Chapter 2: Commotion

It’s the next day, now I’m strolling at a nearby mall to check their boutiques here. I’m at the second floor of the four-story building, when suddenly, a commotion happened at the base floor. It can be seen from this floor because at the center of the mall is an opening, the sides are barricaded by glass panes to avoid any accidents.

From this height, I can clearly see a man dressed in jeans and a faded shirt with a gun in hand, and a woman in the other, taking her as hostage. He points the gun to the woman’s temple and to anyone from the crowd who moves.

He’s obviously had a bit too much to drink since he looks on edge and tensed. The woman also looks frightened for her life.

I didn’t want to interfere, because I’m hoping others will and only those with a brave heart will. Some were trying to call the police, but I’m sure that with the traffic of this city, they’ll be here in five minutes or more.

A few moments passed, not one person is still trying to interfere. Until a man in front of the hostage-taker left the crowd and walked away. I followed my gaze to him and saw him looking back and going back to the scene. He tried to wiggle his way to the front of the circular crowd, and stopping just behind the hostage-taker who’s now pointing a gun at another man who had his hands up, trying to talk to him.

I noticed a plan being executed.

The man behind the hostage-taker slowly creeped up and waited until the trigger was away from the hostage’s temple and grabbed it from him. Before the hostage would be able to look behind him, the gun was fiercely banged on his skull making him unconscious.

Wow, aggressive.

I briskly walked to the escalator to go down to the base floor. My eyes searched the place until I saw the two men walk towards a small group and talked to them. I think they’re their friends. There were two ladies and three gentlemen.

All three of the men looked physically active, all with buff bodies and strong auras. The two women had slender but curvy bodies, both emitting the same strong aura.

I sat on a waiting area and watched them chat from afar. I need to know if they’re witches and warlocks or just a group of normal humans. They kept on talking for a while before deciding to walk.

I followed them, making sure to not miss anything if they were to discreetly perform a spell, or use their abilities.

They were walking towards the parking lot and they reached the part where it has the least parked cars and huddled together. I tried squinting my eyes to see why they were suddenly moving so close to each other when I saw a faint glow from one of the girl’s palms.

My eyes widened.

She whispered under her breath and closed her eyes. The large build of the men surrounding her made it harder for me look at her lips to see what spell she’s performing but the tugging feeling in my mind gave me the answer.

She’s trying to get inside my mind. Too bad, I’m well-trained with defending my mind towards intruders.

This witch is not very good at mind-reading.

I smirked when I saw her brows furrowing. If she’s a witch, then obviously her friends are, too. And they just saved a human earlier, a positive sign. I’m feeling lucky today.

I walked over to them, feeling pity for the now sweating girl.

Once they noticed me, they immediately all went into their fighting stances. The two boys even summoned their guns. They use guns? Really?

I calmly walked over and smiled to the witch who stopped attempting to enter my mind.

“Hi, what’s your name?” I sweetly asked her.

She was a bit breathless.

“Who are you?” Asked the boy on her left.

How rude. I didn’t glance at him and kept my gaze on the girl. She had a long, blonde hair and stunningly angelic features.

She looked down. “Louise.”

“What’s yours?” she timidly asked back.

I chuckled. She’s cute. “I’m Mazikeen, but I prefer to be called Maze.”

The guy who asked me earlier cleared his throat, making me look at him. He was the one trying to talk it out with the hostage-taker back at the mall. He was distracting the human. He had a hair with different shades of brown as highlights.

“Well, hello, warlock.”

The statement obviously took them in surprise because of their different reactions but of the same reason.

“How did you---”

He was cut off by the lovely Louise. “She’s a witch, Gab.”

The guy named Gab slowly looked to her direction with eyes wide in shock.

“Why were you following us, then?” interrupted a guy with the same jet-black hair as mine. He was the one who attacked the hostage-taker from behind. I looked at him and was met by hypnotizing cerulean irises.

