Awethology Light

by The Awethors

Enchantments

  I woke with a jerk, the dream still vivid in my mind. Sitting up, scrubbing my eyes with my fists, I looked around. I was in my bed in my room, my dark purple curtains blowing in the gentle breeze through my open window.

  “What the hell?” I whispered out.

  “Farron, will you get up?” yelled my mum.

  “Coming,” I called back.

  “You’ll be late for work if you don’t hurry.”

  Dragging on my jeans, blouse and black leather jacket, running my fingers through my short dark hair, I dashed down the stairs, grabbing a piece of toast and juice from the fridge.

  “See you tonight, Mum,” I smiled, giving her a quick hug and kiss.

  “Farron, you need to sort your life out,” she said, muttering as I dashed out the door.

  I was lucky; I loved my job. I worked in a graphic design office where we produced all different kinds of artwork, from advertisements to book covers. We were superb too. I loved letting my imagination run wild.

  Driving my gorgeous red Harley 1000cc motorbike, I was soon at work. I parked in my usual spot, entering the office by the back door. The office was quiet. I was first to arrive.

  Walking into the kitchen I put the coffee on to perk, shoving my helmet and backpack into my security box. Grabbing a cup of coffee, I sat at my desk, opening my computer to work on my latest project. My computer remained blank, light from the centre of the screen appeared with the words “follow the light, not the dark.” The words faded; my screen flickered on. I jumped when a hand landed on my shoulder.

  “Shit,” I yelped.

  “You okay, Farron? I’ve been talking to you for ages and getting no response, it was as if you weren’t in,” laughed Garth, a co-worker.

  “Yeah, fine, I was just thinking about something,” I muttered sipping my coffee. “How was your weekend?”

  “Good for once, I took Phena to the movies,” he smiled.

  “Oh my god, you’re in love,” I said, choking on my coffee.

  “Hush; don’t tell everyone.” He grinned. “She’s adorable.”

  “No wonder she likes you, Garth,” I laughed and got to work.

  The day was weird; my computer screen and phone kept sending me messages, which were there one moment and gone the next. It was annoying, distracting me continuously. By two in the afternoon, I gave up on my work. Turning my computer off, I left the office. Grabbing my helmet; I sat astride my Harley deep in thought before roaring off down the street, heading for the highway. The messages were crazy.

  Trouble was, the messages were only the start. Changes in my life were afoot—of which I wasn’t aware—I mean I was me. Nothing unusual with a young twenty-one-year-old woman making a living and breathing computer art.

  I’m a dreamer; a lover of music and books. My family was great, loving me unconditionally. What the hell was happening!?

  I powered down the highway. When a hand touched my shoulder, how come I didn’t crash, I’ve no idea—I know I wobbled on the road before regaining control.

  “Fuck,” I said, pulling off the highway and looking behind me. “Shit, who are you!? How the hell did you get on my bike?” I yelled taking my helmet off.

  “Hi Farron.” He grinned calmly.

  “Don’t you Hi Farron me, how the hell did you know my name?” I frowned.

  “We’ve been waiting for you,” he said.

  “W-who are you?” I replied, getting off my Harley, putting it on its stand before my shaking body took over. “Why are you waiting for me?”

  “I’m Kendrall, your guide to your future.”

  “I don’t need a sodding guide, I know where I’m going,” I yelled at him.

  He just stood there, looking at me, all six foot three, purple hair, violet eyes and creamy skin. A beautiful mouth most women would sigh over, just not me.

  “Your direction will change soon, Farron,” he said and disappeared before my eyes. I gasped in shock, shook my head and sat down on the grass verge to think.

  “What the hell?” I muttered.

  I didn’t see the cop car pull up behind me; I did see a shadow standing over me. I looked up with a frown.

  “Excuse me, Miss, are you having bike trouble?”

  “I’ll have it fixed shortly, thanks officer,” I smiled, jumping to my feet.

  “It’s dangerous to rest here,” he replied.

  I apologised again, starting to pretend to mess with my bike. Taking hold of my helmet, I sat back on my Harley, revving the engine.

  “Thanks officer,” I smiled.

  “Take care now, Miss,” he smiled as I roared off down the highway.

