Night Shadows

by Billiejo Priestley

  “Well it’s my house and I say you’re staying here, so come on.” Aileen grins. “Anyway, there’s no way I have the energy to walk back to yours now. I’m tired.” She grasps his hand in her own and pulls him upstairs to her room. Cayson takes a moment to explore the room with his eyes while she locks the door behind them, closing her eyes and making hand gestures to all of the walls. She opens her eyes, her arms falling back to her sides with a smile, and Cayson raises an eyebrow.

  “What did you just do?”

  “I’m just putting your mind at ease. The room is soundproofed, the door no longer exists, and no-one is here. Nothing can disturb us.” She moves and kisses him sweetly, a moan escaping her lips as her hands pull him closer. She really has missed him.

  “We should talk, Aileen. This whole thing, everything that’s happened; it needs to be discussed. Things have changed since I last saw you, Aileen; you have changed. We can’t just hope this’ll all go okay and ignore the facts, Aileen.”

  She laughs, looking at him.

  “What facts, Cayson?”

  “The fact that you are more powerful now than you were before. The fact that right now, you could very easily kill us all!”

  Aileen laughs again, a little too loudly, Cayson not finding her funny in the slightest.

  “So now you’re running in case I destroy us all?”

  Cayson shakes his head. He just wants her to understand that this isn’t a game. It isn’t just her at risk, it’s everyone.

  “Sit, please, let’s just talk first.” He sits down, Aileen nodding and sitting on the bed with him, looking at him as she waits for him to say something. He’s the one who wanted to talk and yet now he’s not saying anything. She looks at Cayson confused as he mirrors her expression. He’s waiting for her to talk, to tell him what has been happening since she left him.

  Why now? Why does she now want him back in her life when she walked out and hadn’t even tried to contact him once? It felt like he no longer existed to her, like she’d completely forgotten about him.

  “Okay, so the way I see it, Aileen, is that you walked away from me. You didn’t message or try to get in touch with me in any way. Weeks passed by, and every werewolf I know told me I was just the rebound guy. How do I know that isn’t true?” Aileen opens her mouth to answer, his hand rising to stop her. “Before you answer: what I kept seeing, while Camille put that in my mind, it is a possibility. We can’t pretend it isn’t.” He looks at her, waiting. He’d reached out himself a few times and had been ignored; which had convinced him even more that he was nothing to her.

  “I did think about you, Cayson, whether you believe me or not. There were days where I felt lost and scared and like I didn’t know where I belonged. Those days I let my mind see you and what you were doing. I couldn’t always; it was like it wouldn’t work unless I was feeling low. That was something else that made me think that leaving you was wrong. I tried with Mel, tried seeing what she was doing, but I couldn’t. I could see where she was in my mind, but nothing else. You were the only one I could ever properly see.”

  Cayson looks at her shocked and she giggles.

  “I know, invasion of privacy and everything, I’m sorry about that. I didn’t even notice what you were doing, Cayson, honestly, I’d just lay in bed, and seeing you helped me finally fall asleep. As I said, most of the time I could only see where you were. It was only on those nights I felt like I needed to escape that I could see exactly what you were doing. How can you be someone I am using to get over Dan when it’s you who makes me smile, feel safe and like all of this means nothing without you?”

  Cayson nods and smiles: he feels like he should be worried but somehow he isn’t. It sounds like in those moments everything is pushing her to go back to him, and because she doesn’t, her mind tries forcing her to see him.

  “You have changed, Aileen, in both good and bad ways. You looked amazing tonight. I saw you, as soon as you walked in I sensed you. To be honest, at that moment I was tempted to run out of the back door and hide so I wouldn’t see you, just to go home alone.”

  “You didn’t though, you came and said hi,” she says softly, and Cayson laughs, nodding.

  “Yeah… you walked past, and for a moment I lost all sense of right and wrong. My whole body was screaming at me to see you, even if it was just to say hi and then leave. I was so sure you would smile and say you were loving it here; I was scared. And yet, I had to come and say hi, I had to see you and hear your voice.”

