Uncovered

Chapter Six:

(Bejamin's POV)

She was still asleep. I held her limp hand, examining each healing burn and tender, pink scars. I still felt awful for leaving Anne to fend for herself. Her body was so small, so wrapped up in our blankets. I didn't want to move or wake her yet. An hour passed before she woke up. Her puffy eyes still lingered from last night. I should've stayed up to support her, but I hadn't.

"How'd you sleep, girl?" I gently moved the blanket off her.

"I slept fine," her reply was bitter.

"That's good. Are you ready to get back to teaching today? I'm excited to have someone else around. The kids don't listen to me very much," I commented cheerfully.

My stomach flipped from the sadness in her movements as we got dressed and finished our morning routines.

"Ready?" she asked coldly.

I nodded, "I'll follow you."

The young witch left our room and moved through the temple. Classes would be inside today due to dangerous flooding in the area.

"Where are the children?" she demanded.

"Well, uh, I've been holding training sessions later in the morning," I looked away.

"You've messed up everything I've planned. Good going, Ben."

"I'm sorry. How can I fix this?"

Anne just glared before turning and crossing her arms. Guilt gnawed at my stomach. I didn't know she had everything following a schedule. Moving to the other side of the training coven, I quickly put on my Gazer armor. Each wrist brace helped magick flow better, stronger. The chest plate demanded focus for aim and movement. I went into the usual stance, letting my breath out slowly before my magick began forming. I put a shield up before letting fire spread from my fingertips. Magick used to scare the hell out of me when I'd watch Lei practice so ambitiously. He'd been a strong warlock, but I finally became stronger. Lei never studied spell books and rituals like he was supposed to.

My movements grew fiercer, aggressive as my mind attack itself. Lightning escaped from my feet. The shield held every brutal punch in from harming anyone. Anne was watching. I didn't care. Memories of Lei rushed my mind. Even in centuries of his death, his spirit haunted me. Being enslaved by the Storm Voices shadowed my footsteps every day. My past didn't make me a good man, but the future remained hopeful. I could live forever if I wanted to. But where's the challenge when my coven is gone? Jeremiah opened his home to me again, but his people weren't mine.

"Ben, you need to calm down, man," Jeremiah suddenly said.

I glared through watery eyes as he entered the shielded space. The young leader was in a defensive stance.

"What're you talking about? I'm calm enough."

"You're casting fire with lightning. Both are explosive power. What's bothering you?"

"Nothing you can help me with, brother. I'm just letting out negative feelings," I moved until fire circled us.

Jeremiah's eyes shrouded with worry but he held his composure. He'd always be arrogant. I pitied him. My hands moved before I could register. Fireballs hurled at the other warlock. He dodged before taking a few hits to his stomach.

"That's how it's going to be, huh?" he smiled coldly.

I dodged his attacks, my feet automatically dancing over rocks. Sweat dripped down my shoulders as I struggled to refrain from killing him. Anne was screaming at us to stop. Her words barely rose above the heat of our fight. Lightning sparked through Jeremiah's limbs. He dropped to a knee. His mouth frozen, silent with agony.

"You banished me. I could kill you and end your pathetic reign as leader!" I yelled, standing above him now.

He simply stayed down. His lips trembled. I held a fireball, making eye contact before throwing it done and walking away. I collapsed a few footsteps later. My mind was too calm, heartbeat too slow. Anne was still screaming, but I couldn't understand her. I couldn't move. I blacked out as Jeremiah limped over.

I woke up in an unknown bed, with a woman. Her hand rested gently on my chest. I slowly crept from the bed, covered her back in blankets, and walked outside. Lei was smiling as he walked over to me. I realized this wasn't a dream.

"Welcome back, Benjamin. I'm glad you're home again," he said quietly.

"How is this real? Where are Jeremiah and Anne?" I demanded.

"You woke up my curse, brother. By using so much magick at once and your negative thoughts, my spell activated. I'll see you at dinner," Lei strode away from me.

I could only fall to my knees and scream until my lungs stopped working.