Blood Moon

Chapter Twelve

The following morning, a majority of Colchester’s citizens have congregated around a stake placed in the center of the town’s square. Fiona thought it best to leave Francine at home, because she didn’t want her exposed to the horrifying execution. I can’t say I blame her; if it was my kid, I’d want the same.

A town crier leads the death procession, ringing a bell and calling for everyone’s attention. Lavenia is shackled and walks down the middle of the lane. The guards pause at the steps of the church, where, I’m guessing, Lavenia is supposed to repent her sins. Instead, she spits on the church door. Members of the community gasp, repulsed by her actions.

Glancing to my left, I notice Ulric and Daciana are in attendance. I nudge Ben and point toward them. He frowns, but doesn’t comment on their presence. Fiona seems anxious; she squeezes and wrings her handkerchief, and chews on her bottom lip. I lightly touch her arm, and she flinches.

“You okay?” I ask her.

She nods. “Aye, I just wish to see my husband’s death avenged.” Uptight, she hisses through clenched teeth, “My gut tells me she is behind many innocent lives lost, and I wish for her to rot in hell.” There’s a fire behind Fiona’s eyes, a burning ember I’ve never witnessed before. She’s normally so calm and caring, but this is a completely different side of her.

The executioner, who is wearing nothing but black, guides Lavenia to the stake. A priest stands to the side, overseeing the ceremony, although I don’t understand why; Lavenia obviously doesn’t believe in his religion. As soon as she’s fastened to the post, the executioner leans forward and whispers, “I shall make this painful for ye, witch,” for Lavenia’s ears only.

A*shole.

To the crowd of onlookers, he announces, “The witch’s final words shall now be heard.”

In my peripheral vision, I notice Ulric and Daciana leaving. I also notice that Alaric is here, giving his brother a disgusted look. When he turns back around, all of his attention is directed at Lavenia.

“May ye never know love again,” she cries out, locking eyes with Alaric. The crowd follows her gaze. “May ye remember every day that ye caused my death. No matter how much time passes by, thy every waking thought will be consumed by me. I curse the day I met ye! I curse thy offspring! Ye shall forever remain a monster outwardly as ye have always been inwardly. Ye shall walk this earth alone, for all of time. Ye shall instill terror into the hearts of men, women, and children,” she shouts, now focusing on Alaric, Ulric, and Daciana. “A curse upon thy houses!”

Ben and I stare, wide-eyed. Well, at least now we know where the curse really came into play. Lavenia scans the crowd once more, searching. As soon as she sees me, though, her exploration ends.

“Did ye bring it, Candra? Do ye have the crystal?” she inquires.

Unsure what’s going on, the people gathered around us become worried, restless. Gasps and chatter immediately begin, as people speculate our involvement with the accused.

“I did,” I respond.

“This better work,” says Ben. He’s talking about the plan we designed last night, upon our return to Fiona’s. We knew we couldn’t just walk up to Lavenia and hand over the crystal, so we devised and schemed and concocted, until our ideas made sense. We planted our modern clothing at Lavenia’s cottage early this morning, and in the pocket of my jeans is where the blue crystal rests.

Without further ado, Ben and I shift. The townspeople scream, and chaos ensues as everyone runs in all directions. People are knocked over and trampled on during the confusion. I can only imagine how terrified these people are, knowing the very creature that haunts the forest at night is right here in front of them, on their doorstep.

Ben leaps onto the stand where Lavenia is tied, while I guarantee nobody touches either of them. Snapping and growling at anyone who passes by, I catch a short glimpse of the fear behind Alaric, Ulric, and Daciana’s eyes; they’re mesmerized by Ben and me. Maybe they’re curious about the creatures they’re destined to become. Maybe they’re awestruck by the fact that Ben and I have been masquerading as normal human beings this entire time. Or maybe they’re furious we’re freeing Lavenia after all the harm she’s caused.

What they don’t know is we plan on ending the witches’ reign today.

Candra, let’s go. Ben cut the rope which bound Lavenia, and all three of us take off toward her cottage. Nobody has the guts to follow. Upon our arrival, Ben and I disappear behind Lavenia’s residence, where we stashed our clothing. We quickly change and let ourselves in. The witches have gathered around Lavenia, hugging her, astonished she made it out of the turmoil alive.

“Candra, this is Maggie.” She introduces us, even though I knew Maggie was Maggie long ago. “And this is Georgina,” she says, gesturing toward the blonde-haired woman. Lavenia seems proud of her apprentices, like a mother would be of her children. “Now, let us not dawdle. Where is the crystal?”

“First things first,” I say, “we need to know what you plan on using the crystal for, what the ultimate plan is for the citizens of Colchester, and we need to make sure our ancestors are taken care of.”

Lavenia and the others don’t seem surprised at all by my request, almost as if they already knew why we’re here.

“I shall give ye an offer ye cannot refuse,” Lavenia says, after deliberating for a moment. Her lips curl into a calculating sneer. “Since ye showed mercy when the world turned their backs on me, I am going to send ye home.”

“We can manage getting back just fine,” I say, “without your help.”

