“Sorry about that, I was just on a roll. Let me tell you the full story.” Adam whispered, turning to me, and I cringed. His whisper wasn’t good for me, and there wasn’t much space on the hay to make enough distance between us. Price to pay for a confession. Should be worth it please. “As I mentioned before. I bullied Maya. Me and my brothers. And as I mentioned before, she didn’t have the wolf gene, so she was the butt of jokes to a lot of the people in the pack. It had continued for more than a year without my father knowing, or rather without any report being made boldly to him, until a particular day.”A pause.“She had been bullied in the school’s cafeteria, and her friend, Naomi—the only one that she had deemed worthy to speak with in our pack—had made the report to the principal who oversaw the running of the school’s activities…”Adam chuckled drily. Most likely remembering the episode that wasn’t at all funny to me.“Naomi was adamant for justice to be gotten for Maya, prob
My breath hitched in my throat when Adam stopped at my words, and turned to face me. But not just his face now, but his entire frame; his rib area was on the hay, and his body was at a 180 degree angle. His eyes were full of emotions that were not healthy to my heart. “Why did you turn? I think you should return to your former position.” I met his gaze head on, aware that any slight movement I indulged would sell me off—that I was affected by him. If my words hadn’t revealed that much already.“Do I make you uncomfortable, Dora?” Adam’s eyes perused the contours of my face as if commiting the edges of my face—or rather mask—to memory, though I noticed that his gaze lingered the most on my lips when his eyes caught them. “Yes, you make me uncomfortable, Adam. I don’t like you, your brothers included. You all have this negative aura. Are you going to continue the story or not?” He huffed then, and turned away from me, returning to his former position. Thank the goddess. “Would y
Adam's hands on my waist, before I could move away from him, sent a rush of conflicting emotions coursing through me. I wanted to push him away, to scream at him for what he had done, but at the same time, I couldn't deny the familiar warmth that spread through my body at his touch. It had been so long since I had felt his hands on me, and a part of me had missed it, had craved it, despite everything.At the party, I had been on drugs, a drug that had heightened my anger, and control over my emotions. But now, at this moment, when Adam’s explanations were contraindicating to mine, I was confused.As his lips brushed against my neck in a soft kiss, I felt a wave of nostalgia wash over me. It was like stepping back in time, to a time when things were simpler, when I still believed in us. But reality came crashing back as I remembered the pain and betrayal he had caused me.Should I deny myself this moment of weakness? Should I deny the part of me that still longed for him, that still
First day at a witches’ community school. What outfit should I go with? I wondered, as my eyes perused the three options that laid flat on my bed. My right knuckles under my jaw, I let my mind conjure up what Naomi would choose if she was here with me. Well, first of all, she would be happy about my wardrobe upskill. She would be glad that I had at least taken a hint from her before disappearing on her. I sighed, and sat on the stool in only my undergarments. Diana was already off to school. I still didn’t understand how their school works—letting children in around six am. Laura explained it’s more of magic, than the worldly stuff we learn in a normal school. Well I had to ask if I should expect the same at the one I was heading to. Her perceptive nod had thrown me in a frenzy. Yes, they had mentioned that I had a magic gene in me—probably why the wolf gene had been absent—but I didn’t believe it. I have seen nothing special about me, except that which I had stolen from Adam
As I stood outside the school, taking in the sight of the old, stone buildings and towering spires, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder. The school looked like something out of a fairy tale, with its ancient architecture and mysterious aura. It reminded me of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter series. Quite large for a small community if I must say, unless they accepted intakes from other communities. As a matter of fact, I think they do. I can remember Peter saying distinctively last night that the school was one of the best in the witches society, or realm. Whichever. The walls of the buildings were weathered and worn, covered in ivy and moss that gave them a magical, otherworldly appearance. The windows were tall and narrow, like something you might see in a castle, and the doors were carved from solid wood, with intricate designs that hinted at the school's long history.Despite the grandeur of the buildings, there was also a sense of familiarity to them, like I had be
“You don’t look surprised. I’m not sure if I should be happy or wary about that. But you most certainly have Laura’s cool temperance.”A slight pause.“My daughter was around at the ball scheduled for the celebration of the union between the community and the wolf packs. She mentioned that you had challenged the temperance of the king…whatever that means. I hadn’t been available—hadn’t seen the need for it.” Ohoo! Another person that didn’t like the pack. I still maintained the cool demeanor though. It was the common denominator in Laura, Peter and Diana’s advice—don’t be easily triggered. And then I relaxed further into the chair, holding back the smile that threatened to break on my lips when the principal piqued an eyebrow. He was a middle aged man, the same age as Peter, I believed. Blonde hair, stylishly kept as if he was still looking for a bride; and his scent was like the whistle pine. Not bad. “Did my indifference to the packs create some sort of camaraderie between us,
