The Queen of Witches

by Brandi Elledge

  “Again. What. Is. That!” I yelled, pointing to the white dress.

  “The witch community is divided. A true Queen can bring them back together again. You can command them to follow you and because most are loyal, they will. Juan thinks that until we figure out just what you’re capable of, you need a king to stand beside you to protect you and to guide you in making the right choices. My uncle will officiate the ceremony tying us together.”

  Dread hit me. “Is Juan your uncle?”

  “Oh, yes, sorry. I thought you knew that.”

  The same uncle Jamison thought killed his parents? I felt my blood boiling inside me. I crossed my arms to try and contain some of the rage that I’m feeling. There was no way in Hell that I was marrying Talon. I knew this but for whatever crazy reason they did not. I couldn’t lose my temper and turn the boy in front of me into a pile of ash for two reasons. One being Tandi and the other was steadily and silently calling to me. The key was close, and it was just a matter of time before I found it.

  “I won’t be manipulated into whatever game you’re playing, and I sure as hell don’t want to get married.”

  “I’m sorry, but Juan will force you to get married.”

  “Let me rephrase. I will not get married. Period. End of discussion.”

  “You don’t understand. I let you bring your friend here as leverage. My uncle allowed her to come this far into our camp for the same reasoning. She is here to make sure things go smoothly. Try to understand that my uncle always gets what he wants. His reasoning is always to better our community, our goals, our future.”

  My gut screamed in agony. This boy meant what he said and worse I knew that he had killed before. No matter the image that he was trying to portray, he had blood on his hands and I was willing to bet it was innocent blood.

  “You will hurt my friend if I don’t agree to marry you?”

  He dared to look somber. “I’m afraid so, but I’m sure it won’t come to that. Especially once you realize this is your true destiny. Ever since your mother went missing, the witch community has been broken. There has been no order. With you here now—our true queen—we can unite everyone. There will be one law. Your law. Our law. With my uncle helping you to make the right decisions and my power backing you, we can win the war.”

  “Win the war against who?” Even though I knew his answer, I wanted to hear him say it.

  “The Lux. They think they know it all but if they did, they wouldn’t have lost the keys to begin with. They are undeserving of the power the keys hold.”

  “You want to open the portals?”

  “If the prisoners of the portals will pledge loyalty to us—to our cause—then yes. I will open the portal.”

  “You can’t control everyone that comes over, though. Why risk it? Why risk your life?”

  “My uncle thinks that your mother hid you because you were even more powerful than she was. He thinks you are strong enough to control who comes over.”

  My gut bypassed my brain taking the lead on this one. I was better off denying the truth -of his words. There were some cards I was willing to play but my potential… no I couldn’t show them that hand. “Sorry. You’d be wrong if you believed that. This key, where is it?”

  “Why do you want to know so bad?”

  “Call me intrigued. There has been a lot of talk about it.”

  He gave a shrug. “My uncle has it. I’m sure after we’re married, and you have taken your pledge to our community, he will let you see it.”

  What they didn’t know was I wanted this key. Really wanted it. Just like I had really wanted to find Colby. I just needed to stall until I had it in my hands.

  “When is this so-called marriage to take place?”

  “Tonight.” He looked at the still unconscious Tandi. “Your friend won’t be able to leave camp. Ever. But she will be safe here. I will try to make both of your lives as pleasant as possible. You just have to give me a shot.”

  Please. What a creep. Him and his family were crazy. Threating my friend’s life… I have never felt so angry. When the moment was right, I would set them on fire like ants. But until then, I would try to act docile. For Tandi’s sake, I swallowed my anger.

  Talon headed towards the door. “You don’t have to wear the dress, but it would please me. I want this day to be special for you. I’ll step outside while you dress.” Please him? What would please me is if he fell on a knife. I couldn’t let my rage out of its cage yet. My gut was telling me to hold off on burning the place to ashes. But he would meet his fate soon, and I would be the one to deliver him to it.

  I took a couple of deep breaths before I jerked the dress off of its hanger. I needed Tandi to wake up. I couldn’t escape without her.

