Wicked Casters

Disclaimer: I do not own the Twilight Saga, American Horror Story, Practical Magic, The Vampire Diaries, and Beautiful Creatures.

Chapter 10: La Push, Baby!

Ginger's POV

The next day was alright. Friday is my favorite time of the week. On these days you can relax right after school and have fun on the weekends. Also, I'm anticipating Madame Zelena's next lesson on creating a fire orb in your hand without burning yourself. Eleanor noticed the excitement but reminded me that patience is a virtue.

We walked around in the cafeteria, finding our friends. They were at the original table, goofing off about something. I've noticed Edward Cullen talking to his siblings, almost like they had a silent argument. That's not good. Better him than me.

"Hey. La Push, baby," Eric announced happily. "You two in?"

"What?" I asked, coming back to reality.

"La Push Beach down at the Quileute Rez." Mike explained. "We're all going tomorrow."

"Yeah, there's a big swell coming up," Jessica added.

"And I don't just surf the Internet," Eric said, standing up and striking a surfer pose, followed by Mike and Tyler.

"Eric, you stood up once, and it was a foam board." Jessica reprimanded him.

"But there's whale watching, too," Angela added. "Come with us."

"I don't know. We promise Zelena to help her with her store." Eleanor lied. She was referring to our training.

What the hell? I thought. Fire orbs can wait for another day.

"Come on, Ella. Have some fun," I said.

"La Push, baby," Eric said exaggeratedly. "It's La Push."

Eleanor snorted, covering her mouth, "Okay, we'll go if you stop saying that."

Everyone laughed as Mike said, "Seriously, dude. It's creepy."

"What?" Eric asked innocently. "That's what it's called."

"I'll go get our lunch," I told Eleanor.

"Chicken patty, please." She asked.

"All right." I chuckled and went to the lunch line.

We have to keep up the act that Eleanor's arm is still busted. Sometimes Tyler would help, but he seems to be fooling around today. Of course, Eleanor repays me for my services by making me a fabulous dinner. Got to say the girl can cook a mean dish.

As I got our hot food, I went to the salad bar for some greens. Unable to resist myself, I arrange the vegetables in art. A bad habit I have had since I was thirteen. The only chance you get when playing with your food without being scolded. I also grabbed an apple, put it on the tray, and then grabbed some ranch.

"Edible art?" a voice asked. "Ginger."

I jolted, banging my elbow on the apple, causing it to fall. The red fruit falls, landing on expensive leather shoes, then bouncing to pale hands. The owners of those hands were Edwards. Great, another round of lies and debates. Let's add a witch hunt, shall we?

"Thanks," I muttered, taking the apple back. "So, you know, your bipolar behavior is kinda giving me a whiplash."

"I only said it'd be better if we weren't friends," Edward said. "Not that I didn't wanna be."

"So, frenemies?" I asked.

"No. It means if you were smart, you'd stay away from me." He stated.

"Wow, thanks for calling me stupid." I continued working on my salad.

"I didn't mean it like that," he said.

"So, by theory, would you tell me the truth if we were friends?" I asked.

"No, probably not." He answered.

"I thought so," I dabbed my finger on the ranch and tapped it on his nose.

Edward scowled, wrinkling his nose as if he smelt something disgusting. Immediately he wiped the ranch off his nose. "I'd rather hear your theories."

"Okay, either you were bitten by radioactive spiders or a lab experiment gone wrong." I sarcastically guessed.

"That's all-superhero stuff, right?" he said. "What if I'm not the hero? What if I'm the bad guy?"

"Then falling into a tub of radioactive waste or alien parasites," I replied. I took a deep breath and looked into his eyes. "I can see what you are trying to pull. All Mr. Loner and Cool, trying to keep people away from you. Don't ask me how I know, because I've been there before. It's a shield. . . Hey, why don't we just hang out?"

Edward scoffed though smiled, "Sure."

"Really?" I gasped, surprised. "You can join me tomorrow. The gang and I are going to the beach."

"Which beach?" he asked.

"La Push," I answered.

