“Although I must say, I’m still positively floored that you’re a direct descendent of the Elizabeth Bathory – and a Crystal Witch to boot!”
“Yeah,” I said not knowing what else to say.
“This is all extremely fragile. If the S.L.A. at large found out about your connection, I’m fearful that no good would come of it for you – despite your constant assistance to their cause.”
“No offence but the S.L.A. at large doesn’t have a clue,” I snapped, “and it no longer matters. Because I’m not pursuing Kellum Bathory to uphold light magic – I’m doing it for myself.”
“And you’re doing the entire world a great service,” said Professor Frewin with that same sincerity that I hadn’t seen in any of the other professors. “I understand I am to help get all of you to a specific place in Europe,” said Professor Frewin, interrupting my thoughts about the rest of the S.L.A., namely Pearl Quartz.
Safi, looked at me with a pained expression and I realized I may as well have been thinking out loud because she’d clearly picked up on my hostility towards her mother. I usually would have been mad at her for reading my mind without us having a conversation. But the night and all that had brought us to where we were had been anything but normal.
“Cachtice Academy in Slovakia,” said Valenthia, eyeing Professor Frewin with as much suspicion as she had Safi.
“Quite,” replied the professor.
“Do you know it?” asked Natalie.
“Only too well. Or at least I know of it. Given that I’m part of the Supernatural Light Alliance and due to my particular vocation, I’m sure you can understand that I’m not exactly welcome at Cachtice.”
“Right,” nodded Natalie, not at all bothered that it was because he hunted her type. Our type.
“Luckily for us, there’s a secret light magical academy I have connections to within the Carpathian Mountain range that overlooks Cachtice. Very close to where you have been led to believe that vile creature has taken refuge.”
“Yes,” I replied, feeling the wrath of Frewin’s hatred burn inside me too.
“I will take you there tonight,” said Professor Frewin. He turned to Safi, “but you must return to Superno.”
“I’m sorry professor but that’s bull!” said Safi, locking her gaze defiantly with Professor Frewin’s.
“It’s what’s necessary!” Frewin replied firmly, “What happened to Kat’s mother – a very rare breed of vampires – wasn’t some random act of opportunity. She was her brother’s and the Dark Legion’s target for many years. And the fact that their mission was accomplished, shows that darkness is rising now.
“You of all people, a Crystal Witch of Quartz lineage aren’t safe anywhere outside of Superno these days. Europe is basically overrun and ruled by dark-blooded creatures,” Frewin gravely concluded. He didn’t say what each of us had already gathered which was that being Pearl Quartz’s daughter, Safi was marked out for greatness by the S.L.A. and certain demise by the Dark Legion.
“Yeah, if you really want to help me, you’ll go back,” I said to Safi.
“But –” began Safi.
“She’s on point. You will only be a target we need to protect if you come with us,” said Professor Frewin, “which means, you will be more of a hinderance than anything else – for now.”
“I promise we’ll stay in touch,” I promised Safi, “and no matter what, I’ll keep you in the loop.”
“Thanks, Lady,” she said, obviously discouraged. I felt bad for her but agreed with Professor Frewin, especially given the history of witches in those parts. It hadn’t been pretty. And yet as a child being fostered from pillar to post through Europe, I had been completely oblivious to it all. I guess unbeknownst to me, my mother Sophie-Anne had always made sure I’d been protected by risking herself constantly since the day I’d been born.
“We really should get ready,” instructed Professor Frewin.
“What do you need me to do, professor?” asked Ulric, quickly scanning the place.
“I’ll need your help the moment we get to where we’re going, son,” answered Frewin, crouching on the ground and opening his old leather briefcase. He began to re-arrange it as he retrieved what seemed to me, to be random objects from inside. A couple of stakes, indicative of his role in the S.L.A., fell out. Both Natalie and Valenthia spotted them and flung panicked glances towards me.
“Don’t worry, I’ll explain later,” I said hoping it would satisfy them. “Why don’t you get going? I promise I’ll keep you posted?” I said to Safi.
