The Trials: The Recruitment
Part One of 'The Trials' expanded fic.
Plot Summary: Jane Warfield and Theo Deschamps prepare for and attend the recruitment meeting for the elite, magical Black Ravens organisation. At the meeting, tension builds between them.
Pairing: Theo Deschamps x Jane Warfield/Reader (note: reader-insert friendly! Jane's physical description kept very vague.)
Can be read alongside listening to The Trials on Quinn.
Content: scene setting, world building, rivalry, flirtatious undertones
Wordcount: 4,200+
Additional credit: Tyler McCall - original writer of The Trials audiobook.
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A rugged chill had descended low into the air in tandem with the sunset that Saturday evening. Jane Warfield had watched the palette of the sky turn from a bright, rusted orange to an inky black outside her office window as the hours passed. She bit her thumb nail as she tapped her pen against her desk. Her leg bounced uncontrollably as she stared down at her stack of notes.
Her research into the Black Ravens organisation had chewed up almost all of her free time outside of work over the last week. She glanced over guiltily at the pile of unread books she had promised herself she’d get through, the empty potion vials that sat on the shelf eagerly awaiting her experimental formulas. She sighed heavily and tossed her pen to the side. She’d done all she could for now. At least, she’d learned as much as she could about the Black Ravens. The trials, on the other hand…
Jane glanced down at the cream coloured envelope on her desk, a brilliant red wax seal embossed with a flying raven remained on the flap where she had opened it. An invite, one she had long awaited, to participate in the recruitment for the Black Ravens. She could hardly believe it still, but it was proof. Proof she was somebody. Or that she could be. Proof that her dedication to the magical community, and to magic itself hadn’t gone unnoticed. Proof that she was strong enough to be considered.
She breathed out a mixture of relief and apprehension.
A chime sounded delicately in her ears. “Shit – already?” she gripped the edges of her chair, clenching her fists. She squeezed her eyes shut and muttered to herself.
“Jane, get it together. You can do this. You were meant for this.”
She stood slowly, smoothing the front of her pencil skirt, tucking in the parts of her white blouse that had tried to escape its soft grasp on her waist. She made her way down the hall to the entrance way, grabbing a beige wool sweater off the back of a dining chair as she went. She slipped it on, as well as a pair of black loafers with a small heel. She checked her reflection in the mirror beside the door, straightening the bobby pins holding up her bun. She hadn’t bothered to change after work – this would have to do.
Jane focused hard on the coordinates given on her invite. She steadied her mind, her eyebrows knitting tightly together. With a snap and a soft woosh of air, she vanished into thin air.
***
The air inside Theo Deschamps’ apartment was warm and comfortable, despite its otherwise cold, hotel-esque appearance. The soft crackle of the fireplace added a quiet, elegant ambience to the open plan room.
Theo raised his arms above his head, casually stretching out in his desk chair. He got up and walked over to the floor-to-ceiling windows that spanned the entire living area wall, his shiny oxford shoes clacking slightly on the dark tiled floor. He watched for a moment as below, a group of people walked past his building, five floors down, in the crisp night air. They looked tiny. Unimportant.
The glow from a floor lamp beside the square sofa illuminated the very top of his chest, peaking through a fawn coloured shirt, casually unbuttoned at the top. He sighed pointedly. A mix of frustration and confidence sat inside him like an unstable potion. He flicked his hand vaguely toward the sleek desk on the other end of the room, and his laptop opened itself with a smooth click. He sat back down in the office chair, and began his email.
Dear Ben,
How are things in France? I have to admit I’m jealous of your new work assignment. I know everyone thinks that being lead non-magical liaison is a cushy job, and I guess taking US government officials out for an all-expenses paid dinner every night isn’t too much to complain about, but still. I’d much rather get to spend a year travelling Europe. You get to be out in the field seeing real action and meeting interesting people. If I have to spend an evening explaining the basics of magic to one more clueless Senator…
Theo sighed, and continued typing.
It’s probably for the best that I’m home. I’m not sure if you’ve heard yet - but just as father predicted, the Black Ravens have started recruiting again for the first time in years. And naturally, I received by invitation to apply. It only makes sense that the Black Ravens would want me. It’s the most elite magical order in North America, and every influential member of the magical community for the last several decades has been a member. Including my father, his father before him - entire generations of Deschamps going all the way back to the founding of the Black Ravens. It’s practically my birth right.
