Another World

A Wizard's Tale Part 8

•---Past Louis---•

I had never truly know what it was to "hate" someone until I saw him.

The soon to be king wore all black and a crimson velvet cape that reached the ground. His hair was styled perfectly and his stubbly beard shaved to perfection.

And I loathed him.

His presence was overwhelming me and I felt short of breath.

This was the man who stole my best friend from me. He stole the girl I love.

And he is going to pay.

I was just about to charge up those stairs and wipe that stupid smirk off his face when suddenly, a familiar face appeared at his side.

Jessie.

He looked down at the crowd, searching for someone. His eyes finally met mine and we communicated in a way only best friends can. It went something like this:

Jessie: Louis, don't you dare do it! Everyone is watching and you wouldn't stand a chance.

Me: That pampered princess is the dangerous man? Please. I could take him in a second-

Jessie: LOUIS DAMMIT. Stay where you are! I found Cami and if you mess this up-

Me: WHERE IS SHE YOU IDIOT?!

Jessie: It's complicated.

Me: Frustrated glare.

Jessie: Rolls eyes.

Me: FINE.

Jessie averted his eyes before Zayn could notice him staring at me.

"Welcome!" Zayn's husky voice boomed out. "I am so grateful that you all could make it. This is going to be a night to remember." A wicked glint crossed his eyes, but no one seemed to notice. "Now, let's get this party started, shall we?" Suddenly a disco ball came down from the ceiling and the once glamorous palace was turned into a raging night club. People began dancing all around me, and I look up, searching for Jessie in bewilderment.

Jessie was gone, and so was the almost-king.

I cursed under my breath and made a rash decision. I walked up to a nearby guard.

"Hey-I'm looking for Jessie Martinez. He's a section ten shifter. He's also the king's-"

"He's the king's royal advisor. Yes I know who you're looking for. Everyone knows Jessie. You're Donny, right?

"Indeed I am."

"Well, Jessie is occupied at the moment. But if you'd like, I could tell him you are searching for him? What should I tell him the reason is?"

"Uh... It's slightly person and highly classified sir. The almost-king himself passed this message to me. I cannot tell anyone. You understand, of course?"

The guards eyes widened automatically. "Um-I-He-"

"Donny!" A familiar voice chimed in behind me. I turned around to see Jessie smiling at me before turning his eyes to the stuttering guard behind me. "Oh, hey Joe. You alright there? You look a little... Green."

"I'm fine, Sir Jessie." The guard squeaked out. "Um-I'll just be going now..." He darted off.

Jessie looked at me in confusion. "What did you say to that man that freaked him out so very much?"

"Just that I had a message from your best friend." I said, narrowing my eyes at Jessie.

"Best Fri-Oh... You mean Zayn?"

"By the looks of the number of pictures you have with him, I'd think you'd be calling him Zaynie by now. Are you guys engaged yet? Or is the wedding n-"

"ALRIGHT ALRIGHT. I get it Louis, you're pissed. Look, I've known Zayn a really long time. He's not a bad guy, he's just confused."

"You called him a complete-"

"Arse? Yeah, maybe I did, but that was in front of your parents. Surprisingly, they don't know how close I am to the King."

"You mean almost king. The official ceremony hasn't happened yet."

Jessie rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Well, anyways, after seeing me up there tonight, I'm willing to bet your parents have a strong suspicion that you're here too. Which makes it imperative that we get Cami and get her out of here now."

"Well, what are we waiting for?!" I said eagerly.

"Follow me." Jessie said as we started walking through the castle.

---

Minutes, that really felt like hours, later we reached a heavy metal door with two guards outside. They lifted their spears up and nodded to Jessie as we walked through.

"Well, look at Mr.Popular over here..." I whispered to Jessie.

He ignored my hysterically funny comment and continued walking. At last we reached a room that was completely dark.

"Jessie what-"

"Shut up!" Jessie hissed.

I jumped back immediately, taken aback. I waited for my eyes to adjust, searching for anything in the darkness.

Suddenly I understood why Jessie had snapped at me. Jessie and I were standing high up, the platform we were on had stairs leading downwards on either side. At the bottom a figure was curled up in a ball, and another taller figure had a lamp in their hand as they stood over the smaller one.

"Listen." Jessie whispered.

"...and that is what is happening to you, my dear." Zayn's voice drawled out.

Quiet sobbing followed from the smaller figure, which I recognized immediately.

"Cami!" I whispered loudly, which was rewarded with a punch in the arm by Jessie.

"Stay here. I mean it more then ever this time Tommo." Jessie whispered as he walked down the stairs.

Zayn's face turned upward suspiciously, but that suspicion drained away when he saw Jessie.

"Jessie! What are you doing here?" Zayn said.

"What are you doing here, my king? The ceremony is only minutes away, yet you are in here with the mortal girl..." Jessie replied smoothly.

Zayn's crooked smile returned. "Oh, I was just having a lovely chat with dear lil Cami here." Zayn slid his hand gently down her face and it took every ounce of my willpower to stay put.

"Really, my king, we must be going now... Would you like me to finish the business?"

Zayn considered Jessie's words for a moment. At last, he sighed. "All right Jessie. I'll see you in a few." Zayn started up the stairs and I quickly darted behind a column. After he left I raced down to where Jessie stood, holding Cami.

"Oh no... No... No..." Jessie murmured.

"Cami!" I cried out as I reached her.

She looked even worse then the last time I'd seen her.

Her golden blonde hair looked dark and matted, blood tangled throughout the strands. Blood covered the scratches that covered her body, her clothes were torn, and her eyes were dark.

"Lou..." She whispered out before going into a violent round of cough attacks.

I pulled her into my arms at once. "Shh, you're safe Cami, I'm here now..."

I turned my eyes to Jessie. "What did he do to her?!"

Jessie but his lip and turned away. "I... I'm sorry Louis..." His voice cracked.

"DAMMIT JESSIE! What did he do?!"

"He... He... He turned her into a shifter." Jessie whispered. "But... It's not working. She's dying."