The Enchantress (Wicked Book 1)

by Blaire Hammond

  As Logan glanced up, an idea struck him. A building stood relatively close to the tower, its roof almost directly in line with one of the third story windows.

  His father had always told him during training that most people never check above their own height. If he was going to succeed with his plan, he was counting on the Wicked abide by this.

  Quietly, he set out for the building, ready to put his plan into action.

  Sweat dripped down the back of Grace’s neck as she scurried along the forest’s edge, rounding the city in the hopes of finding a back entrance to the tower.

  She was afraid, that she could admit to herself. She wasn’t often afraid, but at that moment, as she ran along in the dark, alone, with only the moonlight as her guide, she felt absolutely terrified.

  Not just about what lay ahead, or what danger she would soon be facing, but she was scared for Caspian and what they had done to him. She was scared for Laura, and what they were going to do to her. She was even scared for Laura’s mother, despite not knowing her.

  She hurried along, ensuring to keep the tower in constant view. She had chosen this route in the hopes of not having to fight any Wicked Soldiers.

  As she weaved through the trees, she knew that she, too, would have to transform into a soldier. A warrior. A fighter. Because, as scared as she was, she had to do this. She had to stand up for her friends, fight for her rights, protect her race, and she knew her family would be proud of her for doing so.

  For the first time in such a long while, she didn’t feel empty. She didn’t feel so sad, so alone, so useless. She felt like she had a purpose, and like maybe, just maybe, she’d be able to move on with her life if she worked hard for that purpose.

  The shadows hid her well, so when she spotted the guard surveying the city’s perimeter, she carefully drew her sword and attacked.

  He was unprepared, which showed how little training the Wicked had, so his defeat was quick. One slash of the sword and he was unconscious.

  She didn’t second guess her decision not to kill him. She wasn’t a cold blooded murder, though there were no rules in war, and war was certainly what seemed to be looming up on them now.

  As she closed in on the tower, a figure atop a building caught her attention. Their stance was familiar.

  They backed up and took off at a run, diving into the air. The silhouette disappeared into the window with ease.

  There was no cry of discovery, no shouts for back up, no shots ringing out or swords being drawn. Nothing but silence. The Wizard had made it.

  She knew who it was. With a grin, she hurried to the building, knowing that Logan’s tactic would likely work for her too.

  Laura could feel the colour draining from her face. Her blood turned to ice. She had assumed there was a war approaching, but she didn’t realise that their plan would be to wipe out the Enchanted, and then take over the human world.

  ‘What will you do to the humans?’ she whispered.

  ‘They’d become our slaves.’

  ‘There is no way I’m allowing him to use my power to do that!’ Laura shouted.

  James was so close now that she could smell his bloody scent. She gaged.

  ‘Well missy, I don’t think you really have much of a say in the matter. I doubt you could take us on all by your little self.’

  ‘I hate you.’

  Her words appeared to have no effect on him. He was nothing but a cold blooded murderer.

  ‘Feisty little one, aren’t you.’

  ‘Was it you who killed Delilah?’

  He laughed dryly, ‘devil, no. Although, I do wish it had been me. I did however injure that little Flyer friend you sent after us. But, no, that was my partner.’

  ‘Your partner?’

  Laura had to keep him talking.

  ‘You didn’t believe it was just me raising my leader’s army did you?’

  ‘I- I guess not. You’re not all that talented.’

  ‘Oh but I am. My partner is the brawn, I am the brains. He chose us for a reason. He summoned us and gave us the strength and power required to raise his army. Now that we have you, and his soul, our leader can finally be one. We can finally take what’s rightfully ours.’

  Laura snorted, ‘yours?! This world isn’t yours! You are evil. Pure evil. It is in your heart. It consumes you. It makes you do sick and twisted things. And you all deserve to burn in hell.’

  James launched himself at Laura, forcing his hands around her neck, pinning her against the stone wall. The wind was knocked from her lungs and her windpipes screamed with pain. He was suffocating her. She gasped for air, clawing at his hands, but the pain was horrific and her vision began to blur.

