Duty, Love and Sacrifice

CHAPTER Two

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Above is the tattoo on Sara's arm

SARA

Even as everyone was running around, preparing for the visit by the Moonlit pack, I was disinterested by the whole excitement as I sat on the grass by at the back of the packhouse, waiting for Miriam to show up. She had gone downriver to cleanse herself before delving into unknown territory. It's one of the things witches are required to do, to protect themselves and their partner from being tainted by any magic or power that they sort to seek out. As I waited, I picked up a stick and drew the circle of protection; it was something done to channel the protection sphere that engraved the symbol of all the supernatural; werewolf, vampire, witches, fairies and dragons. Since you can't really replicate it, drawing a circle was enough.

"Are you ready?" Miriam echoed as she approached, dressed in a white long dress, her dark hair loose freely and cascading down her back; if there was one thing we both shared in common, it was the length of our hair reaching our waist. Her purple eye matched my pale grey ones, seriousness and no time to joke. We were about to do something that could very well kill me.

"Yes", I reply and take a sit in the circle, crossing my legs and clasping my hands together in an upright position, as if I wanted to pray to the moon goddess. Miriam sat opposite me, outside the circle, mirroring my position.

"Remember, I decide when this is over", she repeats and I nod, knowing that she knew I was a flight-risk, willing to die if it could give me information on Casper's whereabouts. Soon enough, Miriam began to whisper a prayer.

"Oh, Goddess of the moon and earth, thou will be done
Protect that which you cherish
Reveal that which is lost
Open that which is sealed
Destroy that which is evil"

As soon as she says that, she begins to chant- Ne terra ea quae sunt amissa revelare (Let the Earth reveal what has been lost). Soon enough, her eyes open and shines a bright purple, pulling me in as I gasp at the suddenness, feeling my soul pulled out of my body as the circle brightened and shone gold. Before I could blink, I was plunged in darkness. There was silence all around and I calmed my breathing to focus on what needed to be done.

'Hello!' I shouted but it felt like I was the only one there. Where had I been brought to. Suddenly, the mark branded on my arm began to glow, paving a light on the ground as dots began to form and create a path. With nothing to lose, I followed it, hoping it would lead me to where I had to go.

'Come, yes, come', a voice-only but whispered as I continued to follow the light, determined to know where it came from. I could smell something familiar; it was foul, mixed with a scent of candy that I couldn't explain. But the smell felt familiar. Next thing, I was no longer looking at the light as I began to run.

Casper, Casper! Yes, that scent of peppermint candy was something I will always remember; Casper loved anything peppermint and would only have candy if it had the scent and taste of it. I'm coming Casper, I'm coming, hold on I began to chant in my head as I took off, the darkness slowly dissipating.

I'm right here Sara, I made out his voice as I moved quickly. A light glowed before me and I reached out my hand, determined to get to it when I am plunged back into my body and my eyes quickly open as I gasp for air, coughing up blood that shocks me.

"Sara!" Miriam runs to me, holding my head up as I spit out blood. Where did that come from?

"What the hell happened? I heard his voice"

"I had to pull you back. You were gone this time, I could feel it; and something almost took over your body"

"What are you talking about? Casper was calling to me!"

"I don't think so. I think whoever put that mark on you is trying to steal your body Sara. I don't think that mark is supposed to help you find him". Anger; that was all I felt. As much as I wanted to be angry at Miriam, I knew she had done the right thing. My strength had regenerated but my mind felt hazy.

"Do you know who it was?"

"No. But it spoke, just not in English or Latin. It spoke in another language but I'll research and find out. Once I realized, I tried stopping it, but a force pushed me away. It's why I had to retract the spell. If not for the protection, your soul wouldn't have made it back. We can't keep channeling that mark, Sara. We have to find another way"

"I know..." Immediately, Miriam and I heard a blaring noise and I got up, heading to my Uncle as I wipe the blood from my mouth. That noise could only mean one thing; rouges.

"Uncle Laden!"

"Sara, the Moonlit pack are being attacked by rouges a few meters from our borders."

"We'll handle it", I say referring to Miriam and I.

"With all due respect, there's protocol. As the pack warrior, I lead this charge", Philip echoes as he approaches with his best men, none holding weapons as they plan to go on full wolf with the rogues. Philip was well-built for his age and was a good warrior, but he had some personal vendetta against me for some reason. Probably because I didn't follow pack rules and glided in and out without a care in the world.

"I have no care for hierarchy Philip"

"This isn't your pack, Sara. You'll do well do stay out of our business".

"...And I do not give a shit. If we're talking protocol, I outrank you and your alpha, Philip. So you better do well to show me some goddamn respect. Let's go Miriam. Join us when you're done playing puppy". With that, we both take off in the direction of the forest, sensing a foul smell from a mile away.

"Miriam..."

"How is it that rouges showed up as soon as I pulled you out? Can't be a coincidence"

"And this smell. It's stronger and more stinky"

"Well, whatever it is. The safety of the pack comes first". I nod at her watching her back as she moves swiftly, quickly transforming into my wolf to speed the process.

AUTHORS NOTE: So what do you think? Is it getting interesting for you?