Chapter 8

Ari's POV

I looked at the pieces of shattered mirrors on the floor.

It was not me who had been walking around the night before.

Her hair was lighter.

She had soft, glowing marks upon her skin.

Her eyes appeared to have seen too much.

I said to myself, I am Ari now, right? Ari."

It was a strange sound on my tongue.

With a little cry, Harriet cried out of the bed. That sound was the one that made me move.

I picked her up and hugged her. At least, you know me, I said to myself. "Even if I don't."

She uttered a little sound and hid her face in my breast.

A soft knock came at the door. "Ari? May we come in?"

I froze.

Ari.

They were calling me Ari now.

"Come in," I said quietly.

Two witches came in. One had folded clothes. The other one bore a bowl of herbs and water.

She must be prepared, said the first witch. "Training begins today."

My arms were clenching on Harriet. "Training? Already?"

"Yes," she said. In case the wolves of Lucius approach Witchwood, we should be prepared. You must be ready."

I swallowed hard. "I'm not a fighter anymore."

Not Daria," she intoned, kissing my chin. "But Ari can be."

Her voice was firm but kind.

The second witch was placing the clothes next to me. "We start with stamina. Breathing control, light steps.

"I… just gave birth," I whispered.

She gazed at me with a weird look. You were healed, you were healed like a normal wolf. Your daughter converted your recovery with magic.

My eyes widened. "Harriet healed me?"

"In a way, yes." She smiled. "Your child is special."

I glanced down again at Harriet, asleep again, and kissed her forehead. "I already knew."

The witches helped me dress. The new garments were plain--dark robes with not a pack insignia, no character. It felt like a reminder.

I wasn't Daria anymore.

I followed them outside. The air in the morning was cool, and the trees were very high and silent. The leaves were singing birds.

Silas was waiting before a flat stone. He supported himself on his cane and smiled at me.

"There you are," he said. "How do you feel?"

"Different," I said honestly. "And lost."

"That's normal."

He came nearer and lightly brushed the weak impressions which lingered on my skin.

"These will fade," he said. But they demonstrate to you that you bear the gift.

"Gift?" I frowned. "It feels like a burden."

At first, most gifts, replied Silas.

The witches were in a circle once more, but this time it was not to hold a ritual. It was for training.

Keep Harriet of me, I said, and gave her to one of them.

Harriet fussed and was still.

Silas lifted his hand. "Now, come. Let's begin with breathing."

I stood at the centre.

He tapped his cane lightly. "Inhale."

I inhaled.

"Exhale."

I let it out slowly.

"That is your anchor," he said. "Healing requires calm. Control. Balance."

One of the witches said, "You will be battled by your magic in case you lose control.

"My magic?" I whispered. "I don't even understand it."

Then we shall instruct thee, said Silas.

Hours passed.

We practised breathing.

Stepping lightly.

Holding energy in my palms.

Sensing shifts in the air.

Heavy but sturdier than ever, my body seemed. I was experiencing something in my skin-- something hot, waiting.

After some time, Silas took the lead of me several feet out of the party.

Now, I shall teach you the rudiments of healing, now he said.

I nodded, trying to stay brave.

He took my hands in his. "Feel my pulse."

I closed my eyes.

"Slow," Silas said. "Follow it. Let your energy match mine."

A pleasant warmth was buzzing among our palms. My breath caught.

"I feel it," I whispered.

"Good," he said. "That is how healing starts."

I smiled weakly. "It feels… peaceful."

Silas nodded. "Healing is peace. Fighting is chaos. You must learn both."

Another witch, who was behind us, made a call. He is learning, Silas. Faster than any of us did."

Silas looked proud. "Her mother was the same."

I felt my chest tightening at the thought of my mother, a person I never knew very well.

Two witches came by us before I could say a word, and spoke in a low, desperate tone.

They were blown away by the wind.

"...Lucius's curse is worse."

"...He lost control again. Three guards injured."

His search parties had made the border last night.

My stomach dropped.

"Border?" I whispered. "They're that close?"

The witches had not conceived that I was listening. One of them said, They say he can scent up something familiar. Something he can't explain."

Silas's face darkened.

I walked swiftly up to them. "What did you say? He can smell what?"

They froze.

Silas sighed. "Ari–"

"No," I said, voice shaking. "Tell me."

The older witch spoke gently. He feels the connection even though we tore it. Hybrids and damned wolves... they are more difficult to conceal.

My heart was beating ponderously.

He is seeking me out, I whispered. "For Daria."

Silas stepped closer. "He is looking for what he lost. A scent, a memory, a shadow. But he does not know what he is searching for.

I shook my head. But he will not stop, if he feels anything--anything.

Silas put a hand on my shoulder. That is the reason why you have to make a strong fast. In case the wolves should happen in this direction, we ought to guard you and Harriet.

Suddenly-- there was a great howl in the distance.

Every witch froze.

Even the trees went silent.

My breath caught. My skin prickled.

That howl…

I knew that sound.

Silas's eyes widened. "No… this soon…"

Another howl came. Closer.

Stronger.

Rougher.

Angrier.

My knees felt weak.

"Silas..." I whispered. "That's him." He glanced up in the gloomy trees. "Yeah, Lucius is close." Then another howl cut through the woods--so high and acute my heart seemed to be near dropping.

Silas grabbed my arm. "Ari—gotta hide you. Now." But the sound was now repeated--nearer. Too close, like, for real.

I had a cold shiver down my spine. Lucius...he was almost here.