Emmy and the Coven of Witches

by Janine Summers

  “Verna, please escort our Mistress and Talisha home. With your permission, I will stay at your side, Marsilia.”

  “Thank you.”

  Grammie stood by and watched her three sisters evaporate into the night. She led the others toward the school. “We have to get there in time to help the Professor.”

  “Let’s be quick.” They disappeared, and reappeared on the corner of the street, closest to the school. They looked around wondering if they were early or too late.

  Bright lights shone inside. “Maybe they’re not here yet?”

  “Or we’re too late.” Grammie looked at Sybil.

  “I don’t think so. You know one of my gifts is to sense oddities. I don’t sense anything sinister inside the school.”

  “Then let’s go in and find out what is happening.”

  CHAPTER 46

  THE ATTACK

  Ayden and Emmy danced every song together. She was amazed at his prowess on the dance floor. He kept his word to Grammie and never left her alone except when she went to the ladies’ room with Sarah. On one of those trips, Sarah could barely contain herself.

  “OMG! Ayden is so hot! I can’t believe he agreed to be your date.”

  “Well, I’m not exactly hideous.”

  “I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just… well he’s older and so hot!”

  “You already said that.”

  “I know. I can’t help it.”

  “Try,” Emmy said, but smiled knowing she’d have said the same thing if their roles were reversed.

  “It’s so good to have you back,” Sarah said with laughter. “I missed you so much.”

  “It’s good to be back and for the record, I missed you too.” Emmy touched up her lip gloss.”

  “Can you believe next year we’re in high school? At least the first day won’t be so bad, since we’ll be together. Most of our class will be starting high school with us, but you know what I mean.”

  Emmy didn’t know how to respond to this. She knew there was too much at stake here, and for some strange reason, she didn’t think she’d be attending high school with Sarah. “Sure. It’ll be great.” She tried to hide the disappointment she felt.

  “What’s wrong? Sarah saw something change in her friend’s tone and eyes.

  “Nothing.” Emmy moved toward the door.

  “We are going to high school, together right?”

  “Of course, we are.” Emmy made her way back to the gym. “I’m excited about going to high school with you.”

  “Why don’t I believe you?” Sarah said, as she caught up to her friend.

  “I don’t know.”

  Emmy and Sarah came to the table. Ayden stood and pulled Emmy’s chair out. She smiled her gratitude, and laughed at Sarah and Robert ‘s expression.

  “Chivalry isn’t dead,” Ayden told Robert, who mimicked his movements.

  Sarah leaned over to Emmy. “He’s a good influence on Robert. I hope he sticks around for a while.”

  Robert and Danny’s coloring paled next to Ayden’s dark hair and emerald eyes. She was drawn to everything that made Ayden different. Although, Danny wore a tuxedo, didn’t look as comfortable in his attire as Ayden did. He was relaxed in any situation and she knew it was his confidence rather than arrogance that made him so appealing.

  “I know. He’s always like that. Grammie says it’s his upbringing.”

  “Well, I approve.”

  “Me too.” They giggled.

  At the table, there were four couples who sat together and chatted. Ayden’s charm flowed naturally, and every girl at their table wished their dates were as well versed and clever as Emmy’s date. Every young girl in the room was envious of Ayden and Emmy, and truth to tell, Emmy was thrilled by this turn of events. This night couldn’t get any better.

  Danny stood and went to Emmy. “Wanna dance?” He tried to get her to rise, but was stopped by Ayden.

  “I believe this dance was promised to me.” He led Emmy onto the dance floor.

  After dinner, the dancing continued, but all too soon, Emmy realized her special evening was coming to an end. She looked up at Ayden and felt safe in his arms, as he twirled her around the dance floor.

  She was happy Grammie insisted she take ballroom dancing lessons, but uppermost on her mind was whether she’d experience her first kiss. They were close friends, and he may not want to jeopardize their friendship. It would be kind of cool if he kissed her goodnight, but would he feel he had to, or would he want to.