  I quickly took off the outfit I was wearing and shimmied my way into the tight-fitting, mermaid-style wedding dress. I somehow managed to get the stupid thing zipped, and it took everything I had not to vomit all over the glistening white ivory.

  There was a knock before Talon entered, holding a box and wearing a huge smile. “You are so beautiful.” I’d been locked in a dirty cabin, so I was sure ‘beautiful’ was an overstatement at this point. I felt grimy and tired, but I was ready. Ready for whatever lay ahead of me. He opened the box and pulled out a beautiful crown. It had many different sized points growing out of the base, encrusted with diamonds. The points resembled icicles. “It took us a while to hunt this down. My uncle had to pull a lot of strings, but it was worth it for the look on your face. It is said your grandmother made this crown out of ice that will never melt.”

  He walked over to me and placed it on my head. “We need you to look like the queen that everyone will fear one day.”

  “What if I choose to rule with love instead of fear?”

  He wrinkled his nose. “We believe a strong hand wields the best crops. Now, we should go. Everyone is waiting for us outside the main gym. After the ceremony, I’ll show you around the compound.” I felt my anger bubbling out. No, I couldn’t ruin the plan now. Whatever the hell the plan was. Besides at that very moment, I felt it. The key. It was here, and it was close by. I could be docile for a little while longer. My mark tingled. Here is to hoping that Jamison knows that I might be in over my head.

  I laid a hand on his arm. “Please, Talon, don’t force this. I’m begging you.”

  His knuckles tilted my chin up. His touch was revolting, but I did my best not to flinch. “I will become king today, and we will rule together. This is fate.”

  That’s what he thought. Guess again, buddy. Another warlock walked into the already cramped space. He laid a hand on Tandi.

  “Get the hell away from her,” I shouted.

  Talon placed a hand on my arm. “It’s okay. He is healing her, so the drugs will wear off faster. I thought you would want your best friend there with you. I was trying to be accommodating.”

  “You were the one that had her drugged in the first place!” Docile. I was supposed to remain docile. A couple of deep breaths in and out. “Yes, I would like her there.”

  Tandi started stirring. She moaned as she tried to sit up. “Ugh. Am I dead? Do me a favor. Don’t play funeral music, but put on some Lynyrd Skynyrd, offer shots of Tequila… Patrón, because I wouldn’t settle for anything less, and for the love of Pete, no open casket. Make sure to use a headshot of me that is fabulous and no carnations. I hate those damn flowers.”

  I ran over to her, kneeling by her side. My dress ripped, and I took great satisfaction in that sound. The pretty dress looked ratchet now, huh? I gave her a warm hug. “I was so worried about you!” Turning to Talon, I asked, “Can you give us a moment alone? I would like to catch her up on everything.”

  He hesitated for a moment. “There are a lot of witches in this compound. You would be stupid to try anything.” I quieted my rage and nodded my head instead in understanding.

  “I’ll be right outside.”

  After I told her everything that happened, she said, “I’m assuming you h
ave a plan? Light this whole mother on fire if you have to, but we have to do something. These people are crazy.”

  A smile lit my face. “I agree. I was just waiting for you to wake up.” I extended a hand to her. “Shall we?”

  With Tandi by my side, we left the cabin hand in hand. There was a good chance I wouldn’t be able to control any of my powers, but it was a risk we were willing to take. I also knew where the coveted key was. I could feel it like a beacon. Calling me. And we were headed right to it.

  Chapter Fourteen

  My dress caught on every fallen branch and leaf on the ground. Much to Talon’s dismay, at one point I stopped and ripped the material, so it hit above my kneecaps. It was still not the perfect escape outfit, but it would be easier to run this way once I found the opportunity to make a break for it. But first, I had to say hello to the key. Like a dog with a bone, I wasn’t giving it up. Tandi noticed my sneakers and snorted but made no snide commentary. I kind of pictured my wedding day differently, too. My heartbeat was racing and by this point my mark was thrumming with energy. We finally made it to the facility where I was told everyone ate and trained.

