Warning: Mention of drugs.
A few minutes had passed, an uneasy stillness settling over the scene as if time itself held its breath. The witch's desperate cries had faded into a haunting silence, leaving only the echoes of fear lingering in the air. Irina, in stark contrast, maintained a surreal calmness, her purring; a dissonant melody in the heavy quiet. Irina's embrace remained unwavering, a paradoxical mixture of comfort and control. The witch, now subdued, seemed almost like a fragile doll ensnared by the statuesque vampire.
Blood, now adorned Irina's pale arms and front, smearing like morbid strokes on an otherworldly canvas. Irina displayed an eerie indifference, the blood, now merged seamlessly with her ethereal beauty. Her expression remained composed. It was as though she existed in a different realm, untouched by the visceral realities of the scene.
The nauseatingly sweet odour emanating from the witch's fear-soaked pheromones hung in the air like an invisible shroud. It was a scent that overpowered the senses, yet Irina displayed a stoic immunity to its repulsive allure. Her unwavering composure seemed to transcend the physical realm as if her vampiric nature granted her a detachment from the discomfort the rest of us were in.
"Enough of your tricks, witch!" Tanya growled, her voice a low, menacing rumble that sliced through the charged air. Her golden eyes, usually pools of warmth, had transformed into stormy orbs, darkening with a ferocious anger that sent shivers through the very atmosphere. The fine lines of her vampire features tightened, and her sculpted brows furrowed in a mix of frustration and concern.
"Release my sister from whatever concillium you have cast upon her." Kate's growl resonated low and menacing, a visceral echo of the impending danger all of us were in. Her eyes mirrored the predatory intensity of a viper, glinting with a focused determination that mirrored the snake's calculating gaze. Tense and coiled, her body exuded a palpable readiness, muscles beneath her skin taut and quivering, reminiscent of a viper's coiled power before a lethal strike. The energy she radiated was like a tightly wound spring, every sinew poised for swift action, a reflection of the potential energy about to be unleashed. Just like the viper, her movements promised a lightning-quick response, a seamless convergence of instinct and precision, as she prepared to dart across the space and neutralize the imminent threat the witch's presence posed.
Irina's response to her sisters was immediate and defensive, a visible reaction to the unexpected shift in the atmosphere. The delicate lines of her face, usually marked by serenity, tightened with a subtle hint of apprehension. She stopped purring and let out a low defensive growl towards her sisters. A protective instinct flared in her eyes, and her gaze momentarily faltered, as the witch's breath became uneven and peered at us through Irina's tight embrace. The witch's heart began to pound harder in her chest as more fear began to flow out of her like a raging tsunami.
"I..." the witch stuttered, "I'm not." Her voice was a fragile whisper, shaking with fear as if caught in the icy grip of Tanya and Kate's stare. Her trembling hands betrayed the intensity of her emotions, fingers quivering like fragile leaves in a storm, as she pushed herself away from Irina's grip and she stared back in wide-eyed terror in her dilated pupils.
The quiver in her voice resonated with the unmistakable tremor of someone facing an imminent threat. She knew the danger she was in and had forced upon us. Her entire frame seemed to recoil from an unseen force, shoulders hunched as if to shield herself from the weight of impending consequences. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead, glistening like small pearls of anxiety.
The air around her seemed charged with a palpable sense of dread, as Irina recoiled in response to her fear. The witch's shaky breath was deafeningly loud, as she tried to back away, as if each breath held the weight of an impending doom she struggled to articulate. Irina allowed the witch to slip out of her grip and stood in front of her defensively, ready to ward off the imminent attack of her sisters.
At that moment, the witch stood vulnerable and exposed, her fear hanging in the air. The genuineness of her fear added a layer of complexity to the situation, leaving an uneasy tension in the space between the accusing vampires and the trembling spell-caster. She wasn't casting any spells... She was running off instinct...
In a growl of frustration, Kate's movements were a blur of predatory speed. Her lithe form surged forward, a coiled force unleashed with a lightning-quick strike. The impact was a thunderous collision that reverberated through the surroundings.
The force of Kate's blow struck Irina with a brutal intensity, and the vampire was sent hurtling through the air. Irina's body soared through the cold air. Her trajectory traced an arc, an otherworldly ballet disrupted by the raw power of Kate's attack.
As Irina crashed into the forest, the impact created an almighty uproar, a symphony of snapping branches and rustling leaves harmonising with the vampire's involuntary flight.
Kate, undeterred, seized the witch by her arm. The moment Kate's hand made contact with the witch's skin, an electric jolt seemed to surge through her body.
The witch's reaction was immediate. Her entire body convulsed, limbs twitching uncontrollably as if a surge of electricity coursed through her veins. It was a visceral display of agony, her muscles betraying the torment inflicted by the contact with Kate's charged touch. The witch's eyes rolled to the back of her head, a stark white canvas displaying the inner chaos unleashed by the unexpected electrical surge, gasps of surprise and pain escaped her lips.