  She stared into Ayden’s green gaze, when the door to gym burst open and a blast of red lightning flew across the expanse of the room, landing far too close to Ayden and Emmy.

  Ayden saw the flash and pushed Emmy down to the ground. He took out his wand and stood guard over her, sensing the evil presence. Before Emmy could say anything, Ayden fired a shot as one of Grisandole’s hags entered the gym. The blast caught her and sent her spiraling into the air, only to land on the hard floor with a thud. Another hag walked in prepared for a fight. A yellow bolt left her wand but mistakenly hit Peter a young man who was trying to run for cover.

  Ayden helped Emmy up and pushed her toward their table. He overturned it. “Stay here with them.” He pointed at Sarah and the rest of their friends. He walked out into the open trying to draw the fire onto himself.

  Another blast flew and hit the stage. Screams tore from students and teachers alike, except for Delphene Norris, who also removed her wand, and made her way toward Ayden, all the while firing bolts of light, to stun the hags. She was his only back up this evening.

  Students ran in every direction, seeking shelter from the bolts of light they didn’t comprehend. Suddenly a hush fell over the chaos. A large creature entered the gym, something the kids in the room, only read about in books. He stood seven feet high, with huge claws on his hands and feet. Long fangs protruded from a large scaly face. Vortigen spread his wings and roared, causing even more panic. He retracted them as he approached the center of the gym and lifted his head, as he smelled their fear. He smiled wickedly, and approached Ayden and Delphene.

  From behind, an older woman came into view. She wore long, dark robes with a hood that covered her features creating more fear.

  Delphene turned toward Ayden. “It’s Grisandole and Vortigen!” Her fear showed through the trembling of her wand.

  “Yes. I know.”

  “Where’s Emmy?”

  “She’s with her friends behind a table. I told her not to move. They still don’t know who the Valittu is and I’d like to keep it that way. I’m going to pull their fire toward us. This should keep Emmy safe.”

  The bolts intensified. Students screamed and fell, having been stunned by Grisandole and her hags. Vortigen drew strength from their essence. He sniffed the air, sucking in the cloud of fear that floated throughout the gymnasium. “Aah. This is what I crave… this and their warm flesh.”

  Ayden watched Grisandole’s approach. He couldn’t allow Vortigen to harm anyone here, but all he had was his wand. He fired shots alongside Delphene, and watched a couple more hags fall, but nothing fazed Vortigen. If only he had a sword.

  “He is mine!” Vortigen roared and headed for Ayden. “I will tear you to shreds and feast on your flesh.”

  “I’m sure you’ll try.” Ayden provoked Vortigen.

  A roar escaped it. He lunged for Ayden wanting to sink his fangs into his neck. “I will relish this consumption.”

  “Watch out!” He pushed Delphene to one side, as he threw himself to the other side and rolled. He jumped to his feet ready to fight.

  In this form and limited space, Vortigen was clumsy. Outside where the expanse was vast, he could expand his wings and take flight swooping down on his unsuspecting prey. Ayden knew he was forced to keep his form in check, and this made him more vulnerable.

  “Emm
y, what’s going on?” Sarah’s fear got the best of her.

  “Stay down!” Emmy shouted, but refused to take her eyes away from the battle and Ayden. She didn’t want to see him get hurt, but what could she do to help?

  “What is that thing?”

  “I don’t know, but it’s going after Ayden! I have to help him!” Without another thought, Emmy rose and came around the table. She didn’t have a wand, but she could help him with the magic she knew.

  “What are you doing?” Ayden’s voice rose over the din as he fired another shot.

  “I can help you.” Emmy watched as bolts of light flew at the people in the gym.

  “I appreciate the effort, but I can’t allow them to capture you.”

  “Get her!” Grisandole shouted when she caught sight a young girl standing next to Ayden.

  “Run!” He yelled at her.

  Emmy looked around and as fast as she could, she ran back to Sarah, and, hid behind the table. Ayden moved closer to where Emmy hid and tried to keep Grisandole and Vortigen from capturing her.

