Witch Crystal (Witches of Zrotaz Book 1)

by Malika Gandhi

  “You stay away from her!” Jake released a series of spells towards his opponent, but he was soon beaten.

  A spell from the enemy had him sprawled to the ground. The witch stamped his foot on Jake’s chest, a sneer on his face.

  “Did you believe you could save her, all alone on this mediocre planet?” The witch kicked him hard and Jake turned over, his face in the dirt.

  “Get up, Xyth. I don’t like to win duels so easily,” he snarled.

  Jake lay still to buy himself some time. The appearance of Celtiq surprised him. How was it possible? How did he know Larissa was here and how did he find them? All feared Celtiq, the spawn of the evil High Witch. His handsome face could charm any ordinary witch, yet if they went against him, their lives would be something they would fear for. “Jake!” Larissa’s petrified face crumpled as she saw him go quiet and still. “Let me go!” She turned to the witch. “Who are you?”

  “Oh, have you not heard of me?” the witch laughed. “Why I am Celtiq, the most powerful sorcerer on Zrotaz. I see you are confused, dear Larissa. Has your mother neglected to tell you about the High Witch and me? Where is she, where is your mother? Shouldn’t she be here, protecting you?” He let go of Larissa’s arm where a bruise had formed already. She rubbed it with a whispered spell, and the black and blue mark vanished.

  “Impressive,” remarked Celtiq.

  “What have you done to Chantelle?” Larissa shouted. Chantelle lay spread-eagled on the grass. “Is she dead?” “No, just put to sleep. She will not remember a thing after we all leave Earth. She will not remember you were her friend, or that you existed. I shall make sure of that.” Rage flew through Larissa’s body. A mass of power swelled in her core and her eyes turned emerald and her hair, silver, unbeknownst to her.

  Celtiq stared. “It is true...!”

  White beams shot from Larissa’s eyes, hitting Celtiq in the chest. Another powerful spell hit him in the legs and Celtiq fell. Hearing the thud, Jake jumped up.

  “What happened?” he asked, looking at Celtiq’s unconscious form.

  Larissa shook her head, confused and dazed, her appearance already changed back to what it was.

  “I don’t know,” she said. “I feel different...”

  “How?” asked Jake.

  “I can’t say...it doesn’t matter. We need to wake Chantelle!”

  Jake ignored Celtiq, and zigzagged his way across to Chantelle. He crouched next to her, and let his power flow over her. She awoke in seconds, and looked just as confused as Larissa.

  “Questions later,” Jake said before she could ask. He glanced at Celtiq. “We need to get home, and quickly.” Jake helped her up.

  “Both of you get in my car,” he said. “Quickly, before Celtiq awakes!”

  The small group piled into Jake’s car and he sped away.

  * *

  Jake was glad he had got to Larissa in time, but he didn’t expect Stuart to be Celtiq! As soon as Jake was able to persuade Larissa and Chantelle outside, Celtiq followed them into the woods, to the lake. He confronted them, changing his appearance at will.

  Stuart morphed into Celtiq, his short blond hair lengthening to his shoulders, his t-shirt turning into a tunic, and his jeans turning into a thin leg garment. He was handsome, and yet dangerous.

  Celtiq blew a spell towards the party, which was still going ahead at full steam.

  “No one will miss us now,” Celtiq grinned.

  “What did you do?” Jake almost shouted.

  “Just erased a few memories. Oh, and that other boy and his girlfriend won’t remember us coming with them either,” said Celtiq. He walked up to Larissa. “I am so glad we finally met.” He looked towards Chantelle. “A friend of yours? What’s your name girl?”

  “Chantelle,” she squeaked.

  Without hesitation, Celtiq clicked his fingers, and she dropped.

  “We can’t have her bothering us, can we?” he smirked.

  Larissa gasped and backed away, frightened. A spell battle began between Jake and Celtiq. The power flew through the air, hitting trees and woodland shrubbery. The lake reflected the wondrous lights the spells created, rather like fireworks. However, Jake knew this was not any form of entertainment. He didn’t know when one of Celtiq’s spells hit him. Luckily, for him, it didn’t do any damage.

