Beware the Violet (The Eulogimenoi Series Book 1)

by Maria Vermisoglou

  “Kitties are supposed to be cute,” Jacques commented and my jaw dropped. That was definitely not what I would call a kitty. The white tiger attacked, but Jacques unsheathed his sabre and chuckled. Swinging it, he hit the white tiger on the foot and ducking, he pushed him away from me.

  Black smoke swirled around Raid but I noticed he was limping where he had been hit and the sickly green blood still ran from the wound. Whatever Jacques’s sabre contained, couldn’t be healed.

  A crack imperceptible yet it filled the atmosphere all of a sudden and a frozen hand squeezed my heart. The trees around us bent while the grass turned yellow. Jacques stood protectively before me and I held Lena. I knew more than accepted what happened to her, but I still refused to believe it. Deep down, I hoped I could somehow still help her, reverse the spell and bring her back.

  Even Raid in his white tiger form showed discomfort as he pushed his shoulder blades back and bared his teeth. Whatever was coming was more dangerous than he was. My knuckles turned white as a middle-aged man walked casually into the scene. The last leaves rustled and fell as he stood in the center, watching us with his cold golden eyes.

  Taking a sharp breath, as the moon lit up his face, I swallowed. That man was indeed more dangerous than Raid and we would need more luck than a rabbit’s foot to achieve victory. His aura twirled around him like a yellow cape and I smelled sulfur. Covering my nose, I said in a low voice, “The Headmaster,” and Jacques clenched his fists.

  “Well, isn’t that interesting?” I had never heard his voice as he passed all of his time in his office according to rumors, away from people. The only time I’ve seen him was when a professor introduced our class. Even then, he only bobbed his head and after a brief look, he walked out without a word. “What have we here?” he said in a raspy voice as he studied us before resting his gaze on Raid.

  Silence spread and in shock, I watched as the remaining grass blades were enveloped in his aura and withered. Irritated, the Headmaster snapped his fingers in Raid’s direction and with a loud Pop! he turned into a human again.

  What on earth? I thought alarmed as Jacques took a sharp breath. The Headmaster couldn’t have made Raid shift back, right?

  Raid was completely disoriented, looked at us before widening his eyes at the sight of the Headmaster. He scrambled away from him and rose up. The crazy gleam in his eyes was replaced by one of fear mixed with anger.

  “So?” the Headmaster said, not caring about Raid’s anger. “What is going on?”

  “I was angry,” Raid said, his lip twisting.

  “And you had to do it in plain sight?” the Headmaster’s features darkened and his aura twisted around Raid in circles. I had never seen any aura leave the person it belonged but I supposed it wasn’t a good sign. If Raid saw anything, he didn’t show it. “Now, we have to cover it!”

  “They showed up out of nowhere and he’s a shapeshifter.” Raid bobbed his head to Jacques’s direction. “An Eulogimenos,” his voice pouring poison as he spat.

  The Headmaster regarded Jacques with interest and narrowed his eyes. “I see.” A sound like a cough came out of his chest and I realized he was chuckling. “A rabbit. Who knew such an idiotic creature would be so annoying?”

  My heart beat hard in my chest, as I knew Jacques didn’t take insults about rabbits well, but he didn’t respond or showed any sign of discomfort.

  “We’ve met before,” the Headmaster said, his lips a thin line. “In another form.”

  Jacques tilted his head in curiosity, but again said nothing and I was surprised at his self-restraint. He was not known as someone who could keep his temper. Unless he could feel the power emitting off of the Headmaster and his plan was for us to escape.

  The Headmaster gave him a wicked grin and started glowing. His whole skin was dotted with dark stars and narrowing my eyes, I watched him bit-by-bit shrink in size.

  Another shapeshifter!

  White fur grew and I was thinking a small harmless animal when deer horns sprung out of his head.

  No! Trembling, I clasped my frozen hands over my heart as I heard Jacques swearing under his breath.

  Duck feet followed the deer horns along with vulture wings and the finishing touch was the circled mouth with the thousand rows of teeth. When the glow dissipated, the creature that almost turned me crazy a couple of months ago, stood proudly before us. A wolpertinger. All this time we had suspected it but I wished every day that we were wrong and that he was just a shapeshifter. I would even take a vampire over this creature.

