Waking Up With Magic!

Chapter 14

By: ShadowsOfTheHeart

Note: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho!


It took me a long time to process all of what happen since I woke up. Between Hollybella, Hojo, and Kurama, I don't know what to do. I have to pull it together in order to help, to be there. I am not being left out again, not this time.

I finish tying off my French braided, damp hair and push away from my vanity mirror. I take a breath as Alistair's words fly behind my ears. I flush and shake my head. Consummate my marriage huh? Why the hell wasn't I told about that? I mean it's not like you know, sleeping with Kurama hasn't crossed my mind, I am a very healthy teenager, it's just, not something that's been talk about.

I suck in another breath while placing my head in my hands as I remembered how I threw myself at him. I had no control. It was like all my barriers where down and all I could think about was just, touching him. How the hell am I supposed to control that when I didn't even know I'd moved?

"Holly?"

I look up to see Alistair leaning agents my door frame. Odd for him, he usually just pops in uninvited. "Yes?"

"We need to talk, about, what happened down stairs" He said walking into my room letting the door slowly close behind him.

Oh I see what he didn't there; he just casted a blocking spell so that no one can hear us. I guess this isn't going to be a very pleasant conversation.

"I had no choice Alistair, he would have died if I didn't" I stop, as my eyes start to sting.

I push back the flood of oncoming tears and sit up.

"That isn't what I." He shaks his head "I'm sorry I got mad it was just a shock and well Holly, this urge you feel around him isn't going to go away until you, finish the contact."

He looks away from me then with a snap of him fingers, a black chair appeared in a sea of purple just inches in front me. I tried to hide my flush form his implying words. That and I think I was about to get the sex talk from my twin brother.

Quickly he sits in the chair facing me, taking my shaky hands in his he said "Listen and please don't be mad, but I talk it over with mother and we both believe, that due to your current situation it's best that you stay here, while we go get Hollybella and Hojo back."

I don't know what hit my first the anger or embarrassment. I snatch my hands back and slap him.I slowly stand as my brother holds his red cheek.

Red, heated angry fills my stomach as I yell "How dare you, they're my family! This is my fault! I'm going to get them back!"

"Holly just listen to me you won't be able to focus, you'll be useless!" he hisses back at me, quickly standing so he could loom over me. Showing me how much taller, how much stronger he is.

I lock my eyes with his "I am not useless!"

"You're not getting it, you will be. Your mind will be completely taken over with the need to"

"To touch him, I know that! But this isn't about what's going on in my head. This's yours and mother way of trying to protect me, locking me up like a child! I can help; I can help more than anyone else can!"

"You'll be in the way!"

"I'm going!"

"Holly don't make me."

"Don't make you what? Chain me up; shackle me in a dark basement. I'm going, I'm going to deal with that bitch Maria and I'm going to deal with Andrew, and there's nothing, nothing! Anyone can do to stop me!"

I take in a long breath as does my brother, he didn't want to stand down; he didn't want to lose. But I'm winning this fight.

"We can split into teams, there's nothing wrong with my head when I'm not around him. Like now" I say pulling the anger out of my voice.

"It's not you I'm worried about" He answers also pulling his anger.

"Then" I say sucking in a shaky breath remembering that no one can hear us right now. "We go; just us, me and you"

Alistair tilts his head and studies my face making sure I was serious. Oh I'm serious alright, if this was the only way I can fix this, then I'll gladly leave everyone behind, they don't need to get hurt because I couldn't handle an ex-boyfriend.

"Alright" he finally answers "But we will consult with Claudine, she's been tracking Maria for some time now because from what Hojo has told me, Maria has a member of her court under her dark spell."

This time I tilt my head "I didn't understand that"

"I thought Claudine told you she was a fairy?" He asks

"She did, and that was about it. She might have wanted to tell me more, but you know, shit kind of hit the fan." I say with a shrug trying to block out the image of him dying, covered in blood, his blood.

I shiver and sit back down. Alistair sits as well while running a hand through his hair. I suck in a breath waiting of him to go on.

"Claudine is a knight from the fay kingdom of Asterail. Before you ask, the fay world sits between the sprite world and ours, some call it a sub division of the sprite world, though they do not fall under spirt law."

"Wait, I read about this, it was in one of the books you gave me." I cut in remembering what I had read about the fairy kingdoms.

In truth I didn't think it was real, you think I would stop assuming things by now.

I suck in a breath as the words few back to me. Asterail was the 7th kingdom out of the seven kingdoms. They like the other six has an alit fairy guard called knights. There are powerful, smart, and are loyal to their kingdom. Those that are found to have deserted are jailed and excited. Normal fay, those not of noble blood, are free to cross between worlds, knights needed special permission or be on a mission.

"If Claudine is a fiery knight then the fairy Maria has under her controls either has to be another knight or a royal." I say shuttering at the thought.

"Yes, I had asked her that, she didn't reply" he answered meeting my eyes telling me the true answer.

Maria had a royal.

"But how?" I ask.

"A trick is all I can think of. She must have him bounded in some way, like how Kurama has a contract with mother." Alistair explains as his blues clouded over in thought.

"That would mean he freely signed a contract with her, if I recall from your lectures, it has to be signed in blood." I say trying to think of what Maria could have did to catch a fairy royal.

"Like I said, a tick. There's a saying in the others wolds to never be in a mages debt, your life in their hands is the catch."

I leaned back placing my hands behind my head. This has gotten complicated. Now we have to save a someone else. I close my eyes and let myself go. I remember Hojo teaching me how to use my voiding powers, a light went on. "Hey." I jump forwards making my brother flinch.

"Yeah?"

"You know how I can void magic.."

