Samantha Stephens the Arch Witch of Connecticut

Crack!

Rebecca jumped in surprise. She looked around expecting to see Ruby. Instead, it was a pretty middle-aged woman with dirty blond hair, a black robe, and a pointed hat.

"Rebecca Queens, I am Samantha Stephens the Arch Witch of Connecticut. Please forgive my intrusion. Los Angeles Trafic was going to make me late," Samantha said with a bow.

Rebecca was taken back but quickly recovered. She stood from her desk.

"My driver said you were running late. Glad you could make our appointment on time," Rebecca said returning the bow.

"I need to read up on my Life Witch's culture and teleport edicate," Rebecca thought to herself.

But before Samantha could reply the door to Rebecca's private study opened without anyone in the doorway.

"Wait! Steven!" Rebecca cried out.

Cling!

Rebecca watched as Steven's invisible attack was deflected by Samantha's ringed fingers. A moment passed before Samantha broke into a dance of odd movements.

Cling! Cling! Cling! Cling! Cling!

"Jinn Sword dancing is so much fun," Samantha said between blocks.

Cling! Cling! Cling!

"But you really should have hired more Assassins, if you're after my head," Samantha said with a laugh.

Cling! Cling!

"Steven! Hold!" Rebecca shouted.

At that, Samantha stopped moving.

"Show yourself!" Rebecca shouted.

A grey-skinned Rock Jinn guard appeared. He stood between the two Life Witches, sword at the ready.

"Thank you for the protection, but this is my guest. Arch Witch Mrs. Stephens," Rebecca said before sighing in relief.

Steven squinted his eyes at Samantha, before lowering his blade, saluting, and disappearing into nothing.

"Oh, would you look at that? He broke one of my protection rings," Samantha said examining her hand.

"It has been a while since I lost jewelry in a fight. I feel so much weaker between pregnancies," Samantha said as she wiggled her nose.

Rebecca watched as the broke jewelry was replaced.

"Much better. Now down to business. I didn't expect you to have a Master Eco-knight under your employment. This is going to be an exciting contract," Samantha said taking a seat in front of Rebecca's desk.

The Life Wiches chatted for two hours. To Rebecca's delight, she learned that Samantha was a master of wards and defense magic. A true asset. However, it was difficult to guide the Arch Witch in conversation. The older witch got on story tangents every other sentence.

"It's no wonder you were attacked. Your coven doesn't have any magical defenses. And you only got Jinn guards from your coven's relationship with Queen Celestia. You know I met her late husband. Merlin was one of the few Life Wizards that lived to 1000. I wish my Darrin Stephens extended his life. But oh no, he was against abusing the natural order. Can you believe we only had two children? I had to hide my surrogate pregnancies from my family for years. It did, however, help me train my warding magic," Samantha said in a rush.

Rebecca marveled at how Samantha still had things to share. At least now Samantha understood the origins of the Life Binders, the Attack on Luke, the Fertility Center plans, and the immediate need for a magical cure to 'Mommy Maker Milk'. Rebecca just had to wait for Samantha to come up for air, to rush through her own info dumps.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Come In!" Rebecca shouted.

"Mistress, Dinner will be ready in 30 minutes. Should we plan for your 3rd Guest Mrs. Stephens to join you?" Sofia asked from the door.

"Samantha, would you like to join my Coven for Dinner? Additionally, you are welcome to stay the night. I have a few rooms left for you to choose from," Rebecca said with a smile.

"Oh, how lovely. I guess I should. Thank you," Samantha said before eyeing the grandfather clock.

"Heavens, look at the time. Where does it all go?" Samantha said getting up.

Rebecca guided Samantha down a hallway.

"So you can't help with the Milk Problem? My other tutor candidates are working out solutions," Rebecca asked patting her large pregnant belly.

"Oh sure, I can cure your debuffs, but it will cost a mountain of 'Soul Energy'/mana. Burning a soul clean of a curse is expensive. I suggest begging Celestia for an antidote. She will likely tell Luke, but not before bargaining with you. Just give her something valuable in exchange," Samantha said watching other pregnant women pass by.

"I see," Rebecca said considering the idea.

They turned a corner. They faced a window overlooking the city and the setting sun.

"Here we are, you can have any of these rooms. I had hoped all my tutoring candidates could have rooms close together. But my other guests took rooms on the first story closer to the kitchens and the gardens. Are you interested in staying in another part of the mansion?" Rebecca said opening a prepared guest room.

"Very nice, no this will do. I enjoy a room with a view" Samantha said stepping in and opening a window.

Rebecca spotted two Jinn Guards in human disguises patrolling the grounds.

"I should ward your windows before I leave, that is if we don't agree on a tutoring contract," Samantha said before twitching her nose.

At that, the guard's outfits, change colors.

"I should also ward your guard's armor. Enchanted items are harder to attack directly. Even a color protection spell can help slow the effects of magical attacks," Samantha said waving at the guards.

Rebecca watched, feeling like she was in boarding school again. Her old instructors never mist a chance to share their knowledge.

"It might eat into my savings, but I should consider hiring all three candidates," Rebecca thought to herself.

• Keyleth for teaching transformations and elemental spells.
• Sabrina for teaching magical potions and food buffs.
• Samantha for teaching warding and defense.

Just then her phone chimed.

Ring! Ring! Ring! Ring!

"Time for dinner," Rebecca said as Samantha argued with the Jinn Guards.