Just Like Magic

Chapter 7 Following

Cassius' POV

This is the strangest thing I have ever been a part of and that's saying a lot. This woman is completely baffling. I think all women are baffling in one way or another, but she is on a whole other level. She is talking about things I have never heard of and acting completely strange, as if she doesn't know about magic when it's our whole lives here. She acts as if she has never been here, but declares she has been here with confidence.

But I know if I had seen her here before, then I would've remembered it. Even though I couldn't see much of her in all of this darkness to hold onto for the 'next interaction' since she comes here so 'often'. but what I could see of her in the little bit of moonlight between the openings in the clouds, was very intriguing to see. Her eyes sparkled as all usually do in any type of light, including the moonlight, but from what I could see were the stars in her light-colored orbs. It made them look like crystals reflecting the little bit of light around and I can honestly state that I have never seen beauty like that before.

That sight made them hard to look away from, let alone make sure I was listening to her threats. The threats weren't that believable because she obviously doesn't do this for her day job... but pretty adorable with her size, kinda like a mouse... They think they're tough in their own way, but they can't do much to defend themselves against bigger beings.

With the excessive amounts of her fight that she tried to apply, accompanied by all the sass that was instantly being pulled out. Like this was her set of tools from a utility belt to bring in defense of her. It was not what I was expecting and slightly intimidating, but mostly all I can honestly say is that the attitude was looking pretty good on her. As bad as it may sound, it seemed more alluring than I ever expected. Most people I know are people pleasers that just go with what's said or suggested, but she made sure that her opinions were heard and I liked that.

What was really inviting in my opinion, was when I did get to see her smirk for just a moment at my genuine reaction, it was cute, to say the least... but her paranoid mind at my actions shows that she won't be easy to talk to about what she is doing out here at this time of the night.. even though I know it's none of my business, that doesn't mean that I'm not curious to know.

I bet all that fightback means she has had to deal with some disrespectful men before. She doesn't know this, but how I was raised was to help out anyone in need; man, woman, or beast. So, when I just saw a terrified woman in need, the natural instinct to protect took over my body, causing me to help her without hesitation.

But those feelings inside of me won't seem to go away even though I helped pay for her and even checked up on her right after. So I have the need to follow her out and through the town, because I don't think she knows what's out there. From the Snatchers, to the independent groups that raid what they find, to the many different herbs and then, of course, the magical creatures that populate so many corners of this world. I think she would be in over her head even with her beast mace.. no bear mace... whatever it was called.

I watch her walk away, and I can't help but peek around the corner at her to see where she was heading... I can't see her well, so I cross the street silently to stay behind her as if I'm stalking her. I don't want to do that, but I have to make sure she gets to her destination safely for my consciousness. Curiosity is getting the best of this cat. Let's just hope I don't lose a life because of it. I observe her looking all around and even looking back to where we just were as she continues forward. She looks as if she is searching for something as she makes her way from one street to the next. She takes multiple turns and different streets that practically move her in a circle, I think she noticed this after a couple of tries, but as she turns around to go back to try another street, she gets turned around or stuck into another loop. She does this too many times, confirming my suspicions.

So by the way she is acting, I can conclude that she doesn't know her way around and she is probably lost, but maybe doesn't want to admit it. I start to weave in and out of the building shadows to get closer to her. While making sure to stay behind the trees as I watch her go in circles and look even more frustrated as time goes on.

I weigh the options of coming into the light to help her find her way while disobeying her orders... Or just letting her figure it out on her own if she can, because she seems to continue to not go anywhere in particular. I would hate to disrespect her, but it looks like she needs help. There is an internal battle going on in my head over every reason why I should help her and every reason why I should stay away. I keep taking a couple of steps forward just to take one back.

That is until I notice her in a huff, grunting out as she kicks some rocks and picks up a stick to throw it. She shakes her head and mumbles to herself, looking like she is arguing with her own mind before leaning against the building and wiping something from her eyes. I would assume that she is wiping away tears from how it's reflecting the moonlight on her cheek. She looks frustrated with her arms crossed across her chest. She looks so mad, that this stance is honestly making me feel bad for her. I shake my head and take a step forward to help her find her way. I'm trying to look casual about it, so it doesn't make her feel bad... like I wasn't just following her but happened to just come across her... again and maybe she will believe it.

So I look away as I get closer to try to not look too suspicious.. until the sound of her yelping and grunting hits my ears, I can hear her struggling loudly as if she is fighting something off. This quickly gets my attention, so I turn around to face her, but see that she is on the ground screaming out as she is getting pulled into this barred window on the ground of the store.