"In theory"

"Hey, I'm getting good at it, anyways, do you think I could void a contract?" I ask hopeful.

Alistair sat back and ran his hand over his chin, his eyes downcast as he went it over in his head.

"I don't know" he answered "But it's worth a try, because there would be no way Maria will willingly released her most powerful player."

"Okay, lets make a plan" I say while standing.

Alistair follows with a nod

"But" I quickly say "I don' want to involve Claudine, there's just to many people that's has their hands in this mess. The less we consult or ask, the better. This is our task, our mission. No-one else comes, okay?" I finish holding out my hand.

Alistair looks at my hand then my eyes, he sighs out a smile and takes my hand.

"Okay, just you and me"


Rosa opened the rose locket and gaze at the only family photo she had. Taken just minutes after the twins where born, before she knew what her baby would be. In that moment she was the happiest person alive. She closed the locket as Lucy enter the room, she didn't need anyone to know, that even though she had her children back, she still wasn't truly happy. The one person she desperately wanted back was no longer in her reach.

"Rosa do you think we should do check on Alistair and Holly, they've been talking a long time, and we can't, I mean, it's just." Lucy stumbled.

Rosa dropped the locket back agents her chest and said "I know how you feel, but we can't rush into this with out a proper plan, and I need Holly to understand that right now, with her being, in a difficult position, she'll only get in the way. I don't want her getting hurt for no reason."

Lucy sighed "I know, I didn't know how powerful" she stopped as her face flushed.

Rosa chuckled "Demon matting? Normally it isn't that strong, but I believe this is the first time that he has been mixed with a mag marriage spell. It may have, amplified the effects."

"But Kurama and Holly are still so young" Lucy said hiding her red cheeks.

"That's odd coming from you, if you haven't forgotten you married my son when you where six." Rosa pointed out "And though I still want Holly to be a child, she'll be 18 next month, hardly a child, I really have no say in the matter."

Rosa turned from Lucy and walked towards her small cherry wood desk. She didn't want the sadness in her eyes to be seen, or the envy that Lucy knew her child better the her.

Lucy not missing the sadness chose not to speak on it, she knew this was painful for Rosa, to have finally found her family only to be an outsider. A part of her wanted Rosa and John to fine one another, reconcile, be a family with Holly and Alistair, but, she didn't want her own family to be broken, or, break her mothers heart.

"I'll go and see if Holly and Alistair are finished" Lucy said breaking the cold.

"No, I will, knowing Alistair he may have put a blocking spell on the room so on one can over hear." Rosa said just a static filled the air.

"What the.." Lucy cut in only for Rosa to spin around with a chant on her lips.

She shot out her arms to cancel the spell, but nothing happened. In seconds the house was locked in a binding spell so strong that Rosa could not break it. She cursed, this spell was use to seal a place, and in that place no magic could be used.

"They didn't!" Rosa swore and rushed out of the office.

Lucy followed, also knowing what this spell meant. It took them only second to reach Holly's room, only to find Kurama and Micheal banding on the door.

"Micheal" Rosa shouted reaching them.

"It's no use" he said in anger. "We can't get in, and the house is sealed."

"Why would they.." Lucy stopped knowing the answer, "Damn them, damn it Holly! She knew there would be no why we were going to let her go, so she, damn it.!"

"Convinced Alistair to let her go, as long as if was just them" Kurama swore with a punch to the door. "Rosa can you break this spell?" He added not hiding the anger or gold in his demonic eyes.

"It will take some time, this isn't like a barrier spell. As long as we are locked in here I can't not use magic, but, is doesn't effect demonic energy. You are going to have to break this spell. But like I said it will take sometime."

"Just tell me what I have to do."


"This place it like a fortress" I say as we appeared outside of Marie's strong hold, aka, her house/castle/to much gothic iron.

"It never use to look like this." Alistair said lost in a memory.

"Maria has bad taste" I say

"Very, can you pick up on Hollybella?" He asks with a strong look down at me.

"Yes" I answer "She's on the roof, but theres something off about it. Like its a different space then the rest of the house."

"I can feel it too, sub-dimensions, its a hard spell. She has more magic then I first thought, Holly I think"

"Do even" I cut it glaring at him. "We're in this together, now fly us up there and brake thought that spell."

He smiles a laugh at me before take my waist. He interlocks his fingers behind my back and pulls me close to him. In seconds beautiful red wings give a wosh form his back as blue feathers flutter around us. I secure my arms around his neck.

"Hold on tight, last thing I need is for you to fall and have to tell mother why." I notice he let out Kurama, I don't even want to think about that.

"Will do" I answer as we lift off the ground.


"Did you get it?" Maria asked her soulless captive.

Kimura unwillingly held up the rusted doubled blade sword. It's once ivory handle was still crested with dried blood, under the iron rust small vine like engravings could be seen, telling them that it was once much more than a sword. Mare twist her lips in smile of delight and pointed to a glass table to her left, on it sat a blue satin pillow, long enough to capture the swords full length. Kimura nodded and obeyed the unspoken command, he kept his eyes down case in hops he wouldn't have to see the bounded Hojo, or be reminded of what he has done.

To think that he, a fairy born royal would be subjected to suck dishonour and embarrassment. For him to be tricked like he was; to be bounded to a created his kind has been hunting and killing for centuries was despicable, disgraceful, and the shame, the shame was becoming too much for him. His mother once told him he was too kind, too gentle, and that such treats would be his downfall, as it was his fathers.

Kimura shook his thoughts away and place the sword on the pillow. He watched as the satin crumpled under the old artifacts weight and it just reminded him more of how his life has crumple into nothing. Retracting his hands he caught the flickers of the red magical bounds that caged him, it burned reminding him that this was his own foolish mistake.