  “Follow the light,” a voice whispered through the wind. “Don’t forget to follow the light, Farron.”

  I stopped at the next café for coffee and cake, eating quickly. I looked around to see if anyone was watching me—whoever these people were, they were scaring the hell out of me. I wanted to be left alone, to get on with my life. I asked for the check and the waitress shrugged.

  “It’s been paid for.”

  “Who paid?”

  “Him over…oh, he’s gone.”

  I left the café angry and confused. I’d not felt anyone watch me at all. My head down, I walked to my Harley to find Kendrall sitting on it, smiling.

  “Who the hell are you, why can’t you leave me alone?” I snapped out.

  “Please don’t get angry, Farron,” he said gently, “you’ll bring the bad guys out.”

  “What the hell are you on about?”

  “The shadows,” he said, looking around, seemingly getting a bit worried. “If they’re released all hell will break out.”

  “Oh, give me a break,” I said, picking up my helmet.

  “Your dream,” he said, looking at me with a sad smile, “remember your dream,” and he faded into nothing. AGAIN.

  I stood there, shaken to the core when a hand rested on my shoulder. I spun around quickly to find a young woman behind me. I didn’t smile.

  “Are you okay?” she asked, concern lacing her voice.

  “I’m all right,” I replied with a weak smile.

  I put on my helmet, climbed on my motorbike, and with a wave, I drove back towards home.

  I felt like I needed to pinch myself and wake up; today had been weird and I still had no idea what was going on. I entered the house finding no one home. Looking at the clock, it was only four in the afternoon, so I shouldn’t really be home yet. Grabbing juice from the fridge, I dragged my body up to my room, sitting on my bed, trying to make sense of Kendrall and my dream.

  Who was the wolf? Why had it bitten me? I shrugged my shirt off my shoulder and sure enough, I had a bite mark. I sat up, wondering why I’d not noticed it this morning.

  “Shit, what the hell’s going on?”

  “Follow the light, not the dark,” a voice whispered.

  “What light,” I yelled out in frustration.

  “Farron, are you okay?” My mum had arrived home.

  “Yes, Mum; just trying to work something out.”

  “Don’t yell; you scared the living daylights out of me,” she called back.

  I picked up my drink, taking a slug, and wandered down to the kitchen to talk. I wasn’t sure I wanted to be alone.

  “Mum,” I said.

  “What’s the matter, Farron?”

  “Did you ever have any weird dreams and hear voices?”

  “No, I can’t say I did. What voices have you heard?” she asked in confusion. My face coloured in embarrassment.

  “Whispers,” I muttered.

  Mum walked up to me, holding my hands, her head to one side as she looked deeply into my face. She kissed me on the cheek, then smiled.

  “Help me cook dinner; we’ll talk about it later.”

  “You know something, don’t you?” I accused her.

  “Later, Farron, for now I need help with dinner before the others get home.”

  I gave up and started to peel the potat
oes.

  Kendrall paced the ante-room of the palace; he was convinced this wasn’t going to work.

  “The Mistress will see you now Kendrall, good luck,” said her secretary.

  Lifting his head, he sauntered through the massive silver doors to give his opinion.

  “Kendrall, you have good news I hope?”

  “Farron isn’t ready ma’am, I’m not sure she ever will be.”

  “Pray, why is this, Kendrall?” she asked calmly, her hands relaxed.

  “She doesn’t know about us,” he replied. “We don’t know yet,” he sighed.

  “Find out, Kendrall. While you’re doing so, track down our other destiny children. We’ll need them all this time.”

  “The shadows threaten us so much, ma’am?”

  “Yes, they do. Be gone and bring them all here quickly; we’ll have to act soon.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he replied, bowing his head and leaving the room. The doors slammed shut behind him.

  “A hard task you have, Kendrall,” said the secretary.

  “More like impossible,” he said angrily.

  “Now then, Kendrall, you’ve never failed before.”

  “Name the others so I can be on my way,” he said. She passed him a scroll instead.

  “All the names and energies are on the list; good luck.”

  “I’ll need it this time,” he grumbled.

  “Why don’t you take Joz with you?”