  ‘You!’ He breathed and she choked further against his grip. She could taste blood as she begged for breath. ‘All you Enchanted who don’t swear allegiance to the Wicked, will be the ones who burn in hell.’

  Suddenly an explosion rocked the tower. James’ loosened his grip. Bile rose in her throat as she coughed and spluttered, trying to suck air into her aching lungs.

  ‘Damn it!’

  He let go of her neck, clasped his hands over her shoulders and slammed her into the wall with a sickening crack.

  Laura slumped to the ground. The last thing she saw was the door swinging shut before she fell into a world of blackness.

  Stella and Leo had met up on the other side of the tower. The moment they caught sight of one another, they knew they couldn’t split up again. They had been through so much together and they weren’t going to risk losing one another. Not now; not ever.

  Witches and Wizards had always said that they were a perfect pairing. They worked in harmony. Not only in battle, but in life. They always knew what the other was thinking, what the other needed, how to calm the other down. So now that they were fighting for not only their lives, but the lives of the Enchanted, they worked together exceptionally well.

  Leo paused to regroup, ‘we need to distract them long enough for us to get inside.’

  Estella nodded, ‘how do we do that?’

  ‘Remember Drew and Laura’s distraction?’ he said with a mischievous grin.

  She eyed him, ‘where could we possibly find explosives?’

  ‘This place used to be a mining town. I know the perfect place.’

  It took them less than 5 minutes to locate the old weapons building. There were plenty of rotting wood crates full of old dynamite sticks.

  ‘This’ll do the trick.’ Stella said, filling her pockets

  They made their way back to the tower, setting up their explosives in the cracks of an old stone building.

  Leo struck a match, pressing it to a fuse, and the two took off.

  They dove for cover behind the stone wall of a cottage as an enormous explosion erupted behind them.

  They didn’t stay to watch the aftermath. They took off at a run, edging closer to the tower. They stuck to the shadows, ducking out of sight each time Wicked Soldiers hurried passed.

  Shouts and cries rung out across the land as they moved swiftly through the streets. The tower came into view and the fire around it disappeared. A furious figure slammed the back door open, shouting inaudibly.

  James.

  Stella whimpered at the sight of him. They hid behind an old fruit store as he took off, disappearing into the smoke and chaos.

  Stella still couldn’t believe he had betrayed them. One of her own. Someone she had come to love as family. Someone she had trained, looked after, taught. She blinked back tears, pushing aside the hurt she felt, and focused on the task at hand.

  Wicked were everywhere, too frantic to notice as they pulled the tower door open.

  They were in.

  The tower was heavily guarded, but the explosion had steered the guards away from the front entrance, and somehow dulled the fire enough to allow Drew to slip through the door, unseen and unhurt.

  The inside was much the same as the out; stone walls and dirty floors. Quietly, he assessed his surroundings. />
  There was a sound of footsteps descending the stairs on his right and he ducked into a nook below the stairwell, pressing himself as far as he could into the shadows. He watched James rush past in a whirl of fury, storming through the back door.

  Drew scurried out from his hiding place and charged up the stairs. He had reached the second floor in seconds only to find a corridor filled with closed doors. He cursed angrily. He didn’t have time for this.

  Then, he heard whispers echoing up the stairwell behind him. He ducked up the next staircase, pausing to listening. They sounded familiar.

  Moving back down, he caught sight of two silhouettes slowly jogging up the stairs.

  Darting back down the steps, he met Estella and Leo on the landing.

  ‘You guys check this floor. I’ll go up to the next.’

  They didn’t even flinch at his sudden appearance. Just drew him into a hug before scurrying off down the corridor.

  Drew was off, arriving at the next landing to find Grace and Logan already checking the third floor. He didn’t stop, just gave them a look to say be careful before taking the stairs up to the fourth and final floor.

  In the pit of his stomach, he knew she was here. He could feel it in his heart.

