Tales of Aradia The Last Witch Volume 5

by Jones, L. A.

  "More importantly," Castel added, "it serves as a dramatic and wonderful point in our history when we the werewolves of the world united to defeat a common foe."

  A hallowed hush fell over the group, as if the empowerment of werewolf pride had enveloped them

  Once Adolfo and Castel had finished their stories, they had gone on to announce that Adrian was not for long for this Earth. Whether he lived or died was irrelevant because either way he could not be the Silver Moon pack Alpha anymore. However, the position of Alpha for the Silver Moon pack could not be vacant for that long. At the beginning of the summer, tournaments would begin to help decide the next Alpha. It was mandatory for all the werewolves in the entire Silver Moon pack to compete. Therefore, come June the Morales brothers in addition to their cousins, both male and female, would be forced to fight for the right of leadership. The right to kill the loser had been banned in Salem a long time ago. However, other extreme violence was allowed. So Roy could look forward to fighting not only his brothers from eldest to younger but watching them battle others as well.

  "From this point on," Adolfo decreed, "all the werewolves of the Silver Moon pack must train night and day in order to compete in the tournaments."

  There was an awkward shift in the crowd.

  "What about our jobs?" Someone muttered.

  "And what about school?"Another murmured.

  Castel shrugged, as if it didn't matter. Adolfo, however, answered both of their questions. "It is not a requirement to win the tournaments. Only to participate. You can train around your usual work and schedule but be warned that that may take off the edge you have. For every minute you do not train to win, you are more likely to lose in the grand battle."

  "What's so grand about it?" Roy muttered, "I don't know about you but I do not relish the thought of fighting my own brothers."

  Melina stayed silent.

  "Or my cousins for that matter," Roy continued, "most especially my father."

  This got Melina's attention. "They force you to fight your own father?!"

  Roy nodded bitterly. "When they saw all the werewolves of the Silver Moon pack must fight they mean all. From our parents, to our aunts, uncles, hell even to our grandparents!"

  "What about babies?" Melina couldn't help but ask. "You can't fight them."

  Roy reluctantly chuckled. "No we don't fight them but they are the exception. Everyone else though..."

  He trailed off, shrugging, and looking more forlorn than ever.

  Melina couldn't blame him and wished there was something she could say. A few awkward and painful moments passed as she racked her brain.

  Until finally all she could say was, "I wish Aradia was here."

  Roy snorted. "Huh! Why?"

  "Because," Melina reluctantly admitted, "she would know what to do about all this. She would figure out a way how to avoid bloodshed. She would figure out a solution that could satisfy both you and the other Alpha leaders."

  Roy nodded in silent agreement but couldn't help but point out, "but she isn't here is she? She can't help us."

  Melina turned to stare out the window and into the night drenched landscape. As she did, thoughts flowed through her mind. Thoughts and memories of Aradia laughing, her helping out at the club, her going on and on about promoting tolerance, and how things needed to change. Melina smiled as she remembered Aradia throwing her long red hair back with her green eyes sparkling. She remembered Aradia smiling so sincerely whenever she did something. Melina remembered how alive Aradia made everyone feel whenever she was around. She remembered how if someone fell Aradia would be the first to pull the person to their feet. She remembered Aradia thanking Melina for her fashion sense and her help with the club.

  She briefly closed her eyes and remembered Aradia smiling at her. She remembered her goofy but sincere smile and her shrill voice calling her, "sis!" Most of all, Melina remembered how much she missed her.

  In that split second, Melina opened her eyes and knew what she had to do.

  "Stop the car!" She shrieked.

  Roy's truck screeched to a stop on the side of the road. "Jesus!" he cried, "what the hell is..."

  "Turn it around Roy," Melina commanded, "we are going back to town and we are going to find Aradia!"

  Chapter Nineteen

  "You're insane you know that don't you?" Roy hissed.

  "Well do you have any better ideas?" Melina snapped under her breath.,

  Roy didn't retort.