An animalistic roar echoed through the forest as Irina tackled Kate, the witch fell to the ground unconscious as Irina pinned Kate to the ground pinning her arms to the ground, only to start twitching uncontrollably before falling limp over Kate.
"Enough!" Tanya yelled as a sudden realisation struck her. Irina and Kate both looked at their elder sister in surprise, their fight abandoned. The erratic energy pulsating through the air, and the eerie connection Irina seemed to share with the witch; it all clicked into place like pieces of a puzzle falling into alignment.
The realisation dawned on Tanya and Kate simultaneously, their eyes meeting in a moment of silent understanding.
Irina, recovering from the impact of the confrontation, gradually released her hold on Kate before darting over to the unconscious witch, The air, thick with tension moments ago, now seemed to hold its breath as we all assessed Irina cradle the unconscious witch lying on the forest floor.
"She's Irina's mate," Tanya whispered her voice a mixture of surprise and revelation. The energy coursing through the air, the intense connection between the two, and the protective instincts Irina displayed suddenly made sense. The witch's sudden appearance wasn't an act of aggression but rather a twist of fate that entwined their lives in a complex and unforeseen manner.
Kate, who moments ago was ready to pounce on the perceived threat, slowly withdrew, a mix of confusion and realisation etched on her face. The tension that hung in the air like a heavy fog began to dissipate, replaced by an air of cautious curiosity.
Irina, still recovering from the aftermath of the fight, looked down at the unconscious witch in her arms with a mix of concern and possessiveness. The usual stoicism in her expression softened, and a flicker of vulnerability danced in her eyes.
"Perhaps we should take this inside?" Eleazar finally spoke up, his tone soft and careful. He was equally disturbed by the scene in front of him but knew there was no benefit to the fighting to continue. Carman nodded in agreement.
"Irina, take her to your room when she wakes have her clean herself up and then both of you will tell us exactly what is going on," Tanya ordered, not bothering to hide the look of betrayal. Irina nodded and retreated into the mansion with the unconscious witch in her arms, the atmosphere outside remained charged with an unsettling mix of tension and uncertainty. The soft click of the door closing, sliced through the deafening growing silence.
Tanya's expression held a complex blend of emotions. The look of betrayal etched on her face was unmistakable, a reflection of the unexpected twist in the situation. Her golden eyes, once stormy with anger, now conveyed a sense of hurt and confusion. Carman's supportive touch on her shoulder was both comforting and a silent acknowledgement of the turmoil Tanya was grappling with.
Eleazar, I could tell now was the calm and composed member of the coven; he observed the scene with a subtle frown. His soft-spoken suggestion to take the matter inside reflected his desire to diffuse the tension and address the issue with a level head.
Kate, who had risen from the ground, shared a lingering look with Tanya. The discomfort and concern in their eyes mirrored the complex emotions that lingered in the air. It was a shared understanding between the sisters that the events that had unravelled a web of secrets, and the consequences were far-reaching as well as highly dangerous.
Anxiety pooled in the pit of my stomach, I'd only been here a few hours and given the limited knowledge I had gained in those hours, the fact Irina was mated to a witch was not only something highly unnatural but equally dangerous. It also raised more questions.
"Tan..." Kate whispered it was clear she was attempting to not have Irina overhear her, "Is this wise?"
"No," Tanya whispered back, "But I'm not willing to lose our sister." Sighing she turned and made her way back inside the mansion, Eleazar and Carman followed close behind.
Kate sighed before walking back towards the mansion, she stopped briefly next to me smiling sadly, "Bet you didn't expect this when you became a vampire."
"I don't know what to expect anymore if I'm honest," I replied. As we entered the living room, the atmosphere was palpably heavy with a sense of worry and uncertainty. Carman's attempt to console Tanya was met with a silent exchange of glances that spoke volumes about the gravity of the situation. Kate joined them, the embrace between the sisters carrying an unspoken solidarity in the face of the unexpected revelation.
I found a spot in the room, feeling a sense of unease settle within me. The recent events had unfolded like a dark, unpredictable narrative, and the weight of the unknown future pressed down on my newfound vampiric existence. The worry for Irina and the unconscious witch lingered in the air, intertwining with the general sense of disquiet that permeated the coven.
"The Volturi won't intervene if it is a mating bond," Eleazar spoke softly, "As far as I can recall, it's only the witches' laws that condone them to death for interacting with vampires, so the Volturi won't be an issue so long as they're not provoked." He continued. His words about the Volturi and the witches' laws added a layer of complexity to the situation. The potential consequences of the unnatural bond between Irina and the witch now extended beyond the immediate concerns of the coven. My gaze flickered to Tanya, her typically composed demeanour strained by the stress of the unfolding events.
