Page 65 of His Blazing Witch (The Silver City #3)

We keep running, away from Luna's shadows this time, and back onto the battlefield. We are searching for Spark, but I actually know exactly where to go. Each time I focus a bit more on that flame inside of me, I can feel its echo on the other side. I feel my cat, fighting and roaring against his enemies. That's my Sparky... I guess I'll owe him tons of treats and pets later.

We're not anywhere near him yet, though. The truth is, the battle has intensified all around us, and the rain is acting against the werewolves, trapping them in the mud and slowing down their movements. Running is fucking difficult too, and I'm out of breath in a matter of minutes. Not to mention I just went through hell and back, being suddenly thrown back into the reality of this fight is... hard. I'm grateful I can reach out to my friends, my pack, to share their strength and ignore the sore muscles and heavy body. Using our mind-link, I update them on everything I went through while Luna had trapped me. The illusion, the truth behind the curse, the real past she went through, how she did... everything. The only thing I try not to mention is that tombstone thing. I don't know why but it... haunts me. The vision of Liam's name there, it's just scary, and I don't want to think about it. I know he's aware I’m skipping parts of the story from the looks he gives me. After all, he did hear me mention the grave earlier, but I just... I don't want to talk about it now.

Thankfully, there's a lot more to discuss than that.

“ So... the curse was started by Luna the Wolf, the first... Royal? ” says Selena.

“ Exactly, ” I nod. “ She wasn't the first female werewolf, from what I understood, but she was the first Royal, the one who got pure, Light Magic to make her more powerful. Her mate couldn't receive magic since he was male, so it makes sense that the Royal bloodline was a... girl-only thing. Witches are only women. ”

“ It partially explains why my dad was a bit less of a Royal than Nora's mom, his twin… ” agrees Selena.

“ So the targets of the curse were... witches falling in love with werewolves from the beginning? The whole thing about us being able to protect our children... Was that fake? ”

“ I'm not sure, Nora, but that's what it looks like. If you look at each time the curse appeared, Cursed Ones were the child of a witch and a werewolf, just like Nephera's baby and myself. I bet Clarissa's dad had werewolf blood too, but that's a question I'll solve later. The witch went insane, and the child only survived if... Dark Magic was used. "

Now that I think about it... it might explain why Clarissa ended up in her father's care instead. If her mother knew she was going to be sick, or losing sanity, perhaps she decided to protect her daughter by sending her to her dad... Perhaps that's even why Nephera didn't stay in Silver City at first. Other than Judah Black trying to kill her and going insane, she may have known she'd be a danger for her new mate, and perhaps their children...

“ There's one thing I don’t understand. If that's the key to the curse, why did she let you see all this? ”

“ Because she is actually the same thing as the ones she despises! Luna is half-werewolf and half-witch! From what I saw, she was trained in both Light and Dark Magic by the witch, but look at us. Nora, your Royal blood only kept the Light Magic, although it's very tame and more of a purification power now. But it's you using your own life energy to protect and heal others, right? That’s the definition of Light Magic. Meanwhile, I'm a Dark Witch. ”

“ Mara… ”

“ No, don't worry. It's a pain in the ass, but it's the truth. I'm a fucking Dark Witch, we don't need to pretend anymore. I was born using the life force of two others, Clarissa and little Mara. I'm a Dark Witch whether I like it or not... perhaps more of a mix of both actually, now that they are gone. But that's why Luna has no choice but to actually resonate with me. Her illusion shows me her point of view, not the other Luna's. She's just the same as I am, and that's why she loathes Cursed Ones the most. Because we are what she tried to stop, and now, we are the ones who can stop the curse. ”

I jump over a hill and roll down to avoid a golem trying to grab me, Liam jumping on his back right after to give him a monstrous kick. When did he find the time to put on a pair of jeans, by the way? I don't have time to dwell on that for long. I get back up, and start running again. We are not just rushing through the area; each time one of us can, we help other wolves defeat the golems. It's not a waste of time, seeing that the curse can't create more. She still had plenty of time to create a nightmarish amount of them, though...

“ What about the humans? ” I ask, suddenly remembering the possessed girls.

“ You'll see, ” says Selena, with what sounds like a smirk in her voice.

Is that good or bad? We keep running, everyone strangely silent, probably focused on not getting killed. The closer we get to Spark, though, the better I feel. Moreover, the rain around me isn't affecting me like it used to anymore. I feel... fine with it. I know I could channel all this rain and use my water element instead, but for some reason, I still feel fire is supposed to be my main power. It's the one I'm most comfortable with, and I am missing it at the moment.

Our group slowly makes its way back to Spark, and finally, I catch sight of my giant blazing cat, who turns his big head to me as soon as I appear, his ears perking up. He definitely made a huge difference in the fight here. The field is unrecognizable; East Point Ground is completely turned all upside down. All the hills around him smelling like burnt soil are most definitely his doing... Still, there are a ton of golems around, and I understand what Selena meant. The humans. The girls that were possessed before are now all collapsed on the ground, and some people are actually trying to grab them and evacuate the battlefield. Spark, some wolves, and some human men are forming a wall between the golems left and the defenseless women, fighting back, while the rest are trying to get them out of there quickly. Spark is at the front, jumping from one golem to another while trying to stay away from his allies and not burn anyone. Now that he's seen me, though, the large cat jumps in my direction.