  “You cannot have her, Grisandole!” Ayden yelled, pointing his wand at her.

  “Out of our way, boy.” Grisandole tried to push past Ayden but a bolt of green sent her flying backwards to fall hard on her butt. Rage flowed from her as she screamed. “Get him!”

  Vortigen lunged toward Ayden, who rolled and fired another bolt at the demon lord. The flash bounced off his scaly skin. This wouldn’t work. He looked around to see if there was anything he could use as a weapon, but this was a mortal school and this gymnasium had nothing that could be called a weapon.

  Soon, war broke out as students screamed hoping to survive the night. Emmy tried to keep her classmates down behind the tables while Ayden and Delphene fought the demon and witches. She had to keep her friends’ safe.

  Emmy saw a man enter the gym. He threw a bolt of lightning at Vortigen. The bolt seared his skin and he raged his anger.

  Vortigen turned away from Ayden and lunged for the Professor.

  “Look out!” Ayden warned his guardian and ran to his side.

  “Where is she?” The Professor scanned the area trying to hone in on Emmy who hid among the other eighth graders.

  “I put her behind a table with her friends.” Ayden stood on guard.

  “Stay close. Grisandole wants her.”

  “You need help, Professor.”

  “Do not fear for me. I will be fine.” The Professor stood poised and ready to defend everyone in danger.

  At that moment, Vortigen spread his wings knocking down a couple hags who stood too close to him. “Professor,” Vortigen began in a loud and heavy tone. “What brings you here?” He ground out, trying to rise to his full height to intimidate him.

  “I heard you were in town and thought I would drop by and see what mischief you were involved in.” The Professor’s dark eyes never left the demon.

  “This matter does not concern you.”

  “You are mistaken. This matter concerns me greatly.”

  “If you leave now, I won’t kill you for what you have done to me.”

  “I would like to take all the credit, but it was a team effort.” The Professor baited Lord Vortigen, trying to make him loose control.

  Emmy watched the Professor, and tried to hear their conversation. The Professor spoke so softly that Emmy had to strain to hear his words, while Vortigen bellowed. His voice shook the entire room.

  “Give me the girl, or I will devour everyone in this room.”

  “A vague and empty threat. If you kill everyone, you risk killing the Valittu, and the Crystal Wand would be lost to you and to Grisandole. You will not carry out your threat.”

  “What makes you believe I care about Grisandole?”

  “I know you do not care about anything or anyone unless it is related to your wants and needs. Yet, you are standing here doing Grisandole’s bidding, and that tells me you are honor bound to fulfill your vow to her.” The Professor dared the demon to make a move.

  Vortigen roared his anger. The room shook with its force. Then, he made the mistake of opening his wings, and taking a step forward, to intimidate the Professor.

  Emmy watched in fear and in fascination.

  The Professor took this opportunity to strike. He fired a bolt directly at his enemy. It hit Vortigen with such force, he grabbed his chest, and roared a final time.

  Vortigen looked down and saw the light spread through his midsection. He looked at the Professor. “I will return.”

  “No!” Grisandole ran to Vortigen but he disappeared.

  Grammie and Sybil, followed by the other members of the coven, entered the school. Screams came from the gym. “Emmy!” She cried fearing her granddaughter had been found out.

  “Hurry!” Sybil called out to her sisters.

  They ran toward the chaotic fray and stood in the doorway of the gym. A tear fell from Grammie’s eyes when she witnessed the senseless destruction. She scanned the area and saw the Professor defeat Vortigen. She continued to stare at the horror. It gripped her heart. These were mortal children who had done no harm to Grisandole or her coven. How could one woman be so despicable?

  She approached the melee and stopped. Her heart went cold. Her hand trembled, as she looked at the sight before her. Grisandole had Emmy by the arm while another hag held Sarah prisoner. She had to do something. Grammie walked toward her nemesis ready to do whatever it took to free Emmy. She had to save her life.