His bipolar Hulk side switches on as the calm, relaxed teen scowled in disappointment. "I don't know."

"I know the name is a bit perverted, but it can be fun." I tried to reel him back in.

"It's just a little crowded." He explained. "I don't do well in crowds."

"Oh, maybe next time," I offered.

"Maybe," he said before walking off back to his family.

I sighed, walking back to the table and handing Eleanor her food. She looked a bit irritated at me. I know I'm not supposed to be socializing with any of the Cullens or Hales, but I can't help it. I'm already in deep water. There's no chance for me to get out of it without answers.

.o0o.

Eleanor's POV

It's Saturday morning, and I'm planning on killing Ginger. She has this habit of either sleeping in or spending too much time making herself pretty. Let alone retouching her roots of the same dye colors. And she has the audacity to say I take forever to get ready.

"Ginger, for Hecate's sake, I will put a timer in your room and enchant your makeup to burn you on non-formal events!" I yelled.

"I'm coming, Bitch!" Ginger called back.

You can hear the scurrying going on upstairs. I sighed and turned to face Zelena, reading the morning newspaper. When we got back from school, asking Zelena to go to La Push, and she gave the okay. However, overtime on caster homework, let alone a full moon dance. I shuddered to learn that the full moon dance means undressing. Although I hope she's going for the modest dance where we wear the black gowns. Not because I don't mind being naked, it's just utterly cold here in Forks.

"You wearing that pendant Billy gave you?" Zelena asked.

"Yes," I answered, pointing at the pendant attached to a gold chain with other charms.

Zelena nodded in approval, "Always wear it."

"I will. I hold respect towards one's culture." I said.

Ginger came downstairs, rushing her hair in a ponytail. She stops at the bottom step to find Zelena glaring at her.

The redhead paused, "What?"

"Pendant!" Zelena growled.

"But it stinks," Ginger protested. "And I'm gonna go surfing."

"Pendant!" Zelena ordered.

Ginger sighed as she went upstairs to get her pendant. I took a deep breath, unsure what was so significant about the pendant. Yes, it is Quileute, and Billy says it shall protect me. Maybe the next time I see Billy, I'll ask him what the story is about them. Nearly every piece of jewelry has a story.

Ginger came back down wearing the pendant. She grabbed my right hand, yanking us out of the house into the Wagoneer. With my left arm still messed up, Ginger has to drive. She muttered some harsh words before taking off the pendant.

"Ging, you need to keep that on," I told her.

"No one needs to know," she said, starting the engine.

"It's a sign of respect when going on tribal lands," I said.

"How come it stinks?" she asked.

"I don't know," I said, examining the pendant. I could detect the fragrance of sage, lavender, and anthemis, but there is another fragrance I can't describe. It smells so familiar yet vague. It's something, almost a potent herb. Something that was lemony with a grassy smell coupled with a woodsy part note. Yet the lavender and sage prevented in identifying of the third herb.

Anyway, Ginger drove till reaching the location where we were supposed to meet up with the group. We were car pulling. Tyler gave a call saying too many surfboards filled the van and asked us if some of the gang could ride with us. I told him that would not be a problem and that we could take three passengers. Mike's faith in the weatherman seemed to work as the weather lightened up. You can actually see the sun over our heads as the weather seemed warm around the sixties.

We met the gang at Newton's Olympic Outfitters. There were two other cars in the parking lot, one filled with surfboards. Mike, Eric, Angela, Jessica, and Tyler were there waiting, along with a few more students, Ben, Conner, and Lauren. Lauren looked annoyed when Ginger and I got out of the Wagoneer. Her eyes glared at me, then brushed off her silvery blond hair. Something told me she wasn't pleased about Tyler asking me to prom. Tyler and I were going as friends; however, I think she didn't get the memo. Although I heard Conner asked her to prom even before Tyler asked me. Therefore, she shouldn't be giving me the stink eye.

