Witch Hunters

L.J. Smith owns The Secret Circle books and CW the TV Series.

This chapter is rated T

The witch hunters have been waiting a long time to attack but they know the circle and the Balcoin witches will be prepared with spells, magic potions etc... They also know they do not stand a chance against them in their magical world when they do not possess the ability to use magic, so this first leg of this fight will have to be superbly crafted.

The weather is extremely warm outside as members of the circle start making their way to John's place there is some anxiety on how all this will play out. The first to arrive are Melissa and Gunther she is jittery knowing that there is eminent danger around them. Gunther spots a huge beverage dispenser filled with lemonade, he gets her a glass then takes the first sip.

Gun: Here Mel have this it'll calm your nerves

M: I'm not sure about that there could be people waiting to attack us this very instant (with mouth open in awe expression) Wow this lemonade is really delicious, only Diana would take the time to make lemonade

Gun: I know I might get some too

M: Seriously how can you be so calm about all of this?

Gun: (rubbing Melissa's back) This isn't my first witch hunter fight Melissa

M: Okay then you're going to have to fill me in some other time

Morgana arrives next she embraces Gunther, then smiles genuinely at Melissa. She doesn't particularly like Melissa but she figures she's the only one she can tolerate amongst all the girls. She hates Faye almost as much as she hates Cassie, Morgana thinks Diana is just an extension of Cassie since the two of them are attached to the hip. She has a sour attitude as she's can't deal with how hot the weather is

Morg: It's sweltering in here

M: I know Morgana but I don't feel anything except anxiety right now

G: Here have a glass of this (giving her a glass of lemonade) you'll be fine

M: It really helped calm my nerves Morgana

Morg: I'm not nervous Melissa I'm a Balcoin (smirks) I'm just so bloody hot (drinking the lemonade)

M: Well it'll take the edge off

Morg: Doubt that, where is Jake?

Melissa can't believe Morgana isn't even trying to hide her feelings for Jake, as much as she hates to admit it she admires Morgana for being so brave, knowing exactly what she wants then stopping at literally nothing to get it. Something Melissa does think she'd ever be capable of.

The next to arrive is Diana she is by herself, Melissa and Gunther move to embrace her

M: Hey Diana thought Jake said we need to stick together, move in groups it's safer for us that way

D: Adam had to close the boathouse early he didn't want me sitting around, he said he's going to come by himself. Besides what good is this Balcoin power if I can't even protect myself.

M: Well Diana that's wonderful for you but what about Adam? No way! He can't come by himself it's too dangerous. Let me message Jake and Cassie asking them to pick him up. I'll be right back (she goes into another room to send the text to both of them)

M: Jake and Cassie please pick up Adam from the boathouse. Diana is here by herself which means he's going to come alone too

J: (texts back as he smirks) We'll get the Boy Scout don't you worry

Diana helps herself to some lemonade then goes for a second round. Greyson and Faye get there next holding hands, Melissa just rolls her eyes thinking this is another one of Faye's ploys to get her own Balcoin. Diana and Morgana are irritated at what they see.

F: The party's here, so where are the big bad witch hunters (no one is amused)

D: Can I speak to you in private Faye?

F: Ummm okay sure

They make their way to the next room Morgana embraces Greyson she wants to follow Diana and Faye but she stops to speak to Greyson first

Morg: How are you Greyson I miss you

Grey: I'm fine Morgana, it's just been a hectic few days

Morg: I know what you mean, we need to have tea together, catch up like old times after we toast these witch hunters (smiles).

