by Mela Zen
“Are you always this evil?”
“Yes. Now, what do you want.”
“I want to know why you are here. Why come to this place when you know you have a target on your back.”
“Ah, someone has been catching up with Supernatural Weekly. Tell me, why does it bother you so much?”
“Because there are very good people here, people who don’t need this kind of war with you around.”
“And you think I want this war? Of course not. I would rather be left alone and move on with my miserable life but yet here I am talking to some girl from the Emerald Coven who has the balls to confront me. Is that what you want to hear?”
For a moment she stays silent, looking around for potential listeners, “Listen. I have some information that may or may not be useful.”
“In exchange for what?”
“What do you mean exchange?”
“Oh please, there is always a price for everything. If I need and want blood, I have to promise not to kill. If I need a location on something I need to be nicer or whatever. Everybody has a price, what’s yours.”
“Teach me. I know that you are one of the strongest witches out there, Annabelle. Even though your coven is basically nothing, you are powerful. I want to help.”
“Why help me if I am so dangerous? So evil?”
“You have been shown hate your whole life, I know why it is hard to trust people. But please, maybe by letting people in, you might actually feel something for once.”
“I have felt something for someone and he was ripped in front of me, and literally I might add. I don’t need any lecture from a wannabe witch. Bye,” I get up frustrated and walked away from the cafe.
Walking away from the scene, I felt myself forming tears in my eyes. I normally never cry, I just well up in emotion, but I never let it out. My mind goes back to him, the farm, the dog, and the night he was taken away from me.
He was never my mate but damn he sure felt like one to me. He made me feel alive, wanted, and most importantly he accepted it. He accepted that I would out live him and that we will eventually see each other.
Not paying attention to my senses, I bump into a muscular structure. I was about to say sorry when a young girls voice interrupted me, “Sorry. My brother was staring at you.”
I look to the brother blushing tomato red, “Elijah. Nice to see you and...is it Kenzie?”
“You told her about me?” The young girl looks at her brother.
“Yes, I did sis. Sorry, Annabelle, I wasn’t really staring,” he scratches his head.
“Yeah, you were. Oh, look! There’s Brenda! Bye Eli! See you tomorrow night!” The little girl ran to the car who has another little girl waving at her.
“She’s cute,” I say looking at Elijah.
“And a loud mouth,” he mutters, “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine. You look like you want to punch someone in the face.”
“Don’t I always. Anyways, you up for your first...I guess...investigation on your heredity?”
“Oh yeah, I totally forgot about that. Listen, before we do we-,” we were interrupted by the same voice in the cafe.
“Eli! Hey! I was going to...find..you,” she stops when she looks at me.
“Hey, Anna! I see you two have met,” he looks at my face, “And the person you want to punch.”
“You want to punch me?”
“Who doesn’t?”
“Whoa, whoa, slow down Rocky. How about we go into a private space that vampires can’t hear us but also doesn’t know that they can’t hear us.”
“Are you being followed?” I narrowed my eyes at him.
“That’s why I wanted to talk to you.”
“I know a place,” the Anna grins.
***
“Since when you own a cabin?” Eli asks looking out the window.
“Since I found out I was a witch. Don’t mind the herbs, need them for spells and such,” Anna sits down. She takes out a knife and places it on her wrist.
“What are you doing?” Elijah shrieks.
“Annabelle over here is a vampire, she needs blood.”
“Imbecile, I am fine. I don’t need nor want your blood because it is coated with vervain,” I mutter.
“How do you know..about...that?”
“It is in the witches handbook 101. Every witch who is smart enough and careful enough knows that they should have some form of vervain on them to block a vampires compulsion.”
“See! You are smart. You really need to help us.”
“And if I don’t want to?”
“Oh, you need to.”
“And why is that, Elijah?”
“Are you sure that this thing is warded?”
“I am pretty positive. Let’s turn off our cell phones, in case you were indeed followed,” Anna takes out her cell, followed by Elijah, and reluctantly me.
“Explain,” I said.
“Okay. For awhile now I have been working under this vampire. He killed most of my people, mainly my family for centuries although he keeps it under wraps. My parents discovered him and warned us and a few others, but he got to them. One day, my sister got really sick and the medical bills aren’t exactly cheap. He offered to help in exchange I work for him on potions and spells.”
“Okay?” Anna looks at him.
“So for a while, I have been working on spells that can kill witches, vampires, and werewolves. Maybe not kill but severely damaging them. He called the night you came Annabelle and I had to fess up otherwise he’ll kill my sister.”
“Go on,” I say.
“The moment I mentioned your name, he hung up and I don’t know if he flew here or what but he was at my house. He said that he is your sworn enemy or whatever, and practically forced me to be greatest amigos with you.”
“And if you tell anyone he’ll rip you into pieces?”
“Yup.”
“His name?”
“Daryl.”
Again, fuck my life.
“Daryl as in the tall, dark skin, a man with deep black eyes, and a fade haircut?” I ask.
“Yes, he said he was working with some witches called Madeline and Genevieve.”
“Are they the ones who said that you will die at the hands of someone?” Anna looks at me.