Three months ago

Kimura stood outside of the school gates, the wind was different here, it wasn't as clean and it was heavy. He didn't care, after years of bagging and pleading he would finally be able to attend school, and study like his guarding fairy knights. He wanted to know everything, experience everything before ascending the throne.

A stray cherry blossom passed by his nose as laughter and swearing caught his ears. Slowly he turned around and saw the red head that was void, Hollybella Jones, known as Holly. This was the main reason he chose this school. It was a shock to the fay world when the news of a living void user was alive and learning magic. It also a shock to learn that for centuries their slaughter was nothing more than a mad mans greed for power. Still the fay world was uneasy with the news and they too wanted to know what void magic really was.

Fairy knights from all seven kingdoms where sent out to observe and report but not to interact. His own head knight was attending this school, but she was placed here long before the news came out. That was his opening, his in, basically his ace in the whole.

Carefully he watched as Holly snap a nasty remake at her step-sister, the healing mage Tskui, known to be called Lucy. Yes he knew much about them, and their family, of what he could gather from follow students. They were close as real sisters, and they had a brother, Lucy's twin and high level war mage, Hojo. He wasn't known to walk with them to or form school, but rumour had it he was protective of his sisters, step or not. There was also a rumour about the schools most famous student having a slight interest in Holly, but due to conflicting stories and the fan club being a bit, murderous, nothing was confirmed.

So far he had gather that Holly was very must a normal person outside of having magic. There was nothing dangerous about her, in all, she just seemed happy. Especially right then as he watched Lucy wave off Holly's remark and slap her on the back making Holly either blush or angry. A boy appeared next to them in a pop of red and blue magic. Both girls jumped and quickly looked around to make sure no one saw. Kimura quickly rounded the school gate. He would never live it down if he blew his cover on the first day.

He let out a breath as the boys image appeared in his head, he knew him, is was Alistair Allard, future head of the war mage circle and rumoured, throughout the realms to be Holly's twin brother. Most fay and mages still don't believe the story that was told at the spring summit, by the current head, Rosabella Allard. Though her brother Michael and now alive again twin Hollybella backed up the story and its events, but even for the fay it seemed a little farfetched.

"Excuse me"

Kimura jumped startled by the small voice. He turned around and met the stormy grey eyes of a blond, frail looking girl. She looked to be around his age, or younger, he couldn't tell form her baggy school uniform. Her face was pretty in a cute way, a slight upturned nose, round cheeks and sharp chin. It was very clear that this girl wasn't from Japan.

"Yes" he asked in English as she had spoken to him.

"I just transferred here and I need to report to the main office, could you perhaps do me a favour and guide me there?" She asked while twirling a piece of her long golden locks.

He flushed and nodded, he knew the way because he was given an after school tour by Claudine. "Please follow me" he said not seeing the flash in her eyes.

"Thank you I'm in your debt." She said hiding a knowing smile. "My name is Maria Kelson"

Not knowing the danger he was in or the chain of events he started Kimura smiled warmly and said "I'm Kimura Tal Asteral."

"Asteral, what a unique name" Maria said as the pair entered the school.

"So is Kelson, but if you like you can call me Kimura, calling me by my last name seems a bit, strange" He laughed as they turned down a strangely empty hall way.

"Yes, the customs here are very different from England; I'm still trying to get use to them and the language. But it is nice to speak English when I can. Where are you from? You're accent is a little, different, like there's a hint of Irish but a bit of French." Maria said as the air started to become cold.

Static filled the air making Kimura stop.

"What is it?" She asked as frost started to cover the windows.

"I don't know" he answered feeling strange yet powerful magic fill the air. "Get behind me" he ordered as he readied himself to call on his magic.

"It's so cold, I can stop shivering" Maria called.

Kimura spun around just in time to see the monster that had latched on to Marie's neck.

"Vampire" he hissed.

Blood spilled down Maria's frail pale neck, soaking in her the pink blouse. She wasn't aware of what was happening to her, vampires where not like the stories. They could come out in the day, silver doesn't kill them, they are not undead, and when they bight you don't feel it or know.

Kimura pushed his fay magic out making the wind sharp and deadly. He used that wind to move fast, instead like behind the vampire. With a flick of his wrist he grabbed the joints of the vampires jaw and squeezed much like how you would restrain a dog. The vampire let go, spitting blood as Maria fell forward onto the cold floor. At seeing Maria safe Kimura moved his other arm around and quickly snapped the creatures' neck.

The sounds of bone snapping sicken him but he had to do it, as he had been done for years. Not looking at the vampire corps he stepped over it to attend to the bleeding Maria. Carefully he knelt down and turned the girl over, at the same time placing his right hand on her neck. In seconds the blood stopped and colour spread across Maria's face. It would take a day to know if the girl had contract the blood sucking virus. He felt sick, this was his fault he should have sensed the monster before it managed to latch onto her. Though he saved her life, he may have damned her for eternity and in the end, he may have to truly kill her.

Lightly Maria stirred and reached out her hand, Kimura grabbed it as the blond opened her glassy grey eyes.

"I'm sorry" he whispered readying himself to tell the girl what her fate may be.

"It's wasn't your fault" she whispered between cracked lips.

"No it was, it was my mistake, your fate is my fault and I wish I could something, anything to change this, to help you." He pleaded hiding his tears of shame.

So ridden by his grief he didn't see the smile that twisted her lips or the flash of evil in her eyes. Using her nail she picked into his finger so smoothly and quick he did not feel it. "Do you promise to he help me no matter what?" she asked sliding her hand form his.

"Yes, till the end" he whispered.

"Thank You" she said in a whispered of a laugh.

