I shatter the window glass with one swift kick. Heated wind slaps against my face. I climb out of the window and slide down on the rooftop tiles. The speed increases rapidly, the edge approaches. My eyes close shut, letting my instinct take over.
I leap in the air and fall toward the ground. I open my eyes as I head down toward the tall, dark grass. I land on one knee, with the palm of my hand facing the dirt. My heart beats like crazy from the adrenaline rush, and my markings burn and freeze on my skin. My wrists are shaking, there’s pain now, but I’ll be fine. I force myself to step forward, but I limp. The figure dashes through the grass swiftly. Purple eyes glance at me for a second―it’s a cat; it’s a black cat running away from the mystics.
Hundreds of vines slither up from the ground as they follow the cat, blue and purple orbs smash against the ground as the corrupt mystics desperately try to kill it.
The cat, however, is calm, dodging every attack with ease, speed, and elegance. One large thorny vine juts out of the ground and races after its target. The cat glares at the vine and dodges another orb impact, leaping into the air.
It turns around and stops running, breathing heavily, its fur rising.
Above him is a glowing object in the sky, he glances at it, then back at me. Behind him, the Ravamere portal is glowing, purple and red swirls circling within.
I stand still, trying to look at the object in the sky. It looks like a person being controlled by something. The image clarifies. It’s a girl with pink hair that waves slowly against the wind. Her arms are out to her sides, her chest is pointing up like she’s possessed, and her mouth gapes open. I don’t sense that she’s alive, I sense that she is trapped. She floats in the air silently, a dark aura around her body.
The cat takes one last look at the girl, then dashes into the Ravamere portal.
I can’t breathe, I can’t move, my body is numb when I come to the realization that the girl is Dawn. A single heated tear burns against my cheek.
Chapter 3
The one and the only person that means the world to me floats in the darkened sky. She doesn’t seem alive and neither do I. My feet plant themselves in the muddy ground. I wonder why. The wet soil sticks on the tiny hairs of my legs; I can feel it harden. I force my way through. I need to save her; I need to save my best friend, Dawn.
My teeth clench, I bite on my bottom lip in anger. I cough, struggling for air. The corrupt mystics turn around to stare at me in hunger. I see each different creature stand in defense. I know I can’t take on more than one mystic here.
They’ve been trained to kill all witches and pure mystics alike.
Shooting one more glance at Dawn, I press my lips together and inhale through my nostrils. The burning smell stings against them. All the mystics who were after the cat vanish through the portal. Soon the rest disperse into the monstrous purple trees and the shadows of the night. One mystic stays behind, watching Dawn carefully, then looks at me. He smiles, showing his sharp fangs dripping with thick saliva. I can only tell that he’s some sort of shifter.
I feel a strange presence behind me―I’m being watched. The presence is evil. Before I turn around, I check for whoever is near, and something touches my shoulder. I glance down, there’s clean manicured hands. This man was never in my life, and I will not allow him to manipulate me like he did with my mother.
He doesn’t deserve to be called a father.
He turns me around―it’s him. I should’ve known. He’s the definition of pure evil, corrupt and inhumane. He’s a soulless monster.
I purse my lips up at him and furrow my eyebrows. I swipe his hand off my shoulder.
“My daughter showing this much hatred toward me? How can I be so lucky?” He clears his throat. “You really are your father’s daughter.” He smiles.
I walk back toward the mansion. Why should I fight against him? What’s going to happen if I do? He has an army of monsters in the dark, ready to pounce on my spine.
The portal I fell through doesn’t look the same at all, the sea of dead grass isn’t anywhere nearby. We’re in a plain area with mud bubbling and smoke rising. I see a corrupt fairy fly into the forest and an elf sitting on a branch. I can’t stand the stench out here. I raise the palm of my hand, covering my dry mouth.
He would have left me for dead even if I was his daughter; he doesn’t care about me at all. I hear his laughter from behind. “Good choice.” I stop. He walks up to my side and turns me to face him.
