Into The Darkness

Obsession

Celine POV

It has been four months since I died and came back. Four months since I last saw that thing that stole magic. I don't know what is more infuriating. The fact that I cannot get him out of my mind. Or the fact that I am clueless as to why I was brought back and clueless as to what he is. I know he isn't human, but that is all I know so far.

I am sitting at my small dining table in my room. My daughter just left after studying some magic with me. She is developing very well. I am very proud of her. I sometimes wonder if I am as cold as my mother was. She was very strict. There was never time to play or have fun. As a child I was given books to study and had a deadline to memorize them. She never gave any affection towards me. She would give harsh punishments if I failed to study the way she wanted me to. I know she did it to help me survive, but it was still hard as a child to experience that.

The memory of one of the punishments she inflicted flashed in my mind. She wanted me to memorize 10 chapters of a book by the end of the day. I remembered 8 out of 10 and she was livid. There was a blizzard outside. She dragged me out into the snow and used magic to tie me to a pole. She went inside, leaving me out there. It was hours later before she came back out and got me. I was sick for almost two weeks afterward. She didn't care about my sickness. She still wanted me to study.

I cannot help the jealousy I feel towards Bella sometimes. My mother tormented my childhood. Yet somehow her lover's child was worth her own life. I don't know if my mother would have made the same sacrifice for her own daughter. I have never hated my mother for what she did. I have become a strong witch and survived through a lot of challenges. She made me who I am today. I can only imagine her reaction to me being powerless. It is probably a good thing she isn't here today to see this.

I turned towards the mirror on the dresser. I still have not adjusted to the difference in my looks. Now my hair is pitch black. Just a shade or two darker, but it still stands out more. I look pale. No matter how much time I spend in the sun, I cannot get a tan. I guess the biggest change is my eyes. They used to be an emerald green. Now they are a very deep forest green. Almost black but not fully. It is a complete stranger in the mirror. It also doesn't help that I cannot get my hair straight enough. Magic was always used to keep my hair perfect. Now it looks straight but not perfectly straight.

I looked down at my arm. The hand print is still there. It is a constant reminder of my brief time in the afterlife. I close my eyes and picture that thing. His black hair was short and combed back. He had an all-black suit with a black tie. He expressed as many emotions as I do. Maybe less, but I suspect it was because he had the upper hand in knowledge. Confidence can help mask emotions. At the time we met, I was not as confident and very confused about the entire situation. I am not used to being caught off guard like that.

His words replay in my head almost all day every day. "To understand death you must live first." It was the last thing he said to me and the most puzzling one at that. I don't really understand how living like a mere human allows me to live. I spend 20 minutes in the shower just washing my hair now. It is a complete waste of time. It takes me an hour to get my hair just right. More wasted time. Time that I could use to do more productive things.

Audrey keeps contacting me hoping for a miracle. I really do care and want to help. However, I am as useful to them as the fly on my wall. All I can do is provide my knowledge. The problem is that the magic Catalina has used against us isn't magic I am familiar with. I am almost certain it is fae magic. What I know is all rumors and rumors have a habit of only holding the partial truth. I could be wrong though. Christopher went to a nearby portal and asked for an audience with the fae king. He was refused his request. According to the guard, the king stated our realms problems are our problems and not theirs. Afterward, they increased the number of guards at the portal.

I stood up and walked over to the window. I usually watch the training fields from my window. It helps to distract my thoughts. My mind wanders back to that man…or that thing. I should give it a name. Since he refused to give me one. I suppose I will call him Mr. Black. He took everything from me, and somehow I cannot hate him. I want to so badly. I am angry and I won't tolerate being powerless any longer than I have to be. I will get back what he stole. I just need to figure out how. It would be easier if I knew what he was, so I knew how he took it.

A buzzing sounded from my table. I looked over at my cell phone. Audrey got it for me, so she can keep in contact. She is the only one who ever calls me. I rolled my eyes and walked over to the table. I answer and put the phone on speaker. I don't say anything. I never say anything. “Celine?” She asked. She left soon after having that vision. She went to visit Leo at his castle. She thinks he has something that can help us.

“Yes?” I reply.

“I am not finding anything here. Leo allowed me to search the castle. There isn’t anything that stands out. I feel like I am missing something. Have you found anything else out?” Last time she spoke to me, she asked me to reach out to acquaintances and try to get information. I told her I would, but I don't plan on doing it. I refuse to show myself in front of anyone without my magic. It would leave me exposed. It is not like most of these acquaintances have cell phones to call, so I would need to go in person. Most of them will sense my lack of power, and they will use it against me for their own gain. I would prefer not to die again any time soon.

“Nothing yet.” I responded. “Leo is a vampire, Audrey. Vampires are secretive by nature. There will be parts of that castle you have yet to see.”

Audrey exhaled loudly. “I know I just don't know what to do. I have a feeling something important is here, but without another vision I cannot figure out what.”

“Have you continued to practice seeing things at will? That will help.” I asked.

“I have visions at will, but they are all over the place. I cannot focus on what I want to see,” she replied.

“You need to discipline your mind. It is all over the place because you're thinking of too many things at once. You have to focus your thoughts on what you want to see.” She took another deep breath and I reminded myself to be patient. She's still young. “It takes time. There are a lot of witches and warlocks that spent a lifetime trying to master the mind. It is one of the hardest things in magic to do. You won't learn it in a few months. Just keep practicing.”