Heart Of Embers (Slow Updates)

Chapter 8

"Look for more. Maybe we can find some." Amethyst ordered. Amethyst and Aelix searched through every bookshelf, the princess gripping the photograph hard in her sweaty palms.

As hope began to fade for the both of them, Aelix called out for Amethyst as she was looking between two books. She saw him crouching with an old book in his hand. As she got closer, she noticed that the book was actually a photo album. She kneeled next to him and snatched the book from his hands. He didn't even try to protest.

Amethyst's blood ran cold and she turned the pages. He heart was beating frantically, almost leaping out of her chest. Every single picture in that album was of her and Aelix, through childhood up to their teenage years. And they were together in each photograph, laughing and smiling like they were old friends.

"How is it possible? I do not remember knowing you at all. And I don't even remember this place." Amethyst whispered.

"I have never come across this book. And I do not remember you either." He replied.

Amethyst stopped turning the pages when a photograph caught her eye. It was Aelix and her standing next to a man. A man she was very familiar with.

"Do you know this guy?" Amethyst asked Aelix, pointing with her fingers.

"Yes. His name is Nate Wald. He is one of the most powerful warlocks in the world. Why are you asking about him?"

"I saw him somewhere. I just can't remember where." Amethyst shook her head, frowning.

She closed the book, running her fingers on its rough leather cover. She looked up at Aelix, finding him looking into space, a deep frown set between his brows.

"I just cannot understand how we were part of this life, yet we can't even remember it." She shook her head, and stood up, dusting off her now dirty tunic.

"Well, there are some stories about warlocks who have the ability to erase memories. Those abilities are very rare and it takes a lot of experience and strength to do it. An unprofessional warlock practicing this kind of magic could harm himself or the person he's doing the spell on badly. So if I'm right, whoever erased our memories was someone very powerful." Aelix replied.

Amethyst suddenly felt dizzy, and the world turned around her. She closed her eyes, only to see something instead of the blackness. A vision, or a memory, she does not know. She focused hard on the images in front of her, trying to recognize the scene.

She saw herself a couple of years ago, with her mother, who was knocking on a large wooden door. It was raining and she and her mother were already soaked. Then the door opened and in front of her stood a man whose face was familiar to her. Then the vision stopped and was replaced with darkness. Amethyst opened her eyes suddenly, put the book on the small table in the room, and searched the photos. She stopped at one picture, her breathing getting faster and her need for oxygen increased.

"Aelix, I think you're right. Our memories have been erased, and I knew exactly who did it." She said, her voice so low, Aelix wouldn't have heard it without his now sensitive ears. Warlocks had a very good night vision and their sensed immediately intensified as soon as they transformed into their true form.

He came to stand next to her, and stared at the picture Amethyst's eyes were fixated on. He swore under his breath, closing his eyes and sighing.

"Of course. How could we be so ignorant? No one is more powerful than Nate; he is probably the only one who could have done it."

"Do you know where to find him? If he's the one who took our memories he surely has a way to give them back." Aelix shook his head.

"Once memories are erased, they cannot get retrieved. They are gone forever. But the question here is, why keep them from us? Why take them away?"

Aelix shrugged and made his way out of the room. Amethyst closed the book, and fast walked to get next to him.

"Where are you going? You told me you were going to teach me some spells!" Amethyst said, irritated. She fastened her walk and turned abruptly, blocking Aelix's way.

"You are not leaving until you teach me something." Amethyst hissed.

"You know, I prefer purple. Yellow doesn't suit you." Aelix said with an arrogant smirk.

"What are you talking about?" Amethyst snapped, his nonchalance annoying her more each passing second.

"Your eyes, princess. They're yellow. I did not know you had such strong feelings towards me." Aelix said, his smirk never leaving his face.

Amethyst shook with anger. How dare he?! But then something she wasn't expecting happened. She felt something hot on her hand, and when she looked down, the world stopped moving for a second. Blazing fire was coming from her fingers, the flames dancing on her hand. She raised her arm slowly, the fire still bright and strong.

"Before I start teaching you spells, I have to teach you how to control your magic or you'll burn everything you touch with that temper of yours. Come on. Let's go somewhere nothing will get burned if your powers get out of control." He started to walk again but Amethyst blocked him again.

"How do I stop the fire from burning?" she said, raising her hand close to his face.

"Calm down. Close your eyes, take deep breaths," Amethyst obeyed, " look."

Amethyst looked at her hand, and surely the flame has extinguished. "That was bizarre." Amethyst muttered under her breath and followed after Aelix who has started going back.

She followed him all the way out of the secret chambers, the castle, and into a clearing in the woods. It was the afternoon and the sun was starting to make its way into the safety of the sea.

"We only have a short time before it's completely dark but I can teach you some tricks. Now, close your eyes and concentrate."

"Concentrate on what?" Amethyst asked, her body filled with excitement.

"Concentrate on your powers. Store all of your energy in one particular point in your brain. You have the ability to play with fire which is a very rare power amongst witches. The ones who are gifted with them are known to be the most powerful. So you're going to have to work hard to use them properly, because if they are misused, your powers may backfire and it'll eat you, consume you and burn you. Many witches died because of that: uncontrolled powers and bottled energy. Go on, do what I told you."

Amethyst closed her eyes and focused hard on one thing: show Aelix she is not weak and that she's capable of everything.

Surely enough, after a couple of minutes of focusing hard, sweat started to form on Amethyst's forehead and her breathing got harder. When she opened her eyes, they were blazing yellow, and both her hands were alight with flames.

Aelix was smiling proudly, but then his smile faded as one started to form on Amethyst's face. She had fangs. And witches weren't supposed to have fangs. First her glowing eyes, and then fangs. What was she?

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Hey guys! I am so sorry for this late update, and the short chapter! But I'm having my exams right now and I'm really busy studying!

I hope you liked this chapter!

What do you think Amethyst is? ;)

Don't forget to vote and comment! I love you all xx

-Tanya xx