Witchfire

by Cyrese Covelli

  Elliot was on his knees next to me. He lifted me into his arms, cradling me like a baby. I wanted to get away, but I was too weak from blood loss to move.

  "You'll be okay,” Elliot said against my ear. "They won't let your sister go now that they've seen what she can do, but I'll get you out of here.” His words jarred me back to reality and I lifted my head against his shoulder. He licked my neck and must have sensed my complete revulsion because he stopped. "I needed to stop the bleeding,” he said. I touched my neck, which was now clotting.

  "Where's my sister?” I asked. Elliot adjusted me in his arms to let me see. When I spotted Gemma, my heart clenched and I felt what little blood I had left slow in my veins.

  Chapter Six

  Mean People Suck

  Savian’s mouth pressed to her neck, his teeth tearing through the fur at her throat.

  Oh, my God. You are vampires. A vampire bit me! I thought stupidly. Of all the times I had fantasized that vampires could be real and wondered what meeting one would be like, I had never envisioned anything like this. The romantic images blurred from my brain as Savian pulled away from Gemma and smiled with my sister's blood on his lips.

  I fought against Elliot, but he would not let go of me. Madly, I dug my nails down his cheeks, causing deep red scratches that dribbled blood down his face. Within seconds, his skin closed. He had healed himself.

  "I'll kill you!” I shouted at Savian.

  "Calm down. She's not dead,” Savian said. I looked at my sister. Her eyes fluttered and she made a small mewling noise. "I knew she was a witch, I just needed a taste test to be certain. A feline-shifting witch is rare, you know,” he said. I frowned at him. "Well, I guess you didn't.” He wiped my sister's blood on his sleeve. "You're just as clueless as can be, aren't you?” He took a sip from a dark wine glass, making an ahhhh noise when he was done.

  “My God, but you look like her. No wonder Elliot is so taken with you,” Savian said. “I will admit that I did not believe Elliot when he said there were two teenage witches outside the club. I mean, witches openly walking into our territory. That is just incredibly stupid. Even witches are not that dense. Nevertheless, there you were, waiting to come inside like the silly humans. Not a good idea, Ascher.” He shook his head. I swallowed and struggled to speak.

  "Look, I don't know what's going on, but we're not witches, okay? We just wanted to go out dancing. We have nothing to do with any of this,” I said.

  "He knows. He just doesn't care,” a girl's voice said. Cadence stood behind us, a haunted look filling her eyes and making her youthful face look much older. An object hurdled towards us and Cade snatched it, inches away from her face. It was a silver-handled knife.

  "I've had enough!” Savian spat, his face pouting like a spoiled child in the midst of a tantrum. "After all I've done for you, you're going to try and intervene? You have no authority here, Cadence. The witches attacked a vampire in my territory and will be dealt with as I see fit.” Cadence flinched as if struck and blocked Savian from coming closer to Elliot and me.

  "You can't punish them for defending themselves,” Elliot said. Savian snarled.

  "I'll deal with you later, servant,” Savian said.

  "On behalf of the Triune, in accordance with the treatise of Coventry, I'm placing Ascher under the protection of the Rudrian witches,” Cadence said. I shook my head in confusion, feeling like I was listening to a discussion in a foreign language.

  Savian rushed forward, but stopped in mid-motion as Cadence held up her right hand. She moved her index finger in the air and the room filled with abrupt silence and stillness.

  "I've just placed a power-barrier on the room, but we have to hurry,” Cadence said. I nodded, still not understanding her words. "I can't do anything for your sister. They know she's a warlock and the Triune does not protect users of the Dark Magicks."

  "She's not a warlock or a witch. We…” Cadence held her hand up and I shut my mouth.

  "I know you don't understand what's happening, but you must listen to me. Vampires exist, as do werewolves, witches and warlocks, which is what you and your sister are."

  "He said she was a witch, that we were witches,” I said.

  "It's all the same to him,” Cadence said. "We have to hurry.” I felt my body go numb. Cadence stood across from Elliot, a trail of pink-tinged tears falling from her cheeks.

