The Gamma's Dark Witch

9 - My Calling

(Cam)

I spent that afternoon pouring over maps in my office, assessing the impact this might have. There was a small pack that sat miles down from where Ethan’s family settled. I found their contact information and met with Jackson.

Jackson scrubbed a hand down his face. He eyed the piece of paper I slid across his desk warily. “I’ll reach out to them and explain the situation and what they know. I’ll offer assistance, but I’m not sure if this is our battle.”

“Dark witches are near,” I stated calmly; this had to be our battle.

“After I talk to this Alpha, I might be okay with sending scouts, just for information.”

“You were all for ending them a few hours ago, starting a fight to take back rightful land.” He was the one that mentioned it, even pressed Ethan.

“That was when I thought it would help Ethan. He’s right; there is no need for undue bloodshed.” He gave me a look, and I knew he wasn’t taking questions. “Thank you for the research; I’ll let you know what comes of it.” I nodded and left, annoyed at his change of tune.

I needed something new to do. I felt antsy; my skin was itching. I needed to do something. I needed a new project, something to keep my wandering thoughts focused, a puzzle to be solved. I needed something complex. My mind was scattered; I needed something I could throw myself completely into, think about it night and day. For now, I spent most of my energy on keeping up an act. I played the person I used to be, who I had completely forgotten since the moment I saw her hair of stardust. That upended me, ripped me out from my roots, so completely I couldn’t re-ground myself.

I spent my time thinking and doing and acting like I wasn’t completely changed that I wasn’t drowning.

(Nisha)

The wolves never returned, and I wished they did. I would revisit their abandoned homes whenever the night was clear. Snow blanketed the ground more often than I was used to, and it made Zephyr antsy, being stuck inside most days. She said it was too quiet, I didn’t mind it, but for someone that constantly was listening, constantly heard, I guess it was hard for her to be surrounded by silence.

Once we were sure the river held, Ezowyn didn’t return for days. Soleil was gone most days, too, with him, maybe. Some nights she wouldn’t return.

Every day, if the snow weren’t heavy, we would walk to the river and check on it. Kevari would dip her hand in the freezing water and close her eyes. She assured us that the river had taken to its new route, but her eyes seemed sad, even though her voice was light. She looked back to the dried river bed, a graveyard of debris and rocks now. I wondered if it would ever fill or if the scars of our actions would always lay bare for the world to see.

Soleil suggested that we fill it, but Ezowyn told her not to waste her time; the river went on for miles yet. Kevari looked pained when Soleil told us that, and I didn’t understand until it dawned on me that night while I lay awake thinking of the werewolf village that there were likely many others that relied on that river too.

Soleil came back one morning with a smile brighter than the sun, there was a slight flush to her face, and she looked radiant, even more so than usual. “Our task here is almost complete.” she breathed, her voice sounding like wind chimes in a soft summer breeze.

“We’re moving on?” I asked.

“Shortly.” Soleil’s brilliant smile turned to me. “There is one last thing we must do before we go farther.” She pulled out a small vial hanging on a chain; it was dark red and familiar.

I scanned my sister's faces, Zephyr’s brows tugged together, but Kevari was the picture of calm; not even curiosity marred her beautiful features.

“We must check on the werewolf that we were drawn to, she’s part of our path, but I have to admit I’m not sure how yet.” A slight frown tugged down her lips.

The werewolf we crossed paths with, Isla. We all felt a tug that night, and we followed our instincts, our purpose. We fought to protect her, and Soleil took some of her blood so that we could be able to check in on her again. She said we would know if something was wrong by having it, and I forgot to ask. We had a brief interaction, but it was warm and comfortable, and she felt familiar to me. I would say I missed her if I knew her better.

Excitement filled me at the thought of seeing her again. I couldn’t quite place it, but I wanted to go back to that mountain that I felt a piece of me still attached to. I felt that spark inside me, the one that felt like a diamond of starlight.

“Are we all going?” Zephyr asked, sounding bored.