  “Release them!” Marsilia shouted above the fear resonating throughout the decorated hall. She moved closer and closer to where Grisandole stood.

  “No! I know one of these girls is the one I’ve been searching for. I need Emmaria, so I can’t chance killing the wrong girl. Let’s try something else.”

  Emmy was trying to pull away from the old witch.

  The Professor and Ayden stood next to Grammie while the others were still engaged in warring with each other. The two covens spewed red, green and yellow bolts of light at each other.

  “Enough Grisandole. Release the girls.” The Professor hoped his presence and tone would be enough to guarantee their safety.

  “Not this time, you Murderer!”

  Emmy watched the interaction.

  Grammie hoped Sarah wouldn’t give her identity away unless it meant her life. Marsilia didn’t want Grisandole to figure out who the Valittu was and who was the imposter. Either way, Grisandole would most likely kill Sarah. Grammie looked to the Professor for help. He kept his gaze on the old witch hoping he would see an opening and they could attack Grisandole and her hags.

  “They are not the ones you seek. Let them go.”

  Grisandole laughed. “No. I want the wand.”

  “It’s not yours.”

  “Yes, it is. My power and my will, shall reign over the world of witches. Kill her!” She pointed to Sarah.

  “No!” Emmy and Grammie said in unison.

  Grammie jumped in front of Sarah and took the bolt directly in the heart. A cry escaped her, as her body disappeared.

  “Grammie!” Emmy tore her arm away and ran to Ayden.

  “I knew it.” Grisandole walked toward Emmy, her wand drawn.

  “I will stop the killing if you agree to find the wand and give it to me.”

  “Emmy, don’t. She can never possess that power,” Ayden ordered.

  The conflict she felt was evident, but the anger crawling through her knew no bounds. Grisandole had to pay for what she did to her Grammie. She would hunt this woman down and kill her. That was her promise.

  Ayden pushed Emmy behind and threw a bolt at the same time as the Professor and Delphene. The power of the three wands touched each other and expelled a deadly bolt at Grisandole. Her cry resonated as she disappeared.

  The hag holding Sarah’s arm let go in fear. Sarah ran to
Emmy.

  “Leave this place, before you all perish,” The Professor told Grisandole’s coven.

  Bertha, who had been standing at the back, approached when her Mistress disappeared. “Professor,” she bowed her head to him. “The coven will leave and join Grisandole in our world. You need not fear our retribution.” She bowed again, and gathered the hags. Together they disappeared.

  Ayden put his arm around Emmy who was openly crying. “Grammie. Is she really gone?” She raised blue eyes and searched Ayden’s green ones.

  “I’m so sorry, Emmy,” Sarah told her. “I loved her too.”

  “Emmy, as long as you remember her, she will always be alive. You must hold onto that. The pain will ease with time.”

  The Professor stepped forward. “SUBSISTO”. All action in the room ceased. Every person except for the witches, Ayden and Emmy, froze at his command. He turned and turned, and slowly the entire gym was righted. Broken tables now stood whole. The DJ, who hid behind his table and overturned equipment, stood over his computer. The decorations that only moments before were on the floor, decorated the ceiling and walls.

  “Once we are outside, I will release everyone.”

  Emmy turned on the Professor. “Bring Grammie back!” Her demand was heard by all.

  “I cannot. There are some things that are not within my power. Ayden, take her outside.”

  “Yes Professor. Come on, Emmy.”

  “No. I want you to bring her back to me!” She faced the Professor. No matter what it took, she wanted her Grammie back.

  Ayden put his arm around her waist and led her out of the gym.

  Once they stood outside the Professor released the students and teachers from his spell.

  “I need to see Sarah.”

  “I fear that is not possible.”

  “Why not?” Tear filled eyes looked up at the one man, Emmy had wanted to meet, but now all she wanted was to be with her best friend.

  “She does not remember you, or what happened in there. I have erased their memory of you and of this battle. No one will remember what transpired here. No one but us.” He replaced his wand and looked at Emmy.