Grey: That's be nice Morgana, (smiling) I'll make sure they have ginger tea on the menu

Morg: I'll be right back Greyson

She then moves to the same room as Diana and Faye she hears them arguing

F: (looks towards Morgana as she arrives) I believe she said this was a private conversation Morgana, no one wants to listen to what you have to say. Every one isn't going to fall for your 'I'm not so evil act' like Jake

Morg: This is not about Jake, I'm pretty sure you wouldn't want me to say what I'm thinking in front of the others

F: I don't really care what you think Morgana

Morg: Faye I beg to differ you see I love Greyson, if you're using him or toying with him to make Balthazar jealous or for your own pleasure I promise you it would take less than me clicking my fingers to make your life a living hell

D: Wow Morgana we finally agree on something

The girls smile at each other acknowledging for the first time that they are actually half sisters share at least half of the same DNA and that they both care for Greyson. Ofcourse this doesn't go unnoticed by Faye and she quips

F: I hate to interrupt this dark princess bonding moment but we have witch hunters at our doorstep remember? Is there something more important you want to tell me or was that it

D: Faye Morgana is right if you're using Greyson, I swear to god

F: Calm down you dark princess duo, not that it's any of your business but I really like the guy. It's been a long time, actually I've never had someone treat me the way Greyson does, so pull back your poisonous Balcoin claws

Back in the other side of town Jake drives over to the boathouse with Cassie to get Adam. Adam's turning the chairs upside down getting ready to close up when Jake goes over to talk to him

J: Need some help? (half smile)

A: Sure (half smile)

J: Listen Adam about what we spoke about yesterday the skull, it's too dangerous to take it with us to this fight. The last thing we want is a Balcoin getting it, barring Cassie and Diana ofcourse, although both girls will attest they don't want to go near it.

A: No it's not Jake we need it as a backup plan

J: I really don't think we should bring it, its too dangerous

A: Okay fine whatever you say (sarcastically) oh leader of us humble witches

J: Don't start with me Adam

Cassie enters wondering if she's walking in on another argument between the guys

C: Hi Adam! So are we ready to go

A: Yes why don't you both wait in the car I'm getting some of my grandfather's potions, spells other useful things he might have cloaked in a bag

C: Yeah ok, Jake lets go

Adam arrives a few minutes later with a bag similar to the one Jake left at Johns house full of magic tools, potions etc... that Grandpa Royce left him to give them a magical advantage in their fight. As Adam is strapping his safety belt on Jake starts again

J: Adam I hope you didn't get any of your grandfather's most (stressing this word) PRECIOUS weapons

A: Don't worry Jake I can handle it

J: I'm not so sure you can

C: Okay stop! What is going on? You guys are being even more ridiculous than you usual are, what's with all the tension?

A: No tension here Cassie (sarcastically again) just following our fearless leader, right Jake?

J: (grinds his teeth) Nope no tension

Jake really wants to smack Adam now. Cassie knows that they're getting along now or at least not trying to kill each other so she doesn't understand the odd tension between them. She doesn't dwell on it too much they have the witch hunters to think about, she does asks in a very monotone voice

C: Jake did you let Zar know the plan? I forgot to message him

J: Yes I did, he's an asshole but he's still a witch. We can use every bit of power in this fight especially another Balcoin

A: Are you sure he's on our side?

J: (sarcastically) Thank you Adam for once again stating the obvious by bringing that up but no one knows for sure with him. (takes a deep breath) Although I suspect he's the kind of guy that would show up for a fight just for the sport of it

C: You got that right

All three of them are outside John's house now, Cassie starts to walk in followed by Jake then Adam with the bag of magical tools he's brought. Adam pulls Jake's hand then says

A: I brought the skull

J: What? What the fuck Adam? Are you trying to get us killed? You have a serious fucking problem thinking you can use it now

A: Jake will you shut up, I brought it here but it's not for me, it's for you

Jake is shocked for several reasons but the top two are because Adam actually entrusts Jake with the crystal skull, the most powerful weapon known to mankind. The other is that it shows Adam's maturity he know he can't trust himself with the skull's draw therefore can't be the one to use it if the witches really need help. It has to be someone who can't be corrupted by its power, a true leader now that Jake has stepped up to the plate it would have to be him. Adam walks in first then a semi dazed Jake walks in, all the witches are standing around looking exhausted from the heat, some trying to fan themselves some by the window, others by the one fan in the house, they are all drinking the lemonade to cool off. Then Adam helps himself to a glass as well, after taking a refreshing sip he says

A: Diana you really outdid yourself this time, this lemonade is delicious it reminds me of the lemonade we had at Bombay Express (the only Indian restaurant in Chance Harbor). Is that Kala Namak (black salt) I taste in there?

