The Blood Witch

4

Scarlet followed her grandmother to the only room in the house that she had never been in. It was huge and surprisingly spotless, with good lighting. It resembled a library, with rows of shelves stocked with different things. The shelves were labeled with names like; Herbs, Crystals, Oils, potions, Light, Dark, and No Coming Back, Coma, Thirty Days. There was a desk piled high with books and scrolls. Scrolls, she thought. That must be some ancient stuff. There was also a fireplace, with a chase lounge in front of it. It, too, was piled high with books.

Stepping into the room, Charlotte grabbed a basket and handed it to Scarlet. "Lets go shopping."

Her grandma picked out things like Peppermint oil, Cinnamon sticks, Marjoram leaves, Angelica stems, Garlic and Fresh mint. Scarlet watched as the herbs and plants were mixed, becoming a dust-like powder.

"Now all we have to do is hit all the points and we will be good to get some rest. Before we get the points, I want you to burn this." Charlotte said, holding out a single green leaf.

"What is it," Scarlet asked?

"Spearmint." Charlotte shrugged.

"Okay," Scarlett said, eyeing the leaf as if it were dangerous.

"Just trust me," Charlotte said, smiling. "You'll want to burn this."

"Okay fine, Ill burn it even if you won't explain to me why." Scarlet said as she lit the spearmint and watched it slowly burn. The fragrance hit her face and for just a moment, she felt a warmth pass through her. Soon the warmth became hot, and she had an urge to jump into the fire. It caused a thin layer of sweat to form quickly over her skin, and a feeling of intense pleasure surged through her.

"Trust me, grand baby, that will be the best boon I have ever given." Charlotte said as she ascended the steps to the main floor.

Scarlet went to sleep in a haze that night. The scent of spearmint there constantly. A feeling of warmth still there, pulsing with a gentle nudge in her mind.

*****

The next morning, Scarlet woke up to the smell of bacon and eggs. Rising from the small cot beside the couch, she stretched and made her way to the restroom. There she got dressed in some clothes she had left there ages ago. Then she went in search of her grandmother. After doing a once a round of the interior, Scarlet went outside.

Her grandmother was in front of the house, arms raised as she mumbled words. The air before her cracked with colorful sparks, and the air whirled around her. Scarlet's breath caught at the sight. From inside, all seemed peaceful, but one step out the door and it was like another world.

Even after everything she saw the day before, the sight was surreal. To think her grandmother, just her, was causing this. It was amazing and scary at the same time. It was also hard to believe that she could do the same thing one day. Charlotte's arms dropped and the wind gradually calmed down, as did the fireworks in the air.

Charlotte turned around and smiled. "Did you enjoy the show," she asked proudly.

"Yes," Scarlet replied. "What were you doing?"

"I placed a stronger barrier around the house. We have to figure out what kind of witch you are, and the Crow won't be here until the next full moon."

"Grandma, the next full moon is in like four days." Scarlet said, glancing at her phone for confirmation.

"That means we have four days to get you prepared." Charlotte said, as she motioned towards a table beside the house.

Scarlet walked over to the table and found some things that were familiar and some she had never seen before. There were candles and crystals, herbs, plants, a bottle of water, and a few weapons. Then there were the things she knew nothing about. Large bones, teeth, an orange substance that had a life of its own and... Was that a dead rat?

"Yes, that's a dead rat." Charlotte supplied. "I need to prepare you. I'm going to try to teach you everything I know, in four days, Scarlet, so please pay attention and keep up."

"Why is this so urgent?" Scarlet asked.

"Because, the Hall of Crows can be dangerous for a witch who can't protect herself. Once they come, you will be in another world, with people who know what to do. You will be an easy target for anyone. I refuse to leave you without protection and I can't be by your side at all times." Charlotte told her calmly.

"I thought you trusted these people." Scarlet said with a scowl.

"I trust certain people, as you should. So be on your guard, and trust no one until they earn it. I'll be by your side as long as I can, but you have to realize that tomorrow is not promised to any of us. Until we find out what type of witch you are, you are in danger. Until you know your powers, you can't protect yourself."

"Okay," Scarlet answered, "Where do we start?"

That day was the first time Scarlet meditated. It was the first time she held a thane. Her grandmother had made her hold many elements and nothing had happened. When she touched the crystals, nothing happened. The water had barley moved at all, although it got hot. The candle she had started at with everything she had finally flickered to life after an hour.