"Spark!"

He immediately starts purring, the sound so loud it's almost an echo to the thunder above. He rubs his flank against me, and I smile, his warm flame immediately making me feel a hell of a lot better...

"Missed me much?" I chuckle, pushing my hands through his hair-like flames.

“What now?” asks Liam, arriving by my side.

With the arrival of the two Lunas and their mates, the line of humans and wolves were taken by surprise, but at least the path is getting cleared in front of them. I turn to the closest ones to us, who have their eyes on the strange witch petting her fire cat.

"Are you going to be fine without him?"

The two guys whose golem just got defeated by a simultaneous attack from Selena and another trio of wolves exchange a curious glance. They look like they have been through hell, and one's shoulder is covered in blood, but they turn to me and nod.

"Y-yeah. Can you... stop all this?" he asks, hesitant.

"I sure hope so..."

They nod and leave to get to the next golem already, their wolf allies following behind them. I take a deep breath, and turn to Spark, who's agitating his tail, irritated by a nearby golem.

"Spark!"

He turns his head to me again, and I extend my arms to touch his burning cheeks.

"No more play time for you, big tiger. Can you go and watch over Kelsi for me?"

He lets out one of his cute meows, deeper than usual because of his size, and rubs his forehead against mine. Moon Goddess, I love my magic cat.

"Good boy."

I pat and caress his head, but we need to get going now. I take a deep breath, and focus on those flames surrounding him. They are my fire, to begin with. I just need to take it back... Letting Liam and the others defend my position, I close my eyes and focus. I feel the black markings appear on my hands, but it's alright. As long as I focus on my flame, I'll gain more power than I lose. I take a deep breath and focus on cutting myself off from everything going on around me. I focus on my breathing, and at each inhale, I feel the fire inside burning bigger, as if I was eating those flames up. I can almost feel them streaming out of my mouth... I keep going, feeling the flames outside disappear while the one inside grows. Oh, it feels so good to have it burning again. I didn't realize how cold I was from that freaking illusion of hers... Not anymore. I feel my fire raging inside, the sparks electrifying each pore of my skin, the blood getting hotter and hotter in my veins. Yes... I'm back.

I open my eyes, feeling the golden, reddish halo in them. At my feet, little Spark is back, and the now completely black cat meows cutely.

“...Uh, wrong cat?” asks Liam, a bit amused.

"Just out of magic, he'll be fine. Spark, go!"

The black cat rubs his small body against my leg, and quickly runs away from the battle. With his small size, he has no issues avoiding the golems and jumping out of sight. The few people who do spot him seem surprised to find a cat lost on the battlefield, but they don't have time to focus on him. I smile and open my hand, feeling like I could take down a freaking volcano. Big, red flames immediately appear, making me beam.

"Now that feels good," I chuckle.

I turn around and quickly blast two nearby golems with my fire, the huge bundle of mud exploding and splattering the humans and wolves that were fighting it just before. Awesome. I look down and the black markings are still there, but more scarce; nothing to worry about, for now.

“ Mara? ” suddenly calls out Nora. “ I... I think Selena and I may have come up with some sort of crazy theory… ”

The white wolf approaches me, and I hear a chuckle from Selena in my head. A crazy theory? What did those two talk about that I didn’t hear? I'm usually the one coming up with crazy plans, so I'm kind of excited Nora is the one with one now...

“ Luna the Wolf... You said the witch gave her the power of elements earlier, right? To control them like you do? ”

“ Yeah, ” I nod, wondering where she's going with this. “ She made her into a super powerful wolf by transferring some witches' power into her. In the illusion, she had all three of them. Water, fire, earth, and Luna the Wolf couldn't use them at full strength, but it was enough that the witch could use her for her crazy necromancy spell... ”

Nora and Selena exchange a look, and suddenly it hits me. Oh, Moon Goddess.

“ Are you guys... suggesting I give you... some magic? ”

“ It could work, right? ” says Selena, coming forward and visibly excited. “ You said it yourself. We are Royals, we aren't very different from Luna and you, right? If that witch managed to give her some powers, can't you do the same to us? ”

“ Wha-... You can't be serious! You guys aren't cursed, and even if you are full of Light Magic, if I give you elements, you will have to use your own life force to manipulate it! It means you could die! ”

“ Are you going to tell us this isn't what you've been doing all along? ”

I can hear that tone of reproach in her voice, and almost see her raising a suspicious eyebrow... Oh, damn it. It's true I haven't been able to use little Mara or Clarissa's strength in a while, which is why I'm getting really tired, but... I shake my head.

“ Still, this is super dangerous! I am not sure I can do it, and I was out of magic just a few seconds ago, remember? We just got me refueled, so to speak! I can't share it with you, I'll need it to fight. So, now, where I am going to get more magic! ”

They exchange a look and nod. What, they already thought about that too?

