Page 9 of His Blazing Witch (The Silver City #3)

"Let's continue. Please."

Selena smiles, and we resume our fight.

Just as I had predicted, it's more of a beating than a fight. I get back up every time I'm sent flying, and my whole body aches, but at least, I'm starting to control the voices. They are like a storm in my head, but I realize once I'm not that angry and accept the fight, it's not nearly as hard to ignore them. I can do this...

The foreseeing doesn't happen more than twice again. I'm not even sure what it is. The second time, I feel the pain in my ribs before it occurs, but I miss the timing to dodge because I didn't realize what it was. The third one is more efficient, I manage to dive down before Selena sends a flying kick my way. When I'm sent to the ground one more time, I struggle to get back up. I hear her chuckle. Damn it... I didn't even get to hit her once!

"Alright, little witch, let's stop here for today," she says.

"No... One more..." I insist, despite the pain spread all over my body.

"No, you're done and you need to rest for today. Also, I don't have all night to train you. My girls are waiting for their mom and my husband will make a fuss if I'm late."

Oh, so she's really a mom like the information said... Kelsi comes to help me sit. I nod. Indeed, I am dead tired... I could use a long break. I can already feel all the bruises I'm going to get by tomorrow. She really didn't feel sorry for me. Selena smiles and goes to the bar to grab herself a drink. Meanwhile, her friend Daniel sighs and walks up to me. He crouches down to my level. Seeing him up close, I do recognize some of his features.

"She likes you," he says.

I can't help but raise an eyebrow.

"Oh, really? Was the beating a big clue, or...?"

Daniel laughs.

"Don't worry, Selena has no problem beating people she likes a little. You don't have any broken bones, she went easy on you. She used to beat me at training, and I can tell she was nice to you. Be grateful you're a newbie and not a werewolf."

Well, awesome. I survived because she doesn't kill people she cares about. Kelsi and I exchange a glance. The werewolves' dynamics are really different. Actually, that guy Daniel looks rather skinny, I could tell he'd be no match for her. He stands back up and stretches a bit.

"I guess this is how our night out ends, babe," he sighs, taking the glass she hands him.

Selena glares at her drink before gulping it down in one shot.

"I guess so," she sighs. "Damn it, I don't want to go back to all the paperwork and stuff..."

"The paperwork can wait..." suddenly answers an unknown voice.

We all turn toward the door. Who dared to come in? Didn't she order everyone out?

A tall guy just walked in. I've seen him before... Isn't that her husband, what was his name again? Nicolas Black? Selena sighs and frowns, putting her hands on her hips.

"What are you doing here?" she asks.

"I heard there was trouble..."

His voice is ice cold, and he walks past me, but his aura is... terrifying. I shiver. Who the heck is that? I thought Selena's aura was impressive, but this guy's aura is... different. It's not as big, just cold as ice. I feel like he could kill someone without batting an eye. Just standing there, that guy is impressive. He walks up to her, putting an arm around her waist.

I realize it's his only arm. Whatever happened to the other, it's gone. His shirt's sleeve is empty. I try not to look at it, but it's a bit baffling. Though his arm is around his wife, he's still looking down at me. This guy is super scary. I swallow my saliva. I understand what Daniel said when he meant Selena went easy on me. With an aura like this, I would run away, and I'm sure she could have the same murderous aura as him. She pouts.

"What are you doing here? What about the girls?"

"I left them with Isaac. I was wondering what was going on..."

"As if you didn't hear it from the pack," she sighs. "Enough, Nate. We are going home."

"And the witch...?" he asks as if I wasn't here.

She rolls her eyes and slaps his shoulder.

"It's Clarissa, and she is my clan's problem. Mind your own business, Mr. Black."

Oh, so they really are from different packs... Another werewolf thing. He finally breaks down in a little smile and kisses her softly.

"Understood, Madam Whitewood. But let's go home."

His glare is on me again, and I get what he means. He wants her away from me... I don't say a thing, and Selena doesn't seem to mind his attitude either. She puts on her jacket and turns to me.

"You'll train with Ben as we did."

"I might... hurt him."

"He's a big boy and can handle himself. Moreover, if you could control yourself against me, you'll be able to control yourself against him. Just be sure not to burn anything, and work on your self-control. I already ruined one of my nights out, I'm not doing this again."

"I still have questions!" I protest, getting up with Kelsi's help.

"Same deal as before, little witch. As long as you can control yourself, you can go around and ask all you want. I'm busy, though, so we'll chat next time."

