Fire Wolf 2

            "Are you okay, Emma?" Teal asked. 

        I nodded my head. My gaze caught the dark leather tome. The sparkling increased and it burst into the air, it threw the book into the air and it tore into thousands of tiny pieces. The part of my brain seemed to shut off. My pulse quickened, "What's this?" I asked. 

      "We broke the spell," Sap whispered, still in shock. 

      I was staring at her, "Why am I precious? You know everything about me, indeed everyone." I swiped my gaze on Carlos. 

      He returned the gaze but didn't utter a word. 

      Sap glanced at Teal, her expression was nervous. 

      "I need to know what's happening to me? Why am I cursed?" I never dared to ask this. Never. 

      "You're cursed by a powerful Queen." Sap flashed a smile but it wasn't reaching her eyes. 

       "Why would she do this to me? I don't remember crossing anyone's path who could do this to me.' I said. 

     " I don't know. But, Yes, you're precious more than any jewel or anything in this entire world. There's a poem my grandma used to tell me." She paused, " 

      """ A beautiful princess she was, 

      Adored by all faeries, angels, cold blood, witches, light and dark, 

     Weaved a dream to be the queen of pure heart,

     Destiny played cruel & landed in dark and light.

     Stubborn to be with her heart, light cursed, pushing her into the dark! """

       I just stared at her. I could understand only the first few letters which weren't for me definitely, "I don't think that describes me." I said. 

       "It's telling you're cursed by light," Carlos said, staring at the books blankly. 

       "It's true." Sap said. 

       "Who wrote this?" I asked. 

       She gulped at my question, "In the sixteenth century by Johnson Bidan. " She hesitated. 

       My eyes bulged out in shock, "Impossible. Am I that old? Impossible, I'm just twenty." I told them. 

        "Who could be light?" Carlos murmured to himself, ignoring my question. 

       "There's no reality in it." I held my hand. I wanted to hit him. 

       "You could be reborn," he said. 

       "I do believe in it." If werewolves could be real, reborn could be too. I shook my head. It can't be. 

       "We should stop talking on this topic. Let's get to work." Teal said, averting our talk. 

       "Whoever enchanted the library, must have taken the book too. It's useless." I said and turned to the door. 

       A nasty string of curses left Teal's lips as a whisper, "Dark Witch. Only she can do this, "

       I have to meet the dark witch. Why did she take the book? Only she could answer me. Does she want something from me? I had nothing to give to her. I'm not precious and definitely, I'm not that old. 

       I made my way toward the parking lot. I leaned my back against the car. My gaze turned to the cobblestone pathway. A group of teenagers was coming toward me. They were dressed differently from other students, with dark cloaks, swords, and daggers. They were warriors and dressed like one. 

       I felt nervous energy prickling down my spine. Then I saw Justice in the same warrior clothes. I relaxed, pushing the fear away. A wild gust of wind slammed into my back then whipped around the trees like a tornado, it was roaring and whistling in my years. 

       "Dark Witch is here," Justice said. 

       Colors faded from my face. My heart stopped. My bones turned to ice in my body. I saw Carlos and others running toward us. 

       "What's happening?" Carlos asked, breathing heavily. 

       "He said. Dark Witch is here." I murmured in fear. 

       I felt a hand on my shoulder. I spun, "There's nothing to fear. She's Justice's mother." Teal said. 

       My gaze turned to him in shock. He was clenching his sword as he was ready to walk into the fight. 

       "Didn't she steal the book?" I asked her. 

       "Queen Emersyn, you're forgetting your manners. I got what was mine." All the heads jerked to the voice. 

        "What's she doing here? " Sap asked in a whisper. Fear was visible on her face. 

        I was expecting a witch with dark or grey hair, not combed once, black clothes from head to toe, a nasty smile, flying in her broom. 

        But it was the opposite. She was so beautiful in a red satin gown with a dark metal crown. She was looking far to be Justice's mother. I barely held myself not asking her a stupid question. 

        "Please, accept my pardon. I didn't know. It is your book, " I said. 

        She smiled softly and turned to her son. Were we in that part of time where good people only pretend to be good? The real heroes are with evil names and fear in people's hearts. 

        "You want the book?" She asked Justice. 

        "What do you want, Eleanor?" He asked. I could see hatred in his eyes. She was his mother. He should be polite. 

        "You're staying with me,'' She said. Her soft smile never seemed to fade 

        " Impossible. I'm not living in a den." He bellowed. 

       "Why don't you stay with Justice here or he can visit you every weekend?" Teal said, stepping closer to Him. 

       "Dear, Teal. Let us talk." I saw anger in her eyes at the interruption. 

      "You can stay with me here or you won't see me again ever," He said. 