  “Well, Jiminy freakin’ Cricket. Did any of these people RSVP? Will we have enough food?” Tandi mock whispered.

  A corner of my lip lifted. She had total faith I would be able to get us out of this mess we were in. My mark began to itch again. I ignored it. I had too many things on my plate to be worrying about that right now. Jamison would either know I was in trouble or he wouldn’t. Either way, I couldn’t rely on him to save me and my best friend. I needed to trust my gut and save us.

  I whispered, “When you see the fog, run. Run as fast as your legs will carry you. Not sure if I can control myself. Try to make it to the car.”

  She gave me a tight nod and my chest constricted. I would get us out of this.

  My wedding site looked like something out of Deliverance. The lot was recently cleared of trees, and the fresh dirt was nothing but mud due to the recent rain. There was a small cement building that couldn’t have passed inspection code if they wanted it to. It haphazardly leaned to the left. Two big bins of trash overflowed on either side of the building. To the right of the building stood Juan—and the key. All of my energy was entirely focused on him. Yes, without a shadow of a doubt Juan had the key. He was looking all smug in a black ceremonial robe that probably matched his heart. Ah, and there it was. The key was under the robe. Good to know. I would take it from his corpse. Talon went to stand by his uncle, where they began a whispered conversation. Then they both turned to face a large group of about seventy-five or so witches and warlocks standing with their backs to the swamp. I was going to let my gut decide how this should play out. This was my fate.

  I adjusted the crown on my head that my grandmother had worn and my mother refused to claim. Was I claiming it? It was obvious these people should have another option for a leader, but were they firmly in the Degenerates’ camp, or were they just lost souls? Maybe I should give them a choice before I flaunt my flaw—no, my gift—to the best of my ability. This was it. I was about to either make history or fail miserably, but either way, I would give it a hundred percent. I left Tandi at the outer edge of the semi-circle and went to stand between Juan, Talon, and the witches.

  Addressing the witches, I asked, “Are there any of you that would willingly follow me… your queen without this union taking place?”

  Some looked to the ground. Some shook their heads, and the ones I disliked the most laughed. All righty then. That answered my question. They were team Juan all the way. Might as well go ahead and start the show. Fog swirled around Tandi, separating her from Talon and Juan. I saw my friend’s blond hair swinging wildly about her as she took off at a dead run through the forest. I sent up a silent prayer that she would remain safe.

  I recalled Jamison’s kiss, how it burned my insides, and left me feeling like a drug addict wanting more. The wind stirred with my memory. Soon, I was able to replace the image of Jamison’s kiss with what I wanted—the wind to blow like an isolated category five hurricane. And it did. Trees were uprooted, and everyone that had been standing in front of me was thrown backwards into the waist-deep, murky water. Someone—Talon—was shouting my name as I made it to the bank of the swamp, unfazed by the wind. Witches screamed, trying to crawl over one another to exit the water, but the wind wasn’t on their side.

  I reached a hand into the water, my parents’ images flashing through my mind. The water turned to a solid sheet of ice, trapping the witches and warlocks in a frozen cage. Would they freeze to death? I didn’t have a clue, but at least this way they couldn’t stab me in the back while I dealt with the crazy family duo. I walked back through the fog towards a confused Talon and an irate Juan.

  “Hey, boys.”

  “Quick,” Juan said, “Take care of her.”

  Juan brought out the key and ran towards a piece of shimmering air right between two old moss-covered trees. His back was to me, but I knew what he was doing. He was opening a portal. I could feel the magic in the air.

  Talon took a step towards me, and I placed a hand on his chest. “Talon, please stop him. If he opens that portal, we could all die.”

  “I’m sorry. We can’t let a power like yours go unchecked.” That’s cute that he thought he was a match for me. Ever. “If only you would have joined us.” He brought out a silver blade, pressing it against my throat. Then he froze. I was mad. Mad that he was making me choose my life over his. With my hand still on his chest, I iced the blood in his veins. His lips turned blue, crystals coating his eyelashes. Within seconds, he was frozen solid.

