by Logan Jacobs
“And smart,” Penelope added.
“Where is your shield maiden?” I questioned as I looked around.
No one answered, and I was beginning to worry, but suddenly a beautiful, massive eagle soared in from outside and flew toward the chair. Then a bright light spurted from its chest and nearly blinded us all.
When I adjusted my sight, the bird was gone, and there standing before us was a beautiful brunette with eyes as cold and bright as ice. The woman appeared to be about Theodora’s age, and she was garbed in heavy furs and leather skins. Her waist-long hair was embellished with feathers and small braids, and she wore a woven band around her head.
“Well, what do we have here?” the woman asked in a voice as smooth as silk. “My name is Sigrid. I’m the mother and shieldmaiden who guards these wild Wicca women. As I’m sure my warriors have already explained to you, we have brought you here to prove your worth.”
“Yes, we understand that,” Vanessa replied, and I knew she was doing her best not to let her temper get the better of her. “With all due respect, may we please know what you have in store for us? I’d rather we get this over with since we have a long journey ahead of us.”
“A journey?” Sigrid repeated with wide, curious eyes. “Well, if you survive the test, I’d love to hear more about it, but you’re right, let’s not waste any more time, shall we?”
Before anyone could say another word, the shieldmaiden snapped her fingers, and we were wrapped up in a thick cloud of purple smoke. Then I could feel my body violently tumbling and twisting as we shadow-ported to Satan knows where. The travel didn’t last long, though, and when everything came to a standstill, we found ourselves in the middle of a frozen forest without our familiars. The air was so cold, and my skin prickled like a thousand needles were stabbing my skin.
“W-W-Where are we?” Nyx chattered through her teeth. “It’s e-even c-colder here.”
“This is where we keep our most loyal creatures,” Sigrid said with her chin raised, and when she whistled, the sharp sound echoed through the cruel winter air.
Suddenly, the ground began to tremble, and even the trees’ branches started to rattle as a stampede of mysterious creatures came rushing through the forest. I held my breath as a group of various-colored bears came to a sudden halt and glared at each of us, and although their furs were differently colored, their eyes were the same.
Red as blood and vicious as murder.
“Now,” Sigrid purred before she studied each one of us. “It’s time for you to prove yourselves. Tame the creature before you and ride it using your abilities. If you fail, there will be no need for me to kill you. The bears will do that all on their own. If you prove successful, it will show you have fully welcomed Satan into your hearts and that you also possess power only a true Wicca could behold, for these bears can only be tamed by powerful and dark magic.”
As I stood before a giant bear with blazing red eyes, protruding yellow fangs, and long, black claws, I closed my eyes and took a sharp breath of air.
We’d tamed animals before, but with the brutal cold, combined with our exhaustion from the last battle, I knew this was not going to be an easy task to accomplish.
But then again, what other choice did we have?
Chapter 3
“Satan… these are ursas,” Faye hissed under her breath as her wide green eyes studied the monstrous beings. “They aren’t just any kind of bears. These are far deadlier and aggressive… they come straight from the frozen realm of hell.”
“Fucking fantastic,” Akira muttered under her breath. “Faye, what do we do? You know how to control them, right?”
“Remember how we tamed those dragons with Professor Evanora?” the redhead asked as she steadied her feet and kept them firmly planted in the snow. “We need to do the same thing--”
“Not everyone was present for that lesson, though,” I reminded Faye. “We need to go over it again for the others.”
“Yes, please,” Marina squeaked in a small voice. “I did not become a witch just to be turned into scraps of meat.”
“Let’s get this over with, shall we?” Vanessa muttered. “Faye, would you like to do the honors, or shall I? Do you remember everything Evanora taught you?”
“We’re waiting,” Sigrid said in an impatient tone. “You’d better do something soon.”
“I can do it,” Faye said in a rushed voice as the bears took a couple steps closer. “I remember every detail… now, everyone, follow my lead, and please pay close attention. First, you must find the one bear that you feel a deep connection with. Feel their presence and search for their energy, and whatever happens, do not let them sense any fear in you. They’ll be able to smell it on you like fresh blood.”
