The Witch and the Wolf

What Just Happened?

[Emi]

I lay on the ground trying to catch my breath. Pulling myself out of the pit was harder than what I thought initially. Over the next few minutes, I cleared my mind and just looked at the trees.

The colors of brown, gold, red, orange, and green line the trees. The setting sun made it even more brilliant. The subtle gusts of wind brushing against my face were cool and comforting. The whistling of the wind almost sounded as though it were a soft melody playing for the leaves to dance to.

I almost fall asleep when I hear the crackling of dried leaves and branches breaking as someone is approaching. I opened my eyes and slowly sat up. I smile as I see Ennis. She smiles back.

"I see you survived?" Ennis chuckled.

"I almost didn't. That pit was almost enough to kill me." I huffed.

"You made it and that's all that matters. Now we can head home." She extended her hand to help me up.

The sun was finally setting and the moon was starting to illuminate the ground through the trees. I tried not to pull too hard while getting up. Mid way up, I fell down as Ennis's grip loosened. The once smiling woman was now standing with a face of pain and shock.

I looked at her and was instantly horrified at what was playing out in front of me. 'What just happened?' I thought.

Blood was now trickling down the front of her dress from the middle of her chest. She has collapsed on the ground and a man is now towering over her. His devilish grin and blood red eyes staring at Ennis.

"Four hundred years! For four hundred years I have been waiting for you. You finally let your guard down." The man said in a raspy, deep voice.

Ennis, gasping for air and coughing up blood, looks up to the man. "Montax... I thought you were dead? You died fifty years ago."

Montax let out a maniacal laugh. It sent shivers through my body.

"I was never dead you old fool. I faked my death so that I could lie and wait until you dropped your guard. You not only cursed me and drove me mad, but you..." He swallowed hard and spat out, "You made my mate kill herself."

Coughing again, Ennis wheezed out, "I didn't make her do anything. You were the one who drove her to do so. You destroyed my village. And if that wasn't enough, you killed my husband and children."

"It means nothing now. All of this. You are dying, you old hag. You will be with your family soon. I have my vengeance once I take your new protege and make her my pet." He quickly looked up at me.

I held my hand up over my mouth in shock but nothing happened. I was so exhausted, I couldn't use my powers.

"You leave her alone, Montax. This is between you and I." Ennis yells, gasping and coughing.

"Correction... This WAS between you and I. Now she will become my slave. I will feed on her until she's almost dry. Then let her heal. When she is almost healed, I will repeat the process."

I could feel the pain and frustration coming from Ennis. I was still in shock. Like a deer caught in headlights. Unable to move.

Montax began to move towards me. He stood in front of me and started to reach out for me. I closed my eyes. Expecting to be snatched up any moment, I cowered into a ball. It was the only thing I could do to try to protect myself.

Bracing myself for what was to come, I held my breath. A few moments passed and everything was silent.

I slowly opened one of my eyes, then the other. Montax was gone. There was nothing before me except a pile of red goop. I took the opportunity to rush to Ennis.

I placed my hand over her and began to call to the elders asking them for help. Nothing happened. I didn't know what I was expecting to happen. I already had 4 spirit elements. I couldn't be greedy and ask for more gifts than I already had.

I know it was selfish, but I just wanted her to live. To be there. I know that we had only known each other for a short time, but she was the closest thing I have ever had to a mother.

"Emilia, my sweet child. You remind me so much of my own daughter." Ennis choked out. She was hardly even able to breath breathe, let alone speak.

"Shh... Save your strength, Ennis. We'll get you back to the house and I'll make you a healing potion." I cried. Tears are pouring down my cheeks.

Ennis coughed into her hand. There was so much blood. "You and I both know, little miss, that I'm not going to make it."

Sobbing uncontrollably, I sniffle and try to wipe my eyes. By this point, I was crying so hard that I was hiccupping.

"I want you to have this," Ennis said while pulling the necklace from around her neck and placing it onto mine. Her voice softens as she says, "I received this from my mother when I was your age. I never got a chance to give it to my daughter. You will learn to unlock its power and someday you... will... m-meet... your m..."

With that she passed. I let out a cry that could be heard from miles away. Struggling to breath, I hugged her tightly. The feeling of grief began to swarm me as thunder clouds began to roll in. Lightning and thunder begin to crackle above us as I cry hysterically. I was oblivious to everything around me and didn't even notice that there was no rain. It was as though the sky could feel my pain.

At the moment, I felt as though I was going to break apart, two warm arms wrapped around my torso turning me around into a muscular chest that was firm but soft. Not wanting to say anything and only wanting to be comforted, I buried my face deep into his chest, letting out cries of sorrow.

He began to stroke my hair gently. His scent was soft but masculine. His touch was accompanied with sparks. I felt as though I had known him my entire life, even though I had no clue who he was.

A few minutes pass. He hadn't said any words, which I was grateful. I sniffled and calmed down slightly, looking up at him. He was one of the most beautiful men I have ever seen. His pale skin glistened in the moonlight. His strong jaw line was bare, as he had no facial hair. His face was oval and soft looking. It looked as though his eyes were made of two sapphires, brilliant and blue. His light brown hair was pulled into a ponytail showing his undercut.

He was stunning. I, on the other hand, was not. Covered in mud, snot, blood, and tears. I looked disgusting, but I didn't care. My mentor had just died in front of me.

I looked up into his eyes and he gave me the kindest smile I had ever seen. His dimple... yes I said it, dimple. As in one singular dimple... popped ever so slightly as he smiled. I could get lost in his eyes.

I wiped my face off quickly as I pulled away from him. He slightly frowns. I clear my throat and say, "Thanks. Sorry about your shirt." I had left his shirt looking almost as bad as what I did.

"Do not worry about that, dove. Ennis sent word for me to meet you both here. I regret that I am so late. I was meant to be here as soon as you finished with your test." He says as he hangs his head low.

"I don't mean to be so blunt, but who the hell are you?" I said.

"I, Emilia, am your mate. I will explain everything later. I don't want to leave Ennis like this. She was a great woman, and took great care of me when I was young," he said.

He walked over to Ennis's body and picked it up bridal style. He proceeded to bring her body back to the house. I followed him quietly.

'Girls. Where are you?' I thought, hoping that my spirit elements would come to my side to help comfort me. But they didn't. This day has been overwhelming. I feel like I have been taken on an emotional roller coaster. I feel so lost.