Chapter Eleven (Niall)
1598 Words
« You’re so calm. How can you be so calm ? »
I looked at her. She was focused on the road. By the time we got out of the witches manor, it was already dark outside. Even though we were the only ones on the road right now, it was treacherous enough to require full attention.
« You don’t look very agitated yourself », she replied
« Fair enough. I think I’m not realising yet. There’s no proof. »
« No proof that you can see but there are. You are a wizard after all. »
I stayed silent. How could things change so fast ? Three days ago, I was just a guy in his final year of study, working his ass off to earn money and enjoying time with his two friends. Now, I almost die twice already, I know that Alter exists and I actually belong to that world.
« You’re family never mentioned anything strange about your ancestors ? », she asked
« I don’t know, really. My mom died when I was nothing but a baby. My dad died few years later. My grandfather raised me. He doesn’t remember much these days. »
Most of the time, he was unable to recognise me and talk about myself to me. It always was strange but I kept going every week. I owed him so much, I wasn’t going to abandon him because he was sick and his treatment was expensive.
« Alzheimer ? »
« Yeah. And if there’s a spell against that… »
« I’m sorry, it doesn’t. »
I nodded. I had to ask even though I didn’t believe it for a second. It was a good first lesson : you can’t do everything with magic. You’re not even supposed to be able to prevent people from dying at some point.
« I feel like I should really thank you properly for saving my life on Saturday. Without you, I would be dead so thank you very much, Tommie. »
« Are you kidding ? », she said. « You had no power and you jumped in front of a monster to protect me. It takes a lot of courage and altruism. I was indebted to you. »
Memories came back flooding one more time, still blur but a bit neater that it was. Dialogues were still impossible to understand. I remember feeling something wet falling onto my face.
« That power, is it dangerous for you ? I mean, can it kill you ? »
« Maybe », she answered after some time
« And… would people threaten you if they knew about it? »
« It’s highly probable yes. People fear what they don’t know or understand. People destroy what they fear. »
So witches weren’t that different from humans after all. If they knew about Tommie’s blood power, they probably use her at best or they’d kill her at worst. This simple idea was making me think. She risked a lot by saving me and she was acting like it was no big deal.
« I won’t say a word, I promise. And I will make it up to you. I’m not much a wizard her and I don’t know how I can be useful but I’ll make it happen. »
She looked at me and smiled. My heart skipped a beat. What is magic talking or was I fluttered by her from the start ?
« You don’t have to. I owe you much more than you owe me. Like Greer said, I made a mess and screwed your life in the process. I have to make amends, not you. »
« Let’s agree to disagree. »
Her smiled seemed more amused this time.
« Stubborn much, uh ? »
« Did you think à was just a nice guy ? »
« Pretty much. »
« Well, I’m not. Not all the time. »
« That’s obvious », she joked
We listened to the radio for a bit, staring at the city lights while the music played. At that moment, I felt close to her. Like we were sharing a bond that wasn’t there before. We weren’t connected by acquaintances. It was just me and her, and I liked it. I liked it a lot.
« Your family also seems special. Greer is your grandmother ? »
« She is, on my mother side. Though she acts like everyone’s grandma to be honest. »
« Why do you call her Greer then ? »
« Because I always felt like I had to share her with everyone, especially when I was younger. See, she actually is the Queen. »
« What ?! » I exclaimed
« Yeah, I know. She doesn’t look like it but she is. And I learned from an early age that she’ll always treat me like any other subject and never like her granddaughter. It was painful when I was younger because I lost my mom and my dad sinked. When he disappeared, I tried to look for what I was missing but Greer never provided. Not in a way we would expect though. »
« I’m sorry », I said. My heart was aching for her
« Don’t be. She isn’t a bad person and I know she loves me in her own way. This made me the woman, the warrior and the witch I am. It wasn’t all in vain. Same goes for you, isn’t it ? »
She was right even though my grandfather loved me dearly. I never lacked anything during my childhood. He made sure that I would grow up to be a good man. I felt that this losses were the reason she was always pushing people away but bringing it up now might not be the best idea.
« You’re right. »
« I always am », she said with a big smile
« So. What do we do now ? »
« I’m gonna have to teach you and train you so that you can produce and use mana. But first I’m gonna drop you off and you’re gonna get some sleep. »
« Aren’t we starting tonight ? »
I hoped I didn’t sound as disappointed as I was.
« What about I get attacked again and I can’t defend myself yet ? » I continued
« We’d need more than a night of practice to make sure that you can protect yourself, Niall. »
« The earlier, the better », I insisted
She started laughing as she pulled out in front of the house I showed her.
« You could come inside right now. There’s no one home. »
I was living alone since my grandfather was in rest home. She gave me a look that got me thirsty.
« Are you inviting me for an adult sleepover ? » she asked in a seductive tone
I could help but blush like a teenager. God damn it !
« That’s not what I meant ! I… »
She burst out laughing. That woman was making fun of me and I totally fell for it. She might be thinking I’m an i***t. What could I say ? When I came to women, I’ve never been the womaniser type. I always ok it slow and most of time, he didn’t lead anywhere. I had no time for this lately.
« Goddess, Niall, you’re so innocent », she said wiping her tears from her cheeks
She struck my ego. I wanted to prove her wrong some much that it was burning my veins. I grabbed her by the neck and pulled her face close to me. Her eyes widened with surprise and I whispered:
« Am I now ? »
Her lilac perfume was
Her lilac perfume was intoxicating me and the urges were back. All of them. The urge to crush her lips with mine, the urge the pull her hair aside and kiss her neck, the urge to taste her one more time… This sensation when our bare skins touched, was it magic ? Was it my body reacting to her mana ? Was it something else ? But I could see in her eyes that she was feeling it too. She seemed as lost as I was. Good. Maybe we could get lost together. She took a deep breath but what she said wasn’t what I was expecting at all.
« Esmée. »
« What ? », I said, puzzled
« Esmée », she said more firmly while she freed herself of my grip. « She is at your door. »
I turned back to look at my house. My friend’s fine silhouette was visible under my porch. What was she doing here ? I turned to Tommie but that moment was over. Something was bothering me though. Tommie’s reactions every time Esmée was around where suspicious at best.
« Do you and Esmée know each other ? Is there something particular between you two ? »
The look she gave me was nothing close to friendly. She never looked at me this way before. She was shutting me down and I didn’t know why. It kind of hurt.
« Don’t keep her waiting. Godness know for how long she’s been there. »
I knew I wouldn’t obtain anything so I didn’t insist. I grabbed my bag and said goodbye. She didn’t answer nor didn’t she when I said I would text her. The moment I close the door, the car rushed off like a shot, leaving me lost on the pavement.
- Writer