  “I’m glad you did, Cayson. I know I’ve changed. I know you’ll be worried when it comes to my magic. Unlike the witches you won’t know what spell I am performing, it’ll always worry you. I can try and warn you before, but I can’t guarantee I’ll always be able to.”

  “Oh, Aileen,” he laughs again, shaking his head as he closes his eyes and runs a hand through his hair. “Not even Zander or Camille had any idea what that spell was. They need objects, but somehow you manage to do it freely. They’ve learned words and incantations that have been passed down through generations, because all the grimoires were burnt by the vampires and werewolves in the feud. You haven’t learned those words.”

  Aileen looks at him confused. “What are you saying, Cayson?”

  “I’m saying that if what you saw and heard is true, Serliciaus was the first witch. They created the spells. Everyone else had to hear and read spells from their parents or teachers, but you seem to draw those original spells from Serliciaus, spells that some of these witches have never heard of.”

  “That can’t be real, right? If all the grimoires are gone, how do they know all the spells?”

  “The feud was worldwide, Aileen. Every country, every single coven of witches lost their grimoires. The witches realised the only way to succeed and survive was to come together and share spells between the covens. Just like stories, spells change over time as they’re passed between covens and altered over hundreds of years. All of them are derived from Serliciaus’s work, but you have the originals in your head.”

  Aileen nods, now understanding.

  “So that’s what I need to do, right?”

  Cayson looks at her, confused.

  “I need to write them out. Of course, it could take forever, but when I feel or hear a new spell in my mind it gets imprinted into my memory; I can remember them but I never write them down. Maybe if I write down spells that most witches don’t know, then it can help everyone?”

  Cayson nods and smiles. “I want to say yes, Aileen, but honestly Camille would have been the best person to ask. If she doesn’t come back, Zander is your next best option. I’m a werewolf, I can’t advise you on this. Having them written down is a risk; so many witches have gone and sided with vampires and if those spells got into the wrong hands, the werewolves and witches could be destroyed easily.”

  Aileen simply nods. She doesn’t like that all the grimoires are gone and that she is the one who holds all the spells, but she needs to do this properly. She understands the risk involved.

  “So, what else do we need to talk about?”

  “So much, Aileen, although you seem to know some things already. Like how the werewolves and witches agreed not to cause each other harm unless it’s in self-defence, and how a witch is never to use magic against a werewolf. We stay out of each other's worlds.” Aileen nods and smiles.

  “That’s changing, Cayson, I don’t know how but it is. If we could get the witches, werewolves and vampires back together, the witches could help the Ceprimora walk during the day, rebuild that relationship from all those centuries ago, and control the Monventla.” She has accepted she is the one to do it, she just doesn’t yet know how.

  “It won’t be easy. Not all witches will be as accepting as Zander is. Some may even fight you on it.”

  Aileen knows it will be a battle to get most witches to even listen. It will take a new magic on its own to make them realise she has been sent to save them all. “I know,” she sighs, and lets her body fall back onto the
bed, Cayson looking at her.

  “Can we just sleep now? I’m exhausted,” she says. Cayson moves to lie with her, wrapping his arm around her as they both find themselves falling asleep far quicker than they have for weeks.

  After their late night, it’s unsurprising that they don’t wake up until noon. As Aileen’s eyes blink open she remembers what had happened the night before and stares at the blank ceiling. She has so much work to do. Things will change, she’s sure of it, but how? What does she have to do? It’s like that part of the plan is being hidden from her, like not even her mother and father were privy to it. A secret that Serliciaus is keeping for themselves until the right time, although who knows when the ‘right time’ is? She turns onto her side and brings a hand to Cayson’s face, smiling as she thumbs his cheek and his eyelids flutter open, the man groaning at the sunlight filling the room.

  “What happens now, Cayson?” Aileen asks, softly. “Do I stay at yours, you here, or what?”

  “Did you get told what actually happens if a witch uses magic against a werewolf that isn’t self-defence?”

