The Dark Witch's Daughter

chapter 21

We quickly met back with my father and Dimitri. Ian finally appeared while the teachers were discussing a solution.

"Hey I was wondering where you went." I smiled nervously. I half expected him to go back to ignoring me but instead he smiled back.

"Well I went out for a smoke this morning only to end up being lit on fire instead," he laughed.

"What are we supposed to do?" Merrick asked joining our group.

"Amelia said this is a very powerful dark magic that she's not sure she can reverse. We're hoping Evelyn can figure something out. Until then we just wait it out." My dad sighed running his fingers through his short black hair. He reminded me of an even more handsome John Stamos.

"Im going to scout out the perimeter since its not affecting any of us. I'm going to make sure there isn't anyone out there." Dimitri announced.

"I'll come with you. I dont seem to be affected my this dark magic either." I volunteered.

"Ill stay here and be bored out of my mind." Ian smirked.

Once out side I couldnt help but glance toward the lake. In the day time it looked less enchanting. I half expected to see my mother standing there. I shuddered at the thought as I followed Dimitri into the trees.

He walked fast turning his head from side to side as he scanned his surroundings. He wore another one of his combat suits. Before I knew it we had reached the clearing where the bonfire had taken place. Even though all the bodies were gone I could still see the singed grass hinting of the tragedy.

"Someone has been here since last night," Dimitri growled walking ahead of me to scout the area.

I had no clue how he could tell. I stood quietly in the very spot Ian had kissed me just the night before and waited for Dimitri to return. I couldnt help but relive the kiss. It was almost as if I could feel Ian's lips on mine once again. Did he kiss me because he was intoxicated? Or did he really have feelings for me?

Even now that he was sober he seemed to be protective over me. It was probably just because my father wanted him to though. A figure flashed through the woods to my left. I squinted trying to determine if it was Dimitri.

Before I could recognize the mystery figure, I was knocked facedown onto the ground.

"Don't even think about fighting." My captor growled with a deep angry voice. He yanked me to my feet. I hadn't trained with Dimitri non stop just to become a hostage. Since he'd pinned my hands behind my back, I had the perfect aim.

I concentrated harder than ever. A ball of fire flew from my hands and hit my assailant with extreme force. I heard him gasp in surprise as he was thrown about twenty feet from me. I ran to him quickly before he could recover.

He was a young vampire about my age. His hair was a sandy blonde color. He glared at me with eyes as black as night. He flashed his sharp fangs at me in an attempt to intimidate me.

In a flash he was on his feet. His gray shirt was mostly burnt off exposing his pink but mostly healed wounded stomach. I kicked him in the stomach and shot more fire at him. He dodged the fire and attempted to sink his fangs into my neck.

I was just about to incinerate him into complete ashes when he fell dead at my feet. I turned to see Dimitri holding the crossbow he had carried on his back.

"Why did you do that? I was just about to kill him!" I demanded. My first real fight and he just had to go and end it for me.

"You're welcome," he smirked heading back toward the school. I let out an exasperated growl before stalking after him.

"I can take care of myself." I grumbled glaring at his back as we made our way back to the dorms.

"I never said you couldn't, Josie." He sighed.

"I was about to test out my full power and you ruined it! Nature chose me to save everyone! How can I do that when everyone thinks they have to save me?"

"Look, I wasnt going to stand back and watch something happen to you. It's my job to protect all of my students."

"I dont need your protection! Why do you care so much about me anyways? You wasted so much time training me so let me fight my own battles."

"I care because I've spent my whole life thinking you were mine!" He yelled. His dark blue eyes blazed with anger. I stood there speechless trying to process what he had just said.

"W-what?" I finally managed to stammer out.

He slung his crossbow down beside the lake. He placed for a few moments before finally looking at me.

"Your dad wasn't the only fool your mother tricked. When I found out she was pregnant I thought I was the father. Then that day when Amelia lifted the cloaking spell and I saw you was part vampire...." his voice trailed off as he began to blush in embarrassment.

"So um are you my dad?" I asked completely confused.

"No, Silus knew he was your father from day one. He even tasted your blood to make sure. I'm sorry that I shot that guy. You have a right to be mad. It's just even though I'm not your father, the instincts are still there. I mean I've spent my whole life thinking I was your father..."

"Well I guess one more dad couldnt hurt," I shrugged causing him to laugh. He ruffled my hair and headed across the field to the school.

"Just make me one promise," I said once I had caught up with him.

"What?"

"Let me kick the next guy's butt."

"The next one is all yours, kid."

The school was still in chaos. My heightened hearing could hardly bare the chorus of wolves howling down the hall. I tried to block it out as I rushed back to my dorm. Poor Chloe still lay comatose in her bed.

Amelia sat at her bedside stroking her hair like she had the night before. She smiled at me when she noticed I had came in.

"The witches are under the same spell as the fairies." She murmured sadly. It almost killed me seeing Amelia in a sad mood.

"A vampire attacked me in the woods but Dimitri took him down." I informed her.

"Probably one of your mothers followers," she sighed, " oh and your father wants to see you."

I found him back in his office hiding from the crazy commotion outside. Dimitri had beat me there and was already informing him of the intruder. Ian sat in the corner tossing paper balls into the trash. He really must have been bored while we were gone.

"I'm glad you two are okay. Thank you for protecting her, Dimitri." My dad smiled.

"You're welcome, Silus. I will protect her as if she was my own," he replied grinning at me. I sat next to Ian hoping to rest my tired body for a few minutes. With everything that had been going on, I hadnt drank any blood in awhile. I was starting to feel the effects.

"I'm glad your okay. I would have came along if it wasnt for turning into a pile of ashes," Ian smirked tossing his last wad of paper into the trash.

"Its okay. I wouldnt want you to end up a pile of ashes."

"Why is that?" .

I could feel my cheeks growing hot. Just as I was about to answer the door burst open. Merrick appeared once again out of breath.

"The dark witch is here. She wants to see her daughter."