Page 10 of His Blazing Witch (The Silver City #3)

"Seriously, boo, you have to calm down," whispers Kelsi.

"I can't calm down after what we just learned!"

I'm trying hard to stop nervously bouncing my leg under the desk, but I can't. It's just too much information at once. The professor had to start her class, so we ran to find spots to sit in before she kicked us out, but I haven’t been able to calm down since.

"I was researching about witches, Kelsi. Why the hell was Clarissa Garnett researching witches?! And who the hell is Miss Jones, anyway?"

"I don't know, boo, but we will ask her soon. The class is almost over so please stop doing that, you're stressing me out too!"

I take a deep breath and stop, but internally, I'm going nuts. I thought I had nothing to do with this witch thing. Before my waking up, there was no sign of me having anything to do with witches! How did I come to attend this class, and why did I give a fake name to the professor?

Her class today is about some old tale about a fairy and some knights, but I can't focus enough to listen. A few seats away, Ben is back to napping, as interested in this class as he was in the previous one. We were too late to find three seats in a row, so he had to go to a different spot, though we are not that far away. I glance around. There are even more people than before, almost all the seats are taken... It must be a popular course. A lot of students are frantically taking notes, but I see a few of them sending glances my way... Why are they... glaring? It can't be just because I'm not taking notes, Ben is literally almost snoring on the other side and no one cares. I see some eyes going back and forth between their phones and me. What is going on? Kelsi seems to have noticed too and looks worried.

"Any friends you recognize, by any chance...?" she whispers.

"No, and I don't think we were friends..."

"It sure doesn't look like it..."

Kelsi looks even more worried now. From the glares I keep getting, it certainly doesn't look anything near friendly. I hear some people whisper, though I can't decipher anything. What is their problem?! A girl shows her phone to her friend while looking at me, and behind me, a guy points his finger at me too. What the heck is going on...

"I know those people look like they know you, but to be honest, I feel more like we should get out of here quickly if we can, rather than stay around to ask questions..." confesses Kelsi, sending worried glances sideways.

I look at Ben, but he is still dozing off in the second row and doesn't seem to have noticed a thing. What a laid-back bodyguard... I wish we had a notepad or something at least to pretend we are taking notes, we are sticking out like a sore thumb in the middle of all the other students. I feel like this isn't the problem, though. The ones sending me glances are clearly pointing fingers at me for something else.

Finally, the class ends, and with Kelsi stuck behind me, we almost run to catch Professor Vutha, ignoring the stares following us.

"Oh, Miss Jones! Did you enjoy the class today?" she asks, completely unaware of the tension in the room.

"Ah, yes," I lie, a bit awkward. "Um, Professor, about earlier..."

"Yes?" she asks, gathering her papers.

"You mentioned I was researching about witches?"

She stops, looking at me, a bit surprised. She glances at my bandages once again.

"Are you sure you are alright, Miss Jones? You seem... different."

I exchange a glance with Kelsi. What should I say? I'm not supposed to announce I'm a witch to outsiders! I decide to go with a half-truth, or else I feel like she won't tell me anything...

"It's true I had an accident, Professor, so I'm a bit confused."

"Oh, gosh, I hope everything is alright now? I mean, I don't want to sound impolite, but you do seem different, and with the scars..."

"No, I'm okay. However, I'm a bit... amnesiac, so I was hoping you could help me remember... why I came to your class. According to the university registrar, I'm not registered for your class."

"Oh, of course! Well, no, but I think you did attend my class as soon as the year started, I clearly remember you said you had missed the registration deadline. You didn't seem to mind coming as a free auditor so I didn't think twice about it. It happens a lot, but you certainly were the one free auditor who came the most, you never missed a single class, before your accident, of course."

Kelsi and I exchange glances. It definitely looks like I wanted to hide that I was coming here... that Clarissa Garnett was coming here.

"You said I was studying witches?"

"Oh, you were quite passionate about the subject! Actually, you borrowed some of my personal books when you couldn't find what you wanted in the university library. I think you may still have one, by the way, I would appreciate it if you return it soon!"

"Was it a herbology book?" asks Kelsi.

"Herbology? No, it was on demonology."

Demonology? What the heck?! Kelsi looks shocked too but hides it quickly. So the herbology book doesn't belong to Professor Vutha... What was I studying demonology for?! Moreover, I haven't seen any book like that at the apartment, so where the heck is it? I decide to shift the subject before she asks about her book again, a bit embarrassed.

"Do you know why I was so interested in witches, Professor?"

She pauses a second, looking like she is thinking deeply.

"...I am not too sure, you said it was a personal interest. You had a lot of questions, though. About the three elements, necromancy, the witch hunts, the Moon Goddess, the magic circles..."

"Necromancy?" repeats Kelsi.