“Would that be a problem?” I finally settled on one of the options that stuck to my head at Sinclair’s question. Why was he interested in knowing my relationship with Diana? When I had told Peter and Laura that I would love to take their last name last night, they had been—I don’t know how best to describe it—shocked? That would be the closest word at least. They had kept asking me if I was sure, and when I had kept nodding my head until I feared my neck was sore, Laura had embraced me. Dora Akwoods. Peter had been the first to taste the name on his lips. Not bad. He had mused, before gently holding me by the shoulder. ‘Welcome to the family, Dora Akwoods.’ He had chanted in happiness.I had laughed, and had given him a playful jab, when I had seen him battling with his emotions. I had arrived at the decision of changing my name after the meeting with Adam. His determination had convinced me that if I kept answering Maya in the community, it would only take this weekend for h
I was back at the bleak place again. That place thrumming with filth and despair. It was like a rewind tape, like I was going through the motions, which has been replayed before. The dream that I had when I had been thrown into the holding cell, when I had been in a coma.I didn’t know what it meant, but it seemed it would keep coming until I discovered its purpose, its reason for visiting me.Yet, why me?I sighed when a woman’s despairing cry echoed in my soul, tearing at me, reprimanding me, drawing me back from the edge of a great precipice. I was starving. It was just as before.Every cell in my body craved food and something else, something I could lay my finger on, mostly because I had rehearsed the dream by now. Blood.I was somewhere underground.The hunger raked at me with merciless claws until a red haze covered my sight and my pulse hammered with the need for immediate sustenance. Desperate, I scanned the area above my resting place for the presence of enemies and,
Daniel balled his fists in anger at the question thrown to him by Raul. He darted glances between I and Raul as if we were both joining hands to attack him. Gabriella left his side, as if she was afraid that he might get insane, and walked to my side. Daniel, noticing this, gritted his teeth, before freeing his hands. “Good boy. Good that you noticed that this is not your living room, or your pack, or the school where students lived for drama. Now what do you want?” Raul asked, causing my eyes to widen in surprise. Was the boy courting death? I wondered, folding my arms across my chest. As much as I believe Raul’s words, I liked the drama. Gabriella mirrored my actions. We watched as Daniel opened his mouth, and then shut it. I wasn’t sure if it was because of nerves seeing that Raul had displaced him before he even started, or because whatever he wanted to say was embarrassing. Looking at him now, it was hard to believe that he was the same Daniel with the most running mouth amo
“Dora, do you think we will be done with this today?” Levina asked me as we slotted goods into their specific positions on a shelf. True to her word she had turned in her application to the store owner, who had hired her on the spot. But why not? Mr Lethon was a popular figure, and also a good person. I still remembered his last words to me the last time I had been in his office. He was good just like Peter. Peter had dropped me here before heading back home with Laura and a wide eyed Diana. My little sister had heard the news of my loss of control. It amazed her, rather than terrified her. But then, Diana was Diana, rarely terrified. “Yes, I believe we will. Gabriella mentioned that she will be here to help us after her work with Raul.” Levina snorted. “Raul can easily do that by himself. He should just release Gabriella to us. He knows that we need her more than he does.” Yes, he probably does. I thought, picking up another item and shelving it correctly. Incorrect shelving m
Can't I have a moment of rest in my little life? I mused, watching Adam and his brothers watch me. Skepticism shrouded their eyes thickly. But would my unpredictability stop them from disturbing my already chaotic life? I don't think so. I sighed wearily. There must be some other way to get them off my back. Unless I might really have a fit here. I was already fed up with the up and downs of this week.First, it was the bullying episode on my first day. On my second day, I had gotten involved with another bullying episode in my workplace. My fourth and fifth days were uneventful-thank god. That's apart from the meeting with the Queen. But today was the worst of all.Today, I lost control over my magic powers, and burnt more than four classrooms. I just escaped from Raul and his enthralling eyes and love. I just escaped from expulsion from a school I have barely spent a week in. I just landed my ass into the Queen's trap. And now, just when I had tried inhaling deeply to calm myself,
