CACKLE- Book 1

Chapter Three

"Are you sure you're not tired? Maybe we should wait until tomorrow." Anna said as she loaded arrows into a sack and strapped it to her outer thigh. Quick access, Remi made a mental note.

A pang of regret fluttered in Remi's stomach at the thought of her quiver, freshly filled in that damn shop. After yesterday's events, they both slept hard. Remi's thighs were sore, and her glutes felt a bit tight, but it was nothing a bit of stretching couldn't fix.

"There are two days left until the blood moon. I can do it. I have to." Remi said. The conviction in her voice was undeniable. There was no talking her out of it.

Anna looked Remi over before saying, "Okay, fill the cove back up. Then we'll go."

Remi did just that, creating clear fresh water. She watched the ball of liquid float through the air, growing steadily in size before she dropped it into the cove. It splashed up and around the edges of the smooth stones.

"Any strain with that? Are you tired now?" Anna asked.

Remi brushed her hair up into a pile atop her head, wrapping it with a piece of leather she kept tied to her wrist.

"I've never felt stronger." She said and she believed it.

Though her shoulders and neck had a bit of tension building she would be fine for a few more hours. Likely from their fun little run back to the cave yesterday.

Annas features softened. "My little flame. My girl with eyes of fire and gold. Strong and stable as ever."

A nickname from Remi's childhood. Anna had decided long ago that Remi's eyes must have been a part of her lineage, perhaps a warning to others. She had never seen a creature with those eyes. Fiery red that melted into glittering gold. Striking and warm, but dangerous. Perhaps, a mark of an Elemental.

"Apart from your eyes you are the spitting image of your mother. High cheekbones, golden skin. The same lips, nose." Anna touched the tips of Remi's slightly pointed ears.

"Did she have pointed ears? My mother?" Remi asked.

Anna tilted her head. "No. I don't think she did. Perhaps you got those from your father."

Anna didn't know Remi's father. When her mother was in labor, she would only give Anna, Remi's father's first name, Kano. She had said he was killed not long after the girl's conception. He had been buried at sea. Anna said this meant he was likely a sailor. Her mother had fled to the closest village when her partner died and passed before telling Anna what she wanted the name of her child to be. She said she would know as soon as she held her baby. Unfortunately, she never got that chance. Remi's mother's name was Remilinia, so Anna chose a similar name for the babe, Remilia.

Remi's mother never disclosed her last name to anyone in the village, as she claimed her family did not approve of her pregnancy and she was not willing to risk word reaching them of her whereabouts. Anna was respectful of Remilinia's wishes and gave Remi her own last name, and so she became Remilia Annabella Vikroth.

Anna cupped the back of Remi's head and pressed their foreheads together.

"My little flame." She whispered.

Remi closed her eyes and savoured the moment. It would be one of the last days she would know this version of Anna. The woman who raised her, just as much a mother to her as the woman who gave her life. She would miss these moments.

Tears stung at the back of her eyes, threatening to break free. Remi embraced Anna in a quick hug before pulling away to ask, "Shall we?"

Anna smiled. "After you."

Remi slowly raised her head out of the water. Keeping to the rocky edges as she surveyed the land. Deeming the coast clear she climbed over the ledge of the pool. Anna followed behind her. Remi felt sure that this was the perfect day for training outside the safety of their cave. It was clear and dry, hot of course, but the lands around her were calm.

"Let me dry you off." She gestured to Anna who was ringing out her long silver hair.

"Last time you tried that..." She started.

"Please, let me try again. I can do it." Remi puckered her lips into a pout.

Normally, Remi and Anna would keep a spare change of clothes hidden in the rocks, covered in a piece of dried demon hide to conceal their scent. Though demon meat was toxic to humans, their skin kept the demons from lingering. It also made for some great leather wristbands.

"Maybe you should try it on yourself first?" Anna suggested.

That was probably best. Remi gave Anna a nod by way of response.

In the past Remi had a hard time controlling the temperature of the air she created. Often cold- sometimes extremely cold- it would make Anna's hair freeze back into clumps of pointy icicles. Though the heat of the sun was excruciating, it wasn't an ideal situation. In the cave Anna may have become ill once or twice from the experience. Creating a precise air flow with the warmth around her was the key. Keep it flowing, keep it steady.

Remi's flames could do no damage to her own skin, though the same could not be said for anyone else. As a child, Remis tantrums had a history of resulting in her entire body bursting into flames. Green and blue dancing on her skin, sparks flying around her. Sometimes burning her clothes. She would run around the cave, pushing over furniture causing it to catch fire. It was hard enough for Anna to cultivate the materials needed for their home, but it was exhausting for her to manipulate the cove water to extinguish the blaze Remi would create.

Remi closed her eyes, concentrating. She opened her right palm to the sky and a small green flame flickered to life in her hand. 'Gentle now.' She thought to herself, as she commanded a stream of air to blow through the tiny flame, onto her body. A warm sensation wrapped around her, caressing her curves, slithering through her hair. When she opened her eyes, she saw the fire had spread up her arm. She concentrated hard to minimise the flame and maximise the stream of air flow. After a few moments she developed a rhythm. She turned in a slow circle to face Anna.

"What do you think?" She asked. Anna was smiling and nodding, her face was glowing with pride.

"You're ready." She said, looking around to ensure the area was still secure. She removed her pack and bow before stepping forward, spreading her arms and closed her eyes. "I trust you." She breathed.

Remi felt a flutter of excitement which radiated down her arm causing green sparks to flicker at her fingertips. 'Settle.' She whispered to her magic.

Taking a deep breathe she was able to replicate the warm stream, a little softer than before.

Anna was much smaller than Remi. Standing at a height of four feet, nine inches, she was still a force to be reckoned with. Though witches do not age the same as humans, their hair colour can sometimes give away how many centuries they have lived. Anna's body was similar to Remi's, but her hair changed from icy blonde to gleaming silver, around three hundred and sixty-two years old. Her hair was a marking. To see her was to know she was much more formidable than the average witch.

With Remi's powers however, she was the most formidable witch known to exist since the Culling. It had been a dark time that Anna explained in brief clips to Remi. She lost so many loved ones that it was hard for her to talk about, even now.

Remi tapered the air and slowly lowered her hand. "All done." She said.

Anna opened one eye, squinting down at her body. Her mouth formed a small 'o' as her eyes opened wide in surprise.

"Amazing! You did it! Look!" She pulled at her tunic and pointed. "No burn marks, no frost bite!" She exclaimed. "My little flame!"

The two burst into laughter at that. Anna ran to wrap Remi in a hug. Remi rested her chin atop Anna's head and squeezed her back.

A shriek from the skies abruptly interrupted their moment of celebration. They looked up in horror as three large fliers approached swiftly from the west.

Anna clapped Remi on the shoulder. "You've got this!" She smiled.

A flicker of green sparked at Remi's fingertips in response. "Bring it on." She grinned.