  "I'm not leaving without my sister,” I said. I twisted in Elliot's arms and Cadence flicked her fingers at me in a shooing gesture, knocking me back against Elliot. I felt small, helpless, and pissed.

  "I'll stall Savian and the others, Cade. You take her somewhere safe,” Elliot said. He handed me to Cadence and I had a lucid moment where I felt surprised that someone smaller than me was holding me as if I weighed nothing at all. Cadence whispered strange words that I could not quite make out. My vision darkened and my veins felt like they were on fire, a searing pain spreading throughout my body until I thought I would pass out from the pain. I screamed, the shrill shrieking sound of my voice accompanying me as I drifted into a tunnel of darkness.

  Chapter Seven

  A Demon or Something

  I blinked my eyes open and frowned. The flickering of lights surrounded me. I felt sleepy and warm, a heavy layering of blankets weighing comfortably over me.

  Did I fall asleep at Denise's house? No, this did not look like her room. Then, where…?

  I sat up so quickly, the blood rushing away from my head made my temples throb. Kicking away the burden of blankets, I surveyed my surroundings with the aid of the few candles resting on a small storage chest. I was in a large, ornate four-poster bed in a room so tiny, that I could see I was alone with one sweep of my eyes.

  "You shouldn't do that,” a soft voice scolded. The glow from candelabra blinded me for a moment as I struggled to see past its suddenly ignited flames.

  "What the…who's there?” I asked. A face emerged from the darkness next to the bed and I recognized Elliot. Memories flooded back in a cruel wave that left me feeling cold. "Where's Gemma?” I said. "I swear, if anything happened to her…” Elliot held up his hand to silence me.

  "There's no time for that,” he said. "They're coming for you- we don't have much time.” Elliot rushed forward and I scrambled backwards over the side of the bed. In my hurry to get away, I tangled my legs in the bedding and fell backwards onto the hardwood floor. Before I could right myself, Elliot was next to me, pulling me to my feet. I tripped over the blankets and he caught me easily.

  "Get off me!” Elliot tightened his hands around my arms and held me to his chest. Behind him, other candelabra exploded into light. He reached forward, his fingertips pulling my chin upwards until my face was so close to his I could feel the warm rush of his breath.

  "I need to give you something,” he whispered, lips moving inches over my own.

  He grabbed my left hand and slipped something cold over my finger. I lifted my hand and stared at a green stone ring. "You'll be safe enough when they come for you, but if something should happen, if you need help, just use the stone to summon me."

  "What do you mean ‘summon you’? What are you a demon or something? I asked. Elliot pressed his lips into my own and my words and thoughts were both lost to the sensation of his lips against mine. His kisses were gentle and chaste at first, but some inner fire kindled between us and they became fast and fervent as if he was feeding some raw need that had been long starved. Finally, he pushed away from me, body shaking as though he were struggling to tear himself away.

  "Or something…” he said, his voice breathy and deep. I had never been kissed before and the moment had had a strange, dream-like quality that frightened me. He twisted his finger around a lock of my hair, curling it with his fingers.

  The odor of burnt hair filled my nostrils and Elliot yanked his hand back, his fingers clutching a lock of my hair. His eyes studied me with a confused expression. The candlelight began to fade and I felt myself pulled, mind, and body, by a strong and suffocati
ng presence. I could not breathe.

  "I'm…I'm dying!” I said. Elliot kissed me lightly on the forehead and released me on to the bed.

  "No,” he said. "You're waking up."

  PART TWO

  BEWITCHED

  Chapter Eight

  Not Enough Garlic

  I awoke to the sound of music. No, not the "hills are alive" kind; a woman was singing softly beside me. Outside, the birds were chattering in melodious little chirps. Turning my head to the side, I saw the shawl-draped figure of an elderly woman rocking back-and-forth in an old rocking chair.

  "Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,

  Too-ra-loo-ra-li,

  Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,

  Hush now, don't you cry.”

  It was a lullaby my Grandma used to sing. The old woman stopped singing and looked up from the chore with which she was busying her hands.

  "Brigit be praised! You're awake, my child," the old woman said.

  Who was this woman? And what was she doing in my room?