The room vanished to nothing but white; a contract appeared before him with the words he had spoken. It was then he realized what he had done and what was done to him.

"Kimura Tal Asteral, Prince of the seventh kingdom of the seven kingdoms" Maria laughed appearing beside him.

He couldn't move, as she grabbed onto his cut hand "It's amazing how many holes there are in these contracts. It states that you have to willingly speak your promise, admit your fault, but doesn't say anything about the caster not telling the pardon that they are being recorded in secrete nor does it say you have to willingly singe in blood yourself. I guess they just assumed that anyone willingly to make a contract was already willingly to cut for blood."

She laughed as she pressed his bleeding hand to the golden magic. "And did you know a signature could be anything, not just a name. It could be a stamp, an X mark or a simple bloody figure print." She laughed "The counsel didn't feel it necessary to specify that one, again when you hear signature you automatically think your name."

She laughed harder as the magically contract glue in a blinding gold light before bursting in a sea of particles. Kimura could do nothing as those particles stretched and bended into chains; chains that attacked him, latching onto his arms, his chest, his legs and most of all his soul.

The space around him imploded and collapsed, sending him back to the human world, back into the school yard where he had first met his doom. He wobbled as the effects of the contract wore off. He took in a deep breath as his senses came back to him. Looking around he notice that he was back at the school gates, it was like time didn't pass at all, and for fleeing minute he thought it was all a dream. But the burning contract told him it wasn't so.

He spun around to the front looking for Maria as he did someone crashed into his shoulder sending his bag crashing to the ground.

"Oh damn, are you okay" came a sweet voice. "You moved too fast and we caught shoulders" followed in laughter.

Kimura turned back around and tensed as he met dark green eyes, red hair and a kind smile. He had to stop himself from saying her name. She was tall for a girl, just a few inches shorter them him, reaching his nose. Her pink blouse looked a little too small as it hugged her body a little too well. He hid his blush as he took note of her long eye lashes, small Roman nose and full pink lips.

"Let me get your things" She quickly said as she moved away from him and quickly picked up his fallen things.

He watched as her red hair, high in a ponytail, flew around her like silk as she stood and rushed back towards him. "Everything looks okay" she muttered stopping just short of him and holding out the bag.

Kimura took it without a word; she smiled at him and opened her mouth to speak but was cut off rather sharply.

"Holly where in god's name do think you're going! I didn't transfer here for fun!"

"Oop's caught" Holly said as Kimura saw Alistair walking rather fast towards them.

"Bye, and if you can trip him as he passes you'd be a big help" Holly rushed out as she dashed away skidding around the school gate.

Kimura watched as her red hair disappeared out of sight and just as Alistair passed that same gate he whisper a song of wing making the war mage fall flat on his face. Making sure he vanish before he was caught, he shifted back to his rental apartment, only to find a head of blond sitting on his couch, drinking tea and reading. His chains burned as her stormy eyes caught him and held him in place.

Placing down her tea cup she said "looks like you met Holly, good because she's the one who I want destroyed, along with everything she holds dear."

Kimura dropped his bag as dread filled him.

"And you're going to help me fairy prince, because you have no choice."

He dropped to his knees as his whole world came crashing down.

Present

Kimura stepped back from the fallen sword as a light whimper caught his ears. He didn't have to look to know it was Hollybella struggling agents her bindings. But it was no use, even if she got free she was several feet off the main floor, 30 feet to be precise, on a white column only barley wide enough to hold two people. There was no redemption from this.

"You may go" Maria commanded "I will call you back soon, but be close" she added with a snap.

Kimura turned to her, careful to avoid looking at Hojo and bowed. "As you wish" he muttered before silver wind swapped him away.

Maria draped in red knelt in front of Hojo and said "the final piece is here, once you break the blood seal then I will finally be rid of this reached body, and you and I will finally have the life that was stolen."

Hojo struggled agents his bindings.

"Oh dear, I forgot about the gage" she laughed snapping her fingers.

The gag misted away in red, Hojo shook away the magic and said "I'll never break the seal you crazy bitch"

"My, my, still with the dirty mouth" she hissed standing. "This isn't a choice my dear, if you don't I'll simply kill the girl, and you know what the means"

Hojo swore remembering what she said about how killing Hollybella could possibly somehow kill Holly herself. He couldn't let that happen, this wasn't just about one life, or his personal feelings. There was simply no choice.

"Alright" he snapped

Maria's ruby lips twisted and asked "Oh, what was that?"

Hojo clenched his jaw "I said alright!"

"Oh I knew you would see things my way" she said with a snap her fingers.

Red mist dissolved Hojo's bindings setting him free. "Now be careful, if you attack me, she dies" she taunted pointing up.

Hojo looked up and saw, Andrew sitting on a glass rafter, his eyes red, his hands claws, he was not in control.

Hojo clenched his fist "I won't"

"Good, now if you will please pick up the sword. As soon as you touch it, the sword should reacted to you, as it does cast a breaking spell." Maria instructed.

"Okay"


"Remember to case the dissolving spell the same time as me" Alistair instructed as we hovered above the castle roof.

To the normal human eye it looked like any other flat top roof, complete with its own garden and pool. But I can feel the power swirling around it, I can see the slight ripple of air as the spaces collide.

"I know" I say back and removing my right arm from around his neck. "Just don't drop me" I add feeling unsteady.

"I won't just don't squirm" he snaps.

"Right, right" I wave off and put my hand out in front of me.

"Remember, you have to want it, need it." He reminds me as he has always done in our lessons.

