When The Witching Hour Strikes

Chapter 23

Ember POV:

We had been transported to odd places before but nothing like where we were. All around us were high walls of shrubbery, like hedges. It was simultaneously suffocating and extraordinary. I had never seen anything like it. Looking around at the others I could see they were just as lost as I was.

Something moved in the shadows of the bushes and out of pure instinct and having been in situations where thinking fast was necessary, we moved together weapons drawn. A phoenix, in all its glory approached us and began to speak in a voice that had known centuries.

"Ah, I thought I might find you all here. I have been waiting for you a long time. You are Ember, Raisie, Kalen, Cordelia, Alvin and Ellie correct?"

We all nodded, stunned at how this phoenix knew our names, much less anticipating our arrival.

"Good. Ember follow me, the rest of you may stay here."

Hesitantly I followed the phoenix into the shrubbery. It lead me to a small clearing filled with dummy like figures that moved.

The phoenix looked at me with those eyes that had seen many things and nodded towards the figures.

"Go, prove yourself. But do it for yourself."

I hesitated a moment, unsure of what the bird meant, then went for it. Every part of me was intent on proving myself to both the bird and the others. Becoming a full fae meant everything to me. It wa the epitome of where you could go in life. Plu now I ha a iter to look after it meant even more.

My heart was beating so fast I thought it would burst out of my chest. The figures came closer, and with each step they took my heart raced. I pulled out Nirvana, my sabre and began to fight them off. They put up good fights respectively and I quickly started to tire, my energy being drained out of me.

My footwork got sloppier and sloppier by the minute and I knew I couldn't fight for much longer.

All of a sudden, the bird's voice came to me and whispered "your sword is not the only thing you have you know" before leaving as quickly as it ha come.

I remembered my energy and felt it flowing through my body. Before long it had intertwined itself with my sword and I sliced faster than ever. Everything I had previously done in both battle and training was in preparation for this. It was a glorious feeling to get my second wind and fight harder than ever.

The figures all moved as one coming closer and closer towards me circling around me, making me feel claustrophobic and scared. I knew they were there to test me, but it felt all too real. One of them got so close I could smell the stench they exuded.

As the figure lifted its weapon, I could only see a sharp edge against the black of the night sky. I tried to get out of my own head and be in moment before everything came crashing down around me.

As I anticipated the blow nothing came and I lifted my head to see where I was. I had been taken to yet another odd place, but this time there were several hooded figures before me sitting in ornate chairs. I walked nearer to them with trepidation, after all, I had no idea if they had any ill will towards me or not. Suddenly one of them spoke in a silvery voice.

"Ember. At last, we have been waiting an age for you. You must make a choice to determine if you get your wings or not. Here are the options. The first: be reunited with both of your parents but lose Ellie, or have your friends get their wings with your life as the price. They will have no idea until after their trials are over. You will have to sacrifice yourself in your sister's stead."

A heavy silence followed before another of the hooded figures spoke.

"Whatever choice you make, know it was the only one you could have made. You will have as long as you need to make this choice."

My mind raced, I wanted nothing more than to see my parents, for real and being with them would be incredible. But I knew losing Ellie would break me, not to mention the others. We had all been through one hell of a year together going on crazy little adventures and seeing all of us grow as people had been incredible. They deserved their wings.

My mind was made up. It had to be that way or none at all.

"I choose the second option. My choice is final." Surprisingly my voice didn't falter and each word came out clearly.

The figure nodded once and everything went black.

A/N: I know, I know it has been a while since I last updated. I am sorry to have killed her off, but it was the way the chapter came to me. Please don't stop reading even though she is dead. No, she is not coming back to life. Yes, there will be plenty more suspense in the coming chapters. Please don't throw rocks at me. You and the other characters will get closure for her death.

I will love and leave you now, it is late and I am tired.

Much love,

Char xox