Casters of Oblivion

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or American Horror Story

Chapter 17: The Meadow

Ginger's POV

Several minutes later, I was driving on the familiar dirt road that led to the end where our trail began. It was a lovely sunny day, with the windows rolled down and the wind against my face. The morning was about training, but Zelena allowed Eleanor and me to go out afterward. Today, we will reach the meadow.

After we parked, Eleanor and I reviewed the compass, ensuring it was accurate and aligning it with the map. Once certain, we made our way through the forest, finding our first marker. The forest was full of life today. The birds were singing and flying around, and we would catch sightings of rabbits hopping about, mice scurrying through the shrubs, and the occasional blacktail deer passing through. Yet something was off.

Eleanor gave a shudder…. not the typical shudder you get when cold. No, it was the kind that nature was giving a warning.

"You alright?" I asked.

"That was weird," Eleanor answered.

"Is there a predator nearby?" I asked.

Eleanor paused, looking around. The only predators I could think about living in these parts were cougars, bobcats, black bears, wolves, coyotes, and the mutant bear that hikers have discussed. Could it be the mutant bear that she sensed?

Suddenly, there was movement in the bushes. We tensed, staring at the direction in which the animal was. The bushes were so tall and dense that we could not see what it was. We paused, waiting until something black and white came out.

"Nope!" Eleanor barked and teleported, making the distance between our furry friend and me.

I couldn't help but laugh as I stared at the skunk. It was not the usual skunk. Not the striped skunk, but a spotted skunk. He looked kind of cute, with black and white fur swirling around him and a white bushy tail.

"It's just a spotted skunk," I told Eleanor.

"I don't care," Eleanor called out. "If he has two glands that spray a foul scent…uh, no."

I chuckled, enjoying her reaction, "We should name him Flower. Like the skunk from Bambi."

"You are not keeping a skunk as your familiar!" Eleanor exasperated.

"Why not?" I asked teasingly. "He'll keep Mike away."

Eleanor was about to speak until her attention focused on Flower. I stared at Flower, seeing him do a handstand. Remembering Biology class, I quickly teleported, standing next to Eleanor just in the nick of time as Flower sprayed. The spray didn't get to us, yet the smell had both of us gagging.

"Okay, maybe not have Flower as a pet," I muttered.

Eleanor chuckled, shaking her head. We waited until Flower scurried away before continuing our hike, reaching the last marker we made. We were at the halfway mark, and taking a small break, we reviewed the map to confirm the location.

We continue to make our way straight through the forest. I felt a sense of unease the further we went, not because of the atmosphere of the woods but the tight feeling in my chest. I hadn't been in the meadow since September. When…Edward and I went there for what remains of the summer flowers. Yet having Eleanor here eased the tension.

We were both girls who had been hurt by others. I had a romantic relationship with a vampire who played with my emotions until my birthday. No longer wanting me. Meanwhile, Eleanor deals with a friend who makes her believe they can start a relationship; the moment they share their feelings, he dumps her before they even begin. The male race is cruel no matter what species they are.

My thoughts linger back on what…. Edward…. said about being a vampire. How everything about him attracts any human. His scent, his voice, and his face. I thought back to all the Hollywood media and supernatural knowledge about the vampiric race. Vampires are always beautiful, with charisma and charm that can woo any woman with glamor. Even the Originals and their turned bloodline have this ability called Mind Compulsion, almost like Concilium. Cordelia talked about the New Orleans Vampires and how they manipulate people by staring into their eyes. Both the vampire and victim's pupils dilate until the vampire gives the command.

The Cullens didn't seem like the type to manipulate people….

Yet everything about them draws you in. Could I have fallen victim like any prey with the Cold One? Could I have simply listened and complied with Edward all this time and never considered it my free will? Edward…he mentioned my scent was like heroin to him. So…why didn't he just kill me and be done with it. Unless he was really a masochist and, after Jasper lost control, wanted to end the game.