  It was very dark as Jake drove through the lanes. Larissa could hardly see the road ahead. Jake concentrated hard on the driving and raced on.

  “Slow down Jake!” Larissa held onto the door handle.

  Her knuckles had turned white.

  “I cannot risk Celtiq catching up with us. He is able to

  follow trails very well,” said Jake, his eyes hard as steel. “What kind of trails?”

  “Magical trails. As magical beings, we leave a magically

  enhanced vibe. This is not seen by humans, only by

  creatures, and witches,” Jake explained.

  “Who is Celtiq?” asked Chantelle. “I saw some light, and

  then I don’t remember anything. Can someone tell me what

  happened and why we are driving away from a cool party

  like criminals?”

  A fireball crashed into the road ahead, illuminating a

  deep crack on the asphalt. Jake swerved the car, making both

  girls scream.

  “Damn! He is on our trail!” Jake swore loudly. He manoeuvred expertly around the large crevice and

  pressed the accelerator. The car seemed to be flying. Of

  course not, thought Larissa, but when she looked down, she

  let out another scream. They were around a hundred feet off

  the ground!

  “Relax. We just need to get rid of him. We need cover in

  the clouds,” Jake said and flew into the indigo plumes. Larissa’s heart was pounding. Chantelle had fainted; Jake

  didn’t look too clever himself. He slowly brought the car

  down to the road and began driving at a normal speed. “How did you do that?” Larissa spoke faintly. “Do what?”

  “How did you make the car fly?”

  “Larissa, look out!” shouted Jake.

  He ducked and threw Larissa down onto the seat at the

  same time. Thank God, Chantelle was still passed out. Ice

  shards rocketed around them, some shattering the car

  windows. Jake jammed his foot on the brake. Chantelle

  lunged forward, waking herself up.

  “I had the strangest dream,” she said, still in a dream-like

  state. “I saw green eyes and someone wearing a pointed hat!

  It reminded me of The Wizard of Oz...Oh my God, so this

  isn’t a dream?”

  “No,” Jake said through gritted teeth. “The Empire

  Witches have arrived.”

  The girls looked through the smashed windscreen. Three

  witches stood before them, their silver hair shimmering, and

  their emerald eyes glowing prominently, like cats eyes in the

  dark. Larissa’s stomach flipped.

  “Oh Lord, I was afraid of this,” Chantelle muttered.

  “Rita will kill me!”

  “What?” Larissa said.

  “Nothing, I said nothing.” Chantelle avoided Larissa’s

  curious look.

  Larissa made a move to leave the car, but Jake’s strong

  hand clamped down on hers.

  “No,” he said. “It’s you they want. I am going to speak

  to them, please, just stay in the car.”

  “But...” began Larissa.

  “I said stay in the car!”

  Jake went over to the witches.

  “Leave her be,” he said in a loud and firm voice. “You

  have no claims on her.”

  An Empire Witch cackled. Jake hated it, the sound

  gnawed on his nerves.

  “So your name is Jake here, Xyth? How boring.” Celtiq

  chuckled.
“Give her to me Xyth, and nothing will happen to

  you or the other girl.”

  “If I have to kill you, I shall,” Jake threatened. “If you want your mother alive, you will do no such

  thing,” said Celtiq. The smile had vanished, replaced with an

  angry scowl.

  The two witches smirked.

  “My mother? What have you done to her?” Jake’s fists

  hardened.

  “The High Witch has her locked up in her castle,” one of

  the witches spoke. “What she will do to her, no one knows

  but it won’t be pretty. You know what to do to set her free,

  son of Zarina. Give us the girl!”

  “Never!” shouted Jake.

  Jake’s mother has been locked away in a castle? Why

  were they calling Jake, Xyth? Should she call her mother?

  Larissa was very confused; she didn’t know what to do. She

  knew Jake wouldn’t be able to fight these witches alone. She

  had to call her mother. She closed her eyes and reached out

  to her mother.