"The practice of conjuring spirits! It is very interesting, witches have a different view of the underworld from humans. You were very interested in that, actually. The reincarnation circle too, though I think you had read a few too many fantasy books!"

This is getting more and more intriguing, but not necessarily in a good way... I'm getting nervous now. What was Clarissa Garnett doing with all those questions? And conjuring spirits? Reincarnation? Kelsi looks a bit white too since the professor mentioned necromancy, in particular. Professor Vutha grabs her suitcase and sighs.

"I am very sorry, Miss Jones, but I have another class scheduled on the other side of campus, and honestly, I don't think I can tell you more than that. You only asked questions about the basics of witchcraft, and usually left with the answers or my book recommendations, that is all I can say."

"Thanks..."

Kelsi and I watch her leave, both a bit confused. Kelsi crosses her arms, fidgeting with the ends of her long braids.

"The more we ask, the creepier it gets. Why were you researching witches?"

"I know... I mean, I know it's getting creepy. Still, it actually feels nice we finally found a lead. That woman was the first to actually know me before I... you know."

Kelsi nods with a little smile.

"Other than me, you mean! Plus, she knew about Miss Jones," she rectifies. "It sounds like a made-up name? Though maybe we will get more answers if we look for Mara Jones than Clarissa Garnett."

"Maybe... It looks like I hid the fact that I was researching about witches from everyone, including you."

Kelsi bites her lip, but she eventually puts her hands in her sweater's large pocket and agrees.

"Probably from your sister too. I mean, you lied and apparently never went to the classes you had registered for, and came to this one instead. It's a rather specific course, even for Silver City. There aren't many universities with paranormal-related classes, I'd bet..."

"Maybe I even came to Silver City specifically for this class. Why witches, though? Like why was I researching this before... the incident? It just sounds too..."

A worrying thought is growing in my head, and scaring me more and more. This may not have been as much of an accident as I thought, whatever it was... whatever Clarissa did.

"I know," sighs Kelsi. "You know, we should ask the welcome desk again, for a Clarissa or Mara Jones this time and make a stop at the library. I had asked for Clarissa Garnett, but you may have borrowed books as Miss Jones?"

I nod, and we decide to get Ben, waking him up to get out of here. During the time we spent with the professor, everyone else had cleared the classroom, which I am not going to complain about. I haven't forgotten all those glares from earlier, and I'm not sure I want to find out what the hell is going on.

Kelsi and I explain what he missed to Ben, leaving the werewolf frowning more and more.

"That's..." he says, massaging his neck, at a loss for words.

"Yep, we know," sighs Kelsi, "so now, we were thinking of going to the library to ask about books Mara–I mean, Clarissa may have borrowed under a fake name. But seriously, do all werewolves sleep as much as you?"

"Hey, we burn a lot of energy! I'm not a sit-and-study kind of guy, okay?"

"So far I've seen you store energy, not the other way around," she chuckles.

We finally leave the classroom, the two of them still bickering. They are kind of cute together, but my thoughts are still a bit too dark to join the conversation. I can't help but feel even more nervous than before and repeat the teacher's words over and over in my head...

As we leave the building, I realize the area is somehow more crowded than before... strangely crowded. Little groups of students have gathered around the buildings, and a lot of them are glancing our way. No one seems to be going to class or just hanging out. I feel stared at like a beast in a zoo. I don't like this. Kelsi keeps glancing around too and walks closer to me, unsure. Ben is frowning, his stance like he is on guard, and I'm pretty sure he is somehow scanning the area fully from the quick movements of his eyes. He's positioned himself to stand closer to us too. We are moving next to the building's wall, and Ben is walking between us and all the students gathered around.

I don't like this, but Kelsi and I keep walking in silence, toward the library as we agreed. No one follows us, but I can feel their glances. My senses are tingling, and more importantly, I can feel my fire inside, stirred up too. My fingertips are tingling a bit. I take long breaths, keeping it under control. No voices yet, but I'm just intrigued about what is going on at the moment. We soon arrive at the library building, and we carefully walk along the wall to get to the entrance, but I feel... cornered. It's a horrible feeling, to have a whole crowd with negative feelings aimed at you. I hear Ben growling slightly, warning them.

"We don't want a damn witch on campus!" a man's voice suddenly yells.

We freeze, shocked. How the hell do they know who I am? Kelsi stares at me, her eyes open wide in horror. She is scared about what that mob wants; I do not like that there are so many of them assembled around us already, I really don’t. I grab her wrist and pull my friend slightly behind me. If they have an issue with me, they don't have to get Kelsi involved. However, Ben is standing between the crowd and us, and he's not refraining his growling anymore.

They are a bit wary of the menacing werewolf, but just one isn't enough to scare them away. I didn't catch who said that, but there's obviously a general agreement on the matter.