  "I'm Rose Bruer. You’re at my family's home, recuperating," the old woman said. She had a slight-Irish accent, which struck me as funny for some reason. I laughed, covering my mouth with my hands so I would not offend her.

  A strange silver ring was on my left hand, an odd green stone set in the middle. It looked vaguely familiar, but I could not remember where I had got it. My mind felt fuzzy, my thoughts clouded. I was spacing out big-time.

  I knew there was something important I was forgetting, but trying to remember was like searching for a light in a dark room. The memory was just out of my grasp.

  Looking around, I realized I was in a tiny room with a small table set across from the four-poster bed where I lay. I had the feeling I'd been here previously.

  How did I get here? No sooner had the question entered my head that Rose was answering me.

  "Cadence brought you to us, lass."

  This was weird, the way she was talking to me- it was as if she could…

  "…read your mind," Rose said. I flinched as if I'd been struck and Rose clucked her tongue in disapproval. "I'm a witch, child. I can do many-a-strange and wonderful thing. Dear, Cadence told me you do not know of our gifts, of your gifts. I still can't imagine what your parents might've been thinking, hiding your heritage from you as they did."

  "A witch? I don't, I don't understand," I said. Rose stood and came to stand beside the bed. I could see now that she was grinding something with a mortar and pestle.

  "I'm afraid, in her hurry to wake you, my granddaughter may have used too much coriander and not enough garlic. Without enough garlic, it can be quite difficult to undo a vampire's hypnosis. That, my dear, is why you're having such a beast of a time remembering."

  Okay. Now I was getting a little freaked-out.

  "Look, I'm not sure exactly what's going on here, but I'm not a witch and if I'd met a vampire, I'm pretty sure I'd know…” I was interrupted by a knock at the door.

  "May I come in, Gran?” A red-haired girl popped her head in the door, her eyes widening when she saw me. "I'm so glad you're awake!” She said. "Sorry about the potion mix-up, I was totally spacing. This whole thing must be really freaking you out, huh? You know, finding out about magic and all."

  Was everyone in this house crazy? Whatever their game was, I was tired of playing.

  Chapter Nine

  Witching Hour Is Over, Lady

  "Okay, that's enough. I'm a witch, you’re a witch, and everyone is a witch. Ha Ha. It's a really good joke…” The redhead narrowed her eyes at me.

  "It's not a joke," she said.

  "Look, I like Dracula and Anne Rice just as much as the next girl, but this has really gone too far. So, if you don't mind, I'm gonna get up and get the hell out of Salem's Lot or wherever this is," I said.

  "I told you, this isn't a joke! Being a witch is nothing to laugh at," the redhead said.

  "Now, Cyd. Let's not upset the poor dear. This must be quite alarming for her," Rose said. Cyd crossed her arms over her chest and pouted.

  "Whatever. I just came in to tell you that Anise got back from Mrs. Birch's with the stuff you needed for the spell, but she could only find two of the tiger's eye."

  "Tiger's Eye? Oh, my God, I'm going to be sick."

  What was wrong with these people? Who could hurt a poor little tiger…?

  "Oh, no, bless your heart. Tiger's Eye is a gemstone, my dear. Witches never harm any of Earth's creatures. Here, that will be your first lesson in the ways of the witch. 'An it harm none, do what thou wilt.’ This means we're free to do as we please with our magick as long as we never use it against another," Rose said.

  I tore the quilt away from my body and got up to leave, pointing a finger to warn the old woman to stay away.

  "That's it, Witching Hour is over, lady," I wanted to say more, but I was hit in the face with a handful of thick dust that smelled a lot like…"Garlic?” I choked, inhaling the pungent aroma.

  My body started to tremble as the events from the previous night flashed through my mind. I saw Gemma and I arriving at the Crimson; dancing with Elliot; meeting that strange girl, Cadence, and then, the image of Savian's mouth pressed against Gemma's neck. Memories clawed through my consciousness and I collapsed to the floor, fighting to breathe as sobs raked my body.

  I was vaguely aware that Cyd left the bedroom. Rose wrapped a worn purple shawl around me, the heat from her body still warming the wool. She held me against her small frame, whispering comforting words to calm me, but it was no use. All I could hear were Gemma's screams and all I could see was the terror painted in her eyes.