“Don’t touch me,” I say, glancing at his hands.
“You’ve made my life easier. I’m wondering why you came to me so willingly?”
“To avenge my mother.” I stare right into his eyes. He senses my pain and hatred. I notice his markings glowing on and off. “That’s right, feel my emotions, because soon you’re the one who’s going to experience them.” I spit at him; he grabs the strands of my hair and brings me closer to his chin.
“Watch it. Do not forget that you’re alive because of me.”
I grunt from his grip. “You’re a coward, using my mother as bait to fuel your own evil desires. You had a child in the midst of your pathetic plan, you worthless piece of shit.” He pushes me to the ground, with the side of my cheek smashing into the mud. “Whether it was a mistake or not, you will never be my father.” I hope my words sting against his corrupt soul.
He turns around, fixing his collar and nodding his head at the mystics. They rush over to me, grabbing my arms and forcing me up on my feet.
The two mystics force me into the mansion against my will. Marcus walks up the steps with my broomstick around his fingers. I fight against the mermaid and elf that hold me tight.
The elf pulls on my hair, wrapping her cold hands around my neck, chucking me up the steps. The mermaid struts over to the entrance of the mansion, closing the large black doors.
Her dark blue hair sways around to her back as she turns to face me. She flicks her glowing fingers in the air, cold salt water splashes on my face. My hair sticks to the ground, the blood inside of me thickens.
The mermaid snaps her fingers, and I’m forced to stand up straight and still. Both of their markings glow excitedly and their noses flare from my innocence. Not one word leaves their mouths as they watch me. I move forward but the elf punches me back. I block her next attack, but she jabs my stomach. I grunt, biting on my lip from the pain. I shake my head, chuckling at them both. They tilt their necks, looking at me, puzzled.
I hear footsteps along the glossy floor in this mansion from behind me. I know someone is near, my heartbeat slows down. Strands of my hair are pushed from my face, and across my left shoulder, baring my right cheek.
There’s wetness from a kiss. I wince at the smooch entering my ear. I turn slightly at brown wavy hair and pale pink lips. The guy I hate most is right next to me. Looking up from the kiss, he says, “You two can go now.” I watch his gaze move slowly over to the two girls.
The mystics leave, obeying him. “I’m so glad you’re here with me now.” His deep voice sends chills down my spine, his warm breath spreads goosebumps down my neck.
He takes my hand as we hear thunder from outside crackle. “Let me show you to your room.” I’m stunned. My mouth feels like it is glued shut. I want to do everything he says. I try to release my hand from his grip while we walk up the fancy stairs. “Hold my hand,” he mutters.
The soft voice enters my thoughts, forcing me to tighten my grip. I’m held captive in his prison of persuasion, locked up in the thoughts of manipulation. I lift my gaze, trying to fight against his abilities. I’m attracted by everything he does, the way his touch feels against my skin and how elegant he’s dressed. It’s pulling me in and I’m hopeless to ever think I’ll be free from his grasp.
His abs tense. The guy whose letter I found in Miss Canary’s house, the one who possesses the same rose as I do. Our touch freezes within the grasp, causing my feelings to fade away into a numbing daze.
Two mystics guard the room he leads me to. Flic
king his hands at them, they move aside and open the door. “This is where you’ll be staying.”
The room looks nothing like outside of this mansion.
While Ravamere is murky and dark looking, this room is white with a trim of gold along the edges of the ceiling. I watch my shadow move on the clear floor. He guides me into the walk-in closet. “I knew you’d eventually find your way here.” I feel his pointy chin graze against my neck. He chuckles, dimples poke his cheeks. He closes the closet doors and switches off the lights.
His light green markings vibrate on his skin as I realize I’m stuck in this room with him. He takes off his blazer slowly, showing more markings on his chest. His fingers travel in between my thin sleek strands. I breathe slowly.
He takes off my jacket, I see my silver and green markings glare off his green eyes. He breathes on my neck and kisses me. “Say my name.” I struggle to keep my mouth closed, but everything inside of me wants to obey him. I bite on my bottom lip as he speaks into my right ear. “Say my name.” He bites softly on my ear.