  “I prefer to work alone,” he replied and walked off through the portal.

  “Stubborn man,” she muttered, continuing with her next task.

   

  Qwain Prepares for Battle

  Qwain wandered through the forests, his mind on the next battle with the shadows. His wolf by his side, licking his hand, made him smile.

  “You did good, Sharam,” he said, rubbing his head. He gave his wolfish smile, continuing to walk by his master. “She should come to us soon.”

  “She’s difficult, Qwain,” said Kendrall, appearing beside him.

  “Needs a little push, does she?”

  “More like a kick in the butt,” he replied, his fists clenching.

  “All you had to do was bring her back,” he sighed. “What went wrong?”

  “She doesn’t know about us,” Kendrall replied, his face in deep thought.

  “How the hell did that happen?—The chosen ones always know,” he said in a shocked voice.

  “They’ve kept it hidden from her.”

  “They’ve no right to do so,” he exclaimed angrily, “I need her, and soon; the shadows are getting restless.”

  “Send her a dream tonight, Qwain, make her understand the importance of her destiny.”

  “Bring her tomorrow,” he said.

  “I’ve others to find; I’ll see what I can do,” he sighed.

  “I’ll go for her if you cannot.” He smiled.

  “See you soon, Qwain,” Kendrall muttered as he disappeared.

  “I dislike it when he does that,” he grumbled to the wolf, letting him continue to lick his hand.

   

  Who am I?

  Dinner was over. The dishes washed; the kids all in bed. Mum and dad took me to their study and we sat around the meeting table.

  “So what’s going on, Mum?”

  Mum looked at Dad and he nodded his head slowly.

  “You’re a special young lady,” said my dad.

  “I’m yours; of course I’m special. We all are,” I laughed.

  “Farron,” she said, taking my hand, “you’re different from the others, darling.”

  “What do you mean, different?”

  “You have unique energies which help us all exist in this world.”

  “I don’t understand!?”

  “We should’ve told you when you turned eighteen. We just couldn’t bring ourselves to, and now they need you,” said my mum standing up, pacing past the window.

  “Told me what?” I said, puzzled, “what do you mean exist in this world?”

  “You’re not human Farron; you’re Bul’ith; a special person who’s given extraordinary energies to keep the shadows at bay.”

  “My dream,” I murmured.

  “You’ve dreamt of them?”

  “Your time is near, Farron,” said my mum turning to look at me.

  “A wolf bit me, I saw shadows and then a light; it made them disappear.” I shrugged.

  “It has begun. Have you met your guide?”

  “What’s Bul’ith?”

  “I am,” said Kendrall from behind her.

  “You again.” I glared.

  “Kendrall, welcome to our home,” my parents said.

  “You know him?”

  “Yes, of course we do.” They smiled.

  “So tell me, Kendrall, what is Bul’ith?”

  “As your parents said you are special,” he smiled. “Your dream gave you the energies of the wolf.”

  “Which means what?”

  “To find out you’ll need to come with me to Do’rath and talk with Qwain.”

  “Who’s Qwain?”

  “He is the Wolfman; he will train you.”

  “You are honoured, Farron,” said my father.

  “So, you expect me to believe this fairy story and just go…” I trailed off as a light appeared in front of me.

  A gentle voice whispered, “We have need of you Farron, follow the light and learn your destiny. Go with Kendrall; no harm will befall you.”

  My parents were kneeling, their heads bowed as the light slowly disappeared.

  “You’ve been honoured twice,” said my mother. “The Mistress doesn’t speak to many.”

  “What happens to my life; my job?” I replied uncertainly.

  “If you don’t go, then there will be no world; no life for you, or any human on this planet.”

  “Fine, let’s go—get this battle over with,” I snapped.

  “Qwain will pick you up in the morning, Farron, take heed and learn fast, the battle will soon be upon us,” Kendrall finished with a whisper as he faded from view.

  “Just wonderful,” I said, standing up. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “It was never the right time; you’re so young and full of joy for this world.”

  “So overnight I have a dream and I’m suddenly expected to drop everything and go.”

  “We’re sorry Farron; we didn’t realise the shadows were so close again.”

  “Are you Bul’ith?”

