ITHRA Zadok’s words struck a chord within me. It was the first time I had heard about such a thing. Not only was the forest hostile to witches, but it only gave one opportunity to visit. Which meant I only had one chance to achieve my goal - one chance to get my power. I couldn’t fail. If I did, I might as well kiss my powers and clan goodbye. The only way I could be free from the Blood Hound pack was if I got hold of my powers. “What do you say? Are you willing to put the past behind you and work together?” Zadok asked. I could hear the desperation and vulnerability in his tone. He wanted me to choose him. He wanted me to help him break the curse and get the ghost orchid. I wondered how he would feel if he knew that the ghost orchid he needed to break his curse was the same way I needed to protect my clan. There was a conflict of our interests. As much as I’d love to help, I couldn’t do that to the detriment of my people. “This alliance cannot work.” I finally said, “
ZADOK “You don’t trust me,” I said after a long silence. Ithra didn’t budge - confirming my assumptions. I let out a brief laugh, “After everything? I told you all there is to know about me, and you still don’t trust me enough to continue the journey with me?” My tone was bitter. Because worse than turning me down, I hated not being trusted. I hated that she chose to keep her guard up when I lowered mine to the ground. “Trust is earned, not demanded.” “I just saved your life.” I pointed out, “I also just told you how valuable you are to me. You couldn’t possibly think I have something bad in mind.” “And there you go again.” She sighed, “Rubbing that you saved me in my face.” I raked my palm through my hair, “Listen. I just want us to be together. This forest is crawling with beasts that you can’t imagine. We have a better chance at survival together than alone.” Ithra’s eyes remained on mine. It seemed like she was contemplating my words. “We will split ways at the f
ITHRA“Stand back,” Zadok said in a low voice.His eyes focused on the sleeping Boar while mine remained on the book. “I need to get the book. I’ll be quiet.” I said, and without waiting for a reply, walked towards the beast with steady steps. Before I could take one step, Zadok dragged me back by the arm. “Are you stupid?!” he whisper-yelled. “Or are you trying to get yourself killed?”“Leave me alone,” I replied in a hushed tone. “It’s asleep. I’ll just get the book, and we will be off.”I made to move, and he held me back, much to my frustration. “You know what?” He said, holding his forehead in an exasperated manner. “Just stay back. I will get it myself.”It was my turn to hold him back. “What do you mean?” I asked in a hushed tone, picking offence. “I am more than capable of handling it.”“We don’t have time for this, Ithra,” Zadok said in a slightly raised voice. “I’ll quickly get it, and we will be on our way.”I didn’t hear what he was saying. My eyes widened to the size
ZADOKI watched with horror as Ithra charged at the boar from behind, holding a sharpened wood. She was trying to kill herself!The boar noticed her as soon as she got closer and turned around with agility. Scared for her life, I charged at the boar from behind, hoping to get its attention away from Ithra to enable her to run away, but to no avail. They were far too gone to stop. Ithra went face to face with the boar, tightly holding a sharpened wood in her right hand. Her face was taut, and I could see determination coursing through her. It happened so fast. Within a second, Ithra jumped into the air and stuck the beast at the centre of the head using her makeshift knife. My eyes went wide when I saw blood pour from the head of the boar. It tumbled to the floor and breathed its last.I couldn’t believe it. Ithra did it. She took on the darned beast and won! My heart was relieved, and joy sprang instead of the horror I’d felt - one that knew no bounds. Ithra looked at the boar w
ITHRA“Don’t be silly,” I stated, pushing my hair to the back of my ear. I took in the dark waters before me and felt my heart shrink in fear. “Yes, you are,” Zadok said, scrutinising me with his eyes. “Is there a reason why?”“I said I am alright!” My words came out harsher than intended. He raised his hands in mock surrender and said, “No need to bite. I was only making sure.” Zadok walked ahead without sparing me a glance. I could tell he was offended. I couldn’t find it within me to care. As a child, they warned against getting close to water. The only thing that could neutralise a Celts witch’s power was water - water in its large body. Thankfully, I never experienced the horror of what water could do to a Celt’s witch, seeing I didn’t have powers. But I was no stranger to what it could do to a witch. I once watched a witch get traumatised by a mere hallucination of an ocean conjured by a witch as an attempt at a joke. There, my mother placed a ban on casting such a spell
ITHRA I relaxed on the tree and finished off the remains of my roasted meat. I couldn’t lie. Zadok was one hell of a cook. It made me wonder just how many things he excelled in. My eyes raked over his sturdy back as he stood watch a few metres away from me. He felt my gaze and said without glancing back, “Done having dinner?” He stated. “Yes, thank you.” I find myself replying. We shared a moment of silence before I spoke again. “Do you plan on staying there all night long?” “Someone’s got to keep watch.” He answered with a shrug. “You can go to bed.” I resist the urge to say something rude. “If you are staying awake, why can’t I?” A brief and tired sigh left Zadok’s lips. For the first time, I saw his shoulders sag. How tired was he? “I don’t have enough strength to bicker with you, Ithra.” He said, finally turning around. “Go to bed already. We have a long day ahead.”
ZADOKI sat in the throne room with my parents, playing with the hourglass I stole from the witch’s lair. “Daddy, how much time do I have before I begin training to be alpha?” I asked, genuinely interested in his answer. “Oh, Zadok, eager to displace your daddy, aren’t we?” Mum said with a soft smile. “He’ll make a perfect Alpha, love. I can tell just by looking at him.” Daddy said with a proud look on his face. “Gatria said I can begin my training after getting my wolf.” I pouted, “Why can’t I begin the training now so that when I transform into my wolf, I’ll have more power to control it.” That caused my parents to burst into a fit of laughter. “Oh, Zadok, you don’t control your wolf. You partner with him.” My mom said between laughs. “But you said I can only partner with my mate,” I dropped the hourglass on the floor and looked up, “Why do I need to partner with my wolf when I have my mate?” “Oh dear, he asks a lot of questions.” Father huffs, “I’ll leave you both to it, oka
ITHRAZadok took out his blade, ready to fight. “Get behind me.” He hissed, eyes focused on our newfound mutual enemy. I took out my blade and thanked God for Zadok, who thought it wise to pick them up earlier. I couldn’t imagine being in this situation with nothing to defend ourselves. “We need to go south,” Zadok said to my hearing, our backs touched as we prepared for the battle. “No matter what, make sure you don’t get hurt.” I nearly rolled my eyes at his insinuation. “I can take care of myself.” I brisked, “Just focus on getting us out of here.” “I don’t care what happens,” A slash of Zadok’s sword split a scorpion in half. “You must protect yourself first.” He said, “And that’s an order!”I didn’t bother to reply to that. I was too busy with the influx of scorpions that seemed to multiply by the minute. Maintaining close distance from Zadok, I killed every scorpion, leaving dead bodies in my wake. Zadok wasn’t doing too bad. He was doing beautifully. I almost got distract