Page 15 of His Blazing Witch (The Silver City #3)

My arms hurt. It's my first sensation as I slowly wake up, and find the way back to my senses. It's not unbearable, though. More like a slow ache, as if someone was applying constant pressure on an open wound. It stings a bit. I grimace and open my eyes. I'm expecting the white ceiling of the hospital, the one I've seen for months and months, but instead, it's a wooden one. My head is a bit heavy and slow to remember what happened. I try to put the pieces back together.

Everything comes back to me all at once, and it's not pleasant. The fire cat. The fight at the university, and my fight with Kelsi at home. The circle under the rug, the magic one. The face smiling in the mirror. The confrontation with Kelsi, in the kitchen, and the fire... Now, that explains why my throat feels like sandpaper. It’s dry as hell.

"…Mara?"

I turn to Kelsi's voice. She is sitting close, looking worried. Why does this feel so familiar…?

"Water," I gasp.

"Oh, sure. Here."

I drink down the full glass in seconds and immediately need a refill. Kelsi keeps topping up my glass and helps me get hydrated as much as I need until my stomach feels so full I can't drink anymore. I let out a long sigh of relief, feeling a little bit better. Still, my throat feels pretty dry when I finally speak up.

"W-where are we?"

"At the Black Mansion," she whispers.

"The... Liam's house?"

"Uh, no, his older brother's."

I'm confused. I vaguely remember episodes of the fire in that building. Faces flash before my eyes, and I try to sort out the mess, a bit lost for a second. Then, I suddenly remember something else.

"The grandma?"

"What? Oh, you mean the old lady from the fire? She is still in the hospital, but she is doing fine, from what we heard of her. They say only an old man died. I don't know anything else, though..."

I nod. That's still good enough for me. All this crap wasn't in vain... I didn't go back into that apartment for nothing. I feel a lot better after hearing that. I hope the grandma lives a few more years, her granddaughter is cute. I look at my arms, and they don’t look too bad... They are wrapped up in bandages, and someone changed me into a simple white tube top. I get up, and with Kelsi's help, put on the baggy denim pants they also prepared.

"So... This place is..."

"The Black Luna's home," explains Kelsi. "They decided to bring you–I mean us, here after the fire. The Luna tried to heal you, but it didn't work on your burn marks."

"Really?"

I'm surprised. From what they had all said, I kind of imagined her power was absolutely limitless or something like that. Kelsi shakes her head while I glance in the mirror to see what I look like. My hair is a whole mess of frizz, as usual, but I don't look too bad for someone who almost got killed last night... I frown.

"Wait, what time is it?"

"Oh, just about midday. You only slept through the night, actually."

That's good then, I had a little fright for a second. I don't feel like losing weeks or days of my life to a coma again. Kelsi guides me out of the bedroom. I realize we really are in some big family house. It has a very nice and warm feeling, with a nice smell of warm bread and coffee in the air. We walk past a large living room with a fireplace and a big sofa. Based on the rug with some random stains on it and the little toys scattered around the room, there has to be at least one child living here. I remember the pictures we found, with the little boy stuck to his mother. For the house of the most powerful werewolves in Silver City, it feels strangely cozy and welcoming.

We arrive in a large kitchen, empty as well. However, that delicious smell is stronger here, and I see a row of freshly baked croissants that cruelly remind me that I haven't eaten in hours... I must be the only one because Kelsi walks right by them without even sending them a glance. Damn...

We finally leave the kitchen through the back door and enter a very spacious garden. Wow... It's a really nice one. The green grass has been roughed up a little, but there are patches of wildflowers scattered everywhere, and a little vegetable garden on the side too. It looks like we left the city to be in a little bubble in the countryside. I can’t tell where this place is in Silver City, but it's... peaceful. Just as I’m following Kelsi, we are surprised by a little wolf that runs right by us.

"The puppies are so cute!" she exclaims.

Indeed, they look adorable. I follow the black wolf, who is running wild in the garden and being chased by two other wolves, brown and exactly the same size. As I glance around, I spot another pup, a white one this time. The little puppy gets up and comes toward us, walking gently. Kelsi looks excited and wants to approach it, but before she does, a large beast jumps in front of us. Kelsi yelps and I can't help but retreat too.

For a second, I wonder if that thing really is really supposed to be a wolf. It's large and brown, more like a bear! The large wolf growls as a warning, standing between us and the pups. I realize the warning is for me, as it has its green eyes on me.

"It's okay, Bobo."