  “We were when you were born; we are human now.”

  “Another thing I have to understand?”

  “When the battle is over, you’ll marry and have a child, a Bul’ith child. Afterwards, you can become human with your husband if you wish.”

  At least the frustration had gone now. I knew what I was. I just had to learn who I was.

  “I’m going to bed; if I don’t see you in the morning, you know Qwain has…”

  “Yes, Farron.” They smiled. Taking me in their arms, they hugged me and kissed my cheek.

  “We wish you the best in your training and battle darling,” my father said.

  “Night,” I said, walking out of the study and up the steps.

  I looked in on each of my siblings, kissing their foreheads as they slept, knowing I would miss them; knowing I may just save them and our world for another generation.

  Red Eyes in the Night

  I was running through the forest again, rain and snow drenching me as I ran. In the distance, I heard the screeches of the shadows as they chased me. The wolf with red eyes ran by my side. I smiled at Sharam; the energy pulsing between us. Sword at my side, we continued towards the mountains. We would soon lose the shadows. They sink in the rain, which I found amusing; especially the horror on their faces. They certainly didn’t like it. No sense of humour at all.

  Qwain had taught me well. I knew all the myths and legends of time and battles of the Bul’ith, for which I was grateful.

  Rolling down a bank
, we hid in the bushes. Sharam washed my face and snuggled in. Suddenly, his fangs appeared, his red eyes glowing. Sighing, I tugged my top off my shoulder and he bit me deeply. I shut my eyes, letting the burst of energy flow through me. My body tensed as the pain eased. Sharam washed the blood away and kissed me, his wet nose making me want to laugh.

  My energy pulsed higher, which was a good job because a shadow looked down and saw us. Before they screeched, my dagger cut its throat. It sank down to its own world.

  “Thank you, Sharam, though how you always know is beyond me.” I patted his head.

  I woke to find a hand on my shoulder, a man looking down at me. I nearly screamed when I noticed the huge wolf standing by his side. The wolf buried its nose in my face, licking me, making me giggle.

  “Hi Sharam,” I said, rubbing his ears. “I presume you’re Qwain?” I continued, looking back up at the man.

  “Aye; tis time to leave Farron.” He smiled.

  “I’ll meet you in the study. I need to dress,” I said.

  “You come now. You’ll be dressed once we arrive.”

  “Right; so how does this work?”

  “Hold on to Sharam.” He smiled.

  I didn’t feel anything. One moment I was in my bed, the next I was in the middle of a forest dressed in green. The apparel wasn’t too bad, though I’d seen better. I felt a bit like Robin Hood.

  “So what happens next, Qwain?”

  “Your training begins here. It will be hard work. The battle isn’t far away.”

  “What are you teaching me?”

  Suddenly, I was on my backside, sliding in the mud. A dagger appeared in my hand. I stabbed it into a tree as I slid past, coming to a shuddering halt, my muscles taut. Looking up there was no sign of Qwain and Sharam.

  “Now where have you gone,” I muttered standing up. Something caught my ankle; I looked down as my foot started to sink into the mud. ‘Oh no, you bloody well don’t,’ I muttered.

  I released the dagger from the tree and stuck it in the hand holding my ankle. It released my ankle with a shriek, disappearing into the mud.

  I walked back to where I’d been talking to Qwain. Seeing their footprints, I started to track them deeper into the forest. They were easy to follow—well, until their tracks disappeared. I stood in the middle of a clearing, frowning. My dagger in its sheath, hands on my hips, I looked carefully, scouring my surroundings. Trying not to smirk, I walked over to a tree and leant against it casually.

  “You can come out now, Qwain,” I said. “I can see you.”

  He detached himself from a tree across from me and smiled.

  “Well done, Farron,” he nodded, “now where’s Sharam?”

  I pointed to a bush on the far left of him and the wolf jumped out; charging at me. Paws on my shoulders, he washed my face.

  “Your wolf likes you, Farron,” he said in surprise.

  “Sharam is my wolf?” I said, looking at him.

  “Of course; he’s the one who gave you your energies and will for a long time to come.”

  “You mean he gets to bite me again?” I said in shock.