“Hmm…” Theo growled softly to himself.
But of course, the Black Ravens never make things easy. Not even for Legacies like me. I’ll have to participate in the trials just like every other applicant. You’d think I’d get some kind of advantage considering my family… but they make everyone swear that oath of secrecy. So father can’t even tell me what the three tasks are. I only know what everyone else does – that the trials will test my intelligence, my strength, and my loyalty.
He scoffed as he continued typing.
Well, not that I’m worried about any of that. I don’t know who all the other applicants are just yet. The first recruitment meeting is tonight, but I know I’m better than any of them, whoever they are. I belong on the Black Ravens.
Theo inhaled steadily.
I’ve only heard one other name rumoured as an applicant so far and, you won’t believe this. Do you remember Jane Warfield from college? She works in the research department, and the office is buzzing because she supposedly got a letter from the Black Ravens I mean, there’s no way right?
He sniggered childishly, imagining Jane walking across the office with her nose buried in a book, her skirt always covering her knees like they were a scandal.
It’s shocking to think that plain Jane would get an invitation. No one had even heard of her family before she showed up at St Michael’s. She was a scholarship student. And don’t remind me that she almost always did better than I did in class… which I know is what you were going to say. You had such a soft spot for plain Jane. I can picture you rolling your eyes at that nickname.
“Hmph.” Theo grumbled, continuing his analysis of her.
But really Ben, I never understood why all you guys thought she was so beautiful. I can admit there were times were she looked pretty, and…
Theo paused. An image crept into his mind, uninvited: Jane in a floor length, silky emerald gown, fitted over her perfectly, her hair draped softly over one shoulder. He shook his head quickly as if to shoo the image away.
…and I guess she was pretty stunning at the senior gala, if you’re into that kind of look. Which of course - I’m not. Besides, I see Jane around the office all the time, and she’s so prim…always buttoned up with her hair pulled back. I can’t even imagine what she’d wear outside of work and trust, me, I’ve tried. The fact remains though, that she’s a nobody - and I’m the heir to the Deschamps family. You might think that I’m a snob but the thought of having to compete against her for a spot on the Black Ravens is unbearable.
Theo mused slowly over his next words.
Father was able to get some inside information on this year’s trials. An old colleague of his, still on the Black Ravens told him that there’s only one spot opening up this round. And you know my dear old dad… if I don’t get that spot I’m as good as disowned as far as he’s concerned.
A sarcastic, exaggerated voice played in Theo’s mind as he typed:
“I’ve given you everything! You need to succeed in this world! Surely you’re not so lazy and spoiled that you can’t work for this one thing!”
Can you believe that? I mean, you’ve met the man so I’m sure you can but, given me everything? It’s not my fault the Deschamps family is a legacy pretty much anywhere that matters. I’d have gotten into St Michael’s on my own skill I’m sure. And yeah, maybe he got me my first job with the Magical Government. But I’m the one who worked up to lead liaison. That spot is mine, Ben. I don’t care what I have to do to secure it.
A delicate chime sounded, filling the air. Theo looked at the clock.
“Shit, it’s late. I better be going.” He said to himself. He typed quickly now, hurrying through the end of his message.
Anyway Ben, keep me posted about your travels through Europe you lucky bastard. And I’ll try to keep you as updated as I can about the trials. It’ll be hard once I take the oath tonight - Once I do I can’t share any details about the trials with anyone except other applicants, but you know I’ll do my best.
Speak soon, Theo.
A small woosh sounded as he hit send. “Alright,” Theo said aloud. “Let’s make sure I have everything here.”
He stretched out again, his long slender limbs releasing some of the built up tension he’d amassed during his email. He was confident, sure. Calm even. But an irritation seemed to ripple endlessly around the edges, around having to compete against lesser mages for a position that belonged to him.
And she irritated him the most. Plain Jane Warfield, with her buttoned up, knee-length, stocking-clad, slicked-back self. Plain Jane, who was seemingly afraid of the sight of her own kneecaps and collarbones, keeping them permanently locked behind tailored office attire like prisoners. Theo’s mind wandered again to that emerald gown, without permission.