"If you have a problem with me, say it now!" I yell, annoyed at their attitude.

"Mara, don't provoke them!" growls Ben.

"Well, they already know, don't they? They might as well say whatever they have to say and leave me the fuck alone..."

"Just fuck off!" yells a girl.

"Get out of here!" says another voice.

"Mara..." whispers Kelsi, pulling my arm with a worried look.

I am not afraid of them. Moreover, none of them are approaching. They are staying at a distance, even if they are getting more and more people and slowly cornering us. Those damn cowards... They are just trying to surround us? Ben is still growling, and from the way he bends forward with his back slightly arched, I can tell he is ready to shape-shift anytime too.

Somehow, we still make it to the library, and despite the crowd gathered, Kelsi pulls me inside and no one follows. Are they just going to wait outside?

Kelsi lets out a sigh of relief, but she won't let go of my hand. She goes to one of the secretaries, and quickly explains the situation, making up some lost library card excuse and asking if anyone took any books out under the names Mara or Clarissa Jones. The young lady, probably a former student or something, doesn't really seem to care about her explanation. She nods and starts typing on her computer.

"Yes... Clarissa Jones. Oh, wow. Lady, you owe this library nine books! You're at least four months past the return date! Is this a joke?"

Kelsi grimaces.

"S-sorry about that... We will make sure to return them all. Can you give us a list so we can make sure we retrieve them all?"

"You got an email?"

"Sure..."

Kelsi pulls out her phone to give the lady her email address, but as soon as she looks at her screen, she frowns and bites her lip.

"Holy crap, Mara... Look."

She shows me a notification from her social media. I can't believe it. It's a freaking picture of us in front of the library. This was definitely just taken! The caption has several hashtags, including #burnthewitch and #kickthebitchout . Holy crap... We exchange a glance, and while Kelsi talks to the librarian, I turn to Ben.

"Okay, I may have underestimated that shit a bit. Do you have any reinforcements nearby?"

He nods with a dark expression.

"We have other werewolves on the campus, I already called them for help... Still, let's get you out of here quickly. Kelsi, you got the list?"

She nods, putting her hood back on her head. It's not helping her be more discreet, though, with those furry cat ears on it... I chuckle. Kelsi's quirks appearing in this kind of tense situation are the unexpected comedic relief I didn't foresee. She glances at the door, making a sour face.

"Alright, let's just hurry back to the car?"

Ben nods and walks out of the library first.

This time, the large crowd starts yelling as soon as they see me.

"Fuck off, witch!"

"Die!"

"Nobody wants you here!"

I glare at them and put my arm around Kelsi's shoulders, she is definitely more scared than I am. We walk fast, trying to get back to the parking lot, Ben growling all along. I'm pretty sure he would have shape-shifted into his wolf form already if he didn't have to drive us home.

Suddenly, I feel a bump against my head and see an empty soda can fall at my feet. The yells get louder, and I try to ignore them. I feel the circle of people around us closing in and surrounding us alarmingly fast. We are only a few meters away from the car...

"Let's hurry..." whimpers Kelsi.

I'm following her, but I keep glancing at those people. What the hell is their problem, and how the hell did they find out about me? Another object is thrown at us, and Ben is getting really mad. So am I. That one almost hit Kelsi!

I see a beer bottle flying, and it hits Ben. I clearly saw the perpetrator this time. That asshole!

"Mara, no!"

Too late. I am not letting them get injured for my sake! I take a few steps away from Kelsi, and light my fire in my hand, as a clear warning. I just need them to leave us the fuck alone until we get in the car. All the students suddenly get scared, and a lot of them run away, but the bravest of them are actually angered even more by my power.

"You fucking witch!"

They try to come forward to grab my arm, and Ben growls furiously. I extend my fire and Kelsi whimpers, reluctant to leave me, though she's probably dying to run to the car.

Suddenly, a big, black shadow jumps in between the students and me. The large black wolf growls furiously.

I keep staring, at a loss. Who is that wolf, and why does he feel so... strangely familiar? My heart is beating like crazy in my chest. He keeps growling furiously, and the students are terrified this time. Even the bravest ones retreat, far enough to be away from the black beast.

I don't care much about those idiots anymore. I can't keep my eyes off the beautiful wolf in front of me. I feel a couple of raindrops fall on me, reminding me to put my fire away. I look down at my hands and focus for a second, closing them and extinguishing the red flames. Kelsi seems to calm down a bit, but she grabs and pulls my hand.

"Mara, let's go..."

"Go to the car," I tell her, my eyes not leaving the wolf.

"No, no, Mara, you're coming too," says Ben, though he's obviously glancing at his peer.

Why does Ben look so nervous about that wolf? He just helped us, didn't he? Does that mean he is not from the White Moon pack?