I see Selena walking to us. She's in jeans and wearing a simple off-the-shoulder top, but she is still dazzling. She smiles at us, glancing at the large brown wolf.

"Sorry, Boyan is just cautious because of the kids. Stella, come here."

The white pup runs to her, and I realize she’s actually Selena's daughter? Wow... The werewolf world is amazing. Selena smiles and grabs her daughter to carry her. I hear Kelsi squeal next to me, and I can't blame her. Stella is as white as snow, with two adorable, big blue eyes; she looks like a little plushie. Selena smiles.

"This is my daughter, Estelle," she says. "Come, we are having brunch. Nora wanted to meet you, too."

I feel a bit nervous, following her into the garden. Bobo the big wolf seems to have completely accepted us now, he actually goes back to play with all the younger wolves.

As we arrive in the middle of the garden, I suddenly feel really nervous. Those are the most powerful werewolves in town, the Black family... Liam's family. Strangely, I had imagined them in some scary underground location or an impressive building, but instead, they seem to all be gathered for a family brunch in the garden! There are several adults present, and for a minute, I'm a bit intimidated and also trying to figure out who is who. It's hard to recognize people from a picture where they were all dressed up...

However, a beautiful, young woman immediately stands from the table and walks up to us with a bright smile. She is wearing a short cotton dress with floral patterns and a pretty headscarf. She looks even younger than I thought... With her long scar on her left eye, it's impossible not to recognize her. She's the Black Luna.

"Hi, Mara, nice to meet you," she says with a gentle smile. "I'm Nora!"

I want to open my mouth to say something, but before I can, I see their expressions sink.

"M-Mara, are you okay?" Kelsi asks, looking confused too.

What's going on? I realize I'm crying.

What the hell? I feel big tears running down my cheeks, and before I know it, I'm sobbing uncontrollably, as if I was completely overwhelmed by sadness. What is going on?! I can't control myself, it's just unstoppable. I wipe my tears, completely lost. I'm making a complete fool of myself, crying for no reason, and I have no idea why!

Selena hands me a tissue, but I can tell she has no idea how to react. She glances toward her cousin, frowning.

"You don't normally have that much effect on people..."

Nora seems really sorry, but I have no idea why I am reacting like this either. I just keep sobbing uncontrollably despite my attempts to control myself. What the hell is this? I glance at her again, but I'm overwhelmed with this pain. I thought it might come from her aura, as I see that white, bright halo around her, but that's not it.

Damn, this needs to stop. I close my eyes and take deep breaths, trying to control my emotions until I can stop sobbing like a baby. Just as I finally calm down, I hear someone else sobbing. I re-open my eyes, and Nora is glancing down at the little boy holding her skirt, who looks like a mini male version of her. The boy looks like he's about to cry too. She chuckles and crouches down to hug him.

"Will, it's okay, honey, it's okay. Do you want to go play with James and the others for a bit?"

The little boy shakes his head, and tries to hide behind her skirt, stuck to his mom. She gives me a little apologetic smile.

"Sorry about that, Will is a bit sensitive, and he is too young to shape-shift, so..."

"He can't turn into a wolf yet?" Kelsi asks, looking interested.

"The youngest shape-shifting we have seen so far was around three or four years old," explains Selena, pointing at the wild pack of pups running around in the garden, "and those were very precocious."

"Anyway, are you alright, Mara?" Nora asks.

I nod, feeling totally embarrassed to have cried for no reason in front of her. I don't know what came over me, but it was damn weird and unwelcomed, especially with so many strangers around... They probably think I'm the weirdest witch ever. I take a deep breath to repress my tears and turn to Nora.

"Sorry about that... So you are... Selena's cousin, right?"

"Yes, and her sister-in-law too."

I nod. I'm starting to understand more about their family tree now. Actually, the two men behind them with scary auras help... They really stand out from the group. I recognize Selena's husband instantly, with his ice-blue eyes. Nathaniel Black. He is sitting at the table, but instead of the deadly glare from last time, he is actually focused on the baby girl on his lap. She's blonde, just like her parents, with big blue eyes... I remember the little announcement on that website. This must be little Aurora… She looks like any happy little girl, smiling at her dad like he's the sun itself.

It's actually rather easy for me to tell which children are the Black children, even among the pups: they all have the same pure white halo as Nora. It's such a strange feeling. It's not something I can actually see, yet it is so clear, it feels like I could even touch it... I only feel Estelle and another young black wolf with this, though; the other pups look... like regular wolves.

"I'm... Mara," I sigh, "but you already know that."

