Page 52 of His Blazing Witch (The Silver City #3)

I nod. Indeed, I... I can feel him. He's coming this way. Thank Moon Goddess... Nora smiles, and caresses my cheek gently.

"You've done great," she whispered. "We didn't want to let you fight alone, so we waited until we could intervene... You did great, Mara."

I chuckle nervously. Moon Goddess, why do those words feel so good...? I nod, and before I can resist, I start crying again. A few steps behind Nora's shoulder, Selena's golden eyes are on me too and she nods.

"That's right, witchy. I'm proud of you too. But remember, no matter how strong of a fighter you are, you need to trust your friends, okay? We are no good without backup. Moreover... you're part of the pack now. Remember that. You're a witch, but you're also one of us, okay?"

I nod between my tears, but my throat is too tight to answer. Selena sighs.

"And next time you go head first into a fight without warning us, I'm kicking your ass. So remember that too."

I laugh nervously and Nora chuckles, grabbing my wrist. She uses this... strange white halo thing that I can't even see clearly between my tears. Meanwhile, though, Selena goes back to being serious, and still crouching down, she pulls Ayesha forward. The Fire Witch has lost all of her previous arrogance, visibly terrified of Selena and the two black wolves.

"Now," she says, "I strongly suggest you start talking because I'm tired of watching Mara run around for answers and not getting any. So, what the hell is wrong with you guys? Why Silver City, why us? Is it about the Royalsˇ power again?"

Ayesha grimaces, but the three-legged wolf next to Selena growls in warning.

"I-I wouldn't care for your city... It rains all the damn time here, why would a Fire Witch care?!"

Selena slams the back of her head, pissed at her attitude, but she does have a point.

"So?" I ask, frowning. "Why the hell are you here if you don't care about Silver City?"

Ayesha rolls her eyes.

"You... You said you wanted to break that curse, didn't you? Well, you're not the only one! Isn't that why we're all here in the first place?"

"...What?"

"The curse... Wait, you really don't know?"

She stares at me, looking surprised, as if she had just understood something. Then, she glances at Selena before turning back to me.

"The curse, you have to break it where it first started! Here, in Silver City!"

Nora and I exchange a glance. I did not see that one coming...

"The curse began... in Silver City?" I repeat, baffled. "The whole... the tale of the witch and Luna, it was... here?"

"Yes," says Ayesha, rolling her eyes. "Damn, I thought you were just trying to keep it all to yourself, but you seriously didn't have a clue? Everything leads us here. Witches have been trying to break this curse since... well, ages."

"So Silver City was the starting point?"

"Girl, that's what I've been saying. You think we like knowing that there's a curse waiting to drive us nuts? I don't care much about the werewolves or the humans, but no witch wants to let that damn curse go on. We try to protect the few children we can have."

It makes sense... Witches are becoming rarer and rarer, and that curse probably hasn't been helping with that. If they couldn't even fall in love with a werewolf without risking the possibility of their partner going crazy, then this ought to be a real issue for any witch. Even those who don't care about werewolves, they might have tried to break it just to protect the future generations.

"Generations of witches have tried to find a way to break it," she continues. "Eventually, we narrowed it down to Silver City. From what we know, this is most definitely where it all began."

"...Ravena mentioned that to undo a curse, you have to take it back to its very start."

"Yup," she sighs. "Itˇs like a knot, you need to find the beginning and the end to undo it. Otherwise, you'd risk making more of a mess. So we had to find where it happened, and why. Unfortunately, Silver City has been a bit of an... occupied territory."

She said that while glancing at the werewolves, and Selena growls back as a warning. Still, Ayesha canˇt do anything now. Both of her wrists are broken, and probably more bones in her hands too, judging by how she keeps them in a weird position against her chest, almost in a cross.

"Wait... it's not like Silver City has been completely barred to witches," says Nora with a little frown. "There were witches here. Even long before us werewolves came..."

I gasp. Something suddenly clicks in my mind. Pieces all coming together, everything that was said, and now, with what Ayesha just revealed... I keep playing it over and over in my mind, but...

