The Will of Witches
Heaven
“When is Raihana getting back?” Allie asks, suppressing a yawn. I shake my head, almost writing my reply.
“Mama is back, but she’s severely drained. Whatever she was doing, it took a toll, and she’s resting. So, she said she’ll come tomorrow for our next lesson,” I answer quietly.
We’re in the library. It’s late afternoon, and lessons are over.
Sienna has fallen asleep beside us. She’s getting hot flushes of heat, although she’s topped up with Leo’s concoction as well as spells to mask the scent when she does get her episodes.
They are becoming more frequent, and we will be taking her to Jaddati’s Quarters when she ends up in full-blown heat until she’s transported home.
“Hmm, I hate how I have no idea what everyone’s up to out there while we’re imprisoned in here.
” Allie yawns again. We’ve been working late, mulling over our grimoires.
There are powerful protection spells in here, but they aren’t spells that can be erected within hours or days.
They are going to take time and will need to be consistently worked on with patience and precision.
They are complex, but once up, they could be so much stronger than anything we have ever known.
A power in itself.
I twirl my pen, looking at the spell I’m writing out, and breaking it down as Shahira comes over.
“How’s Sienna? Is she ok?” she asks, looking concerned as she glances at Sienna. I nod.
“She’s just tired.”
“Yeah, she isn’t sleeping as well,” she murmurs.
“Are you studying?” I ask, motioning for her to take a seat with us.
She nods and sits down opposite us. “Yeah, my wolf is weaker than it should be… I’m more witch than wolf, and there’s some research Alpha John wanted me to do, thinking it could help me work on it,” she explains.
“I could ask my mother. She had a similar issue when she first shifted; see if she has any tips she can suggest,” I offer. She looks up and smiles.
“Really? Thanks. I’d appreciate that.”
I nod. She’s a nice girl. “You’re welcome.”
“And then there’s me trying to strengthen my witch abilities that are so insignificant,” Allie says gloomily.
Shahira smiles. “Well, you never know what you might be able to unlock if you keep pushing.”
I nod in agreement. “Precisely.”
The library is pretty empty, especially as lessons have just finished and a lot of students take a bit of a break before diving into further studies and training.
We all get back to our studying until the sound of heels echoing in the silence makes me glance up to see Charlotte Arden storming through the library, her aura rippling around her, eyes blistering with uncontrolled anger.
I exchange looks with Allie, watching as she disappears behind a shelf, and I can hear her rummaging through the shelves hastily. I wonder what that’s about.
I direct my focus back to the pages, but I’m unable to concentrate, a problem I’ve been having since we returned from the wedding – not after that kiss.
My memory of that night returned to me the following evening. I knew it…
Even without it, when he came up to me the following morning and joked about it, I saw past it. I knew he had something to do with it. I know Theo… and yet… he didn’t want me to know. Why can’t he just take bloody credit for anything he does?!
He got my voice back, and he kissed me. And that feeling, Goddess, that kiss. Who knew the rebel was such a good kisser? And he tasted of temptation and sin.
I sigh silently as I try to focus on the task at hand when Sienna jerks upwards, her aura surging. Her glamour is gone as she stares at us wildly, jumping to her feet, knocking the chair she had been sitting on to the ground with a loud thud.
“Si, what-” Allie begins.
“The Blood Moon! The Blood Moon Pack is under attack!” Sienna says, her eyes wild.
Unease twists in my stomach. I don’t ask how she knows that. Maybe it’s her visions, her link to Jayce – I don’t know, but I believe her.
“What?” I ask, my heart skipping a beat. Hurried footsteps approach, and then Charlotte is at our table as I stand up, trying to think calmly.
“Allie, alert Leo. Sienna, request Jaddati to grant us permission to go,” I command, my mind racing. Sienna nods, her heart pounding. “I can teleport us, tell her that,” I say, looking between Sienna and Allie.
She’s silent for a moment as Charlotte and Allie both try to contact someone.
“Jaddati said fine, but to stay together. She’s contacting Dad,” Sienna says, her heart pounding loudly. “Let’s go.”
“I’m coming, too!” both Shahira and Charlotte speak simultaneously.
I hesitate, but they are both determined.
“Fine.” This isn’t the time to question anything now. We need to get to an exit, as I can’t create a portal from inside the barrier! We’re already in our suits, but if Allie, Charlotte or Shahira want to get their weapons, they’ll have to collect them.