  Staring at him, anger burned my throat and it took all my willpower not to burn him into a crisp. His aura had vanished and I could only detect some glimpses, but remembering what Jacques had told me, I didn’t push it further.

  Raid paled and from his fear, he fell back and stayed down, shivering. The wolpertinger walked in a circle, never taking his eyes off Jacques or me.

  “You’re not afraid of me,” he noted and Jacques chuckled.

  “Afraid of you? You’re at the very least ridiculous. I’ve seen much more dark creatures than you, but be assured,” he smiled, “your plan will be thwarted.” An irrational feeling overwhelmed me as I heard Jacques breathing these words without missing a beat. I wondered how he couldn’t be afraid of that hideous creature, even after he knew what he could do.

  “How brave,” the wolpertinger mocked, but narrowed his hard eyes. “It was a smart trick you pulled. Because of you, I was sick for days!” His teeth spun and he pointed with his paw, “Clever but not enjoyable!”

  “I enjoyed it very much. You should be an actor. A great show!” Jacques grinned and I was once again amazed by his lack of fear. He really seemed to be enjoying it.

  “Your girlfriend didn’t seem to think I’m cute. I wonder why… Maybe she knows I’m going to suck her soul.” The wolpertinger smiled, rolling his eyes at me and Jacques’s arrogant smile melted. He positioned himself better in front of me, blocking my sight.

  “You will not touch her!”

  “How cute but you’re both doomed. Even without my help.” He started circling again, this time staring directly in my eyes, he added, “Why would you abandon your powers for a puny human? What a waste! I suppose it can’t be helped. Some are born faulty.” Waving his hand, a vicious grin decorated his face and my insides constricted. “But I can help with that.”

  The wolpertinger snapped his paws and I lost sight of Jacques. Panicked, I scanned the scene and finally spotted him on the other side, next to Raid. Looking at him and at the distance next, I couldn’t understand how it happened. What kind of powers did he have for being able to cast magic? He didn’t look like a witch however, this kind of magic required extreme concentration and power. Yet, his body was of a creature and they were not capable of casting—they only had the weapons of their body.

  Standing in front of me, the wolpertinger grinned wickedly. “Time to get the distraction out of the way.” His circular teeth elongated and I tried to move out of the way.

  “Violet!” I heard Jacques’ scream, but he was too far to rescue me this time. I held my hands decisively. It wasn’t according to the plan, but I’d rather reveal myself than be food. A flash made me turn in time to see Jacques get bitten by the wolpertinger.

  “Jacques!” I screamed and ran to him as fast as Lena’s body permitted me. “Jacques!” The wolpertinger had still his teeth in his flesh and with fire burning inside me, I took the sabre that had fallen on the ground and nailed it on the foot. Growling, he unsunk his teeth and walked away, limping. The same green substance that reeked from Raid’s leg, now had covered the wolpertinger’s paw. “You’re dead!” he cried and charged at us, but a pink glittery cloud rained, making him stop abruptly.

  Still, we all looked at the glittery cloud I knew was fairy dust. “I hope that’s important because I was in the middle of…” Kristy said as she puffed from the pink cloud. Glancing at us and our battle positions, she said with an arched eyebrow, “Am I interrupting?”

/>   “Get us out of here!” Jacques said, pushing me toward her and holding Lena, I grabbed him while Kristy clapped her hands. In slow motion, I watched as the wolpertinger raced with his teeth stretched out and when I thought we were done for, he vanished from sight.

  Chapter 8: The Shapeshifter’s Heart

  Fairy flying was never my favorite experience, but flying at lightning speed forward and then falling was even more traumatic.

  “That was close,” Kristy said and I blinked. “Where are we? This is a nice room. Is it yours?”

  My eyes darting and spotting familiar objects along the disarray of the room, I nodded.

  “Fantastic! But what happened?” Kristy pressed. “Is your friend ill?”