  “Yes, of course. You should consider yourself lucky, the other trainees…never mind,” he finished.

  “Different animals for various trainees giving different energies to win the battle,” I said softly.

  “Yes. Well done.”

  “Well, that was easy. So what’s next?”

  “Lunch,” he smiled, “though you have to hunt it, catch it, kill it and cook it.” He smirked, nearly laughing at the disgust on my face. “You’ll get used to it, Farron.”

   

  Wild Briar

  Briar knew all about the Bul’ith, or thought she did. She couldn’t wait to start her training and wondered which energy she would get.

  The hood down on her sports car, she raced along the street, powering round the corner, nearly knocking a cyclist over.

  “You need to take more care, Briar,” said Kendrall.

  “Who are you?”

  “You don’t seem surprised to see me.” He smiled.

  “Nah,” she smirked, “you must be Bul’ith; only they appear out of nowhere,” she laughed. Screeching the car to a halt, she parked, took off her seat belt and turned to him.

  “So what happens now, and what’s your name?”

  “I’m Kendrall.” He smiled. “Just a short chat today. You’ll get your dreams shortly; make sure you remember them or you’ll fail your destiny,” he said and disappeared. She pouted, started her car and raced off again.

  Briar wasn’t as savvy as she made out to everyone. It hadn’t gone unnoticed as she made her way through her teens and hit twenty-one.

  A shadow had seen through her bravado. It smiled savagely, knowing this one would help them out of the eternal earth. How to catch her and change her before her training was the hard part. After seeing Kendrall, it knew Briar’s destiny would be soon.

  The shadow sank into the gutter, speeding through the pipes, back to its domain, to report.

  “So what news do you bring?” rasped the voice of evil.

  “She’ll be training soon, my Lord. We need to infect her or we will surely fail.”

  “So be it. Infect the girl and bring back her soul tonight; make sure it’s returned before she wakes,” he laughed in glee.

  “As you command, my Lord.” It smiled and sped away to find Briar.

  Briar slept fitfully that night, expecting a dream which didn’t materialise. By one in the morning, she’d given up, snuggling into her teddy bear. She never felt the knife nicking her arm, though she shuddered in her sleep when something entered her body. Moaning, her body protesting, the shadow smiled, pulling her soul out of her. Briar’s body lay still in a deep, comatose sleep, her heart slowing with each passing moment, until it lay still, her body resting until the shadow returned her soul.

  The shadow sped back to its master, Briar’s soul kicking and screaming, protesting violently. Shackling her arms, he pushed her to the floor as they materialised in front of his Lord.

  “I have her soul, my Lord.”

  “Good; now do what you must with it—make sure your magic is unnoticeable.”

  “Yes, my Lord.” He smirked, dragging the soul to his den. He shoved her into a chair, tying her.

  “What do you want?—Leave me alone!” she cried.

  “You’ll be our reward, little one.” He sniggered.

  “Let me go,” she screamed.

  He approached her with his knife; it sank deeply into her chest. He watched for her reaction as he twisted it, carving out a hole and pulling out her soul’s heart. Her face went blank; she hadn’t uttered a word. It seemed his knife worked well.

  Carrying her soul’s heart to the table; he sliced it open until he got to the place he needed. Gently, he took the jewel out, replacing it with a fake jewel, which the shadow lord had control over. Putting the heart back together again, he shoved it in her soul body. Working backwards with his knife, he pulled it out and she was screaming at him once more.

  “You’re annoying me; be quiet,” he said.

  “Please let me go I beg you,” she whimpered, tears falling down her face.

  “Oh, fine then,” he said. “Here, drink this.” He handed her a cup of wine.

  “What is it?”

  “Tis wine to help you calm down,” he replied.

  “Take me home,” she pleaded.

  “Yes. Drink, and I’ll take you back,” he said softly.

  Briar’s soul knocked back the drink. The cup fell to the floor. Before she could scream again, her soul blacked out, her memories wiped of her time in the shadow world.

  “Tis done, my Lord.” He smiled, bowing to his master.

  “Good; take her back, the dawn is breaking.”