“Yes, they are the exact ones. I knew they made up that bullshit, but I would never have thought they’ll work with each other. This makes this story complicated.”
“Wait, why are they wanting to get rid of you?”
“Are you kidding me? She is like the top of the food chain everybody envies! Her blood is royalty!”
“Shut up. My blood is most certainly not royalty, it is a curse. A curse I wish I never even had. Anna, what do you have?”
“Pretty much some witches conspiring against you. I didn’t imagine the Ruby Coven getting their hands dirty, especially their leaders.”
“Zeke and I...we can’t fend for ourselves.”
“Zeke?” Elijah asks.
“My brother. He’s a hybrid- wolf and vampire. I actually have grown accustomed to the place. Fuck, I need to talk with him.”
“This is why you need to teach us! Elijah and I, we are both witches. Right, Elijah?” Anna looks beyond excited.
“I can only do a few things here and there, I don’t know what is holding me back. That is why I asked Annabelle to help me, help me unlock my powers if I have them.”
“You do, it’s a powerful spell. Dare I say Black Magic, I need to do more research,” I put my head down.
“Black Magic? I thought that was a myth?”
“You’re talking to the creator of Black Magic. It’s not a myth.”
“Why would you want to block someone’s powers?” Elijah asks.
“Because not all witches are friendly, especially Adam’s lineage has been hunting me for years. I practically blocked a generation of their lineage until I was forced to return it after a trial.”
/> “Yikes.”
“So...will you teach us?”
“Fine. I won’t be easy though. I will be rough, I will be hard on you, and I will make your lessons a living hell. We need to go to my brother and see if he is in. And maybe Danni.”
“Danni as in Daniella Arenado? The one with the psycho dad?” Anna cocks her head.
“Yes her. You know her?”
“Yeah! She was valedictorian at our high school! And Elijah’s ex...”
“We broke up three years ago...why do we want to ask her?”
“Haven’t you heard? She’s a werewolf.”
“No way, are you sure? Don’t werewolves turn at like age 18?”
“Well, she didn’t and I found her forced to turn. She has been staking out in my place for a few days.”
“That makes sense, she is well fed. She put on some muscle, she looks good. You took care of my best friend, I definitely owe you one.”
“Okay, what if she does agree, what’s the plan?”
“There is no way we will defeat three primmortals and two to maybe couple witches. First, we need to train you guys hard and well, even anticipating their every move. We also need to keep this on the down low, not a ward to anyone. Elijah, make sure you update them often to avoid suspicion.
As far as when the fight begins, I am not sure. I need to know what exactly they are planning. I don’t normally wing it, but in some cases, I might. We will just focus on training and gain info. Does Freddie know about any of this?”
“Freddie? My boyfriend?” Anna gives me a confused look.
“My brother is friends with him, met at the Ranger Station. He came over to my house a few nights ago. Tall, blue eyes, and blonde hair?”
“I know what my boyfriend looks like, thank you. And no he doesn’t.”
“Should he?”
“Why should he know?”
“Well, I don’t know Anna. I mean if you want your boyfriend to be in the middle of the crossfire between three very powerful vampires and strong witches, I am pretty he needs to know that this isn’t made up shit.
Or we can not tell him and let him die,” I said sarcastically.
“Yeah, um, I will break it to him,” she says catching my drift.
“Good. My place, over the weekend. Prepare yourselves.”
Chapter 8
Elijah
“Meum cerebrum potest nocere per potentiam,” I say butchering the pronunciation very badly looking at Annabelle.
{Translation: Brain be hurt by my power}
Her look in return, is boredom. I have been saying this spell for about forty minutes, not able to get it. While Anna is cruising through the pages in her spellbook, sending objects in Annabelle’s way. Somehow, Annabelle dodges them quickly and casts a spell back to Anna, knocking her out almost every time.
“How about we search for your lineage? Maybe, just maybe I can figure out what the hell is going on,” Annabelle says cutting my palm.
Her eyes turn into the bright red orange ember, pupils dilated to the max. For a moment, my heart beats as if I have been running for my life, however it stopped once I peer into Annabelle’s eyes. For a brief moment, I really want her to taste my blood. I really wanted to taste her plumped lips.
She closes her eyes and it comes back to the beautiful green I have grown accustomed to this past week. Initially, we just worked on basic spells to hurt vampires and werewolves, you know for our protection. Annabelle completely forgot that there is something blocking me once we reached the stage were we can put vampires in a deep sleep.
“Anna, you have the stones?” Annabelle still holds the blade in palms, although a lot of blood has escaped my body.
“Yes. Do you want me to lay them out?” She replies back, grabbing medium size colorful stones.
“In a circle, the best you can. And I am going to need you to say a spell with me.”
“I thought you tried all the spells possible?” I look at Annabelle.
“I had to dig deep into my first memoir. It was hard to find in Italy, but luckily it was in my dead husband’s grave.”
“HUSBAND?” Anna and I say in unison.
“Long story. Finished Anna?”
“Yeah. What’s next?”