  I nodded as I placed Lena’s heavy body gently on the bed. Then, I turned to Jacques and it was then, I noticed how pale he was. Bolting, I caught him before he fell. “Jacques! Jacques!” His body trembled under my touch. I placed him gently on the bed and my heart screamed at the sight of the black mark of his hand that was constantly covering more skin. Like a tree, it grew underneath his veins, making him suffer. “Help him,” I begged Kristy and she kneeled down beside him, calling on her magic.

  “I’ll take Lena to her room.” Raising the girl, I walked away but not before hearing Kristy’s protests.

  “But—”

  A slap made Kristy stop and I knew Jacques understood. He knew why I needed to believe Lena would be all right. Putting her in bed, I pulled the covers and smiled. “You’ll be fine, Lena. Don’t…don’t worry.” I managed. “I’ll fix everything.” Rubbing my face free of my tears, I composed myself as I walked back to my room. A smell of decomposition circled the room and turning to Jacques, I watched as the tree still grew up.

  “Why didn’t you heal him?” I said sharply to Kristy and the fairy with glowing eyes, shook her head and my heart sank.

  “I can’t. This isn’t a magic I know how to heal. It’s something beyond dark…”

  Silently, I tended his wound even though I knew I could do nothing to make it better. My mind was still coming to terms with Lena’s situation, but the possibility that I might lose him too couldn’t enter my mind. I refused to believe it.

  “Violet.” Jacques breathed my name and I kneeled next to the bed.

  Stroking his wet hand, my lips trembled. “Why?” Tears ran as I looked at him through my blurred vision. “Why did you do it? I should have helped, but I…” I sniffed and he cupped my cheek.

  “It’s as it’s supposed to be. I didn’t want you to reveal your powers or he would have changed his plans. Now, he’ll not be expecting the biggest surprise of his horned life.” An imperceptible smile passed from my lips and he turned the corners of my mouth upwards. “It’s going to be all right. You will kick his ridiculous form out of this world. Okay?” His breath came out with difficulty.

  Reluctantly, I nodded. “You will be fine?” I clasped his hands and he pulled me closer.

  “I don’t know, Violet but you must do this.” His intense blue eyes, begged me but my heart was breaking into pieces. “I will always be with you no matter what. You will be fine.” He wiped my tears, but fresh ones came to take their place. Kissing my hand, he said in a hoarse voice, “There is one more thing you need to know.” He placed his forehead on top of mine and closing my eyes, I felt a pull.

  “Jacques, don’t stray too far!” I heard a female sharp voice, and turning, I saw an elegant woman marching toward me but the next moment, she walked right inside me. That’s when I realized this must be a vision. Focusing, I gazed at a little voice who was running in the field. When our eyes met, I smirked. His blue eyes and sarcastic smile were prominent on his face.

  Hearing the woman’s voice, he turned disappointed. “Why? There’s nothing there!”

  Frowning, the woman held him tight by the hand. “You think!” Her French accent was heavy and her eyes sparkled dangerously. Pointing with her painted nail, she said, “There are wolpertingers in these woods!”

  Jacques laughed. “These are just legends, Mom! Humans made them up.”

  “No, Jacques. They’re real and they belong to our world more than they belong to theirs. Incredibly dangerous creatures with a poison that has no cure.”

  “Oh.” Jacques turned to look at the woods before looking at his mother again. “And how can anyone beat them?”

  “I don’t understand why you would be interested in beating them,” his mother said, confused. “The best you can do is to run away from them, but if you were to battle them,” she gave him a stern look, “and I don’t say you should but if you would, there’s only one way to do it. There is a rumor that the combination of a shapeshifter and a human with powers can relieve them of their powers. I don’t know if it’s true, but it’s what I know.” Holding her hand, she said, “Come along now. You’re not a shapeshifter yet so I can’t have you near dangerous beasts.”

  ◆◆◆

  The vision ceased and I blinked. “What? That was your…” I said, trying to connect my jumbled thoughts.

  Putting his finger on my lips, he nodded. “I didn’t have the chance to tell you because I had forgotten about it, but I dreamed about it during the night.”

  Looking outside, my eyebrows rose as it was still night, but my senses informed me this was not a normal darkness and I came to the conclusion the wolpertinger must be messing with powers he didn’t understand.

