'It is done. Any supernatural that comes snooping will think you're both humans. Now, I must take my leave for Felderia. I'm on grave shift duty. Those wraiths are literally a nightmare,' he says, annoyed. 'But I'll be back in time to be at the academy tomorrow,' he adds
‘Shouldn’t you get some sleep too? And what is a wraith?’ Janie asks, concerned.
‘Unlike humans, warlocks don’t require sleep every night. As for wraiths, they are ghostly in form. They’re indistinct, like a smoky silhouette that glides through the air like a deadly mist in graveyards and tombs. They have an insatiable hunger for the living.
Under the cover of the night, they emerge from their underground lairs to stalk their prey, seeking to possess them like a vessel before the break of dawn. If they succeed, they gain full control over the unfortunate victim. From this new form, they revel in their gruesome desire, feeding on the flesh of others.
However, if they fail in their attempt, they slink back to their shadowy lairs before the first light of dawn, where they await their next opportunity to strike.’
Janie and I feel the hairs on our necks stand as we gaze at each other in fear.
Xander smiles at our reactions, ‘You know there’s a poem children in Felderia like to recite called “Beware the Wraith’s wrath” I shall recite it,’ he says, and in a deep eerie tune, says.
‘Beneath the moonlit sky,
In the graveyard, they lie,
Wraiths waiting for the night,
To wreak havoc through the night.
Beware the wraith's wrath,
For their appetite is vast.
They'll enter you like a thief,
And consume you like a wreath,
Leaving nothing in their wake,
But bones and dust and ache.
So, keep your windows locked,
And your doors shut tight,
Beware the wraith's wrath,
As it could be your last night.’
Janie and I tremble as we huddle against each other.
‘I suppose now isn’t the time to ask what a Quinserp is, then?’ I say to Xander.
His smile widens, ‘It’s a five-headed gigantic snake,’ he says.
‘What!’ Janie and I shriek.
‘Did I mention they’re venomous?’ he adds casually.
Janie stares at me, ‘Let’s never go to Felderia?’ she says.
‘Agreed,’ I reply, much to Xander’s amusement.
A sudden puff of smoke breaks the room's silence as we huddle together. Janie and I scream in fright, thinking the wraiths have come to claim us. But our fears are quickly dispelled as the cloud dissipates, revealing the mischievous Mister Kal.
Xander laughs,’ Don’t be scaredy-cats. Wraiths and quinserps only exist in Felderia, and not many exist,’ he tells us, but his words do not ease our worry.
Xander shakes his head at us, smiling, before disappearing into the shadows.
We look down at Mister Kal. He jumps onto my bed and curls up to sleep. Janie peers out of my balcony window, her eyes scanning the darkness outside for any signs of danger. 'I think I'm going to stay the night here too,' she says, her voice trembling slightly.
She locks the French doors, closes the curtains, and then jumps into bed beside me, pulling the covers up to her chin. The eerie poem lingers in our minds; we both know we will have trouble sleeping soundly tonight.
As we drift off into an uneasy sleep, I can't help but wonder what other secrets and dangers this mysterious world of Felderia holds.
Janie and I arrive at the academy, the grand iron gates looming overhead. Xander is already there, waiting for Janie with a wide grin. As they embrace, sharing a sweet kiss, I walk past them, making my way to my locker. As I approach my locker, I hear my name being called in the corridor.
Brad swiftly approaches, leans over me against my locker, and kisses my neck seductively. I can feel the eyes of all the girls burning into me and feel embarrassed from the unwanted attention.
I gently but firmly push Brad away, 'Let's not give the whole academy a show,' I laugh.
Brad smiles, 'I can’t help it. I missed you a lot,’ he smiles. ‘Can I take you out on a date Friday?' he smiles.
A group of his friends are strangely watching us from the other end of the corridor.
'Oh, I'll be spending the weekend with Janie at her Grammy's house. Janie's mother owns it now. Maybe we can spend the afternoons and evenings after academy together instead?'
Brad frowns, 'I guess,' he says.
'Oh, don't be like that,' I smile and wrap my arms around his waist. 'It won't be as bad as you think. I'll make up for it,' I tell him, gazing into his eyes.
I notice Brad looks over my shoulder at his friends, and the corners of his lips tug, and a smile forms.
'All right, today after the academy, you're all mine,' he says.
I nod, and we kiss.
‘Can I ask you something?’ I say to him.
‘Of course,’ he replies.
‘Is there a reason your friends are always watching us? It’s like they’re waiting for something to happen,’ I tell him.
‘Oh, no, of course not. They’re just envious that you’re with me. You did reject them after they all asked you out, after all,’ Brad smiles.
‘Oh, okay. I hope they didn’t take it personally?’ I ask him.
Brad tilts his head, his smile widening, 'I'll walk you to class,' he says and takes my hand.
‘Okay,’ I say, returning the smile.
As we arrive at my class, Brad spins me around and kisses me in front of everyone.
‘See you later, beautiful,’ he says and walks away.
I’m blushing heavily and keep my head down as I speed walk to Imogen's seat.
Imogen turns to me, concerned. 'How are you feeling?' she asks.
'Much better now that the wolfsbane is out of my system, but embarrassed every time Brad kisses me like that in front of everyone,' I reply.
'Oh, don’t worry about what others think as long as Brad makes you happy. How crazy was it in the restroom yesterday?' she says.
I smile. 'The fact that Martha, Tori and Sandra ended up more battered than us and the looks on their faces when they saw what we’re capable of doing was so worth it. I can't believe that Mister Kal even showed up. He must be able to sense when Janie is in trouble?'
'Well, he is a magic cat, so that makes sense. He could be a familiar, one of those animals connected to witches?' she says.
'A familiar. Yes, of course,' I reply.
'I’m glad Martha got what she deserved yesterday. She knows how much I love my hair. So, it was really low of her to attack me with glue like that. I'm so grateful Janie was able to predict it before it happened, and I'm grateful you were there to defend me as well,' she smiles.
'That's what friends are for, Imogen,' I smile.