I sighed, shaking my head. I was not going to the meadow for him. I was going there for Eleanor. We needed to escape, and being in the meadow had a solid connection to nature.

The rhythm of our feet started to numb my mind and pain. I wasn't even looking around for it when we stepped through a low arch made by two vines. I was sure that it was the same place. Yet, it was the meadow. But there was no point in going further. I didn't hold what I had been searching for. I collapsed onto my knees. Eleanor noticed this and caught on.

"You okay?" She asked.

I merely nodded. The meadow was as perfectly round as the last time I was here. The stream could be heard, bubbling away as the water collided with the rocks and roots. The sunlight exposed the meadow, but this fine weather seemed out of place in the condition of the meadow. Maybe because it was the wrong season for wildflowers. The ground was thick with grass that had died during the winter, and the random bushes were petrified to that of a skeleton. The only thing that held color was the woods that surrounded the meadow.

Eleanor sat down next to me. She rubbed my back, sensing my disappointment. I was hoping for life in the meadow, not a dry-up husk. Even if a deer came walking through a field of green. We have seen random flowers growing inside the forest…so why aren't there any in the field.

"You know, spring had just started," Eleanor tried to explain. "Maybe the grass will turn green in April, and the flowers will bloom."

"Yeah," I managed to say.

"Come on, let's set up and enjoy the sunlight," she reasoned.

I nodded as we made our way to the meadow's center and pulled out a picnic blanket. We sat down, enjoying our late lunch of sandwiches, warm soda, and chips. We even took off our jackets and bathed in the sunlight. We sat down, staring ahead, seeing the random clouds roaming by. My skin was slightly glowing in the sun's rays, as was Eleanor's.

This is what we needed.

Just our sisterhood.

Enjoying nature.

After an hour, Eleanor stood up. "I'm going to explore the stream. Do you wanna come?"

"Nah, I'm gonna work on my tan," I said.

Eleanor nodded as she took the empty canteen and walked to the stream.

Alone, I grasped the emptiness in the meadow. Although the trees and the sunlight made the place serene, it was not what I was looking for. It was as if the meadow took the physical form of how I felt. The emptiness I have been trying to fill up with love from my mom, Zelena, Eleanor, and my friends have given me.

There was nothing special about this place without…him.

Unless I come here again and bring Eleanor when nature is ready.

I dug my nails into the dry earth, trying to feel the magic I once felt—the magic I felt with him. I could sense the magic that nature has provided, but it did not give the whimsical vibe I felt the last time I was here. It was like staring at an incomplete painting. Although the artist says the landscape is complete, you sense something is missing.

Empty.

It was time to move on.

After being here, I knew I had to let Edward go and focus on myself.

Suddenly, a shudder went down my spine, sensing a dark presence. It was not as dark as before but more on the gray spectrum. I sat up and saw a figure on the edge of the woods on the west side, opposite from Eleanor, who went east. I stood up surprised, standing up straight. There was no trail nearby, and no one else should know of this place. Only Edward…Eleanor and I.

The man was no hiker. His skin has a dark pale complexion, dreadlocks, and a suit without a shirt.

"Laurent!" I gasped.

"Ginger," Laurent greeted.

In a blink, Laurent had moved closer, "I didn't expect to find you here."

"I do live here," I reminded. "I thought you'd gone to Alaska?"

Laurent moved around, creating a circling motion—almost like a predator waiting to strike. He moved slightly closer so I could get a better look at his eyes. The Cullens and the Denali were known for eating a vegetarian diet by drinking the blood of animals, and their eyes would turn golden or a topaz shade.

Other vampires have red eyes, indicating they are human drinkers. However, Laurent's eyes were not red or gold. They were more of an orange, a shade that reminded me of raw amber. Like mixing the paint of red and orange together."

"You're right. I did go to Alaska." Laurent answered, playing with a dreadlock. "I went to visit the Cullens, but the house is empty. I'm surprised they left you behind. Weren't you sort of a pet of theirs?"