I was slightly stunned by his features and masculinity but was quick to regain my posture.

“I was enticed by you and your friend’s bravery earlier.” I smiled. He blinked and said nothing else.

“Why?” The other girl asked. She looked tougher than Louise. Probably because of her straight, auburn hair and brave eyes.

“What do you mean, why?” I queried, still smiling.

I’m fascinated by this group, actually. All of them seems to be strong, well-trained, and smart. Almost everyone looked aggressive, actually. Except of course, Louise.

“Why were you so curious about us?”

I chuckled. “I told him already. It’s because I was enticed by the strategic---”

She rudely interrupted.

“No, not that. Anyone could be ‘enticed’,” she quoted, “but no one goes as far as stalking us. So, why?”

My smile slowly wavered. She caught me.

I rolled my eyes and sighed. “I need brave souls, that’s why.”

Those brave enough to agree with me in fighting the strongest existing coven of our time. I admit, Krishna had rotten intentions, but she trained us well. She’s quite smitten with her plans now so I think she’ll be easier to outsmart.

“Brave souls? For what?” Another guy asked. His bushy brows raised. He was charming with his brushed up golden brown hair and eyes.

“For stopping the resurrection of someone very powerful,” I muttered.

“Who? I’m Macky, by the way,” he said.

I nodded at him. I turned to look at the most intimidating man I’ve ever met and asked.

“What’s yours?”

It took him a while to answer but still did. “Royce.”

I ignored the chill in my spine and looked at the auburn girl.

“And yours?”

She looked at me and raised her left eyebrow. “Eve.”

I smiled. I’m off to an okay start.

“Nice to meet all of you,” I started, “I’m going to have to speak to all of you in a private and secluded area. Does any of you know a place?” I looked around the five people.

“You didn’t answer Macky’s question,” Eve pointed out.

They’re really not that trusting, huh.

I sighed. I looked around the parking lot first, making sure nobody else is around to hear this. When I sensed no other presence, I looked at them.

“It’s the Great Witch.”

Again, I was bombarded with a variety of expressions.

Eve was already about to speak when I signaled her to stop.

“Can we continue this somewhere private, please?”

Royce spoke, “the van’s soundproof.”

Their black van? We’re going to talk about serious and heavy matters in that skimpy van? I guess I can transmutate the inside of the van into something more spacious with a comfy couch where we can see each other. That’d be more suitable.

I sighed and nodded. “The van it is. Can I go in first?”

They let me step inside as a quickly waved my palm to the small inside of the van.

Everywhere my palms were pointed would change completely. When finished, I looked around my masterpiece and nodded in satisfaction. What I saw before me is a spacious lounge area. Marble floors, white cemented walls and a big U-shaped gray couch in the center.

I let them come in and roam their eyes inside.

“You didn’t ask our permission,” mumbled Gab while sitting on the couch.

“Don’t worry. I’ll neutralize this after our discussion.”

I followed them to the couch and sat beside Louise on the edge of the sofa.

“I’m going against the witches of the Nirvana coven,” I started. I closed my eyes and felt thankful for their silence.

“Their plans after resurrecting the Great Witch isn’t very nice for the humanity. It’s against my morals as a witch, so I opposed. Resulting to me leaving the sisterhood.” I sighed.

"Wait, you're from that coven?" I heard Eve's voice.

I opened my eyes and looked at her. She wasn't smiling but I could see her eyes in awe. But what's so good about being in it? We didn't have the best reputation. They, rather.

"Yes, that coven. Why?" I even made sure to emphasize the 'that' in my question like she did.

"I also think she's the Maze," Louise whispered to Eve.

I can't understand their murmurs but I'm positive they're talking about me.

"She's the what--- Oh, my gosh! That makes so much sense!" Eve blurted.

My brows furrowed. I think she likes my former coven so much that she's fangirling over a former member.

Eve cleared her throat and sat like an elegant lady.