Her grandmother had shocked her by challenging her to a fight. Needless to say, she got her ass whipped by an old lady. It had been so weird to fight her grandma. However, it was like Charlotte was someone else. She had jumped with no problem and she was fast as hell. The beating she received, she was going to take to her grave.

Scarlet had learned every protection spell in her grandmother's grimoire, and after repeating them all at least ten times, she remembered at least three. That night she had prayed with her grandmother and went to bed once again to the scent of spearmint.

.....

Two days later, Scarlet hit the ground with a thump. Charlotte came to stand over her and smiled down at her.

"You favor your right, a skilled fighter will pick up on that. It will be seen as a weakness." Charlotte said as she helped Scarlet to her feet.

"Seriously," Scarlet complained, "If I will have powers, why do I need to learn hand to hand again?"

"Because you have to be ready for anything," Charlotte said, pulling out a knife.

"But we still don't know what kind of witch I am. What if I'm a bad b***h?" Scarlet asked, also pulling out a knife. A week ago, Scarlet would have never cursed in front of her grandmother, but now she knew her grandma could cuss like a sailor. Their relationship had changed. It was no longer innocent.

"If you are indeed a bad b***h, then when I cut you, it will heal." Charlotte said, just as she lunged her large frame at Scarlet.

Scarlet faked a duck to right, instead rolling to her left. Charlotte was suddenly on her left, knife in hand. Scarlet took two steps forward, just as the knife made contact with her arm. She gasped as her blood easily rolled down her arm.

"You cut me," Scarlet said, mouth hanging open. "And you used magic, that's cheating."

"Listen to me child, they won't care that you are new to this." Charlotte said again, taking a defensive stance. "Come at me."

Scarlet didn't need to be told twice. For the very first time, she was pissed at her dear old granny. Her new goals for the moment were to at least cut her back once, and to not get cut again. Thane in hand, Scarlet rushed at her granny and swiftly found herself on the ground, winded. Charlotte shook her head and swiftly leaned down and put a matching cut on her other arm."

"Ow," Scarlet yelled. "Come on, grandma."

"Get up, Scarlet, and try again," Charlotte commanded.

Again and again Scarlet tried. To no avail. Several cuts later and Scarlet was getting dizzy. She was now leaking from every limb, and her torso. There was also a cut on her face. She was sure she looked like a bloody m******e. She lay on the ground, wounded and weak. Charlotte was walking towards her. She was only a few feet away, medical kit in hand.

"I'm sorry, child," Charlotte said as she came to kneel beside a bloody Scarlet. "I can fix this, but perhaps knives are not your weapons. If you can not fight or master a weapon, then you will have to rely on magic. So you better dig deep for it, you hear me. You dig deep. "

Through her blood loss haze, Scarlet heard every word. She was aware of her grandmother taking supplies from a tin box. Scarlet knew the exact moment her grandmother mixed herbs in a mortar. She blinked, knowing she would be okay in a few moments. Her granny was a pro, after all. Scarlet said not a word as her grandmother began to clean her wounds.

If she had been a better witch, this would be so much easier, Scarlet thought. Just as that thought crossed her mind, she heard an angry growl. Turning her head to the left, Scarlet searched the treeline for the source. Either she was really tripping or there was a set of glowing eyes, and they were staring right at her. Maybe she would have been scared if it wasn't for the fact that in the air was the now familiar smell of spearmint. As if she smelled it as well, Charlotte stopped dressing the wounds and turned towards the treeline as well.

Charlotte stood and said, "Who are you?" The animal growled low but didn't move from the shadows.

"You are not welcome here." Charlotte spoke strongly before she took her knife and sliced her palm. Scarlet knew this trick and lay waiting for the ghost to appear. Just as they did, the animal turned tail and ran. The ghost followed without a word from Charlotte.

A few seconds later, as Charlotte stood, looking after her ghost, Scarlet felt an acute pain in her legs. She screamed as the pain moved to her stomach, causing her to curl into the fetal position. Charlotte was at her side at once, asking what was wrong, but Scarlet could not talk. It was as if her throat was being crushed. Her mouth filled with blood as everything became a faraway whisper. Then she blacked out.