Embers & Spells

9 - Spotlight

The welcome party drastically changed into a horror movie under the bright full moon. Agatha insisted to drive me home. Only it was Rio who was driving her car because she was under the influence of alcohol. But I could tell what happened to Claire made her sober up. Nightmares like that couldn’t be drowned by alcohol. It was a sight that would etch in the memory.

Home was no longer my safe haven. Even with the spell of protection casted at the four corners of Erin’s house, I felt vulnerable without her. Which I had to stop feeling and instead be confident on my own strength and power.

I knew enough spells and tricks to protect myself. I had enough skills to fight the other dark beings. But how to do things versus what to do in a certain situation was a lot different. Expectations versus reality often ended in epic fail. Tonight’s the first time my spell failed. The only question lingered in my head was how it bounced back.

Why Arawn Rhys was not affected? Did I casted a wrong spell?

All his cryptic remarks came back to me. There was something strange about him that I had not noticed in three years I had seen him walked around the campus. A month ago, all I knew was him being a Math Wizard, the mysterious outcast in school- just like me. But now, he was the guy getting on my nerves, and obviously someone I should distance myself with.

****

Monday was gloomier, contradicting the good weather. The sun was high up in the sky but the wind was a bit cooler, perfect for a school day.

“Did you see the news? Claire was all over it,” I heard someone said on the table behind us.

The cafeteria was flooded with the horrible news that there was a madman on the loose. And that they targeted girls. Others insisted that the suspect was probably someone in the campus who she dumped and just wanted to hurt her.

Agatha and I tried to discuss other matters, like the homework due on Tuesday for our Physics class. The day went fast but it also felt dragging, if that even made sense. When the bell rang, I gathered my things, knowing I had to turn a quick report at COMMS office.

“Tana?” Agatha called out.

“Hmm?”

“I’ll visit Claire today. Just wanna check on her.”

I nodded. “Okay. I’ll have to turn in a work report at COMMS.”

She waved a goodbye, heading out the classroom. I started my way on the second floor at end of the hallway, holding out the green folder for my progress work report. Ms. Dana received my file and said I should go, reminding me to go straight home and take the shuttle bus. Everyone seemed on edge at the attack and it was right to feel the terror.

I went to my locker cabinet to keep the thick book of physics.

“She should distance herself away from that weird-o,” a girl said, voice low, almost whispering. “I mean, look at what happened to Claire. See, maybe there is a reason why there are rumors around her. Maybe she’s really some cursed child or something.  A bad luck.”

“My mom said her aunt is a real deal. Like, psycho-witch. She should be locked up in an institution, for like, real.”

A lump formed in my throat, their voices infiltrating my senses.

“Someone said she’s hanging out with Inigo. Can you believe that? How dare her hangout with a hot guy?”

I knew they were talking about me. A smirk crossed my face, my heartbeat drumming. I was used hearing them insult me. It was a first time to hear them talk about Erin. I banged the locker door so hard and turned to them.

Two girls shrieked at my sudden action, the bang making them jump. Their eyes were wide as they realized that the girl they were bad mouthing was literally just beside them.

“Careful of your words,” I said, looking them straight in the eyes that they had to look away. “Psychos easily break.”

I walked away, not awaiting their petty reaction. My shoulder felt heavy at the nagging feeling after hearing their nonsense gossip. I felt like the spotlight was on me again, shoving me under the light to be judged. Anger rushed through me and I had half a mind to turn my heels and face them again, maybe hurt them.

But I forced myself to keep walking until I reached the exit, gasping for air.

“Tana Axle!” I heard my name called out. Just when I convinced myself to calm down, the asshole made his way toward me.

“What?” I snapped.

Arawn raised an eyebrow. “You sound like someone burned your house down.”

“I’m not up for your humor today, Arawn Rhys.” I turned my back on him.

“Ms. Dana forgot to give you this.” He handed me a brown envelope. “They pay us every after two weeks. That’s your cheque.”

I took the envelope.

“You should go straight home,” he said, tone suddenly serious.

“I am. Just waiting for the bus.”

Arawn clicked his tongue. “It’s Monday. School bus is only until 3pm.”

I automatically checked my watch. It was already ten minutes after four. “I should book a ride then.”

A car slowed down before me, the window rolled down. Inigo peeked, gesturing his hand. “Need a ride?”

Relieved washed over me, as if the weight on my shoulder lightened. I got in, not wasting any time, wanting to get away from Arawn as soon as possible.

Inigo drove in silence as we exited the campus grounds.

“Is he bothering you?” he suddenly asked, his tone concerned.

“Arawn Rhys?” I asked.

“I don’t know the guy personally,” he said, eyes focused on the road. “I’m new to town. But I can tell something’s not good in him.”

I shrugged my shoulder. “I don’t know him much, as well. But I can handle myself.”

Inigo smiled, his dimple showing. “I’m not implying that you can’t take care of yourself, Tana. I know you can. Just the way you calmed Agatha that night told me you’re strong.”

“I have to,” I murmured, looking through the car’s glass window.

“Just let me know if he’s bothering you,” he said, tone soft.

“Why? Are you going to handle him for me?” I didn’t know why I said that when he probably meant well. My nerves were on edge, frustrated that they still viewed me as the weird, cursed girl. Maybe hanging out with Agatha only made me a better target, a topic for them to dish on.

“I just don’t like bullies, that’s all,” he muttered, tone still soft. He sighed.

Damn, I hated myself for feeling angry and miserable. But I couldn’t help it. I would only be lying if I pretended that I was living the best life of a witch.

“My cousin got bullied a lot growing up,” he continued when I kept my silence. “She’s a bit different from the rest of the family. She’s adopted. And I can’t stand when people throw their weight around, feeling the need to be superior to hide their weak self. I guess it becomes a habit of mine to stand up against that kind of thing.”

I glanced at him, seeing a solemn expression. “Sorry… I just…” I shook my head, embarrassed at my behavior. He was nothing but nice to me. “Just not my day.”

Inigo nodded, eyes still focused on the road. “It’s okay. I know everyone at school is on edge at what happened to Claire. The authorities are all over the campus this morning. Only an animal can do such thing.”

That got my attention. “What do you mean?”

He met my eyes, his gaze guarded. “She had massive bite at the side of her head, scratches on her arms. It was brutal, Tana.”

I suddenly felt dizzy, Grammie Nah’s voice echoed in my head. How will I know the alpha? They blend well these times. They easily adapt. Only a full moon can reveal them.

I hadn’t realized right away but it was full moon when it happened.

A surge of panic and frustration flowed rapidly inside me, once again putting a weight on my shoulder. If Inigo was right that it was an animal attack, it was possible that there was a werewolf running lose around this place.

My cheeks heated, a lump formed in my throat at the memory of me being dragged in the underworld. I could feel my chest burned, my flesh screaming with unbelievable pain as the Hunter ripped my soul out. The devil’s voice rang inside my head with so much clarity that my body trembled in fear. His words etched in my mind as he offered the deal.

A soul for a soul. Kill the alpha.