Next thing I knew, my hand is over the rocks, right at the middle of the circle. Annabelle lets go of the blade and squeezes my palms allowing about a pool of blood sit in the middle. She then lets go, grabbing a small towel and wrapping it quickly.
“Anna sit in front of me, you too Elijah. I want you, Elijah, to place your hand on Anna’s while we say the spell. I will be holding Anna’s other free hand and yours, Elijah. Ready?”
“Yes. Yay a real spell!” Anna claps before holding our hands.
“It might take a toll out of you guys, alright?” Annabelle looks at both of us.
“Sure,” I say nervously.
“What is your last name?”
“Lockwood.”
Anna and Annabelle both narrow their eyes at me while I stare back in confusion. They were about to say something but thought better of it, I think, and resume holding hands.
“You think he is...?” Anna looks at Annabelle.
“It’ll explain why, but also not explain why,” she responds, “This is a long spell, so repeat after me.”
“Guys what are you talking about?”
“Addicta avorum....et maiorum de terra...dux placere...me ad Lockwood...qui pereunt sine virtute...Eliæ,” Annabelle says slowly and thankfully she drags out the pronunciation.
“Addicta acorum...et maiorum de terra, dux placere me ad...Lockwood qui pereunt sine virtute Eliæ,” Anna and I say in unison.
Soon the earth began to rumble and the rocks begin shaking on the table. My eyes open to see that my blood in the middle of the circle of rocks is rising up in a slow motion. Annabelle is intensely looking at it while Anna is smiling. We continue to say the spell, the blood moving like waves in the ocean morning.
The earth continues to shake then it suddenly stops, taking our breaths away. Everything became still, I look past Annabelle and see the leaves that were falling, stay in mid air. My blood began swirling towards the blue rock and the white clear rock, hovering over the blue rock for a bit.
Weirdly, it move back towards the middle, hovering for a bit more. Suddenly one single droplet fazed out of the swirling liquid and fell on the clear stone. Steam came out of it then the rest of my blood follow suite.
Then everything unfrozen but it caused a loud bang. Annabelle went flying back while Anna and I were pulled in the opposite direction, knocking us both out.
***
Annabelle
I rolled over a bit then land on my feet looking at the table. I notice that everything looks the same but the color of the normal world is replaced by the color of the Ancestral Land, a sepia hue. I run back to the table to find Anna and Elijah knocked out on the floor.
I glance over the rock and my body tenses at where the blood landed. I should have believed my gut when Elijah told me that he is of the Lockwood descent. The Lockwoods, though also dry in numbers, are the notorious leaders of the Diamond Coven, Grace’s coven. For centuries they have been known as the first witches, helping and destroying others.
But why take us to the Ancestral Land.
I go to wake up Anna and Elijah, but their bodies are not responding. I guess they didn’t make the trip, I shouldn’t be surprised since this is their first time in this space.
My sense pick up someone behind me and I instantly turn around. I see the beautiful Grace standing next to the table, looking at the diamond rock cover in blood.
“So, you found him?” She says quietly.
“More like he found me,” I reply.
“He asked to unlock his true powers?”
“Just his powers. He doesn’t understand why they have been shunned from him. I didn’t know he is a descendent of yours, I can stop this.”
“No, help him. Train him. I lock his powers because...
because...his parents had gone mad with power. I had to shut them down, they were scaring everyone. They...they wanted to hurt the innocent and I could not let that happen.”
“Then why wasn’t his sister’s gifts were locked?”
“She is too young and not fully developed. I locked Elijah’s power before he fully developed them.”
“How do I unlock them?”
“Simple, he must go through the trials. His spirit contains chains on them, I put them there. Once those chains are released, he will enter a deep sleep in which his trials will begin. You know of them right?”
“Yes, at the time I was the youngest to do so at age twelve, where I fully developed my powers.”
“You still hold that record, Annabelle. Make sure he doesn’t know who his descendent is, I fear that the potions he made for Daryl will backfire against him. Once Daryl knows who he is, he will stop at nothing to convince him to their side, against you.”
“I have to explain to him, his sister relies on it.”
“You do what you must but remember the consequences.”
“Yes.”
“And Annabelle?”
“Grace?”
“He’s your mate, isn’t he?”
I look down, flushing at the thought. For a week I have convinced myself that this is merely feelings I may have developed. However Jacqueline and now Grace have used that word describing him and I cannot help to think that he is.
“I am not so sure,” I lied.
“You are. You are just protecting yourself, I get it.”
“Do you?”
“Of course. Now I will send you back. Take care, my dear.”
“Wait, when you will lift the chains? I would like to give him a heads up before he goes through a world of hurt.”
“Tomorrow night. Make sure that he is alone in the room but available for you to watch him. He will hurt himself, to what extent I do not know.”
“Okay.”
She then raises her right hand and snaps her fingers, white light punching me in the face. My head jerks upwards to face four eyeballs staring at me. I shake my head and get up, holding myself against the table.
“What the hell happened?” Anna aks scratching her head.
“Da nobis aures a praesidio,” I say quickly.
{Translation: Give us protection from ears}