  The final hallway was much smaller than the others. Only one door stood at the end, waiting to be opened.

  He edged closer, resting his hand on the knob. It was locked.

  Impatiently, he shoved his shoulder into the door, hoping to weaken the lock. With one last almighty heave, the door swung off its hinges and smacked into the wall.

  His eyes swept across the room, from the messy bed, to the barred window, to the cracked basin. Then, they came to rest on the limp body sprawled across the ground.

  She wasn’t moving, and horror filled him. His stomach churned as he cautiously approached the young girl. Sweat prickled the back of his neck and his heart pounded with fear.

  It was Laura.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Complete Betrayal

  The world slowed. His vision narrowed. He could hear nothing.

  ‘Laura?’ Drew whispered, falling to his knees by her side. Checking her pulse, he found, with relief, that she was alive.

  He shook her gently, ‘Laura, come on, wake up.’

  Dark bruises could be seen forming around her neck and rage bubbled within him at the prospect of James’ hands having touched her.

  He rolled her onto her side, tilting her head back to ensure she could breathe properly.

  His hands trembled as he whispered her name. What do I do? He brushed her hair away from her face, grasping her limp hand. Warmth radiated around him, yet he had never felt so cold.

  ‘Come on, please,’ he choked.

  He moved closer to her, shaking her harder this time.

  ‘Damn it Laura, wake up!’

  She stirred, mumbling something.

  ‘I’m here, I’m right here, wake up, come on.’

  Her eyelids fluttered, a cough escaped her lips, and she rolled to her back. Then, her familiar golden-hazel eyes became visible, and his heart leapt with both appreciation and adoration.

  She took a moment to focus her gaze, and then finally, her eyes settled on him.

  ‘Where- what-‘ She struggled to sit.

  ‘Hey, lie back, give yourself a moment.’

  The memories of what she had been through must have then arrived in the forefront of her mind, for she forcefully pushed herself upwards and flung her arms around him.

  Drew was flooded with what he could only identify as gratitude. She was all right. She was here, in front of him, awake, and alive. He hugged her tightly.

  She pulled back after a moment, tears staining her cheeks, and met his gaze.

  ‘Thank you,’ she whispered so quietly, Drew nearly missed it. She took a ragged breath and croaked, ‘thank you for coming.’

  His heart softened further and he gave her a light smile, gently brushing a tear from her cheek. ‘I wasn’t going to let them take you, Ace.’

  His eyes closed and he rested his forehead against hers, drawing strength from knowing he had finally found her. He allowed himself a moment’s peace, basking in her embrace, before pulling back. He wished he could remain like that, however James could return at any moment. It was time to leave.

  Drew help Laura to her feet, holding her close to him to support her weight while she regained her balance.

  ‘What happened?’ Drew asked softly.

  ‘James got a bit out of control. He tried to choke me.’ Her voice was hoarse, her neck swollen.

  Drew’s nostrils flared, his fists clenched and he pressed his lips tightly together. It took every ounce of his being to keep his feet firmly planted where they were.

  ‘I’ll kill him. I swear I will.’

  ‘It won’t help anyone if you go off on a killing rampage.’

  ‘It’ll help me calm down,’ He muttered.

  She rested a hand lightly on his arm, and even that seemed to settle him a little.

  ‘I have some things I need to tell you all. Where are the others?’

  ‘They’re searching for Caspian and your mum. Come on, I’ll take you to them.’

  Laura, insisting she could walk by herself, followed Drew down the stairs.

  Drew could hear hushed voices coming from the third floor as they approached. Pausing to turn to Laura, he raised a finger to his lips. Then he carefully crouched, peeking down the stairwell.

  He caught sight of three Enchanted; Grace, Logan, and another woman. He waved Laura forward.

  When they hit the landing, Laura gasped.

  ‘Mum?’

