WITCHES OF WOLF CREEK: TRUTH

Chapter 32: Sixine

It’s funny to be here. It had been a while since I had returned to my parents’ mansion, preferring the modernity of our downtown loft and the company of my friends to that of my strange family. Besides, I don’t like leaving Jaxson alone, too. He’s never been very far lately, between our roommate, where the girls welcomed him with open arms, and the forest that surrounds the mansion and so close to the loft; I rarely need more than a few minutes to find him.

The difficulties we had gone through had woven a powerful bond between us. While, on the one hand, I hoped never to have to suffer the company of wolves again, on the other, his proximity had become indispensable to me, almost vital. Yet, day by day, from exploration to wandering, he changed. From the euphoria of finding himself again, he went on to uneasiness, without really being able to explain it. Forced to present himself as a human on the streets of Wolf Creek, he only seeks to surrender to his lupine nature whenever possible, trying, I suppose, to regain some of what he has lost. Of his pack, he has nothing left but painful memories. His exile has made him anonymous in a crowd that must never know his true nature. He must lie and camouflage himself from humans, blend into their mass and get lost in them.

I tried to ease his pain, tried to replace what he lacked. Despite my efforts, it isn’t enough. Although I don’t understand why, the loss of this fierce pack has almost extinguished his flame, which flickers dangerously in the tumult of his despair. More and more, he is drowning in nostalgic outbursts, unable to glimpse a future. From the boreal gleams of his eyes, there remain only timid virid and dull sparks.

No matter how much I cover him with attention and passionate kisses, nothing seems to help him or stir up his desires. Far from his family, he is unable to regain his footing and it isn’t a little witch like me who can change the situation. Our relationship is just a dead end.

Frustrated, upset and helpless, I felt the need to distance myself, to find myself, instead of carrying him at arm’s length, and even against his will. He claims to love me, to regret nothing and yet, everything in his attitude betrays his imposture. The truth is crystal clear: we didn’t imprint. Only loved. It doesn’t seem like enough for him, but it was for me.

I need calm. I find, between the old stone walls of the Shadwe mansion, a silence that no longer exists elsewhere. Amid the dusty shelves overflowing with leather-bound books, I taste a form of serenity and tranquillity, nonetheless tinged with apprehension. It is not only to take stock of what binds me to Jaxson that I have come to hide here: the coven has decided that we will be prosecuted, Eli, Neeve and I, for having violated the fundamental rules of the communities. The court library is comfortable, but it doesn’t have any of the books I need. Whereas here, the intangible history of our world is stacked ad infinitum.

I sit down at the big desk, put down the heavy pile of books I’ve just selected, and light a small lamp that gives off a shy glow. No need to illuminate the room more, the moon is responsible for investing the space with its silvery rays. Through the window, I observe the sleepy park, bathed in a supernatural light and, perhaps, a bearer of hope. I return my attention to the code of the Shadwe World, open to the articles of law, the content of which I know without even having to read them, and leaf through the grimoire of the jurisprudence of the American covens, hoping to find a precedent that would be favourable to support our defence. But I can’t find anything. Absolutely nothing. Isn’t there any sorcerer who has ever broken one of those damn rules, like we were forced to? Guess not. Or their case could have been hushed up and maybe him along with it…

"Oh, there you are!"

Neeve tumbles between the shelves and stands in front of me, panting.

"Neeve? How are you?"

I don’t really know why I’m asking her this question, but I know the answer: since our altercation with the wolves, she’s taken great pains to deceive us, but she’s not at her best. Between the reaction of the cousins and the loss of her job, she struggles to find a balance in her life. Being alone in the loft this weekend shouldn’t help her.

"I absolutely have to talk to you."

"Talk to me? About what?"

"Levenach. I saw Levenach."

OK. And?

"It’s not over, Six!"

What is she talking about?

"What is not over?"

"We are still in danger."

"I don’t understand. We’ve blasted those who meant us harm, so who’s after us again? Be clearer, at least! You can see I’m busy!"

"If someone kills us as planned, the damn trial won’t matter! I tell you they’re after us, Six! The leader of the sorcerers who wish us harm was not in the forest during the attack! Levenach says we have to leave Wolf Creek immediately!"

Where does he get this information from? It’s completely insane!

"Look, I’m trying to save our ass, and believe me, it’s far from simple," I say firmly. "I’m not going anywhere until I figure out how to do it. We need a reinforced concrete case, otherwise, the result will be catastrophic, you know that, right?"

"I trust Levenach," she insists.

"And I trust you. Him, on the other hand…"

It’s impossible, all this machination, who else could have fomented these attacks? For what purposes? I have no doubt that she is convinced of it, but as far as I am concerned, I am convinced that this threat is much less real than the condemnation which hangs in our faces. I can’t desert Wolf Creek until I clear us. Who knows, the investigations might reveal more about the circumstances which pushed us to take refuge with the wolves.

"We need to tell Eli," she continues.

"Eli? For what? Don’t you think it’s already complicated enough for us right now? Besides, if she extended her stay with her parents, it was precisely to get a little distance from it all, to refocus…"

Elinor could hardly be more isolated than at Castle Mona. Even if I easily understand this need for solitude, I miss her. And the prospect of forever being separated from her and Neeve, because of this stupid lawsuit is heartbreaking. I have to find a solution and get us out of this!

"That you refuse to take this threat seriously is up to you. She has the right to know and to act knowingly."

She’s not wrong. And I can’t protect Eli forever anyway.

A long sigh escapes me.

"OK. I’ll call her."

I dial the number and activate the loudspeaker.

It’s ringing.

Only the immutable tone breaks the heavy silence that surrounds us. However, we promised ourselves to ALWAYS answer the phone, since our return from the lair. Useful precaution, given what we have experienced in the past two months.

But what the hell is she doing?

I hang up and dial the number again. Neeve’s cheeks went from red to livid with dread.

It’s ringing. Again. And again. And again.

Eli picks up.

But she doesn’t answer.