  Roy had used his great sense of smell to sniff out the vampire territory in the city of Salem. Melina figured that if Roy could do that there was a chance he would be able to find Aradia. Not a really big chance but a chance nonetheless

  "The fact is Roy," Melina explained, "Aradia would not be anywhere else except with her vampire boyfriend. Where else can you find vampires except in vampire territory?"

  The explanation still didn't stop Roy from criticizing her. "For Christ's sake Melina, you heard only a few hours ago why werewolves hate vampires and now you are having me patrol a vampires only part of town."

  Melina stared at the ground. "If Aradia was doing her usual thing there would be no vampires or werewolves only parts of town at all. Ever since she stopped doing her promoting tolerance thing the situation with the hiddens has gotten worse."

  "You have no idea," a voice said from out of nowhere.

  Roy stiffened and thrust Melina behind him. Like a shadow overtaking a field, a small group of vampires appeared around the couple.

  "Lovely," Roy muttered.

  The vampires, four in total, stood silently and glared at Roy and Melina. For a few tense moments, nobody moved and nobody said anything. They all just glared at each other lethally.

  Until finally the one standing in front of them demanded, "what the hell you doing on our turf?"

  Roy didn't say anything so Melina did instead. "We're looking for my sister."

  "Well foster sister that is," Melina corrected herself almost instantly

  The vampires didn't say anything so Melina stepped in front of Roy and continued, "her name is Aradia Preston. She is the last witch and we really need to see her."

  "And that means what to us?" The leader asked.

  Melina took a deep breath. "Look, we really need to talk to her. It's super important."

  "Like I said that means what to us?"

  "Look we don't want any trouble," Roy stated.

  This time another vampire spoke, "then you shouldn't have entered vampire territory."

  The circle began to draw closer.

  "We are just trying to find our friend," Melina cried out, "we didn't mean any harm."

  "Yeah well sucks for you," the leading vampire said.

  There was yet another tension filled moment until one vampire dive bombed towards Melina.

  Roy quickly punched him back. He then ripped off his shirt and began to shift into his wolf form.

  "Run Melina!" he snarled as he lunged forward. Melina hesitated and then obeyed. A couple of the vampires tried to race after her but Roy slammed them both into a nearby building. Melina ran ahead and hoped to God that Roy would be okay.

  "Help! Please somebody help!" Melina screamed as she pounded on every door she came upon. She didn't know who would answer or if they could even help but she didn't care. She had to do something to help Roy. Just then she heard a huge howl of pain, Melina squeaked in fear. She then turned one of the door knobs frantically but to no avail. She then looked around, hoping for another solution. Suddenly, a biker drove by and stopped in front of a night club across the street. Melina stared at the biker with an idea forming in her mind. She looked down and noticed at her feet lay a big brick. She quietly picked up the brick and dashed across the street. Waiting just the right moment for the biker to take off his helmet was when Melina pounced.

  The biker fell onto the ground and so did the brick. Melina then jumped on the bike.

  Good thing I used to date a bike mechanic back in Brooklyn, Melina thought to hers
elf as she revved up the engine.

  One of the vampires had seized Roy from behind and locked his arms around his shoulders. The leader then began to punch Roy hard in his wolf face while the others all jeered. Suddenly, a loud roar could be heard from the other side of the alley. Melina revved up the bike and plowed straight through the vampires who leaped to get out of the way. She then stopped in front of the vampire who held her boyfriend hostage. She stared at him for a while before whipping out a small spray bottle.

  "What's that?" the vampire sneered, "holy water?"

  "No," Melina replied before spraying it right into the vampire's face.

  He shrieked and jumped back; clutching his face and howling in pain.

  "Body splash," she stated as a matter of fact.

  Roy chortled in a wounded voice as he slowly shifted back into his human form. As soon as he did he climbed onto the bike and grabbed hold of Melina's waist. She then revved up the bike and sped them out of there.

  It took them about an hour to get out of vampire territory (according to Roy's wounded but still working nose) and soon as they did they tried to find a place where Roy could heal. Although Roy's werewolf ability could heal him quickly he still needed a safe place to do it. Melina was thankful to the economy being bad because that meant a bunch of abandoned restaurants and stores. Melina parked the bike, took the keys, and slowly helped her wounded boyfriend into a nearby deserted restaurant.