After a moment of arranging who was riding with who, Angela and Eric rode with us. Eric rode in the passenger seat, giving Ginger directions to First Beach. On the ride over, Angela and I talked about the book assignment in Mr. Mason's class. How we are reading The Divine Comedy: Dante's Inferno, trying to comprehend what each realm represents in hell. A bit morbid, especially when Angela is a daughter of a minister.

There is a saying caster holds no religion other than paganism. I beg to differ. We worship many religions other than the world of magic. There are Jewish, Christians, Hinduism, Muslims, and other religions who worship the faith and the magical arts. I hope there won't be any religious conflicts. Then again, casters can't freely go to a catholic church because it is Hollow ground. Any religious relic can actually burn a caster. I learned the hard way when taking a step on Saint Peter's Square in Italy. Felt like I had stepped on molten lava for a moment.

By the time we reached La Push, the weather had become gray. I sighed in disappointment, for the temperature dropped as well. First Beach is covered with stones, with only a small strip of sand by the sea and large driftwood trees near the tide. The clouds depend ready to pour any minute, the overwhelming fragrance of salt water filled the air, and you can see the seagulls chirping. The view is beautiful even with the damp weather. All those in favor of surfing tried to keep a positive thought, for the waves seemed decent to ride on. Lauren, Conner, and Ben headed off to explore the tide pools and others who went to explore the forest.

Angela and I sat along in Tyler's van, watching the others prepare for surfing as they put on wetsuits.

"Hey, it's freezing," Mike noted.

"I'm paddling out, Coates," Tyler said.

"I don't know if it's worth it anymore." Eric second-guessed himself.

"We drove all the way out here," Jessica said. "I'm at least paddling out."

"Yeah, where's your sense of adventure?" Ginger added.

"You guys are babies," Jessica agreed with Ginger.

I chuckled at the five of them arguing like children. Calling each other babies, challenging who is dauntless enough to go into the cold water. Yet it's quite funny how they struggle in putting on their wetsuits. Sometimes tripping now and then. Meanwhile, I was talking to Angela.

"So, I keep thinking that Eric's gonna ask me to the prom, and then he just doesn't," Angela said sadly.

"You should ask him," I told her.

"You think?" she asked.

"Yes, it's the twenty-first century. Take control." I told her. "You are a remarkably strong, independent woman."

"I am?" she asked again.

"Yes, you are," I confirmed. "And beautiful. Don't let men wear the pants all the time."

Jessica walked over, turning her back to Angela, "Hey, will you zip me up?"

"Yeah," Angela said as she pulled the zipper up.

Three men walked over to the three vehicles. Two of them were tall and broad, almost bulky under the heavy-duty clothing. I knew they were natives of the reservation by the exposed copper skin and long hair. Although one had short hair, it was cropped. The third person was a familiar face that had me smiling. What a coincidence that Jacob would be here.

"Eleanor," Jacob greeted. "Ginger."

"Hey Jake," I said and introduced him to everyone.

He introduced me to his other two pals, Sam Uley and his best friend, Embry Call. Jacob came around and took a seat next to me. He seemed a bit nervous, like on edge, as he looked between Sam and me.

"Stalking me?" I asked to lighten the mood.

Jacob scoffed, "You're on my rez, remember?"

"Point taken," I chuckled.

"Are you surfing?" he asked.

"Can't," I answered, nodding my head to the sling.

"You guys should keep Eleanor company," Ginger insisted.

"Not since Ginger's date bailed," Jessica added.

Mike and Eric look at Ginger in horror. "What date?"

"She invited Edward." Jessica giggled.

"I was trying to be nice," Ginger defended, zipping her wetsuit.

"I think it's nice she invited him," Angela said. "Nobody ever does."

"Yeah, 'cause Cullen's a freak." Mike injected.

"You got that right," Sam agreed.

"You guys know him?" Ginger asked.

"The Cullens don't come here," Sam answered.

"How come," I asked.

Sam walked over to me, getting in my personal space. "Bad history," He answered, then looked down, staring at my chest. For a moment, I was going to smack him for being a pervert until realizing he wasn't staring at my chest. No, he was staring at the pendant. "Nice necklace," Sam said before stepping back and walking off.