"Yes," Nora chuckles, "I do know who you are. Actually, do you want to sit with us? I'm sorry we brought you here without asking, but I wanted to get to know you, and from what I heard, you're not fond of hospitals."

"That's the understatement of the year," I sigh.

I hesitate to give her a definitive yes about sitting down with them, though, because aside from Nathaniel Black, there is another dark aura, and I really, really don't feel like getting closer to that monster. He is standing a few steps behind his wife, but it’s like he’s her shadow. This man really feels like a dangerous beast. Although, the fact that he is holding a little baby so tenderly offers a very strange contrast.

Nora seems to notice my glance, and unaware of my fear, she smiles.

"Oh, this is my husband. Damian Black."

I nod, but Kelsi and I exchange a quick glance. There is no doubt: that man is the Alpha King of Silver City. His aura is the very definition of imposing; I didn't feel like I was affected, and yet, if I get any closer, I feel like I'm going to be crushed by the darkness. Strangely, the only solution is to stay close to Nora and Selena. I don't really get how that whole aura thing works for werewolves, but for me, it’s as if theirs are nullifying their husbands.

I only feel like it is safe for me to come close when Nora walks up to her husband, a smile gracing her face. I quickly glance toward Kelsi, but she looks unaffected. If anything, she is slightly blushing, probably just a bit intimidated. So this is definitely a witch and werewolf thing...

Nora smiles at her baby in her husband’s arms. Oh, right, she was still pregnant just months ago.

"Damian, you should put her to sleep. She looks tired."

"She can sleep here," he replies with a surprisingly soft and warm voice.

"In her crib," insists Nora.

The Alpha frowns, and for a second, I catch a glimpse of how scary that man could be if made angry. Yet, he sighs, and plants a light kiss on his wife's forehead before heading inside the house.

"Sorry about that," says Nora, taking a seat at the table. "He is literally obsessed with our daughter..."

"You guys need to stop making babies," suddenly says a voice behind me.

Liam walks past me and grabs some food from the table. His older brother, the blonde one that is sitting there, gives him a glare, but he ignores it, and walks farther away. Nora shakes her head.

"Ignore him, Mara, he's been pouting all day because I forced him to be here. Come on, take a seat! Do you want anything to eat?"

She starts listing everything they have and filling my plate, but I'm a bit concerned about the other people around the table that no one introduced to me. There is a woman with long brown hair, extremely pretty but looking a bit stiff and quiet. There is also a Black woman, focused on eating a full plate of meat, and right next to her, a man with a shaved head that has to be her sibling. He is talking to another woman, probably his wife, but I struggle to keep up with everyone. It's a big table, and no one really seems to be bothered by me or Kelsi taking a seat here. Even Nathaniel Black isn't bothered, and he is talking to a red-haired guy next to him.

As if it wasn't enough, there are a lot of wolves scattered in the garden. At a glance, about a dozen, but they are moving a lot, some playing with the children like Boyan, or going in and out as they please. I recognize Ben among them since I saw his wolf form before, and he is playing with the younger wolves too. I suppose their house is some sort of headquarters too... Selena catches me looking around and smiles.

"Relax, Mara."

It's hard to relax in front of so many strangers! I'm feeling a bit nervous, but Nora doesn't seem to have noticed, and finally puts a full plate down in front of me. She lets her son climb onto her knees and play with her long black curls. I had noticed in the pictures, but she is a really beautiful woman... although she is the exact opposite of Selena. If it wasn't for her aura, I wouldn't have guessed she is the Luna. I can imagine she is not the fighter of the duo. While Selena is tall, with a very fit body and an outspoken attitude, her cousin is more petite, with a gentle and caring expression. Truthfully, I wouldn't be able to tell that they are cousins. Selena has tanned skin, blonde hair, with amber or light brown eyes, I can't tell, while Nora is completely white with blue eyes and black hair. I can only see a very slight resemblance when they are together, mostly in their facial features, like their nose or the shape of their eyes...

"How do you feel?" asks Nora.

"I'm... fine."

"I tried to heal you, but just as I feared, my... ability doesn't work on witches. I think it's because your burns are related to your magic."

"It's okay," I say. "Thank you for trying to save me..."

"Oh, you should thank Liam more! He jumped into that building to save you!"

I am stunned. He did what? I turn to him, but he's obviously ignoring us, eating his food and standing away from the table, his back against the tree. Now that I think about it, I don't remember how I got out of that building... I keep staring at him, but he is definitely pretending he doesn't hear our conversation.

