CURSED

CHAPTER 1

"Aine hurry up. We're going to get caught" my best friend Isolde whispered.

"Just one more" I told her. I reached out and plucked an extra wild berry. The wild berry only grew at the southern border of hellzhut. And we shared that border with them.

Hellzhut was the home of the vampires and witches were forbidden from going there. We were killed on sight by vampires and I wasn't supposed to be seen here.

I ran after Isolde as we crossed the border into lyona. My homeland. Inhabited by different covens.

Most of the covens had been wiped out and only a handful remained. The few remaining covens kept to themselves and hinted together.

I was a bit of a free spirit. I was hungry and I wanted wild berries from hellzhut so I went to hellzhut to get wild berries.

"Hurry up. It's almost time for counting" Isolde said as she picked up speed.

I tried to keep up with her but she was too fast. The counting was what each coven did the end of each day to make sure everyone was complete before the caves were closed.

I turned at the final bend and bumped into someone. I fell on my ass and looked up to see the looming figure of my mama.

Isolde stood with her mother sobbing. Mama grabbed my ears and twisted it.

"What did I tell you about leaving the grounds"

"Ahhh. Mama I just wanted some wild berries"

"They're not worth risking your lives for. You could have gotten yourself or Isolde killed"

"I'm sorry mama"

"The two of you will be scrubbing the bath area for the next two weeks after receiving a whipping"

"No mama. It was only I. I forced Isolde into coming with me"

"She should know better" mama said and turned away.

Isolde was dragged away by her mother giving me a reassuring smile. I followed behind them and joined the circle.

Elder Cytrona started the chants and we joined our hands together. Joining our powers to create a protective block around Lyona.

The vampires were affected by sunlight and couldn't come out during the day. Well except the purebloods. But those ones didn't have time to chase after us.

So at night, when the lesser leeches were awake, we used a protective spell to keep them out and keep ourselves safe.

The chants ended and I felt a surge of energy leave me. The spell was complete. Mama went over to speak with Elder Cytrona and they looked at me.

It was time for my punishment. I walked to the center and my punisher was called. It was Max.

I didn't expect him to go gently or easy on me. He gave me an apologetic smile before the first whip landed against my back.

The shipping was complete and I was released. Isolde was let off with a warning but she has to complete the other part of the punishment with me.

I followed mama silently into our cave.

"You shouldn't be doing this. You're from the head coven"

"I'm sorry I disappoint you"

"You don't. I just wish you'll be more careful"

"I will mama" she hugged me and gave me a kiss on my head.

Lyona was governed by the top and most powerful coven which was my coven. Elder Cytrona was the oldest and most powerful witch alive and she was in charge of Lyona.

"Why do we have to hide?" I asked Mama.

"They're stronger than we are. Well their king is. We're paying for rebelling"

"Can't we call a truce. The ones that rebelled are dead"

"They are unforgiving creatures. They won't stop until we are wiped out. So the best thing to do is hide and protect ourselves" she said.

"But we can't live like this forever"

"I know. Aine don't bother yourself about that. Just stay away from the borders and you'll be safe"

"Yes mama" I covered myself with my fur blanket but I couldn't sleep.

I wanted to be able to cross our borders and eat wild berries as often as I could.

I wanted to make new friends and wander the forest at night. I hated living like this. Scared of dying and following stupid rules. I wanted a free world. I wanted peace.

I looked over at mama as she slept. Papa had died during the first war. I was still a child in my third winter.

Nobody knew who started the rebellion and why it was started but after an important person was killed, the vampires made it their goal to wipe us out.

At first we fought back but when our people saw they were losing, they retreated and created protective spells to ward of the vampires.

From what I knew, the purebloods weren't after us. They had killed those that were guilty and didn't care about us. But the lesser vampires wanted us gone. They didn't want another rebellion to start and what better way to prevent it than to wipe out our race.

Mama snored softly and I listened to her. I was tempted to go outside but I didn't want to add to my punishment.

I heard screams and shouts and shot up from my bed. Mama was sitting in alert when I woke up. She stood up and moved to the entrance of the cave. I loved to follow her but she held her hand up to stop me.

"Stay" she went out of the cave. Few moments later, Isolde ran into our cave.

"Do you know what's happening?" She shook her head.

"Mama sent me here and went with the others" we sat down together in silence.

Mama returned later with a frown on her face.

"What happened mama"

"Isolde go with your mama and stay in your cave until you hear the signal" signal? Isolde nodded at mama and joined her mama at the entrance. They left immediately.

"Mama?"

"A dear vampire was found on our land. A fresh kill. And his people know about it"

"How did he get past the barrier?" Only a witch could cross the barrier. That could only mean.

"All fingers point to us. He was found close to the fifth coven"

"This means...." I knew what the answer was but heading it made it real.

"War"