Witches and Devils

John Henry

Thirteen days later Ariel calls everyone in the school to the main hall, to hold what he called the Alpha's Crowning. He's a bit dramatic than he'd like to admit, but to each their own. Michael is in a long, black robe with all the boys around the outside of the room, while Chablis, John Henry, Baldwin and myself are in front of him, all four of us in the same robes as Michael. As we begin Ariel comes down the stairs between John Henry and Baldwin, "we gather at the cusp of the Blood Moon to anoint and protect our brother before he undergoes the rigors of the Seven Wonders. Let the blessing begin."

Baldwin holds out a bowl to Chablis, "salt from the Earth," Chablis puts a handful of salt into the bowl.

"May all hindrance and malignity be cast forth hence, and let all good enter." Baldwin smiles to Michael as he puts the bowl in front of John Henry.

"Water from the sea," John Henry squeezes his fist and as he does water flows down, as if he is squeezing a wet sponge.

"To cleanse all impurities and uncleanliness."

As Baldwin solves the bowl in front of Ariel, Ariel pulls out a blade, cutting his palm with it, "blood from the body."

"To protect the soul," Baldwin passes the bowl to me.

I slowly step around Michael, sprinkling the contents of the bowl around him, "let the fire illuminate our hearts and spirits and minds, so that all darkness and cold retire herein." Once I am in front of Michael again, Baldwin ignites the ring.

Ariel steps forwards, "I conjure the circle of power to be a place of protection, a circle to confer the blessings of all warlocks. May you be imbued with wisdom, perseverance, strength and courage."

Michael lifts his head high, "I accept the blessings. May I be worthy of the test."

"To our champion." As Ariel says this the fireplace in the middle of the hall, almost explodes with flames.

Once it does Michael lets out a sigh of relief and everyone cheers and applauds. The boys rush around Michael to celebrate. As I cheer and clap I notice John Henry looks a little tense, more so then usual. He rushes off to his room, not staying to celebrate. Not long after he leaves I follow him, knocking on his door before I open it and sneak in, "hello?"

"What do you want?"

"I wanna know what's going on with you? You stormed away before a good party. You love a good party."

"Yeah, well, I had something else to do."

I look over to the side of his bed and notice that he is packing a suitcase, "where are you going?"

"I'm just leaving for a couple of days."

"Why?"

"I need answers."

"And you weren't going to say goodbye?"

"Why would I? You've got your little boy wonder." John Henry throws a few things into his suit case, "you don't need me anymore."

I step in front of his closet, "why would you say that? Michael is a student of mine, nothing more."

"Yeah, I've heard that one before." John Henry turns to me, "move." I cross my arms, "please."

"No."

"Rose, move."

"No," I shake my head

"God, why are you so stubborn. Seriously, move, I need to pack."

"Make me."

"Oh I'll make you."

I smirk over to John Henry as he picks me up and throws me into the bed, "ah!" I exclaim.

"What? Not expecting that?" John Henry pins me to the bed.

I shake my head, "not exactly. It's been a long time since you've done anything like this."

"You've been so busy with your little student."

"Why are you so jealous of him, Johnny?"

"Don't call me that," John Henry gets up and looks down to me as I sit up.

"oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Moore." I chuckle, "why are you so jealous of Michael?"

"I'm not."

I stand and place a hand on his chest, "John, I don't even have to read your soul to tell you're lying to me."

John Henry bats my hands away, "stop it, Rose. I'm not in the mood," he turns his back to me.

I chuckle and wrap my arms around him, "come on, you're always in the mood."

John Henry bats my hands off again, "stop it, Rose."

"What's your deal," I sigh, "ever since Michael has gotten here you've been a pain in my ass. Why does him being here and me teaching him make you so upset?"

"Because you're under his spell! Everyone here is! Michael is not this great thing that everyone thinks he is! He has laid a trap and you have fallen into it, beautifully."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, you and every other moron out there is falling for that golden boy act of his," I shake my head and look down as John Henry realizes what he just said, "Rose, I didn't mean..."

I hit John Henry's hands away as he reaches for me, "no! Don't!" I storm out of the room, on the brink of tears.

"Rose!"