Spellcaster series #1: The Neophyte

The Morning After

JESSIE

The djinns were retreating, to our surprise. Voltaire and I had fought back as much as we could. A thought came across my mind that Synto was dead but Voltaire thought otherwise.

"Do not trust the hope," he warned as if he read my mind. Perhaps he thought about it too.

In a few minutes, we saw Wynona appear on the ground level of the building with Tristan hanging onto her shoulder. He did not look well—and there was no sign of Heidi and Vicky.

"We'll explain at the Lair," Wynona said before we were transported back.

At the Lair, Tristan asked to be excused for a while before returning to tell us exactly what happened. Before he did, Wynona broke the news.

"Vicky died saving Heidi," was all she could say. Voltaire was in deep despair.

He sighed to himself. I had known Voltaire for a long time and knew enough that he would not lose his spirits. Vicky was the love of his life even though he had lost plenty throughout the centuries. He had learned to accept what happened and honoured her instead.

"Then this next plan will be justice for all those that have fallen," he spoke, voice thin and weary.

Wynona darted her violet eyes from Voltaire to me. "There's also one more thing but we'll wait for Tristan—"

"I'm here," Tristan walked into the living room, straightening his red coat. He always dressed exceptionally well, although there was pain in his eyes.

"Are you all right, Tristan?" Voltaire asked, looking up from deep thought.

We were all seated in dated lounge chairs that were donated by Wynona's parents. Tristan nodded, his silent, slight nod. He was hiding his thoughts.

I eyed the scars on his face. Wynona said the glass had shattered and it was telling. Tristan sat on an armchair and his gaze fell on the floor. Wynona shifted in her seat.

"Where do I begin?" He asked, breaking the silence. Wynona and I bore our gaze onto Voltaire.

"When you first found Heidi at the orphanage," he replied. His red eyes levelled with Tristan's.

A slight flinch at her name. It was so subtle that it might have slipped from Wynona's and Voltaire's sight but not mine. I knew this boy like my own son. He placed his forearms onto the armrest and let his long fingers dangle at the edge. He bent one leg and straightened the other, knees apart. His body was relaxed but tense above the shoulders. His ruby eyes glowed.

"Vicky and I decided to split up and make sure Heidi could escape. We fought as many djinns as we could although we knew we needed backup. I found Heidi in the bedroom of the second floor," he paused. He blinked twice each time he said her name. Like he was holding back tears.

Voltaire inhaled deeply. "What happened to Vicky? How did she...pass?"

Tristan's eyes darted quickly from the floor to Voltaire, and then to the rest of us. He didn't know either.

Silence fell. Then Wynona spoke, "She died saving Heidi before Heidi decided to go with Synto. It was a way to save us, to save Tristan. I tried to snap her out of it but...she turned a deaf ear."

Tristan stared at her, dumbfounded.

"We lost a good soldier," she added.

"We need a plan," I interjected. "Every second counts. From what I have gathered, Synto has been influencing many Vampires to work for him. He's building an army. We must fight back."