Today, on the last day of summer, I turned eighteen. According to magical traditions, this should be one of the happiest days of my life.
Why, you ask? Well, for starters, every girl finally discovers her own unique magic on this day. There are four categories of magical women: healers, guardians, warriors, and creators.
Healers, as you might guess, save lives. Warriors and guardians primarily wield combat magic. Guardians, though, often protect the royal family—but only the most noble among them. Creators, on the other hand, are usually drawn to the arts.
That’s a broad overview, of course, because even within a single category, girls vary widely in the strength of their gifts and skills. For instance, some creators paint breathtaking masterpieces or craft exquisite garments, while others can transform an entire city into a blooming garden.
The greater the gift, the more opportunities it brings. Typically, powerful magic manifests in aristocrats, though there are rare exceptions when a strong gift appears in common folk.
Secondly, on this day, you’re allowed, as an adult, not just to attend the grand dinner but to dance at the ball. Though, if I’m honest, I find it a bit odd. Waiting until you’re eighteen for your first ball! But what can you do?
I’ve always dreamed of becoming a healer and studying at the local academy. But things didn’t turn out as I’d hoped.
Which is exactly why I’m sitting in the attic, surrounded by dusty old boxes. Somewhere below, music plays, laughter echoes, and I’ve run away from the ball thrown in my honor.
But what kind of honor is it when your gift is so insignificant that it doesn’t even fit into any of the categories? People like me were once called keepers. I say “were called” because it’s been a long time—fifty years or so—since a keeper was born among the aristocracy.
And it’s not because this is some rare or valuable gift. No, it’s because magical dynasties usually arrange advantageous marriages to ensure strong, gifted offspring.
Keepers are something like household spirits: they keep the home in order, clean, and care for clothing. But they’ve long since disappeared. After all, those things can be done without magic. Keepers, they say, also made excellent mothers and wives.
Even if I’m accepted into the academy, it’ll be for a special course meant for those with unstable gifts or for ordinary people. And I’d have to pay for it. Pay to learn how to be a good wife! I’d rather have no magic at all! At least then, no one would want to marry me.
And now, Sebastian is going to make my life a living hell!
He’s always hated me. And now… I’m terrified to even imagine what he’ll come up with next. He’ll find a way to hurt me in the most painful way possible.
I still haven’t told you my name or who I am. My name is Elvira Stein, and I come from an ancient and renowned lineage. Sadly, I’m the last of my family. I’m an orphan.
My mother, Rowena Olier, was a hereditary mage and a Kiresse—a high title at court—and a powerful warrior. My father, Ross Stein, though less distinguished, was merely a Lair; people of his rank aren’t even invited to the palace. He was a mage of the absolute. These titles mean little now, as the country is run by ministers, not the king and queen. Still, being an aristocrat is like winning the lottery. It didn’t save my parents, though. Both died defending our borders from the desert monsters.
We’re surrounded by desert on two sides. They say a great evil dwells deep within the sands, and an energy barrier protects us from it. But every now and then, there’s a breach, and terrifying creatures from the desert invade our world. They’re highly resistant to magic, so even the most skilled mages struggle against them.
I barely remember my parents. Sometimes, I recall a tall, smiling man, or the warmth of my mother’s hands stroking my hair.
But I’ve seen them in portraits in the gallery of our ancestral castle.
I think I take after my father more. Like him, I have slightly wavy, light hair and eyes so dark they seem black. My lips, though, are like my mother’s—small but well-shaped. I’m petite, and you could call me thin if it weren’t for my full chest. I used to think that was a good thing, but now that I know my gift, it feels like a cruel joke—just the perfect life companion!
That’s exactly what Sebastian said today, in his usual cold tone, that I’d make the ideal servant for any man, before laughing scornfully.
Sebastian is the son of Uncle Robert. Robert Solier, a hereditary master of light and a Kiren like my mother, isn’t really my uncle, but I call him that. He was my father’s friend and is now my guardian. I love him with all my heart, and he loves me, but his son despises me.
I don’t know why. No matter how hard I try to understand or connect with him, nothing works.