“Right,” He cut the image off like an annoying, loose thread. It was time to focus. It was time to be his usual charming, confident self. It was time to outshine her, and all of the others.
He pulled on a classy dark wool trench coat, and ran his fingers through the soft waves of his hair, glancing quickly in the reflection of the window again. Devilishly handsome as always, he thought to himself. He clicked his fingers, and vanished with ease on the spot.
***
Theo appeared outside the large, stately Black Raven’s building. It was lined with smooth, bright marble pillars and manicured hedges. Small balls of light hovered over the grand entranceway like large fireflies, attached to nothing but the air itself. They emitted a soft, quiet hum as he made his way inside. The air of confidence that surrounded him was almost palpable. Making his way down a wide hall lined with black velvet carpet, he caught the eye of Jerry, who was warmly welcoming the other applicants into the meeting room.
“Jerry, hi!” Theo exclaimed. “Theo Deschamps, Alexander’s son.” He added, the words carrying an unmistakably pompous weight. “Father told me you’d be here tonight,” he grinned.
Jerry took in Theo’s obvious sucking up, raising an eyebrow at him. He looked down over his glasses at Theo disapprovingly.
“That’s Mr Adams, if you don’t mind.” he corrected him pointedly.
“Um, of course. I apologise, Mr Adams. I - I hope you won’t think I was being impertinent…” Theo stumbled. “Father had only mentioned- “
Jerry cut him off swiftly, raising a hand and both of his eyebrows now. “I hope you aren’t under the impression that your father’s position on the Black Ravens will increase your likelihood of recruitment.” Theo blinked rapidly. Jerry clearly didn’t mince his words.
“No, no you’re… so right. No favouritism to any applicant – we wouldn’t want that! It would be unseemly.” Theo agreed rather breathily.
“Everyone invited here tonight will face the same trials, and every applicant will be assessed based on their own merits and skills, naturally.” Jerry said.
Theo rubbed his thumb against his index finger inside his coat pocket, the awkwardness hanging over him like a sheet. Frustration flashed through him as he took in Jerry’s words – he was more skilled, more deserving than any of them. He was going to make damn sure that that was known.
Theo forced a smile across his face. “I’m more than happy to prove my worth alongside everyone else. I’m not the last to arrive…am I?” He glanced through the hall, which was otherwise empty apart from the two of them.
Jerry didn’t answer him directly. “You may go in and wait for the senior members with the others, Theo,” he concluded. Theo had no desire to attempt small talk any longer.
“Oh, good.” Theo eyed the door to meeting room briefly and turned the polished doorknob. It clicked open metallically. “Right through this door? Wonderful. I’ll see you in there…” He hesitated slightly, forcing the next word out through his teeth “Sir.”
Theo stepped into the meeting room. Black velvet carpet was laid in here too, matching the halls outside. Smaller marble pillars lined the side walls. The ceiling was high, adorned with friezes of various magical carvings, laid out in sequences. At the back of the room, an elevated platform spanned the length of the wall, housing a dark wooden podium and several stately chairs.
It was all a bit Roman Empire for Theo’s tastes. For a split second, a hint of anxiety curled in his stomach. A feeling grossly foreign to him. He scanned the room and began mulling.
Mr Adams? Ridiculous. I can’t wait to tell father about that one. Theo realised the room was dead quiet. A silencing spell? Of course. He decided to test it.
“Hey guys!” he exclaimed confidently. There was no response. “Tough crowd,” he sighed to himself.
Fine, alright. Let’s see who else is here.
Rebecca - well it’s no surprises there. Her family business dominates pretty much every international market, so she’s got valuable contacts. I doubt she’ll be able to translate her book smarts for the trials though. Didn’t think I’d see James here, his private potions company really took off in the last few years. I guess that gives him pretty deep pockets to work with but unless he’s improved since school, his spells are sloppy. Blake is the youngest ever professor of concealment magic at St Michael’s, so of course they got an invite. Still, even when we were kids they hated getting down in the dirt. If things get physical they’re in trouble. The Morgan twins? Amelia was brilliant in combat class… I think she set some speed records for her spell work takedowns. But good old Eddie? That one has to be a favour called in by daddy dearest. Considering the amount of times he nearly flunked out, he’s definitely going to drag her down.