I'm a bit disappointed, but she already spent a long time training me. I feel like it's been one or two hours, at least, but I'm not sure. Selena and her husband leave, and honestly, I'm feeling a bit better once that guy leaves. I let out a long sigh. Daniel follows after them too, giving me a wink before exiting the room.

"Alright," sighs Ben. "Who needs a drink? Because I do!"

"Are you sure you're okay?"

I nod, but I can't help but grimace when she puts the ice pack on my forehead. Damn... I didn't realize I would have so many bruises. My wrist is perfectly fine, but every other part of my body has been aching like crazy since I woke up. Kelsi gathered all the towels she could find to make little homemade ice packs... It helps with the bruises, but my sore muscles are probably the worst... It took me forever just to freaking stand up.

Next to us, Ben is loudly eating his bowl of cereal, and Kelsi glares at him. He was the last one up, and not as concerned as she'd like him to be about my current state. Plus, thanks to our drinking last night, she is a bit hungover and not enjoying that... I guess she decided to blame the extra shots of free vodka on him. He chuckles.

"I swear she went easy on you, Mara. Selena is probably one of the strongest wolves in Silver City."

I roll my eyes. Those damn werewolves and their crazy standards. If they could just stop saying that she went easy on me so I can keep whatever self-esteem I have left and suffer in peace...

"I thought she was the strongest?" I retort.

"Well, the top ones have never fought, so..." Ben shrugs with a mouthful, "it's hard to rank. Basically, the King is probably at the top, but I'd say she's a close second."

"I thought there were two Lunas?" says Kelsi. "What about the King's wife? Isn't she stronger?"

"Oh, she's not much of a fighter... I mean, she's crazy strong, but just not as much into fighting. She's a healer, so she's got the other side of the job."

"A healer?"

Ben nods.

"The two Lunas are a bit special... They are cousins and have some super-powerful werewolf blood in their veins. We call them Royals, when a werewolf's blood is almost completely pure of any human blood, though it's extremely rare nowadays. Selena and the Black Luna are like that, and their children too. It gives them something like more strength, better werewolf abilities, and some extra powers."

"Extra powers?"

"Yeah, from all the extra werewolf juice, it makes them a bit special. Well, Selena can mind-link with humans, and the Black Luna has healing powers."

Kelsi frowns, trying to remember everything we learned so far. We exchange another glance. Healing ability and being able to mind-link with people other than werewolves? That does sound a bit special, in the paranormal range; not that I can compare with my own abilities we are learning day by day, but...

"So the... White Luna is the fighter, and the Black Luna is the healer, but the latter is married to the King?" I say, trying to remember all of my notes.

"Yep."

"...And the White Luna is actually the King's sister-in-law...?"

Ben puts his empty bowl down in the sink, still nodding.

"Yeah. The Lunas are cousins, their husbands are brothers. The four of them lead two of the most powerful clans of Silver City, pretty much all of the werewolf territories. Easy to remember, right? Selena's husband you saw last night, he's crazy strong too... He scares a lot of people, actually. But he's the King's brother, so I guess that should be a given?"

I sigh. I'm starting to comprehend the werewolves' dynamics, but this is really not helping me understand their relationship with the previous witches. One they loved, the Good Witch Sylviana, and one they hated, the Dark Witch Nephera. That is all I got so far. I feel like I am gathering more questions than answers...

I suddenly remember a question that has been bothering me since last night, about Selena's husband. I wouldn't have dared to ask them directly, especially since that Alpha was so scary, but... I glance at Ben. He's now cleaning the dishes while whistling a bit, his back turned to us.

"Ben, about... her husband's arm..."

He suddenly freezes and hesitates. Crap, did I ask something I shouldn't have? Kelsi bites her thumb too, glancing at Ben. I'm thinking maybe he doesn't want to answer that, but just then, he shuts off the water tap and turns to me with a sour expression.

"I'll tell you, but... never talk about it in front of Selena, okay? It really upsets the Luna whenever someone brings it up."

I nod and Ben sighs.

"...He lost it during the war with the witches. It was... cut off."

Kelsi makes a horrified expression, a bit shocked. Damn, I knew there was a war, but this is the first time I actually saw a... real consequence of it. It was hard to think about it as someone else's death, but the image of that missing arm really marked me last night.

"Doesn’t the Luna have healing powers...?" asked Kelsi.

"No. We didn't find his arm until after the fight was over, so... there was nothing that could be done. That was the kind of injury the Luna couldn't do anything about, and Selena is really mad about that, so never ask again, okay?"