My lips part slightly, obeying his instruction. “Christian.” Our clothing rustles in the tight space as he backs me up against the wall. His cold hands wander my sides, caressing me in his grip, pulling my body closer to his chest. We collide. Our skin is hard and vibrating, I develop goosebumps as he bites on my bottom lip.
I glance up from the green light on his face. “Say you want me.” I close my eyes softly, trying to not fall into his persuasive ways. He turns my face to look at him, I can’t fight it anymore. I don’t want to.
Maybe it’s my thoughts telling me not too, maybe it’s the ring around my finger. He kisses down toward the middle of my chest, rubbing his hands on my back. He pulls me closer to his hardened body. “Say you like it.” His lips tug and pull on me.
“I like it,” I whisper up at him.
Christian pushes me on the ground, my back thumps on the soft carpet. He gets on top of me, biting on my neck. The lights turn back on in the closet. His green eyes fade into a cold black, I realize what I’m doing right now. I close my eyes, blocking him out of my thoughts.
With my elbow, I jab his face. He chuckles, holding my arms down to the ground.
“Christian, that’s enough.”
Footsteps clack on the floor from outside of the closet. “Christian, I said that’s enough.” Entering the closet, the two mystics who were guarding my room pull Christian off me.
I glance up at the man I hate to call father. He’s fixing his watch on his wrist. I get up to rush out of the closet.
“Whoa, where do you think you’re going?” The mystics grab my arms, turning my face to look at him.
“Face the king when he’s talking to you—witch,” one of them snarls in my ear.
“Let go of me.” I bend down, releasing myself from their grip.
I swing my foot back, kicking the two mystics into the closet. I feel along my thigh to find the dagger I always keep on me. It’s there. Marcus walks toward me.
I take the dagger out, pointing it at him. He holds up his hands, he’s weaponless.
My gaze weaves between Christian and the Rav King; they step forward slowly. I turn around immediately, running out of the room, my footsteps echoing off the glossy floor. I trip. Christian and Marcus are now walking leisurely toward me. Checking to my right, there’s a group of colorful eyes in the darkness.
I step back to my left, turning around only to be pushed by a fairy on the ground. Marcus finds this humorous as he makes his way in my direction. “Everyone’s watching you at all times. Cooperate with us and we will do the same.” A mystic picks me up and chucks me into my room. Marcus stands in the doorway, looking down at him. There’s a glint of purple in his eyes. He closes my door.
I head over to the bed in my room, and hold up the clothing that’s been picked out for me. My door opens, I gasp in shock. “Get changed, your father wants you to come for dinner.” The shifter licks his lips, showing his sharp teeth. I watch his drool slide down. I turn around, grabbing the clothes. I don’t hear the door close, I feel him still looking at me with his yellow eyes.
“Take a good look, ’cause that’s all you’re gonna get.” I move toward the closet, hearing my door close. I stop at the doorknob of the closet, turning around and seeing him.
“I wouldn’t try anything.” His ears twitch, he smiles, and walks back to the door.
The door opens with Christian standing in the doorway, he looks at the shifter. “What are you doing?” he says.
“I was getting her to change,” the shifter growls.
Christian looks over at me and then focuses on the shifter. His stare is evil and I cringe, watching this in person. He smirks as the shifter howls in pain and vanishes into gold mist. I step back, bumping into the doors of my closet as Christian glances over. He’s now wearing a gray blazer with a purple undershirt, black slacks, and his shoes are glossy.
“I’ll be waiting outside,” he says, creaking the door shut.
I can’t help but think of my grandparents being both myths, and my mother. I remember the vision I had in the library back in Ellevil. Lauren killed her husband, but did that event cause the whole family line to become corrupt? Did Marcus torture them in the end? I need to get out of this place before I turn into my mother.
The other me is just waiting to crawl out. As soon as I take this ring off, I know I won’t be myself, but then again it might help me in the end. Can I trust the corrupt elf inside me?