And, is that…Gregory? From the accounting department? Theo scoffed loudly to himself. That guy is absolutely useless. Always bumbling around, sticking his nose in other people’s business. How did he even get an invite? Everybody hates Gregory.
Theo frowned to himself, internally scoffing at Gregory, who stood awkwardly alone on the other side of the room, sliding his foot across the carpet idly.
•••••
Mere split seconds after vanishing, Jane appeared on the steps outside of the Black Ravens building. The chilled air hit her as if it had been waiting for her personally.
Apart from the short walks to and from the office and the library, she’d barely felt fresh air all week. The scent of thickly dusted books and scrolls seemed to have formed a permanent layer in her nostrils. She took a deep breath of it into her lungs.
Then another kind of chill set in, and sat itself right in her stomach like a rock. Because it was dead silent, save for the soft hum of the hovering lights. There were no voices or idle chatter carrying through the halls. Was she late?
“Shit. They’ve started!” She rushed through the heavy double oak doors into the building and walked frantically down the bright hall to the end room, with such speed that running would’ve looked less ridiculous.
Inside the meeting room, Theo was still assessing his peers.
Alright. So there’s 7 of us. That’s a good number, lucky even. He laughed breathily to himself. And all that fuss in the office about plain Jane Warfield getting an invite. He inhaled with a slight relief. She-
Jane’s stomach clenched as she opened the door as quietly as possible. It clicked loudly in defiance.
Theo’s head snapped around, his eyebrows furrowing together at the sight of her.
Mother fuc-
Jane breathed a tiny sigh of relief – they hadn’t started yet. But being the last one to arrive wasn’t exactly the first impression she was hoping for. She stepped further in and quickly scanned the room, the other applicants – all with looks of apprehension on their faces. All except…
Him. Theo Deschamps. Jane’s eyes darted towards him before she could stop them.
He towered above the rest, of course. Leaning casually against a pillar, his dark coat hung down gracefully from his shoulders to his thighs, his fawn shirt peeking out from beneath it. Black tailored trousers held up by a shiny leather belt framed his long legs; Jane could swear they went on for miles. His ashy, light brown hair was combed in tidy soft waves, just kissing the bottom of his ears.
As usual, Theo looked like he’d spent hours with a celebrity stylist – but Jane knew it was effortless, which irked her even more. She hadn’t ever decided whether his usual showing-up of everyone around him was deliberate or not.
Jane’s eyes darted up to his face. Clean shaven, sculpted with high cheekbones and a sharp jawline. His attractiveness pissed her off, frankly. Why was it all of the arrogant ones never had to try?
Shit. Her stomach flipped a little - Theo was looking directly at her. He wore a slightly smug expression, clearly having made his personal measure of the other six applicants already. A falsely friendly half-smile slid up one of his cheeks as he took slow steps towards her. He never was good at fake niceties.
Theo’s voice was low and gravelly in a way that seemed to scratch her eardrums in the most satisfying way, and laced smoothly with an upper class English accent.
He sounded amused as he greeted her. “Jane Warfield. What a… surprise to see you here.”
Jane stared into his Atlantic blue eyes. “Theo. Consider me surprised to see you.” She replied flatly. She already knew any conversation with him would come with its usual thick undertone of mocking, arrogance, or pompousness.
“You - you’re surprised to see me…here?” He chuckled, shaking his head down at her.
A wave of his hair threatened to flop over his forehead. “Well, Warfield, you probably don’t know this but my family was one of the founding families of the Black Ravens and-“
Jane cut him off swiftly. “Yes, in fact I do know that. I’ve done so much research into the Black Ravens this week that I hardly think there would be anything I don’t know about them at this point.”
Theo looked down at her, amused. “Oh, you did know that? You spent the week researching the Black Ravens?” His voice softened down, teasing. It could have easily been interpreted as seductive, if she didn’t know better. “Of course you did.”
He was raising his eyebrows as he took her in. His eyes flicked inadvertently to her mouth for a split second, before meeting her eye line again.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Jane replied, narrowing her eyes.
“Hmm? Oh no, I was just thinking about how…talented you are at research.” His voice wrapped around the word ‘talented’ sarcastically. He sounded on the edge of laughter. “You were always so… studious,” He lingered on the end of his sentence with a slight hiss.
