ONE - Masquerade

Cordelia Blackwell

Today, I've found out the worst news. My aunt, Morgana Blackwell, owed a favor to the strongest and most feared Alpha, Cain Cadell. Now, we'll both have to bend backward to repay that debt.

"Mother of all that's holy, put a goddamn smile on your face, Cordelia." Morgana nudged my side, at the same time let a polite smile on her face.

"I know they hate me. They know that I know that they hate me. And you know that I know that they know, so what's your problem?" I replied with a roll of my eyes.

Alpha Cadell held a ball in his very fancy, and extremely huge, mansion. He said it was a celebration for his arrival at the new town. I was sure it wasn't only that.

"Just keep your manners. We will be in and out before you even know it." Morgana stressed, and nodded her head at some woman with a winged face mask.

Did I mention that this is a masquerade?

We live in Midwick, Virginia. A very small and very beautiful town, which one would feel was built right in the middle of the woods.

It kind of was.

"Ms. Blackwell." A gruff voice called from over the music and the loud laughter of the other guests.

Both Morgana and I turned at the same time and saw a man with a stoic face standing before us, "They're ready for you."

He uttered the words with utmost disgust. He was literally forcing himself to speak to us. It wasn't all that strange.

After all, werewolves and witches never got along all that well. At best we steered clear from each other and at worst we were downright enemies.

And yes, I'm a witch. So is my aunt, who just happens to be the coven leader.

Morgana nodded her head, then gave me a pointed look, "Stay here, if I need you, you'll know."

"Whatever." I left the two of them head on their way, and I snatched one of the Champagne glasses from the many floating trays.

I slithered through the guests with my head held high, trying to ignore the looks I would occasionally get.

"She's the Blackwell witch, the youngest." I heard a woman say as I passed through.

I knew this would be followed by the long miserable story of my pathetic life. I found a less busy spot, so I took another glass of champagne, and stood there.

"I heard that she lost control of her magic, and killed her mother."

"Seriously?" I muttered under my breath in boredom, then decided to head to just walk around.

I was standing in a secluded room, away from the music and the noise, when a young boy ran towards me, seemingly out of breath.

"Are you Cordelia Blackwell?" He asked me with hopeful wide eyes.

This boy couldn't be a day older than eight. I hunched down, "I am, and you are?"

"I'm James Burke. My mama needs your help." I knitted my eyebrows together. Who's his mom exactly? And who sent him to me. "I heard that Black Magic can only be fought with Black Magic. Because sometimes darkness can drive away darkness."

Uh-ha! That last part was all Morgana. She sent him to me.

"Okay, James. Take me to your mom and I'll see what I can do." I told him with a small smile.

"Thank you." The boy was on the verge of tears when he wrapped his arms around my waist.

I felt every muscle in my body tense. I didn't like being touched all that much. I patted his head awkwardly and pushed him away.

We headed upstairs through the curved stairs. The sound of the music had dulled down, and the brightness of the lights seemed to disappear on this floor.

It was dark and gloomy, and there was this ominous feeling about the place. "Perhaps you should tell me where the room is and you go back downstairs."

I told James as I felt his hand getting colder in my clasp. He was afraid as well, the dark energy I felt was easy to sense, even for those who aren't magic wielders.

He nodded his head, biting down at his lower lip, I think to hold himself from crying. Comforting people isn't my forte, but well…

I kneeled before him, and held his shoulders, "You were so brave, coming to find me like that. I will do my best to help your mom, okay?"

He nodded his little head, "Third room to the right." He told me then ran back to the stairs.

"What is happening here?" I muttered the question to no one, as I followed the hallway to the third room.

I whispered a protection spell around myself, and I tried to put on my strongest face. I opened the door and right before me, I saw a woman floating on a king-sized bed, with her wrists and ankles tied with shackles.

I blinked a couple of times, then I finally managed to pull my eyes away from the woman. Looking right, I saw my aunt standing there with an almost apologetic look.

"How come that you stumbled into this Emily Rose Exorcism?" I walked inside, my eyes stole another glance at the floating woman, whose back was bent in an awkward angle.

Meet Sheila Cadell, or rather Sheila Burke." Morgana started, "They noticed that she's been acting strange for the past couple of days, but today she went full-on basilisk. She almost ripped her mate's lungs out earlier today and last night, she shifted into her wolf form and slipped into her son's room." Morgana let out a sigh, "She wanted to feast on his flesh."

I gave Morgana a look of disgust, and she put her hands up in a surrender gesture. "Her words, not mine."

The woman, Sheila, started groaning and moaning. "You think she's cursed?"

"You feel the darkness of the magic around her, right?" Morgana asked and I nodded.

"If we do this, are you sure the Alpha will clear your debt? I mean, he isn't really known for keeping his promises, or having much respect towards witches." I gave her a pointed look, "Remember the Gray Coven?"

"We have an agreement, don't worry." She said with a strange confidence, which I don't know where she's got it from.

Cain Cadell had a notorious reputation. He had killed his own father and banished his brother to become the Alpha. Not only that, but to make his pack bigger, he raided plenty of other packs. Even forced some witches' hands to help him.

The Gray Coven was his latest conquest. Apparently, he had threatened them into helping him, but they refused which led to their demise. Or at least so I heard.

"I don't like it." I told Morgana, but padded strode towards the bed anyway.

I mumbled a spell, then passed my hands over Sheila's body. Once she fell back on the bed, I tried to sense the spells which were used on her, but I got nothing.

Or rather, I didn't understand what I sensed.

I just knew that the flow of her life energy didn't feel right. I touched her forehead, trying to build a mental connection but something was fighting me.

She started screaming and writhing trying to push me away from her. I jumped on the bed, and straddled hair, holding her head between my hands.

I closed my eyes, and allowed myself to delve into her mind. When I came back from that short journey, I gasped loudly and jumped off the bed and away from her.

"Are you okay?' Morgana rushed to my side, supporting my weight.

I nodded my head, "I am, but she won't be for long."

The door to the room was forcefully opened, almost breaking out of its hinges. It startled us, but what knocked the breath right out of my lungs was the man before me.

He was 6'4 of pure muscles and a bulky figure. His white button up shirt didn't leave much for my imagination.

His brown soft hair had something akin to a reddish highlight. He had this short beard which only accentuated his jawline and high cheekbones.

His skin was tanned, like he spent a considerable amount in the sun. Then my trail for thoughts froze, my eyes widened even further.

"Alpha Cadell?" I breathed out.

He sauntered towards me with a smirk on his face, "Yes, darling. The one and only."