Jacob sighed as he apologized about Sam, saying he was a bit old school. I find it hard to believe because Sam looked about twenty-five. Again, Jacob said not to bother him as he offered to go for a walk on the beach. Since Angela seemed occupied talking to Embry and the other went surfing, I nodded. A smile grew on Jacobs's face as he helped me up and led the way to the sand.

"So what did Sam means about, 'The Cullens don't come here?'" I asked.

"You caught that, huh?" Jacob replied.

"Try dealing with a curious cat known as Ginger," I counted.

He chuckled, then took a deep breath, "I'm not really supposed to say anything about it."

"Hey, I'll tell you a Salem story if you tell me?" I offered.

"Deal," Jacob laughed. "Really, it's just an old scary story."

"Want to test who can freak the other out?" I challenged.

"Okay, um, did you know the Quileutes are supposedly descended from wolves?" he asked.

"Really," I answered, intrigued. "Real wolves?"

"Yeah," he said. "That the wolves are our brothers. It's against tribal law to kill them."

"Interesting," I said.

"Well, that's the legend of our tribe," Jacob concluded.

"So, how does this relate to the Cullens?" I asked. Not wanting to end there.

"Well, they're supposedly descended from this, like, enemy clan. The Cold Ones." He explained. "There are stories of the Cold Ones as old as the wolf legends and some much more recent. According to legend, my own great-grandfather knew some of them. He was the one who made the treaty that kept them off our land. You see, the Cold Ones are the natural enemies of the wolf—well, not the wolf, really, but the wolves that turn into men, like our ancestors. You would call them werewolves. So, you see, the Cold Ones are traditionally our enemy. But this pack that came to our territory during my great grandfather's time was different. They didn't hunt the way others of their kind did. They weren't supposed to be dangerous to the tribe . . . so we made a treaty with them. If they promised to stay off Quileute lands, then we wouldn't expose what they were to the palefaces. There's always a risk for humans to be around the Cold Ones, even if they're civilized like this clan was. You never know when they might get too hungry to resist."

"Wait, are you comparing them to some supernatural creature?" I asked.

"Yes," he smiled darkly.

"Huh, I've been told the Cullens moved here a few years ago?" I added.

"Or just moved back." He suggested.

"Oh," I thought. "Then what are they?"

"It's just a story, Eleanor." He chuckled. "But if you gotta know, blood drinkers. Your people call them vampires."

He continued that Carlisle is the leader and how the Cullens were here before the State of Washington was part of the US. This doesn't make sense. In the Caster World . . . vampires are practically rare in the New World. Let alone ones having a conscience. When hearing about vampires, instantly, you know they turn off their humanity. But still, I have my doubts. No vampire would ever come into uncharted lands during a specific time period.

I know of the Vampires who are sired through the Originals. The First American vampire goes back to the Vikings. There were other species of vampires all around the world. Africa had three legends of the Adze, Impundulu, and the Betsileo. Japan had the Nukebuki, where a head and neck detached from its body and flies about seeking human prey. In Southeast Asia, Tagalog and Manananggal are attractive people by day and batlike harpies by night. Let alone the Strigoi, vampires who have beautiful forms when awake with some abilities, until they are unconscious and turn into evil spirit that associates with dark spirits and drinks the blood of their victims. Basically, a stalker. The Vampiric race is so complex that there are misplaced species to simply be called a vampire.

If Ginger believes that the Cullens are supernatural…could they be a vampire? They can't be from the Original Bloodline since none of them are wearing a daylight gem. As I saw no gem on them, that was a crest emblem. Daylight charms only work on gems, not metals.

We walked for a couple of meters in profound silence. A moment later, Jacob asked me about any Salem witch story. I thought about it carefully, deciding which story I should tell. For a moment, I debated about the casters leaving Salem for New Orleans but decided not to. Then I decided to tell him about the story of Maria Owen, the curse of true love.

"Have you ever heard the term 'to never fall in love?" I asked.

"Not quite," Jacob answered.