I keep looking and realize what's been bothering me so long: he has this sort of aura thing, too, very similar to that of Selena's husband's. Another Alpha werewolf? His is dark as a shadow, as intimidating as darkness can be... Although, my whole body feels strangely warmer, and I shiver a bit. What the hell is that sensation? I felt it at the club, too... It was the same thing. Is it the same guy...? I glance at Kelsi, feeling a bit unsure. Why are all of my senses tingling like this? I just... I don't get it. I know this is dangerous and I should get out of here, yet...

Whoever this wolf is, I need to know. I glance at Ben, but he is still glaring at the people who did not leave the area, and are just observing us from afar. The black wolf did a pretty good job of scaring them, though. We are no longer in danger, I think. Then... why is my heart beating like crazy? I feel the rain starting to pour on us, and Kelsi pulls me toward the parking lot again. More wolves arrive to stand between them and us. The werewolves are assembling like a wall, and the students understand it's no use anymore. Some of them run back to the buildings to shelter themselves from the rain. No one wants to stick around now that about a dozen werewolves are here to be our bodyguards. I hear Ben's voice telling me again it's time to go too.

I can only focus on one wolf, though.

The black wolf turns around, and I finally see his eyes. One is of a mysterious silvery-blue color, and the other is... white. Like a white veil is covering it. There's some strangely shaped scar on it too, making me think there's something wrong with his eye. He glances at me, his aura scaring me a little, and he suddenly walks away. My eyes follow him without thinking, and my heart goes crazy in my chest. Why is he going already when the other wolves are still here? Where is he headed? I know I should be going, but my whole body is begging me to follow him.

"Mara!"

Kelsi's call wakes me up from this strange slumber, but I can't shake off that feeling.

"Go to the car... Go home," I tell her. "I'll catch up with you later, I promise."

"What? Mara!"

I'm not listening anymore. Rule or not, I shake her hand off me, and now I'm running after the black wolf. He's fast, and I struggle to not lose him. He's headed off campus. He's not a student then? I take one street after another, trying to keep up. Why isn't he stopping? He clearly saw I was following him!

The thunder breaks the sky above us, but I don't care. I don't care about a storm or the downpour falling on me, I just focus my whole being into following this black wolf as if my life depended on it. My clothes are quickly drenched and become annoying, sticking to my skin. It gets darker, but I don't lose sight of the black streak in front of me. I see him glance back several times, and he accelerates. That jerk is trying to lose me!

I don't give up, and keep going. I hear him growling a bit, warning me to stop following him, but I don't care. I need to know who he is. The image of that guy's back in the leather jacket haunts me. I don't know how I am so sure that's him, but I am. I'm so sure, almost as if it's printed into my core.

Finally, we end up at the limit of the city, where the forest begins. I remember, Kelsi said all of Silver City is surrounded by either the sea or a vast forest. A perfect environment for werewolves to reside in, and strangers to stay out. So why would that guy come to the border? We are past the buildings, right at the end of the streets; beyond that, it's nothing but trees as far as my eyes can see. The thunder suddenly makes an awful ruckus above, but even that doesn't distract me. I still have my eyes on the black wolf, who finally stopped running. He's at the edge of the border, almost in the forest. I feel another strange sensation, like something... cold is in front of me. As if I was facing a wall of ice.

I frown and raise my hand. It seems stupid because there's obviously nothing in front of me, but my instinct is telling me otherwise. I extend my arm farther and suddenly, something burns my fingertips.

"Ouch!"

I retract my hand and check my fingers, but there's nothing. The pain is still clearly lingering, though, like a bite or an electric shock... I raise my eyes to look at the black wolf. He is only a couple of meters away from me, still watching me. How did he get out when I can't? That strange field or whatever this is, I'm not risking my fingers again. I can still feel it. Damn it!

"Who are you?" I yell, hoping he'll hear me despite the storm.

He keeps staring at me, not moving. I thought he might run away into the forest or something, but he seems just fine with me being unable to get closer. How petty.

"I saw you at the club," I continue. "I want to talk to you!"

He growls a bit, looking annoyed. What the heck is wrong with him? Does he know me or what? I'm feeling stupid already, yelling at a wolf under this downpour!

"Are you going to talk or not, you idiot?!" I yell, annoyed.

Several long seconds pass. If it wasn't for the rain, it wouldn't have felt so horribly drawn-out and awkward! However, the black wolf is still there, eyeing me, and I just can't leave.