  Chapter Ten

  Basic Magic 101

  After drinking several cups of steaming herbal tea, I began to feel better or at least calmer. I felt numb and empty as I thought of Gemma. Where was she right now? Was she hurt? Scared?

  Thinking back on the countless times in my childhood when I'd wished she'd leave forever, I felt guilty, almost like I was to blame for what had happened. Tugging on the elastic lace sleeve of the flannel nightgown I wore, I fell back against the pillow.

  "You have a very powerful aura," a voice said. I glanced at a pretty girl with strawberry colored hair who'd just entered the bedroom. She resembled the redhead, Cyd who'd high-tailed it out of the room right before I'd lost it completely. I wondered if they were related. "I'm Anise Curry. You've met my grandma Rose and my cousin, Cyd."

  "Uh, huh," I said. I didn't feel much like talking. Anise shifted her feet, the upper part of her body leaning on the doorframe as though afraid to enter without my permission.

  "You can come in. I mean, it's your house," I said. Anise took a few tentative steps into the room before crossing to the bed to sit down beside me.

  "Actually, it's my Aunt Jacinth’s and Cyd's. I used to live with my Grandma at her house, but she's been out-of-sorts lately so we moved in here. That way, someone can always be around to help Gran out. You know, when I'm at school and stuff."

  "Where are your parents?” I asked. Anise looked down at her socked feet and chewed her lip.

  "They died when I was nine," she said.

  "I'm sorry.” Anise took a deep breath and fixed me with an intense look.

  "Everything's part of a cycle. New life comes forth from death just as every end is the first step to a new beginning,” Anise said.

  Thank you, Oprah.

  "I want you to know that I have some powerful magic at my disposal and I'm going to do everything in my power to get your sister back, but I'm going to need your help."

  "I'll do anything you want," I said. Anise narrowed her amethyst-colored eyes at me much like a scientist looks at an interesting new specimen.

  "There's something you're not saying," Anise said. I swallowed.

  "It's just that I don't know why any of this is happening. My sister and I, we're not witches. I mean, I don't even believe in witches, not really. I know about Wicca and stuff like that, but I didn't know there were witches with supernatural powers
, like, straight out of a TV show, you know?"

  "This is overwhelming for you.”

  No shit, Sabrina.

  Unable to think of a more tasteful response I nodded my head in reply. Anise draped her arm around me and my body shuddered with one of those hyperventilating-hiccups you get after you've cried very hard. She muttered something under her breath and the door to the room clicked shut. I jumped at the noise.

  "Oh, duh. Sorry," Anise said. "I need to ask you some important questions and I didn't want to risk Cyd overhearing."

  "Why shouldn't she?” I asked. Anise gave me a pitying look like I'd just said something incredibly stupid. I decided to change the subject. "What do you need to know?” I asked. Anise smoothed her palms over the fabric of her denim hip-huggers and folded her hands in her lap.

  "When did you first learn you were a witch?” Anise asked.

  "Last night. I mean, that's what the vampires called us, anyway."

  "Okay, so you've never used magic before, your mom, your grandma never mentioned anything about your being a witch," she said.

  "No," I said, feeling uneasy.

  "You're positive?” Anise said. I rolled my eyes. My patience was going fast.

  "Um, I'm pretty sure I'd remember a conversation like that," I said. We sat for a moment, staring at each other.

  "How'd you find out about The Crimson?" It was her turn to change the subject.

  "My best friend Denise's boyfriend told us about it," I said.

  "What's his name?"

  "Dax. Dax Harris," I said.

  "Do you know where he lives?"

  "Why?” I asked.

  "Because The Crimson is ensorcelled with spells to keep its location hidden. The only way you'd even know it was there is if you're a vampire or a warlock. Either way, he's dangerous," Anise said. "Vampires are dangerous enough, but if we're dealing with warlocks, then the stakes have risen.” I smiled despite my dark mood at the pun Anise didn't even realize she'd made. "So, this, Dax guy brought you to The Crimson…"