by C. L. Bright
“Just the two. My change of heart did happen after I met Juliet,” I told him. “I was supposed to kill a shapeshifter named Alaric the day after I brought Juliet to Azuredale. I couldn’t do it with her watching me, so I faked his death and let him go. Juliet told me he’d rather die than end up a slave. I never used to think of the familiar practice as slavery.”
“Because you’re an idiot,” he snapped.
“Are you going to tell me your name?” I asked.
“Edmond,” he replied. “Since I’ve told everyone you’re my grandson, you can call me Pops.”
I nodded. “Thank you for saving me.”
“Laranissa would have been crushed if you’d been executed. Do you think Serena is safe? Laranissa told me the girl is terrified of shapeshifters. If she decides to leave them, it will probably cost Serena her life. We won’t have time to rescue her if she’s captured, and with her history, it won’t take long to order her execution.”
“I’m pretty sure she’ll stay with Juliet. I trust Juliet to look after her. Not to mention, Alaric owes me, and he agreed to protect Serena. He seems honorable.”
He nodded. “Let’s hope you’re right. Your kind never appreciated her.”
“Why do you refer to them as my kind when we’re both spellcasters?” I asked.
“Because you grew up with the idiots of the magical world,” he snapped. “You’ve all been fed some ridiculous story about how the shapeshifters came into being. Laranissa was the only good influence in your life, and she could only correct the misinformation you’d been fed so much without giving away her secret. She couldn’t tell you the truth about how shapeshifters came into being.”
“Are you saying the story Juliet told me is true?” I asked. “Did the spell take on a life of its own and result in the birth of the shapeshifters?”
He let out a bark of laughter. “Magic doesn’t behave that way, boy. Those are just stories told to scare youngsters into being cautious with their spellcasting. The spell was intentionally altered by the first rebels—a group of spellcasters who realized what we were doing was wrong.”
My mouth dropped open. Though that explanation made more sense than the spell taking on a life of its own or the familiars learning how to steal our magic to alter the spell, I still found it hard to believe.
“How did they alter the spell so dramatically without triggering any warnings?” I asked.
“Let’s have that discussion during lunch,” he suggested. “Our food is getting cold. This time, I promise I won’t drug you.”
He walked out, and after a brief pause, I followed him.
I was dying to hear the rest of his story.
Chapter 6
I didn’t learn much more about how the original spell was altered during lunch. It’s not that Pops refused to answer my questions. He tried, but the two young witches I’d seen outside my window had an endless string of questions for me.
I learned that Pops lived alone, but the children he taught in the afternoon joined him for lunch each day. These young witches, Tori and Loni, were at his house two days a week. A large gray and white dog sniffed around my legs during the meal.
Tori had bronzed skin, pale green eyes, and long silky brown hair. Loni was incredibly pale with freckles, brown eyes, and short red hair.
Every time I thought they’d run out of questions, a new round started.
“Were you scared when you thought you might die?” Tori asked with a mouth full of food.
“Yes,” I admitted.
“Was it the part about dying or the pain?” Loni asked.
I thought for a moment before responding. “The pain scared me more, but I was also afraid of leaving behind people who still need me.”
“Like the shapeshifter you helped?” Tori asked.
I nodded. “And my cousin. I’m still very worried about them.”
“You were willing to die for them,” Tori said with a sigh.
“Because you’re a hero,” Loni added.
“There are no heroes,” Pops said as he waved a fork at her.
“That’s not true,” I argued. “My cousin, Serena, is a hero. She was terrified, and she knew she would get into a lot of trouble, but she still rescued Juliet.”
“She must be very brave,” Loni mused. “I get scared a lot.”
“Me too,” Tori added. “There’s a lot to be afraid of. If anyone ever finds out we’re here, they might kill us.”
“You know that powerful spells woven into the Black Mist protect Reaper Ridge,” Pops reminded them. “There’s nothing to be afraid of. Only those we invite here can pass through the Black Mist. Even if that weren’t the case, I think it’s a stretch to believe we’d be killed for living away from the other spellcasters. We aren’t the only remote settlement.”
“But we have a lot of enemies who want us dead,” Tori argued.
“Who told you that?” Pops asked with narrowed eyes.
“Ariana told us during our lesson yesterday,” Loni explained. “She said if the other spellcasters found out we’re here, there would be a war.”
Pops snorted. “Ariana is only saying that so you’ll work harder on your defensive spells. Only those who have to travel beyond the Black Mist are in danger.”
“Like our spies?” Tori asked.
Pops nodded. “Exactly! If you decide to become spies or scouts, you’ll be in danger.”
I didn’t agree that they had nothing to worry about. All it took was one traitor to bring the enemy to their door, but Pops probably realized that as well. He was likely telling the young witches what they needed to hear to feel safe.
“I didn’t know anyone lived anywhere near Reaper Ridge,” I remarked. “When I was a child, I was told that demons guard the ridge, and I’d better stay away if I value my life.”