"That's a bit of an insult," I muttered.

"I mean no offense," he apologized as he stopped holding his fingers together. "Do the Cullens visit often?"

Edward's apparition stood between Laurent and me. "Lie."

I took a deep breath.

"On occasion," I lied while squeezing my fists. "Though people started to notice. I think you can understand why?"

"Lie better," the apparition demanded.

"I'll let them know you stopped by," I assured.

Laurent gave a smile as if he knew something. He did say he stopped by at the house, and therefore, he might have noticed their scent wasn't strong or practically gone. Yet I continue with the lie.

"Although Edward might not like it…. you know, after the whole James fiasco."

Laurent started walking around with an amused grin, "He'd be right if he were here. But he's far away, isn't he?"

I needed to change the conversation. Buy some time until Eleanor can get here. I can use transmutation to create distance and fire at him. But if Laurent becomes a threat, I would need Eleanor to use her telekinesis to tear the vampire apart. I don't want to destroy Laurent. He seemed nice since he helped us by giving us information about James and Victoria.

"How are the Denalis?" I asked. "Carlisle mentioned you were staying with Tanya?"

Laurent was suddenly behind me, "I like Tanya very much. And her sister Irina even more."

"Is she mate material," I asked playfully.

"Oh yes," Laurent murmured, moving closer to my ear, "But, the restrictions are difficult…. I'm surprised that any of them can keep it up for long. Sometimes I cheat."

"Don't move," the apparition ordered.

"I can see that," I replied.

Laurent gave a deep breath, sniffing my scent.

Until he gave a gasp and was tossed away from me to the far side of the meadow. I sighed in relief as Eleanor appeared in front of me with her hands out, creating a barrier. Laurent fell on his back before jumping to land on his feet and staring at us, amazed.

"Sorry, Laurent," Eleanor greeted. "You were too close for comfort."

.o0o.

Eleanor's POV

Once more, Ginger attracted another vampire. And not just any vampire, but Laurent, who was once part of the Nomad Coven. James's Coven. What is he doing here? Isn't he supposed to be in Alaska with the Denalis? I thought that would be the end with this Coven and the human drinking Cold Ones. And staring at the vampire in the eyes, he is no animal drinker.

Laurent ran over, trying to invade our personal space, but I used my telekinesis to create a forcefield. He paused, touched the invisible barrier, and smiled.

"So the rumors are true," he noted. "You girls are witches."

"Why are you here, Laurent?" I asked. "The Cullens aren't here."

Laurent removed his hand and grinned like a deviant, saying, "I came as a favor to Victoria."

Ginger tensed while I glared at him. After destroying James, we all knew there was a possibility that Victoria would come back to seek revenge. The Cullens gave the impression that it would be many years or decades before she would come after us.

"Victoria?" Ginger repeated.

"She asked me to see if you were still under the protection of the Cullens." He explained with concern. "Victoria feels it's only fair to kill Edward's mate, given he killed hers. An eye for an eye."

"Unfortunately, Edward only fought James," I corrected. "Emmette, Jasper, and Alice tore him apart."

And I was the one who burned his body, I thought.

Laurent nodded, "It seems backward to me…. yet Victoria believes it so."

"Thank you for the warning," I said. "Now you may go."

"I don't think I can leave your girls be." Laurent shook his head, ""After all, how much could you mean to the Cullens if they left you here unprotected?"

Laurent gave a sigh, kicking a rock that bounced off the forcefield. I winced, for it was hard, and I felt it in my gut.

"Victoria won't be happy about me killing you, but I can't help myself," Laurent murmured. "You are both so mouth-watering."

"Please, don't," Ginger managed to say. "I mean, you helped us."

Laurent was back at the barrier, caressing the forcefield as if his touch would allow Ginger to feel. However, I felt it like nails scratching along my skin. He repeated the word no, shushing us as if we were a scared child.