Sebastian is eight years older than me. Tall, dark-haired, and so handsome that every girl falls for him. On top of that, he’s a mage of the absolute, just like my father once was. For men, it’s different: their magic develops from birth. There are white mages, black mages, and mages of the absolute, who combine both. Sebastian’s mother, Alvina, came from the Murray family, rumored to have produced many royal guardians in the past. But she inherited the gift of a creator. She passed away when Sebastian was twelve.
I always thought that if anyone should understand me and reach out, it would be him. We’ve both lost our parents. But during our very first meeting, he called me a dimwit in a hideous dress.
Since then, both I and my dresses have changed, but Sebastian’s attitude hasn’t. Sometimes, I think I see something in his green eyes, like a flicker of warmth, but I’m probably imagining it.
Uncle Robert has treated me like his own daughter my entire life. I’ve had the best tutors, beautiful clothes, and today, when my gift manifested, it was he who comforted me. He tried to explain that there’s nothing wrong with being a keeper. He said I’m gentle and delicate, and he couldn’t even imagine me as a warrior or guardian.
Maybe he’s right.
Still, a chill runs through me when I remember how my gift revealed itself.
Sebastian stood up from the table, and the wide sleeve of his shirt caught on a nail on the armrest. He yanked his arm, and the sleeve tore. I only wanted to help unhook the fabric, but instead, I felt a warmth in my fingertips, and the tear mended itself.
Sebastian looked at me, then asked:
— So, what’s this? Can we do without servants now, Father? Elvira, you’ll make the perfect maid, ready to please any man.
— Son, why would you say that? Any magic is…
Uncle didn’t finish, as Sebastian turned his back on us and walked away.
So now, here I am in my favorite hiding spot. I used to climb up here as a little girl, hiding from my so-called stepbrother.
I’m wearing a stunning emerald ball gown that highlights my figure, my hair swept up in an elegant style. For the first time, I’m wearing light pink lipstick, but I’m not going to the ball. I’ll stay here! I just can’t do it! The thought of the guests’ reactions when they learn I’m a keeper makes me sick with shame. The last of the Steins—and such a laughingstock! A mage who can’t even open a portal!
I stood up, stepping over boxes, and approached the tiny window. Outside, night had fallen, magical lanterns adorned the garden, and elegantly dressed men and women emerged from a flower-decorated portal. Uncle Robert and Sebastian greeted them, though it should have been me!
How many times had I imagined this evening, the honored guests, the admiring glances of young men… and now what?
At one point, Sebastian turned sharply and looked straight at me—or so it seemed. I flinched, stumbled over some clutter, and fell. Then I heard something crashing down toward me. I barely managed to turn as a massive sack landed right where my head had been. I pulled a magical lantern from my purse and saw the spine of a book peeking out from a hole in the sack.
It shimmered with silver, and my hands reached for it instinctively.
Pulling the book out, I tried to wipe off the dust to read the title, but it wouldn’t budge. So I closed my eyes and imagined the dust vanishing. When I looked again, I read:
“Whoever reads me—
Meets their fate.
I’ll tell a tale,
And show the truth!”
The letters glowed gold.
— Well, let’s open it, — I encouraged myself.
At first, I saw only blank, white pages. But then, colors began to bloom across them, forming an image. It looked as if an invisible hand wielded a brush, sketching silhouettes.
There appeared a girl in an emerald gown, just like mine. She’s running down a corridor, darkness all around, stopping at a door and grabbing the handle with all her might. She pulls once, twice, thrice. Nothing happens. She starts pounding on the door, and then someone appears behind her. Slowly, one by one, lanterns flare to life, and a giant shadow looms over the girl. She turns—and I see myself. Though the drawing can’t convey sound, I know the girl is screaming… I’m screaming.
I threw the book as far as I could, and the image froze, no longer moving. What on earth was that?
I stepped back and heard footsteps.
I wanted to turn, but someone grabbed me. I opened my mouth to scream, but then I heard a familiar icy voice:
— Don’t you dare scream, you spineless coward.
It was Sebastian. So, he had seen me.
— What do you want? — I asked.
— What do I want? I want my dear little sister to come down and greet the guests. What did you think?
— I’m not going. Let me go!
— And why not? Scared? Afraid everyone will find out what a failure you really are?