Finally, he moves. It seems like he's standing on his legs, and his body transforms into a human in a few seconds. This is my first time seeing a werewolf shape-shift, and there's something mesmerizing about it. The black fur disappears, showing off a tall, well-built body. His skin is already wet from the rain, but still, he's more muscular and taller than I imagined. I swallow my saliva. Shit, he's... handsome. His fur only remained on his head, showing off his short-cut, silky, black hair, and he runs his hand through it to chase a bit of water from dropping into his eyes. Even his eyes are... mesmerizing. They are exactly the same as his wolf's, one of a cold silvery-blue, the other... blind white. Plus, there are the remnants of a scar that makes a strange pattern around it, like a leopard's markings, or imperfect circles. As if something had been splattered on it...

Despite that, he's really... handsome. Perfectly clean-shaven, and somehow, he looks young but with the charisma of an older man. He has fine features, a square face, and a cute little chin that makes his lips look like he's about to pout. And his muscles... I have a hard time not getting too absorbed in those fine lines. I don't know how long it’s been since I’ve seen a naked man, but he is definitely very well-built, with thin muscles and everything. He reminds me of that young Adonis statue in the hospital's park... Oh, shit, not just the statue, he happens to be naked too.

I make sure to look up, focusing on his face and not on... whatever's below. Thankfully, it's rather dark and he's half standing in the forest's shadows. I try to control my heartbeat, but I didn't expect his human form to be... like this. Or how I'd react to it. I just don't know what's going on, I feel like my whole body is on fire, without any flames. I need to control myself, I need answers first. I see him sigh, making a sour face. He's still glaring at me as if the growling in his wolf form hadn't been enough.

"Who are you?" I ask again.

"Stay away from me," he growls.

I shiver. His voice is deeper than I thought, and surprisingly warm, despite the warning. It's not that intimidating, though. As if I could come any closer! Whatever is keeping me where I am, he knows it's there. That guy stopped right when I arrived at this strange barrier or whatever this is. He knew it'd stop me, so why is he warning me again?

"Do you know me?" I ask.

"No."

"Then why did you come to help me at the university? Ben didn't call you, did he?"

I'm starting to understand a bit of a pattern between the werewolves, enough to know that if this guy isn't from the White Moon Clan, he wasn't called over by Ben to help us. He was the first one to come, though, and right when things took a bad turn.

"You were at the club too. If you don't belong to the White Moon, who the hell are you, and why did you help me?"

He keeps glaring, without answering. What is his problem? He's breathing rather heavily and takes another step away from me. If I didn't know any better, I would even think he's almost... scared of me. However, those aren't the eyes of someone who is scared. I have no idea who this guy is, and yet, he's glaring at me like he wants to kill me. For someone who pretends he doesn't know me, that's a bit too much!

"...I didn't want to help you," he whispers.

"Are you actually going to give me answers or are we playing charades? I've had more than my share, lately," I frown.

He looks away, clearly annoyed. At least, he's still here. I just don't get it.

"Do you know me or not?" I insist.

"I don't know you!" he yells back. "I just know you're the witch, and I don't want anything to do with you!"

Oh, we are finally making some progress here. I cross my arms, completely drenched. Damn it, I wish I had brought a bit more clothing, I'm only wearing this long T-shirt, and I'm soaked all the way to my socks. Surprisingly, I see his eyes go down on my wet figure too and I frown. Seriously, is he fucking gawking now? Our eyes meet, and he immediately looks away, blushing a bit. Wait, Mr. Death Glare is blushing now?!

"Are you sure you don't know me?"

"I don't!" he protests.

"Then why did you run away?"

I can tell my questions annoy him to the core. His eyes are finally going back to me, and his glare is not as intense. What is the deal with him, why is he acting like that, and why am I feeling like this? I'm so tensed up, my heartbeat is going crazy and it has nothing to do with the horrible weather above us.

"I wasn't running away..." he growls.

"We both know you were running away from me," I retort. "You came and you ran all the way here where I can't follow you."

I want to try approaching again, but I know this barrier is still there, I can feel it. I look up, but aside from the rain, there's really nothing visible. So annoying.

"Why can't I come closer?"

"There's a protective barrier."

"It doesn't work on you."

"I'm a werewolf. You're a witch. It only stops witches..."

Damn it, that's why he's fine and I'm freaking trapped here. Why the hell is there a barrier outside of Silver City anyway? Did they do this to keep me here? Why? I light up my flames, in both hands, and he reacts immediately, growling.

"Stop it!"

I ignore him. I'm not going to let this stupid barrier keep me trapped like this!

I bring my flames to the barrier, and suddenly, a wave of darkness hits me. I lose all sight for a second, but a horrible, strident ringing pierces my ears. I fall on all fours, completely stunned. What the heck is this horror?! I'm feeling so sick, my stomach is turned all over, and I can't breathe. With whatever strength I have left, I crawl away from that barrier. I can feel the mud underneath, and I just keep struggling to get away, as far as I can. Crap, I feel like throwing up... I've never felt so sick before.