“Noted,” Beatrix answered in a firm voice.
We watched with wide eyes as the determined redhead took a small step forward, and without hesitation, we all followed her lead. All the bears growled ferociously as we edged closer toward them, but they made no sudden move to attack.
As my eyes wandered over each beast, my gaze instantly fell upon the one in the middle. He was the largest out of the group, and his fur was as dark as night and glistened like a raven’s feather. His ruby-red eyes studied me from head to toe as a deep growl resonated in his chest, and he dug his claws into the snow.
When I felt his undeniable vigor, bloodlust, and feral power, I knew he was the one I would tame. The sudden bond was undeniable, strong, and promising.
“Now what?” Marina asked in a gentle voice. “I think I’ve found mine.”
“Me, too,” Circe added.
“Alright, now keep your eyes focused on the one you’ve chosen,” Faye instructed in a firm voice as she raised her wand and aimed it at the animals. “Then, when you feel like you’re deep inside their minds, say the words: ‘et erunt morietur.’ Remember, everyone has to say it at the same time, so we’ll do it on the count of three, got it?”
“Yes,” we answered in unison as we kept our wands steady.
“Then on my mark… one, two… three!” Faye cried out.
“Et erunt morietur!” we screamed at the same time.
Blasts of orange light spurted from the tips of our wands and hit each beast straight in the chest. They roared and furiously shook their heads as the incantations hit their bodies, but even as they growled and thick, viscous drool spilled from the corners of their lips, not one of us took a step back or showed any signs of fear. Instead, we watched as the orange light crept through their hefty, furry bodies like currents of lightning flowing through the open sky.
Finally, the spell was complete. The animals all stood still and silent, and when Faye chuckled under her breath, I knew we’d succeeded.
“Well done,” Sigrid’s voice echoed in the air, “you are now bonded with these creatures for life, but you are not yet done. You still need to ride the beasts. Connect with them and navigate through the woodland until you return to the village. If you come back in one piece and your creature hasn’t torn you into pieces, or the bitter cold hasn’t taken you, then we will welcome you with open arms and provide you with food, drinks, and provisions.”
Before any of us could respond, Sigrid snapped her fingers, and then she and the other women disappeared into another cloud of smoke.
For a moment, we all stood there mildly stunned and freezing in the bitter cold. I knew everyone was shocked by the shieldmaiden’s icy demeanor, and we were all cold, hungry, and exhausted. Now, we had to ride all the way back to the village we just came from, and Satan knew how long that would take.
“Bitch,” Akira finally grunted as she furiously rubbed her arms. “Just because we tamed them and bound ourselves to them doesn’t mean we know how to fucking ride them! Does she want us to fail or something?”
“Calm down, Miss Akira,” Vanessa gently reminded the hot-tempered Wicca. “I’m sure we’ll be able to figure it out. You’ve been through tougher situations than this.”
“Yeah, of course, we
can do it,” Morgana said in a confident tone. “Besides, haven’t you read all about them, Faye?”
“Briefly,” the redhead answered. “As I said, they come from hell, but after being pulled from the frozen realm, I suspect they were placed here with only one purpose. To kill. They’re one of the most deadly and vicious beings in all the realms, and they may trust us for now, but I have no doubt they’ll be difficult to control… bond or no bond.”
“Fuck,” Penelope sighed under her breath. “Aside from that little detail, we don’t even know which way to go.”
“Come on,” I said in an encouraging voice. “It can’t be that difficult. We’ve ridden dragons before, and we’ve navigated through more treacherous territory than this. Professor, do you think it would be safe to use the blood star to find our way back to the village?”
“I believe so,” Vanessa said as she chewed her bottom lip. “Samara’s presence hasn’t been lurking over our heads for a while now, and I believe it is difficult for outsiders to spy on this realm. There’s a reason it’s remained a secret from elder enemies for so long… it’s well protected.”