It had been years since I’d believed in the existence of demons. While there were several creatures I’d never seen, I knew at least one spellcaster who could claim to have had some sort of encounter with them.
That wasn’t the case with demons. No one I knew had ever seen one. As a child, I’d tried to imagine what they might look like, coming up with all sorts of nightmarish ideas. As I’d gotten older, I’d stopped believing in their existence.
“It’s smart for the Azureans to stay away from demons,” Pops stated. “We have a special arrangement so they won’t hurt us. The ones around here won’t bother you.”
My mouth dropped open, and I just stared at him, figuring he’d tell me he was joking. When he simply continued eating, I asked, “Demons really exist?”
“Of course, silly,” Loni replied with a giggle.
“And you’ve interacted with them?” I asked as I looked between the three.
“You have to if you live here,” Pops replied.
“They like it when you rub their bellies,” Tori added.
“Rub their bellies?” I asked slowly.
“Don’t worry too much about demons,” Pops told me. “They mostly keep to themselves, especially with newcomers. I’ve found that they’re more dangerous around those they don’t trust, so you should just avoid them.”
“What do they look like?” I asked. “I can’t avoid them if I don’t know what I’m looking for.”
“They can take on any shape,” Loni replied with a giggle as she looked over at the dog who’d been watching me throughout the meal.
“That’s a demon?” I gestured to the dog.
Pops shook his head. “No, but a lot of demons take on the form of a dog. This dog hates all other dogs, so if you see her around one, it’s a demon. Be careful what you say around her since this old girl’s a gossip. I found that out the hard way. Anything I say about demons, she passes on to them.”
“They speak dog?” I asked.
“They can communicate with just about any living creature, from what I can tell,” Pops explained.
“I’ll just avoid dogs to be on the safe side,” I replied.
“Good plan,” Pop
s agreed.
“What exactly do you do out here, other than send spies to different areas?” I asked.
“Much like in Azuredale, we all have our roles to play in making sure things run smoothly. A lot of us go out and try to release shapeshifters from traps before hunters find them.”
“I always thought that was other shapeshifters,” I mused. “It made me wonder how some of the rebels had learned to disrupt our spells.”
“I don’t think they can do anything like that,” he replied. “We don’t exactly talk to them when we release them since they’re in animal form and more concerned with getting out of the area than figuring out why we let them go. That’s our biggest concern as well. When we go out, we don’t want any hunters finding us releasing their prey.”
“I can help with that,” I told him. “I know where all the traps are, and I know the hunting schedule.”
“We already know the schedule,” Pops replied. “How do you think we’re able to release so many shapeshifters? We have to avoid the hunters when we need to pass through an area on that day’s rotation. They don’t always follow the same route when checking traps.”
“I know how every last one of the Azurean hunters acts when they’re out. New hunters are the only wildcards. The seasoned hunters follow a specific route every time they hunt. You saved my life, and I want to do something to pay you back.”
Pops shook his head. “I’m not putting you out there when you’re considered an even bigger prize for the hunters. We stuck our necks out to rescue you, so you stay here.”
“I can’t stay here forever,” I insisted.
“Why not?” Tori asked. “It’s nice here, and you’ll be safe.”
“The demons will get used to you,” Loni added.
“I have to get to Juliet and Serena,” I explained.
“They’re both safe enough where they are,” Pops told me.
“Juliet won’t stay with the rebels long,” I stated. “It’s only a matter of time before she tries to find a way to get back to her home in the Heathergate Refuge. I can’t let her face that danger alone.”
“Pain in the neck warlock,” Pops muttered.
“But you see why I can’t stay here,” I pushed.
“Because you’re a hero,” Tori said with a smile.
“Because he’s a fool,” Pops replied. “We’ll talk about your plans later. For now, everyone needs to finish eating so I can get started on Tori and Loni’s lessons.”
“Can you tell me how the spell on the familiars was altered first?”
He gave me a one-word reply. “Demons.”
Chapter 7
By the end of my second week with Pops, I was going stir-crazy.
Don't get me wrong; I was grateful to still be alive and appreciated Pops for not only saving me but giving me a safe place to stay while I came up with a plan.
It’s not as if I could just race off to find Juliet, especially while I was still recovering from my injuries. No matter how much my magic sped up the healing process, it still took time to mend broken bones and damaged tissue.
Planning during my recovery wasn’t as easy as I’d have liked. Technology wasn’t readily available to everyone. There were some computers and phones, but they were all in use most of the time. Those assigned as watchers used them to keep in contact with spies placed in other spellcaster communities. Others took them when they went out to release shapeshifters from traps.
The everyday life of the spellcasters living beyond the Black Mist didn’t rely as much on technology. They had basic appliances to make life easier, but their focus was more on magic and the power of nature.
Each day, groups of two to six young spellcasters came to the house around lunchtime for training.
Unlike in Azuredale, children went from house to house to learn. They didn’t focus on just their strengths; they were challenged in areas of weakness. Every community member was expected to have training in all areas of magic, and children were allowed to choose their path, within reason. They had to have some aptitude in the type of magic needed.