"Tanya, we'll get through this. Irina will explain everything once she's back," Carman reassured her voice a soothing melody in the tense atmosphere. Tanya nodded, acknowledging the support, but the lines of worry etched on her face remained.
Eleazar, having placed a log into the fire, returned to his former spot on one of the sofas. Still, the uncertainty of the situation hung in the air, leaving an indelible mark on the coven's collective psyche.
The flickering flames in the fireplace cast dancing shadows on the walls, accentuating the solemnity of the moment. I couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for Tanya, who bore the weight of leadership and familial concerns on her shoulders. The stress radiating from her was almost tangible, a silent plea for resolution and understanding.
"There is no point in discussing this further without them both here to tell us what is going on," Tanya declared, her words cutting through the uneasy silence. It was a practical acknowledgement that the answers they sought could only come from Irina and the witch. The room fell into a contemplative hush, and each member of the coven left to grapple with their thoughts and anxieties, awaiting the return of Irina and the revelations that would inevitably follow.
—
After a few hours, there was a soft click of a door opening and closing and the light footsteps of Irina's approach, her movements surprisingly unhurried for a vampire. It was as if she sought to draw out the brief journey from her room to the living room.
Irina gradually materialised in the doorway, a look of unease painted her features.
"Monica will be down shortly," she said in a whisper.
"So she has a name," Kate muttered not bothering to look at her younger sister, it was clear Kate was hurt and betrayed by Irina's actions.
"We were both scared about our bond!" Irina pleaded, hurt by Kate's comments, "No vampire or witch has ever found their mates in each other! We thought it best to not tell anyone and try to understand it ourselves before we tried to explain it to others..."
"How can you be so sure she is your mate?" Tanya asked carefully, not wanting to upset her sister further. Irina replied in the same language Tanya and Kate had spoken earlier and Tanya narrowed her eyes at Irina and nodded. Curiosity for what was said flowed through me as whatever was said struck home with her, I didn't like that I was the only one left out as Kate's cold demeanour began to thaw and the two Spanish vampires shared a sympathetic smile towards the blonde vampires.
As Kate turned to Irina to question her sister further she paused when a soft, hesitant click of a door upstairs announced Monica's return. The heavier footstep made their way closer to us, hesitantly revealing herself behind Irina in the doorway. She was no longer covered in blood, her light pink hair was damp from the shower she had had in her retreat in Irina's room. Irina pulled her to her side and Monica's bloodshot eyes met each vampire in turn, gauging the atmosphere in the room. Her eyes locked with mine and her heartbeat quickened as she stiffened in Irina's embrace. Irina noticed instantly.
"She won't hurt you," Irina said gently kissing her temple. Monica's stare didn't falter.
"She shares the same sire..." Monica whispered, unable to hide the fear in her voice. I felt the hairs on the back of my neck rise as all eyes fell on me.
"Victoria?" I answered questionably, unsure of what else to say.
"Start from the beginning, what happened to your coven?" Tanya demanded, whipping her head around to glare at Monica. The young witch's heart pounded louder in her chest, and her breath grew thick with fresh fear. Irina nuzzled her head gently softly purring again to try to calm her distressed mate.
"Th-The warlocks called an emergency meeting," Monica began her gaze never left mine, not wanting to let her guard down. "The Sovereign found it odd but if an emergency meeting is called we have to attend… when we got to the meeting point only three of the warlock counsellors were there…" she continued he eyes began to glass over in memory, with each word she sank further into Irina's embrace.
"Why did they call the meeting?" Irina asked softly, shooting a subtle wink at her sisters. Viewing the two blondes in my peripheral vision they both equally confused but equally worried. The Sovereign must have been an important figure in the witch's community or they sounded like they were.
"They wanted to invoke their right to attempt the Ten Wonders and as they put it 'end the rule of witches' stupid and shameful if anything." Monica scoffed bitterly, obviously outraged by it. Taking a steadying breath she continued, "When we questioned why there were only three of the warlocks there before they could even answer..." She paused. "They came out of nowhere… we didn't sense them until they were in the room. They seemed completely deranged, there was no conscience. Then there was the blood and the screams…" she stuttered her face scrunched up in discomfort at the recent memory.
"How did you get out of there alive?" Eleazar asked the question we were all thinking. How could she alone have survived a newborn attack? Something I know just by being a newborn was an almost impossible task.
"I'm not sure…" Monica whispered, looking more distressed at this than the whole horrific ordeal she had just been through.
"Bullshit!" Kate snapped looking furiously. Irina shot her sister a warning glare as a low protective growl began to rumble in her chest. "We all know an attack by a newborn isn't something someone can walk out of and not know how they did it! Let alone an attack on witches your scents are repulsive."