  “Mum, please – I need your help! Jake is in trouble. He

  said the Empire Witches are here!”

  Marcaria’s urgent query came instantly. “Where are

  you?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “I will find you. Who else is with you, Larissa?” “Only Chantelle and Jake.”

  “Don’t do anything. Just stay quiet. Promise me,

  Larissa.”

  Larissa sighed. “I promise.”

  As Larissa disconnected the conversation, the doors of

  the car broke off. She and Chantelle floated out, hovering to

  the front. Chantelle screamed when a flash hit her in the

  chest, making her head flop forward.

  “Chantelle!” Larissa yelled.

  “She is not dead.” Celtiq came towards her.

  “What do you want from us?” Larissa cried.

  “We only want you, my dear witch,” smiled Celtiq. “But

  first, I need to take care of Xyth.”

  Thick long vines appeared and wrapped their tough

  threads around Jake’s legs. He fell on the hot asphalt. Before

  he could breathe a spell, the vines wrapped around his face. “Stop! You will kill him!” Tears ran down Larissa’s face.

  “I will...I will do anything you want!”

  Clouds thundered overhead; the Empire Witches and

  Celtiq looked up in glee. A few more witches had arrived.

  They circled the group on the ground, forming an electric

  ring. Blue and white sparks sizzled. Larissa was unable to lift

  her heavy eyes away. Cackles filled the air, keeping her in her

  trance.

  “You see, there is no escape,” said Celtiq.

  Satisfied with the turn of events, he lowered Larissa and

  the unconscious Chantelle down to the ground.

  “Take Xyth, I will take Larissa,” Celtiq ordered one of

  the witches. “Mother will be pleased.”

  “Mum!” Larissa screamed in her mind.

  A flash of yellow light illuminated the black sky then, and

  a noise, like moving earth, filled the air. Celtiq looked around

  with alarm and surprise.

  “Leave my daughter alone!” Marcaria screeched, coming

  to a stop on her broomstick. Her black hair was wild around

  her.

  Shards of crystal cut through the electric ring, disarming

  the Empire Witches in the air. They screamed and dispersed

  in different directions.

  “Where are you going? Come back, you useless witches!”

  Celtiq shouted. “You will be punished for this!”

  He turned to face Marcaria who just smiled. The other

  two witches on the ground didn’t flee like the others, but

  they were frightened, Larissa could see that.

  Everyone looked up towards the sky and saw what seemed like at least twenty more witches, dressed in yellow cloaks, hovering on broomsticks. Then the two witches,

  petrified, fled. Celtiq knew he was defeated, for now. “We know where you are!” he shouted. “I will come

  back and all will perish!”

  A swish of his cloak and he dispersed into millions of

  black particles. He was out of sight in half an eye blink. Marcaria cut Jake’s bindings, and woke Chantelle with a

  sprinkling of fine, golden dust. The witches in yellow

  descended and gathered around Larissa, Jake, and Chantelle.

  Larissa recognised Rita, and Mike.

  “Rita, Mike, what are you doing here...?” she saw the

  long, yellow cloak, the pointed hat, and the broomstick on

  her arm. “You both are witches too?”

  Rita smiled. “We are. For a long time, we have been

  delegated to guard you and your mother by the Sacred Witch

  of the East. It has not been easy job.”

  “There is a lot to explain,” Marcaria said, and embraced

  her daughter. “I thank the Gods that we got here in time.” A thousand more questions formed in Larissa’s mind,

  but she was exhausted. Marcaria kissed her on the forehead. “You will fly with me, darling. Jake, you go with Mike.

  Chantelle, you can go with Rita,” said Marcaria.

  “You and I will be having words, young lady. You were

  supposed to be looking out for Larissa,” Rita scolded

  Chantelle. “Not go gallivanting to parties.”

  “Sorry, auntie Rita,” said Chantelle.

  “Auntie Rita?” asked Larissa.

  “I too am part of the clan,” Chantelle told Larissa

  sheepishly. “I am a witch and Rita is my aunt.”

  “And you never thought to tell me, ever?” Larissa was

  livid. “I am your best friend!”

