Too Tempted

Jade (8)

Once Phoenix had applied the cream to my stinging shoulder, I expected it to burn. I expected it to hurt so much that I would beg to be given anesthetic.

But that was not the effect of this mystical cream.

It dulled my senses to the point that I couldn't even hear what Phoenix as saying, if she was speaking at all. I couldn't properly see my surroundings, as my vision seemed to look as if I had been dropped underwater, and shortly after I could not breath. I clawed at my shoulder, trying to break free of the cream that was suffocating me.

It was as if a strong grip was holding me down, grasping at both of my wrists. I tried to kick, and even headbutt, but my head and legs did not reach anything or anyone.

I could barely remember why I had trusted the wolves in the first place. Of course they had lied about the human rule! They were killing me, poisoning my shoulder. They were going to kill Noah after all, and I was just being used as bait.

I let loose an agonizing scream that did not pass my lips.

"I'm sorry, Noah," I thought to myself, knowing that nobody could hear me suffocating. "If I had of just let you be, we wouldn't be here. I wouldn't be getting poisoned, and you wouldn't be nearly dead. So I am sorry."

I opened my eyes to find that the painful trance I had been in was a fraud. It must have been something in the cream that hypnotized me into believing I was dying, getting killed by the people who sat in front of me, smiling.

"How was it?" Phoenix asked, excitement crawling in her voice.

"Y-Yeah, it was great," I smiled, trying to sound relieved. I took a peek at my arm to find it completely unscathed, other than a few scrapes of dried blood that had crusted around it.

"Cool! I've always wanted to try out one of my experimental potions. That one had Griffin snot, and it took me weeks to persuade Enzion to donate some for 'educational' purposes," She winked.

I winced instead of replying. Phoenix was the most confusing person I had ever met before.

I swung my legs around to stand up, but there was a knock on the door before I even got the chance to.

Everybody froze. Enzion raised his finger to his lips and stared at the door.

"Smells like.... Wolves.... From our pack," He whispered. We all exhaled and sighed in relief. Phoenix opened the door, and Grayson stood there, silently.

"The pack in the west," He started, and then faltered. "Have declared war." Everybody froze once again.

"Your father went to meet them," He continued, obviously regretful. "For an unexpected meeting. All they brought back was his body. He was stabbed in the back. And the forest.... The forest is on fire."