  “But you don’t need me, Flower. You’ve got everything you need to send him on his way.” I blinked when he called me flower, but I decided not to comment as I saw he was using every ounce of his strength to talk.

  “And what did they mean before? When they talked about…sacrifice.” I shivered and he held my hands.

  “It’s not a sacrifice. Not for me.” His breaths hitched for a moment before he released it. “Shapeshifters can’t be with humans or they lose their powers.”

  Pulling away, I stared at him with my eyes enlarged. He seemed so relaxed when he said it as if he didn’t care but that couldn’t be right. “Why didn’t you tell me?” Hurt filled my heart, squeezing it in its tight embrace as I realized the full cost. “Were you going to tell me?”

  “I was, but things took another path.” He smiled and I blushed as his eyes twinkled. “But it’s my choice and I don’t care about being a shapeshifter. I actually hate it most of the time. There’s only one moment I like, but I would give it away for getting to be with you.”

  As I considered his words, the sound of Kristy’s throat clearing made me jump. She was so quiet the entire time that I hadn’t realized she was still in the room.

  “Umm… I have to get going,” I said awkwardly.

  “I’ll slow the poison down as much as I can,” Kristy said and I nodded gratefully.

  “Violet,” Jacques called as I was rising and I looked up. He tilted his head and I heard Kristy’s wings flutter and exit the room. When the door was shut, he pulled me to his chest. “Violet, I don’t know if…”

  I placed my fingers decisively on his lips. “You will rest and wait for me here. Understood?”

  His concerned expression turned light as he smirked. “I love it when you’re angry.” Turning my fingers, he kissed them and then pulled my face into his but it was different. I couldn’t find his wild energy anywhere or his passion. Exhausted, he fell back and I bit my tongue at the sight of him. I needed to act fast if I were to save him.

  “What do you like about being a shapeshifter?”

  He gazed at me and I felt my heart beating so fast I thought it might break. “When you hold me and stroke my fur. That’s the only moment I enjoy it.”

  I cast him a look to see if he was joking, but he returned my gaze steadily and my brow furrowed. “I thought you hated it because you despise anything cute.”

  A soft laugh that turned into a cough overwhelmed him and I clenched my fists, whitening my knuckles. When it subsided, he said, “I’m fine, Flower. I do despise anything cute, but maybe I changed my mind.”r />
  The warmth on my cheeks became stronger. “I like it, too.” The look he gave me made me want to kiss him but instead, I rose. “I’ll be back soon.”

  He kissed my hand and with an inhuman force, I let it go and before I could change my mind, I walked through the door and shut it closed. Kristy was in the hallway sitting and making flowers grow in vases and glasses that at first, I thought I’ve entered in the wrong room. “I’ll slow it down, but you must hurry,” she said and nodding, I headed for the door. “Violet, be careful!”

  Without turning, I said, “I’ll be back soon.” On the way down, a plan popped into my mind and by the time I put my foot on the grounds, my plan of action was determined and my anger was too hard to control.

  “Well, if that isn’t the puny human? You shouldn’t have been born, girl!” Turning, my gaze fell on the wolpertinger’s hard eyes.

  “And you shouldn’t have messed with things you can’t control!” I spat as I felt darkness gather in the sky.

  “On the contrary, this is my doing!” He pointed with his paw upward and laughed. “The spell worked and now I can feed on human souls as well as supernaturals.” A cruel smile glowed. “Along with your beloved shapeshifter.”

  My heart raced and at that precise moment, my necklace glowed intensely once before the light died down. I never felt so much pain in my life as I realized that the light would never come back and he had left the world and me forever.

  “And it seems the menu has been served.” The wolpertinger laughed in joy, but I bit back my tongue. “Who’s going to protect you now?”

  It took all my willpower to control my emotions. I will grieve later. Now, the hunt begins. His mocking laugh echoed in my ears and clenching my fists, I stared at him.

  “Who’s going to protect you from my wrath?” I don’t know what he saw, but he stopped, squinting his beady eyes, observing me for the first time. My fists glowed and feeling the power charge me, I let my anger take over. “You are going to pay for everything you ever did, every wrong, every human soul you took…” I started slowly and alarmed, he took a step back.