Why, oh why, is he always like this with me?! I felt tears welling up in my eyes.
— Just let me go already. I’m not going anywhere!
I tried to push him away, but he didn’t budge. He held me by the waist with one hand and pinned my arms with the other. The top of my head barely reached his chin, but I still tried to headbutt him. I’d heard somewhere that hitting someone under the chin could knock them out—maybe it would work on mages too?
— Don’t even try, — he hissed. — Either you come down on your own, or I’ll drag you down. I don’t care what you think, but I won’t let you disgrace Father!
— No, let me go!
— Fine then… — he said menacingly.
Without another word, Sebastian hoisted me over his shoulder and carried me downstairs. I shouted something, even called him names in my desperation, but when I realized he was taking me straight to the ballroom, I fell silent. Tears streamed down my face.
— Sebastian, I’m begging you, don’t do this!
When we reached the doors, he set me down, opened them, and practically shoved me into the ballroom.
The chatter died instantly. Everyone stared at me. I looked down and saw my dress was dusty, as was my face, and tears rolled uncontrollably.
I turned my back to the guests and met the gaze of cold green eyes.
— Why? — was all I could manage before, for the first time in my life, I slapped him.
I don’t know what shocked me more: that I’d hit him, or that he gave a mysterious smile, ran his hand along my cheek, and I felt—more than saw—the dirt and tears vanish.
I wanted to run to my room and never come out, but Sebastian grabbed my hand and pulled me to the center of the room.
— Dear guests, please forgive my little sister’s antics! She’s still so young and got a bit overwhelmed today, — his voice, amplified by magic, echoed off the flower-adorned walls.
I looked around—some watched us in surprise, others smiled, and the men in the far corner of the room continued their revelry. It was as if no one had noticed anything amiss.
— Allow us to start this evening with a dance!
My worst nightmare smiled and signaled the musicians. They began playing the Irena—a beautiful, slow dance named after a famous dancer.
I closed my eyes for a moment and felt a warm hand on my waist. We seemed to glide across the room. The lights dimmed, magical lanterns floated to the center, surrounded by enormous, colorful butterflies. Constellations lit up one by one on the ceiling. Gradually, other couples joined us, laughing and chatting, while I felt frozen in place.
— Smile, at least pretend you’re having fun. All of this is for a pitiful orphan who doesn’t even have a proper gift.
He said it all with a wide smile on his lips, probably making everyone think Sebastian was an angel.
A nervous laugh escaped me.
— Fine, if that’s what you want, Bastian, I’ll smile. But after this, I’m leaving! — I bared my teeth. — If you stop me again, I’ll scream like a lunatic right in front of everyone.
— Don’t call me that. You’re nothing to me. And by the way, you know I can make you do it, so don’t threaten me. Say hello to your friends, then you can run to your room and hide like a little gray mouse. Otherwise, you’ll be parading around smiling at everyone like a wind-up doll until the night’s over.
The mage flashed a broad grin.
And these weren’t empty threats—he’d done it before, forcing me to follow his orders. I’d held onto a faint hope that once my gift awakened, I’d be able to resist him somehow. But what chance do I have now?
— I hope you choke, you arrogant peacock. I hope the desert beasts bite your head off! — I hissed.
— Maybe they will someday, don’t worry. Then you’ll get all the money, and someone might even marry you.
Another jab at my unfortunate circumstances. Yes, I don’t have a penny to my name. The crown took my family’s entire inheritance, and I don’t even receive an allowance. The only thing left is the ancestral castle. Old and enormous, it can’t even be sold—heritage isn’t for sale, as Uncle said.
The dance ended, and Sebastian led me to a group of girls as beautiful as fairies.
— Thanks for the dance, — he said quietly.
The girls immediately surrounded me, bombarding me with questions.
— Oh, spirits, Ellie, if I danced with your brother, I’d probably faint! — Ophelia, a creator a year older than me, sighed dreamily. She was so powerful she could build an entire castle out of thin air.
Everyone knew he wasn’t really my brother, but Sebastian always called me “little sister” in public.
— Did something happen? You seemed off at first, — Gloria, my one true best friend, asked.
