Conquest of Magic

Part 17.

I noticed a shadow near the balcony and felt a chill run down my spine. As I approached cautiously, I saw John standing there with a drink in hand, gazing at the moon. Startled and on edge, I tried to steady my voice.

"What are you doing here? How did you get in?" I asked, though my tone betrayed my fear.

John turned to face me, his eyes shifting from soft to icy. I took a step back, unease gripping me.

"You never cease to amaze me," he said, locking eyes with me. His gaze was unsettling.

I swallowed hard but remained silent, my fear palpable.

"You act so normal, but your actions speak otherwise," he hissed, his voice dripping with venom. "You play the innocent, but I know you're hiding something. And soon, I'll uncover what it is."

His words weighed heavily on me, leaving me feeling exposed and anxious. What was he accusing me of?

My heart pounded as I faced John, his intense gaze making me feel small and defenseless.

"Trust me, Kristen," he sneered, and I flinched at the sound of my name. "Don't be so naive. The second your power awakens, you'll become a threat to everything. If the King sees you as a danger, he'll have you beheaded, and not even William can save you."

His chilling words sent shivers down my spine, drowning me in a wave of hopelessness. I tried to muster some confidence. "You're wrong," I said, though my voice wavered. "William would protect me," I added, glancing down at my feet, my certainty crumbling.

John's laughter cut through my fear, igniting a surge of anger within me. His ability to unsettle me was frustrating, and I fought to keep my composure. I reminded myself to stay calm and respectful; I had to navigate this world carefully.

My mind raced as I tried to absorb his warnings. "See, I'm not your enemy," he said, his tone unexpectedly gentle. "We all swore to protect you, but only while you're useful. Other supernatural beings are searching for you. If they catch even a whiff of your existence, you're as good as dead. You must awaken your power and keep it hidden until you understand it completely."

His words were a stark reminder of the danger surrounding me.

As John continued speaking, a tight knot formed in my stomach.

"You don't understand the danger of the King," he said, his tone growing more grave. "I've known him all my life, and you should be terrified of him. He slaughtered thousands of witches without a second thought during the war. If he sees you as a threat, he won't hesitate to kill you. William can't stop his father."

His words were chilling, making my palms sweat and my body shiver. The thought of such a ruthless power made me feel vulnerable and scared.

"What are you trying to say?" I asked, my voice trembling despite my effort to stay calm. I avoided meeting his intimidating gaze, focusing instead on keeping my composure.

John's eyes burned bright red as he fixed his gaze on me.

"Look at me," he commanded. I forced myself to meet his gaze, trying not to let my fear show.

He rolled his eyes with a sarcastic smile. "Why are you scared of me, Kristen?" he asked, his tone dripping with mockery. I pulled away, feeling a mixture of confusion and irritation. His sudden shifts in attitude left me unsettled.

"I see through you," John said, his voice softening. "I know you're innocent and overwhelmed by everything that's happening. When we first met at college, I misjudged you. I regret my actions and how I treated you. I couldn't bring myself to apologize before, but I'm sorry for my behavior."

His apology seemed genuine, and I could see the sincerity in his eyes. I sighed, feeling the weight of his words and the complexity of our situation.

John's tone softened, his eyes sincere as he spoke. "You can trust me and Lyn. We're here to protect you."

Confused, I tilted my head. "Lyn?" I stuttered, trying to process the information.

John looked mildly amused by my reaction. "She's my sister."

The shock hit me hard, and I took a step back. "How is that possible? She's human, and you're not. How can she be your sister? Did you send her to watch over me?"

John's expression shifted to mild irritation. "Why do you always ask so many questions? It's tiring. And no, I didn't send her. She volunteered to be by your side and protect you."

He placed his wine glass on the side table and folded his arms, his frustration evident. I was still grappling with the revelation, my mind racing with questions and doubts.

John's tone softened again as he looked at me, his eyes pleading. "I'm really sorry for how I treated you. I mean no harm. Can you at least give me a chance to earn your trust?"

I could only nod, overwhelmed and unsure of what to say. I brushed a strand of brown hair from my face, feeling a mix of confusion and reluctant acceptance.

"It's getting late," John said, glancing towards the balcony. "You should get some rest. And please, don't tell anyone about this conversation. It's for your safety. Lyn found a way to help you; she'll explain everything tomorrow."

With that, he turned and walked towards the balcony, leaving me to process his words and the strange new reality I found myself in.

"Wait, the door is that way," I said, pointing towards the exit. John just chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Do you want to see something cool?" he asked, his tone playful.

"What?" I asked, my curiosity piqued but tinged with hesitation.

"Take a closer look," he replied, gesturing for me to follow him.

I took a few cautious steps towards him and stopped at his side, my nerves on edge.

"See you around," he said, giving my hair a playful ruffle before unexpectedly leaping off the railing.

I froze, momentarily stunned, before rushing to the edge of the balcony. "John!" I called out, my voice tinged with panic.

He landed gracefully on the ground below, barely making a sound, and looked up at me with a grin. He motioned for me to stay quiet and winked before disappearing into the shadows.

A small smile tugged at my lips despite the confusion. His sudden shift from intimidating to friendly left me bewildered. John was so hard to understand—one moment he was a menace, the next, he was almost endearing. I shrugged off my puzzlement, choosing not to dwell on it further.

I went inside, locked the door, and shivered as the night breeze nipped at my skin. Climbing onto the bed, I tried to savor the comfort and warmth, but an unfamiliar fear gnawed at me, making me restless. John's words echoed in my mind, and the realization that those who claimed to protect me might have their own hidden agendas unsettled me. I knew I had to discover my own strength and awaken whatever power lay dormant within me.

My breathing grew uneven as I turned to face the balcony, staring out at the stars through the glass doors. Time seemed to stretch on indefinitely as I lay there, lost in thought, until exhaustion finally took over, and I drifted off to sleep.

A sudden, sharp knock on the door yanked me awake. My heart raced, thudding wildly in my chest as I sat up, bewildered by the unexpected disturbance. I hesitated, fear gripping me, before forcing myself out of bed. My hand trembled as I reached for the doorknob, wondering who could possibly be there at this hour.

I took a deep breath and slowly turned the knob, my mind racing with a thousand possibilities. As the door creaked open, I was met with darkness and silence... but a faint, chilling whisper slipped through the crack, sending a jolt of terror through me.