Black Forest, Germany.
“I hope he can keep his mouth shut so as not to reveal our plan.”
One of the six people sitting around the campfire spoke. He turned down the volume of his voice so that their conversation would not be overheard by someone who might be passing through the forest. They had already gone through the night without one person from the group, and it was really making things tense.
“Matt, I’m going to look for more firewood.”
The person named Matt nodded and got up from his seat. He walked into the tent and came out with a roll of parchment and a candle in his hand. By the light of the campfire in front of him, he read the writing on the parchment.
Matt lit the candle, keeping the light steady with the help of one of his friends. After he repeated the words on the parchment three times, the candlelight went out.
Suddenly, in front of them, came a female witch. She grinned at everyone around the campfire. Her frog-like face was so annoying that it made one of them snort.
A soft plop sound was heard by Matt. He looked next to her and found his friend turned into a mole. The squeaking sound of the mouse made the witch laugh for a few seconds in satisfaction.
“You bloody wolf! If it wasn’t for me, you wouldn’t have survived the Idris Council’s punishment.”
“But you need it for the awakening ritual, Margot.”
“Let him eat earthworms as a snack for a while until my mood improves.”
Matt sighed. He couldn’t continue his protest, not because he couldn’t, but because he didn’t want to get into trouble with that annoying witch. He preferred to play it safe since he had yet to find prey for his dinner later. Fighting that witch would take a lot of energy out of him.
If only they didn’t need each other, maybe Matt would settle down with his pack. They were free werewolves, not bound by the rules of any pack. Having the same grudge against the haughty werewolf in London made him have to refrain from his principles, which would not be bound by anything, including witch rules.
“Why have you summoned me?” asked Margot as last.
“Can you help Gautier? He was caught by the Idris Council.”
“You werewolf; you always do things carelessly. Your wits are too shallow. I told you that you were wanted by them, but you were still spotted in France.”
“Your words are not of any use. Ah, I’ve become a fool for listening to your ramblings.”
“Damn it! Of course, I can do it. I hate being underestimated.”
“Then show me that you’re not a witch who talks too much.”
“I need two of you to come with me to France. We leave in two days,” finalised Margot to close their talk.
*
“Sorry for not telling you sooner.”
Seth kissed Edith’s forehead, the first thing he did after lying down on the bed. Edith’s smooth white skin made Seth caress every inch of its surface. Being away for two weeks made him miss his wife the most.
“The most important thing is that you’re with me now. I’m worried about Julie while you’re not here with me.”
“I will solve this problem; you just relax.”
Edith buried her face in Seth’s chest. With just that kind of skinship, she began to feel calm. Slowly, Edith closed her eyes again. Tomorrow, she had to take her two children back to school after the summer holiday.
The next morning, Edith woke up early to prepare supplies for her two children. She observed Julie more intensely than she should have, but did not find anything strange or different about her after yesterday’s incident.
Along the way, the two children joked as usual. Occasionally, Edith glanced through the rear-view mirror. She saw Julian teasing Julie by burning the ends of her hair with a lighter. Julie returned her brother’s prank by casting magic until Edith had to call both of them.
“Julian, don’t keep teasing your sister. Julie, don’t do any magic. Mum is focused on driving!”
“Julie refuses to teach me flying magic, Mum.”
“What are you doing magic for? You’re a werewolf; you should improve your fighting skills.”
“I’m a witch like you too. Why do I always get the blame?”
“I’m not defending any of you. You are a witch, but we’ve been over this many times. Your magical abilities are limited, Julian. And you, Julie, control your magic well at the right time and place; we’re on the road. I want you to sit quietly.”
“Okay, Mum,” Julian and Julie replied simultaneously.
The peace only lasted for a few minutes. Suddenly, Edith slammed the steering wheel to the left on its own. The rear wheel miraculously veered to the right. Edith pressed the brake pedal hard to stop the car.
“Julie, please stop; it’s dangerous!”
“I didn’t do it, Mum.”
“Bloody hell! What happened?” shouted Julian as he hit his head on the window.
“I don’t know. The car moved on its own.”
Edith managed to stop the car. Their car stopped at the edge of the road and grazed the guardrail. Just as Edith was about to open the door, she felt a force pushing her car away from the edge.
She looked around at her spinning surroundings. Julie and Julian screamed in panic as they spun several times before finally a loud thud flipped the car over.
“Mummy, I’m scared,” squeaked Julie.
“Hang in there, honey…”
The back door of the car opened. Julie felt a force pulling her body forcefully out of the car. She tried to rebel, but to no avail; all her movements were locked.
Edith saw a pair of female feet walking towards their car in the distance. She tried with all her might to push the car door that clamped her hands and feet. Edith saw a black aura shrouding the approaching pair of legs.
“Julie…”
“Mummy, I can’t move,” Julie cried out in panic.
“Julian, can you get out of the car?”
“I’m trying, Mum.”
“Get out of the car and get help with the mind link!”
Edith saw Julian unbuckle his seat belt and get out of the car. She saw Julian close his eyes to mind link with the wolf from Red Crescent Moon.
“This is too far away. I need to find a position to do it, Mum.”
“Do whatever you can. I’m counting on you, Julian.”
While Edith was still trying to free herself, she saw Julie curled up motionless in the middle of the street. She tried to use her magical abilities, but without both hands, there was little power to be generated.
“I’ll help,” said the woman whose face Edith could not see.
Edith felt the pressure on her hands and feet loosen. She moved quickly as soon as the car door opened completely.
She could now see the figure of the dark-haired woman who was facing her. To the right of the woman, she saw Julie sobbing and looking at Edith.
“Hello, niece…”
“I don’t recognise you. Who are you? Why did you call me that?”
“I was expecting a warm welcome from Jovanka’s only descendant, but that’s okay; I can understand. I am your aunt, Katarina.”
“Why are you doing all this? What do you want?”