"I know"

"Okay, take a breath"

I do as told and he as well. As we let out that breath we start to chant. I pull with everything I have as my void magic builds in my stomach. In seconds our chants ends and we both pull our arms back and release the dissolving spell. It hit the invisible barrier and shattered it like glass. Without a second thought as the barrier started to melt away, we descended down in to the white space. And white it is, this whole is space is white, even with the outer barrier down.

As my feet touch the whit floor, that I'm pretty sure is marble, I look around. There is glass rafters crisscrossing about I say 20 feet above us. To my right is a tall oval column reaching high above those rafters. My eyes lock to it, I know, somehow that's where Hollybella is.

"There" I point.

"It's too quiet" Alistair points out.

And he's right, there's something about this space something, off. "It's feels weird and, bendy."

"Bendy?" he questions as he searches the room.

"Like the space is bent" I say trying to understand what I'm saying myself.

"Sub-dimensions in sub-dimensions" He said taking my waist. "They might not know where here" he adds making his wings once again appear.

Red and blue feathers scatter around us "So that barrier?" I ask as we lift off the floor.

"Just one of many" he hisses as we ascend into the air, making sure to avoid hitting the rafters.

"Then how to we see?" I ask as we fly above the column only to fine it empty.

"Damn it, she's there" I snap.

"We need to make the sub-dimensions visible." He states as we land on top of the column.

I take a step forwards so I won't have to look over the edge. "And how do we do that?'

"By smashing down one of the walls" he answers like it was nothing.

I hate him sometimes "How do we do that, do you see any walls, smart ass?"

He smiles at me, scaring me, and says "You said Hollybella was right here, right"

"Yes" I say taking a step back.

"Then we have our wall" he answers.

But before I can get him to clarify he chants a spell I've never heard and slams his hands into the column floor. The column shakes cause me to stumble, trip, and land on my butt. In seconds it's over and everything just, shatters. Silver dust scatters as the sound of falling dominos drown out the angry screams I think I heard.

"Holly?" I heard as I force the dust away from my face.

Alistair chants another spell making the dust vanish and everything just goes silent. I don't care as my eyes look up at Hollybella who is literally right in front of me. Anger rushed me as I see how she is suspended off the column, hands above her head. I jump up, thanking god I was tall for a girl and grab the dagger that Alistair gave me before we left the house and sliced through the rope. Hollybella drops like a rock; I somehow catch her and not stab her at the same time.

"Are you okay?" I say as she kneels in front of me.

I quickly cut off the remaining rope and crush her in a hug.

"Just tired and hurting" she mutters as I push her back "What are you doing here?" she adds.

"Saving you" I snap turning to Alistair "We need to get her down"

"Okay" he says with a warm smile.

I start to stand so I can help Hollybella but stumble as cutting wind hits my ears. I don't have time to react as something flies pass me. I turn as hot air stings my face and see Alistair fly off the column and into the air. It takes me a second to realize that someone's attacking him.

"What the hell!" I scream rushing to the edge.

I try push down my panic as I see the glass walls that separated this space, open up as Alistair gets hurled into it, it's hard to see as the space wall closes shut, trapping him and his attacker. I can't make him out, it's blurry and, the attacker's features are nothing I know, but in the back of my head I know who it is.

Angry laughter catches my ears, I looked down to see Maria and Hojo in another space, glassed off like the others.

Hojo is holding a rusted old sword and Mara is; well I believe she's throwing a hissy fit. She's storming around shouting at him, I can't quite hear because they're too far, but I caught something about, not being right, it wasn't right. I push that aside, Hojo isn't chained so he should be able to do something to hold her off. I turn back to Hollybella and help her stand.

"We're getting out of here" I say as I run my hands over her shoulders.

"You can't fly" she points out giving her body a shake. "And why are you dressed like that?" she adds like we aren't in mortal danger.

I sigh, "Typical you almost die and you're worried about my choice of clothing."

"It's just, you look like Rosa when she first started out" she said, her voice dropping.

I flinch remembers her death "It's just clothes, and I wanted to look the part" I say defending my war mage attire.

It's not anything special, just a white t-shirt under and black combat vest, black cargo pants and combat books. I even added the black fingerless gloves that I've seen both Hojo and Alistair ware.

"Enough of this, we're getting out of here" I snap grabbing her hand.

"But."

"I know, I can't fly, but I can shift" I snap.

"Just wait, you can't shift out of here, there's to many the sub-dimensions and you could get us lost or worst." She rushes out before I can move us.

I look down at her, "Then how"

"You have to get out the same way you came in, fly, but since you can't" she went on.

I sigh "Want about shifting in the same sub-dimension?" I ask.

"That will work"

"Okay" I sigh again picturing us at the base of the column.

I snap my fingers sending us to the bottom in a scatter of electrum dust. As we get or barring's I ready us to run, but cold amber eyes stops me as Andrew lands just feet from me. I push Hollybella behind me as a cold child runs up my spine. I look over at the sub-dimension that Maria is in, Hojo is bound and gagged, tied to some glass poll and Maria is giving me a winning look. She vanishes and before I can do anything she's in front of me, and she's pissed.

"How dare you tick me!" She screams at me, her face twisting in a ugly way.

I on the other hand are stunned, "I don't believe I've trick you"

Her blond head of curls start to rise around her; I shield Holly more with my body. I look be-young the pissed crazy ass bitch Maria and lock eyes with Andrew, hoping that he'll see the look of help in my eyes. To my horror he does't even bat an eye. What the hell is wrong with him, all that talk about how he wants me back and he's just standing there while this bitch goes bat shirt crazy. What the hell is going in in that stupid head if his?

"You're the only one that knew about me, about what I needed!" Maria screams breaking my thoughts.

Now I'm getting pissed "Listen crazy, I don't know what the hell you're talking about!"