She is scraping at the ground, yelling out, sounding in pain, trying to get a hold of something, as the Jimsonweed in the store's barred window is grabbing her legs and pulling her limbs between the bars. That isn't good, this weed is known for crushing its enemies to death, but it is only found in the dark... hence why they would have it there at night when the store is closed. To defend the store as a type of security system.

I ran straight to her, pulling out my wand while quickly sliding across the small stretch of sidewalk right beside her just to pull her body into mine. I instantly pointed the wand at the Jimsonweed while saying "Lumos Maximus." The light from the tip of my wand is illuminated very brightly, almost blinding anything around and luckily, sending the plant away as fast as it came out. I pull her back with my body to make sure the plant has let her go before she gets some broken limbs.

Her face is buried in my chest with her arms tightly wrapped around me, just holding on as if for dear life while I pull and drag us away from this window. She tries to stand but whimpers out at pressure being added to her leg. So I stop her from trying to stand, and I help lift her into my arms bridal style. It's obvious that she was hurt by this, but I don't know if anything was broken... but those plants are very strong and are like a snake killing its prey in its tight, suffocating hold if it gets wrapped up around it just right.

"Sh*t... I don't think you can stand.. but my sister is a healer, lets go see her and I bet she can help." I declare to her in hopes she won't freak out at me following her and then forcefully helping her out, whether she likes it or not. Her grip tightens around me as she leaves her face in my chest while she nods. But because of the silent tears soaking my shirt and barely heard muffled whimpers, I can safely assume she is in pain.

"We will be there in just a minute! Hold on ok?" I ask as she nods and sniffles but doesn't say anything to me. I have to go only a couple of streets down to get to my twin sister's house. I lean in using only the little bit of fist popping out from under her back and I knock rapidly on the door. When I don't hear anything approaching, I knock again. That's when I hear her footsteps... it's late but not too late for her.

Winnie, my little sister, opens the door looking startled as she notices the small woman in my arms. "Cass.. what the hell is going on? Who is that?!" She yells out because she is way too nosey to wait until I at least get into the place to question me. "Winnie, I need your help some Jimsonweed grabbed her legs and she is hurt, but I don't know how badly." I try to explain as quickly as possible.

"Ok, bring her in and set her on the couch." Winnie directs me and I quickly follow the instructions given by doing just that. But as I lean down to set her on the couch, surprisingly enough, her grip tightens around me, as she leans into me, apparently not wanting to leave my comforting hold.

I can see the question in her eyes at her actions, as she reluctantly looks up at me with a guilty face. But the most noticeable thing is that she is stunning. With her long dark hair that's wavy but smells nice like it's sweet, almost candy-like. Her noticeably prominent cheekbones that are covered in freckles that just enhance her pink lips that pucker out. From sadness or that's just how they look, but either way, they are a beneficial feature in her stunning looks. But what seemed to entrap me at this exact moment was her yellowish golden eyes. They are sad and red, but still beautiful all the same.

I sit there for a long moment until I realized I am staring. I quickly clear my throat and explain as sympathetically as I can muster up because I want to help her out, not freak her out. "Hey, hey, hey don't worry... I'm not going anywhere unless you want me to.. and I swear it will be ok. I just want to help you right now and I trust her with my life. She is my baby sister and she is a healer. She is kind of an assh*le but she is smart and knows her sh*t." I playfully state about my sister as she scoffs at that then smacks my arm. "I'm not your baby sister! We are the same! You were born 15 seconds before me!" She yells as I look down at the woman in my arms just to make more fun of my sister, "See... she's an assh*le." Winnie smacks my arm again, making all of us smile.

A small smile emerges on her face. Turning those rose-colored lips into an alluring sight. This happens right before her grip slowly loosens up on me. And this makes me a little sad if we're being honest. I liked that she wanted to stay with me, it feels amazing to be wanted and needed... and I would have let her stay right there in my arms if she wasn't hurt and needed the help.

"Move creep." my sister playfully declares as she pushes me out of the way. I roll my eyes before standing up and flipping her off. She does it right back before looking down at the woman's feet. I notice the now timidly acting woman watching my sister's every move, probably because she doesn't trust her but maybe wants to.

I observe as Winnie quickly pulls out her wand and with a flick of her wrist, the boots this woman was wearing came off and set on the floor. The woman's eyes widen, which gets my attention and curiosity running full speed. My sister flicks her wrist as the pant legs rolled up, for both legs causing the woman to whimper loudly between her lips that she is biting down on. But by the still loud automatic response to that action, I think that its safe to assume that it was painful for her, sadly enough.

It must have hurt bad enough for her in this painful moment of desperation to actually want my comfort, because surprisingly enough, she quickly reaches for my hand and I willingly give it to her. My sister notices this as she stares from our hands and to me, then back to her task at hand. She squeaks with every little move that's made while my sister is trying to pinpoint exactly what's hurt. She does this for a moment longer before looking up at me sympathetically.