"I'm sorry, I don't... remember what happened."

"Well, you didn't listen, for one," says Selena with a frown. "However, you did save lives, so I'm not going to scold you for this one."

"Thanks... How did you get there so quickly?"

"Werewolves tend to relay the information very fast," she explains with a wink. "Although, no one was as fast as Liam to get there..."

She says that while staring at him with insistence, but once again, the younger Black brother ignores us. So he was there first? Again... just like at the university. I can't believe that guy just happens to be hanging around every neighborhood where I am in trouble. That's a bit too much of a coincidence. ...Is he watching me too?

I keep glancing his way, but no matter what, Liam Black won't look at me. He is eating away from the table, his back against a tree, watching the children play around. His figure is starting to feel familiar to me, but not those feelings when I see him. It's rather strange.

Moreover, why is he always hanging around me? It makes no sense, he is supposedly trying to stay away but when I need help, he is always there. I don't understand this guy, and those are more questions to add to my long, long list.

"You should eat," gently says Nora.

Her voice reminds me I have been sitting in front of my plate for a while without moving. I nod and start eating. It’s strange but I don't really feel out of place. Nora Black is very welcoming, and none of her guests are staring at me or anything, it's as if they were expecting me to be here, and didn't mind it... That's a nice change.

"To be honest," says Nora, "I was a bit eager to meet the new witch."

"The new witch?" I repeat, a bit intrigued by her choice of words.

"Yes... You know about... Sylviana, right?"

Yeah, I do. Somehow, I feel like that name is starting to become a shadow, following each of my movements and looking for a mistake. I glance toward Liam Black again.

"She was the previous witch watching over Silver City," says Nora.

I nod, although I already sort of knew that. I just don't get how they went from a witch that seemed to be loved around here to me, whom they only fear or hate so far... Once again, I feel like that witch left a big hole in her place that I'm supposed to perfectly fit in. However, all they have is a crazy Fire Witch that can barely make a move without going crazy.

To my surprise, Nora notices my expression and smiles.

"Don't worry, Mara. We are not expecting anything from you."

I frown and glance toward Selena.

"Are you sure...?"

"As long as you don't burn anyone," retorts the blonde, "and you learn to control your fire frenzy. I am not pulling off a firefighter move again, I won't always have a bucket of ice nearby..."

"So far I've barely lost control a few times," I respond.

"Have you seen the color of your arms, girl? You almost burnt yourself to death last night, and believe it or not, we don't want another dead witch in town."

I'm about to reply, but Liam suddenly growls. We all turn our heads toward him, and he is glaring at Selena. Just then, he suddenly shape-shifts into his black wolf like before and runs out of the garden. Nora shakes her head.

"That was not very subtle, Selena. You know Liam is still sensitive about that..."

"It's been two years, Nora. He can't keep acting like a child. I know he hurts more than anyone, but we need him to act like an Alpha around here. You can't keep treating Liam like a rogue teen, he should start taking care of his responsibilities."

"Isn't he fighting off witches past the border?"

They all turn to me, looking surprised.

"Liam does that? How do you know?" Nora asks, perplexed.

"The question is, why the fuck does he go beyond the barrier?" growls Nathaniel Black.

Oh, crap, did I say something I shouldn't have? I go quiet, but my eyes drift toward the direction he left in just now. That guy... He tells me stuff he didn't tell his family, yet he won't talk to me when I need him to. What's his deal?

"What was his relation? To the witches?" I ask. "He called himself the witch hunter, but..."

Nora grimaces.

"That is not really something for me to tell you, Mara. You should ask Liam directly... when he is ready."

I sigh. I do have a feeling, from the way they all react. I want to go back to my place and eat in peace, as I'm rather hungry now, but after a few minutes, while everyone else is having their own conversations, I realize Selena's eyes are riveted on me, and Nora is looking at her. Are they having another one of their silent discussions?

"What is it?" I ask, a bit annoyed.

"That name, Mara. I really can't remember where I've seen it, it's annoying..." growls Selena.

"That's been bothering you for a while," notes her husband.

"I know, I'm usually good at remembering stuff but I'm struggling with this. Mara, Mara... Damn it, I know it's going to take forever!"

I ignore her and turn to Nora.

"I understand I should ask Liam directly about his relationship or whatever, but... can you tell me more? About Sylviana? I don't have a witch to give me guidance here, and... I feel like she should have been the one to, if we hadn't missed each other."

She seems to hesitate but then, she turns to Selena.

