Witch Bewitched (COMPLETE)

Chapter 64

"Yawo, how nice it is to see you again." Sha'ka smiled at Min-Min, who purred softly against the witch's long, skinny legs.

Misa heaved the oars, her arms beginning to tire. It was still worth the experience. Misa never dreamed she'd ride a boat, let alone use oars. There was something quite relaxing about it. Dip, pull, lift. Dip, pull, lift. Rhythmic. Like drum beats. "You've met before?"

"Once," Sha'ka said, running her fingers through Min-Min's belly. "Brin and I sensed a distress call, and when we investigated, we found this cat waiting for us. I believe it was you that night."

Misa tried not to stiffen. The night she had almost gotten caught as a witch in a purgehouse officer's costume. Min-Min had saved her life.

"I didn't mean to. Min-Min scared the living daylights out of me, and it sort of just...happened. Naughty thing. She gets around a lot. But she's quite friendly, I think."

Except towards the captain and Rithian. Those two seemed to rub Min-Min the wrong way.

Fortunately, before Sha'ka could ask any questions, a subtle bump against the boat signaled the shore. Misa rowed a few more times before Sha'ka dunked her ankles in the water and pulled the boat to land.

"We should wait for Royle," Misa said, tying a rope from the boat to a post that had been hammered into the earth. The lake was a common place for boating, Misa suspected, though it was probably more popular during the spring or fall, when the weather wasn't so unbearable. Still, there were a few boats on the shore, one of which she was sure belonged to Nisha.

"Royle," Sha'ka tested the name, and a slight accent rolled off her tongue. "If you trust him with your secret, he must be someone very special to you. Your lover, perchance?"

Misa choked. She coughed until Sha'ka handed her the water carton. "What? No, it's nothing like that. I..." Misa recalled the kiss, so soft and sweet. "I mean, well, I..."

"You haven't confessed to him, yet?" Sha'ka raised a pierced brow.

Misa shook her head. "That's never going to happen. I...there are reasons, Sha'ka. Reasons I can't be with him."

With a sigh, Misa took a seat on the edge of the boat. Min-Min rubbed against her leg, and she ran her hand over the cat affectionately. Why did it seem like everyone was coming to the same conclusion? That she and Royle were...

That couldn't be true. But maybe it was. Misa just didn't know. "Sha'ka? How do you...know if you're making the right decision?"

"The right decision?" Sha'ka tilted her head. "What exactly do you mean?"

Misa drew a line in the sand, circling her finger over and over. "When you must make a choice between two things that are very, very precious to you...How do you know which one to pick? How do you know which is the right one?"

"Ah." Sha'ka bent her legs, so she was at Misa's level. "A battle of the heart."

Misa nodded. "If I pick one, I can't have the other. What do I do?"

"Why not?" Sha'ka said. "If you truly desire two opposing choices, why not pave a path in which both may come together?"

"Both?" Misa pursed her lips. "How?"

"That is for you to figure out, now isn't it?"

"But..." Misa contemplated on divulging her inner turmoil. She chose her words carefully. "One path leads to freedom, and the other...will trap me. I want to see the world, Sha'ka, but if I choose wrong, I might stay trapped forever. I don't know what to do."

"Do you believe you truly love something if you feel it traps you?"

Misa didn't know how to reply. The thought was strangely uncomfortable, as if it would somehow expose her.

"I believe that if you truly love something or someone, no matter where you are or what you do, you will never feel trapped or forced into something you do not wish."

"How do I know that's how I'll feel?" Misa looked at the circle she'd drawn. Min-Min's tail flicked over it. "I'm too scared to do anything because I don't know what will happen. What if I choose him, and I can't see the world?"

"I can't answer that for you." Sha'ka stood, and Misa heard the vague sound of wheels against dirt. "But perhaps you should listen to what your heart truly wants. Sometimes, you can only trust it and jump into the dark, where you don't know what awaits you."

Royle came into view, and Misa's stomach tingled. She clutched her chest, afraid her heart would burst out if she didn't contain it.

What my heart wants?

Royle hopped off the carriage and stalked towards them, leading the horses with reins in his hands. Under the moonlight, his tall frame seemed to glow. Those dark locks waved against the breeze, and his beautiful eyes reminded Misa of the night sky flecked with stars.

But then...Misa tore her eyes off him and looked behind her, where the crystal blue lake had turned inky black under the night. Moonlight rippled with the waves, and the gentle rustle of leaves whispered of secrets she could only dream of knowing.

Time. I need time.

"Misa?" Royle's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. Misa stood and dusted her hands off. "I...can't possibly convince you to stay here and keep watch, can I?"

She huffed. "I'm offended you even tried. No, Royle. I'm going to get Leira myself."

Royle let out a breath. "Very well." He tied the horses to a tree and joined them. "Lead the way then."

Sha'ka nodded and pulled out the pebble containing the seeking spell. It already began to glow, dim, pulsating between its pale luster and the light of the moon. She paused, turning slowly until a harsh pulse pierced the dark.