       Her lips contorted in anger as she glared at Teal. 

       "Or you can tell us in the morning," Sap said. 

       Queen Eleanor laughed, it was a gentle sound. Her eyes turned to me, "The sun will begin to set down soon. Her skin would start to pale white. In the morning, when the first ray of sun will hit the earth. She'll die. Forever. So don't bargain with me. Take the book and come with me." 

       "How could you be so cruel?" Teal shouted in disbelief. 

       "Deal is a deal," She said, shrugging her shoulders. 

       Justice stepped forward, facing his mother, "You can stay with me here. I'll learn about the legacy of our family. Or you won't see me ever. I mean it."

       She spun and began to walk away, "I'll come early morning. Let me know your decision then." She waved her hand and vanished into thin air. Leaving us in awe. 

       "Why don't you look like a queen?" Sap asked me, drawing her eyebrows together. 

      "I'm also thinking the same," I muttered. 

      "Seriously, Sap. She is not dressed like them. That doesn't mean she isn't." Teal stared at her. 

       I took a step back, wrapping my arms around myself. I was feeling cold. I stared around, my gaze stopped on the sun. It was going down. I will die of a cold soon. Her ominous words left me unprepared. 

       "Are you cold?" This time he didn't mock me and pulled my leg calling me kiddo. 

       "A little." I felt all gazes on me. The most piercing gaze was of Justice, "You don't need to do it if you don't want to. I won't be the one to die. People die every day." 

       "Don't be ridiculous. We know the consequences. Let's get you back," Carlos curled his arm around my shoulder and began to walk toward the line of the cottage. I glanced up at him. I couldn't scent emotions but I could see the fear through his eyes, "We'll find another way," He told us all as he retrieved his phone. His thumb swiftly hovered over the screen.

        "Carlos," I said faintly when I felt him growing nervous with each step, "It's okay. You shouldn't lose your calm. I guess. Everyone knows about me, except me." 

        He glanced at me, his feet were still moving, tugging me with him. He sighed before looking away, "He would destroy the earth if something happens to you." He said. 

        "So, he remembers me?" I asked sarcastically. 

        "Yes, we don't know the reasons for his disappearance. But I'm certain. No one would survive his wrath. Everyone is helping you, without any selfishness. Haven't you thought!" His brows pulled together. 

       "I couldn't mull over anything beyond pain," I said. The unbearable pain didn't let me think about anything lighting. We didn't break the pace but kept my gaze on the path, hoping for a miracle to happen. 

       "Hm," He nodded his head. 

       "Why am I feeling sick? Did the Dark Witch bewitch me?" I asked. I didn't want to call her Dark Witch. She looked like a powerful beautiful queen. 

       "No, it's the old curse." He said, "No more questions, Emma." He said, pushing the door open. 

       I nodded silently, feeling odd. Sixteenth century. I was tired and cold. The moment didn't seem far when it would be difficult for me to walk easily because of the cold and weakness. 

        "I'll be back." He left me in the hall. 

       I contemplated before sitting on the couch. My feet carried me over to the couch and I settled down pulling my legs up. I curled up in a ball. I found it the easiest way to warm my body. 

        Carlos returned with logs. It didn't take him long to set the fire in the hearth.

        A gust of wind caressed my skin. My gaze darted around to find only one person. He made my heart race every time, but I knew he wouldn't come. I was just imagining things. I plucked my gaze from the opened door

        Carlos left without a word. I stared at the fire. I couldn't believe what I saw through my eyes. Silver, Carlos, Timothy and Betty were gone before my visit to the library. They haven't returned yet. 

        Over the burning flames, I saw a fire wolf running. A strange sense of calm had settled over me. My inside is filled with happiness. My eyes danced with wonder as I hadn't imagined the fantastical world to be real. 

        Absent-mindedly, I leaned forward and extended my hand at the small fire wolf. It was impossible. I needed to touch him. 

       "Are you crazy, Em?" Silver yanked my hand away, her expression was dark. 

       When my gaze flickered back on the fire. He was gone. Sadness shackled me. 

       "You're feeling cold, that doesn't mean you. You'd hurt yourself." Elizabeth engulfed me. I could feel her energy. I leaned closer. I wanted to keep it to myself. 

       "I wasn't hurting myself." They weren't going to trust me. 

       "Go to sleep, Em. You need to rest. We'll find a way." She said, looking down at the gleaming ring. 

       "I don't wanna sleep," I said, fighting against her words. She was a faerie. I disliked it when she used her magic on me. 

       "This is the only way to lessen your pain," Silver said, still holding my hand. 

        A little smile crept up on my face as my gaze returned to them to the hearth. When my eyes closed automatically, I

found tears in my eyes. A rush of warmth shot up between us. She was using her magic to calm me.