  The place had French phrases written all over it and was filled with dust and cobwebs. Nevertheless, Melina helped Roy to a chair.

  "You okay baby?" Melina asked him.

  He just feebly nodded. Melina stared at all his scratches and wounds. Most of them were healing up quickly, but there was still blood all over him.

  She didn't want to leave him but she knew she had to. She had to get him water and a clean shirt. She kissed him on the forehead and quickly dashed away.

  She was back in forty minutes, clutching a green shirt, a towel, and a bowl of water.

  "Where did you get all that?" Roy couldn't help but ask.

  Melina wanted to lie but she couldn't. "I picked the lock to the back of a dry cleaning store."

  "Don't worry," she quickly assured him, "I didn't take any money or anything besides a bowl of water and a towel."

  "Besides," she added, "I found the shirt in the discard pile. I am guessing someone brought it but didn't want to pick it up so we are all good."

  Roy chuckled. "That's my girl."

  Melina also laughed as she dipped the cloth into the water and wrung it. She started to dab it onto Roy's forehead in an effort to wipe away the blood.

  Roy couldn't help but stare at her in complete mesmerization. "You are so beautiful you know that don't you?"

  Melina chuckled. "Flattery will get you nowhere but don't stop trying."

  Roy chuckled silently. Melina then reached for the shirt and pulled it over Roy's head. As soon as she did, Roy seized Melina by the arms and stood up. Their gazes locked in almost dreamily like state. Slowly, Roy began to lower his lips to hers. Melina closed her eyes in eager anticipation.

  Suddenly, a huge flash of light like those from a car's headlights interrupted their romantic moment. Roy and Melina both turned away and looked towards it.

  "Who is it?" Melina asked quietly,

  Roy just shrugged. Once again he placed Melina behind him as they both edged towards where the boards were nailed in front of the window. As soon as they reached it, Melina stood besides Roy and peeked through the cracks in the board.

  It was a black Ford Mustang with New York plates on it. Melina tried not to laugh when she saw that the license plate read SXYBTCH. For a few minutes the car just sat there, until a black bike drove up right next to it.

  I recognize that bike, Melina realized.

  The car door opened and out stepped a petite blonde with cherub like face. Her curly hair, small pink lips, round face, dimples, and slender body made her look like a teenage Shirley Temple.

  "Whose she?" Roy asked and Melina was tempted to step on his foot.

  She was distracted though by the biker once he took off his helmet. Another wave of familiarity ran through her as soon as she saw his blonde hair. I know him from somewhere.

  Unfortunately, the couple were too far away for Melina and Roy to hear them speaking.

  "What do you suppose this is all about?" Roy inquired. Now it was Melina's turn to shrug.

  After a while, the biker reached into his inner coat pocket and pulled out a thick envelope. Melina's widened as soon as she saw the female open it.

  "Look at all that money!" She hissed. Roy just nodded.

  The female counted the money and then smiled. After exchanging a few words, she got back in the car and drove away. Strangely, the biker didn't move from his spot.

  "What's he waiting for?" Melina asked rhetorically.

  An awkward moment passed before another car drove up right beside Saul. The window opened and out popped a long thin arm with a silver watch around it's wrist.

  Quick as a flash, the biker handed the guy another package. He then put his helmet back on and sped away. The car then sped away as well in the opposite direction.

  "What do you suppose that was all about?" Roy asked as he turned away from the window.

  Melina shrugged although she recognized the signs of the deals exchanged. It was obviously a pay off and a drug deal. But why? Why would there be drug deals going down here in Salem?

  Chapter Twenty

  "Morgan!" The Sovereign shouted, "Progress report!"

  A huge puff of black smoke appeared before revealing Morgan in her usual garb. She appeared cross legged on the floor where she clutched the crystal orb on the tip of its staff.

  "Saul makes progress with the witch. He has already succeeded in isolating her from her friends and family."

  "Having her boyfriend break her heart was a stroke of genius," The Sovereign admitted, "Making her more vulnerable and more easy to manipulate."