Since Pops had six young warlocks in his home that afternoon, I decided to explore on my own for the first time.
The homes and yards were small. Everyone went to the community areas to connect with nature if they wanted to stay close to home.
I was walking among the trees in a park at the center of the settlement when I noticed a large black dog following me. I’d seen her hanging around Pops’s house, but she’d never come near me.
I decided to explore farther out and headed toward the edge of the community. No one stopped me, something I’d worried might happen, even after Pops said I wasn’t a prisoner.
Away from the homes and other buildings, I walked across an open field and stopped to look out to where I could clearly see the protection spell. It was like nothing I’d ever seen before.
“Why are you following me?” I asked without turning to look at the dog.
There was no logical reason to assume she was anything other than an ordinary dog, yet something told me this was a demon. The children called her Sin, and I’d noticed her unnerving stare fixed on me several times.
She moved around in front of me and rolled onto her back, waiting for me to rub her belly. Crouching down, I stroked her soft fur, and magic vibrated up my arm. I continued to rub her belly as the energy became uncomfortable, moving along my skin like pins and needles.
When she changed to a beautiful woman with long blood-red hair, dressed in a white sundress, I tried jerking away. She caught my wrist in her surprisingly firm grip and held my hand over her belly as she arched up and let out a sound like a purr.
Tiny fangs hung over the top of her lower lip when she smiled, and her deep red eyes danced with amusement. Her skin was several shades lighter than mine and looked almost like porcelain.
“Why did you stop rubbing, warlock?” Her voice was soft and melodic, filled with power that sent tingles up my spine.
“I’m not comfortable rubbing your belly under these circumstances,” I explained as I tried pulling my hand away again.
Her laughter washed over my skin, raising goosebumps in its wake. I knew it wasn't so much the sound as it was the magic in her voice. I'd never been around a more powerful creature. Her presence was both unnerving and fascinating.
“Don't you like me, warlock?” she asked with an impish smile. “Am I not as pretty as the witches you know?”
“I don't know you well enough to like you,” I replied. “I also don’t believe you doubt your beauty.”
“But do you think I’m beautiful?”
“Yes.” I looked at her delicate hand that had a vice grip around my wrist. “Can I have my hand back, Sin?”
She released my hand and smiled. “You know my name!”
I nodded as I rubbed my hand, still feeling the pins and needles sensation from her magic. “Yes, I’ve heard your name and seen you around the house. I’m Dante.”
“I know who you are,” she replied with another laugh. “Why else would I follow you?”
I shrugged, still crouching close to her. “For all I know, you could be bored or curious.”
“I am curious, warlock. You’re a hunter, a killer. I've heard about what you did, and I wanted to see for myself if you’re an honorable warlock or if you’re going to betray us. We don’t bring in many outsiders.”
“That’s smart,” I agreed.
“You’re a very interesting warlock, and I think we can trust you,” she said with a wave of her hand as she sat up and scooted closer.
“And how do you know that?”
“When you touched me, I probed a little. You’re not plotting against us.”
“You read my mind? Can all demons do that when they touch someone else?”
“Read your mind?” she asked with a laugh. “I can’t enter your mind without your permission. What I can read is your intent, for lack of a better word. You’re angry and want revenge, but that anger is dire
cted far from here.”
Some spellcasters were powerful empaths, so her explanation made sense.
She studied me as if I were some exotic creature she’d never seen before. “After I heard your story, I was mildly curious. It’s why I started following you. You’re more interesting than I first thought.”
“Why is that? I haven’t done much since I got here.”
“When I touched your magic, I felt both spellcaster and shapeshifter,” she replied as she regarded me with a more serious expression. “Are you part shapeshifter, warlock?”
“You can call me by my name,” I said rather than answering her question.
“You should hope I forget your name. Telling someone your name gives them a certain amount of power over you. It’s why we demons never share our names.”
“But I already know your name.”
She quirked a thin red eyebrow. “You think Sin is my real name? It’s just what the children call me. Some of the other demons know my real name, but only the ones I trust with my very existence. Spellcasters are careless and share their real names with every creature they meet.”
“Are you planning to use my name to harm me?”
“You can trust me,” she assured me with a sweet smile. “Unless I’m lying about you being able to trust me. You never can tell with a demon. Do I frighten you?”
I shrugged as I stood. “You make me a little uneasy, but I wouldn’t say you scare me.”
“You’re ruining my fun,” she accused with a frown. “Why do you have to be so difficult?”
“How am I ruining your fun?”
“I only made you jump once,” she complained as she stood and moved closer again.
“I didn’t expect you to change forms,” I admitted.
“Did you know what I am?”
I nodded. “I suspected you were a demon before I touched you. The way your magic behaved made me more certain. I’ve never felt anything like it. How is it that you’re fully clothed? Shapeshifters are naked when they go from animal to human form.”
“It’s an illusion, like the dog form.” When she waved a hand in front of herself, the dress's color changed from white to pale blue.