Lavenia cackles excitedly. “Of course, my dear. I continually forget ye are the one who changes the past, but I shudder at the thought of what should happen if thy husband were removed from thy pairing. Ye would not have a way home, then, would ye?”

What is she playing at? I think. How the hell does she know so much about mine and Ben’s powers? Does she plan on killing Ben? Anger so red-hot it doesn’t compete with lava from a newly-blown volcano surges through my body. If she actually believes that’s the only outcome of this strenuous ordeal, she’s got another thing coming.

“It’s ironic that you would want to kill him, when he saved your life,” I tell her. “Is that how you repay kindness? With hate?”

Lavenia languidly paces the room, a gallant smirk attached to her lips. “I owe naught to no one. Not a single person in my lifetime has paid me respect, nor will they. Not when they can trample on me like a horse and spoil my reputation. ’Tis easier to ruin a person than to aid them, I suppose.”

Confused by her rant, I supply her with my short-term knowledge regarding people who treat others like shit. Me being an outcast myself, I know what that feels like. “So, basically, you want revenge. You’re tired of people misjudging you, tired of the lies and deceit, tired of those who won’t stand up for you or take your side.”

She nods her head almost imperceptibly.

Exasperated that she’s stooped to something like this, I state, “Well, you can’t pay them back this way. You can’t stop caring.”

“Aye, I can, and I have. People stopped caring for me long ago. Now, ’tis time I return the favor.” She bustles over to the black kettle on the hearth, removing its lid and stirring the contents. “Tell me, Candra, have thy ears intercepted any information regarding poison?” The devilish smile that follows her question sends an involuntary shiver across my nape.

“If you’re asking whether I know about poison and its existence, the answer is yes, I do. If you’re asking whether or not I’ve heard anyone in Colchester speak about poison, the answer is no, I have not.” From my vantage point, I see the soup in the kettle doesn’t look like soup at all; it’s too watered down and there’s very little substance. Ben’s brows furrow as he notices it, too.

Let me guess, he says, she’s filled the entire pot chock-full of a poisonous mixture.

Probably, I concede.

“My plan is a simple one: concoct a blend of Wolfsbane and happily give it to the people of this town. They shall be dead within a day, if not earlier.” She grins at the thought of death, the citizens falling under her ruthless spell, and that’s when I realize this woman is a complete psychopath. “And when I am finished with this task, I shall move on to other cities. Should those people treat me the same, I shall kill them, as well.”

I don’t have much time to contemplate her horrendous idea. If this is what the witches had in mind all along, there still has to be some way Ben and I can prevent this from happening. Never in a million years did I see this as the ultimate payback for the way these women have been treated. It’s personal to them, which leads me to my next suggestion. We can carry out our original arrangement, Ben and I, but now that I’m in the witches’ presence, I wonder if they’re too powerful, even for us.

“Have you ever thought about just . . . proving you aren’t as bad as everyone makes you out to be? I mean, if there’s a process to becoming the exact opposite of your superficial reputation, then I’d snatch up the opportunity.” Honestly, my opinion probably has no effect on Lavenia or her cronies whatsoever, but at least I tried.

Maggie pipes up. “Nay, our words hold no importance with these people.”

Lavenia bobs her head in agreement. “I am positively delighted at the notion that this will be over soon. No more fretting.”

God, these women are f*cking crazy. There has to be something I can do to stop them. Right now, the only consideration my mind has is that of hindrance. Maybe if I’m capable of delaying their colossal plan, and saving the lives of Colchester’s citizens, Ben and I might stand a chance.

I’m with you, Princess, Ben says, to the very end.

“So . . . what do you plan on doing with the rest of the town, the ones who won’t drink your poison?” I ask. “What happens to them?”

Georgina narrows her eyes. “Why should ye care of their fates?”

“I’m just curious, I guess.”

Lavenia places the lid back on the kettle, then turns to me. “We plan on afflicting the others.”

“With poison?”

“Nay, with an infectious bite.”

“They’ll be werewolves,” I state bluntly.

All three witches snort at the obvious.

Lavenia smiles and extends her hand. “The crystal, please.”

I reach into the pocket of my jeans, where the blue gem radiates in all its brilliance. Hesitating for a few seconds, one thought tramples all others: what is its purpose? It’s been bothering me since I first laid eyes on the stone.

“How are you going to use this?” I ask, gripping the crystal in my hand.

Lavenia’s smile begins to fade. “That is none of thy concern.”

“Tell me, or I’ll crush it,” I articulate through gritted teeth.

All three women surge forward to seize it, but I quickly constrict my fingers, and small portions of the gem break off, dust showering the floor. They freeze, knowing I’ll hold true on my word.

“Not one more step,” I warn, “or your precious crystal is gone forever.”

Straightening her spine, Lavenia lifts her chin and says, “Then ye have left me no choice.” Her eyes begin to glow yellow, and, for a second, I believe she’s going to shift into werewolf mode and rip us apart—in which case Ben and I wouldn’t be able to stop her or the others. Three powerful witches against two werewolves? No chance of survival with that one; we’d be as good as dead.

