The Phoenix Witch

Chapter 1

Christine's P.O.V

I walked into my apartment sighing at the state it was in, I had been late today for work and had finished a tedious assignment. All I could think of was my bed and how I would love to just fall in it but I had to listen to my stomach screaming at me to fill it. So I freshened up and made my way to the kitchen, walking past a pile of mail when I felt it, you know the tingles, the feeling of warmth but mixed with dread, I could hear my heart pounding, a siren-like voice whispering in my ear to come closer, coaxing me into a faux sense of safety. I fought it with all my will but it was too strong and somewhere in my head I knew exactly what it was and how to fight it, but I didn't listen to that rational part of my head and took that step.

And that's when my life spiraled into chaos...

Well, nothing happened at first but then I practically ran to the counter to see a shiny, intricate golden letter burning. I saw it turn into ashes as I thought what it could be, well I knew what it was but I didn't know why and why now. For minutes I stood there thinking, my hunger long forgotten when I heard footsteps outside my door, I turned when the door busted open to see two men - well-groomed, in black suits, wearing no expressions. One of them stepped forward and of off instinct, I stepped back and asked

'who the hell are you?' in a confident yet cold tone but I was shaking on the inside, he froze in his step and looked at me with a weird expression for a moment before stepping away. Ok, that was easier than I thought but it shouldn't be, what is happening? they must have seen my confusion so one of them held his hands up in surrender and spoke

'we are from the Court of Terra on the Queen's orders to bring you with us, we mean you no harm ma'am' he said in an emotionless yet oddly comforting tone. I gaped at him while what he said repeated in my head like a broken record, the Court of Terra!? The Queen? I hadn't heard that in years, it bought memories- bad and good ones.

What did she want with me and why now? My mind immediately went to the kitchen incident and everything clicked. That's when I asked 'What does she want with me?' hiding the disbelief and nervousness from my tone. 'we are on strict orders to not discuss anything about this matter here, so it would be best if we start now ma'am' he said so sure that I was going with him because I certainly was not and I told them that 'sorry but I'm not going anywhere with you, so it'd be best if you both leave' I told in the same voice.

The one speaking to me let's call him Suit A turned to the other one called Suit B and stared at each other as though they were talking through their eyes. This went on for a moment after which he turned to me with a somber expression, pausing for a moment to collect himself, and said in a low, hollow voice

'The King is dead'...

I stood gaping at him while my mind processed what he just said, I was shocked to my core, the king was someone I hadn't thought about for a while, but the news of his death affected me bringing memories I couldn't deal with right now. 'what happened?' was all that I could croak out. Suit A's face turned if possible even grimmer and said 'The Queen was particular on not revealing any more than necessary, it's best if we leave now ma'am we have a car waiting for us'. The Queen! I thought and all the memories came rushing back again and I was instantly guilty of not thinking about her, her husband was dead and she needed me, I felt my resolve breaking and I steeled myself and nodded not trusting myself to talk. I turned to walk into my bedroom but was stopped by Suit A saying 'Bags are not necessary, im sure we have everything you will need ma'am'. I stared at him for a moment but complied and took my purse with my phone and said 'ok we can go now'.

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Someone shook me awake and I opened my eyes to see Suit B hovering over me, the moment he noticed that I was awake he scrammed back to a dark corner, I shook off his strange behavior and rubbed my stiff neck looking down at the beautiful city, I ofcourse knew where we were and knew that they knew that I knew so there was an unspoken understanding that our little trip was confidential. I had had a lot of time to think about the king's situation and had concluded that he was killed, but what I couldn't understand was why I was here. We had lost touch years ago and I was perfectly happy in my life. Sighing I put on my seatbelt when we were landing and waited anxiously.

I stepped out and inhaled taking in the familiar scents of fresh tea and baked bread, the city had grown so much yet still had the same feeling it had when I had come here almost 10 years ago. We got into a car and went to a place through the roads I still remembered, they were waiting for my reactions, possibly tears but I paid them no mind and looked out the soothing fields of tea. After an hour or so we came close to a tall, elegant, and oh-so-familiar castle and got down at the gate. I walked in and laughed silently seeing that nothing had changed much, the walls still as white as snow, the intricate designs on the walls, the huge chandelier which was more than a hundred years old. We walked through secret passageways that I had no clue about, with me memorizing the way the whole time, I mean better be safe than sorry, right?

We finally reached a steel-enforced door and Suit A put in a passcode at which we entered a white room that had a single door with another digital lock in it, that's not the best security I thought as he opened that door. I walked inside to find one huge, gorgeous ancient looking door and paused in front of it, I glanced back at Suit A and he gestured for me to go inside. I took a deep breath and readied myself to face the family I hadn't seen in years........