  “I had orders,” Chantelle said. “I’m really sorry, Lar.” Marcaria blew a kiss on her daughter’s head, “Questions

  later, my darling.”

  * *

  Larissa was not quite in the land of nod, but not quite awake either. She heard her mother and Jake talking. She knew they were home now, she could smell the familiarity. She must have fallen asleep on the broom for she couldn’t remember arriving.

  “Who commissioned you to come, Jake?” asked

  Marcaria.

  “My mother. I am Xyth, son of Councillor Zarina.” Marcaria gasped. “You are Zarina’s son!”

  “Yes. I am her eldest.”

  “Oh Zarina, how I miss her. It has been a long time

  since we parted...” Marcaria smiled through her memories and reminisced about her days back on Zrotaz with her best friend, and her husband. She looked up at Jake. “I must thank you for all that you have done for us. If Zarina were here, I would thank her in person, and I wish that were true. You must give her my love, won’t you? How is she?”

  “I don’t know. I haven’t spoken to her in many days,” said Jake.

  He was disturbed. He had been trying to get hold of Zleus too but there was no connection. Why wasn’t his telepathy working?

  “Celtiq said something...he said mother has been imprisoned by the High Witch, can that be true?” Marcaria’s eyes widened in shock.

  “Then there’s no time to lose,” she said.

  “Then it is true?” asked Jake. “I can’t believe it! I must go

  back to Zrotaz, now!”

  “There is nothing we can do right this moment. You must

  wait for daylight, Xyth,” said Marcaria. “Meanwhile, on

  Earth, you will be referred to as Jake.”

  “Come on lad. Let’s get home, you and I need some

  rest,” said Mike.

  Larissa opened her eyes then, but didn’t sit up. “Thank you for coming back, Mike,�
�� said Marcaria. “Thanks for the tea,” said Mike leading Jake through the door.

  “Good night Marcaria,” Rita hugged her. She turned her head to Larissa, who closed her eyes. She didn’t want anyone to know she was listening in. “Poor thing, she doesn’t know anything, does she?”

  “Good night Rita,” Marcaria kissed her friend on the cheek. “I wouldn’t have been able to do all this without you all.”

  7

  A jolt woke Larissa, sweat masking her face and neck. Had she dreamt it all? The witches with the pointed hats and their long garments...and Jake, or Xyth, whatever his name was supposed to be...was it all true?

  It was dark in the bedroom, and everything seemed very still. Silence dominated the space around her. Larissa opened the window and revelled at the gentle rolling waves in the distance. The moon shone brightly, but it looked strange to her today, as a shadow had befallen it. She noticed a blue hue hovering around it. It was strange, very strange.

  She turned away and her gaze fell on the clock that was resting on the dresser. It read 2 a.m. Funny, she couldn’t remember much of the previous night, apart from the party and those witches. The sound of the cascading waves brought Larissa out of her thoughts; she looked in the direction of the sea again, it seemed to be beckoning her. She longed to be there, on the shore. She loved Robin Hood's Bay, a quaint little fishing village, right next to the sea.

  The sea was her companion during nights like these; it seemed to ease her anxieties, especially when things happened that she didn’t understand. Her mother refrained from telling her much; she understood that now. Oh, she knew she was a witch and she had powers that she could not control, but she knew nothing of her past. Where did she and her mother once live on Zrotaz? Did she have an extended family? How did her father die?

  She had tried to get answers, but her mother just smiled and said she would tell her when the time came. Now, the time had come, and Larissa knew her questions would not be left unanswered for long. Things were changing. She could feel it; the time was near.

  Larissa yawned and closed the window. She went back to her bed, vowing to ask her mother about everything when the sun rose. Lying in her bed, she let her eyes become heavy, and in a few moments, she was asleep.

  * *

  The day dawned bright when she awoke the second time that morning. Enticing smells of a cooked English breakfast reached her before she got to the kitchen.

  “Good morning, did you have a nice sleep?” Marcaria asked her daughter cheerfully. “Eat up now. We have a long day ahead.”