Finally, the ringing stops, and I can breathe again. What the hell was that…? My sight comes back slowly, though it feels like a dark fog more than my actual vision. I'm still nauseous like I was just thrown out of a rollercoaster... Shit...

"...You okay?"

It's my turn to glare at him. He came closer to the barrier, and he has the fucking balls to look worried for me. Do I look okay? I'm lying in the freaking mud, drenched and feeling like someone just hit me with a hammer!

"...I told you," he says.

"Yeah, I got the message..." I mumble.

I take several deep breaths to calm myself down, and after a lot of effort, somehow manage to get back on my feet. He's still there and watching me, and it annoys me. Why did I even follow this idiot? He still looks somewhat sorry, which bothers me even more.

"I fucking get it," I grumble.

"What?"

"You don't like me, you have no name, and obviously, you aren't going to give me any answers. I'm fucking tired of getting dragged left and right by people who want to protect me or kill me, so it'd be nice if you could fucking decide between being an asshole and being sorry for me!"

He looks like I just slapped him. Well, at least, that is satisfying. I feel like crap, and I am in no mood to indulge Mr. Death Glare any longer. As I said, I'm fucking done. I just ran across the city to get hit by an invisible wall and meet a jerk who isn't willing to say anything unless I crawl in the mud. I don't even know why I was so desperate to follow this guy. None of this makes sense, and I feel even crazier than before. And damn bitter too.

I hear him sigh.

"...Liam."

"What?"

"My name. It’s Liam Black."

I frown. ...Liam Black, like one of the Black Brothers? Did Kelsi say there were three of them? I stay speechless for a second. I'm tired, and not sure I just understood that right. That guy looks just a bit older than me, not old enough to be some businessman like his older brothers, whatever their names were. So there's a third brother, and that's him? Isn't he part of the other clan, then, not Selena's? Why was he watching me?

He glances sideways, and I can tell he wants to leave. I'm surprised he's even still here when he obviously would rather be anywhere else. I’m shivering, cold, and pretty much fed up with this guy. He’s standing there, avoiding looking at me, yet still there. I frown and keep my arms tight around me. I’m so damn cold, dirty, and exhausted. I sniffle.

“Why do you hate me so much?” I ask.

It’s the one thing I just don’t get. The other werewolves don’t like me, but they don’t hate me, at best. This guy is clearly strongly opinionated already, and he said he doesn’t even know me! He looks a bit stunned by my question and finally looks back at me. At least, his valid eye does? Damn, he’s really attractive. Our eyes lock for a few seconds, and once again, my heartbeat goes erratic. Despite the horrible state I’m in, a wave of heat rises from within. I don’t understand what the hell it is with this guy that makes me so crazy like this.

Moreover, he seems to be… as conflicted as I am. I see him gasp as if looking at me was giving him the same insane feeling. What the heck is this?

“I don’t…” he says.

However, he doesn’t finish his sentence, leaving the two of us hanging stupidly. He doesn’t what? Hate me? If so, can’t he just freaking say it? I'm already feeling like enough of an idiot as it is! Running after some random werewolf guy who doesn’t know what he wants?

“Why did you help me?” I ask again.

My tone is more accusatory this time, but he’d better not throw a fucking half-answer at me again. I see him frown a bit, despite the rain dripping down his forehead, and he shakes his head.

“I sensed something was happening, so I came, that’s it.”

How did he feel a stupid mob going nuts over a witch? I’m done. I agitate my hands, but I can’t even bother to light up a flame when I’m drenched like this, it makes no sense. I turn around, annoyed. He’s not letting me follow him or giving me answers either. I’m done here.

“Where are you going?!” he yells.

“Why do you care, you were the one running away!”

“You–”

“Anyway, just come and find me when you feel like talking instead of acting like a jerk!”

Just like that, I walk away. I’m so fed up with that guy, these crappy days, and all the half-answers or truth-bomb questions everyone has been dropping on me all day!

I resist glancing back to see if he follows me, and look around for a place to shelter myself from the rain. It's a downpour here, and I'm drenched to the bone. I have no idea where I am either. How am I going to get back to my place? Am I even still in White Moon territory? I keep going, walking around the streets for a clue. With this terrible weather, the streets are empty. There isn't even anyone to ask.

Those tall buildings offer no place to hide either. I feel like a cat, wandering aimlessly and letting myself get completely soaked. Crap, it will be a miracle if I don't get sick. My nose is running already, and I'm cold with the start of a headache. I look around once more, raindrops dripping down my eyelashes.

"Come here."

Before I can turn around, I feel my arm being grabbed, and I'm pulled in another direction. He lets go, but now it’s the black wolf that suddenly appears in front of me, guiding me. What, so he changed his mind now?

I follow him, as he does seem to know where to go, but I hope this isn't some crappy trap!

