I wandered further up the road. Everyone knows me here. They smiled at me, and I returned it with the same fervor. I didn't know what I should say and react when I knew I was going to die. We hadn't heard from the light angel and Headmaster of the academy. It was hard to hide my terror when Mom was around me. But I keep good memories in my mind. That helped a lot and my vibes brought happiness to my mother's face.
I stopped walking when I noticed I had reached the forest part of Charles' territory. The air seemed to change around me. I felt goosebumps on the back of my neck.
I should go back. My heart pounded in my chest. I lifted my feet to turn. I inhaled a dreadful sigh when I felt my feet and hands palsied. The air turned warm against my skin. I darted my gaze around. I opened my mouth to shout but my tongue seemed to glue to the roof of my mouth. Was she here to end me?
A feeling of hopelessness settled over me. It was broken by the rustling of dried leaves immediately. My gaze snapped around to find the person or thing.
"Here's the queen," A sharp female voice came from behind me.
No matter how hard I tried to spin, I couldn't. I forced my lips to part. But I could do nothing, just stood there staring in front of me. I was aware of her presence behind me.
"We're soon going to meet, sweetheart." Her voice softened a little.
Sweetheart! Am I dear to her? She wouldn't have paralyzed me then. Who is she? Fae? Werewolf? A Witch or someone from the Dark Realm?
I waited for her to walk around, to say something. But nothing came. The atmosphere lapsed into silence once more.
I heard the rustling again. She must be pacing behind me. Why didn't she want to show me her face?
I heard a long sigh, right behind me. A shiver ran down my spine, "You are destined to be with them. I was so glad. They're my world. You hurt them." I felt pain in her voice.
Hurt them? I didn't hurt anyone. I batted my lashes, trying to grab her attention.
Dread tightened my chest when I felt her hot breath on my ear, "Better you mend your mistake." With this, I felt my body leaving the air. I fell to the ground. My eyes jerked behind me. No one was there.
Who was she? And what was she trying to say? What mistake was she talking about? Hurt! I can't hurt anyone.
"What are you doing on the ground?" I startled with a deep voice.
"Charles, you scared me." I said.
He trod forward and held out his hand to help me.
I drew on my feet, gripping his hand.
"Your mother is looking for you." He said.
I glanced up at the sky. The sun was gleaming at the top of me. Impossible, It didn't look like seven o'clock.
"What's the time?" I whispered, still my gaze was up at the sky.
"It's going to be two," He said.
I couldn't hide my shock. It should be eight o'clock in the morning. What had she done? Could she control the time too? She palsied my feet, my body was not moving, it was only my eyes that were moving.
I felt his hand on my shoulder. I suppressed the tremble in fear. Sudden things scared me now.
"What's frightening you?" He asked.
I shook my head and turned to the path back home.
Who was she? What does she want me to mend? Did I do something wrong? Did that cause the curse? But how could that be? I'm not an ancient person. I don't remember doing anything bad to anyone.
"Emma, can you talk?" He said softly as I was a kid.
"No.'' I sighed, " You won't tell me what is happening all this? And why?" I shook my head.
"It would cost us our life, our pack. I can risk my life but not my family. The Headmaster of Shadow Hunter could help you."
"He's the end of this quest," I muttered.
"He is." He nodded.
Dark realm. We were going to the Dark Realm soon. Only Dastien could tell me what was happening to me?
"Where the heck were you? We couldn't track you." Silver said in exasperation when I stepped in the hall.
My heart began to thud. Then my hands closed into fists, "Did you put a tracker on me?" I stared at her. Could they stop doing that to me as I needed to tie up so I couldn't disappear? It's not my fault. I didn't know. Why was everything happening to me?
"No," Elizabeth shook her head and touched Silver's hand. She really needed to calm down. I was losing my calm too.
"What does she mean by the tracker," I thinned my lips. My patience was wearing off.
"We can track you with your scent," Ava said, sitting from the couch. Her fingers were swiftly running on the keyboard.
"I didn't do anything," I muttered, walking over to the couch and sitting down next to her. She didn't try to hide the display.
"I felt a strong magic. Very very powerful." Elizabeth said, looking at me without blinking.
Only she could enchant such a strong spell that woman who cursed me. She told me a large part of my life. I was the reason for my curse. I did something unpleasant to her.