"Oh ok... oh yeah... yeah that's broken... maybe in multiple spots, it's hard to tell like this. But there is no doubt that the devil's snare broke it.. poor thing." she looks down at the woman, then says with confidence in her words. "But luckily for you, I have fixed bones before.. not this big, but I have still done it all the same. But this is going to hurt." She warns her as I feel her hand squeezing mine tighter than before. I lean down next to the couch to get closer.

"What's your name?" I ask her as she quickly replies. "Randalyn." I nod a couple of times before I share mine. "Nice to meet you I'm Cassius but everyone calls me Cass." She nods as my sister stares over at me looking dumbfounded. "Really? You think this is the time to hit on the pretty girl?" I lightly smack her arm but do not know exactly what to say to explain this. "I just wanted her to know who I was before she does this. I thought might help make her feel more comfortable, or at least a little at ease." I spat at her, but that makes Randalyn smirk. And it's not a full smile, but I'll take what I can get, at least I know I'm helping a little bit.

"Ok, now that you've been introduced, can I do this?" She spitefully asks, sounding impatient about having to wait for me. I quickly scoot a little closer, still kneeling down next to the couch, and she squeezes my hand tighter before nodding at my sister. My sister flicks that little wrist of hers as she states, "Episkey." The loud cracks of bone can be heard causing Randalyn to bite her lip muffling her screams while one hand squeezes mine, possibly going to break it, as her other hand quickly grips my forearm with her nails now digging into my skin.

Her eyes are squinting shut as tears fall from them making me feel so bad for her. "Ok well we put them back together but she needs to spend some time off of it, to really give it the best chance to feel better. But the best thing after something like this is some food and luckily for you, I just finished cooking dinner right before you got here.. it might be a little cold because of everything now.. But you're still more than welcome to have some." Winnie says nicely as I watch Randalyn's golden eyes open up, letting more tears drip down, she is thinking about this for a moment as she loosens her grip on my arm, realizing what she did to me. She looks mortified, staring at my arm that's dripping blood from each little hole she punctured with her apparently very sharp nails. My sister swings her wrist and heals the little wounds for her so she doesn't feel bad. Taking them away as if they didn't even happen.

"Some food then, hun? It will help." my sister repeats this part, just trying to take her mind off the idea of her hurting me for that painful moment. She nods and looks from me to my sister.

"I would love that... I'm starving." She quickly says to her in response, making my sister smile and then leave the room for the kitchen. I look down at her as she sends me a small smile looking shy. "Is your arm ok? I'm really sorry," she says to me, sounding more guilty than she should. But why is she asking me about my arm when she has the worst injury? "Nothing to worry about... I have had worse." I nicely say this so hopefully she can stop feeling bad about that. "How does your leg feel?" I ask the most obvious question because I don't know what else to say, all I know is I want to talk to her while I have a chance.

"It hurt so f*#king bad.. but it feels way better now." She says as I chuckle at that statement, not expecting her to be so honest. "Well, I'm glad it feels better, she is a Healer at the witchcraft and wizardry school. She was studying for years and finally got the head position." I brag about my sister's hard work because she had wanted this since I can remember. This is all my sister wanted to be, mostly because she likes to help.

"Yeah, because Healer Moss passed away... I didn't get the Healer position when I was supposed to... I'm not exactly ready being a mediwizard and all, but I'm doing my best... Everything was thrown at me for this job since I got automatically promoted after he passed." She declares as she walks into the room, setting a plate of food in front of her.

She instantly started eating, showing how hungry she was. The moan that comes out of her mouth makes the food sound better than it smells at the moment, which was hard to do. My sister and I share some silent glances as we match each other's smiles, before she gets our attention by saying softly, "Thank you so much." She chews for a little bit before swallowing and adding on, "That is the best meal I have ever had."

My sister waves her off that comment as she blushes. "You're just saying that." Randalyn shakes her head before replying. "I'm not, this is amazing, thank you so much." This makes my sister's smile grow from ear to ear. "Thank you Randalyn. That's a confidence booster for sure.. I needed that today." She says as Randalyn quickly corrects her. "Randy.. everyone calls me Randy."

"Ok Randy.. you enjoy that and I do have more if you want some. Cass, come get yourself a plate of some food with me." She states emphasizing the 'with me.' I look up and notice she is moving her head to tell me to follow her into the kitchen. I nod and stand up. "I'm going to get me some food and I'll be right back," I say to Randy as she smiles and nods at me, giving me the go. I watch her lay back on the couch as she continues to eat, making me smile as I walk away.