All's Fair in Love & Magic

Chapter Four

            “A wolf?” Kaius questioned. Anger touched her features. “That fool.”

            Kaius stomped to the front door, opening it wide. She glared at the wolf who glared, untrusting, back at her. “Get in here, you stupid dog.”

            Ephraim-wolf stared at her for another long moment before grunting and complying. He sniffed the entrance, smelling the occupants. Ephraim began to growl, recognizing the unfamiliar scent of Brandy. He started backing up

            Kaius shoved the wolf in the rest of the way with the bottom of her foot. Ephraim turned on Kaius, snapping and growling. The female was able to dodge the wolf’s attacks, back-handing him across the jaw. Ephraim-wolf yelped, falling back. Kaius pointed a finger at him, daring him to try it again.

            “Mark, I’m going to need you to leave. Brandy, why don’t you go with them?” Kaius instructed. “I will come find you when I am finished.”

            “He doesn’t look like you explained. Why?” Brandy questioned, eager to learn.

            Kaius sighed, looking down at Ephraim. His eyes rolled to the back of his head and the wolf’s colossal body hit the hardwood floor. “Some Wizards…. They turn themselves into some kind of animal, beast… monster. We all have the ability, as Wizards, to do it. The more often one becomes this… thing, the less we remember being human. Each transformation makes it harder for the Wizard to change back. And eventually… they remain in the form until they die.

            “In the Great War of Ages, it was mine and Ephraim’s job to terminate the Wizards who had succumbed to this fate. Then, they believed they were sacrificing themselves for the side they fought for; they were fools. They weren’t just animals when they did this, either, they created their own creatures. Truly monsters.”

            “What happened to him?” Brandy asked, kneeling down next to Ephraim-wolf.

            “Ephraim still has magic and Mark’s Negativity is attacking him. It’s too complex for Ephraim’s wolf body and mind to compete with so it looks for an out. Any out. Unconsciousness works as good as anything else.” Kaius finally managed to pull the ring off of her finger and she flung it across the room. “Now go with Mark and Haru. I have to help Ephraim.”

            “What are you going to do?” Brandy asked. “Shouldn’t I be here for whatever it is; another learning experience? Maybe I could help.”

            Brandy looked to Mark and Hatsuharu—who were now at the door—for assistance. They both shook their head, disagreeing with Brandy. Haru waved Brandy to follow. The Apprentice hung her head and obeyed.

            Kaius watched them leave, the door shutting softly behind Brandy. She sighed heavily.

            It had been some time since she had seen Ephraim. Years, in fact. Four years since she had seen him. They never seemed to see eye to eye about things, but there was always something that brought them together.

            Kaius felt a surge of power course through her, letting her know that Mark had gone out of range. Her power had returned.

            The female Wizard looked down at her old friend, the emotion leaving her face.

            “You can’t change back on your own, can you?”