“Ok, we’ll meet outside by the northern gate in five minutes. If you need any weapons, go get them now,” I say.
I close the grimoire and whisper a spell, making both my notes and the grimoires disappear, secure and safe.
“What did you see?” Allie asks as she rushes to the door. Sienna, like me, has her weapons spelled so that she can summon them.
“It’s him, their leader. The one Jayce and I fought back then, but he isn’t alone. He’s broken through the Blood Moon barriers already!” Sienna says as we all hurry towards the doors.
“Fuck,” Allie mutters as she pushes open the door, and we go our separate ways.
Sienna whispers a spell; runes appear, and she reaches in, taking her swords.
“Nice, you nailed it,” I say. We use separate styles, but both are sufficient. My bandage around my legs is full of concealed weapons.
She nods. “I have. I had time to perfect it.”
We don’t talk further, worry and tension rushing through us. My only consolation is that it worked out at a good time, since all the brothers were there. And if they can defeat a god, then-
But we had Hades’ protection… I push that thought away, refusing to let doubt consume me. We run faster, racing towards the exit, only slowing when we spot Jaddati standing there wearing a hooded, long, floor-length jacket, although it’s not quite that chilly.
She stands there, shoulders straight, face emotionless. “How are you planning to get there?” she asks us.
“Portal,” I say as we slow down. “There are five of us, Allie, Charlotte Arden and Shahira Mohammed.”
“I see. Can you create a portal?” Jaddati asks.
I nod. “I’m confident I can.”
Just then, we hear running footsteps and see the three girls have come along with Brock and Tatum. Both boys suited up as well.
“We’re going, too. Please, Head Commander,” Brock asks, lowering his head. “Artemis is there.”
Jaddati nods. “You are trained for this, but are you all sure you want to go?” Jaddati asks Charlotte, Shahira and Brock. “It’s dangerous, and it can cost you your life.”
“Yes,” all say without missing a beat.
Jaddati nods curtly. “Very well then. Remember your training.”
“Yes, Commander!”
Jaddati’s eyes are sharp, her lips pressed in a thin line. “It’s bad, the barriers are destroyed. I just heard from Rayhan that backup is on its way. I’m giving you permission to go, but I’m coming with you.”
“But what about the Academy, especially with him here?” Charlotte asks sharply. We all know who she means.
“Everything is under control here. Don’t worry. But if I’m allowing you to go, then it is my responsibility to come with you,” Jaddati says, and my eyes widen. I see her reach for and activate something in her coat.
A Schattenblüte, one that is different from ours.
I see – it’s a custom-designed suit. Her suit appears, and she removes her coat, revealing black flared pants, a fitted, black long-sleeved top, gloves and a full head covering that’s shaped like a turban with a veil, becoming the masked battle queen she is known for.
Charlotte smiles. “Impressive, Head Commander.”
Jaddati nods. “Thank you,” she says, bending down and opening the bag I hadn’t noticed at her feet and takes out her swords. “Keep your Schattensichts activated. We keep in contact as much as possible. If you are in distress, alert the others. From here on, we work as a team. Understood?”
“Yes, Commander!” we say in unison as we activate our Schattensichts and hold them out so they can connect with one another. They are automatically activated for your division members, but can at any time be linked to others for missions.
“Brock is second in command. If I am unable to be reached, you follow his lead or find Alpha Elijah, Alpha Liam, Alpha Scarlett, Alpha Damon or Luna Raven. Follow their commands. Do not engage if you are injured; resort to protecting the civilians.”
“Yes, Commander!”
My heart is racing, every passing minute making fear curl in the pit of my stomach.
“Open the gates,” Jaddati commands, signalling the guards at the doors to allow us to leave.
Once we pass the gates and step outside, I glance at Jaddati, who has a deep frown on her face.
“I’ll open the portal now,” I state, stepping forward.
“Focus on the tree line, just in case there are some barriers remaining, we don’t want to step into the midst of the battle,” Sienna advises. “I haven’t mastered this spell. You’ll be ok?”
“I’ll be fine,” I answer as I whisper a spell, and my bag of supplies appears. I take out a jar of ash and begin to draw the symbols on the ground, finishing with the circle.
I don’t focus on anything else but the spell. Mama makes it look so simple, but I know it takes a lot of practice. Taking a deep breath, I begin chanting the spell to create the portal. This one is big, and it’s hours away. This is the first time I’m opening one at such a distance.
After a few moments, a shimmering wall appears, and when it clears, showing us what’s beyond, my heart sinks.