"I'll be right back."

The White Luna nods, and Nora gets up, letting her son down. The little Will is about to follow us, stuck to his mom's skirt, but then, he sees his dad coming from the house and runs to him. Nora exchanges a look from afar with her husband too. He frowns slightly but doesn’t stop us. She probably told him what this was about... Sometimes, I'm a bit jealous of their mind-linking thing. It's like being in a room with strangers who speak another language and you don't understand a thing despite them being right next to you.

"Come on."

Nora guides me away from her family garden, and I realize their house is located in the outskirts of Silver City. Near the forest... and that barrier from before, most likely. When we arrive close to the barrier, I stop.

"I'm sorry, I won't be able to go further..."

"I know. Liam told me. Come, it's close by."

She changes direction, and I realize we are headed toward some... impressive tree. I slow down my pace, completely surprised. That tree is not just a regular tree. I see something sparkling around it, like little lights, but it's not something from this realm. I get the same sensation from when I was using the circle, like I was seeing through some strange, colored glass. I see this extraordinary halo around it, moving like a cold wind and extending around. I couldn't see the barrier before but now, I realize this tree is the source. It's extending like some veil along an invisible line between us and the forest. I gasp, impressed. Is this... magic too?

Nora doesn't seem to see that strange veil like I do. She walks up to the tree and gently puts her hand against it. I'm... surprised. The tree seems to react to her aura, as if it was channeling it.

"That's..."

"This is the barrier Sylviana left to protect us," Nora explains. "When she... died, she used her magic to be reincarnated into this tree, to protect us."

I'm speechless. The previous witch is... within this tree? I do feel as if it is living... I mean, not like a tree, but as if it had a different presence, something more imposing. I glance at the barrier, surprised. So this is what witches can do too. Create barriers like this. I think about that magic circle, could I be able to produce something like this someday too? I bite my thumb, a bit unsure, and continue to observe it.

"It's... breaking."

Nora turns to me, surprised.

"What?"

"The barrier," I whisper, a bit unsure. "It's weaker in some parts, like the tree can't... maintain it. I think it's already been damaged."

Nora gasps and looks at the tree, confused. I know it may sound crazy, coming from the novice witch, but I'm pretty sure about what I'm saying this time. It's like I can perfectly see that bubble, now that I have seen its source. I see the halo that emanates from Sylviana's tree and spreads wide to shelter Silver City, but it's not even. Some parts look like they’re thinner, or the tree can't get to them. I look for one of those weak spots and walk up to it. I take a deep breath and bring my hand to it. Yeah, it's not as painful as last time. If I persist a bit, I could perhaps push through it, with a lot of effort...

"You can see such things?" asks Nora, looking impressed.

I shrug.

"Apparently... This is new for me too. I'm only guessing at all this witchy stuff most of the time. This barrier sent me on my butt just days ago, but now that I have seen... her tree, I think I understand it better. It's like everything else, I'm learning without the right tools for that. However, it is rather obvious to me that this... your barrier isn't in good shape."

Nora frowns, and tries to look at this invisible wall with a worried expression.

"To be honest, I had that feeling too. That's why Liam has been guarding the border... To be honest, I don't think Sylviana's tree was meant to protect us forever. She always said that Silver City needed a witch."

She turns to me, looking very serious.

"I think this is exactly why you are here, Mara. I think Sylviana knew... someone like you was going to come and take over. As Silver City's new witch. She always said she couldn't see the future past her own death, but I don't think she would have... acted the way she did if she wasn't sure someone would be able to come and take her place."

I take this a bit hard. It changes... a lot of things. I always felt like the outsider in Silver City, the strange and unwelcome witch no one wanted. Because there was someone before me, who fit the role of Silver City's witch, and I am not a good replacement. However, this woman, Nora, she makes it sound like it’s the other way around... I shake my head.

"You might be overestimating me," I mutter. "Selena wasn't wrong, earlier. To be honest, I'm barely getting the hang of it, it's a miracle I haven't... burned something else yet."

That's an understatement, actually. Not only can I barely control my fire, but I haven't forgotten those voices. For some reason, they have been strangely quiet for a while, but I know they are still there, lurking. I am in no hurry to hear them mess with my mind again, but I wish I knew what the heck is going on and what I am dealing with.

"I don't think your witch... that Sylviana expected me at all." I sigh. "If she did, why wouldn't she have told you? At least, I would have liked to have some sort of guidance. How to become a good witch in ten lessons or something. I have nothing, I... I don't even know who I am. I don't think anyone smart would entrust a city and its people to a girl who can't even solve her own issues."