  Aileen shakes her head in response.

  “Well, you’re about to find out.” He climbs out the bed, Aileen watching him while he gets dressed. They go downstairs together, Zander glancing to them briefly.

  “Food, first, Cayson?” Zander suggests. “I don’t know about you but I’m starving, I can’t do this on an empty stomach.” Aileen laughs nervously. What can’t he do on an empty stomach?

  “Why not,” Cayson shrugs, and the couple follow Zander through to the dining room. They sit and eat together, the scraping and clattering of cutlery against plates echoing against the high ceilings as no-one speaks. If silence was a disease, Aileen thinks, the room would be fatal. Everyone keeps sneaking looks at Cayson worriedly, their eyes darting away when Aileen tries to make eye contact. They all seem to know what could happen, and Aileen feels more alone than she’s felt for a long time. Is she really the only one who doesn’t know?

  “You know the rules, Cayson,” Zander starts when they’ve finished their food. “Camille broke two agreements that have been around since before any of our ancestors were born. You have options; it’s your choice.” Aileen glances to Cayson, what options does he have?

  “I know. I know that right now I have the right to attack the witches as and when I want, to destroy everything they have. To tell the werewolves and let them attack. To tell other covens and have them turn their backs on you all.”

  Aileen stares at him, would he really?

  “I know I have a right to kill Camille,” he continues, “to ask for her magic to be removed entirely.” Cayson smiles slightly at Aileen.

  “You decide,” replies Zander, cautiously.

  “I can’t not tell my brothers. They will see it anyway, as you’re aware. I can say, though, that I will ensure no werewolf touches any witch as a way to get revenge, or ever speaks of it again for that matter. I don’t want to start another war when no-one was hurt in the first place.” Everyone seems to relax slightly, Cayson laughing. “You all thought I was going to do something, didn’t you?”

  A few of the witches nod.

  “From the past Cayson, we no longer know what to expect,” says Zander.

  “We’re not in the past anymore. How can we expect someone to bring the three worlds together if we constantly take revenge for one person’s wrongdoings? As long as you can guarantee when Camille gets her magic back, she will be able to control herself, I don’t care. Aileen is important to me, as you know, and the werewolves went crazy when they found out I went near her last time. Anything that hurts the witches hurts her.” He winks at Aileen.

  “Well, thank you, Cayson. The terms are there, and we have to give you the option even if we don’t like the outcome.” Zander smiles; it seems that things will work out after all.

  “Maybe that needs to change? I know the agreement states that the side hurt, mistreated, or abused should decide the fate, but maybe that part of the agreement is wrong? Perhaps the witches should decide the fate of a witch who hurts a werewolf, as a werewolf should if one of their own hurt a witch. Then there is no war coming from it. They decide how to punish their own people for their actions.” Cayson looks towards Aileen; he’s never liked how the agreement works. It felt like the choice he’d just had to make was a burden, he would much rather the witches decide what to do with Camille, than any werewolf decide to attack the whole coven.

  “Maybe, but as you know, that is between the founders, Cayson. Aileen is now the spokesperson for the witches, and you know that you are for the werewolves, Cayson, because most of those born when you were have given up shifting. And as for vampires, well…”

  Cayson nods. “Calantha Drabek.”

  “How long as it been Cayson?” Laughs Zander.

  “Over eighty years. The last time we had to make amendments to the agreement, I was there to look in as I had made clear my intentions to remain this age for a long time. Even then, things were tense.”

  “I’m lost.” Aileen looks at them confused.

  “Things have changed a lot, Aileen. Calantha Drabek agreed that no Morgelantous or Ceprimora would do anything that could cause a war with the witches or werewolves, provided that we leave them alone. It was decided on way before I was born. We stay out of each other's lives and businesses. The contract meant that no one kind could hurt, attack or use another without consequences. For the most part, it keeps all three of us in line.”

  Aileen nods.