"This way," she said. They began their trek into the mountain, Sha'ka following the directions of the stone. Most of the journey was wordless, their focus more on keeping their balance over loose rocks, pushing through tough vegetation, and watching for witches or nocturnal predators that might pose a threat.

Then, when the pebble brightened almost blindingly and didn't dim, Sha'ka pressed a finger to her lips and pointed at a dark shape thrown against the backdrop of the trees. Sharp lines that cut corners. A manmade building. It was a small cottage that might have been used by hunters.

"The light points that way," Sha'ka whispered, pocketing the stone.

"Leira." Misa took a step forward but stopped when a hand grabbed her wrist. She glanced back only to be pulled against Royle. Scowling, she hit his chest. "Let me go! She's in there!"

"Look." Royle jerked his head in the direction of the shack, and when Misa followed his gaze, she felt her blood run cold.

Sha'ka mumbled something in a foreign language and ducked behind a tree. A single orb of light danced in the air, leading a figure towards the door of the cottage.

Misa squinted. Who was that? Rithian? Nisha? Kaila?

The witch glanced around her before she opened the door and let the light enter before her. The windows lit up for a few seconds before they dimmed and darkened once more.

They waited. Misa kept her eyes trained on the cottage, hoping the witch would emerge from it.

There was a snap from the brush, the same direction the witch had come from, and another orb floated towards the door. Misa tensed as two witches pushed through the bushes. Three witches in total. They were all going to be together, with Brin and Leira.

As the two witches disappeared into the shack in the same way the first witch had, Misa turned to Sha'ka.

"I think they're going to start transferring Brin's magic. What do we do?"

"Shh!" Sha'ka kept her watch at the path the witches had come from, and yet another orb of light appeared.

Misa's heart began to throb. What was going on? How many witches were gathering, and why?

She felt Royle tense from next to her, and it was only when he moved his hands to her shoulders that she realised he had still been gripping her wrist.

"It's the secret meet," Royle whispered into her ear. "The one Nisha has been convincing witches to join."

The one that was planning a war against the ordinary. Misa grabbed his arm and pulled it to her chest, squeezing it anxiously. "They're going to make Leira join them," she whispered back, her worries threatening to drown her. "It must be some sort of initiation. Why else would they all be gathering to watch?" She looked to Sha'ka and quickly explained her revelation. Sha'ka's lips were set in a grim line.

"If that is true, Brin will not be able to inform us of Nisha's plans." Sha'ka paused as another witch entered the cottage. "We may need to rethink our strategy, Misa. It is too dangerous to infiltrate when there's so many."

"I can't leave Leira in there," Misa argued. "She has nothing to do with you witches. All she wanted was to prove how capable she is to the world. She doesn't deserve this. Any of it."

"She's right," Royle said. "You can't just barge in there, Misa. You don't know what they'll do if they find us."

Misa tightened her grip on his arm, willing her mind to come up with something-anything that could take her to Leira. Then, as if to answer her wishes, another orb, this one more brilliant than the ones from before, lit up the way to the cottage. This time, there was no mistaking who the witch was.

Nisha.

Royle tensed from behind her.

And suddenly, Misa knew what she had to do. She had to be quick, or she would lose her chance.

As Nisha drew closer to the door, Misa whirled around to face Royle.

"Do you trust me?" she murmured.

"What?" Royle had to tear his eyes from Nisha to meet Misa's.

"Do you trust me?"

"Misa, what are you-"

"Answer the damn question, Royle!" Misa squeezed his arm.

Royle hesitated, and when Misa put his hand against her heart, he nodded. "Yes, of course. I trust you, Misa."

Misa gave him a smile. "Then, let me go."

"Let you go?"

"I'm sorry, Royle." Misa threw her arms around him, squeezed him, then was running out of the shadows before Royle could react. She caught the sound of his intake of air, then her name beginning to escape his lips.

Silence. Misa chanced a glance back to see Sha'ka covering his mouth. The witch nodded at Misa before subduing Royle behind the tree.

Knowing Royle was safe, Misa turned back to Nisha and stopped in her tracks. The witch was looking her way with narrowed eyes. A shudder broke out. How long had Nisha been staring at her?

"Misa." Nisha crossed her arms. "What brings you here?"

Misa swallowed her fear. The suspicion, the danger hiding behind Nisha's mask was palpable no matter how calm and soft her tone was.

"I...I'm so glad I caught you!" Misa tried to act relieved. "I changed my mind. I want to take up on your offer. After giving it some thought, I've decided that it wouldn't be so bad to have another witch like me around. I'm not late for the magic transfer, am..." she gulped, face paling, when Nisha's cold gaze bore into her as if she could see right through her lies, "I?"

Misa half-expected Nisha to decline and snap her neck then and there, but the witch merely let out a light chuckle that fluttered the air.

"Is that so?" Nisha's eyes flickered from Misa to the trees behind her. Misa stiffened, somehow managing to stop herself from turning around. Did Nisha know of Sha'ka and Royle's presence? Had Misa's plan only drawn them into danger?

"What changed your mind, I wonder." Nisha settled her gaze back to Misa.

