Chapter 1 - a very awkward start

“This is ridiculous! Are you even trying?” burst out Xanthe’s mother as she watched her daugher attempt to levitate a coin off the desk. “You’re even worse than you were before you finished high school!”

Xanthe hung her head. At nineteen years old, she should be coming into her powers pretty nicely by now. “I’ve not been practising enough,” she lied, trying to ignore the sinking feeling that she had; that she was simply never going to be skilled enough to wield magic. “I’ve been seeing someone,” she explained, trying to change the subject. “I want you to meet him later.”

“Oh, really?” asked her mother in shock. “You’re telling me that you’re neglecting your magic, for a boy?”

Xanthe could understand her mother’s shock. Xanthe had never really shown much interest in a romantic relationship before. As her mother had taught her, men were expendable and good for one thing only. Indeed, that was how Xanthe used to feel too, until Thomas came along. They had met at a party during the first week of college. Both of them had felt it, as their eyes found each other from across the room; a powerful coming together of two souls; that was the real magic in this world.

Thomas had taller than anyone else in the room and as skinny as a drainpipe; yet with a handsome face that many of the girls were smitten by. Curiously, as the two had come together, their surroundings seemed to melt away; fascinated only by each other. Now six months had passed by, and Xanthe’s love and lust for Thomas only seemed to grow stronger; much like Thomas himself. That young, tall and skinny boy that Xanthe had met, had somehow blossomed into a complete hunk. He’d joined the gym as soon as he’d got here, and the results were, quite frankly, completely staggering. Thomas filled out his shirts better and better each day. His shoulders had developed, now strong and powerful; whilst his chest had burst out with pecs and his arms had swollen with killer guns. Meanwhile, Thomas had also grown large, delicious thighs and a cute, pert ass that made Xanthe the envy of every girl on campus. She might not be that good with magic, and yet, somehow, she had managed to attract one of the most handsome men to have ever attended this college.

Xanthe had warned Thomas in advance that her mother was a prickly customer, and so the boy arrived at the restaurant, looking smart and handsome; just as any potential son-in-law should. Xanthe and her mother were already sat down, meaning that Thomas had to awkwardly seat himself, not sure what he should do as Xanthe’s mother stared him down.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Thomas smiled. “Xanthe has told me so much about you. All good things!” he threw in awkwardly, making Xanthe cringe for him.

Xanthe’s mother leaned into Thomas without saying a word. She stared at his face, searching him, as if she was trying to find something hidden within his handsome features.

“Mother…” Xanthe prompted her, as if to remind her that she was acting strangely. She had a pit of dread in her stomach; this meeting was going even worse than she had anticipated.

Thomas’ eyes had widened and he gave Xanthe little glances to show how awkward he found this; as Xanthe’s mother just continued to stare into his eyes, not saying a single word. Then, sniffing deeply, the woman took in Thomas’ scent and suddenly started coughing and heaving; attracting attention from other diners.

“Are you alright?” Xanthe asked, passing her mother a glass of water.

Not yet recovered, Xanthe’s mother put her glass down and turned back to Thomas, looking him straight in the eye. “You need the bathroom,” she stated, using her power on him. “And don’t come back for five minutes.”

Under her magical influence, Thomas got up and left the table, making Xanthe turn to her mother in horror. “Why did you do that? What the hell is wrong with you?”

Not to be rushed, the older lady took another sip of water and composed herself. “Darling,” she sighed. “You’re dating a witch-hunter.”