Charmed by My Nightmare

Consequences

I woke up the next morning to get ready for school. After talking with my parents, I realized how wrong I’d been. I’d always thought they were disappointed in my multi-shifting. Angry. Maybe even ashamed. The truth was...they loved every chaotic second of it. They said it added excitement to their lives. I put two of the books my dad gave me last night in my bag. Just holding them reminded me how much I still didn’t know about myself. I planned on reading them when I had a chance. When I get to school, I spot Jess and Tiffany. I make my way over when all eyes fall on me. Nothing but whispers and murmurs could be heard. I lowered my head, letting my hair fall over my face to hide from their stares. Jess grabs my hand and pulls me inside the school.

Tiffany: Levi is out for blood.

Me: What did I do to him?

Jess: Remy is still out.

Me: s**t!

I start biting on my nail. Just as my dad said she was in a deep sleep. I look around and several groups of students stopped talking the moment I looked their way. A snarling roar echoed through the hallway, followed by the heavy, deliberate footsteps of an alpha lion asserting his dominance. I hear the gasp and the murmurs. The sea of students parted without anyone telling them to. Levi stalked down the hallway, his golden eyes scanning the crowd until they landed on me. He sprinted toward me before skidding to a stop. He lets out a huff as he eyeballs me. He lets out a loud roar, the force of it pushing me against the wall.

Levi: You!

Me: I-I didn't d-do a-a-anything.

Levi: Remy is apparently in a deep sleep, and no one knows why! What did you do?!

Me: I swear. I didn't.

He lets out another loud roar. I stay silent. Jess puts of the best smile she can muster.

Jess: Levi, you were there. She didn't touch her.

Levi: I don't believe her! She is the top student in potions class.

Tiffany: Are you accusing her of trying to drug or poison Remy?!

Levi: Yes!

Tiffany: To make that assumption would mean Dia knew Remy was going to bite her that day.

A few students exchanged uncertain glances. Levi’s jaw tightened as irritation flickered across his face. I saw his large lion teeth. Gasp and rumors immediately start spreading. He lets out another loud roar. This time directed at the other students who quickly either go back to talking amongst themselves or leave from his presence entirely. He moves close to me and lets out another huff. His hot lion breath stirred my hair.

Levi: I'm watching you Dia.

I nod frantically. His massive paws slammed against the wall on either side of my head. I watch as his claw nails became unsheathed. He places his left paw on my arm then rakes it down my arm. His claws ripped through my jacket and into my arm, leaving burning lines across my skin. I scream out in pain. He starts to back up when he stops. He leans in closer.

Levi: You're a f*****g cross breed?!

Me: I-I--.

I look down and see my father's marking showing. The torn jacket exposed the serpent mark my father had passed down to me. My body was covered in markings, but I hid them well. He backs up then lets out another roar before heading back down the hall. I feel my soul leave my body. They help me into the nearest bathroom and lock the door. Jess digs through her bag and pulls out a vial of Tabitha’s Brew. It was an illegal potion that were weren't allowed to use. I quickly raise my hand.

Me: The stench will get us all in trouble. And why do you have that?

Jess: It wasn't always illegal. Besides, after what just happened, I'm glad I had it. What if you couldn't do what you did?

Tiffany: Her ass would be bleeding out right now.

Me: It's fine. I got it. Just give me a second.

I semi shift to a fairy. My wings sprout, ears turn pointed, and my body glows with a white aura. I've only ever been like this one time before and my mom said I healed up but I don't know what I did. Then, as if something took control of my body, words I’d never learned began spilling from my mouth. I didn’t even know what language I was speaking. I just kept repeating the same phrase over and over while the white glow around me grew brighter. When the chanting finally stopped, the burning in my arm was gone. I looked down. Not even a scar remained. I shift back.

Tiffany: You are so f*****g cool.

Me: Sometimes I wish I wasn't.

Jess: We need to go before were late for potions class.

She smiles but Jess hated being late for class. I unlock the door and we make our way to class. We get to potions class and take our seats. Levi walks in behind me and looks at my arm.

Levi: HOW?!

Me: I-I--.

A smile spread across his face.

Levi: Busted!

Busted? For what? I take my seat and pull my schoolbooks out. Levi raises his hand.

The professor calls on him.

Levi: Isn't a healing potion illegal?

Professor: Not all healing potions. Just Tabitha's brew. Can anyone tell me why?

Levi: Maybe Dia knows.

He turns around in his seat and looks at me. Does he think I used Tabitha's brew to heal up? The professor looks at me.

Me: It was invented thousands of years ago by a witch named Tabitha. She created it to make herself more beautiful after her fiancé, William, left her because he deemed her hideous. William and his mistress, Zeta, later attacked her and left her for dead.

Jess: Tabitha used the potion hoping it would turn her beautiful right before his eyes but instead it healed her.

Me: Zeta then killed Tabitha and stole the recipe. When William died, Zeta amplified the potion so it would bring him back to life.

Tiffany: That's why it became illegal and how the vampire and zombie bloodlines were made. It's extremely potent and has a stench that you can smell from miles away if it was used.

Professor: That is correct ladies. Tabitha’s Brew leaves an unmistakable odor that lingers for hours. There would be no hiding its use.

The look on Levi drops. I just stare at him, shifting uncomfortably in my seat. Not because of his stare but because the fact that there was a bottle of Tabitha's brew inside the class at this very moment. I look over at Jess who was smiling. After knowing her for this long, I could tell the difference between her happy smile and her holy-s**t-we’re-about-to-get-expelled smile. It did help the professor started walking down the aisle looking over our homework from last night. I watch the clock like a hawk until finally the bell rings, and we all hurried out the class. I pull Jess aside.

Me: Never bring that again!

Jess: I won't.

She was still smiling. Somehow, I knew she meant it. We head off to our next class. I prayed this day ended soon.