Maria eyes flash red; as her hair stars to trash around her like angry sakes. I don't believe she liked my answer.

"Do not play your mind games with me void user, I know what you can see, I know you trick me, made me believe that Hojo was the one with the power! I can't believe I was tricked by you, a baby mage, a useless mage!" She screams clenching her red nailed fist.

I further block Hollybella squaring off with this, thing, bitch be crazy. "Listen here you psychopath, I am not a baby or useless!"

"Holly you're missed the point" Hollybella said tugging at my shirt.

"That cunt just said I was.."

"Forget that, didn't you hear her say that Hojo wasn't the one? Look at her, something isn't right" She points out as I lock eyes with the witch again.

Maria's glowing red, her eyes are black, cold and demon like. She thinks I'm playing with her, I don't know why, I thought this whole thing was about Hojo. Am I wrong, did I miss the mark? Now the question is; how do I ask Maria what she means, without her ripping out my heart and using it like a hacky sack? I take a breath, as a thought clicks in, maybe I can trick her into telling me what the hell is going on.

Okay, hopefully I don't end up vampire chow.

"Maria" I say carefully so she doesn't blast me to bits.

Our eyes lock and I shiver from the emotionless void that has taken over.

"I didn't mean to tick you, but you brought this on yourself. Taking Hollybella? Really, how was Hojo supposed to stay away? If you would have awaited maybe a day, then all of us would have come after you. After all you did try to kill Kurama and Alistair. Kurama is a demon, remember, and demons aren't to found of getting stabbed in the stomach. They don't tent to let that go"

Maria took in what I said, her hair starts to calm, and the power around her less in glow. This may work after all.

"All of you, even Lucy?" she asks with a look towards the opened barrier.

I glance at Hojo as it all clicks. The sword he was holding, the angry way Maria laughed and shouted at him. She had the wrong twin. Oh shit. That means Lucy inherited the magic the once sealed the original.

Three Nights Ago

I flop down as I yet again fail to void Hojo's magic. The evil bastard's laughing at me.

"Why can't I do it?" I stress feeling defeated.

"I told you, you've only been learning magic for five months, this won't happen overnight." He answers squatting down in front of me.

"But"

"I know, you need to do this to win, listen the thing with magic is that you need to want it, more than anything, more than your life" Hojo said with a distance look.

I sigh "I know Alistair tents to repeat that every time I fail."

"Just don't be scared"

"It's hard not to when six months ago I didn't know anything about nothing."

"How about we take a brake" Hojo states as he proceeds to sit cross lagged in front of me.

"Okay" I say and point to the bag behind him "What's in that? The last few weeks I've seen you and Alistair rushing about with old books and dusty files."

"I was hoping you wouldn't notice that" he answers in a hush.

"Ah ha, don't pull that shit, what's going on?" I snap

"It's a case" he answers like that would satisfy me.

"About?"

"You can not say a word if I tell you, especially to the fox."

I nod, letting the fox comment slide.

"Magic levels have been spiking in the last three months, and it isn't you. The elders believe that an old power has resurfaced, so I was told to investigate because the original mage that seal that power was my ancestor." He explains with a snap of his fingers making the files appear before us.

In a rush of blue partials pages and pages of old notes and stories encircled us. "There are so many stories, so many different accounts that I can't tell what's fact or fiction. The only thing I know for sure is that a sword that use in the battle was use as vestal to capture the creature's soul. A blood locking spell was placed on it so only those that inhered the mages power could unseal it, if need be."

I tilt my head "So you have that power?"

"I don't know, they only why to know is to touch the sword, but its lock away deep in the Circles vaults. I don't think even Rosa could bark in there."

"So it could be Lucy" I point out.

"Could be, she is my sister."

"And twin" I add.

"Only in the material sense, we're fraternal twins, if you haven't noticed."

"Ah ha, ha"

Present

I glance at Hojo then at the rust sword that's laying just feet from him. He isn't the one, he couldn't break the spell, that can openly mean that Lucy's the inheritor. Maria took the wrong twin, she fell for the wrong twin, that's means she isn't really in love with Hojo but the power.

I'm not regretting locking my family in that sealing barrier now.

"We need to break that wall" I whisper with a small glance behind me while Maria's lost in her anger and delusions. "Do you think I can break it?"

Hollybella takes my hand "You can, but if your control isn't perfect, you could end up shattering the whole sub-dimension and killing everyone inside."

I squeeze her hand and focus back on Maria "I can do it" I lowly whisper putting the fact I could kill everyone I love out of my mind.

I need to free Hojo, get the sword and somehow, get it as far away form Maria as I possible can. There's no way I'm getting Lucy involved in this, she isn't a fighter, and I know she still believe that deep down, and I mean deep, that Maria's still a good person. There has to be way to fix this mess without someone getting killed.

"Where is Lucy?" Maria asks as her lifeless eyes lock onto mine once again.

"I don't know" I answer in a flat tone.

"You don't?" She hisses back eyes flashing red "You dare lie to me!"

Red energy whips around her fast and sharp, damn it, why can't I be even pretend to be nice to this witch? But no, my mouth had to go and make her angry again. God damn it.

"Tell me where she is!" She screams in s rush of power.

I don't have time to react as that power hits me square on. Pain explodes in the chest, I catch my scream and stumble back into Hollybella. I feel her hands on my back, pushing me to stay up right.

"Stop lying!" I hear Maria scream.

Again before I can do anything Maria's in front of me. Her eyes glowing red, her hair like snacks ready to rip my eyes out. We're eyes level, I don't look away to see why, I can't change it.

"I'm not..aug!" I chock

She has be by the neck, I hadn't even seen her move.

