Destiny's Witch (BxB)

The Zion

Perry

The night my grandmother died, though I regained my powers, I felt utter hopelessness. We saved Charlotte, but at what cost? Patricia's death was an Albatross dangling from my neck. It signaled the mortality of the people around me.

I watch enough TV to know what it all means.

To my surprise, my friends showed up for me when I needed them. It sounds weird to say that about friends, but the circumstances are unrealistic. I would not have asked them to be part of the supernatural drama I found myself embroiled in.

But I am glad they decided I am worth it.

I hope the three of them still think so after we trudge up to the Domus. In the few weeks since I defeated Tituba, I have been to the Domus a couple of times, never staying longer than it takes to make sure Tituba has not returned to wreak havoc on us.

With Parker and David out of town playing football, only Charlotte, Eva, and Nate are available. I told them I would meet them at Cynthia Wade's house for the 'party of the century' after checking out the Domus but they insisted on following me into woods.

Tonight, I can feel something strange in the air and I am glad they offered to come. The feeling makes my skin crawl and the hair on the back of my head stand on end.

Charlotte, Eva, and Nate trail behind me as I venture forward. The three are discussing our plans for fall break. They have been plotting how we can convince our parents to allow us to go on a road trip to Boston.

"My dad is skeptical of most of the things I say now, ever since the high grand witch hijacked my body." Charlotte says. "But if everybody else goes, I'm sure I can twist him around my finger again."

"Are we taking boyfriends?" Eva asks.

"I don't know about that." Nate says. "I'm not incredibly comfortable traveling with a vampire."

"Finn is less likely to kill you than David is." Eva says.

I ignore the comment as I spot the Domus. A strange feeling, like a pulse, tremors through my body. The feeling strong enough to cause me to go completely blank for a moment. A second passes before a hand grasps my shoulder.

"Hey, Per?" Nate calls.

"What's going on?" Eva asks.

"I don't...know." I say. "Maybe you guys should hang back. Something's out there."

"Like a demon?" Eva asks.

"No," Charlotte says, "Something extremely powerful."

Eva looks between us. "You feel it, too? I'm starting to feel very left out." She says.

Nate passes me. "Well, let's go check it out." He says.

I call out to him as I jog behind him. Our cautions are ignored as he marches forward at least a yard into a clearing overlooking a river. I stop as I bump into him. I grumble at him as I realize he is frozen in place.

My attention is drawn to a large, hulking creature bent over the carcass of a deer. The furry creature is using its elongated claws to dig out the insides of the deer. Charlotte and Eva join us, still accosting Nate. Their voices draw the creature's attention as it turns to us with glowing red slitted eyes. A long, forked tongue slithers from its wide jaws as it sniffs the air. Its eyes center on me.

"Do—do you think it sees us?" Nate asks.

"You're kidding?" I ask.

"This is your area of expertise. Maybe it's like one of the animals in the kingdom or whatever. It can't see good in the dark." Nate suggests.