“Make sure you do,” she replied. We hugged and Safi sat back down, cross-legged on the cool ground. She closed her eyes and began to concentrate. Little swirls of silver intertwined with baby pink began to lift off her. I instinctively looked over at Natalie and Valenthia and noticed that while Natalie was gazing curiously, there was something else, coupled with Valenthia’s curiosity as she watched Safi’s magic begin to take root. Yep, definitely not a good idea for a full Crystal Witch to be coming with us amongst some of the darkest Sanguines in existence. Valenthia caught me staring at her and self-consciously looked away.
Professor Frewin gathered his belongings together once more. He waited as Safi’s form began to fade. Making sure she’d blended away into the night and re-apparated herself back to Superno, he crisply addressed us.
“I know there aren’t that many of us here but as best as we can, we need to form a circle – like the one you saw when we helped the Grunches to escape.” The four of us did as he said and although ours looked decidedly more like a square, he nodded with approval, wedging himself in between Ulric and I. “Good, leave this space free for me,” he said stepping outside and starting to walk around us all. He then sprinkled something from a tiny glass bottle, around the space as he went around our circle in a counter-clockwise manner.
“I do hope that’s not some poison, aimed at killing vampires,” Valenthia hissed at me.
“Sadly, if such a thing exists, my dear, I don’t have it,” answered Professor Frewin, completely oblivious as to why Valenthia was on edge.
“Let’s talk about it later?” I urged, realizing how it must have looked to my friends that some professor who was also a member of the S.L.A. had turned up to help us with a briefcase containing a couple of hefty stakes.
“Join hands please,” said Frewin, completing his walk around the circle and taking his place with us.
I slowly began to feel a haziness wash over me as we started to melt away from the forest. I tried to sense what Ulric was thinking and got nothing but white noise. Maybe he wasn’t thinking anything but it was more likely that it was Frewin’s magic that had placed a temporary shield over and around all those within our circle.
I had only been apparated once before in my life. It had been when Pearl had rescued Safi and I a few years ago, back before my seventeenth birthday when we’d all found out that I was half vampire. Back when I’d been an innocent Crystal Witch who’d almost been sucked dry by a vampire seconds before the S.L.A. had swept in to save us. The vampire that had successfully cornered me near Witching Hour, the all-witch saloon we’d been dancing at, had almost killed me that night. All this time, I’d wondered why he’d vanished into thin air a split-second before he’d bitten me. I’d always assumed it was because maybe he’d sensed magic in the air as the S.L.A. had arrived. I now knew it was simply because I’d been part vampire. My not-yet active Sanguine blood had made it taboo to simply bite one of his own for sport, even if he’d desperately wanted to.
The whole world went white and foggy and there was a strange rushing sensation that was slightly uncomfortable as it made me disoriented. I gripped Ulric’s hand tighter and he squeezed back. Since joining the Silver Shadows and being under Professor Frewin’s wing, he’d done this more than once and I wondered if the magic interacted with him the same way it did with me?
There was a quiet popping sound, like we’d been in a bubble that someone had burst from outside and the haze
we’d been enveloped in immediately receded. Light poured into my eyes and it took a few seconds for it to sink in that we’d arrived at our destination. Day was beginning to break thanks to the location and time zone.
“Wow!” exclaimed Natalie, who was as alert as ever.
“That was so refreshing!” Valenthia chimed in.
“Because the elixir I used before was to negate any negative effects of pure light magic that you might have suffered,” said Professor Frewin, “as a result, the spell has made you feel high, almost like you would if you drank witch or warlock blood.”
“It does!” confirmed Valenthia, drawing a frown from the professor and hastily adding, “Not that I would do that.”
“Woah!” uttered Ulric looking around. “So, these are the famous Carpathian Mountains!”
“Actually, these are known as the Little Carpathians,” elaborated Professor Frewin, “but yes, they’re part of the larger mountain range spread across that area of Europe, with their highest peaks in the Transylvanian plateau.”