  Laura’s heart was pounding in her chest as she pushed past Drew and flung herself into her mother’s arms. She couldn’t believe her mother was here, in front of her. She was thinner, more fragile, but she was alive. Laura held back the shouts of joy that she sincerely wished she could cry, and stepped away from the warmth of her mother’s arms.

  ‘Oh mum, are you okay? Did they hurt you?’

  Her mother took her face in her hands and Laura could see the restrained tears behind her expression.

  ‘I’m fine Laura. I’m fine,’ she whispered, ‘oh my darling.’ She pulled Laura back into a hug, holding her so tightly that it hurt. Laura didn’t care one bit. She finally had her mother back. After so long, she was here with her, and alive.

  ‘Oliver?’ her mother asked.

  Laura didn’t answer. She couldn’t. Her mother whimpered and hugged Laura again, sobbing lightly into her shoulder.

  ‘Mum,’ Laura murmured as they parted. ‘Why didn’t you tell me about all this?’

  Her mother’s kind, red and puffy eyes weakened, and she exhaled, most likely out of habit rather than needing the air.

  ‘I guess I was trying to protect you. I assume Stella and Leo have told you everything.’

  ‘But I want to hear your side of the story.’

  ‘Laura, there is so much to tell, I honestly don’t know where I could possibly begin. We haven’t got enough time to talk right now.’

  ‘Just tell me why. Tell me that and I’ll be satisfied.’

  Cara sighed, ‘no one but Oliver knew what I really did to protect you, to be able to even have you. I knew of only one way that would help us to both survive. As bad as it was, I went to the Black Market and asked for my Identity Mark back. I also asked to speak with the Gods. I was lucky to have something to serve as payment for it all.’

  ‘What?’ Laura asked, searching her mother’s eyes.

  ‘I had the Westmill necklace, with the ruby William Westmill found. I traded that for a conversation with the Gods, my Identity Mark, a possession mark, and the one thing that allowed us to survive your birth. An angel.’

  Laura was taken aback. She flickered her eyes to Logan, Grace and Drew. They stood alert, however at her mother’s words, they turned to them, shock reflecting in their faces.

  ‘The angel was then able to possess my body, giving me the
strength to give birth to you. And, you lived. We both did. You were my miracle. The second you were born Oliver and I decided to take you away from the Spirit World. To keep you safe.’

  ‘Oh, mum,’ Laura whispered as it dawned on her just how much her mother had endured for her sake. She had put herself in terrible danger, risked so much, to protect the only daughter she would ever have.

  ‘People came for you many times so again and again I returned to the Black Market for more protection charms. I was desperate. And then Kane, the Marketer I often dealt with, showed me a way I could protect you forever.’

  Laura recalled her dream.

  ‘It meant sacrificing myself. In return, the Gods would protect you from harm. Oliver and I were prepared for the ceremony, but the Wicked arrived before we had a chance to perform it. They knew of the sacrifice and found me in time to stop me from putting the protection over you forever. They needed you too badly.’

  ‘Why mum? Why do I need so much protecting? What is it I can do?’ pleaded Laura.

  She was so close. So unbelievably close to finding out what she was. What she could do. What power she possessed. Her mother’s eyes softened with sympathy.

  Her heart fell.

  ‘Laura, we have been searching for answers since the day you were born. Kane is so much closer to finding those answers, but he still knows so little. You have been given the gift of life when you never should have. Only the Wicked’s leader must know what power you possess, he wouldn’t be coming after you with such force if he didn’t. That is why we must protect you. That is why we need to leave, now.’

  It was then that Leo stumbled up the steps, Stella behind him.

  ‘Cara! I can’t believe we found you! And Laura, are you okay? They didn’t touch you? They didn’t hurt you?’ They stammered, rushing to Cara and Laura and drawing them into warm hugs. Laura was momentarily overwhelmed by their kind words; that they all seemed to care for her so much. How could she ever have left them? What had she been thinking?

  ‘Guys there are some pretty serious things going on. I think we need to get out of here. Fast,’ Laura said desperately. She gave them a quick rundown of everything James had told her.