"Back in New England, there is a story of a woman accused of being a witch. The trials were resurrected in the New World for more than three hundred years. Her name was Maria Owens, and she was the first witch to expose herself to the public."

"So they hanged her because she was a witch." Jacob assumed.

"Well, it didn't help that she was also a heartbreaker. Along with wives who were on the hanging committee," I pointed out, wiggling my eyebrows. Jacob snorted, catching the memo that she committed adultery. "They feared her because she had a gift, a power that has been passed on too many descendants. She had the gift of magic. And it was this very gift that saved her life. Legend says she willingly stepped off the gallows, and in that instant, the noose snapped, and she gracefully landed on her feet. Unable to execute her, she was banished to an island. With her unborn child growing inside her belly. She waited for her lover to rescue her. But he never came. No one came. In a moment of despair, she cast a spell upon herself that she would never again feel the agony of love. But as her bitterness grew, the spell turned into a curse. A curse on any man who dared love an Owens girl."

"Damn," Jacob whistled.

Many witches take this story to heart versus the warlocks. It was one of the theories on why the Caster population had dwindled in the last century. Witches might fear a broken heart and unintentionally cast a curse on themselves. And one of the reasons the Casters barely hold relations with ordinary people.

Anyway, I went back on topic.

I nodded, "And a year later, the Salem Witch Trials began. Legend says her trial started it all before Bridget Bishop. And that curse is taken seriously by the Wiccan community. Never take love for granted, or the bitterness of a broken heart shall be a curse."

"Hell hath no fury than a woman's scorn," He added.

I shook my head at the comment. If he and I were close, I would have smacked him behind the head. However, this being playful, Jacob, I let it slide. "Come on, let's go." He said as we continued walking. We made a U-turn walking back to the base where a bonfire was being made. The driftwood soaked from the ocean made the bonfire unique compared to others. How the saltwater turns the flame blue, at least that is what Jacob said.

Then I remember something, "Mind if I ask you something?"

"Sure," Jacob allowed.

"Can you tell me something about the symbol on this pendant?" I asked.

Jacob stopped taking a good look at the wood carving and then sighed. "Just a totem from the legend. My dad says there were palefaces that the tribe trusted when the Cold Ones were nearby. I can't remember much, but I think whoever wears this crest is under the protection of the wolves. Sorry, my dad is superstitious."

"It's alright," I assured him. "I kinda like it. Though it has a strange aroma."

"That would be Vervain." Jacob pointed.

"Vervain?" I repeated.

"Yeah," Jacob confirmed.

I nodded as we joined the others at the bonfire. Vervain is an herb used for many centuries, maybe a thousand years. They can be found in Europe and Asia. Casters use a special kind of vervain in North America that can be hard to grow, and stocking on wild American vervain holds mystic powers of protection. Growing up, my grandfather had an entire bottle of Vervain extract. He said vervain is used against Vampires. Ones who compel the weak-minded from their persuasion and easily harm vampires like hot iron. The thought that the Cold Ones is another name for vampires is out of my comfort zone.

I might need to talk to Zelena about this theory. From all the information Jacob has given me . . . I'm starting to reconcile that there are Vampires in the Olympic Peninsula.

After spending several hours at First Beach, the weather worsened to rain. Ginger and I said goodbye to Jacob. I even-handed him my cellphone number so we could hang out again in the future. Jacob smiled, liking the idea as he and Embry headed back home.

Once packed up, Ginger drove Angela and Jessica home before we returned to Zelena's Cabin. I decided to tell Ginger what Jacob told me about the Cullens feud with the Quileute tribe. She at first laughed at the subject of the Quileutes being descended from wolves, but once I started talking about the Cold Ones, her sense of humor vanished.

We need to talk with Madame Zelena. And if she cannot give the answer, I have to ask for my runes.

Wow, this is like my longest chapter ever. I hope you all enjoy it.

The legend of Maria Owens came from the movie "Practical Magic" it's an excellent romantic comedy with Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman.

Thanks for reading, and please leave a review.

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