The Cold She-wolf

Chapter Seventy-six: The Witch Hunter

Krystal's POV

   "What is that?" I asked as I approached the pillar.

   "One of the most sacred items in this world. It's a ball of energy that can only be used once and will not return until five hundred years. No one can use it except those it chooses and if others try to touch it, the guardian of the power will kill you." I bet that's what she wants. From how angry she sounded, she wasn't allowed to use the power.

   "What can I use it for? And why haven't you used it before?" I asked as I stopped close to the pillar. "What is its name?"

   "Witch hunter," my heart stopped working and my eyes widened. The witch hunter was every seasonal guardian's worst fear. The witch hunter was a white snake with blue and red markings. It was created to hunt and kill witches of all kinds, especially dark-hearted ones. As much as it kills, it can grant one wish and powers to the one it chooses to be its keeper. The witch hunter disappeared from our world a long time ago for unknown reasons, but every witch is taught about it. Seems like this world still has one. It's bad, really, really bad. One bite from it and I'll die.

   I tried to be confident as I walked closer to the pillar, my hands were trembling and my heart beating faster. Is this what fear feels like? Apart from that night, I had never faced fear before. But, why has it been calling out to me? Have I been chosen or does it wish to kill me because I'm not the real winter witch?

   I thought about the words the voices screamed. Most of them weren't clear but the little I heard wasn't menacing. If it wanted me dead, it would have attacked on its own. Well, it did take away my powers but still. If it wanted me dead, there was no way I would be able to save myself. For the first time in my entire life, I knelt at will and bowed in respect. I could only present myself to it.

   "Wynter," the deep voice made me hold my breath. My body stiffened as a white haze started to stream down the pillar to the floor. The haze slowly morphed into the giant snake still in haze form. Its body began to wrap around me, swallowing me within. "Wynter," it called again. Goosebumps spread on my skin as hot steam covered my body and enveloped me in darkness. "Child, you are by far the strongest I have encountered in two thousand years. Why do you hold so much power in you? It is impossible to carry most of the extended symbols of winter and still remain unseated on your throne. Even the first and second of your kind did not carry such powers. Who are you?"

   I forced my quivering body to sit up and looked him straight in his red eyes. My heart stopped beating again and my breath got caught in my throat. He tilted his head and hissed. "There are only a few who have been able to look me in the eyes with no ounce of fear. You might be shivering but you are bold. You have bathed in a powerful keeper's presence. Who is it? Aramis? Raquelia? Froz? Or maybe a mighty beast like myself?"

  "My name is Krystal Sage like I'm told. I am an orphan according to what I was told. My parents were murdered and those who did it still seek my life. I know that is not the whole story, I know I'm being lied to but there's nothing I can do to find the truth since it is blocked by Raquelia. I really want to avenge my mother and yes I know vengeance is bad and wrong, but I still can't think of what else to do,"

   "I see," his tail loosened around me. "For Raquel to cover you like this, you must be something special. You reek of blood and your heart is far from pure,"

   "I was brought up to kill. I grew up with that as my only mindset. Although now I see things differently, it cannot change who I am completely. I can't judge myself so feel free to judge me." Every second took my fear away and my words became bolder. I was seeking death.

   "Wynter Moonstone," I heard his voice in my head. Who's that? "I don't know what is going on but I will not miss an opportunity for entertainment. I'm tired of being stuck here with no master. Since it seems like your body is a container, then I will accept Raquelia's offer and make myself comfortable inside you. I will grant you a wish and protect you from the one who seeks to take your place. Do you agree?" So that's why she sent me here.

   Raquelia once told me I had a body that could contain any kind of energy. I thought she was joking but she wasn't. Whatever it is, I'm sure I'll be fine. "I accept." The snake immediately returned to haze and the smoke entered my hair. My eyes rolled into the back of my head and everything went blank.

_____

   I passed through the door in my haze form and transformed back once I was inside the room. I was exhausted. The merging took all my energy and weakened my body. I barely made it back and I already depleted the last of my power. I smiled wearily and held the hem of my top to take it off but stopped when someone dragged a lustful whistle. I forgot he moved into my room.

   "Were you waiting for me to walk in and strip?" I asked flatly, turning to look at him. He was sitting by a piano I don't remember seeing there before.

   "I'm sitting on a piano, thinking it through, hot ass," I chose to ignore him because that will make my life easier. I walked to the closet to search for what to wear to the party that was up in an hour. He came behind me. "I thought you were stripping?"

   "Leave me alone, Lynn, not now,"

   "I can help you take it off," he flirted with a suggestive wiggle of his brows.

   "I'm too tired to for this,"

   His face lost humor and was replaced with concern. Why is there a mirror in every part of the closet? "Where did you go? You look like crap," he whispered, hugging me from behind. "You're hot. What happened to you?"

   "Raquelia sent me on an errand. It was productive but stressful. I'll be fine, I'm just out of power for now and my temperature is a bit above normal," he continued to stare at me worriedly. I chuckled. "I'm fine, Lynn, relax."

   He looked at me intensely through the mirror, as if trying to see my soul before he sighed and held the hem of my top. "You should forget about tonight's party and get some rest," I lifted my hand so he could slip the top off me. "You'll need a cold bath and a flurry to help regulate your temperature. I already made you dinner so I'll grab it so you can fill your stomach before you go to bed and about the sex—"

   "I'm tired, Lynn, I don't need this," I whined.

   "I know that, genius," he said, dropping my bra on the floor. "I was going to cancel. I'm horny, not heartless. I'll try to wrap up my business tonight faster and return to check on you. Or do you want me to send Frost over to stay with you?" I tried to step out of my shorts but my boots were getting in the way. Lynn crouched and took my leg to take the shoes off.

   "No, because I'll be attending the party,"

   "You can't," he tossed the boot away and took my second leg. "Don't be stubborn, Krystal," I shook my head. I was going. "Just trust me and stay back, Krystal. You have no idea how awful you look. Just rest."

   "But what if—"

   "Stay," he commanded, a thunderous command that should have upset me but it didn't. I pinned my lips obediently to my dismay and stepped out of my shorts. Since when did I start obeying him? This is serious. "It's for your own good, sweetheart, please don't be offended and stay put," I twisted my lips and nodded. Lynn smiled and knelt up. He grabbed the waistband of my panties and pulled it down.

   "Ha! Live porn," Frost's laughter startled me. Shit! I snapped my head around to see him grinning from ear to ear while Lynn nonchalantly continued to pull my panties off. Frost's eyes widened when he saw my face. "Sis, are you okay? You look like—"

   "Crap? Yes, I've heard," I turned around and stared at myself in the mirror. I looked more like a walking dead. Maybe I do need that rest.