Nora suddenly bursts out laughing, making me jump. What the hell did I say that was so funny? She takes a few seconds to calm down, and I'm a bit nervous. Did I say something stupid or what?

"Sorry," she says. "It's just that... your sentence... I think I relate to it so much, it's a bit funny."

I try to remember what I just said, and suddenly, her own story comes back to mind. Right... They did say she came from the slums and raised to her position almost overnight. No wonder she felt this was relatable. I shake my head.

"It's not the same thing. You knew you were a werewolf, and what a werewolf was! I am starting from nothing."

"I didn't shape-shift until I was seventeen, you know. Compared to my son, I'm a very late bloomer. I only found out the truth about my family and my lineage around that time too."

I sigh, biting my thumb nervously again. Damn, I need to stop doing that. I take a deep breath.

"I get it, but I don't–"

"You're going to find answers, Mara. Maybe you are just trying too hard to be someone else. Sometimes it's more about the journey than the destination."

"I'm not... I don't have a starting point. This isn't a journey, it's a sandpit. If I knew what to do, anything at all, I'd gladly do it. But for now, my only direction is being used as a barbecue or signing up as a firefighter. There is nothing much about being a witch that I have been able to find so far, I'm trying to find the smallest clues, but..."

I sigh and look at the tree.

"If... if she really meant for me to come here, to take over Silver City and help you, why didn't she give me any clues? I'm just... lost. All of the time. My own family is a pathetic mess and close to non-existent, except for my elusive but overbearing sister. I just found out that my only friend is basically a spy, and Bonnie and Ben work for you werewolves. I am absolutely nobody so far."

Nora makes a sorry expression, finally nodding to my words. I bet she heard about all of this already, from Selena most likely. Her eyes go back to the tree.

"...What about Liam?"

I blush a bit.

"What about him?"

"You feel a connection, don't you?" she asks gently. "I saw it... in the way you looked at him. You and Liam might have more in common than you think."

"An obsession for witches?" I scoff.

Nora chuckles.

"Well, that's a start!"

If only he wasn't trying to run away from me all of the time. He hasn't been very cooperative so far. Yet, I keep repeating to myself that he did come to help me... twice. First, at the university, he appeared out of the blue to help me. Secondly, in that fire. What kind of guy runs into a fire to save someone they have been trying to avoid? A lot of this doesn't make much sense to me...

"I really think you should try talking to Liam. He might be the one you need to help you. He does know a lot about witches, so if you can convince him..."

So far, I have been thinking about how to actually capture this guy and trap him to make him talk. He is annoyingly nice but enigmatic, and as I am slowly finding out, patience is not my forte.

"Maybe I need to be a bit more... convincing." I sigh.

"Oh, feel free to chase him all you want. He hasn't been helping much with the packs lately, his brothers will be happy to see him busy instead of just roaming around..."

"How come he isn't... you know, an Alpha like them?"

"He is an Alpha, he just... doesn't feel like leading a pack. Liam has been in Damian and Nathaniel's shadow most of his life, I think he just... might be struggling to find his own way. He likes to have some alone time, and it's been worse since... the war."

I nod, understanding a bit. He does seem like a loner. Somehow, even though it's his family, he didn't seem to fit in during their family time earlier. I remember a detail I'd been meaning to ask about.

"His eye..."

"He lost it in the war too. It was an injury caused by magic, so unfortunately, I wasn't much help... like your burn marks, I suppose."

I glance down at my charcoal-tainted arms. I guess it would be too easy if the Luna's healing power could heal everything. I don't really mind, though. These markings are a part of me... somehow. Plus, I am learning to live with them as proof that I am a witch. If anything, I'm learning to be proud of them.

"Alright," I say. "Do you know where to find Mr. Runaway?"

"You should check the docks. He is often at–"

We both turn our heads at the same time. Something just creaked on the other side of the barrier, and there’s this strange feeling too. Instinct doesn't lie. Nora and I exchange a glance, but she is mostly glaring at whatever is on the other side in the forest. I can feel it. Someone is staring at us, from the shadows. My skin is crawling, and I feel my fire crackling at my fingertips. We wait a little longer, but they don't reveal themselves. Nora is growling, warning them not to approach. Definitely not a wolf, then.

It lasts a while, but then, that sensation vanishes all at once.

"What was that…?"

"You mean who was that," mutters Nora. "Come on, let's not stay here... I don't like this."