“Werewolves have a special relationship with this place,” Ulric almost whispered in awe.
“That’s why this place is actually perfect for what we’re trying to achieve,” agreed Professor Frewin, “but first and foremost I must warn you all, the Dark Legion has a foothold here. Look there – what do you see?” he pointed across the valley that the majesty of the mountains gradually gave way to, and at what looked like a stone settlement that rose up at the other side.
“A crumbly old castle?” asked Ulric, squinting.
“Right there lie the ruins of Cachtice Castle. That is where the Blood Countess, Elizabeth Bathory spent what are supposedly her final years imprisoned,” Professor Frewin looked grave.
“Where’s Cachtice Academy?” I asked, trying not to be overwhelmed by the ruggedness of the terrain and the ominous sight of the ruined castle.
“You’re looking right at it,” replied Frewin, “somewhere deep beneath those hellish ruins.”
“Oh,” I remarked already beginning to realize that the place was nothing like I’d expected. Although I wasn’t sure what I’d expected, except that perhaps the place would look similar to Bloodline Academy. Or at least be partly above ground level.
Valenthia keeled over and uttered a muted cry. “What is it, Val?” I asked, going to her and taking one arm whilst Natalie took the other.
“It’s…it’s that castle,” she said, staring into the distance.
“What about it?” asked Natalie, frantically looking to me.
“I’ve seen it before…it’s where I saw Kat in my…in those visions I had,” she stuttered as Ulric and even Frewin watched us completely taken aback. “I think I’m getting something else.”
“We learned that witch-blood can activate dark magical gifts in certain vampires,” I filled them in. I wasn’t sure what I should have been telling Professor Frewin – after all, any such information would only serve to strengthen his vampire hunting skills. But I also knew that unlike so many supes on both sides of the brewing supernatural war, Professor Frewin used discretion and not just blind hatred to determine how he used his skills.
“The spell to get us here, seems to have brought Val’s dark magical ability to the surface,” nodded Natalie, “she gets visions about stuff.”
“Has this ever happened to her before?” asked Professor Frewin with genuine concern.
“Once, when she was unwittingly put under the influence of a vampire charm,” I said, “that was the time she was made to drink witch-blood.”
“I see,” said Frewin, “and did the visions come to pass?”
“Not so far,” I replied as Valenthia let out a groan. “What is it?” I asked, turning to her.
“I can see you going into the castle. But I don’t see you coming out…at least not the same,” Valenthia exhaled uneasily as she came to again.
“Let’s clear this up right now,” I said remembering all that Professor Frewin had told me and Ulric about the story of Esmeralda Quartz, the Crystal Witch who had met her end trying to save the world from Elizabeth Bathory. “Professor?”
“Yes?” said Frewin, continuing to watch Valenthia.
“Some of Valenthia’s visions have sounded exactly like the story you told us about Esmeralda Quartz.”
“Oh?”
“I’m wondering if it’s possible that Val is channeling the past rather than predicting the future?”
“Anything is possible,” said Frewin taking a step closer to us and inspecting Valenthia, as though her appearance might reveal something to him. “What makes you think that?”
“Well, Esmeralda was a Crystal Witch from my lineage. So, it’s possible she could have been one of my direct ancestors, right?” I asked.
“Yes, possible – but not definite,” replied Professor Frewin as Valenthia let out another groan.
“What did Esmeralda Quartz look like?” I asked. My palms suddenly felt clammy and my throat was dry. I wanted to settle Valenthia’s visions once and for all and hadn’t realized up until now, how much they’d been at the back of my mind.
“I don’t know. Part of her legend is so enshrined in mystery because apparently, after her demise, Elizabeth Bathory set out to wipe all evidence of her existence,” replied Professor Frewin, “even after her death, she was so threatened of the powerful witch that Esmeralda Quartz had once been. I can only think that her magic had posed a very real challenge.”
“Oh,” I said disappointedly. “So that means Val’s visions probably are about me.”
