Halloween #3

Belonging

Hilani needed to fit in. All of the other witches in training had found familiars already except her. She didn’t feel right about just taking someone against their will or using a spell to change a real animal into one like the others. She scrunched up her nose and mouth as she looked around for what to do. Thick forest and a small village were all she could see far below her by what little light the full moon gave off as she flew above. A gust of wind picked up and three witches, Florence, Katalina, and Lenore, surrounded her, nearly knocking her off of her broom. The three girls giggled and circled around her. She grit her teeth and scowled at them, her dark eyebrows knitted together. “Haven’t found your spirit animal yet?” Florence teased. “Maybe you should just settle for a little toad.” Katalina jabbed. “Your clothes would even scare fairies away. If you change maybe that’ll help.” Lenore chided. Hilani inhaled sharply and fought the urge to glance down at her frilly skirt or velvet blouse. She felt her cheeks grow hot. The girls giggled again. “You’re breaking my concentration! I almost found one and you threw me off.” She snapped back. The girls laughed more. “We were going to offer our help.” Florence said in an enticing singsong voice while twirling a lock of blond, wavy hair, showing off her bat spirit as it flew about her. All three girls had pallid skin compared to Hilani’s olive complexion. Katalina and Lenore were brunettes. Lenore’s hair was pitch black.

Katalina blew what looked like a large smoky spider-shaped creature in Hilani’s face. Lenore’s was a raven and it was perched at the end of the handle of her broomstick. “I don’t want your help!” She shouted as she clutched her broomstick tightly, her knuckles turning white. “Well, the offer expired anyway. You better find it before midnight.” Florence warned as she and her two friends flew off, laughing evilly.

I know I’m running out of time, she thought. I really didn’t need that from those three. She huffed and closed her eyes. She sat at the base of a large pine tree trying to focus on her sixth sense. She could hear a pulse, but thought it was her own. She leaned against the tree’s trunk. She knew all living things had an aura, but a pulse? Her eyes shot open and she stood up, pressing her hands against the trunk. She peered in through a hole in the knob of the tree. “OH!” She uttered in surprise.

“What are you doing in there? Are you okay?” Hilani asked the humanoid figure. She could sense it wasn’t exactly human. It was pitch black and she couldn’t really see inside. She muttered a simple incantation and the tree’s bark peeled off. She smacked her lips in annoyance. She concentrated and tried again, this time aloud and the tree split open with a loud crack. Resting against the hollowed tree was a beautiful boy. His hair was shoulder length, unkempt and wildly framed his scruffy face. His clothes were simple: a white, long sleeved tunic and brown pants. The young witch pulled out a few cards from her Tarot deck and called upon them to awaken him. They didn’t work. She took a strand of her inky black hair from the top of her head and plucked it out. She lit it on fire and it popped like a firecracker around him. Still no response. She pressed two fingers to his lips to detect which spell would work to awaken him. Her cheeks blushed furiously.

The moon rose higher in the sky. She bit her bottom lip nervously. She was running out of time and whatever this boy was, he’d have to do. She leaned in and pressed her lips against his. What a way to have my first kiss at sixteen. She thought. His body shimmered in an ethereal glow and his lashes fluttered. She pulled away before he could see what she had done.

“I-I’ve broken the spell on you.” She stated matter-of-factly and crossed her arms across her chest. He blinked a few times and looked her up and down. “Do you want my gratitude? I didn’t ask for any of this.” His voice was deep from slumber. He turned his face to the side, a fang poked out from his upper lip. She placed her hands on her hips and stepped into his line of sight. She gasped. His eyes were a golden-brown like a Cat’s Eye Apatite stone right down to the slit pupils. “I just…I wanted…to help.” She expressed. Tears brimmed at the edges of her almond eyes. He sighed heavily and his eyes shifted on her. “Why?” He asked as he finally moved to step out of the tree. He stretched, looming tall over her. “I need help, too.” She confessed. His eyes narrowed at her suspiciously, but he let her continue. “I need a familiar desperately,” She admitted, nervously clinging to the brim of her large-rimmed hat. “That is, would you be mine?” She looked down at her ruby-colored shoes. He glanced up at the moon then back at the girl. "We can discuss this more after. You said you need me. It's the least I could do since you woke me up." He accepted. She was thrilled. “Please accept this.” She said as she pulled out a collar. He bowed his head to let her put it on. Then, she took him by the hand, morphing him into a shadow of a cat, taking him into her arms and flying back.

All the witches lined up at midnight. The headmaster, a Warlock, walked along the row of girls and took attendance. He jotted down each girl's familiar. "Name." He stated. "Hilani." She answered. His icy blue eyes looked up from the paper to scrutinize her. "Not you. Your familiar." He said in an irritated tone. Her eyes widened and she swallowed nervously, looking down at her new companion. His hair was dark, his golden eyes gleamed like the sun and he’d be her assistant in magic, so she replied: “Keir Zadkiel Ra.” He nodded in approval and continued walking. Florence, Katalina, and Lenore mocked her once their cloaked warden had past them. Keir hissed at them and they grew quiet.