"Don't be afraid. I'm doing you a kindness," he murmured. "Victoria plans on killing you both slowly, painfully, whereas I'll make it quick. I promise. You ladies will feel nothing."

"As if we would allow you to kill us and drink our blood," I exclaimed. "Leave, or so help me. I shall tear you apart and burn your body."

Laurent contemplated the offer until twigs were snapping behind us. I was so focused on keeping the forcefield up that I did not sense them. The Guardians of the Forest. They were here. I could sense their protectiveness and anger behind me as they growled. The vampire before me stared in bewilderment.

"I don't believe it," Laurent breathed in horror.

"Oh my God," Ginger whispered, seeing the entity.

I looked over my shoulder to see something dark and massive along the trees. A low growl could be heard as it made its way over until it finally stepped out of the shadows and into the sunlight. One would have thought it was the Grim, a beast of death. No, it was a gigantic wolf, its fur black as night, as were his eyes, which glistened yet narrowed with fury. The muzzle curled up, exposing sharp teeth.

The Alpha, I thought.

He was standing ten feet away in a stance, ready to pounce until standing up straight, showing his true height on all fours. My eyes widened as he stood ten feet tall.

Oh Hecate, I thought.

The Alpha continued to growl as more wolves appeared. The auras I sensed before were a dark grayish brown wolf and a dark silver fur wolf. I recognized these three, for I had sensed them the past year. But this was the first time I had seen them. They flank behind the Alpha when two more wolves join them. Another that was gray with dark spots and a sleeker form stood next to the silver wolf, while another wolf stood next to the dark fur wolf.

It can't be, I thought in disbelief.

The last wolf to arrive was the wolf from my dreams. He was reddish brown, practically a russet color. The patterns of his fur left an ombre effect until it was a light shade of brown along his muzzle and chest.

The Alpha wolf roars aggressively at Laurent as if telling him to step aside.

Laurent didn't even challenge and took off running. The Alpha took the lead and chased after the vampire, followed by the others. The russet wolf approached Ginger and me yet stopped a foot away so as not to bump against the barrier as if he could see it. His wolf eyes were dark, almost black, with undertones of brown. I stared into his soul, sensing a familiar presence, as those eyes held intelligence more than any other animal.

My guardian wolf.

Only his aura was similar to "…. Jacob."

The russet wolf growled and took off, following his pack.

Laurent stopped at the edge, turned around, and struck the black wolf, sending him across the field and landing next to us. I gasped, wanting to help, yet he stared at me, telling us to not follow by his growl. He roared in the direction of his pack, getting up and joining in on the hunt.

"Go," I ordered at Ginger.

"What?" Ginger asked.

"Go! Now's our chance," I said frantically.

"Our stuff," She started.

"Forget about it," I snapped as I grabbed her hand and started apparating back into the forest in the direction of the Wagoneer. After a few leaps, Ginger caught on, and we rushed back to the Wagoneer. We could hear the wolves howling behind us as they grew distant in chasing Laurent. All that mattered was getting the hell out of there.

We stumbled out of the woods, and Ginger ran to the driver's side while I got in the passenger seat. Not looking back, Ginger hit the accelerator and rushed out of the dead-end back onto the road. We were panting, practically in shock.

They are wolves.

The Guardians of the Forest are wolves.

Gigantic wolves.

"What the hell was that?" Ginger yelled as she drove.

"The Guardians of the Forest," I managed to say.

"They're fucking wolves!" she spat out.

"I saw," I panted.

"I mean, they're like huge wolves," she said.

"And they're chasing a vampire," I added.

Ginger became quiet when I mentioned that. There was a pregnant pause as we grasped what I just said. The wolves were chasing Laurent. Two scenarios are transpiring right now. The wolves have gotten to Laurent and torn him apart. Leaving him in eternal suffering of not living and not dead. Or those wolves would be dead, and Laurent would have told Victoria that my Coven is no longer protected by the Cullens. He would have told her that I was the one who burned James's remains, ending his eternal life.

