The Adventures of Gwendoline: The Blackwood Witch

Chapter Nine: An increasing body count

The high priests words echoed in my head. My whole entire body was numb; I couldn't feel anything besides the warm tears streaming down my face. 

I couldn't protect him. I would never have been able to protect him no matter how far I took him. Father Demitry and his thugs were brutal. 

"Miss Blackwood, it is time to sign your name over to our Dark Lord." Father Demitry had a tone of somewhat satisfaction to his voice; like he was just proud of executing an innocent mortal in front of the coven. But he only gave the order. It was his son that took his life. 

Father Demitry's son, Harrison, was of an average height. He didn't look like his father by any means. His athletic build and thick framed glasses made him look geeky and weak; certainly didn't look like he was capable of murder. I started at him in utter disgust when his gaze met mine. He looked apologetic and I could feel he was sympathetic towards my loss. It would have seemed that Harrison wanted no part in his fathers dealings, like he was trapped in a life he didn't want to live. Regardless, I wanted revenge. 

I stood up from the ground slowly, still maintaining my gaze with Harrison. My eyes turned deathly, "I will not sign my name." I said, sternly. Father Demitry looked surprised as he began to laugh. 

"I'm sorry, Miss Blackwood? What did you say?" he asked in disbelief. 

"I said, I will not sign my name." I gritted my teeth. I would not let this man win. He was a monster, and it would be up to me to take him down. 

"Gwendoline," I heard my Uncle speak up, "don't do this. Just sign your name." I rolled my eyes as obviously as I could. 

"Of course you are on his side, darling Uncle. You just want me to be like my mother. You don't care about me, you only care about your status in the coven and witch world. You couldn't care less about your family. You hate me!" Blaise looked down with a tinge of guilt. I could tell what I had said hurt him. I didn't mean to hurt him, but I was hurt. All I have ever wanted was to live my own life. To do as I please. To be with whomever I please. This damn witch business always got in the way. Enough was enough. "I will not sign my name over to the Dark Lord." I said once more, gritting my teeth. 

A look of sudden realisation dashed across Uncle Blaise's face, like he finally understood what I was trying to say. His eyes were no longer cold, but warm with empathy as he looked so deep into my eyes I felt him in my soul. He smiled softly, before walking forward stopping right before me and embraced me in the tightest hug I had ever received. Pulling away, he lingered by my ear. "Run, Gwendoline." he whispered. I looked at him in disbelief. I couldn't quite make out what he was planning. With one last reassuring rub on my shoulders, he walked to stand beside Father Demitry. "Run away. Now." he said, this time at a volume everyone could here as Father Demitry's eyes widened with concern. 

Blaise suddenly took a golden knife from his back pocket and held it to Father Demitrys neck. "This is for Lady Blackwood."he whispered as he quickly slit his throat. My eyes widened as Father Demitrys body now lifeless body fell to the ground and blood pooled into the moist soil; the smell was intoxicating and foul. My feet felt glued to ground and I couldn't look away. There was no comotion; no uproar from the Coven. Silence so loud as we struggled to process what just occured as we all watched my now fugitive Uncle vanishing into dust that drifted slowly away into the moonlit sky. 

I turned my gaze to Harrison. His face white and expressionless, gazing at his fathers lifeless body on the ground. He clenched his fists, before mouthing a word I couldn't quite make out. Harrison raised his head and met my gaze. He didn't look angry, more thankful if anything. Nobody spoke a word in disbelief of the events that had just occurred, but I knew what was coming next. 

As the son of the Father, Harrison would now step into power and lead our Coven. And although he almost looked relieved by his fathers death, the coven would no doubt want to exile me and my Uncle.

My stomach was sick. My confident persona diminished to that of a meek mouse. For once, I was actually scared. What was I to do now? I didn't know the spell for Dust Teleportation yet. My mind racing and panicking, but never once taking my focus of Harrison's eyes. He nodded at me. I didn't know what to make of him. 

He was certainly an interesting young Warlock, and given he was Father Demitry's son, he was extremely powerful already. His eyes turned sympathetic; his way of apologizing for the inevitable events that would follow. He knew I was scared and unsure. He slowly walked forward. "I am sorry for what I have to do now. I hope you know that." he whispered. Harrison was unlike his father. It caused me to ponder what his mother was like. 

"I understand." I replied with my head down. Harrison grabbed my hand.

"Gwendoline Elizabeth Agnes Blackwood," Harrison shouted so that the coven could hear all that he was saying with ease. "You are hereby under arrest for association with Blaise Blackwood and the murder of Father Demity, High Priest of the Coven of the Sacred Flame. You will be held at the Academy until your trial." 

The Coven roared in agreement of my temporary sentence. Harrison grabbed my arm firmly, and started to pull me away towards the Academy to begin the countdown til my trial, and my possible but likely death.