Crimson Sea

Do you ever get in an "I don't know " phrase in your life, where you don't have a solid answer to anything? you just literally don't know anything anymore. Maybe, I was going through mid-life-crises. It was no surprise after all, I was only 25 years old, with no social life, no mate, kids, no career, or money. I was literally just going through life, like a leaf drifting in the breeze. I sighed heavily momentarily forgetting my loneliness. It was past 5:30 pm and it was already getting dark outside. I flipped through the celebrity magazine on my counter incoherently, bored completely out of my mind. Throughout the whole day, I only had 3 customers. Owning a flower shop might have sounded like a great idea 5 years ago, but now it was just a reminder, of how my life was going downhill. The only profitable days were on wedding days, Christmas, Valentines Day and Mothers Day. The rest of the days were slow, boring and tedious. I closed the magazine and walked outside. I slowly started to put away the flowers that were on display. All the stalls were still open, lit with their lanterns, lamps and hanging bulbs that attracted a lot of mosquitoes and other flying insects. My flower shop was located in the busiest district, in snow-ville. The red district, mainly known for its famous monster legends, boutiques, cafes, restaurants, fortune tellers and strip clubs that were open 24 hours, 365 days a year. Snow-ville city was home, to many supernatural creatures. Mainly werewolves and witches. Vampires, however, were not so welcomed, seeing as how whenever they got in town, they'd always leave dead bodies behind. With supernatural making almost 70% of Snow-Ville population, things always tended to get out of control sometimes, which is why killing humans in Snow-Ville was Forbidden. I, on the other hand, was a witch. Being a witch, in general, was great but having elemental earth magic was the best. I might be a biased, though, it was no surprise that I chose to open a flower shop. I had some of the world's rarest herbs and flowers growing in my tiny shop after all. A sudden succession of shrill rings cut the silence. I jumped up startled. My heart rose up in my throat. Peering toward the phone, it read-only one-word Lucas. I immediately picked the phone up. As I said hello, even to my own ears my voice sounded strained. "Carina?" My pulse picked up upon hearing my name, as the familiar voice reverberated through the phone. " Lucas!". I said breathlessly. I could hear footsteps in the background, almost as if he was in a hurry to be somewhere. " Are we still on for tonight? I mean the date. You said something about romantic dinner, at your place ?" As always, his voice had a gentle soft tone to it. It was warm and comforting. I don't know why I said it, but the next words that came out of my mouth surprised even me. " Dinner won't be the only thing you will be getting tonight Lucas. I expect to see you at 7 pm on the clock. oh, and please... don't bring any flowers." I couldn't believe I was actually flirting, and it was working! I heard his deep chuckle over the phone before he hanged up. I could feel my self-getting aroused, just thinking about tonight. Every time my hand accidentally brushed against my thighs, I would get all squirmy and I'd have this sudden urge to cross my legs. I walked over to the other side of the counter and opened the cash register. there wasn't much, just couple of twenty bills and tens. I took the money out and proceeded to take off my black apron. I reached for my blue Scarf and wrapped around my shoulders. I quickly grabbed my bag, phone, car keys and closed the shop. As I stood outside, I couldn't help but pull my scarf tighter against my body. The weather was fairly cold and the wind was blowing strong. The avenue lay still. The bars and clubs were still mostly shuttered. The only visible life being the café terraces that teemed with diners, chatting, relaxing after a busy day. My eyes drifted around taking in everything. Everything seemed the same, yet despite the familiar feeling of my surroundings. something felt off, the calm and peace around me, did not feel as authentic as it always did. I couldn't help, but feel troubled. There it was again, that unsettling feeling. I shivered and instantly turned around, hoping to catch a glimpse of him before he disappeared again,  but to my surprise, I saw no one. Yet somehow my eyes were still drawn to one spot. It felt like my energy was being assaulted by someone else's energy. he was here, watching me again. I shivered as an electric awareness seeped into my body. It was as if my body sensed him, long before my mind processed his presence. His energy was always so strong, and intense. I have never felt anything like it. it made me want to run to it and run away from it at the same time.         Just like always, I held my head up high and ignored him. I walked away, feeling dreadful and anxious.  As I was heading towards my car I  saw her, Olivia Cunningham. My coven's high priestess and her cliques of beautiful, fashionable arrogant witches.  She was walking towards me dragging her feet, slowly across the parking lot. I sighed and thought. now then, what does this good for nothing serpent cunt want from me?       I suddenly stopped walking and instantly put my right palm against my heart and did a quick bow down. It was a sign of immense respect and adoration. something this cunt did not deserve me. She smiled faintly and gestured towards a green bench nearby.  I put my bag down and had a seat.       Olivia is a social butterfly and liked being in the center of attention. So it was no surprise that she was always throwing lavish parties, and hosting some kind of charity foundations for orphans somewhere.  She came from a greatly respected and wealthy family.      The Cunnigham Family was one of the oldest families in snow-ville, and this came with the respect of the council. Her family also held some sorts of political power, which they used to cover up supernatural activities.  For some odd reasons, she saw me as her rival in pretty much everything I did.      She'd take things too far just to prove that she is the strongest and best. She was the kind of woman who is willing to take dangerous short-cuts, or even use forbidden dark magic to get her point across.  she is also very cunning, as she is not above double-crossing her allies to further her own agenda.     However, despite her dishonorable ways, she still has some vague sense of honor. She wasn't just a high priestess for a show, No! She also provided the coven with financial support,  as well as putting some of the coven's teenagers through some of the worlds most prestigious high school, and universities. During her many search parties for young talented witches and mages across the world,  she also managed to build and opened some sorts of magical foster care home here in snow-ville.  she did, however, liked to show off and put on airs, displaying arrogance at it's finest. Basically, she was still a  judgmental, entitled and self-centered b***h.     Olivia is a tall, slim young woman with an ample bust and pale skin. she has long, mid-back length dark burgundy hair, with varying shades of color depending on the latest hair trend.  Thin shaped eyebrows. well defined cheekbones and thin delicate figure, hidden by the layers of clothes she wore. Her clothes usually consisted of dark elegant Gothic Lolita dresses, with a corset and a black lace parasol that she always carried with her.  I continued to smile politely and waited patiently for her to say something.       " How have you been carina? " she asked absently, with a hollow voice.  I just nodded it took me a moment to find my voice.        " Good. I  have been good, thank you for asking. how have you been lately ?"   I countered back in a calm, unhurried voice. She turned to me sideways and gave a heavy sigh.  I knew that look, it was the sad pretend look she gave to the coven's new recruits. The look that said I care but was a complete and total lie. Every move Olivia made was purely for her own profit, that's what the coven didn't see. All they saw was a devoted, dedicated high priestess, who was spending her fortune and everything on her coven.         '' I feel like you don't want to be our sister anymore, and that perhaps am forcing you into joining our coven. You know you don't have to practice with us Carina, just because our parents and their parents before did. You are just as special and as powerful as any witch. but in number! Carina, there is a strength.  We can protect one other, live happily and harmoniously together. Don't you want that, Carina? to be with your sisters, to learn, and practice magic together.''        Her words, they had a practiced feel to it. Almost as though, she'd said them many times before.  I refrained from adding how about you go screw yourself, you shitty lying cunt!  and wondered briefly how to tell her, No I didn't give a f**k about the coven, and yes I had no intention whatsoever of being her sister.   f**k my life, it's always one thing or another with Olivia. Constantly always looking for trouble.