Kelsi and I both nod. I can understand that would make her upset if her own husband was a victim... I guess even a werewolves' power has its limits. Moreover, to think a guy as scary as that suffered such a huge injury... How big of a fight was it really? I shudder. I'm slowly starting to understand the harm that Dark Witch caused here. I saw it in the eyes of that guy. I could tell he was ready to kill me if there was a need. They don't know me, most of them really do see me as nothing but a threat...

I sigh and take the ice pack off my shoulder, trying to stretch a little bit. Kelsi makes a sorry expression and puts the damp towels away.

"Alright, boo, what do you want to do today? No training, I suppose?"

Ben raises his head with a little smile. Oh, hell no. I feel like raising an arm is already a freaking nightmare as it is...

"No," I confirm with a sigh.

We hear a meow, and Spark comes to rub himself against my legs again. Kelsi frowns and steps back a little with a wary expression, but I really doubt Spark will trigger her allergy. Whatever is going on with this cat, he’s not affecting her. I pick him up, and he starts purring immediately. Behind Kelsi, Ben tilts his head with a curious expression, staring at the cat.

"Is it me or... does the cat look somewhat different?" he says.

"You think so too?" asks Kelsi, her eyes also on Spark.

Different? I checked the cat, but he looks fine to me. I mean, he's literally stretching his paws and curling up in my arms, looking as happy and comfortable as a cat can be. However, Ben and Kelsi keep staring at him with those strange expressions on their faces. I end up pouting too.

"What is it?"

"His fur pattern. There wasn't that much black before."

Seriously, they think he can change his fur now? I glance down to check, but he's tortoiseshell, he's basically black and gold in random patches all over! His face is mostly gold, while the rest of his body has a bit of black all over. I honestly can't see a difference from the previous days, but Kelsi and Ben keep scrutinizing him as if they are trying to check every hair of that poor cat. I roll my eyes.

"Enough, you two!"

"Okay, wait, let's just make sure!" says Kelsi, running to her bedroom.

What the hell is she doing? She comes back half a minute later with her smartphone and, before I can say a thing, takes a picture of Spark. She checks it and nods, satisfied.

"Kelsi...?"

"Listen either Ben and I are crazy, or your cat's fur color changes, okay? This way, if it changes again, we will have something to compare it with, okay?"

"If you say so..."

"Good idea, nerdy girl!" chuckles Ben.

Kelsi winks at him and puts her phone in her pocket. Those two look like they became buddies without me even realizing somehow...? I chuckle. Oh, well, it's nice to finally have people to talk to whenever I need it! Kelsi turns back to me, crossing her arms.

"So, what is the plan for today? I am not going through all your books again, just saying."

"Don't worry, no more books. At least not here," I say.

"Oh, the university?"

I nod. She guessed right.

Other than my apartment, the other place I was dying to go to was the university. We know I moved here after I asked my older sister to let me study in Silver City... Question is, why did I pick this university? Maybe it was just an excuse, but I need to check if the answers I'm looking for are there.

"You guys want to go to the university?" asks Ben, a bit surprised.

"Yeah. When I was looking for clues about Mara, I found out she was registered in the Sociology Department, but absolutely no one knows about a Clarissa Garnett."

"What? How is that possible?"

"Apparently, I was registered in that department," I explained, "yet when Kelsi asked, no one knew about me."

"Yeah. The secretary found her name, but I tried asking students from that department, no one ever heard of her, or remembered a chick like Mara. Even the professors I asked had zero ideas."

"Now, that's weird," says Ben.

"Well, we can add that to the list," I sigh, "however, I still want to go and check for myself. Maybe I'll remember something once I get there, or someone will recognize me..."

"You did say you were going to the university whenever you left home in the morning," adds Kelsi.

"Let's go check, then..."

Thankfully, the university is on the White Moon Clan's territory, so Ben agrees to take us there immediately. It's a quicker ride than to the club, actually. Kelsi says we usually took the bus, but with Ben's car, we almost spend more time looking for a parking spot than actually driving.

Once again, I'm amazed to discover a new location. All the buildings are very recent, some more than others, but they are sparkling white, except for the greenhouses of the biology department, as Kelsi explains. There is also a weird building that looks like a gigantic cube, covered in graffiti, the art students’ lair. More importantly, the place is crowded with students. Young people like us, walking to their next classes or hanging out on the grass.