  Speeding away, he returned to Briar’s apartment where her still body lay. Opening the small cut on her arm, he released her soul back into her body. Her body jerked as her heart began to beat once more.
She moaned in distress as he slowly disappeared back to his master, a smile of satisfaction on his face.

  Briar slept later than usual; missing her alarm. She was in panic mode when she remembered it was Sunday.

  “God; I feel awful,” she muttered, holding her head. “What the hell was in my food last night?” she whimpered as pain lanced through her head. Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, she staggered to the shower, turning it on full blast. Groaning, she stood there until a thump came on the door.

  “Hurry up Bri; you’re not the only one who lives here.”

  “Yeah; be out in a few, Ruben,” she called back, wincing in pain when it slashed through her. “What the hell,” she muttered. Washing her hair, she massaged her head, easing the ache. Slowly, it ebbed away. Rinsing her hair and body, she got out of the shower wrapping a towel around her; walking out of the bathroom, straight into Ruben’s arms.

  “Took you long enough,” he grouched. “Hey, are you ok?—You kinda look peaky.”

  “Sorehead,” she muttered, pulling out of his arms and heading for her room. Ruben watched her, puzzled. He’d never seen her so pale before. Shrugging his shoulders, he went for a shower.

  Briar dressed, sweeping her long hair on top of her head. She smiled into the mirror, then frowned. Walking closer to the mirror, she looked again; whatever it was had gone. Grabbing her purse and phone, she went to the kitchen, making breakfast and coffee. Ruben was unusually slow this morning.

  “Shit, Bri, you used most of the hot water,” he grumbled, walking into the kitchen, drying his hair with a towel.

  “Soz Ru, what we doing today anyway?”

  “How about some beach time?” He grinned.

  “Nice; I could do with some sun.”

  Eating their breakfast and drinking coffee, they were soon ready to roll.

  “Here we come beach,” they yelled as Briar roared off down the street in her car.

  “Well, she’s a bit wild,” muttered Kendrall from the shadow of the building, “hope she calms for the coming battles.”

  “She’d better if she wants her energies,” said Qwaun.

  “What are you giving her?”

  “Wait and find out, Kendrall.” He smirked and disappeared back to his home.

  “Charming,” muttered Kendrall.

  Briar and Ruben had a blast at the beach, playing volleyball, swimming and sunbathing, though Ruben noted Briar stayed under the sun umbrella this time, which was odd as she loved the sun usually. Mind, after her headache, maybe it was a wise choice.

  “How you feeling now, Bri?”

  “Really great, this is just what I needed.”

  “Headache gone then?”

  “Yeah—no idea where it came from, though. I’m not usually one for headaches.”

  “Maybe a doctor’s visit, Bri,” he said in concern.

  “If it comes back, I will. I promise Ru,” she smiled, kissing his cheek.

  “Good enough,” he said, closing his eyes to the sun’s glare and pretending to snooze.

  Briar shuddered when the falcon flew low over her head; she ducked out of the way, the wind from its wings causing the hair on her arms to lift. Looking around her, she saw the desert in front of her and an oasis behind her. Puzzled, she wandered down to the water to find camels drinking, lizards flicking out their tongues and flies buzzing.

  The Falcon charged again. Briar ran, falling in the pool, choking on the water as she tried to swim to the surface.

  “What the hell do you want?” she yelled, dragging herself out of the water.

  The falcon dived again, this time landing on her shoulder, its claws settling deep in her body. Energy shot through her; making her shudder, she lifted her arms with a huge smile before turning to stroke the falcon’s chest.

  “Well, why didn’t you say so,” she muttered as the falcon took off and faded into the distance.

  “Briar, are you okay?” said Ruben, shaking her shoulder hard. “Bri, wake up,” he said worriedly.

  “What, Ru?” she muttered, blinking open her eyes.

  “Your shoulder,” he said, holding a hanky to it.

  She sat up, wincing, “What the hell,” she muttered, seeing the holes in her shoulder. “What happened?”

  “I don’t know; I just woke up and you were bleeding.”

  “Look—it’s stopped now, Ru,” she said, lifting the hanky. “Err, Ru; the holes have gone,” she said in confusion.

  “What! My god, they’ve gone,” he said, lifting the hanky off her shoulder. “What the hell?” he said, backing away, “Who are you? What’ve you done with Briar?”