Finally, we reach what looks like an old building. Is this a chapel? It's too small to be a church. There is only one door, but a big lock is on it. However, the black wolf ignores it and squeezes in between the fence to walk inside the chapel's little garden. I frown, but still follow him, climbing over the little fence. Where is he taking me?

He disappears on the side, and I realize that there's an open window. Does he want to squeeze in there? The black wolf easily goes in. I can't see anything past that opening, but if he can get in... I contort myself and finally manage to get in. It's a little jump down, and I land on my bent knees, but at least, we are in a proper shelter from the rain.

I get back up and look around. It looks abandoned... This place obviously hasn't seen any prayers in at least a couple dozen years. There's dust piling up, all the other openings are locked, and aside from spiders, no one alive is around. It's a small place too... Only four benches, a little place for prayers, and a fountain against one of the walls. The window by which we came in sends a ray of light inside, but considering the dark clouds and the storm outside, it's still very dark. So dark, I've lost sight of the black wolf. Where did he go? I frown, looking around.

I actually spot some abandoned candles gathering dust on a shelf. I go get them, and after several attempts, I manage to light them with my fire. I look through the shelves, but there are no more candles, other than those two. That will have to do... I put them in a spot where they can light up the place without the risk of being blown out, and turn around. If only there was a fireplace, it would be even better... At least we are safe from the rain. I can hear it banging against the windows, but the one we came from might be the only one that's protected, there's only wind coming in that way.

"...Take this."

I turn around just in time to receive it. A leather jacket... I recognize it as the one he was wearing at the nightclub. So it really was his back I saw.

This must be a hideout of his because Liam appears back in his human form and is dressed in actual clothes this time. He's wearing some jeans and a simple sleeveless top, but somehow, I manage to find him even more attractive than before... His hair is still wet too, and his muscles are showing under this kind of top. I put the jacket on my shoulders. At least it's a bit warmer... I shiver. It's a bit... awkward. Liam Black sits on the floor, farther away from me, next to the little altar.

I can't help but glance at him. Damn, he's very... handsome, especially in this atmosphere. All the decor strangely suits him. He looks like some fallen angel, with a statue a bit higher above him, and the light of the dark sky shining on the stone around him. I'm mesmerized. Why do I feel this strange... connection to a guy that wants nothing to do with me? I tighten his jacket around my shoulders. It smells like rain, old leather, and... him. Something musky that I like. I feel like a bit of a pervert... I blush a bit and try to look elsewhere. I am still cold, but at least, this is better.

We can hear the rain coming down on the roof, and the storm still raging outside. The thunder seems to be right above us, making me worry if this roof is going to hold. The wood is creaking above, but Liam doesn't seem to worry one bit.

I decide to sit on one of the benches, leaving my shoes on the floor and putting my feet on the bench. I curl up a bit, leaning my side against the back of the bench. We stay like this for a long while, and I even feel a bit... sleepy. Hell yeah, I'm tired. Yet, my senses prevent me from actually falling asleep. I just can't relax with this guy here. The rain doesn't seem like it's going to stop anytime soon. I should have kept my phone, but I left it in Kelsi's bag... I'm an idiot. I envy the werewolves and their mind-linking ability.

"Your pack knows we are here?" I ask.

"No."

I frown. Doesn't he keep them informed? Or is it because he belongs to a different pack? I thought all werewolf packs more or less got along...

"You're... the youngest Black brother, then?" I ask.

Without looking at me, he nods. Actually, it looks like he's avoiding looking my way. I feel like he'd climb up the wall if he could... What the heck is with him? It's obvious he doesn't hate me that much if he guided me here, and he doesn't seem scared like all those idiots either. So what's his deal?

"Isn’t your pack going to worry?"

"No. They are used to it."

Used to what? Him hiding in creepy forgotten chapels like this? I sigh and shiver under his leather jacket.

"...I met your older brother. The blonde one."

"I know."

So they do talk between brothers... Is it just him acting out, then? I get up and start walking toward him. He notices and immediately tenses up. I knew it, this guy is super wary of me. He glares my way when I come up to him, but he won't move, and he doesn't try to growl either. Even that strange aura of his seems... tamed. I tilt my head.

"Is it because I am a witch?" I ask.

"What?"

"Your reaction to me. Is it because I am a witch, or is there something else?"

He scoffs.

"I am not scared of witches. I am the witch hunter of this city."

"A witch hunter?"

"I keep this city free of witches."

I chuckle. Isn't he doing a poor job of it since I’m here? He rolls his eyes, annoyed at my little mockery. He shakes his head and once again, looks away to answer.

"I mean... The ones outside."

"There are more witches outside?"

"Yeah. Since our... the previous one, Silver City is witchless, and they want to take it over. Several have tried to cross that barrier before."