  Juan closed the portal, but not before ten supernaturals came over. I’d been wondering what demons looked like. I wished I were still wondering. All of them were more than six feet tall of pure muscle and wide as linebackers with skin red as blood. Each one of them had a set of black horns sprouting from their heads that varied in length. Black onyx eyes took in their surroundings before they spoke in a tongue I’d never heard before. Fear gripped me. Did ice work on demons? Fire?

  It took them less than thirty seconds to understand that someone allowed them to come here. Juan was smirking until one of the demons said something in a foreign language, pointing at the key. Two of the demons broke off and headed towards Juan. Their intent was clear. They wanted what allowed them out of their cage. Juan’s survival skills must have kicked in because he took off at a dead run through the forest.

  Maybe I should run, too. My gut told me I had every right to be scared of these creatures. My eyes flickered side to side, scanning the woods. That’s when I noticed Jamison sprinting through the woods. I was so happy to see him I could have broken out in a dance while screaming his name but I would have to save my non-rhythmic dancing skills for later. The demons didn’t seem to notice him… yet. Jamison’s eyes never left the eight demons who started to fan out around me. I spread my fog to the right of me, giving Jamison as much coverage as I could. He might be the only secret weapon I could use at this point.

  Two demons crept in on me, whispering to each other. With my left hand, I called the wind to me, and it came as easy and natural as breathing. My wind didn’t knock them back like it did the witches, but they didn’t come closer, either. Once I was safe and survived this, I would congratulate myself on calling wind and creating fog at the same time.

  Jamison emerged from the mist, taking the demon he was now directly in front of by surprise. He had a long blade in his hand resembling a machete. The blade gleamed as it made an arc in the air. My wind faltered as the demon’s head rolled off his shoulders and hit the ground. I chastised myself. Now wasn’t the time to get squeamish. My queasiness cost me a precious foot of distance. The two demons on my left gained ground towards me. Jamison was a blur as he moved in and out of demons. Without looking, I could now identify the sound that came with decapitation. I swallowed the bile rising. Not now! Get sick later.

  Jamison had made a semi-circle and was n
ow behind the two demons on my left that I was still keeping at bay with my wind. Both demons heard his approach and turned on him to attack in a concentrated effort. Jamison would be fine. He was big and strong but my moment of concern cost me dearly. A demon had crept up on my right side without me knowing it and in any second he would have me in his grip. I threw my right hand out at him and smiled as fire consumed him. Hot waves coated his skin as he rode a bed of fiery waves. He tilted his head back, roaring with laughter. Of course, fire wouldn’t hurt him. He was probably born of fire. I changed my tactics and prayed my mistake wasn’t a deadly one. Without looking, I knew Jamison had taken care of the two demons on my left and was engaged with another. The demon grabbed me with one beefy hand, and I swung my left hand at him, hoping the wind would phase him. He twisted my right arm until I heard it snap, not only was it broken, but the ligaments were torn. Tears filled my eyes. Ice shot through me, mingling with wind. The demon holding me turned to a solid piece of ice, and I kicked him, shattering him into a million pieces. All the king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t put him back together again.

  My knees crumbled under me as I cradled my arm. Two demons emerged from the woods, dragging a bloody Juan between them. One demon tossed the key up in the air. They stopped when they saw their comrades scattered all over the woods without their heads. One demon spat a command, and the other demon holding the key took off running back through the woods.

  The last standing demon dropped Juan onto the ground as he slowly walked towards Jamison. He had to know that he couldn’t beat the boy who just single-handedly took out seven of his friends, but maybe that wasn’t the point of this fight. Maybe he was cannon fodder. Which didn’t make sense. I would think that the Degenerates weren’t a self-sacrificing lot. Then again, maybe this demon was just stupid enough to think that he could take down Jamison. The demon danced around Jamison, never letting him get too close. I got tired of the game he was playing and stumbled to my feet. The pain in my arm was enough to make me want to black out. But not yet. With my good arm, I made a tunnel of fog around the demon, temporarily blinding him. The familiar sound of Jamison’s blade came again. As my adrenaline wore off, I found myself back on the ground before the demon’s head rolled towards me.