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12.No True Witch

POV: Leila

I smile to myself as I hear Lucifer's words. It's nice to know I affect him as well. I know he affects me, the evidence of it is pulsing between my legs. I shake my head to clear my thoughts before looking at myself in the mirror. I frown deeply at what I see. My lip is busted and bleeding, and I have a bruise on my cheek. I peel off my crop top and bra to see the damage. There are deep purple and black bruises on my ribs as well as small scrapes and cuts on my back. The cut on my arm is an ugly red and a bit of dried blood ran down my arm. No wonder Lucifer was so concerned. I look like s**t.

I turned on the water before pulling off my shoes, socks, pants, and panties, then I unbraided my hair. I felt the water to make sure it was the right temperature before getting in. The heat cascaded against my skin, relaxing my sore muscles. The dirt and blood washed off my skin, clouding the water before it drained away. I used my rose shampoo and conditioner before using my honeycomb soap and rag to wash my body. I let the water run over my body for a while before brushing my teeth. I turned off the water and got out of the shower. I grab a towel and wrap it around myself. I look at myself in the mirror to see the bruise is more purple and lighter. The cut on my lip has scabbed over and the cut on my arm is less red. The scrapes are gone, but the bruising on my ribs is still there, along with the pain from my ribs. I sigh, annoyed with myself. If I were a full wolf, I'd be completely healed by now. If I was a real witch, I could just use a spell to heal myself or something.

'We can go for a run, that helps you heal faster.' Sia offered, reacting to my thoughts.

I smile sadly, thinking, 'Yeah, we can do that.'

'Maybe Lucifer could come?' Sia asked.

'That's a good idea, I'll ask.' I tell her.

'And, Lee, you are a real wolf. I'm living proof of it. And you can figure out the witch thing. I'll help you the whole way.' Sia said, trying to comfort me.

I smile, picturing her in my mind as I respond, 'I know, Sia. Thank you.'

Sia retreated to her favorite corner in my mind. I towel dry my hair before walking out of my bathroom to get clothes. I stopped when I saw Janie pacing around my room. I watched her for a moment, waiting for her to realize that she was no longer alone. I saw something that made me smile widely.

After another minute, I spoke, "Janie?"

Janie jumped in surprise before rushing to me. She grabbed both my hands as she said, "Lee, I'm so sorry. I should have been there."

"Been where?" I asked, confused.

"With you! When your stupid brothers were being assholes." Janie replied.

I tilted my head in confusion as I ask, "How do you know about that?"

"Everyone knows." Janie exposed, before continuing, "I came down and everyone was talking about what Axel said and what he did. Conner went to find King Lucifer and, apparently, your brothers are lucky to still have heads."

I nod in understanding as I ask, "So, Conner told you everything?"

Janie shook her head as she replied, "Not everything. Just that they lied to you again about something and that Axel forced you to use your powers. Also, Conner said that he's never seen King Lucifer so mad, and he told Conner that he nearly ripped your brothers' heads off."

"That about sums it up." I tell her.

"No, it doesn't." Janie says quickly, "Why did Axel make you lose control? What'd they lie to you about?"

"I think I'd rather talk about that mark on your neck and the change in your scent." I say, smirking.

Janie's ears turned red as she quickly protested, "Oh, no. We are not changing the subject. Spill it."

I sigh as I say, "Fine but we are talking about that. Can I get dressed first?"

Janie looked at me confused as she dropped my hands and looked me over, realizing that I am only standing there in a towel.

"Oh, oops. Sorry." Janie says as she steps out of my way.

I walk to my dresser and began telling Janie everything that happened. I put on my undergarments then got dressed in an old pair of frayed jean shorts and a white tank top. I finished telling Janie everything that happened, and we sat on my bed.

Janie began, "Those assholes. I mean, they promised. If you had known, you wouldn't have hurt Axel. You'd be prepared for your training with Priestess Verity. You-"

"I know." I interrupt. I sigh before continuing, "I've already thought about all that. It sucks, but I can't change it. If I knew spells and stuff I might have been able to heal myself. But I barely know how to use my given abilities. I can't do spells. Not that I even know any. I thought I had control, but Clarissa Verity says differently."

"What does she know? You don't send stuff flying across the room or constantly listen in on everyone's thoughts. That seems like control to me," Janie reasoned.

I shook my head, explaining, "I think Damon hit it head on. I measure my control by how much I don't use my powers. That's not control, its avoidance. When I do use my abilities, it's not focused. And, like I said, I can't do spells. I may not know any witches, but I know enough to know that all witches can do spells."

"How do you know you can't do any? Have you tried?" Janie asked.

I shrug as I answer, "I haven't tried since my mother died. And even then, she was just teaching me the basics. I never actually tried saying a spell."

Janie frowned as she tried to understand, asking, "What are the basics?"

"For me, it was learning Latin." I tell her.

Janie frowns in confusion as she asks, "Latin? Why would you have to learn a dead language?"

"My mother told me our family speaks spells in Latin. Every family is different. I think some families speak spells normally while others speak backwards. I think some speak the languages their ancestors spoke." I try to explain.

"So, if someone's ancestor spoke German they'd say spells in German?" Janie clarified.

I nod, saying, "I think so, yes."

"Why? " Janie asked.

I shrug as I reply, "I don't know. Unfortunately, whenever my mom tried to teach me, I could never sit still. I always wanted to run off and join my brothers. When everyone was outside playing, I'd have to study my 'craft'. I wanted to be like everyone else and mom would let me. If I knew what I did now, I'd whack myself over the head."

Janie pulled me into a hug before saying, "You were just a kid. No kid wants to learn stuff when they can be playing."

I hugged Janie back as I reply, "I know. I just wish I knew I wasn't a complete failure. I wish I could make my mom proud."

Janie pulled away to look me in the eyes as she says, "Your mom is proud of you. And you are not a complete failure."

I sigh as I respond, "Maybe not in the werewolf department but I suck at being a witch."

"That is not true. You were never given a chance." Janie insists but I just avoid her eye, not believing her.

Suddenly, Jaine jumps up, clapping her hands as she says, "I know. Do a spell."

I stare at her confused before saying, "I can't. I don't know how. I don't even know any."

"You can read one. From your moms spell book. The one you told me about, remember?" Janie explained, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

I could only stare in surprise. I completely forgot about that book. After mom died, I would read it every day. I'd always have it with me. That is, until Hunter caught me trying to use one of the spells. He convinced Damon to take it from me because he thought I had nearly set fire to my bed. They said it was to protect me.

"Come on." I say quickly.

I jump off my bed and rush to pull on my worn converse as I darted out of my room, Janie hot on my heels. I think it's time I reclaim what belongs to me.