She's not what you think

The weather changes drastically as if inviting a storm, though I pay no heed to it. I said to eat, but I lied. I have no craving for food so I am out to look for Damien, as I worry that he may have actually found a way to go without Lucerne’s consent. If need be, I could try to talk sense into his head; make him see the disadvantages in leaving.

I pause in my tracks when I see the two persons fighting near the Copse, my gaze hitting a spruce maiden on cowgirl attire. She fluidly ducks Damien’s punch in time as her foot meets his knees, propelling him down on the other knee before he could help himself. I will see her face if she does not turn her heels and dash into the thicket, fading from sight when I attempt to chase.

I look at my brother while he stares at the space where the witch vanished. He yet again looks defeated, only more this time, anger flashing in his eyes as his irises seem to revolve on his sclera.

This witch, who haunted my dreams and poisoned my Father, carries no dispute to the fact that the Alpha indeed sent her. It may be the only reason why she has such potency and a speed that overcomes that of a Vampire. She is an attractive, young witch, and looking at her tender figure gives me the impression that she possibly was not able to fight with Father and win against him.

“She’s not what you think. She has a thing for tricks, which gives her the upper hand.” ‘Witch tricks,’ I ponder after Damien’s intrude on my thoughts.

I cannot help but think of why she reappeared, whether she is here to spy on Coral shore after she murdered Father or if she has another target to eliminate.

“I looked out my window to find her sneaking around, and she goddamn attacked me before I could make a move!” Damien stares at me as if blaming me for her exit. He has the look of ‘if you didn’t come, I might have gotten her’

“You know what, just get rid of this overcast sky before Lucerne notices,” I mumble as I turn around to leave. Trying to talk to him now will be like adding fuel to a flame after all.

Going to Lucerne’s room is a good choice, but planning to tell him about what just happened will be the worst. I slowly close the door behind me as I reach to his bed, seeing how he coiled up in a foetal position and stared intently at the Lordship token.

My elder brother seems to have been staring at this longer than necessary even when there is nothing aside from the words ‘Exorcize the evil, free the world from darkness, and aid the weak’ encrypted on the carved, bell-like wood.

It has been the watchword of the Shore for a very long time, and sometimes I find myself thinking how to actually free the ‘world’ from the dark when we are locked up in this land surrounded by seas.

“What are you thinking?” Lucerne jolts at my question, only then realizing that he is not alone in the room. A wry smile downturns his lips as he looks up at me.

I speculate on what he might be thinking of; maybe he does not want to carry the burden of the Shore; he wants to shift it to either Damien or me, but considering that the former is short-tempered and rash while I am of no good, it will be a lot difficult. The Council may not even accept us.

“What are you thinking, Lucerne,” I repeat when my brother remains mute.

He sighs and pulls his coils. “A message came in earlier before you. The Council said to declare me as the acting Lord Kip tomorrow.” I perch on Lucerne’s bed, my eyes raking through his dreadful figure. “I guess that I am just sad and nervous at the same time,” He murmurs and inhales deeply as I realize that his fingers fist around the token.

I walk to the fireplace and crouch in front of the hearth before bringing the woods together and returning to the bed. Lucerne watches me as I speak to him, “Since Father's death, I pondered on what he said about leaving the Shore.”

Father seemed to have known what would happen after his death; Damien is his son after all. He perhaps knew that the latter would give Lucerne a hard time and insist on leaving to find a way to protect the Shore. He warned us about that, encouraged us to maintain our morals and continue living our lives the way we did. However, seeing that a young witch is capable of tearing through our wards and slickly murdering him, I see no reason why we should act as if we are still in a safe haven.

“I cannot just help but think that Damien is right after all. We could be here trying to protect ourselves while the enemy is out there planning an invasion.” I see Lucerne eyes flutter, suddenly taking the shape of a saucer. He must be shocked, and I feel bad for being the reason. He never expects that I will agree with Damien’s idea anytime, but that seems like the best option now.

“It’s obvious that Father did not know how the future would turn out. Do you say we stay here and let our rivals get more powerful and come after us? What would be the purpose of hiding then? Just imagine a witch already breaking into the Shore how she wants, what happens if it is more than that? No one would be able to stop the evil then.”

When darkness gradually encloses the globe, I cannot sleep. I have the same experience of the former nights coming back to me; hyperventilation, restlessness, constant shockwaves and jerk-awakes.

I shift uncomfortably on the bed, yet like other times, I could not find a space to tag comfort. I stare blankly at the ceiling, not realizing when my eyes gradually close, sleep swaying effortlessly into me.

Things slowly take a different turn, and for the first time, I feel something that does not seem like a dream. Though my eyes are closed, and I am anywhere but my room, I can still feel conscious, as if I am somewhat in a trance.

I am lying on the shore, facing the night sky as I watch the stars sparkle in their glory. Somehow, the memories I can gather are leaving my room and walking through the Copse to the sea after a long, sweaty night. Thus, I could not stop the smile that spread across my lips as the cold wind flushes my skin, my hands crossing behind my head to support it and my legs stretching to let my feet touch the cool water.

An eerie feeling comes before the hairs on my skin precipitously stand alert as a mighty gust of wind invades me. It carries me without warning and plunges me into the water, stirring a violent wave that triggers a torrent.

I lose control of my body, my hands and legs thrashing at their will as the feeling of skidding down a cliff besets me. My survival instinct kicks, and I try to rescue myself from this seeming damnation, but I cannot!

I hear my own voice in my head as I scream my lungs out, realization dawning so fast on me when an unseen force drives me deep into the Sea despite the torrent. I release a gasp before the water rolls over my head, swallowing me whole.

The last thing I know before losing consciousness is the torrent coming to a stop and the fierce winds immediately ceasing its assaults. Yet, I sink deep into the Sea, my hands flailing over my head as bubbles exit my poor lips to the surface.