin explained.
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    THE DOCTOR WITCH
    “ As if any of this wasn’t weird,” she grumbled under her breath.
    “ They will send out a kind of finger of their magic to touch your core, or the seat of your magic that you were working with yesterday. If it feels right on both sides, you’ll work together. If not, you’ll try the next teacher. Sound good?”
    “ Sure.”
    The first woman, a middle aged lady with dyed black hair introduced herself as Margarita, and soon enough, Skylar did indeed feel something questing around in her chest. But it felt invasive more than anything. She shook her head when Justin looked at her.
    The next, Carlos, was Margarita’s husband. His hair, at least, was showing its gray. The problem was that his magic felt similarly invasive, and she wasn’t comfortable with it at all. After another shake of the head, she moved on.
    Surprisingly, it was Suzy next. The magic tendril sent out felt flighty and light, much like the woman. They both shook their heads, and Suzy gave Skylar a large smile.
    The fourth was an attractive man with short black hair and welcoming brown eyes. His name was Timothy. When his magic touched hers, she felt warm and calmer.
    “ Skylar? Timothy?”
    “ I