  She closed her eyes, remembering her dream, remembering she was Bul’ith and Ruben wasn’t. How could she explain this? Sighing, she stood, picking up her towel.

  “We need to go back to the apartment, where it’s more private,” she murmured. “I can’t tell you anything here.”

  “I-I…” he stuttered, staring at her.

  “Ru. I’m still Briar; go pull yourself together and let’s get out of here—before we attract any more attention.

  The master shadow screamed with pleasure; the raw energy wave hit him hard. His counsellors ran quickly to his side as he laughed. Blue energy waves were beating his chest; his shadow became less vague. Suddenly the energy flow stopped, his head bowed for a moment before looking up.

  “It worked—I feel the power inside me! It worked. Bring the shadow wizard,” he laughed with glee.

  The wizard bowed low before him.

  “Look at me wizard. What do you see?”

  “My Lord, you look —how can I put this?—You look lively,” he said, a smile on his face.

  “I feel it too, wizard; your idea worked. I can’t wait for the next energy strike.” He smiled.

  “We will surely win this time my Lord,” he replied.

  “Yes, we shall.” He smirked. “Now go and tell the news to everyone, sing out the wizards’ praises,” he ordered.

  The shadows scattered quickly; the wizard bowed, leaving the room knowing it was only the beginning.

  Ruben was pacing the lounge while Briar poured two drinks, adding ice.

  “What the hell is this about, Bri?” he said, turning to her.

  “I’m not human, Ru,” she replied, watching his mouth open and close without any words. “I’m Bul’ith,” she carried on.

  “You’re not meant to tell him, Briar,” said Kendrall from behind Ruben, “no one’s supposed to know about us.”

  “W-who the hell are you?”

  “I’m Kendrall; I’m her guide to her destiny,” he sighed shoving his hands in his pockets.

  “Well, what did you expect me to tell him,” she snapped out.

  “Ruben, you can’t tell anyone we exist,” he said, walking past him to Briar.

  “Why?” he said, bewildered.

  “Trust us, or you’ll have to come with me until…”

  “What the hell is going on?” he snapped. “She was bleeding, had holes in her shoulder, and then they were gone.”

  “She’s Bul’ith, we heal quickly.”

  “Right,” he said, sitting down, “so I’ve been living with…a Bul’ith for two years and she… Hang on, she had a headache this morning; if you heal quickly, why didn’t her headache go away?”

  “What headache?” he said with concern. “Bul’ith never get headaches; it’s impossible,” said Kendrall looking quizzically at Briar. “Tell me what happened?”

  “I woke with a blinding headache this morning. I had my dream last night, like you said,” she muttered.

  “Do you feel energised?”

  “After my shower I felt better,” she said.

  “I’ll consult with the Mistress; until then take care. Qwaun will come for you soon.” With that he faded into nothing, making Ruben gasp.

  “I-I…did I just see him disappear?”

  “Yeah,” she laughed.

  “Can you do that?”

  “No, I’m too young. I
have to train to accomplish the disappearing act.”

  “B-but he looked no more than eighteen—I mean he has purple hair for god’s sake.”

  “Don’t be fooled; he’s over a thousand years old, give or take a few centuries.”

  Ruben gulped loudly, making Briar laugh.

  “Come on Ru, you’re safe with me, I promise.”

  “Y-yes; of course I am. If you weren’t safe, then you’d have done something ages ago,” he sighed shoving his hands in his pockets.

  “Actually, I couldn’t Ru; we don’t get any powers until we turn twenty-one.”

  “So, you have powers now?”

  “I have energies now.” She smiled. “I need to go and train with Qwaun and my mascot.”

  “R-right,” he said, stumbling over his words.

  “You can’t tell anyone about this. If anyone finds out, your life will be in danger. Kendrall will probably come get you and put you somewhere safe if that happens.”

  “I won’t say a word,” he muttered.

  “Ru, I’m sorry I got you involved with this,” she whispered. Briar walked to him, putting her arms around his waist, kissing his cheek. “I honestly didn’t mean this to happen,” she sighed.

  “It’s okay Bri,” he said, holding her gently.