Disclaimer- All recognizable characters belong to Mrs. Stephenie Meyer, whereas all new characters belong to me.
Chapter 25- Heat
"You don't have to do this you know." Mitchell said. I scoffed and finished putting the enchanted handcuffs around his wrists. I stuck the key in my pocket and smiled.
" Don't think for a second I'm letting you roam free in a witch's body. There's no way I'm going to have you able to use Yuzria's magic."
" I promise I won't use it." I stared at him, wondering if he was serious. For a second the green eyes were serious, but then he laughed, the edges of his mouth crinkling in enjoyment. " You have to admit, I had you for a minute there."
" No you didn't. Now, hush up." I put my hand on his shoulder and started to lead him out of the conference room. " By the way, if you try to break out of the handcuffs, they'll spark on you."
" And by spark you mean?"
" I mean they'll electrocute you."
His eyes opened wide and he frowned. " You'd do that to your precious witch?" I smiled and shook my head.
" No I wouldn't. But, I have a talented necromancer with me who knows how to electrocute just spirits."
" You wouldn't dare."
" Oh yes I would Mitchell darling. Now, we're locking you in a room with a guard while we plan. Wouldn't want you somehow letting Annebelle know anything."
" Have I mentioned how much I hate you lately?"
" Trust me, the feeling is mutual." I handed Mitchell off to Felix, who scowled. " Do what you need to do to keep him in the room, but don't harm Yuzria."
" No harm will come to your witch." He said with a bow. I nodded my head, ignoring the ' your witch' part. He left with Mitchell grumbling, leading him up the set of stairs. I smiled and made my way into the kitchen. I was going to help Flora with a batch of spells. We had to be as prepared as possible. The kitchen smelled of all sorts of herbs and potions. Pots were bubbling on the stove. Flora cried out and waved her hand over a particular pot that was close to bubbling over. She quickly took it off the stove and it simmered down. She looked at me, her eyes almost black with frustration.
" You know, this isn't as easy as I remember it."
" Well, you don't exactly practice it as often as I do."
" Yeah, you're just oh so good."
" Oh, who has a temper now?" I walked over to Flora and took the pot out of her hands. " Sit down before you blow." She sat on a stool and watched me strain the potion.
" Be careful, it'll melt your skin off."
" O-o-okay this one is going in a glass jar then." I took a jar out of the cupboard above me and poured the brownish liquid into the jar. " Thanks for helping me Flora."
" It's no problem Noleen. Really."
Manny chose that moment to walk in, his black hair falling gracefully over his shoulders. Flora smiled and walked over to him, her eyes glowing. " Hi lover," he crooned, kissing her on the neck. She giggled, and I felt my blood returning up my throat. I groaned and put a dash of rosemary in a potion, then stirred it.
" Please stop, I think I'm going to puke." I grumbled.
" Ah, don't be jealous Noleen, there is enough of Manny to go around." Manny joked, winking at me. Flora smacked him upside the head, a scowl on her face.
" No there isn't." She scolded. Edward came in, the exact same look on his face. I rolled my eyes and looked at him.
" Edward he didn't mean a thing by it." I assured him. He came to me and wound his arm around my waist.
" I just don't think that was appropriate."
" He's my friend Edward, he can say what he likes."
" Yeah Eddie, calm down." Manny joked, but I could feel his anger rising. Unfortunately, he was protective of all of us; including me.
" Excuse me?" Edward asked, his arm leaving my side. I groaned and tried my hardest not to get angry. Manny stayed by Flora's side, his eyes black.
" Don't think you can waltz in here and just think you can order us around. We've been with Noleen for more than twenty years. We picked up the pieces after you left her to be changed by a monster." Manny spat.
" Manny-"
" No Noleen, don't defend him. I know you love him, and I know you two are meant for each other, but that doesn't change all that hurt he's caused you. Don't forget the nights you spent crying in a cell while waiting to see what Annebelle would do next." And with that, he left. Flora gave me an apologetic smile and left with him. I licked my lips and turned to Edward.
" Why did you have to do that Edward?"
" Bella-"
" Go look after Hope. I need to finish things up in here."
" Bella-"
" Just go Edward." I closed my eyes and leaned my hands against the counter. I could feel Edward's hand by my shoulder, then he was gone.
-&-
The moon was high in the night sky. I was in front of the pool, watching Kirasha swimming freely in the water. Her hair flowed around her, looking beautiful. She was at her best in water. The water seemed to sparkle with her in it, and I found myself a little jealous. I put my head on my hands and watched her gracefully swim. She came up from the water, a smile on her face. " I enjoy this pool." She said.
I laughed and nodded my head. " Yeah, it's pretty big."
" You like swimming?"
" I love swimming. It's very relaxing."
" I agree. Come in, swim with me."
I shrugged my shoulders and took off my clothes, leaving just my undergarments on. I stepped into the mildly warm pool. I let out a hum of satisfaction as I let the water flow up to my ears. Kirasha laughed and mirrored my actions, her hair flowed around her and only her eyes were above the water. " How do you do that?" I asked. She came up with a grin.
" My people can breathe underwater."
" I bet that comes in handy."
" It does."
I swirled my hands around, watching the water ripple around me. " Hey, show my some of your magic." I said after a few moments.
" Gladly." She waved her hands through the water and I watched the crystal clear water turn foggy. " This helps when our enemies are trying to attack." She clarified. I shook my head and watched as the water cleared. Then she rose her hands and mumbled something in her native language. Water shot out of the pool and formed a shield around us. I opened my mouth in surprise, looking at the misty shield of liquid around me.
" Woah," was all I could say.
" Hey Noleen, we need you in the conference room!" Ash yelled. Kirasha dropped her hands and rested them in the water. I rolled my eyes and jumped out of the pool.
" Tell the guys I'll be there in a moment." I turned to Kirasha and smiled. " Thanks for helping us."
" You are a friend Noleen, it is our duty to help our friends."
" Well anytime you need a hand, feel free to holler my name."
" I will keep that in mind."
I gathered my clothes in my hand and went back inside the house. I was on my way to the conference room when I felt a heat burning through my chest. I closed my eyes and collapsed to the ground. I could hear Annebelle's voice in my head, taunting me. Feed, feed on the innocent. Taste their blood, feel it slithering down your throat. I couldn't think, it was like she'd taken me over. So, I did the only thing I could do. I screamed.