Victoria.

"We need to tell Zelena," I told Ginger.

"You think she's gonna believe us?" She asked in disbelief.

"I have a feeling that Zelena knew all along," I said.

Zelena knew, and she waited for us to find out.

.o0o.

Once we made it back to the cabin, it was late in the afternoon. We barged into the cabin to find Zelena on the couch, reading a book. She startled slightly, almost dropping the book, and stared at us disheveled.

"What in the three fates is going on?" Zelena asked.

We looked around, noticing Fiona was absent.

Ginger first noticed it, "Where's Fiona?"

"Upstairs, having a phone call," Zelena answered. "Now, what is going on that has you both frazzled?"

"We saw them," Ginger announced.

"Saw who?" Zelena asked.

"In the woods," Ginger explained, still having adrenaline running through her veins. "They're not bears. They're wolves."

Zelena stared at us with a blank expression.

I stepped in, "They are the guardians of the forest, aren't they?"

Zelena sighed, gesturing us to sit down. We did so.

"How did they show themselves?" Zelena asked calmly.

"Laurent," I answered. "He appeared to us in a field."

Zelena scowled when hearing the nomad's name.

"He came as a favor to Victoria to check on our status with the Cullens. Our scent drove him crazy, and he thought he was doing us a kindness by killing us." I explained. "Apparently, Victoria wants revenge. An eye for an eye. I had my forcefield waiting for the opportunity to grab him when the wolves showed up."

"Knowing those wolves, Laurent will likely be dead by now," Zelena confirmed.

"And how do you know this?" Ginger asked. "How are you so calm?"

Zelena removed her glasses, rubbing her eyes. "Because they are part of the Quileute legends. Every area near the Native Americans has its own supernatural creature. The Navajo with the Skin-Walkers, or the Wendigo, is present in most East Coast and the Great Plains. Here, the Quileutes believe in the Spirit Warriors."

"Spirit Warriors?" I asked.

Zelena nodded, "The Spirit Warriors, whose sole purpose is to protect these lands and their tribe from the enemy by manipulating the world around them. Over time, they learned to control animals. I'm not sure about the details since the legends are kept by the Quileutes, but I wouldn't be surprised if the spirits came to your aid."

Ginger stared at Zelena, debating whether she was telling the truth or lying. She frowned, not the type to say she was lied to but indecisive.

"And what if the Spirits didn't get to Laurent in time?" I asked.

"Then we have to be careful," Zelena answered thoughtfully. "I'll increase the barrier to prevent vampires from trespassing on our lands. Along with adding charms to create avoidance for us on them. And if the issue still occurs, we'll move after your senior year of high school."

"What?" Ginger gasped in shock. "You can't be serious!"

"I am," Zelena said firmly. "I have to train and protect you girls. I can't do that if we are in an area that the vampires can use to their advantage. Be thankful that I'm letting you finish high school and not move this instant."

Ginger was about to argue when Zelena added.

"And don't forget who got us into this mess."

Ginger glared at Zelena before standing up and running to her room. Zelena sighed, shaking her head while I remained still. I didn't want to move. Yes, the Coven will still be together, but I have bonded with the lands. However, I understood where she was coming from. Forks and the Olympic Peninsula are under constant clouds and rain. There was enough shade that a vampire could easily walk without burning or shimmering in the sunlight. So if we move to a sunny place, we are safe during the daytime.

"Where would we move to?" I asked.

"Well, there is California," she offered.

I nearly gagged. Out of all the states, California is an overwhelming melting pot for us Casters, with ordinary people corrupting the land and polluting it. Northern California, I guess, but the rest. No.

Zelena chuckled, shaking her head.

"I'll think about it and let you girls know. How about you go upstairs and relax. Fiona has a lesson for you girls."

There was a devious glint in her eyes.

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