I feel a bit strange. I used to be part of this world... probably. Maybe I have friends here whose faces I don't even remember. For a few seconds, I feel a bit overwhelmed, almost to the point I want to cry. This should be the university I begged my sister to go to, but... I can't recognize anything, once again. I hate this amnesia thing. I could walk by my best friend and not even recognize them! I don't know what my days were like, which building I walked to in the morning, nothing!

"You okay, Mara?"

Kelsi is glancing at me with a worried expression. I didn't realize I had stopped walking and became teary-eyed... I nod a bit awkwardly, wiping those feelings away quickly.

"Yeah... Let's go."

We drop by the welcome desk of the university first, but they don't give us any more information after seeing me than what Kelsi was already given: the classes I'm registered in. We check them quickly and decide to drop by the next one. It's a class about the expansion of malls in the twentieth century... I find it boring, Kelsi too, and Ben falls asleep in his chair. We wait for it to end, and while the professor keeps talking, I can't help but glance around to see if I recognize any faces. I also hope someone will suddenly walk up to me, greet me like a friend or something, at least give me a hint...

Yet, the full hour passes, and absolutely nothing happens. A couple of girls glance at my remaining bandages and scars, but it's clear they have no idea who I am. After the class ends, Kelsi and I run to the teacher, leaving Ben to snore in his chair.

"Excuse me?" I call to him.

It's an old man, with barely any hair left, who sighs.

"I'm sorry, young lady, I am not accepting any more questions today, you can email me–"

"No, I don't have a question about the class, I wanted to ask if you have... seen me in your class before."

He seems a bit surprised by my question, and glances me over, then gives me a little smile.

"Sadly, no, young lady. I usually remember my prettiest students, and I am quite sure I haven't had the pleasure of seeing you in my classroom before. Have a nice day, and as I said, feel free to email me!"

He gives us a wink and exits, leaving Kelsi and I speechless.

"...What an old pervert!" exclaims Kelsi, outraged. "That guy was basically flirting with you! That asshole shouldn't be teaching anywhere!"

"At least we know he didn't know me," I sigh.

Kelsi keeps ranting about the pervert professor, and we walk back to wake up Ben, telling him about what happened. He yawns.

"Well, I'm glad this wasn't one of your classes; that was boring as hell... Seriously, a class on shopping? What for?"

"Everything can be studied here, Ben, it's a university," says Kelsi. "Now get your butt up, we need to go before the next class starts."

Just like she said, a new batch of students arrives for the next class. Ben gets up, and we have to squeeze through the new crowd to head to the doors. Just as we’re about to leave the classroom, me walking ahead and the two of them behind me, I slightly bump into a middle-aged lady.

"Oh, sorry..." I mumble.

I try to make way for her to go in, but she suddenly looks at me with a surprised expression.

"Miss Jones, it's been a while! You're not attending the class?"

I stop, completely shocked. Wait, what? This woman knows me? Kelsi and I exchange a shocked glance. Who the hell is Miss Jones? She seems sure it's me... Whoever Miss Jones is, this woman is smiling very naturally and not averting my eyes. What is going on, why is she calling me that, and who is she? The schedule they gave me didn't include a class after the previous one! I glance at the woman, trying to think of something to say. She doesn't seem to be a student, she looks more like she's the teacher of the next class, with her burgundy jacket and her suitcase... This is so sudden!

"Uh... I..."

She looks down on my body, and her eyes stop on my bandages.

"Oh, dear God! Did something happen to you? I thought it was strange you had missed the last classes, did you have an accident?"

"Excuse me, but... I... You...." I mumble.

All the questions pop into in my head at the same time. What do I ask first? Should I tell her about my amnesia? Or who is Miss Jones...?

"Excuse me, madam, what do you teach?" suddenly asks Kelsi with a smile, putting a hand on my shoulder.

The Indian lady turns to her with a large smile.

"I'm Professor Vutha, I teach parapsychology, dear. My class is full; though, if you want to attend, you'll have to come as a free auditor like Miss Jones."

"P-parapsychology?" repeats Ben. "There's something like that?"

"Of course! My class focuses mostly on all the paranormal phenomenons observed in the world, relationships between the paranormal species, as we inaccurately call them, and the humans, as well as the phenomenons observed by humans yet not explained, and the general beliefs around the Moon Goddess!"

"Could you... tell me what I was... attending your class for?" I ask, my throat feeling a bit dry.

"Miss Jones, don't you remember?" she chuckles. "You were the one with hundreds of questions about witches, for your research!"

...Holy shit.