Instead of transforming, however, Lavenia begins chanting. Oh, this can’t be good. I’ve seen first-hand what her spells do, and the long-lasting effects they create. The ancient language is the same as what she used on Ulric and Daciana. Only this time, her mantra is longer than before.

She reaches forward, like she’s going to grab us from across the room, and as she does, my entire body begins to tingle. The pain becomes worse, though, as she progresses through the chant; it feels like thousands of pinpricks all at once. I open my mouth to scream, but the ache is so intense, I don’t have the energy to form sound. Long tendrils of white light roll out of mine and Ben’s bodies, floating in waves toward Lavenia.

And just like that, the atmosphere doesn’t contain tension anymore. I can finally breathe. Ben and I are both panting as our bodies recover from the sudden sting.

When my heart rate slows, and my inhalation returns to normal, I cry out, “What the hell did you do to us?”

Having displayed her powers leaves a smug expression on Lavenia’s face, but she doesn’t hesitate to reply, “I took what ye valued most, what ye needed to exit this time and enter the next. Now, are ye prepared to challenge me again?”

“She took our powers, Candra!” Ben’s doubled over at the waist, severely gasping for air. His words don’t register in my brain for several seconds, and when they do, I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. God, we should’ve killed them when we had the chance, even if it cost us our lives in the process.

Before I can come up with a quick scheme, Lavenia outstretches her hand once again and says, “Give me the crystal.”

In an attempt to concoct a new plan, nothing comes to mind. This is it, I guess. After all Ben and I have worked for to prevent our families from becoming enemies, our efforts mean absolutely nothing.

Reluctantly, I hand over the glowing-blue gem.

“A wise decision,” Lavenia says. She holds the crystal at eye-level and admires it like a lover. Without removing her gaze from the stone, she adds, “Be on thy way, then.”

I scramble to find the right words. “You can’t just . . . leave us here. We have to go home.”

“’Twas not part of our bargain, was it?” She finally looks at us.

Maggie and Georgina share a confused glance, and Maggie speaks up. “Ye said ye would send them back, Lavenia.”

So, this was pre-planned? They knew ahead of time they’d send us home and continue on their merry way, slaughtering the citizens of Colchester. What a bunch of—

“Do not put words in my mouth, Magena. Ye shall do well to remember who holds true power here,” Lavenia cautions.

The three of them literally have a stare-off for what feels like minutes, each silently challenging each other. Well, that, or they’re trying to guess what the next move should be. Either way, I don’t like where this is headed.

“I have a better idea,” I say. “Why don’t you give us our powers back and let us return home?”

Lavenia’s head snaps toward me. “Because ye know what we plan to do and all would be undone.”

Abruptly, Maggie dashes forward and tackles Lavenia. Both women tumble to the floor, and the crystal is ejected from Lavenia’s hand, landing a number of feet away. Maggie gains control and snatches the crystal before Lavenia can reach it.

“Send them home, or I shall destroy it,” Maggie orders, her breath ragged as she gradually finds her footing.

Lavenia stands, too. “Fool! How dare ye defy me?” Stalking Maggie, Lavenia has her eyes set on nothing but the crystal, as if she’s completely entranced.

“This is not what we agreed upon,” Maggie says. “Our original visions were different from the one ye have now. ’Tis not the way.”

Lavenia cackles forebodingly. The sound of her laughter grates my eardrums. “My vision has changed. If ye dream differently than I, mayhap ye should flee this town and never look back.”

Both women circle each other, and Georgina stands on the sidelines, unsure what to do.

“Hand me the crystal,” Lavenia orders. “This is thy final warning. Do not make me chose thy fate.”

“Nay,” Maggie says, jutting out her chin.

Unfazed, Lavenia murmurs, “So be it.” A bright light shoots from the palm of her hand and strikes Maggie, whose body goes rigid and collapses to the floor with a hard-hitting thud. I cringe at the noise; it sounded like she cracked her skull.

Lavenia wastes no time in prying the crystal from Maggie’s stony fingers. Absorbed by the gem’s beauty and power, her gaze wavers between it and Maggie. The look on her face tells me she’s mentally deliberating, which can’t be a good thing.

In one final breath, Lavenia utters words in the ancient language. Georgina screams, just as Maggie bursts into hundreds of tiny blue flecks, her remains falling to the floor like snowflakes on a lazy winter day. Ben’s arms encircle my body almost immediately. When reality hits, I bury my face against his chest and let the warm tears slide down my cheeks. She was a mentor, and a person who I was proud to call my friend. I’m going to miss her so much.

“Well, now that—” Lavenia begins, but is promptly cut off by Georgina.

“Do ye not remember the spell? Thy fate has been sealed, foolish woman.”

I raise my head off Ben’s chest and notice Lavenia’s expression shifts from confusion to comprehension. Then horror. She pops the crystal out of her hand like it’s a hot coal, and it plunges to the ground.

“Take it!” Lavenia screeches. “I do not want it!”

The words no more leave her mouth than she, too, explodes.