Casters

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

Darkness

“Wake up!” Bethany commanded kicking me hark in the leg. She still had a twisted smirk on her face. I knew from the first time I saw her she couldn’t be trusted. “You’ve got to get ready for the big finale.”

“Why are you doing this Bethany? You’re supposed to be light.” I asked pulling myself off the dusty floor and walking around the empty tomb.

“I’m doing this because this is who I am! You light Casters are weak with your humanity and emotions. I turned long before you came to my house. I switched sides when I realised how foolish I had been.” It seemed like Bethany wasn’t talking to me she was talking to herself more.  “It’s in my blood.” I didn’t say anything I was too afraid of what was going to happen.  “Just put this on, I’ll be back in a couple of hours to get you.” Bethany threw a pile of cloth at me before storming out. I examined the material in my hands and it was a purple dress. I did as she said and changed into the gown. The laced arms matched the wrists that fell to my fingertips like a waterfall. The body looked like a corset when I tightened it around me and the gown fell to the floor. I looked at my appearance in the broken piece of glass in the corner of the room and saw my long brown curly hair falling to my waist as it usually did and my brown eyes look the same as always except in a way they just full of sadness. My bare feet were covered in dirt and Amelia’s spell book was lying on a broken pillar. I can honestly say I had never been more scared and confused in my life. I had no idea what was happening and what was going to happen that night.

In the hours before Bethany came to get me I reflected on life and wished I could see my loved ones one last time. If I could I would tell my Mum how much I loved her, I would thank Erin for being there for me, I’d hold James in my arms one last time, I’d kiss my Grandmother goodbye and I’d apologise to Robert leaving him. Although I had no idea what was awaiting me I knew there was a possibility I was going to die that night.  Words cannot describe how I felt. I cried for the entire time and realised what I’d done wrong with my life. But before I knew it Bethany had returned with many other dark Casters leading me towards the fire I’d seen the previous night. I focused on its flames and heard cries echoing in them. I flinched at the sight and turned my attention to the people around me. Jumping up and down in excitement and barging each other to catch sight of me. As every part of my body trembled in fear as I followed Bethany towards an iron stand with a spell book on it. The book itself looked ancient and aged.

“Do as they say.” Amelia whispered defeatedly to me. I didn’t reply to her instead I whirled my head around looking in every direction.

“My friends, tonight we rise!” Deyanira barked at the dark followers.  “Now Carmen, you read this ritual and nobody will get hurt.” Deyanira smirked pointing to chained people on the tall brick wall near the fire. I stared at the limp figures on the wall through the flames and I screamed a piercing sound at the sight of them. There hanging on the wall was my Grandmother, James and… Paige.

“Paige!” I cried, falling to my knees. She was alive! They didn’t kill her. Paige lifted her head towards me and I saw how frail she’d become.

“Let them go!” I shouted angrily at Deyanira fire dancing in my palms.

“You really think you can fight me.” She chuckled at my threat. “Read the ritual or they’re going to be thrown on the fire.” Her grey hair whipped around her face.

“No.” I replied staring right into her eyes.

“Fine. The pretty boy can go first.” I watched as the same man who held me last night unchained James.

“STOP!” I shouted. “I’ll do it.”

I pulled myself off the floor and shuffled my feet towards the iron stand. I read the first line in a hoarse whisper, “Mihi manes invocare” but without my control my voice became louder and more commanding. It was as if I had no control over myself. “Tenebrae et lux converteret Amelia.” I was calling upon the spirits of both light and dark to bring back Amelia.  “Sacrificet mihi in omnibus ipse reditum.” The last bit of the ritual translated into; I sacrifice all of myself in return.

Once the last words escaped my lips the night sky above us turned even darker and lightening struck overhead. Thunder roared all around us and a strong gust of wind blew towards us knocking over some people as it hit us. My hands were gripped on the iron as I held on. The fire’s flames turned green and black and cries roared from the flames.  Suddenly, the veins in my wrists turned black and my skin turned grey. The last thing I saw was my grandmother’s terrified eyes among all the others watching me as I fell to the ground and felt my body shut down.