"Moon Goddess... It all makes sense!" I exclaim, turning to Selena. "You guys mentioned that Danica, the Fire Witch that was Queen Diane's friend, sent her adoptive daughter Nephera here. You said it was because her ancestors were originally from Silver City, right? That was Danica's reason, but what if..."

"Nephera was one of Luna's descendants...?" whispers Nora, finishing my sentence.

We exchange a long look, and she slowly nods.

"That would explain a lot," she gasps. "She would have been a target of choice for the curse, but also, one of its biggest threats."

"She could have broken it," I nod, excited. "If it wasn't for her fateful meeting with Judah Black... Nephera was the one who could re-enact the curse, or break it!"

"They said she was sent here to find a powerful source of magic, something that was linked to her ancestors," adds Nora, completely shocked but excited too. "She never found it, but somehow, Danica knew there was something here in Silver City that Nephera had to find!"

We all stay quiet for a few seconds, completely shocked by these revelations.

Moon Goddess... The mysterious source of magic was the origin of the curse. Nephera was completely overtaken by it, but the curse must have felt she was there to end it. She was the prey of choice, a young witch left by herself in a city full of werewolves. The curse acted in the most cruel way. She forgot her mission, got lost in her tragic love for Judah Black, and eventually lost both her man and her child to that horrible curse...

"There you go," sighs Ayesha. "I'm sorry to break it to you, but Silver City isn't just a city all of us witches want for the view or whatever. I mean, there are plenty of cities to choose from, but we purposefully come to this one because of all of the magic power it probably hides. You really think we like to go head to head against werewolves?"

Selena growls at Ayesha's attitude, but... she has a point. This place is complicated for witches to come to from the start. Regardless of Sylviana occupying it before I came, there are tons of werewolves and humans. Why would lone witches purposefully come to such a place? Even more so a Fire Witch, considering how much it rains over here...

I thought it was because of the Royals' presence, but... it's probably not worth all the risks they took. The war from two years ago is the best proof thinking about it. Nephera was strong, probably full of the curse's power, but she still got killed in the end, even after gathering an army of vampires. Moreover, now, there are Nora and Selena, and the Black Brothers too. I remember how scared of them I was... I still am. Why would witches be so obsessed with this place? There had to be a very good and meaningful reason for it, and that reason was the curse.

"So you're saying the curse is actually hiding a lot of magic?"

"The curse is magic, girl," says Ayesha. "Very Dark Magic, but still magic. Breaking a curse is like opening a big box with a lot of gold inside. It's dangerous, but imagine transferring something as powerful as this curse to yourself... let alone the will to actually break it just to save our future daughters, this is the kind of perspective that would make any smart witch greedy for that power. Not even ten Royal werewolves could measure up to that... although they probably come from the same witch to begin with."

I hate to admit it, but I understand her point. Considering how old and powerful that curse is, I can totally get why it would make some... greedy. I've experienced its power first hand. If this is the power of one of the first witches, the one who created the Royals, it couldn't even be measured!

¨ Mara! 〃

I turn my head, and Liam, still in his wolf form, runs to me. I immediately hug the huge black wolf, glad to feel him. Moon Goddess, I was so worried for him... He's standing on his four paws, and looking alright. I don't know how much work he gave Nora, but there's nothing left of that burnt fur smell and no visible injury either. He just looks dirty, but damn, I couldn't care less. I hug him strongly, feeling a lot better now that he's there.

"I'm so sorry," I mumble. "I'm sorry I got mad at you and all..."

¨ It's okay, Mara. I promise it's okay. I get it. And I'm fine, too 〃

I nod in his fur. Thank Moon Goddess, he's fine. I don't know what I would have done if something happened to Liam, even more so if it came from my fight. I already feel so bad that he got injured...

¨ She okay? 〃

It takes me a few seconds to realize he's talking about none other than me, but to Nora. He probably just let me hear that out of politeness.

"She's just tired," smiles Nora, gently patting my shoulder.

