Uncovered

Chapter Seven:

(Anne's POV)

"Kimberly! Someone get Kimberly!" Jeremiah hollered again and again.

I nudged Lily and she bolted off. I kneeled, holding my torn shirt against Ben's chest as Jeremiah ripped off the Gazer armor. Black and purple energy flowed from each piece.

"He won't wake up. What the hell happened? He was about to kill me but his shot dissipated before it hit me," Jeremiah was struggling to stay calm.

"Kimberly will know what to do. I'll stay here. Please get the children out of here," I smiled half-heartedly.

Jeremiah nodded, wiped his eyes, and went away. I pressed down harder. Ben's blood soaked my hands, staining them. Anxiety felt like knives in my heart. He couldn't die. We needed him. I needed him.

Gentle hands took mine as Kimberly came over. Tobi helped me up. I smiled again, grateful they were here.

"What happened?" Kimberly didn't look up.

I quickly told her about the fight and the weird energy in Ben's armor. She casted a few spells to stop the bleeding before nodding to the other healer.

"We're going to bring him to a quieter room. I'll come get you once we know what's going on," the warlock squeezed my hand before moving.

They quickly took Benjamin out of sight. I was still shaking. Jeremiah was back in the training hollow, staring at the armor, hesitating to touch it. We stood together in silence. War was on our doorstep. Ben was in some sort of a coma. Our coven would have to fight soon.

"What're we supposed to do? The children and elders can't fight. I still can't cast. Don't you have any old friends that would be willing to help us?" I glanced at the coven leader.

"I'll be contacting friends tonight, but I don't know how many of them are still alive. Our patrols have been getting ambushed since you were first attacked. Four more assassins have been killed though. Ben wanted me to give you this spell book, he said to start reading it immediately. The children and elderly will be hidden in the Gazer temple until it's safe," Jeremiah handed me a small book.

"How's this going to help me?"

"It's written by a Storm Voice. It'll help you. Marcus and I will work with the kids today. You focus on casting."

He smiled before nodding and leaving the training hollow again. I sat cross-legged, drawing three circles. Slowly breathing in, I opened the book. Peaceful silence fell over the clearing. Runes appeared in front of me; glowing blue, green, and black. I read the old manuscript. Power raced through my feet. I felt strange, almost disembodied by the Storm Voice's energy. Balls of light flung from my feet before dissipating moments later. I was casting again. It was finally happening. Excitement bubbled in my chest as vines sprouted from the ground and formed an archway.

The air grew still, heavy. Frost glittered on my feet. My breath came out as steam. I didn't move. Quiet, uneven footsteps echoed from one of the tunnels. A young, pale boy dressed in rags appeared. His eyes were hollow, colorless. A gold coin on a necklace was tied around his throat. I could see his ribs.

"Are you lost?" I watched a young boy appear.

"They're coming for you. Benjamin is dying, and soon will Jeremiah. You're going to be slaughtered just as I was, Storm Voice," the boy said softly.

I inched closer. The ghost wasn't here to hurt me. Why had he called me a Storm Voice though? He screamed, covering his small ears as shadows crept from the wall. My ears hurt. I shielded both of us in white light, hoping it was enough to ward off whatever was here.

"Stop screaming. They can't touch us. You're safe," I hissed.

"They're here for you. I was too late. Farewell for now, Storm Voice. I must go help the last Gazer," the boy whispered.

I watched him quickly disappear. Shadows moved and swirled near the shield's edge. I could only wait for Marcus and Jeremiah to come. Anxiety made me pace the small circle. Hours passed. Someone should've come back by now. More shadows appeared. I needed to rest, but I couldn't drop my shield. My eyes blurred. More movement, almost too fast to register.

"Anne? Wake up. What're you doing in here?" Marcus' face was near mine now.

I flinched. My eyes closed against the bright light. I was too tired to move or answer the warlock. Marcus held me, somehow understanding.

A hooded man leaned against the wall. I nodded politely before going to a baker's stand. Hot, honey-glazed bread made me smile. The woman smiled and handed me a few loaves, declining my money with a wave of her hand.

"Thank you. I'll pay you back someday," I left the stand.

The hooded man was still watching me. A grim frown laced his pale lips, as if he hadn't seen sunlight in a while. I stopped near him and said hello.

"Good afternoon, beautiful maiden. It's an interesting market here. My name is Marcus," he held out a gloved hand.

I shook it, "I'm Anne."

We talked for a few hours about our families and customs. I watched his aura deepen with sadness when I mentioned my parents.

"I'm sorry for your loss. Where do you live now?" he looked at me.

"Nowhere really. Most nights I stay in my old house. What about you? You have magick around you. Are you from a coven?"

"Yes, but I'm leaving soon. That's not a safe place for a witch like you. Come back with Jeremiah tomorrow night, okay? I trust him. You'll like him a lot, Anne."

I only nodded my head, too surprised to speak. Marcus followed me back to the charred remains of my childhood home before saying goodnight.

I was still on the ground. Jeremiah was pacing worriedly while Marcus meditated a few feet away. My eyes slowly focused.

"Hey. I'm glad you're back in the realm of the living. Marcus didn't think you'd come back. What happened? I was only gone for an hour," Jeremiah smiled at me, trying to mask his confusion.

I quickly told him what happened. His eyes glinted with uncertainty and mistrust. His shoulders rose while he paced a bit more, probably thinking.

"Clearly there's different blood in you. I don't know how you went from being a witch to a Storm Voice, but everything will be alright. We'll learn more once Ben wakes. Marcus' soul is looking for Ben's right now," the young leader paused, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm alright. Did the children listen to you today?" I smiled half-heartedly.

"They paid attention for the most part. Your star pupil almost beat me," he laughed.

"She'll save our world someday. What did you teach them today?"

"We just went over shielding and camouflaging. It took me a bit to understand how your students all work together. They remind me of our coven's council."

I stayed quiet, letting vines cushion my back. Marcus eventually stirred from his meditation. His half-closed eyes were fully of worry, almost sympathy. He left for his room without saying anything.

"Come on, let's go for a walk. You've been inside since the injuries happened," Jeremiah picked his words carefully.

"The lake must be beautiful right now," I walked beside him.

"There's prettier sights than that."

"What?"

Jeremiah only shook his head and grinned. We sat on rocks a few feet from the water. He was quiet. Maybe his mind was peaceful for once since he became leader. I kept sneaking glances.

"Anne. I know you're staring. Do I have something on my face?" he laughed after a while.

"No. It's just nice to see the real side of you."

He moved closer and wrapped an arm around my waist. He made me forget my troubles. I leaned my head against his shoulder.