"Why would I lie about this?" Monica snapped looking angrily at Kate, clearly annoyed at the blonde's words. "Why would I lie about something this serious?" She challenged.
"You already broke your laws by bewitching my sister your kind tend to continue doing so once they've gotten a taste for it," Kate growled back.
"Kate," Tanya warned, it was clear she didn't want another fight. Especially now that Monica appeared to be more alert and knew Kate's ability was in a fight.
"Monica,"' Tanya began trying her best to remain composed and neutral given her position as leader of the coven. "What class of witch are you? Help us fill in the blanks in your story."
Monica looked started by Tanya's words, unsure of whether to disclose that information. She looked up at Irina for reassurance.
Irina mumbled to her, "It's okay, you can trust us."
Closing her eyes Monica sight before looking in disbelief that she was going to disclose what seemed to be a sensitive topic. "I'm fucked anyway so what does it matter," she muttered to herself. Sighing again she looked at Tanya, "I'm primarily a nature guardian, so I have a deep connection with the natural world, plants, animals and various elements. I've always been shit at concillium as it's not something natural it's grey magic which only the Sovereign can practice grey magic."
"That still doesn't explain how you were able to escape," Kate mumbled not satisfied with the young witch's confession.
"I don't know either! I just felt death and rage it was overwhelming I couldn't breathe. I'm sensitive to the natural world so if something is off I feel it in my bones, it's extremely uncomfortable at times but it happened so fast to process there was this raw surge of energy and then boom I'm in the middle of a snow-covered forest, covered in blood hearing their screams echo off their blood." Monica confessed looking disturbed by the recollection.
"Your magic protected you from the sounds of it," Eleazar theorised, causing all eyes to fall on him, he continued, "The Volturi has some books in their possession collection that documented certain traits of other supernatural creatures. When a witch is threatened depending on their talents their magic will be amplified to allow them to ward off any threat. It was a common occurrence in the Witches' civil war."
"But that makes no sense…" Monica mumbled trying to make sense of Eleazar's words.
"What doesn't miláčik?" Irina asked her still-distressed mate who only looked more upset than she did earlier.
In one swift motion, Monica extricated herself from Irina's embrace, her sudden withdrawal a physical manifestation of the emotional turbulence within her.
The soft glow from the fireplace accentuated the lines of distress etched on Monica's face. Her eyes, wide with a mix of frustration and disbelief, scanned the room as if seeking answers from the silent walls. The rawness in her voice echoed the tumultuous emotions that surged within.
"My only great talent is being able to grow plants! Weed to be specific," she declared with a hint of self-deprecation, her words sharp with a bitter edge. The air seemed to crackle with the tension of her revelation. The gravity of her situation bore down on her as she voiced the apparent inadequacy of her abilities in the face of the supernatural chaos didn't make sense. Irina reached over tentatively towards her stressed mate. The flickering flames in the fireplace cast dancing shadows on the walls, accentuating the gravity of the moment.
It was obvious Monica felt the weight of judgment and uncertainty pressing down on her. She was caught in a paradox, a witch whose abilities seemed incongruent with the demands of the chaotic supernatural world she found herself entangled in.
Tanya, breaking the contemplative silence, spoke with a measured tone, "Monica, your abilities may be unconventional, but they have proven invaluable in escaping dire situations. It seems your connection with nature played a crucial role in your survival."
Monica, still visibly distressed, nodded in acknowledgement. Her gaze darted around the room, gauging the varied reactions of the vampires surrounding her. Irina, sensing Monica's unease, pulled her forward to offer a comforting presence. The room's atmosphere shifted from tense to contemplative, a delicate balance teetering on the edge of understanding.
Eleazar spoke again, "Nature guardians have a unique sensitivity to the supernatural. Your instincts, honed by your connection with the natural world, might have guided you to safety."
Kate, still sceptical, couldn't contain her frustration, "That doesn't explain how she ended up here, in our forest."
Eleazar's response was measured, "Sometimes, when faced with overwhelming danger, the magical energy within a witch can create unintended consequences. Teleportation, especially to a place where they are protected, by their mate for example."
The room fell into a pensive hush as the coven grappled with the implications of Monica's uncharted abilities. The unpredictability of the supernatural world unfolded before them, unravelling mysteries that defied conventional understanding.
Amidst the uncertainty, Monica found herself caught between two worlds—the natural realm she was attuned to and the unfamiliar intricacies of the unnatural vampire world.
Tanya, sensing the need for clarity, addressed Monica, "We appreciate your honesty, and we'll do our best to help you in this. Now, we need to focus on the bigger picture—what happened to your coven and the looming threat that the warlocks pose. As well as the multiple newborns Victoria seems to be creating."
The coven shifted their attention back to me...