"...Why?"

He sighs, as if I was asking annoying questions. However, this is of deep interest to me. Aside from the professor from before, this Liam guy is the only one who seems to know what he's talking about while mentioning witches...

"Witches attach themselves to cities with power. Silver City is one of those, and..."

"Since there are no more witches, they want it?"

"Basically."

I nod. No wonder they have that barrier thing, then... With the previous war that involved witches, they are probably done with them. Hence, my being here makes no one happy. Especially that witch hunter guy. I chuckle, realizing how strange my position is. It also explains, even more, why they are all so wary of me: I am the one witch that is already inside. Who put up that barrier anyway? Did they prevent witches from coming in without thinking one could possibly need to get out? How complicated.

"...So you prevent other witches from coming in... How many have tried? Since the war?"

"Just three," he says. "They never got too close, though. They know the barrier is there."

"So, what about me then?"

He growls a bit. Yeah, I'm annoying you with all my questions, aren't I? Somehow, it still makes me chuckle a little bit. I take another step closer, and Liam retreats a little, still frowning. He's not happy with me moving toward him, and there is nowhere he can run away to. Interesting... It makes me want to torment him a little.

"...We still don't know how you were able to get in," he growls.

"You're not pushing me outside."

"We're considering it..." he growls.

"The Luna doesn't seem to think so, though."

"Selena isn't my Luna."

"She's still your sister-in-law, and a Luna, isn't she?"

"I don't obey her, my brothers, or Nora. I do whatever I want."

Is he a loner, then? His brothers and their wives are the most powerful duos of werewolves around, so what does that make him? He said the other Luna's name is Nora. It doesn't ring a bell either, but at least, I know she's the one married to the King, Selena's sister-in-law and cousin. I'm starting to put this whole werewolf thingy together from a better angle, but this guy, Liam, he's not fitting in.

He does act like a loner. He didn't tell them where we are, and maybe they don't know he's with me either. How curious... I sigh. He hates me, but he helps me take shelter from the rain. He's a witch hunter that doesn't hunt me. This guy is just too complicated, isn't he?

A lightning bolt suddenly sparks up the whole room. I jump, a bit surprised, and my headache reappears all of a sudden. I retreat, trying to ignore it. Damn it...

"What is wrong with you?" he asks.

I ignore him, massaging my temples. I can feel it. The darkness, coming back... I need to breathe. Being trapped here with this guy is somehow not helping at all. I feel a bit stuffed, and the voices start to crawl back into my head. They are like echoes of whispers I can't control. They blur my ideas, my senses, my vision, everything.

"Hey."

I ignore him. I feel this shiver crawling up my spine, making me hotter and hotter. What the hell do they want, why now? Why? I'm not cold at all anymore, I'm fighting that fire within. I can feel Liam's eyes on me, and somehow, I feel like it's not helping at all.

Kill him.

What the heck... I don't want to kill anybody! What the heck is that creepy voice... I keep taking deep breaths and try to think a bit more. I try to remember Selena's lesson, but somehow, I don't feel as strong as before. What is this? I feel like this voice is getting crazier than before!

"I... I need to go..." I whisper.

"What?"

Once again, I ignore that guy. I really have to go. I feel sick. As if I was struggling to stay conscious, while that voice is getting crazy strong in my head. I hear her. It's screaming continuously, and all those whispers inside... No, no, Mara, don't let her win.

"I have to leave!" I whimper.

"Hey, hey, calm down."

I feel him, grabbing my wrists. I'm not sure where I am. Probably still inside the chapel. However, my legs are getting weak, and my head is hurting as if it was about to split in two. I want to scream too. I want to scream more. It's so painful...

"Mara. Mara, look at me."

I fight the dizziness and look up. I see him. His ice-blue eye and the white one. He's close, too close. I don't want him so close. My breath shortens, and my head spins again. I know I'm still standing because Liam's holding my wrists in front of me, but my body is falling apart. I hear my own breathing, erratic, and distressed. I can't...

"Mara."

His voice is like a siren calling to me. I fall to my knees, but Liam goes down with me. I have no strength to fight this horrible voice anymore... I hear that screaming, echoing in my head, taking up all that space, and blurring everything else. I can't take it anymore, she's in such distress...

I look up again, fighting my heavy eyelids. I can't let her in now. I need to stay awake... I focus on Liam. Liam Black, the werewolf. He's right here, holding my wrists and waiting for me to calm down. What is that thing thumping in my chest? All I can focus on is him. His face. His fine features, and the way he looks at me. He's worried and cautious. I can tell he's having his own fight too. Something sparks between us. He suddenly avoids my gaze, looking elsewhere, but I need him. I need him to hold me back. If he's not here, I'll...

"Hey, hey! Mara!"