"She must be expelled from our school! Did you see the amount of damage she had done in the school? She hasn't even been in the school for a week, and already she is courting trouble left, right and center. What's next on her agenda?!" Maybe burn your nose. I thought meekly, staring at the woman who hadn't stopped hissing and clamoring for my expulsion since I had stepped into the boardroom that was big enough to house more than a hundred students. So, this was the worst that could happen? Expulsion from school? It didn't hit hard as I thought it would, but I didn't want to be expelled though. I wanted to finish high school. I already dropped out in the pack, I can't drop out here again. I wasn't sure when Laura and Peter had been called, but the two had been around when I had stepped into the room. Laura had immediately left her seat, and had started fussing over me, asking if I was okay, and all that. She had found it confusing that I had not a smell of smoke on my body. I hadn'
I can't believe myself. I can't believe what I had done, when I had opened my eyes and saw the classroom free of smoke, free from the flames I had conjured mere minutes ago. I had jumped on Raul. It was supposed to be a thank you hug, you know, coming from a place of excitement, of happiness that I had finally mastered how to control my magic to some extent, but the hug ended up being the ones couple shared after being apart for probably a year. I had hugged him quite alright, but my legs had moved, of their accord. They had jumped and plastered themselves around his waist. They were still there. Around his waist. My mind was in shambles, especially since Raul had managed to catch me with all precision, still held me now, and showed no signs of letting go. Don't I weigh anything? I retrieved my head from the crook of his neck which scented of masculinity. This contact needed to end now. "Ehmm.." I muttered now, looking into his face, which although wasn't red as mine, showed the
Raul and I stayed cocooned in a comfortable silence for a long while, a privy truce already happening between us. I didn’t see him as the enemy anymore. However, I was still working on separating him from the Queen in my equation of retribution. “How long are we going to stay here? Aren’t we returning to class?” I asked after sometime, my back already yelling in pain for reclining against the hard wall for a long period of time. Raul shrugged his shoulders at my question. “It’s not like there will be any class going on. Do you see any professor around? I bet the students are huddled in their classes, wondering what next would go wrong with..” “With me, you mean….” Raul gave me an apologetic look, but it was all right. It was understandable. Since we have been here, no students have come close, no teachers too. The fire was still burning. I was sure it had ventured into the other classes. Weren’t they coming to stop it? “You know you are the only one that can quench that fire….”
What have I done?Panic swept through the magic room like a tidal wave, mingling with the smell of smoke and the sound of screams.My heart sank as I realized the magnitude of what I had unleashed. I had wanted to prove myself, to show my mastery over the elements, but now, all I felt was guilt and remorse.As chaos erupted around me, I knew that I would carry the weight of this moment with me for quite a long time. For in my quest for power, I had unleashed a force beyond my control, leaving destruction in its wake. And now, I could only watch helplessly as the flames consumed everything in their path.The flames. They held me captive. They had me frozen in the midst of the ensuing chaos. They had my heart sinking into the depths of sorrow. The flames, born of my own magic gone awry, danced voraciously across the classroom. Smoke choked the air, thick and suffocating, as desks and books became engulfed in a raging inferno. The screams of my classmates pierced the cacophony of destru
As I caught sight of Sinclair standing by the door of my classroom, a flutter of nervous anticipation stirred within me. The time for my magic classes had finally come, and despite my excitement, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of apprehension. The time has come.Mr. Lethon must have sent him. I thought, checking the time on my wrist watch. It was exactly the time for my magic class. Sinclair was quite punctual.Since I had decided to cut him some slack for not doing anything about Levina's bullying, we have exchanged words here and there—greetings especially—but it has not been like the same. Probably, because I have been avoiding him really. I'm not sure why. I think I just didn't want to talk to him, not that freely as before, at least not yet. However, he was here to pick me up.I looked at Professor Bulock talking about some impossible theory of magic, and almost called him to the fact that his time was gone. But that would be falling under his radar again. I was tired of that
As Diana and I walked hand in hand to school, chattering like monkeys, a sense of elation bubbled up inside me, replacing the feeling of shame that had subsided a little after Laura's words of encouragement.The Queen had fulfilled her side of the bargain, as she had promised us. She had moved the children's classes back to the general school, and she hadn't disturbed me since then. And even though the weight of her last words had never left me, I couldn't help but feel relief and gratitude, walking to school like this, hand in hand with Diana. It was pure bliss.As we walked, Diana regaled me with tales of spells and enchantments, her enthusiasm quite infectious. I knew that it was because I had just shown her, though messy, that I was good enough to be filled in with magic spells. We exchanged knowledge eagerly—I told her about the book I had stolen from the library, and what I had learnt from them—each revelation sparking a lively conversation that danced between us like fireflies