Chapter 10
WARRICK
I stalk through the dense underbrush, the sounds of the forest blending into a symphony of life around me. My senses are heightened by each rustle of leaves and chirp of insects sharpening my focus. The scent of human invaders drifts on the breeze, leading me to the creek where I find them—Windy and Wallace.
I watch them from the shadows, my eyes narrowing as they laugh and forage. They seem so carefree, so unaware of the forces they are meddling with.
Windy’s beauty is undeniable, her presence radiating a kind of light that attracts me. There’s something about her that makes my heart pound in a way I haven’t felt in centuries.
It’s a weakness I despise, and I push the thought aside as I move closer, my body low to the ground.
Why is she with him? Wallace is nothing, a thief of magic, a leech on society.
I should destroy them both now, but first, some fun.
As I emerge from the bushes, their laughter dies, replaced by a tense silence. Windy’s eyes widen, and Wallace freezes, his face a mask of fear.
Good. They should be afraid.
“Wallace, don’t move,” Windy whispers, her voice trembling. She begins to weave a spell, her hands moving with practiced precision. But before she can finish, her magic flares uncontrollably, exploding in a burst of pink light that startles us all.
I roar, the sound echoing through the forest. My instinct is to pounce, but the barrier she conjures holds me back.
I pace, watching her struggle to maintain it.
Wallace shouts something, grabbing her arm, and I see him siphoning her magic.
Clever boy.
The barrier flickers, and I sense their fear. They can’t hold it for long. I gather my strength, preparing to break through, but then Wallace swings a branch dipped in enchanted water, splashing me. The water stings, but it’s not enough to deter me.
They bolt, running through the forest with me hot on their heels. I revel in the chase, my powerful limbs propelling me forward. They burst into a clearing, and I stop at the edge, watching them collapse to the ground.
This is my moment.
With a swift movement, I shift, my panther form dissolving into my human one. I step out of the shadows, now Warrick, and call out to them.
“Pathetic,” I sneer. “You think you can escape me?”
Windy and Wallace scramble to their feet, their eyes wide with shock.
Wallace’s face contorts with rage as he recognizes me. “Warrick,” he growls. “What do you want?”
I laugh, the sound cold and mocking. “What do I want? To stop you from making a fool of yourself, Wallace. Do you think you can break the curse for this girl? You ever wonder if there’s a reason why her family is cursed?”
Windy’s eyes flash with anger. “You don’t know anything about me,” she snaps.
“Oh, but I do,” I say, stepping closer. “You’re a naive little girl who thinks she can save everyone. But you can’t even save yourself.”
Wallace steps between us, his fists clenched. “Leave her out of this, Warrick. This is between you and me.”
“Gladly,” I reply, and without warning, I throw a punch.
It connects with Wallace’s jaw, sending him staggering back.
He recovers quickly, launching himself at me.
We grapple, fists flying, each blow fueled by years of rivalry and hatred.
“You’re weak,” I taunt, landing a hit to his ribs. “You’ve always been weak. Everything you’ve ever had has been stolen… your powers, your girlfriends…”
“And you’re a coward,” he spits back, striking me across the face. “Hiding behind your shapeshifting abilities. And I never stole your girlfriend!”
We continue to fight, the world narrowing to just the two of us.
I see Windy out of the corner of my eye, her hands glowing with magic as she prepares another spell. Her face is a mask of determination and fear, and for a moment, I’m struck by her beauty again. Even during chaos, she shines.
She raises her hands, chanting words of power, and a burst of energy erupts from her, knocking both Wallace and me to the ground. The force of it sends a shockwave through the clearing, shaking the trees and stirring the air.
I lie there, stunned, as Windy stands over us, her chest heaving. “Enough!” she cries, her voice echoing with power. “This has to stop!”
I laugh, a deep, guttural sound that rises from my core. “You think you can stop me?” I say, struggling to my feet. “You’re even more foolish than I thought.”
Windy glares at me, her eyes blazing. “I don’t care what you think. I won’t let you hurt him.”
I smirk, wiping blood from my lip. “Your loyalty is touching, but it’s misplaced. Wallace isn’t worth saving.”
“Neither are you,” she retorts, her voice cold. “But that doesn’t mean I’ll stand by and let you destroy everything.”
I stare at her, a mixture of admiration and frustration churning within me.
She’s stronger than I gave her credit for, and it infuriates me. But it also intrigues me.
There’s a fire in her that I can’t ignore.
Wallace rises slowly, his face bruised but determined. He moves to stand beside Windy, his eyes locked on mine.
“This isn’t over, Warrick,” he says, his voice low and dangerous.
I nod, acknowledging the truth in his words. “No, it’s not,” I agree. “But for now, consider this a temporary truce. We have bigger things to worry about.”
Windy looks between us, confusion and suspicion in her eyes. “What do you mean?”
I meet her gaze, letting my human facade slip just a little, revealing the depth of my true nature. “There’s a reason we’ve all run into each other. I don’t think it is by chance, and I don’t know if it's a good thing… I feel like we’re being watched. Be careful.”
With that, I turn and walk back into the forest, transforming as I go, leaving them to ponder my words. But before I disappear, Windy is running after me. “Wait, wait! We need you!”