Icy dread quelled my excitement. Was Soleil telling us that she was going alone? Would she bring me if I asked?

“There’s no need; it will just be a quick check-in on the baby. I would go, but I have matters to attend to. I was hoping one of you would go in my place.”

“I will.” My words fell out of my mouth, and Soleil studied me curiously. “I’m feeling restless.” I felt like I had to explain myself and come up with an excuse, but I wasn’t sure why.

“I think you’re ready,” Soleil said, her eyes dancing but her face serious. “I’ll explain tonight, and you can set out tomorrow.”

“Okay.” I tried to keep the excitement out of my voice, but my body thrummed. My shadows swirled under the surface, begging to be let out.

- - -

I hastily packed a bag, and Soleil gave me a sack of food and supplies. She drew where we were on a map, and it seemed so close, but it felt like that mountain was on the other side of the world. I still had a sense of it, or maybe I just liked to think I did, to clutch onto something like a security blanket.

“Now, I don’t know what pack she was from, but I have a way to find her; it will be up to you to make it back to us.”

“Are you ready?” she asked, brushing a piece of my hair away from my cheek.

I nodded. “ I am.”

Her face broke out in a radiant smile. “Good.”

“What exactly am I checking for? That she is okay? That the baby is?” I asked.

“Yes.” She looked far away. “Powerful blood like that must be protected. You felt it, right?”

“I think so.” That night at the mountain was still muddled. I couldn’t fully separate my thoughts and feelings. Although I tried, I couldn’t quite make sense of it. I knew for certain that I was filled with warmth and unadulterated excitement at the very thought of returning.

“Others will be seeking it out. An unbroken bloodline from the beginning of the wolves themselves. That is rare, and this baby is a product of two,” she explained.

“I will ensure its safety,” I promised, but I wasn’t sure how I would uphold it.

Soleil’s eyes flickered over my face. “I know you will. I need a report of how they are and what protections they have in place. Our promise still stands; we will be there if and when she needs us.”

“I will.”

“Here, you’ll need this.” She held out a dark round stone with etchings I couldn’t decipher. “This will guide you.” She pulled the small vial of blood and carefully opened it, tilting it slowly until a lone drop landed in the middle of the stone. The etches lit up in a sharp glow before fading with a sizzle back into the darkness.

“How does it work?” I hesitated to reach for it.

“It will guide you to the mother wolf; blood is a strong tie, a strong way to find someone.”

“What kind of magic is this?”

She shook her head slightly. “Not mine, not ours. I got it from a summoner.”

I raised a brow. “The same one?”

She mentioned a summoner multiple times, but I only met him once. He was a storm incarnate. I would never forget his confident stance, his dark clothing, and his harsh gray eyes. She said summoners could find people or items, tracking them down by ties.

“It’s okay, it’s safe,” Soleil assured me, reaching out her hand further.

I moved my hand toward it, fighting against the hesitation; the magic coming from it felt cold and ancient and wrong. I f.orced my fingers to curl around it; it would guide me to the place I was longing for, guide me to answers and hopefully some closure.

I set out shortly after, my sisters up to send me off. Kevari gave me a smile and Zephyr a wave. Soleil wrapped me in a warm embrace.

“Stay alert, but now that you’re more comfortable and in control of your powers, you are more than capable of handling anything that might come your way.” She assured me with a brilliant smile.

I nodded, unable to form words. For the first time, my excitement mixed with nerves. This was the first time that I would truly be alone for more than a few moments. This was the first time that I would set out and do something by myself.

I was glad that the sharp winter air had started to change, ushering the promise of spring, if only a whisper. The cold settled around you now instead of cutting through you. I pulled out the stone once I was out of view of the cottage; a soft glow came from it from the top only.

I followed that, a compass. The glow would shift slightly, and I would re-adjust my position. I pulled out the map too so that I could understand my surroundings, or try to, on the way back.

I set out alone back to something I could only identify as a calling.