“Alright,” I said before I rolled up my sleeves and cleared my throat. “Here it goes, then--”
“Wait, I’ll help you,” Vanessa interjected in a low voice. “You’ve already exerted a great amount of energy.”
“Alright,” I said before I slowly grabbed her hand. Even in the cold, I could feel a light film of sweat instantly coat her palm, and when I turned to look at her, her cheeks and neck were rosy. I knew her flushed complexion wasn’t only from the cold, though, because her eyes were darting back and forth like she was flustered. “Are you ready, Professor?”
“Yes,” she answered without looking at me, so we raised our joined hands together, pointed our wands to the sky, and shouted the incantation simultaneously.
“Inlustris, modo ducturi!”
Suddenly, a shrill wind picked up and howled like a ravenous wolf before a dim, red star hovered above our heads, and a smile broke across my face as I stared up at our unholy guide.
“See?” I said as Vanessa snatched her hand away. “Easy as goblin pie.”
“Now, let’s get on the bears,” Faye said in a rushed voice. “I don’t want to ride these things in the dark.”
“She’s right,” I said when I glanced up at the red star plastered against a deepening silver and crimson sky. “We need to haul ass.”
“Agreed,” Vanessa said before she took another step closer toward her bear, which was a deep, blackish brown. “Come on.”
We all took several steps closer toward our bonded animals, and as I approached my massive black bear, he growled under his breath but didn’t bare his fangs or give me any kind of warning that he would attack. So, I extended my hand, reached for his hide, and gently stroked his smooth fur, but as I grabbed a fistful of his skin to help me climb onto his back, he gently growled again.
“Easy,” I whispered in a calming voice. “I’m not going to hurt you… all I want you to do is follow that star, just above us. Do you see it? I’m not sure if you can, but if you do, nod your head.”
When I was steady on the black bear’s back, I watched in fascination as the animal cocked his head up to look at the dim red star in the sky and then lowered it back down, as if to nod. I felt a surge of relief flow through my entire body, and when I turned to look at the others, each woman was on her own bear. I couldn’t feel a single tinge of fear in the air as the women remained mounted on their creatures, but we still had to be wary since Faye explained these creatures were fairly deadly animals.
“What lovely beasts,” Vesta cooed as she petted her silver-white bear.
“Yes, they are,” Faye agreed as she scratched behind her auburn-colored creature, “but we need to go.”
“Tell your bears to follow me,” I suggested as my mount began to head in the star’s direction. “He can see the star.”
“Great, because I can’t,” Marina sighed.
“You’ll be able to in time when your premonition skills are far more advanced,” Vanessa gently reminded the former siren. “Now, as Cole said, let’s go.”
The women quietly followed my new loyal companion and me as we quickly, but not frantically, wove through the frozen trees and back to the secret village. The air was growing colder, and the sky was growing darker, but the star still remained high in the sky.
“I-I think we’re almost there,” I said through chattering teeth.
“I t-think those bitches wanted us to freeze to death,” Akira grunted as her dark-gray bear trudged forward.
“Try not to refer to them as bitches when we return, Miss Akira,” Vanessa warned. “We’ve passed their test, and now we must show them respect for their hospitality.”
“Yes, Professor,” the black-eyed Wicca muttered. “I’ll be sure to hold my tongue.”
“That would be a first,” Morgana giggled, and Akira playfully stuck her tongue out in her direction.
By the time we returned to the outskirts of the village, Revna was waiting by the wooden gate with a spear in her hand, and when she saw us, I could have sworn I saw a glint of relief pass across her silver-blue eyes.
“You’ve made it,” she said in a stoic voice. “Well done.”
“Thank you,” I said before I swung my legs off the bear and landed on the snowy ground. “Now that we’ve passed your little test, may we please go inside? It’s freezing, and my women can barely move--”
“Your women?” she repeated with an arched eyebrow.