Jane stared at him blankly. God, did he think he was clever? Funny? Witty?
She rocked on her heels for a moment, and then replied. “That sounds like an insult coming from you, you know. The way you say it, like it’s a bad thing.”
“Do I say it like it’s an insult? How interesting.” Theo smirked. “No, all that I meant was that in most of my memories of you from college, you’re in the library half hidden behind a pile of books. I’m not sure I ever saw you at a party.”
Jane raised her eyebrows at him. “So, you were looking for me at parties were you? Hoping I would be there? Sorry to disappoint you, Theo.” She smiled sweetly.
He may have been intimidating to most people, but Jane found him irksome, and his arrogance was almost funny when it wasn’t making her roll her eyes.
Irritation flashed across his face, his eyebrows furrowed in defiance. “No, I wasn’t looking for you Warfield. I’m just saying I don’t recall you being particularly social is all.”
“Why do you insist on calling me Warfield? Forcing formality is just faking intelligence.” She pointed out.
He stared at her, challenged. “I’m calling you Warfield because that’s your name.” Theo said matter-of-factly. “Would you rather I call you plain Jane?” He added snidely.
“Oh come on Theo,” She rolled her eyes and shook her head quickly. “We’re adults now aren’t we? This isn’t the school playground.”
He looked like someone who had been told off by the teacher. “I - yes - I know we’re adults now, it’s just…”
Jane held her disapproval of his mocking plainly on her face.
“Fine.” Theo’s voice softened again. “Jane.” He said her name like he was tasting it slowly. “Happy?”
She smiled sweetly at him again, like a teacher praising a child. “See, was that so hard?”
The doors clicked open metallically, breaking them out of their back and forth. Senior members of the Black Ravens began filing into the room. Steps clacked across the floor as they made their way to their seats on the platform.
Theo’s eyes scanned them as they passed through the room. “Ah, it looks like Jer- Mr Adams,” He hissed, “is ready to start. It’s been so great catching up…” He said with a sarcasm so thick you could cut it.
“It’s just too bad that once we take the oath we won’t be able to speak to one another again.” He added jokingly.
Jane raised an eyebrow at him. “You know that’s only for people outside of the trials, right? You know, maybe you should read a book every now and then...or perhaps some simple guidelines to start?” She teased back.
Theo narrowed his eyes at her. “Yes, I know the oath only prevents us from talking to people outside the trials. It was a joke.”
She’d definitely hit a nerve by not pandering to his humour. She loved taking him down a peg, his arrogance was astonishing.
“I see you haven’t developed a sense of humour since-“ he began.
Jane cut him off; she’d grown tired of him now. She stared ahead, shutting him out. “The meeting is starting, Theo.”
“I can see the meeting is starting!” Theo hissed quietly.
Jerry stepped up to the podium in his formal robes, and waved a hand across the room. The applicants all turned their attention toward him, their facial expressions ranging from eager to slightly nauseous, in Gregory’s case.
Theo turned to Jane one last time. “Good luck with the trials Jane.” He growled.
You’re going to need it. He thought to himself. I’m going to make sure I take you out of the competition first.
Theo listened to Jerry rattle off the rules of the trials. The expected things – like taking the oath of secrecy. No involving non-mages, no using dangerous magic, and no harming other applicants. Anyone who failed to complete a trial would be disqualified. Clues would arrive shortly for the first trial, and subsequent clues would arrive to those who had successfully completed the previous trial. They were to test intelligence, strength, and loyalty. The facets that the Black Ravens valued most.
Intelligence. Theo’s brain lit up at the word, and the vague shape of a plan began forming in the back of his mind. Hmm…unless…
He glanced over at Jane, who was taking in Jerry’s words attentively. Why put in all that work to prove himself alone, when he could use Jane’s skills to propel himself in the ranks faster? Not that he couldn’t do it alone of course, but to beat out everyone as fast as possible, using her skills to do so, well that was enticing.
If he used Jane, he could complete the trials faster than any recruit in history and make an impression that even his father couldn’t ignore. He’d be celebrated, praised endlessly. Theo imagined his portrait on his father’s desk, square centre, rather than off to the side collecting dust. His stomach flipped with excitement. He’d made a decision. A sly smile slid through his lips. Jane was a means to an end.
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