Moon Goddess, I am. I was alright until a while ago, but that fight literally emptied me. I'm tired, hungry, and still an emotional wreck after all that. My life these last few days has been one hell of a rollercoaster...

I turn to Ayesha, still held by Selena. She isn't going anywhere, but if I had to be honest, I wouldn't consider her much of a threat anymore. I probably depleted a lot of her magic too in that fight, and with both hands broken, she's pretty much as harmless as a human.

"So we're sure the curse has to be broken here, in Silver City?" asks Selena, glancing our way.

Nora and I both nod.

"Everything points that way," she says. "I don't think so many witches would be wrong either. Moreover, we were all gathered here... Although our reasons were different, it's probably no coincidence that both you and I ended up here, and Mara too, is it?"

Selena nods. Indeed. Although those two are of the same blood, if they were brought here by people unaware of Silver City being such a special place, it is one interesting point... plus Nephera's history, and myself.

"Told ya..." sighs Ayesha.

"Next time, you state your intentions more clearly," I growl.

She shrugs.

"It's every witch for herself out there, girl. We don't all have a full pack of werewolves ready to back us up, okay? Moreover, a witch can't trust another witch. We mess with each other more often than not. It's hard enough to survive by ourselves, now we have to look out for those other greedy bitches."

I frown. So none of those three were probably working together. They were all brought here by their common interest in the curse, but because of the barrier, the werewolves, and myself, they couldn't do anything.

"What about the tattoos?" I ask.

Selena and Nora must have received an explanation from Liam, because neither of them seems surprised to hear me asking. Ayesha, however, rolls her eyes.

"Once again, I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Stop playing dumb!" I growl. "You had that professor from the university post all the"

"Mara," suddenly says Selena. "You should call your friend Kelsi."

I frown, confused for a second, but just then, my phone vibrates. I forgot Selena's actually Ben's Alpha... she must have mind-linked him... I struggle to get it out of my pocket, with all the damn mud on it. Leather pants, not such a good idea for fights...

"Kelsi," I sigh.

"Mara! I have good and bad news," she begins immediately, talking fast and out of breath. "First, Professor Vutha vanished from the university. So, when Benny and I got there, we looked around and got a hold of someone from the university's IT department, managed to convince him to check for us and all. Very nice guy, by the way, but a bit too interested in me, so Benny was a little upset. Anyways! We confirmed that it was her behind the blog post and all, but when we ran her identification information, it all turned out to be fake! I could tell at a glance that her identification papers were completely photoshopped, the phone number didn't work, her address was a house thatˇs been up for sale for the last three years, and even her emergency contact was a stupid manicure shop!"

"Okay. ...And the good news?"

"Oh, uh... I guess I m-miscalculated, or that was probably the good news... Well, the better one of the two."

Crap, I don't like this... I hear a lot of noise in the background, as if someone was rummaging through a lot of stuff, papers, and wooden furniture. Kelsi's moving non-stop too, as if she's running around, yet she still manages to speak and breathe.

"Okay," she resumes, "so, basically, after Benny and I convinced the IT guy to shut down the full post about the pattern for the tattoos thing, Benny asked the nice IT guy to run a full check, and it turns out that wasn't the only creepy witch thing she put out there. Heˇs still with him, trying to compile everything, but she was super active. The last time Benny updated me, there were over a hundred, so we're going to have to sort out whatever she did. Of course the IT guy is shutting it all down, just in case, but it's probably for the better. While Benny was doing that, I found a security guy and managed to convince him to let me in her office..."

"You've been busy," I chuckle nervously.

"Yes," I hear her sigh. "Well, I'm still here and going through all this stuff. I really found a bunch of things in her office, boo, and it's not good. Really, really not good. A lot of witch stuff, of course, but there are even some curses and magic circles I've never seen before, and you'll probably be the only one able to decipher them. I'm trying to take as many pictures as I can and gather them..."

I hear a loud meow in the background.

"Oh, and Spark's been helping me too. Did you know he can unlock some locked drawers? Saved me a lot of time and a couple of hairpins."

"Yeah, he does that from time to time."