  “Anyway, back then, my grandfather Arion was the leader of the werewolves. He and the leaders of vampires and witches met. That was Calantha Drabek, and at that time Rosina was the leader of the witches. They agreed while there was no way to go back to how we were, we could at least agree to be civil to each other and should one side break that truce then they would lose all rights to their own fate.”

  “Back then, when I sat in, tensions were high, and my grandfather explained that I would take over. It is not often that the worlds mix, so the leaders sitting together cause a stir to say the least. All three worlds wondered what was going on; everyone was on edge and the Monventla even more so. The leaders agreeing to work together again would mean their downfall; they would have to go back to not killing any witches or werewolves. None of them are just going to agree, not without some sort of encouragement, because the Monventla has got too much power right now and any side going against them in that way is a target.” Zander nods in agreement, glancing around at the others.

  “It means if we do this, there is a high chance the Monventla will react badly and attack. Nothing is stopping them. They have no leader; Calantha is the leader of Morgelantous and Ceprimora but the Monventla refuse to be led by her as well.”

  Aileen nods. Maybe right now is too soon?

  “So when we know a way,” Aileen begins, “I’m happy to meet and develop an agreement. Right now isn’t the right time for us all to meet, but I’m happy to tell any witches who will listen that if a werewolf attacks them it is on the wolf pack to decide their fate.”

  Cayson smiles at her. “I’ll ensure that the werewolves agree as well,” he says. Hopefully, once the werewolves and witches are closer, it will be easier to get Calantha to agree?” Cayson shrugs?

  “Right, well now that’s cleared up, most of the others have gone back to their rooms and are practicing whatever magic they’re learning. I’ll get sorted and then check-in with Azalea to make sure she isn’t worried.” Aileen nods, and then remembers her conversation with Cayson from last night.

  “Zander, what are your thoughts if I start writing down spells and stuff I hear in my mind and turn them into a grimoire? I know the witches lost all theirs, so if I can then surely that’s a good thing? I know it could take years but surely if I can write down the main it could be a big help.”

  “I’m not sure, Aileen. If a vampire got their hands on it and a witch agreed to help them, it could be deadly. The witches were lucky they were
burnt and not taken in the first place; had the vampires taken the grimoires, they could have used a witch against us.”

  “It’s a good idea,” comes a voice. “It means the leaders of each coven around the world could protect the covens against vampires.”

  The three of them turn to see Camille standing in the doorway. “I apologise for my attitude towards you both, Aileen and Cayson. Now I can’t feel my powers, the magic has woken me up.”

  Zander smiles at her gently.

  “It’s fine, Camille. Luckily Cayson has agreed he won’t retaliate; we’ve decided that any issues between the witches and vampires should be punished by the wrongdoers’ own kind, rather than falling on who was hurt.”

  Camille stares at Zander, shocked.

  “That means I decide what happens, Camille,” says Aileen, looking at her. She should hurt her for what she did, make her feel the same way Aileen herself had felt, but she just can’t bring herself to do it. “I’m not cruel, though, so each day I’ll unlock small amounts of your magic until I feel you’re not a threat. If there are any signs of misbehaviour again, I’ll remove your magic altogether.” She can do it; she hears Serliciaus in her head, she has the power to. Why she was given the ability she doesn’t know, but Serliciaus must trust her to know what to do with it.

  “Thank you; I know I don’t deserve your kindness after what I did. I’ll also apologise to Azalea seeing as that was also my fault.” Zander stands up, towering over the much-shorter Camille.

  “You can apologise, but you will no longer be training her or helping her with magic. For now, you do group work only, Camille: no one-to-one until we know things are safe.” He can’t have any others feeling like they have to follow her orders or risk being thrown out. Camille simply nods and walks off with Zander, Aileen and Cayson glancing to each other as they do.

  “So… now what?” Aileen asks. While Zander is fine with Cayson staying here, that doesn’t necessarily mean the other witches are.

  “Now, I go and see the pack. I need to update them on everything; make sure they know to leave the witches alone after what Camille did. What have you done about your house, Aileen?” She can’t just leave it there inhabited, but the risk for her living there is too high.