Mystics can’t be trusted. I don’t know what I’m thinking; I know that Donovan’s death would have been because of me.
A few knocks bang against my door, I gaze out of the large window in this room.
“Hurry up! Master doesn’t like to be kept waiting!” This doesn’t sound like Christian, probably some random mystic.
The portal’s not too far away from my window. What if I break the glass and fall to the ground again? I could possibly make it to the portal. I should have never come here in the first place. I don’t know what I was thinking. I know I came for answers, and that’s what I’m going to get. Sometimes you have to fake it till you make it, and I guess acting corrupt is my only way.
If I have to, I will take off this ring and play the part correctly. Only if I must, in a dire situation or in need of help. I’m sure I wouldn’t need any help, I’m a witch for a reason, but the elf within can handle her own.
I suck it up, fixing on the outfit. I have trouble getting the skirt on at first. A few knocks sound at the door once more. I tuck in my gray shirt, to look more ‘professional.’ He knew all of my sizes but the shoes—they are a little tight. I don’t wear the blazer, it’s too much. I sense another knock getting ready to sound, I make my way to the door and open it before someone approaches.
I brush past the two mystics in my way. They grunt, following me in the direction of the stairs. Hundreds of rooms are lined against the wall and down the different pathways. I notice two unique ones to my left. The doors have scratches on them, and footsteps imprinted on the ground in front of them.
“Keep moving,” a mystic hisses.
I glare down the stairs, smelling fresh food. My heels click clack down the steep steps, followed by the mystics who trudge behind. A line of light marks the floor, leading up to a sleek black door. The mystics that are glued to my sides walk up to the door. The man I watch sitting at the end of the table is no other than the evil villain himself, Marcus. He’s already eating his salad; the whole room is covered in what is styled to be an ancient wallpaper and luxurious furniture. There are several dead plants scattered across the room. The table where we are to eat is slick, black granite.
I walk to the chair in front of me. My plate is empty. I sit down cautiously in case this is some sort of trap to kill me. “Why would anyone try to hurt you here? You will soon be the queen of this magnificent place.”
“Who would ever want to live in a place this?” I avoid his strange eyes.
“I don’t kn
ow about you, but I kind of like it.”
“Of course, you do, you’re corrupt.”
“Hurtful words,” he says, snapping his finger in the air.
“As if it hurts you.” I lift my gaze away from my empty plate, glaring at him. “Are you even alive?” Marcus shifts his position to cross his legs.
I notice two mystic servants arrive with a bowl. At first, I thought it was plain tomato soup, but it’s dark, slimy red color bubbles in front of me.
“Are you sick?” My face shrivels up in pure disgust.
“It’s a gesture. Many myths drink the blood of pure beings. It’s not only a vampire thing. Mystics can turn pure beings by many things, it’s quite interesting. Fairies and elves, they like to kiss. Shifters bite, and mermaids sing.” He stands up, his shoes stepping on the carpet. “You want to know what a corrupt witch does to turn someone? It has to do with blood, Eliza.”
I cover my mouth in disgust. So this blood could be a human’s or mystic’s.
“I need you to drink that blood so I can take my ring back.” I lower my gaze down at the bowl. “Why do I need to drink it?”
“You’ve confused the ring for your purity. It’s made of corruption, but for some reason, it’s helping you fight your own.”
I glance down as the ring glows a light purple. I can tell he’s thirsty to retrieve it. Now that I know it’s helping me fight corruption, there’s more reason to keep it on.
“Mom said you gave it to her when you left.”
“I never left; your mother sent the Verel after me. You’re half witch. I can’t take the ring until you become a full elf.”
“Drinking this will force the witch out of me? Even if I wear this ring as protection?”
His eyebrows furrow in confusion.
“You’re in a corrupt dimension, a place where purity doesn’t exist. I’m being nice. I can be so much more menacing, and force that witch out right now.”
Magical (Mystical Series Book 3) Page 2