The Enigma of Shadows: Witchcraft, Werewolves, and A Secret

Drugged, Again

He kept talking "It is impressive how you still have some of your powers, I gave you quite a dosis. It should act in some minutes from now."

I snapped in his direction, did he admit to drugging me, AGAIN?

And here I thought I was in front of a fair man, It seemed like he had more dirty tricks than I thought behind his sleeves.

" Are you serious? You drugged me AGAIN." I tried to throw something at him.

He stared at me. I stared at him.

One thing about me, which my customers must know, I don't act well under stress.

And this, right here, was stressing me out. A lot.

Glancing at my hand I whispered "Telejectus ad alium" and the lamp from the guest room appeared in my hand. I know, lame trick, don't judge me. A whole Institute of almost 50 witches and wizards just kicked me out.

He averted it. Damn lycan speed.

He started getting closer, only a few more steps and we would be nose-to-nose.

So, I did what any panicking witch would do, I ran.

This time near the forest to get some exposure and get as far as I could from that house.

"You won't reach far!" He shouted. As if I was listening.

One thing about me, even if I have all the odds are stacked against me, I will give it my best shot. I will go down with a good fight.

"That forest is only for werewolves, no witches were allowed there before. It is against your dear Institure laws to go playing around there, it is really danger-" His voice was more and more far away. I must have lost him because I did not hear anything else.

When I looked around I realized I did not know where I was. But the aura took a 180 turn I did not like at all, for starters, the sunny and clear day was shadowed by towering trees and a dense and chill fog. The normal sounds of the forest transformed into haunting whispers that seemed to carry ancient secrets. Crippy ancient secrets.

I felt like the drugs Sebastian gave me were kicking out, as I did not have or did not want any other explanation why I started to notice twisted branches deform reaching out like skeleton figures.

Those are just make-up stories. I told myself as I continued walking toward what seemed like a clear exit.



With every step, the unsetting sensation of being watched intensified more and more as did my fear. I hated forests. I hated Sebastian.

I started to be more alert as I noticed elusive shadows dance between the trees, sensing that the forest was becoming more alive by the minute.

I did not know what that meant, but it didn't take a genius to realize it was not good news. Feeling like I had enough, I start running toward what seems like the exit. And in no time, I reach the light.

I knew I was worth more than dying in a forest. I was not Red Riding Hood.

A smirk started to form on my face when I was just crossing the envisioned exit, only for it to die not long after.

More trees. More creepy, skeleton-disfigured branches and more unsettling fog. The tangled forest was a labyrinth. And I was lost.

I noticed a shadow behind me, only this one bigger than the others, and whispered "Come here child", its fingers getting bigger by the time, towering over me with each step I took.

Mama, I do not want to die this young, was the last thing I thought before taking off running fast, I had no idea where I was headed, but way far from that shadow.

Adrenaline kicked in as I leaped a couple of branches, thanks to my athletic training. As I took a right turn, the forest trail stretched out before me like a natural labyrinth, with sunlight filtering through the dense canopy above.

Each step resonated with the rhythmic beat of my heart, synchronized with the pulse of the wilderness around me. The scent of pine and earth filled the air, invigorating my senses as I navigated the winding path.

And then PUF- I found myself on the ground, a looming figure in front of me. Terrified, I grabbed a nearby rock and defensively threw it at my attacker. "Ouch, you awful witch!" a familiar voice echoed. "Sebastian? How did you find me?" I stood up slowly, noticing Sebastian in a disheveled black suit.

He attempted to help me up but froze, staring behind me. "We have to go, NOW!" I jumped forward without looking back, confident I wouldn't like what I saw. A surprise attack from a skeletal branch grabbed my leg, and I cried out for help.

"Sebastian! Help!" I crawled, blood surfacing from my ankle as the branch dragged me toward a tree with multiple eyes, hungry for their next meal.

"Lara, don't be afraid. They like their meals more when they are terrified." He spoke as he took of his clothes. Wait -

"Lara, don't be afraid. They like their meals more when they're terrified," Sebastian reassured, inexplicably undressing. "WHY ARE YOU TAKING OFF YOUR CLOTHES IN A MOMENT LIKE THIS," I exclaimed, grabbing whatever I could find. Suddenly, a massive black wolf appeared. Lycans, I remembered—half human, half wolf. Sebastian was somewhere inside that beast.

He approached, and despite my fear, I couldn't look away from those piercing blue eyes. Somewhere in that creature was Sebastian.

With deliberate precision, he closed his enormous paws around the skeletal branch that had ensnared Lara, exerting a powerful force that tore it asunder. Lara was swiftly liberated, but their respite was short-lived as other branches, seemingly animated by malevolent intent, reached out to ensnare them once more.

It was then that he mentioned a collar, an heirloom from his mother—a witch. As he fastened it around both their necks, a surge of energy enveloped them, and the surroundings blurred into an indistinct haze.

Suddenly, the disorienting feeling of teleportation overcame Lara. The once eerie forest was replaced by a different realm altogether—the same bedroom she woke up to this morning.

As reality settled, Lara found herself standing with Sebastian too close to her. They stood there, in the middle of the room, the air heavy with their agitated respirations.

The intimate proximity amplified every detail—she could hear the rhythm of his heart, feel its pounding resonance as if it echoed through the collar itself. Tangled in the mystical connection, she looked up, meeting Sebastian's eyes. The familiar blue had transformed, now infused with a subtle hint of grey. They held an intensity, a mix of fury and lust.

Sebastian got closer, muttering to himself "What a crazy witch", and closed the distance between them, until their lips met. The sensation was electric, tigers of enchantment coursing through Lara's entire being. As they parted, Sebastian's voice, soft and commanding, whispered, "Go to sleep," immediately bringing darkness to Lara's world as she slowly sank into his arms.

The only thing she could mutter before fainting was "Damn Moon."