Chapter 3: Fire Within

"Annie?" Millie yelled, opening the door. She had heard her yell and had rushed to see what happened. She found Annie on the floor, unconscious. "Annie!" She ran over to her and knelt down. She quickly felt for a pulse and found that itwas racing."Robert!"

"What?" he asked, appearing in a fleet of orbs.

"I don't know, she's unconscious." Robert glanced at the Book of Shadows and noticed it was open. He took a look at the page it was open to.

"Does it have something to do with this spell?"

"What?" Millie stood up and gasped when she saw the Book. "Oh no, Annie, no." Annie slowly opened her eyes.

"What? What happened?"

"This happened," Millie said, pointing at the Book. She sounded angry. "How could you use this spell?" Annie stood up and annoyance sparked her mind.

"I did what I needed to," Annie said. "My powers weren't getting me anywhere. You saw me out there earlier. I couldn't do anything. I can't fight with my pathetic power."

"Illusion casting is a great power once you learn how to use it properly. It's greatly envied in the magical world. You should be happy and proud to own it."

"I wanted an active power," Annie said, getting angry herself.

"Well, you'll get one when the right time comes," Millie said. "Now you say this reversal spell, now."

"I don't want to," Annie said, storming out of the room.

"Great," Millie said, burying her forehead in her hands.

"Can't you just say the reversal spell?" Robert asked.

"No," Millie said, not moving her head. "The original caster has to say the reverse." Robert looked up in the air. "What is it?"

"David is calling for me."

"Just a moment, David can wait. It's probably something stupid anyways. Tell me what the Elders thought about the demon stuff."

"They think you're onto something," Robert said. "Now if you'll excuse me."

"Yes, of course, go." Robert orbed outside and saw David and Sabrina standing outside the sheep pen.

"It's about time," David said. "We've been calling for you long enough."

"What is it?" Robert asked.

"Look for yourself," Sabrina said, pointing to the pen. Robert observed the dead lamb.

"Ew," he said. "What happened to it?"

"That's just it," David said. "We don't know. Seems like some magical creature may have done it."

"That's unlike anything I've seen before," Robert said. "Unless a vampire is sucking on sheep, but that's highly unlikely."

"Well, could you at least check with the Elders?" Sabrina asked. "This may be nothing, but we should at least be prepared, in case it is something."

"Sure," he said. He orbed off for his second trip for Elder knowledge.

"I'm gonna go in the house," Sabrina said, walking away. "I don't want to see that thing anymore."

"Wait for me!" David yelled, tagging along.

Annie had stormed out of the house and walked to the barn. She didn't want to hear anymore lecturing from Millie or Robert. She felt what she had done was right. She neared the door to the barn and opened it. She was shocked at what she saw inside.

"What the hell?" she yelled.

"Annie!" Charles said, standing up. He and Jordan had been engaged in a moment of locked lips. Charles face turned real red, and Jordan looked away in shame and embarrassment. "It's not what you think."

"Then what is it?" Annie asked. She was furious. She could feel the anger boiling up in side her. "What else can this be?"

"Annie, I'm sorry," Jordan said. "We were just talking. We just…and then…one thing just led to another."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, before we knew it, we were kissing. But it was nothing. We both feel nothing for each other. The kiss was meaningless."

"You were supposed to be my friend," Annie said.

"I'm sorry," Jordan said. "Really sorry."

"Don't blame her, Annie," Charles said.

"Don't you say anything!" Annie screamed. "You were supposed to be my boyfriend!" As she screamed, fire came from her pointing finger, aimed directly at Charles.

"Look out!" Jordan yelled. Charles jumped out of the way of the fire. It hit a pile of straw and immediately caught fire. "What the hell was that? Annie, stop!" She sent another stream of fire, this time directed at Jordan. She rolled out of the way.

"Robert!" Charles yelled. He orbed in, feeling a little overrun.

"Can't I have a moment between visits?" He stopped when he saw the fire coming from Annie. "Oh no."

"Bastard!" Annie yelled, sending another stream of fire at Charles. Robert grabbed onto his arm and orbed him to the other side of the barn. He then grabbed Jordan and orbed to the house.

"Fire!" he yelled throughout the house.

"What?" Millie asked. She looked out the window and saw the barn ablaze. Annie was walking out of it. Anger filled her face. She directed it in a stream of fire, directly at the house.