Quell

Chapter 2

“WILLOW WAKE UP, NOW! THEY ARE COMING!” Athena shouted in my mind.

I shook my head and stood, unsteadily on 4 giant paws. How the fuck was I supposed to work this body, and are “they” the pack warriors or the brethren, my parents? Fuck I guess this isn’t a dream. 

“What do I do?” I asked my wolf, feeling like an idiot

“We are going to shift back into our human form, I will teach you a spell to clothe your body. We have breached the Veil, and they must not discover you have come into your powers yet. They may not even know who you are if the Covens protection still holds.

Shifting back was uncomfortable, but less painful than last night, with only some of the nausea. 

“Willow, close your eyes and imagine the clothes you wore last night are piecing themselves back together on your body. Imagine them coming together exactly the way they were when you got into bed last night. Do this quickly. Once you have it, I will pull all of our energy to bring it into existence.”

I did as Athena asked me, feeling the soft scraps of my t shirt and leggings brush my skin. Once I was done, everything got warm, like my clothes were fresh from the dryer, and Athena said 

“Kneel by the water and pretend to wash your face and neck. These are ancient waters and will help to recharge our energy, but the position will make you seem non threatening. They will be here in less than 2 minutes.”

“Who is ‘They’?” I asked her. 

“The Brethren of the Quell. They formed an alliance with the Coven of Devine Spirit in an attempt to stop a pack like the Blood Stalker Pack from rising to power. The coven cannot interfere before the prophecy is fulfilled. The Brethren round up rogues, criminals, those who are taken by the dark magic. They put them through a process called cleansing, and send them to placement within other packs, covens, brethren, or factions as they deem appropriate. But only if they decide not to kill you first. They can only operate within the no mans lands of the Veil. You must not reveal your powers, but you may tell them your name. No one here knows your name.”

As I splashed water down the back of my neck, and across my forehead, I heard leaves crackle, and smelled a smoky herb scent. I lifted my head slowly, finally meeting a large pair of all black eyes, 3 pairs of all black eyes actually. The men wore robes, like monks almost, with grey fingertips, and grey mouths.

No one spoke for several moments, until the man in the center inhaled deeply and spat “Rouge.” All the eyes staring at me turned from pitch black, to milky gray, like eyes of a blind man. But Athena assured me they could see extremely well. 

“Rise, Rogue, state your name.” The man in the center ordered.

Athena bristled slightly at the order, she says we are an Alpha wolf, we take orders from no one. But she knows we are in danger at this stage in our journey, so she stays at the back of our mind. I stand, straight and still.

“Willow Celeste Panchak.” I whisper. Athena reminds me we are strong, we do not have to be afraid of these men, we must not show them our fear.

“What Pack do you hail from?” Left creepy man asks.

“I…have no pack, I am an orphan.” If everything Athena has told me, and in some instances, shown me, is true, then I am an orphan. Sort of. So, I stand confidently in this new truth, while I wait to see what these weird old dudes decide to do with me. I’m pretty sure I am dreaming and this will be over soon.. But just in case I’m not dreaming, I’ll play by the rules.

“By order of the Brethren of the Quell, enforcers of the Sacred Treaty, I hereby place you into corrective custody. You will now be processed and face trial to answer for yourself, and whatever crimes belong to you.” This order comes from right creepy man, he moves forward and taps me on my forehead, and I am instantly in the dark.

I can feel wetness all around me, hear the water running down the walls. I am in a cavern, probably one I have been in before.

“No,” Athena says to me, “you have never been inside the Veil since Opalina organized your escape. You may have been inside of a duplicate cavern, but things change inside the Veil in a way they do not change in the human lands.”

This may be, but I grew up exploring caverns like this, I feel much more at ease and confident with my surroundings now. I breathe deeply. 

“Athena, everything smells….more?” It came out as a question.

“You and I have many powers together that we will have to learn to navigate. I have never been with a witch before, but with the knowledge the witches gave me to guide us, and the memories I still have from my previous bond, I can help us.”

“You existed before?” I asked her. 

“I am a descendant of Selene, Goddess and mother of the moon. My spirit has existed for hundreds of years, and many more before that which I cannot remember. All of Selene’s children are strong in different ways, but only if we utilize that strength. I am a warrior, my experience in battle and strategic abilities will help us navigate the challenge we face. My ultimate goal is to fulfill a prophecy in which we survive this, and thrive. We are best suited to be rulers, but that also depends on you. 

You are in shock, and have not yet processed all I have shown you, but you must do so before I can show you anything else. This journey will take a heavy toll on your mental stability. Already you question what is real. Those thoughts could get us killed. “

“I understand.” I sighed internally, it was all so bizarre, but I had read books with way crazier stories. Even if it was a dream, I want to know how this ends. Fighting a battle as a giant wolf would be pretty bad ass too.