Ven
“What?” He asked when he noticed that I was looking.
“Wasn’t I supposed to be the one asking that? What is this all about Geo? Leaving me there just like that to adhere to an invitation by a beauty?” I almost spat, and he looked a bit taken aback, before a smile slowly stretched on his lips.
“Why are you acting like a jealous girlfriend? Don’t tell me the old man’s teases finally got to you.” He chuckled and I rolled my eyes at him.
“That’s not the point!” I let out, trying my best to still keep my voice just above a whisper. “The clear skies and the clear surroundings Geo-“ Before I could finish, he cut me off.
“I know, relax.” He said and we heard footsteps and as if on cue, Ebony the sickly sweet woman and the old man appeared, holding a try filled with fruits.
“Hello you two, want some?” Ebony offered and we just shook our heads, too cautious to try anything at all. I mean, what if it’s poisonous? This however, didn’t go unnoticed by the duo.
“They always refuse anything edible you’d offer, it’s as if having each other around is enough to fill their stomachs and hydrate their throats.” The old man’s joke caught my attention. I’m starting to think that Ebony is not the only witch here as they laughed together.
“How sweet.” Ebony commented, putting the tray down the center table. “You two are werewolves right?” She asked.
“Yes.” I answered, wondering why she was asking.
“I see.” Suddenly her expression darkened and in the blink of an eye, a green magic sphere came flying towards us and Geo barely managed to move us both to dodge it. We both stood up as Ebony cackled. “Fine reflexes.” She noted before throwing another sphere which we efficiently dodged once again.
“Witch.” I mumbled and her eyes became wild, she threw a concentrated energy at me but I ducked making her hit the fruits in the table instead.
“Watch out!” Geo said, as another sphere of magic coming from the old man was hurled at us. I knew it! We dodged it too and it hit the window, shattering the glass. The sound seems to irritate Ebony as she hurled at us again, but this time,, I moved slightly behind the old man whose agility isn’t as efficient as mine and he was hit by the sphere and was turned into a stone that looks a lot like the ones in her necklace. Oh my god!
She cackled, happy that she’s able to add something in her collection as she picked it up. With her distracted, Geo pulled me towards the open window and we ran out of the house.
“You can run, but you can never hide.” We heard her scream as she calmly walked out of the house by the door.
“What’s the plan?” I asked Geo as we dodged another energy concentration from her.
“Are we allowed to shift now or what?” He asked.
“Yes cause we’re out of the mist.” I answered.
“We need to split up!” He said. “Right now!” Before I could ask, he ran towards the left and I was left alone on Ebony’s track. She kept hurling her spheres at me and I kept dodging them until I tripped on my feet and suddenly she appeared before me.
She was about to hurl an energy concentration at me when a midnight black wolf tackled her from the side, making her lose her balance and be pinned to the ground. But of course her hands are free yet before she could use them to create magic, I jumped up and stepped on them as Geo finished her off with a sharp claw on her neck.
Bang!
An explosion shook the entire area as the mists disappeared along with the one who created them. And then her necklace glowed, making Geo and I step away from her. It floated in the air and shattered, emitting a very bright light. We shielded our eyes until the light disappeared and in the meadow were about 25 people sprawled on the grass and one of them was the old man. They all looked puzzled.
“What happened?” They asked.
“Ebony, she turned you into stones with her magic, and now that she’s gone, you’re free.” I answered, pointing at the lifeless witch who looks a lot older now that her powers wore off.
“You saved us…”
“We awe you our lives…”
They all said and I just smiled. I then turned to Geo’s black wolf and he nodded, before hiding behind the bushes to shift.
“It’s so kind of you to rescue all of us from that selfish, power hungry witch. But I do want to know, why? Why did you do it?” A middle aged woman with a blaring red hair asked as she approached me.
“We were caught up in the magical storm that she created and wants to be free too.” I answered.
A hint of disappointment crossed her face but she quickly brushed it off. “So, she actually managed to pull it off. I mean it’s a spell that requires a great amount of power after all.” She stated and I agreed. Only a few can pull that off and honestly, if Ebony’s combat skills are as great as her sorcery skills, Geo and I wouldn’t have been able to defeat her.
“She had a lot of power source after all.” I responded, motioning to her companions who are now standing up and facing the both of us. It didn’t take long for Geo to join us too.
“Of course. My name is Amanda by the way, the leader of the White Witches Clan. Ebony used to be one of us before she became rogue and did what she did.” She sighed. “Nonetheless, we owe you our lives, and we want to give you a little thank you gift.” With that, she held out her hands and the others followed. A faint white glow appeared in their right palms, they raised it up and then directed it at Geo and I. Our wrists suddenly glowed and when they lower their hands and closed their palms, the glow on our wrist disappeared, leaving a white flower tattoo that’s barely visible on my light skin. “Whenever you need us, we will be there for you.”
“Thank you.” Geo said, smiling at all the witches who bowed their heads in response.
“Where are you headed now?” Amanda asked and I just looked at Geo. I mean, now that we’re free of the magic storm, I’m back to being his captive am I not?
“To the Golden Moon Pack.” His answer surprised me, but I didn’t ask anything and just nodded.
“Be careful then. I would invite you to stay for a while but we still have a lot of rebuilding to do here.” Amanda stated, motioning to the mess around us.
“Good luck.” I said and we just smiled at each other. We were about to leave when the old man from earlier approached us and it’s as if he didn’t recognize us at all. Perhaps Ebony casted a spell on him earlier to make him lure us to her, I couldn’t hold that against him and I’m just glad that he’s free from any sorcery now.
“Take these fruits with you.” He offered and I gladly accepted.
Geo examined them intently, probably making sure that they aren’t poisonous, before shrugging off and then motioned for us to keep going now as the witches also started doing their own thing.
A few minutes into the walk, I asked him. “Are we really returning to my pack?”
“Yes. You are returning to your pack.” He answered.
“So that you can demand ransom from my dad?” I said, making him stop in his tracks and I almost bumped into his back.
I heard him sigh before he turned to me. “If I’d ask him for their heads, do you think he’d deliver, just to have you back?”
“Do you want me to be honest with you?” He nodded at my question, urging me to go on. “I know how scheming my dad is, he’d probably pretend to agree but he’d actually plot something to out smart you and umm, no offense but he’s got an army and you only have yourself.” I provided.
“Thought so. I might as well just return you, it would just be a waste of my energy if I’d get on with it, right?” He chuckled bitterly.
“And a risk of your life.” I added.
“I’m sorry for the inconveniences Ven, I was clouded by grief and rage that I thought revenge would make me feel better. But it just doesn’t feel right. I can’t… I can’t harm you, nor can I use you to harm others.” He confessed and without warning, I wrapped my arms around him.
“It’s okay. I understand.” I softly whispered and I felt his arms wrap around my waist, pulling me close as I felt the tears stream down his cheeks flowing into my shoulders. I meant what I said, I really understand that he’s not a bad person, he’s just hurt by the loss caused by my people. So I just held him close.
After about 10 minutes, he slowly pulled away from the embrace and I let him. “I’m sorry about that.” He murmured.
“It’s okay.” I said again, holding up a hand to cup his cheek and wipe away his tears. His hazel brown eyes met my ocean blue ones with raw emotions pouring out. I felt his hold on my waist tightening once again and then sparks ignited all over my body as his lips locked with mine in a kiss so passionate.
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