“Kellum Bathory is very likely – no, definitely – lying in wait for you,” said Professor Frewin, looking me in the eyes and feeling what I instantly caught was real compassion. “And that’s why, I’ve arranged for all of you to stay right here.”
“In the mountains?” asked Natalie, looking around perplexed.
“Come with me,” gestured Frewin, walking with aim. We hiked through the trees, scaling the uneven surface beneath us for about ten minutes.
My breath made lacy wisps in front of me as I moved, making me realize how much cooler this part of the world was. Louisiana’s muggy heat had caused me to forget about the perpetually crisp weather that was a constant in many parts of Europe. Way down below off into the distance, I saw the ruined plot of land where Cachtice Academy was hidden inside. It was becoming even smaller as we walked above and away from it.
Valenthia frowned at me, rolling her eyes towards Professor Frewin and I could tell that look was a question: could we trust him? I raised my eyebrows in a non-committal nod. We probably could trust the professor more than most. But where we were going was an entirely different matter.
“It’ll be okay,” thought Ulric, keeping in step with us.
“Thanks,” I said to him and he took my hand. His felt so warm in mine. I instantly felt the warmth run up my arm and go into my chest, soothing the ache that I’d been ignoring since all the craziness had gone down. His amber eyes glanced into mine and I felt like I wasn’t alone. Of course, Natalie and Valenthia had been amazing to me. But Ulric and I had a bond that we shared through being outcasts in a way that I couldn’t share with pure-blooded supes whether they were vamps. Or witches like Safi.
“Here we are!” Professor Frewin finally announced, coming to an abrupt standstill.
“I don’t get it,” said Valenthia looking around the dense forested area we’d entered about two minutes ago.
“Sorry, neither do I,” I agreed. At our elevation, the clouds appeared to roll through the trees, creating an overcast and gloomy ambience over this part of the mountain range.
“What do you sense?” asked Frewin, looking at each of us.
“Not much,” said Natalie, “but Val and I wouldn’t be able to at this time of day.”
“I’m picking up multiple presences,” I replied and both Ulric and I looked at each other.
“Werewolves!” he said, lighting up.
“Correct, lad!” said Frewin, “now, show
us where they are.”
Ulric went perfectly still and his eyes gave off their comforting copper hue as he sniffed the air, “wait a minute,” he said and his whole body began to buzz and quiver as he prepared to shift. He smoothly shrank down and then elongated into his dark wolf form. His eyes watched me and then he tore away and sprang towards the gigantic tree that Professor Frewin was standing against. Ulric continued to sniff around like he was drawing information out of the earth. He began to walk around the bark of the tree which was so broadly rooted that it took him a minute to re-appear after he followed his way around it in a circle. He lifted a paw and scratched urgently at a piece of bark near Frewin’s foot, letting out a soft whimper.
“Very good! The Silver Shadows have been training you well!” said the professor as Natalie, Valenthia and I watched on. “That – ladies and gentle-wolf is Silverstone Academy. We’re standing at one of its’ entrances and it’s where you’ll all be staying while you’re here.”
“Silverstone?” I said, quickly realizing I knew it from somewhere.
“Yes, it’s part of the Silver Shadows network of werewolves the world over. This academy has existed here for a long time,” said Frewin.
I racked my brain, trying to think of why that name rang a bell. Ulric’s eyes burned into me and I caught on that he was inviting me to read his mind. “Samantha Silverstone, remember?” he thought, continuing to look at me.
“Right!” I said, causing the other three who were with us to stare at me. “The werewolf chick at that bar!” I elaborated, simply for Ulric who nodded his head.
“Alright old boy, you should get back into your human form before we enter. You’re an adopted pack member but still look like a Black Bane – we wouldn’t want any misunderstandings,” Professor Frewin said to Ulric.
Ulric let out a short yelp of agreement and immediately went still so he could vibrate back into his human form. “They’d have sensed I’m not a threat,” he said sulkily after he’d shifted back.
Sanguine Spell Page 3