  "The sales of the drug are escalating and more riots are breaking out amongst the hidden people."

  The Sovereign made an arch with his fingers. "What of the leaders who oppose me?"

  Morgan smiled underneath her hood. "All those who oppose you are very quickly making their way towards death's door."

  "The other leaders I was able to negotiate with," The Sovereign chuckled to himself, "they were more than willing to swear fealty to me."

  "Not that you gave them much of a choice," Morgan admitted, "Using their people to make them swear allegiance to you."

  The Sovereign shrugged. "I can't help it if the youth of the nation share my beliefs."

  "The beliefs in conquering all the other hidden nations and making the humans our slaves you mean?" Morgam inquired.

  The Sovereign just remarked, "its amazing how much resentment the hiddens can harbor for the humans but I can hardly blame them. After all being forced to hide in the shadows like rats does make one a little testy."

  "That's a bit of an understatement," Morgan muttered.

  The Sovereign nodded. He then got up from his throne and began to walk towards Morgan. "I must admit its been tiresome but my plan has been quite successful. Using the witches's treason as a way to win loyalty from the other hiddens was a stroke of genius. I was able to gain allies from several nations all over the world. I then helped them seize power and they in turn swore loyalty to me."

  "Exposing the witches's treason and eliminating them as a way to protect the hiddens sure made you seem the valiant savior," Morgan pointed out.

  The Sovereign shrugged. "True but that was the whole point. Portraying myself as a savior to win over followers. It's easier to unite people using hatred rather than reason and besides the other hiddens have long resented the witches for having such a close relationship with humans."

  "Using their hatred was the obvious choice," he went on, "and I being the one to expose them as traitors showed how reliable I can be as a savior."
<
br />   "Thus making it easy to win their support," Morgan stated.

  The Sovereign agreed by saying, "Indeed it was easy. It's amazing how blind people can be and how easily they can be manipulated. Finding allies, however, was just the first stage of my plan."

  He circled Morgan as he went on. "After helping them seize power helped me to see where they are most vulnerable so in case they ever turn on me...well let's just hope they will never be that stupid. More importantly, it leaves all their resources at my disposal from their weapons to their battles tactics."

  The Sovereign paused as he snapped his fingers and from behind his throne a huge map of the world appeared. He then strode boldly to the map and smiled at all the places marked out. From France, to Rome and even all the way to Africa a special label was on them. The label showed a white rose dripping with blood.

  "Henry Tudor's symbol was a rose so I figure he would be proud of me," The Sovereign muttered under his breath.

  "All these territories marked by my symbol have been conquered," The Sovereign said in a smug tone, "or won over etc. All that remains is a small portion of America."

  "If I may ask Sovereign," Morgan inquired as she stood, "why wait so long to conquer Salem?"

  The Sovereign looked back at her and contemplated hitting her. Shrugging his shoulders, he decided it wasn't worth his time.

  "I have my reasons," He murmured as he once again snapped his fingers. The map instantly disappeared in a puff of smoke.

  "As for now," he stated as he swung his cloak around him, "we should only focus on the killing of the old leaders who oppose me."

  "What if we cannot convince the new leaders to join us?" Morgan asked.

  "Who says we give them any choice!" The Sovereign snarled.

  Inevitably, Aradia had to get new clothes especially when Saul told her that he was planning on taking her to New York for a concert. One of Aradia's new favorite bands, ironically called Vampires Are Everywhere! was going to be playing in Central Park. She had to look her best but the thing of it is though she had no money. She knew she could ask Saul but her pride wouldn't allow it. She was going over her problem as she walked down the street when she passed a clothing boutique. It was on her way to meet Saul at another club where she saw in the window a bright diamond necklace. She also saw in the dim lights leather pants and tops lining up all over the shelves. Although iron bars covered the glass window Aradia could see all the fancy tops and skirts hanging out in plain view. She wrapped her hands around the bars and looked longingly at all of it. She noticed the security camera at the back of the store. She noticed the exquisite jewelry, the cute handbags, and shoes available.