MAGIC and All Other Deadly Affairs | COMPLETE!

THIRTY TWO | Calamity.

Thirty Two | Calamity.

When I opened my eyes I noticed two very important things:

1. The sky was a clear blue.

2. I was not alone but standing in a very large crowd.

Confusion swirled inside me. Where was I and what had happened? I was sure this was the Goddess's doing. Up ahead, noise grew as the people around me began to cheer and cry with glee. Something about it though...it was wrong.

I tried to take a step forward when I was stopped. Arms made of black wisps held onto me as I looked up. The Goddess of the Night seemed to cloak around me heavily. Those silver orbs stared down at me almost hauntingly and I found myself unable to breath.

"This is of the future," she whispered, "Now be good and watch."

So I did. Squinting my eyes I peered past the crowd instantly realizing where we were. In front of the large building of the Institute, was a beautiful oak carved stage. Looking around I could now see the copper eyes glistening around me.

On the stage stood Nora, dressed in a long white coat. Her hair was gelled back and her copper eyes were cold and almost lethal. What surprised me even more was who kneeled at Nora's feet. She had a heavy chain wrapped around her neck and the blade Nora held pressed against the side of her neck harshly. My eyes widened with terror as my mouth fell open.

"T-That's me?" I gasped looking back at Kenexa.

She swirled around me, "Yes. But that is not Nora. Do not be fooled by that man's magic."

I turned my gaze back to the stage. That wasn't Nora? Then who could that b–

"Allister," it wasn't a guess, I knew.

"Yes. By killing you with Nora's face he would start a war. A war that would only leave one. This is the future, this is your fate. However, the stars are always shifting, the future ever changing."

"Why?" I gasped, "Why would he want this?"

Her silver orbs stared at me, "I cannot speak upon the motives of a human. However, I can only imagine it is the product of a loss of sanity. And a craving for power."

She left me with one option. I needed to stop this – I needed to make sure this war never happened. I would not allow Allister to kill me and I won't allow him to further corrupt this world.

My fist clenched as I nodded, "Thank you for showing me this. I know I need to stop this."

She swirled around me, her heated touch against my skin until I was falling back into the black hole. It was faster this time, and when I reopened my eyes I was back in the tub with Balfer staring up at me.

"Pi-ku?" he asked.

I smiled, "I'm alright buddy. It will be alright, everything will."

Despite my smile I really wasn't sure. Allister was possibly the strongest witch I knew, and he would only get stronger. No, I wouldn't let him do this. I wouldn't let Allister Haze get away with his terrible deeds!

And what he had done to Norman...

Tears dripped down my face into the cold tub water as I cried. My fists tightened as anger surged through me. It was true then, Allister had used Norman's body. But when had the real Norman died? Had I ever met him? I needed to ask Nora about this.

Standing in the tub, I passed the magical book towards Balfer who quickly swallowed it. I knew he would guard the book with his life because I would do the same. If it was what Kenexa said it was then I had to make sure no one knew I had it. I wondered how dad got a hold of it but I was afraid to know.

What if he had he hurt someone for it?

I couldn't bear such a thought.

"Pi-ku?"

I wiped my face free of tears and pulled a smile onto my face. It wasn't the time to dwell over sad thoughts. Instead, I needed to gather my council...no...I needed to gather my friends and together we would face whatever Allister planned.

At least his plans were no longer a surprise.

I wrapped the towel around my body and stepped into my room. Surprised, to see Nora sitting on my bed in a white one piece romper. It consisted of a pair of shorts and long white sleeves. I also noticed she wore a pair of knee high, white converse. Her short black hair was still damp but brushed back. She also seemed to wear ruby lipstick across her plump lips.

Her copper eyes slid to me as I walked in awkwardly clutching my towel.

"Uh, hello," I said slowly.

She flipped her hair behind her, "I'm sure you have many questions to ask me in private. I'm going to allow you to do so because I know this alliance will rely on trust between us."

I nodded, my face heating with a blush, "But couldn't you have waited like, two minutes?"

She blinked at me then sighed heavily raising a hand towards me, "Cloak."

Startled, I looked down as her magic warmed my body. Then, slowly my towel stretched then darkened into the colour of the night sky. It morphed into a romper with short sleeves and long pant legs. My eyes widened in amazement – Nora truly was awesome!

"Yes, yes it's amazing. If you grew up as a witch however, this is one of the first spells taught. For a priestess you know nothing and yet your people still blindly follow you. I don't know if it is impressive or foolish," she sighed, "Get on with your questions Bishop. We don't have all night."

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat, "What happened to Norman? The real Norman."

She smiled sadly, "I knew that question was on your mind. He died when we were younger. My father – he made Norman use a very dangerous spell on a dagger to kill your father. A spell neither dark magic nor light but corrupt magic. It was not something a child should have used. But he did desperate to please our father."

Her story...This was what Nor-Allister had showed me. He had never survived that? Sorrow pained my heart as I realized somehow Allister had stolen even Norman's memories. Stolen them then twisted them around.

Pathetic.

He was a pathetic excuse of a man.

"No," she scolded watching my face harden, "Save that anger. It will give you fight."

I nodded, calming myself, "Thank you for telling me this Nora. Now, I need to tell you something. I've seen a vision and I think you need to know about it."

And so I told her, all about the future to come.