"I kind of love him now, I promise I'll be nice to him from now on... Right, Spark? Yeah, good kitty... Oh, anyways! I found more of that same pattern that was tattooed everywhere, as if she had been distributing them to the students or something."

"Okay, so more tattooed idiots than we thought, probably..."

"Yep, sounds like it. Nothing seems to have happened so far, though. I've been checking the university social media, nothing creepy or slightly witchy to mention. How are things on your side, by the way?"

"Uh... Okay, I guess...?"

While Nora helps me up, I try to recount the events on my end to Kelsi. Aside from my fight, there isn't much to mention. Selena forces Ayesha to stand up, closely guarded by the two black wolves. She must have injured herself too during our fall or been bit because sheˇs limping a little.

"Oh, goodness, boo, are you okay?"

"Yeah, don't worry, Nora healed me already, and I got... reinforcements."

"What do you want to do?" suddenly asks Selena.

I pause for a second, surprised. Sheˇs... letting me decide our next move? I hesitate, but all eyes are on me, indeed waiting for my decision. I even find myself blushing a little. I've always felt like I was under their care, so it feels a bit strange that she's... suddenly letting me lead. Not just them two, but even all three of the Black Brothers...

"Mara, you're the Silver City witch," chuckles Nora. "You're the expert. What do you want us to do now?"

I nod, a bit ashamed Iˇm just standing here.

"Let's bring Ayesha in," I decide first.

"Are you sure?" frowns Selena.

Even the other Fire Witch raises her eyebrows.

"Yeah, it's probably better to have her where I can see her... where we can all watch her. I need to ask her more about the curse too, and also, I can't keep running north and south around Silver City. If the Water Witch attacks, I'd rather make sure this one is under control."

"Fair enough. I can break more fingers if needed..."

Ayesha grimaces and glares at Selena, but at least she probably won't risk anything more today. Liam comes to rub his furry body against my legs, regardless of the dirt on both of us. I grip his fur with my fingers without thinking; I'm just glad to feel him close to me...

"Kelsi?"

"I'm still here and listening, boo," she answers over the phone.

"Stay at the university, I'll come right there to join you, okay? I"

"Mara," interrupts Nora. "I know you want to know more, but... you've been fighting a lot, and despite my healing, I think you could use a little break... okay? Kelsi can join us at my house."

I hesitate, but... Nora's not wrong. I'm fine mentally, but my body is exhausted. I thought Iˇd be fine not sleeping much, but I didn't think I'd have to go all out against another witch, either... or have my magic supply drop to a new low. Moreover, Nora's house is around the midpoint of Silver City, so it's not a bad position for me to be at the moment... I've lost track of Ravena's whereabouts and I'm too tired to try and track her with my magic right now. Moreover, Liam must be exhausted as well. I don't want to push him, even if I know he won't say a thing. Going to Nora's house could be a good way to gather all the information we have, ask Ayesha more, and prepare something of a plan... I take a deep breath and nod.

"Okay. Kelsi, can you join us at Nora's house?"

"No problem. I'll send you what I found so far if you want to get a head start, boo! I'll join you as soon as Sparky and I are done opening all these drawers..."

Sparky? I smile, and she's already back to opening and closing things, probably going through every nook and cranny. When she's got something in mind, Kelsi certainly doesn't know how to hold back... I can imagine the absolute mess that office has got to be right now. I turn to Nora.

"Let's go, then."

Luckily, they brought cars, so I can actually sit in the back and relax on the way there. Since he stayed in his wolf form and probably didn't want to dirty the sexy engine, Selena took Liam's bike to ride it to the house.

I'm in the car, Nora driving while Liam's in the passenger seat, and I guess I'm supposed to guard Ayesha in the back, but she's just staring outside, looking completely out of it. I suppose I'm not the only witch thatˇs exhausted. I'm more worried about the pictures Kelsi sent to me, and just after studying the professor's documents some more, I sigh and close my eyes.

"Told ya," chuckles Ayesha.

Kelsi and I were both wrong.

The pattern and all those things found in the professor's office were the work of an Earth Witch. Ravena.