"I..." Misa took in a breath. She looked down and touched the bracelet around her wrist. "I've got nothing to lose. Who knows? Maybe I'll come to understand your cause."

"Really?"

Misa flinched as Nisha grabbed her chin. The witch had once again managed to approach without Misa noticing. Sharp fingers dug into Misa's cheeks, and she let out a small cry when Nisha squeezed. Dark, stormy gray eyes, so cold and devoid of kindness pierced into her own. Something warm dripped down her chin before Nisha finally let go.

"Very well." Nisha tucked her hands behind her back. "Follow me, then. Our sisters will be very pleased to meet you."

Misa wiped her cheek and found a streak of blood coming away at the back of her hand. It stung, but a gentle tingle of magic made quick work of her broken skin.

The interior of the shack was unremarkable. Dusty, cluttered as if it hadn't been used for years. Furniture had been covered in white sheets, and corners were decorated by cobwebs. There were stains on the floor and walls that Misa didn't wish to think about as she followed Nisha towards a small room that functioned as a bedroom.

Nisha paused near the bed.

"The binding to Rithian," she said. "What would you say if you could break it?"

"Break it?" Misa swallowed, unsure if Nisha was testing her loyalty. "Would I still be accepted by the ordain if I wasn't bound to her?"

"Not until you've done the initiation." Nisha tapped a long nail against her chin. "Under Fariki's Ordain, you may only be accepted as part of the society if you come under the guidance of another witch or once you've fully fledged to the oath of being a witch."

"What difference would it make, then?" Misa asked. She had a creeping feeling that she would not like where this conversation was going.

"I have plans, Misa. Big plans that will change the world." A ghost of a smile touched Nisha's lips, sending a cold shower through Misa's bones. "It might be easier for you if you didn't have to make an oath to Fariki's Ordain. Yes, there won't be any need for that. Soon, you'll be making an oath to Nisha's Ordain, where all witches will be free."

"What are you talking about? Why are you telling me this?"

Nisha glided towards Misa, otherworldly, powerful, unnatural. She was a witch who had lived for over a century, and she still looked like she was barely older than Misa. That smooth, pale skin, those large gray eyes that could send anyone's knees quaking. So much malice and danger lying beyond such serene, innocent features, like a perfect calm before the merciless storm struck.

"My dear," Nisha said, stroking Misa's cheek, the same area she had dug her nails into moments before. "I can break your bond with Rithian. In exchange, you must bind yourself to me. What do you say, Misa? Would you like to join me?"

"W-what?" Misa backed away; fear gripped her heart, a thick smoke that suffocated her.

"We can rule the world. Together. Just how it's supposed to be. Sisters. Our souls bound together by our immortality." Nisha closed the distance between them once more, her presence looming, larger and darker, with each word she spoke.

"We can be free, Misa." She grabbed Misa's hands, clenching them so tight Misa feared her bones would break. "We can finally be free from the shackles man has bound to us. The magic they so despise. Why should we sacrifice our gifts for those who don't understand? Why should we lose our freedom because of what they fear? Because they don't understand the beauty that we hold, the power that we wield, gifted to us by the earth. The magic chose us, Misa. We are destined to rule the world. Together. No one shall come between us. Just you and me against the world that we may conquer. Just as it should be."

Misa pulled away from Nisha's grip, her foot catching something on the ground. She stumbled, falling against a wall. Her head bumped against a shelf, sending a shock of pain through her skull.

"That's madness!" Misa heaved, fear clouding her vision. Whatever Nisha was offering her. The power. The terrifying power. No. She could never accept it.

"Is it?" Nisha spread out her arms. "Is it really madness to fight for your dreams? Haven't you ever wanted to see the world? To be free from the shackles bound to us by foolish fears held by the commonfolk?"

Cold shock froze Misa in place. Her fears, her reason for leaving her family behind, and the isolation she suffered her entire life echoed within Nisha's words.

"Think about it. We'd have the whole world to explore as immortals. Oh, the places we could go, the secrets we could uncover. Surely, you've thought about it."

"But..." Misa trembled and her voice was small. "That's impossible. It's unnatural. It's wrong."

"You simply don't understand. Not yet." Nisha shook her head, almost sadly. "But you will eventually. I'll make sure of it."

Misa couldn't process what was happening or why Nisha was offering such a thing to her. Misa wanted to leave. To run as far from the witch as possible. Her feet rubbed against the ground, itching to bolt out the door and put as much distance between them, to flee until she came to a place Nisha could never find her.

"For now, I suppose it's best if we join our sisters awaiting us. We shall welcome a new sister, Misa. Come."

Leira. Misa let out a breath, her mind clearing and coming back down to earth. She had to hold on to her sanity. For Leira.

Nisha grabbed a hold of a shelf stuck to the wall above the bed. It began to move, turning until it was almost vertical. A trapdoor slid open from the ground, and Nisha dropped the orb of light to illuminate the staircase disappearing below.

"Follow the light," she said. "I'll be right behind you."

Shaking off what had happened mere moments before and steeling herself for what was to come, Misa began her descent.