"Sorry, I've heard so many stories about your coven and uh," she cleared her throat again, "and you."

"Well, I hope they're all good." I smiled.

"They're not, they're badass stories," she quickly added, "but that's what makes it cool."

Oh, yeah. I also don't have the best reputation. But I'm over that. I'm starting anew, right?

"Yeah, sure." I shifted uncomfortably in my seat and cleared my throat.

"So, I've overheard them talking about the last personal object from the Great Witch. A golden trinket. They're going to use it in their ritual to have a stronger connection with her, in order to make this impossible ritual possible," I uttered.

When no one spoke, I continued, "This golden trinket is somewhere in the world. And they're determined to find it."

Louise re-adjusted her seat. A sign that she's hesitating.

"Yes, Louise?" I asked.

She looked shocked, but sighed and asked, "Exactly what do they want to do if ever they're successful on resurrecting the Great Witch?"

"Good question. They plan to make her follow their command and rule the world, go above the humans, show themselves and their magic to the humans." They had a variety of shocked expressions again.

"That's cruel," Macky commented.

I nodded in agreement. It is. The reason why I don't feel bad leaving the sisterhood.

"Do you have any idea where they'd start?" Royce probed.

I shook my head. I didn't hear anything related to that. So, I'm going to have to start from scratch.

"I'm going to have to search clues, and I can't do it by myself," I paused. Looking at them, I think they can do it, "Can you guys help me?"

They looked at me before looking at each other. It was silent for a few moments, they just kept on looking at each other. They're talking to each other telepathically.

I observed their expressions carefully, and saw a ghost of a smile on Eve's lips. I think the group conversation is going well.

I just leaned back on my seat and relaxed for a bit.

A few moments later, I heard someone purposely coughed.

I opened my eyes and sat formally. "Are you guys done?"

Eve nodded.

"Okay, what's your decision?"

They fell silent.

"We'll consult our master first," Royce muttered. I almost rolled my eyes. All that darn long telepathic conversation for just consulting their master? But they have a master?

"Who's your master? I want to meet him."

"Are you," Gab paused, "like, sure?"

My brows furrowed. Of course, I'm sure. Is their master this dangerous?

"Yes, I am. Why?" I am completely baffled.

"Nothing. Let's go meet him, then. Do you have a car?" Royce interfered.

I nodded.

"You're not going to need it." I quizzically looked at him.

"May I ask why?"

"You're coming with us. The road to our master's house is tricky," he declared.

I instantly understood what he meant by 'tricky'. I assume it'll be filled with booby traps and complicated roads. Just like the path to our mansion. My former mansion, rather.

"Let me just take care of my car, then." I walked to the door of the van, but diminished the transmutation spell first since the talk is over. I heard a few disappointed 'aww's before completely closing the door of the van. I briskly walked over to my mini cooper and looked around.

A slight movement was caught on my peripheral vision. I quickly turned to the movement but saw nothing but darkness. May brows furrowed. This is the darkest part of the parking lot.

I quickly used my ability to sense a presence, any presence. But all I found was the ones on the van and those on the mall. Impossible.

"Who's there?" I quietly asked, slowly moving towards the dark place.

Once near enough, I tried summoning light from my hands. And once I did, there was nothing.

But I immediately took a step back when I heard the wind.

"Someone you know," the wind whispered. I couldn't identify if it was a feminine or masculine voice but I'm sure this was by a spell.

Someone I know? Perhaps someone from the sisterhood? Someone was definitely here, and stalking me-- or them.

This was definitely a spell to convey messages or whispers through the air.

"Show yourself," I sneered to no one in particular. A few moments have already passed but I still received no response.

I gave up trying to find the presence and just walked back to my car. I quickly put a shrinking spell on it so it'd be easier to carry. I hid it in my jeans' pockets and walked back to the van.

Someone's following me. Spectating my actions. Good thing he/she didn't hear our conversation inside the van because it's soundproof inside. I inhaled sharply and went back to the van.