“Not all of us are his,” Vanessa hissed as she climbed off her bear.
“It’s something we can discuss inside,” I said with more urgency in my voice.
“Yes, of course,” Revna said as she shook her head and pushed the heavy wooden doors open. “We may be harsh, but we keep our word. Follow me.”
We left our mounts near the gates and trailed after the beautiful wild Wicca to the longhouse. Now that the sun was setting, all the villagers were gathering inside the warm domain as well, and I couldn’t help but notice all the curious glares being sent our way.
When we stepped inside the oversized barn, the smell of spiced meat wafted through the air, and everyone seemed to be completing some kind of task. Several women were busy passing around jugs of what I could only guess was wine or ale, and others were already seated and enjoying the boar roasting on a pike over the small fire pit. Then I glanced at a corner near the banquet table and saw all the familiars digging into their own scraps, but when Alexander saw me, his eyes widened with relief.
Master, thank Satan you’ve returned! he roared with delight in my head.
“Of course, I’d come back.” I winked. “You can’t get rid of me that easily you know.”
When Sigrid saw us, she flashed us a warm smile before she descended from her throne and approached our group. Her eyes were filled with curiosity as she crept closer, and I knew now that she finally trusted us.
“Well, well, well,” she purred as she studied each one of us. “You must have used a great deal of premonition magic to find your way back here. I’m sorry I had to put you through such a grueling task, but I had to be sure you were truly from Scholomance. Only Theodora could have taught you about the blood star, and whoever is your professor of soul magic, she must be exceptionally talented. Not many people can live to tame and ride an ursa.”
“How did you know about the star?” I asked with raised eyebrows.
“I can sense any form of powerful magic when it’s used within my realm,” Sigrid said with the same knowing smile plastered across her face. “Now, would you care to take a seat? We have salted meat, stew, and plenty of ale. Then, once you’ve become comfortable, we can discuss what you’re doing so far north.”
“Thank you,” Vanessa answered on our behalf. “We truly appreciate it.”
All the women took a seat, and I decided to wedge myself in between Vanessa and Revna. Vanessa immediately shifted uncomfortably when my sh
oulder pressed against hers, but she didn’t say anything as I began to pile my wooden plate with pieces of smoked, salted meat.
Sigrid sat in front of us on her giant wooden chair, while the other two women who resembled Revna sat on either side of her. We dug into our plates, but I couldn’t help but feel the shieldmaiden’s eyes on us as we enjoyed our meals and welcomed the feeling back into our toes and fingertips.
“So,” Sigrid began as a fiery redheaded woman began to pour ale into our wooden cups. “Tell me more about why you’re here. I can’t remember the last time someone crossed into our borders.”
Before I answered, I looked at Vanessa to silently ask her permission to tell this woman about our secret mission, and when the professor nodded her head, I knew for sure we could trust this wild woman.
“We’re trying to defeat an elder woman by the name of Samara,” I explained. “She’s been threatening to destroy the Wicca race, and she plans to start with the destruction of Scholomance.”
“And just how do you plan on killing such a woman?” Sigrid questioned with raised eyebrows. “I’ve heard tales of this relentless Samara. Now, don’t get me wrong. You passed our test, but I still have my doubts a group as young as yourselves could ever defeat an elder like Samara.”
“Cole is the most powerful witch in existence,” Circe said in a proud voice. “He helped bring me back from the dead, and he has already led several battles and won each of them. You’ll never meet anyone as great as him.”
“Satan,” Vanessa muttered under her breath before she took a sip of ale.
“Do you not agree with her?” Sigrid asked as she narrowed her bright eyes at Vanessa.
“Sorry?” Vanessa replied as she wiped her lips.
“You seem to hold some kind of anger toward this man,” Sigrid said as a gentle smile broke across her face. “It’s as clear as elven mountain water flowing through the peaks.”
“N-No,” the professor stuttered, and for once, she seemed to be at a loss for words. “I don’t hate him, I just… I can’t stand how the women fawn over him.”