"I can tell when people are lying dear Holly and for someone like you who painfully tells the truth too often, lying isn't something your good at. You have too much emotion in your eyes, just like that zombie behind you. Now I will ask you again, and please be honest, though I can't kill you, I can snap your aunts pretty little neck."

I don't answer her right away, while she was ranting I been gather power into my hand. These no way in hell I'm going to let her hurt Hollybella.

"Go to hell" I snap grabbing her arm.

With all the want and need I have in me I push my power into her arm. Electrum light burst out in split second it took for our sink to make contact. Maria screams as her arms snaps in a unnatural way. Her ugly clawed had drops from my neck setting me free. I don't look at Maria as she screams from her broken arm, if she really is a vampire, then that bone won't stay broken for long.

I take Hollybella's hand and run. I run towards the broken barrier, if I can get outside of this place then I an get Hollybella safely away so I can try to break this stupid mess of sub-dimension.

I don't get far as Andrew appears before me making stop in a skid. Hollybella smacks into me almost throwing me to the floor. I steady us and quickly glance behind me, Maria is up on her feet and her arm isn't mangled anymore. Damn it. I lock my eyes with Andrews emotionless ambers. What the did she do to him, or yet what deal did he make with her?

"I got your back" I hear Hollybella say, "Maria is still confused and her arm is still healing, try to get the were to talk. I know it's digging up old wounds but we're cornered. You need to get him close enough to you so you can break the bonds.." She adds.

"I don't even know if I can do that?" I snap in a whisper.

"This is a good time as any to try" she snaps back at me.

"Okay" I say to myself and block out Maria's weird cray of, I don't even want to know.

Digging up old wounds she said, she has no idea. This going to be like cutting open a healed scar. Will more like stabbing. I take in a breath.

"How much time?" I ask

"A few minutes" Hollybella stats back with a silent snap to hurry the hell up.

I take a break and try to remember the Andrew I once knew.

"Drew" I call out the nickname I gave him as a kids.

He didn't like to be called Andy or Dallas his last name.

His hands flinch, okay this might work, "Remember, you use to call be Bella, because you said Holly reminded you of flowers, and you hated flower because of your allergies."

His hands flinch again, this time clinching them, yes this is working. "Remember, when my father told you to stop calling me Bella, remember how angry he was over a stupid nickname? Remember how you argued it down to be HB? Remember how I started calling you AD as a joke?"

This time his head twitch, yes I'm getting through.

"Hurry Holly, Maria's starting to come back to her seance." Hollybella whispered.

I take a breath "Remember my 12th birthday? That was the day you told me you liked me more then a friend, and gave me my first kiss"

Something changed in his eyes, that sharp glow of amber seems to be settling. I feel Maria's power start to rush again, I'm out of time. I only have one last chance, I place my hand over my heart.

"Do you remember how I gave you a gift, on my birthday, and how silly you thought that was. Remember, it's on your finger now! The silver band engrave with HB plus AD!" I shout with tears streaming down my cheeks.

Andrew jerks backwards with a hand to his heart. Yes, it's working, even if it's tearing out my own heart.

"Holly!" Hollybella screams in panic.

I spin around making it in time to grad Hollybella's arm and hurl her out of the way just as I get slammed into the floor, hard. I'm dazed as air ruses out of my lungs. I don't get a chance to move before Maria pulls me of the floor by my hair. I hold my in screams as my hair pulls from my body weight.

"That wasn't nice!" She snaps pulling me eye level.

I reach up and grab onto her arm and try to push my power at her. Nothing happens, now I'm ready to start panicking.

"Ha, did you really think I would fall for that again?" She snaps showing me her dripping fans.

I push down a scream and try not to look them.

"It was worth a try" I hiss out.

Maria pulls my hair harder, again I hold in a scream and clutch her arm tighter in mine.

"I was going to wait before ending you, but you've got a hero complex going on and it's annoying." Maria snaps spitting at me.

I cringe and try not to think about the fact I have her saliva in my face and say "You can't kill me."

"Oh, but I can try" she laughs while raising her free hand. "I'm pretty sure if I rip off that pretty head of yours.."

"Let her go!" Hollybella screams grabbing onto Maria's free arm.

"Oh, sorry, I forgot about you" Maria stats flicking Hollybella off only to quickly grab onto one her pigtails.

Hollybella whippers but doesn't give Maria the pleasure of screaming. I on the other hand am freaking out, Hollybella should have ran, looked for a way out. I don't know if i'm pissed our happy that should would risk her life for me. But I can't let that bitch hurt her.

"I'm the one you want, Lucy loves me, if you hurt me, or try and kill me she'll never give you want you want. She'll never be yours!"

Maria pulls her attention back to me, just like I want.

"Didn't you know, Lucy's has a thing for girls, even if she's hopelessly in love with my brother." I snap.

"That's makes it impossible!" She snaps pulling my hair again, but loosen her grip on Hollybella.

I take my free hand on reach behind my back where I had stashed Alistair dagger. It's a double blade and sharp, i'm going to have to move fast for this to work. I glance in Andrews direction, his just standing there with his hand over his heart watching us, conflicted. I hope I reached him because jerk or not I could use some of that werewolf power right about now.

"How is it impossible?" I ask grabbing the hilt of the dagger.

"Are you stupid? She married Alistair when they where kids, nothing can brake that, nothing! I can't use her if she's dead!" Maria snaps jerking me towards her, just like I want.

In that moment I pull out the danger and quickly slice through Hollybella hair. She falls back with a thug as she hit the floor I go for a stab at Maria stomach and yell at my aunt to run. She scurries back as a rush of wing wraps around me, and a strong hand grabs mine. I don't need to look back to know it's Andrew.

"Holly!" I hear Hollybella scream.