I blinked at her and said:
— Oh, girls, I’m not feeling well! I’m thirsty, and I need some fresh air. Gloria, will you come with me to the garden?
— Oh, I’m not going! What about the dancing? Are you kidding? There are so many handsome suitors here tonight! — came the chorus of protests, so I grabbed Gloria’s hand and pulled her toward the garden.
Once we were far enough from the house, Gloria stopped.
— What’s wrong, Ellie? Sebastian again?
— No, I mean, not just him. My gift awakened.
— But that’s wonderful! — Gloria clapped her hands. She’d received her gift three months ago and was now preparing to join the healers’ faculty.
I turned away.
— If only, Glori, if only! My gift is worthless. There’s not even a faculty for it, just a special course. I’m a keeper.
Gloria touched my shoulder.
— Ellie, I’m sorry, but I don’t know what that means. Is it really that bad?
— Worse than you can imagine!
I told my friend everything I’d learned.
She was silent for a while, then said:
— I don’t think being a keeper is so terrible. Maybe there are other girls like you, and Sebastian is just a jerk, as always. Don’t pay attention to him.
— Maybe there are others, but you know how people talk. I bet half the girls in that room won’t even say hello to me now, maybe all of them.
— So what? You’ll see who your real friends are. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch! I think you should learn more about keepers. Maybe there are some books? You’ve got a huge library!
Involuntarily, I felt a wave of relief and even managed a smile for my friend.
— Thanks, Glori. I’m so glad I have you.
Gloria hugged me tightly, and we both laughed.
— Now let’s go back to the ballroom and have some fun. Your uncle worked so hard, and even if Sebastian is a pompous rooster, your dance together looked absolutely magical. And that dress… I’m obsessed! — She gave a pointed look at my neckline and wiggled her eyebrows.
— Pfft, Gloria!
— What? I wouldn’t mind having a bit more in certain places, if you know what I mean.
In truth, Gloria was beautiful. Tall, slender, with pale skin, dark hair, blue eyes, and full lips. But it’s true what they say: women always want to change something about themselves. Gloria constantly says she wishes she were petite like me.
— Don’t talk nonsense, Glori!
Hand in hand, we ran back to the ballroom.
For the rest of the evening, I danced and laughed, even when they announced my gift at midnight.
Yes, some scoffed disdainfully, mostly the older mages who knew what it meant. Soon enough, they’d explain it to their children, but that would come later.
The evening drew to a close. Guests slowly departed, I said goodbye to Gloria and the other girls, and decided to head to the library. I wasn’t sleepy, and I didn’t want to go to my room either.
As I passed the gallery, I heard a rustle and a soft sigh. I took a few more steps and saw a couple in an alcove. I froze, unsure what to do. Should I keep going or turn back? But then a moonbeam slid across the boy’s back, illuminating a familiar head of hair.
Sebastian!
It’s not that I didn’t realize he’s a grown man, but still, my heart skipped a beat, and I felt a strange, sharp pain that took my breath away.
I needed to leave. I took a step back—and something crunched under my heel.
In the complete silence, the sound was like a thunderclap.
— Who’s there, darling? — a girl’s voice whispered.
Sebastian turned slowly, like a lazy, satisfied cat, and fixed me with a heavy stare.
— No one, don’t worry, sweetheart. Just our little household spirit.
That was too much, even for him. I opened my mouth to say something, but I couldn’t. Rage choked me.
I don’t know how it happened, but the next moment, a black silk scarf that had been carelessly draped over his shoulder tied itself around his neck and began to tighten, tighter and tighter.
Sebastian didn’t immediately realize what was happening and grabbed at his throat. I laughed—I’d never seen him look so comical and flustered! Always so composed, ready for a fight, even a bit stern.
Turning around and still laughing, I ran to my room. Of course, the scarf wouldn’t choke him—my magic would never be strong enough for that—but the look on his face would keep me smiling for a long time.
Later, after the maid helped me change into my nightgown, I stood by the large window in my room and thought that maybe this keeper magic wasn’t so bad after all. At least it was unexpected.
Dear readers!
A little visualization for you!
P.S. If you can’t see the images (sometimes they disappear on Booknet after a while), you can check them out on my Instagram. Link in my profile.
Sebastian
Elvira