The other witches move their head in agreement that the lemonade is delicious as they turn to Diana

D: What are you talking about I didn't make the lemonade

C: What? (as Cassie spits out some from her mouth) We just assumed you did when we found it here

D: No it wasn't me

J: Okay everybody stay calm I think there is a good chance that the lemonade has been spiked with a sedative if not worse

Simon walks in the door with a sway along with some other item in his hand, it sort of looks like a medallion of sorts, then in one clean swoop of his hand all the witches fall except for Jake and Faye who haven't had any lemonade. Then four larger framed witch hunters enter grabbing Jake and Faye.

S: Jake we meet again how nice to see you

J: Simon what have you done to them?

S: Cleansing your kind out of existent

F: You'll never get away with this

S: (looking at Faye) Oh sweetie, yes I will but you won't live to talk about it. You see I'm a big believer in when life gives you lemons you make lemonade (chuckling)

Jake and Faye are tied against a pole while an additional six witch hunters come in to tie up the Balcoins in one circle then Adam and Melissa on another column. Jake recognizes that they have used dark Colocasia root to surround the Balcoins rendering them unable to practice any magic, thus leaving them defenseless.

While the witch hunters are distracted making sure they have tied the Balcoins to chairs correctly, put the dark ashes around them in a circle. The witch hunters are getting everything ready to kill the witches, Jake knows this is his only chance to get to the crystal skull

Then he lowers his head as he speaks in a low tone to Faye

J: Help me move Adam's duffle bag towards us

F: What?

J: Faye concentrate, I need you to help me bring Adam's bag close enough for me to open it

F: Okay

Together they look at Adam's bag concentrating so that it moves towards them a few inches at a time

F: What's in it?

J: (annoyed) Now it not the time Faye

F: (bratty tone) I want to know why you want it, why can't I have what's in the bag?

J: (he knows he has to use her feeling for him to make her stop) Faye if you ever loved me you need to trust me NOW

Faye shuts up nods her head then directs the bag towards Jake's hands. He can finally squeeze one hand in the bag then he feels a surge of energy as his hand makes contact with the crystal skull. He whispers a spell under his breath then the rope binding Jake and Faye is loose.

F: Neat trick Jake

J: Common we have to save the others

In a surprising move Jake first directs his attention to untie Melissa and Adam, they are groggy but awake enough to untie their hands. Looking at Adam Jake signals for them to crawl out so all four of them can unite against the witch hunters.

Simon has taken out the sway to steal the Balcoins of their power. He starts to walk around the circle deciding whose power he should take first then he notices the four non- Balcoin witches are not where they were tied up he sees them now all standing next to Jake who has something his hand that is covered with a velvet cloth bag.

S: Jake don't be stupid, with the Balcoins ready to die you don't have a chance in hell

J: That's where you're wrong Simon

S: (shouts orders at the witch hunters) Torch the Balcoins

One of the witch hunters throws a match then instantly the circle encasing the tied up Balcoins catches fire. Melissa, Faye and Adam start freaking out screaming

M: Jake please do something he's killing them all

A: Jake are you listening? He's killing Diana and Cassie

F: (speaks confidently as she looks at Adam and Melissa) He has a plan

J: (smirks) They're not dying no one is, not on my watch

Thank you for reading my story and for your lovely feedback. I especially love to hear about which characters you like or dislike, do you want to see more of a character or coupling? Let me know, I'm extremely happy you're enjoying the story :)

Next chapter is the fight, I'm editing it so hold on, more magic to come!