"Just run!" I scream back and struggle with the dagger.

"But, argh… do it now!" she screams.

I glance at her, then at the angry Maria because she's just as trapped as me in at Andrews arm. I'll have to let go of the dagger, and I don't even know if this is going to work but I don't time, Maria isn't a complete idiot. I don't have time. I drop the dagger and grab onto Andrews arm as I take a breath and pull with everything, wanting this, no not wanting, needing this more then my life, my being.

In second worlds start to form in my head and I speak without hesitation, it's time to stop being afraid of my powers.

"Andrew Grey Dallas I void your contract!"

Everything happens fast, electrum dust wraps around his arm like snacks. Quickly it runs up his arm making him pull away in a violent jerk. Maria throws me aside and she screams in, I think pain. I hit the floor in a roll just as powerful wing blows over me sucking the air form my lungs. I cover my face with my arms as blinding light explodes around me. Before I know it, it's over.

"Holly" I hear as small hands pull my arms down.

My eyes meet Hollybella worried greens.

"Are you okay?" She asks

I roll over and push myself up "Yeah" I breath out "Just got the wing knocked out of me." I add looking towards Andrew and Maria.

Maria is on her knees holding her head and Andrew, he's just standing there looking at his hands. My heart sinks, did I mess it up?

I push myself to stand with Hollybella's help. As I lock my knees, Andrews looks up, we lock eyes and he smiles. My heart does a flip, that's the Andrew I remember, that stupid lopsided smile. I let out a breath I didn't I was holding as he rushes towards me, he doesn't give Maria a second looks as she makes a swipe at him as he passes. She must be in pain, could it have been form the contract brake?

I push that aside as Andrew stops just short of me, and holds out his hand, our silver ring glittering more the ever. I take that hand in mine and smile forgetting why I was angry at him.

"Andrew I.."

He pulls me into a bar hug, I'm to stunned to to react. Soon he pushes me back and hold me at arms length.

"Thank you for releasing me"

I smile "You're welcome, but we don't have time for this" I quickly say glancing at the glass like sub-dimension walls.

I pull back from his touch as sadness crosses his eyes, but the malice and anger is gone. Was he under her spell this while time? I shake my head and say "Please take Hollybella and get her as far away form as you can."

"Hollybella?" He questions looking down to my left.

"My god she looks just like you" he states just as Maria's lets out a blood curdling scream.

"No time for that!" I snap " Just grab her and run"

"No, I'm not leaving!" She snaps pulling on my hand.

"Yes you are, Andrew please, use you werewolf powers and just run" I plead.

"How did you.."

"I don't have time, we don't have time.. just please Drew take her and go!" I snap at seeing Maria get to her feet.

He nods, his honey eyes flashing as he quickly reaches out and grabs Hollybella by the hand and in seconds she in hers arms and they're gone in a push of wild wind.

"NO!" Maria's screams thrusting out her hand.

I don't have time to warm them as I spin around just as her power hits them. Red energy encircles them, trapping them in a glass like cage that's suspend off the floor. I see the cut in the space as a wall forms around them. Damn she's lock them in another sub-dimension. But she didn't kill them, at least for now.

I face off with Maria and start to channel my powers, if i can break a blood bound contact then I can break these sub-dimension walls.

"You're in my house!" She screams facing off with me. "And you!" she snaps pointing at me "If I can't kill you then I'm going to destroy what you love, one person at a time!"

Wind hits me knocking me back as her words hit my heart. I spin to Hollybella and Andrew in panic, I have to get them out of there.

"I'm going to start with the one person that's loved you for years and all you did was ignore his feelings, while playing the happy family." She hisses at me while snapping her fingers.

She's gone in a rush of red, my hearts drops as I whip around towards the sub-dimension that Hojo's trapped in. My heart catches as she appears before him arm raised. I run without thinking, I can't let her kill him, not Hojo, not my brother, my friend, my family! Tears spill as I run, I run faster then I could even think. In seconds I slam into the glass like wall that's keeping me from saving him.

Maria is talking to him but I can't hear. I look to my left at the hazy wall where I know Alistair is, all I can see are blurs flickering in and out. That means he can't see us, he can't help.

My stomach drops, why did we come here alone? Why was I so stubborn about this? Mother could do something, so could Kurama. I can't fight, I'm not an ace magical user, I'm not a war mage. Maria was right I am, "Just don't be scared" I snap my head up as Hojo's words play in my head. Suddenly everyone's voice is in my head, voices telling me it's okay, don't give up, you're the most powerful, you just need to want it, spells are nothing but wishes, you can make your own spells.

"That's right" I whisper as I place my hands on the sub-dimension wall. "I can make my own."

I let my panic drain away as Maria steps back from Hojo at the same time making a long spear appear. I drop my hands as every bit of angry, sadness, happiness, and well power pools into my hands. I focus on the walls, breaking them all, but not the sub-dimension's them selves, I just need a door. Somethings snaps and clicks inside of me as I let all my fear go. Power like I never known fills every cell and I don't wait. I push my hands agents the wall.

"Break" I whisper.

Everything shapers in electrum shards.

I push again "break" I whisper again making then next wall shatter.

I step through the shards, they turn into flower peddles as they touch me.

"Vanish" I say pushing my arms out.

In a rush of wind all the shards, vanish. In a jerk the wind everything stops just as I come face to face with Maria. This time I'm the one who's smiling.

Spoiler.

"See I told you" I say with a giggle happy that I finally did what every mage first learns.

"Lets just get down, I'm done, like really done." She says looking a little green.

"Okay" I giggle just as my new powers disappear and everything starts to fall.

We scream like the girls we are, holding on for dear life hoping to god one of the guys down theres saves us.