“ Well, it's not like you're the only witch around, are you? ” says Selena, stepping forward.

They can't mean... Ayesha and Naptera?

I look up, and sure enough, I can spot the Fire Witch, not having the best time fighting. More than that, she's visibly hurt, from the way she's limping and grimacing. ...Could it work? I try to look through my memories, everything little Mara taught me, and... what I saw from that illusion. Perhaps it was a long-forgotten kind of magic, because it was nothing like I have ever seen before, but... now I can't forget it. I spent... actually several years watching an ancient witch practice her magic on a werewolf. It's still there, clearer than a dream, it's a memory, a memory Luna gave me. How ironic is it that Luna herself gave me the keys that might give us the victory…? It doesn't mean it will be without danger, though, even if I manage to reproduce that crazy spell.

I take a deep breath and start running to give assistance to my witch peer.

Ayesha sees me coming, and with a frown, steps back to watch me blast the golem that was giving her a hard time. She lost her coat and her arms are now exposed, full of markings, but she looks alright, just a bit... exhausted. She catches her breath while I get rid of her opponent, shaking her head. Once that thing is reduced to ashes between us, she stares at me with an odd expression.

"Looks like someone decided to come back from hell."

"Missed me?"

"Don't push it," she grins. "What happened in there?"

"A lot... but I think I have a chance to actually end this," I nod.

She slowly nods, looking relieved. If anything, I'm impressed she really stayed behind to fight. I have a feeling Naptera will be harder to convince to help us...

"How are you holdin' up?" she asks, massaging her neck.

"Better than you, by the looks of it."

"Hey, some of us were fighting while you were getting nap time."

"How about you get the nap now, then?"

"What?" she tilts her head.

I chuckle.

"You get a time out, Ayesha. We borrow your magic, and you get to sit the next round out."

She glances around at the fight raging around her. Now that I see her from up close, she does look tired, her lower lip covered in blood, and the markings appear on her neck too. She lets out a long sigh with a grimace right after, holding her shoulder. Next to me, Selena steps forward with her golden eyes staring at the Fire Witch, looking a bit excited. Ayesha's eyes go from her to me.

"I'm not sure what your idea is, but... deal."

"Thanks."

I look down at the wolf.

“ Selena, ready? ”

“ I'm always ready for more firepower, witchy. Bring it on. ”

I try to focus as much as I can. I know the spell, but having seen it done once doesn't make me an expert at all... Still, I am one of the most powerful witches around, and I have the knowledge of dozens of generations in my mind now. I take a deep breath and face Ayesha, trying to feel her power inside. She's frowning and probably a bit anxious as to what I am preparing, but she's visibly too exhausted to protest now anyway. I only hope she’s still got enough magic...

I find the core of her magic power, her source, and indeed, it feels a bit different than mine. I can't quite describe it, but it's as if... it has a different constitution. It makes sense, though. Ayesha comes from a different line of witches, her power was forged differently, as if her magic had its own fingerprint, very different from mine. Still, magic is magic, and fire is still my specialty... As soon as I get a hold of it, a large magic circle appears under her feet.

“ Is this... harmless for them? ” asks Nora, sounding a bit worried.

“ Magic isn't like a limb or an organ, it's more akin to... a deep breath. I'll deplete her of most of what she has left, but afterwards, Ayesha's magic will still be there, she can produce more again once she's rested. Like emptying her lungs, but she can still breathe in. For Selena, though, I can't guarantee... It might feel a bit weird. ”

“ I'm not a pup, Mara. Hurry up. ”

Indeed, it's not like we've got forever either. I have to focus on this spell, and if it wasn't for the Black Brothers forming a protective triangle around me, I'd be defenseless. Still, I trust them fully, and I don't have much of a choice anyway. I close my eyes and focus, reproducing the spell I saw, to the best of my ability. I feel the circle moving, from Ayesha to under Selena's feet, and I hear the witch gasp and fall on her knees. I need to focus on her fire, to keep it inside the circle, trapped outside of its owner. Fire is so... whimsical, I need to hold on tight and not let go. Still, I keep my grip on it, and gently, push it toward Selena's golden aura. I feel her hesitation, but I keep pushing, as if I was introducing her to the fire. Ayesha's blue flames slowly start to change, and they feel different too, as if they were adapting to the new owner. They turn a bright gold color, almost white, something strong and blinding.

“ Wow... Now, I like that, ” chuckles Selena.

Looks like it's working... I take a few more seconds to make sure that magic is adapting to Selena's body, but there's obviously something going on with her aura that protects her, and that Ayesha's magic recognizes too. Light Magic. It just finds its way to take and convert that magic into Selena's. Once I make sure it's stable, I slowly open my eyes to find the cream-white wolf's body now dominated by large, white-gold flames. Wow, it's... even more impressive and beautiful than I imagined. Her mate approaches, visibly worried, but she's fine. She looks like a young sun on four paws burning bright, almost blinding.