"Someone was around you," Elizabeth muttered again
All gazes were on me, including Ava too.
I shrugged my shoulders. Mom walked in. She was wearing an apron. Her eyes were red with tears. She forced a smile on her face, "Chocolate pastries," She lifted the tray about her shoulders to create some excitement.
I spun to Charles, and my anger took me, "Did you hurt her?" I glared at him.
All faces blanched and Charles recoiled back. I saw dread in his eyes.
His sight was blocked by flames. I let out a squeal in terror.
"Emma," Mom rushed forward to me.
"Stay back, Mom," I said through my panic.
My hands were on fire. No, I was burning but I couldn't feel the pain.
"Cool!" Ava smirked, clicking pictures of me.
I gave her a look. I was burning. She should help me.
"It's your power," She said, flashing another smile.
Did that mysterious woman do something to me? If she could cast the curse, she could do this. Why was she doing this? We're attached. How?
I wanted to hit her, "Sweetie, you need to calm down." Mom said
"Did he hurt you, Mom?" The flames extended.
"No, I was scared for you. We couldn't find you." A soft sob left her throat.
I was going to die soon. She couldn't do this to her. My body felt drained. I wouldn't be a fire girl for long, "I will always love you, Mom. I wanna see you happy." I blinked. I felt burning on my cheeks.
"Sweetie," Charles held her, stopping her from coming near to me.
"Emma, try to calm your anger," Elizabeth said, "Take a deep breath,"
"Stop crying,'' I heard Silver from behind me.
She's upset because of me. He didn't hurt her. She'd be safe, after my death too. I did what she told me. Breathe in and out.
I closed my eyes. But I found myself in a dark room. Fear clenched my stomach. I felt a familiar touch, his hand crawled from my waist to my stomach. I blinked in shock.
" Are you back?" I asked him.
"No," I felt his breath on my cheek.
My neck turned, it was only dark. I could feel him behind me, his arm around me, his breath brushing my skin.
"Why can't I see you?" I asked, More than breathing, seeing him was important.
"You have to accept us," He said.
It got me perplexed. I twirled. I could feel him around me, but couldn't see him. A part of me was feeling ecstasy being so close to him, my mate.
"Haven't I?" I asked him.
I felt his thumb on my cheek, brushing softly, "I don't wanna lose you again."
"You won't lose me, Dastien. We can complete the mating bond." I heard Silver and Elizabeth talking about the bond.
I felt something pressed on my forehead, "You can open your eyes."
"What do you mean?" Before I could get words from him. A bright light blinded me, forcing my eyes to close. I opened them and got myself in my room. My eyes were finding him. I know deep down. He isn't around me.
"Oh! Sweetie, you scared me," She leaned in and kissed my cheek.
"I'm fine, Mom." I pushed myself up. I embraced her. Time was changing. I was going to face what I left unfinished.
Her arms enveloped around me, "You're not ok," She muttered.
"Perhaps," I muttered with glassy eyes, inhaling deeply. My gaze darted around. I needed this, to be alone.
"You're hungry. Do you want pastries?" She asked.
I pulled myself back and nodded with a smile. It wasn't a fake one, "He didn't hurt you?" I asked finally. She should be happy. She had faced a lot. Now I wanted to end every bad thing, and pain in her life.
She laughed, "No one will dare to hurt me after seeing you today." She was mocking. I smiled seeing her happy, "He didn't hurt me. I swear." She muttered, trying to rein in her laugh.
"You don't need to worry about me, Mom. Dastien won't let anyone hurt me. Though, he isn't around me." I said.
Her laugh died and she released a long sigh, "You won't forget me." Tears appeared in her eyes.
"Why would I forget you, Mom? Can a child forget her mother? You're my first sight-love. I don't remember that day when I first saw you. But I love you." I wiped my thumb under her eyes.
"But not more than Dastien to stay with me." She pouted.
"Oh, girl! Don't compare yourself with him. Don't put me in trouble, mom. You won't like it if someone would demand you to pick one baby from your kids." I told her.
She released another breath, "Very cunning." But she smiled.
"I'm hungry," I told her.
She giggled. She got on her feet. Her pregnancy still felt awkward to me but I love her. I will always support her.