Chapter Five: The Power Within

Angelica’s heart pounded in her chest as her four legs ran under her. Her fur became one with the wind as she raced through the trees. She had never felt so free before in her life. The ground quacked under her as she ran under the thick canopy of pine branches. She was free.

“Angelica,” Astra shook her awake. “Angelica, wake up!” Astra sook her harder.

“What?” Angelica was groggy and confused as to why Astra was shaking her. She went to rub her eyes, but Astra grabbed her hand before she could.

“Angelica, look at your hands.” She looked down, even more, confused to see mud on her hands.

“Why am I covered in mud?” Angelica was beyond confused.

“You turned into a wolf last night and went for a run. You don’t remember?”

“I had a dream I was running in the forest,” Angelica recalled the vivid dream. “It felt real.”

“Well, it wasn’t a dream; you’re naked and covered in mud,” Astra said as she scratched the back of her head. “You can’t keep sleep wolfing; you need to bond with your wolf-half.”

“How do I do that?” Angelica asked as she pulled the covers up closer.

“We will get to that, but you need a shower first.” Astra said as she snapped her finger, and before Angelica could blink, she was in the shower with the water running.

“Just because you have magic doesn’t mean you have to use it on me!!” Angelica called out in frustration.

“Oh, just shower once you learn how to use yours; you will understand,” Astra called from the other room.

“Wait, I have magic?!” Angelica exclaimed, shocked.

“Take a shower!!” Astra called out with a laugh.

**************

“Okay, I have showered; will you tell me now how to connect with my wolf-half? Also, how do I have magic?” Angelica was practically bouncing with excitement.

“Slow down; you need to eat. You get cranky if you don’t eat.” Astra said as she crossed her arms. “I made you breakfast; it is in the kitchen.”

“Fine, but you have to answer questions while I eat.” Angelica compromised as she walked to the kitchen.

The kitchen was small, with a wood-burning stove in the corning. A small table with a few chairs; some cabinets here and there. It was cute in a rustic kind of way.

“I was thinking of updating, but I can’t because I just love it.” Astra sighed as she looked at her kitchen.

“I like it; it’s rustic and cute,” Angelica said as she sat at the table to eat. “Now, answer my questions. How do I have magic?”

“Okay, first off, your mom was born a witch. She was turned by a werewolf who was in love with her. I say more obsessed, but still, he was a major jerk.” Astra rolled her eyes, thinking of the idiot. “Your mom already knew your dad before that happened. Which is why he didn’t hate her on the spot.”

“So, I am three things?” Angelica asked as she chewed her sausage.

“Technically,” Astra answered as she poured a cup of coffee. “Angie, you have to understand; you are extremely special. How do I say this?”

Astra was conflicted by how much she should tell her. Too much would overwhelm Angelica and send her into a tailspin. Too little would make it look like she was keeping secrets from her adoptive sister.

“You are the first of your kind. You have so much power, and you have no clue how to use it. If you can, no, when you learn how to use it, nothing will be able to stop you.” Astra explained the best she could.

“Yesterday, when I smelled the pine trees, I started thinking of Christmas…. cup of cocoa appeared in my hand,” Angelica explained what had happened the night before.

“Your emotions control your power. Get control of your emotions, and you will have better control of your powers.” Astra held up her hand to form a ball of energy. “You can do whatever you want with this power, but the most important thing is to remember is to do some good with it.”

“How do I do that; I wouldn’t know where to start?” Angelica asked as she moved the eggs around the plate with her fork.

“You’ll figure it out,” Astra said with a smile in her voice. “Now, are you ready to start training?”

“Where do we start?”

*********

“Why is this not working?” Angelica huffed in frustration as she trained and failed to produce an energy ball. It would start great but fizzle out with a crackle.

“You are thinking too hard; you need to clear your head. Close your eye and breath. You are thinking about it; when you should be feeling it.” Astra explained as Angelica did as she was told. She breathed in, and she closed her eyes, holding her hands in the position. She felt a sensation in her chest as it moved down her arms into her hands.

“Angelica, look down,” Astra said with a giggle in her voice. Angelica looked to the energy ball in her hands with amazement and joy. “Now think of an apple and how it feels when you hold it in your hands. Remember, it is all about feeling.”

Angelica took another deep breath and imagined the smell of an apple orchard. The crisp scent and taste as you bit into its flesh. The feeling in her arms happened again as she licked her lips. A flash of light and the red delicious was in her right hand. Now, if only she could make Channing Tatum appear.

“Now that you have conjuring down, we can move on to something more advanced,” Astra said as she thought of a new task Angelica could practice.

“I have just the thing we will be practicing… telekinesis.” Astra said as she snapped her fingers. “Place the apple on the floor and feel the energy around you.”

“Whoa, this is so cool.” The energy in the room was like a cloud of fog. She could feel the thickness as she ran her fingers through its particles in the air.

“Put your hand over the apple and manipulate the energy around it,” Astra instructed, playing with the energy field of the apple, causing it to roll. “Practice this while I go check on the locator spell.”

Angelica examined the energy field as she moved her hand over the apple. The apple wiggled and shook, but still, it would not roll. She waved her hand over the apple rapidly with the same result.

“Why isn’t this working?” Angelica said as she clenched her fist in frustration.

**********

Astra watched her table map searching for a sign of Aleister's’s location. There must be something she is missing, a way to find him. There must be a potent clocking spell over his tomb. It was at the back of her brain, scratching and itching to come out. Her thought was interrupted by the sound of an explosion from the other room.

“Angelica!” Astra called out as she rushed to the sitting room.