“What?”“I said I am pregnant.”“I heard what you said the first time.”“Then why did you…”“You mean to tell me that while I’ve been sacrificing a lot and searching for you for the past weeks, you were playing sticks and bees?!”“It kind of happened.”“Are you out of your mind? You’re in danger. If you’re going to be carefree about your survival, that is not the way to go.”“Thanks for the lecture, Mom.”“Is the dad aware?”Dads. But I did not correct her and shook my head instead. Did Fake Dumbledore break the news to them or not? I wondered what they’re reactions were; shock or jubilation. They kept talking about a baby for so long, it actually came true. “Well, I hope it was a hot normal guy.”“Oh, he checks the box.” Except he isn’t normal. 'They' were not normal. I chuckled, feeling Tina began to relax by my side. “The baby is going to be cute,” Tina said. “Can I play with the baby?”“Let’s first think of escaping from here first.” I want to be mentally stable to think about t
“Since you’re tiny, we give you a headstart. Hurry on, run.” I tried to fight the fear and lost. Jeremy’s taunting was not much help. “If you win, we let you three go home.”“And if I don’t?” I tried to look for courage but came out sounding like a kid. “Trust me, you don’t want to know.”And I really didn’t. It made me feel worse. The idea of Tina experiencing torture was enough to get me moving. I took one careful step back and then another when the wolf did not move. Then I broke into a run, shaking uncontrollably and sweating, trying to focs on my survival. I was arely halfway across when I heard a stomp, the ground shaking under me. Biting back a sream as tears rolled down my cheeks, I put all my strength into running. It was hard to think when I could feel that monster running and the cheering chorus and sardonic laughter. I lost my footing under the quaking floor and fell. Breathing hard, I got to my feet and continued running again. My lungs burned, so did my limbs. When w
“I can’t believe you saved him,” Ace said, shaking her head in disappointment.“We are not monsters,” I argued, finishing the cup of water Tina had kept behind for me.“So we save every last of those beasts? Even after what they did to you? Even after you barely lived?”I leaned back against the wall, looking at the ceiling. Though the searing pain continued to hit on every part of my body that I felt the need to die, I felt numb inside. The sight of Orion dying continued to haunt me and brought back memories of every massacre I ever had the grace to witness. Tears threatened to pour out of my eyes but i did everything i could to hold back. It was hard. Even trying not to think was hard. The smell and the feel of drying blood between my legs and on the cloth i wore was hard not to think about. I lost my baby. I lost my baby while trying to survive, while trying to save a monster that wanted me dead. I was too tired to be angry or sad. So i sat there, listlessly, feelin the watmth of T
Reed led us into a proper room with a bathroom and brought change of clothes then left in contained rage. The three of us filed into the bathroom but let Tina bathe first. Ace bent over to wash the murk from Tina’s hair as she said, “I can't believe you mated with a werewolf.”“The gods must hate me or something.”“The same gods that abandoned us? But still, a werewolf. I’ve never heard of a witch and werewolf being mates.”“What if they eloped the moment they found out?”“Was that what you were planning with him?” She massaged the younger girl's scalp frowning at the dirt that came out. I thought to when we were younger and nodded. “At first.”“At first?”“Did Morgan ever tell you the reason why he was stripped of his powers?” Her working hands slowed as she rinsed Tina’s hair. “No.”“It was my fault. Back then, I was younger and stupid.”“You’re still stupid.”“Agreed. But I was new to this magic stuff and I liked him before anyone of the magic happened. I found out he was a were
I woke with a start. Pulling off the covers, I began my day, cleaning myself up and the room. Despite the happy grins I shared with Tina and Ace, there was one thing that lingered in my mind. The horrifying dream I had the night before. I needed to see Connor. Each time I thought of him, of them, the image of them dying at my feet took control of my mind. I grasped at reason that they were alive and well and did not have throats slit. Each of my vision became true and this was a vision I could not let come to pass, no matter what. It was too clear and felt too real. Even till the end of that horrible vision, they were protecting me. Curling my hands into tiny fists, I decided I was going to protect them this time. First things first, I needed a plan. One that would actually work. I tried to remember who was the one who killed them and got a painful headache in return. Gloved hands were all I could see and remember. How is that supposed to be a clue? It could be anyone. Father, a w
“The council has learned that Connor and Reed Hastings claim to be mates with the witch, Phoebe Woods. Do you admit this?”“Yes,” they said in unison. The council murmured in hushed voices among themselves. They immediately fell silent when the lady at the head of the table raised her hand. “Are you aware of the consequences of mating with a witch?”“Yes.”“Then why did you?” A man sitting next to the lady in charge asked. His eyes flitted to me and with slow deliberation looked me up and down. His inspection seemed to last for hours, though it must take only seconds. I stood my ground and stared right back, matching his demeanour. “Werewolf or not,” Connor answered. “Human or not.” “She has our back,” Reed finished . “And we have hers.”“She is the daughter of the Chief Priest!” Another voiced. “This is a problem.”“Witches are evil.”“Ahem!” I cleared my throatto remind them witches are in their midst.“It’s not like they are saints themselves,” Ace whispered harshly. “Now li
“I had a vision and they always come true. It’s been bothering me all day. I’m sorry I did not talk to you first but you guys were working hard to protect your position and keep your place in your family. And I felt guilty that I was tearing you away from what and where you’ve lived for so long, I wanted to do something.”“What happened in your vision?”“It started out in Westfalls, a normal sunny day and then there was this dark dome with a bloody altar in the middle. I drew nearer and you guys,” my voice broke as I remembered the horrible sight. “were dead, throat slits. There was a man laughing but I could not see his face.” I watched them struggle to believe my words and say nothing. This made me feel worse inside. Was I making a big mistake? I could not do it if they were this adamant in opposing. “What will I do if that happens? I don’t want you to die.”“And we won’t. Calm down, love. Deep breaths.” Reed pulled me into a hug. “Don’t worry. We won’t let you see us die.”“No ba
Light rain had begun to fall when I and the rest of the runaways gathered in front of a library. We must have looked weird to passers-by, hugging and kissing like we were never going to see each other again. And we might never will, if my plan doesn’t work as well as I hope. “Don’t forget the polly,” I reminded the boys. “Don’t forget to call us any chance you get,” Reed said.Another round of hugging and well wishes went around again before Ace tore me away. I threw them one last look, memorising their features, afraid I might forget as soon as I get to Arth. When we found a portal large enough for all of us, I realised there was no turning back now. The extremity of my future plans weighed down on my mind. Maybe living in exile won’t be so bad…I gasped when we descended, partly from the nausea and partly from what laid in front of me. Arth stood before me with a foreboding feeling. The moving tree gate wasn’t moving and instead of Arth soldiers guarding, there was no one. Then t