In her dorm, Keir was able to be in his human form. His hair was fixed up now; still shoulder length and tied back into a loose ponytail. Dark brown, thick strands of hair fell forward, framing his face in light curls. His face was clean-shaven. “I hope the name was okay, but if you tell me your real one, then I’ll call you that.” She offered. He shook his head, eyes straight ahead, and replied stoically, “only I know my real name and I don’t tell it to anyone.” “I guess that means you won’t tell me why you were locked away in a tree.” She didn’t hide the disappointment in her voice. “That’s…different,” his voice softened and he turned to look at her. “But, that’s for another time.” He morphed back into a cat and curled up on the windowsill to sleep. She wondered why he’d so willingly complied with her request, but seeing as how he wasn’t answering any of her questions, she bit her tongue.



-0o0-Three Months Later-0o0-

Hilani stomped off and sat on a patch of grass after her spell casting practice wasn’t going well. She covered her face in her hands and started to cry. Keir sat beside her. “Hey, there’s only one way to learn. Besides, you’re actually good. You just haven’t realized your own power. Now, let’s get back to it.” He encouraged, placing a hand on her shoulder. She nodded her head and stood back up. She went to go wash her face. He stood outside the washroom waiting for her when Florence, Katalina, and Lenore approached. The latter went inside. “Ah, you’re quite handsome.” The blonde cooed as she stepped toward him. He glowered at her and stepped back, crossing his arms. “I’m not sure that it’s fair that she has you as her familiar, even if you are just a half demon.” Katalina added. He clenched his teeth and growled at them. He heard a yelp from inside the bathroom and a door slam. Roots from under the ground came up and entangled themselves around Keir. He tried with all his might to rip his way out, but more roots encircled him like a cocoon. Lenore appeared. “She’s all tied up, too.”

He could hear Hilani calling for him and it made his blood boil. “You’re quite the most wanted.” Florence taunted. “You’ll regret this.” He threatened. The girls snickered. “How long did you think you could evade the Fairy Queen? She’s made us a few promises if we bring you to her.” “Fairies are just tricksters!” He warned. “You sound prejudiced. Anyway, our spell won’t hold long. Let’s go.” (-)

Hilani burst out of the lavatory. She couldn’t stop the tears from flowing. “Where is he?!” She demanded when she saw Florence. “Quit your blubbering.” The mean girl snapped and pushed her down with her newfound magic. “You’re a cheater!” She said shakily from her spot on the floor. “And you’re nothing now.” The girls walked away cackling.

Hilani wiped her face with her sleeve and finally pushed herself up. “Fairy Queen, huh?” She muttered aloud. She hadn’t been able to get out, but she was able to overhear. She looked back at the training facility, which stood in the mountains and looked like a castle in the clouds, before setting out on her journey to get her friend back.

Fairies were not difficult to find, but getting them to be honest was. “Please, help me.” She asked softly of the forest. An elf poked his head out from behind a rock. “Miss?” He said softly. He stood at her waist so she knelt down to make eye contact. “Hello, I’m looking for my cat demon friend. Have you seen him?” She inquired. “But, but the Fairy Queen…” He began. “That’s for me to worry about.” She stated. “Well, no one knows what she looks like, you know. She can disguise herself.” He explained. “He’s very important to me, please.” She pleaded. He eyed her suspiciously. “Are you in love with him?” He blatantly asked. She turned beet red.

“W-what! Does that even matter?”

“Maybe.”

“He’s my best friend…”

MEANWHILE…

“How did you ever break my enchantment?” The Fairy Queen interrogated. Keir was still bound by the roots, now on his knees before her. He remained silent. “Cat got your tongue?” She insulted. He closed his eyes and took calming breaths. “You know why I couldn’t do away with you?” She walked over to him, her hooped, lacy pink dress trailed behind her along with her long, auburn, braided hair. She leaned down to him, cupping a hand to his cheek and ran her free hand back through his hair. She tugged on his ponytail, forcing him to look up at her. “You’re gorgeous,” she whispered into his ear and smiled wickedly. “You have so much potential. Oh, how powerful you could be. It’s what you’d wanted when you first came to see me. I was delighted, but then you ran away.” “You were lying and I wanted no part of it anymore.” He finally spoke. “Ah, yes, you wanted to join the witches because you thought they had more power.” She mocked. She turned back to him and reached for his throat. “You belong to me now.” But, her hand was shocked as soon as she’d touched the collar around his neck. She shrieked. He chuckled deeply, “I’m someone else’s already.” “It was a courtesy that I brought you here, but I already know who your little friend is. I can still keep you here, locked up.” She made good on her threat.

Keir leaned his head back against the wall of the cage, which was cold and damp. At least the vindictive queen couldn’t claim him. He sighed heavily as he thought of Hilani. She was probably worried sick. He’d tried to find a way out but to no avail. This was the first time he’d been alone in months. He’d taken his new life for granted. He shook his head. He’d been really stupid not to tell Hilani about his past. She was so kind and had never even questioned him. His chest ached at the thought of her. All he wanted now was to see her again. Just then, he was surrounded by a group of elves. They dragged him out of his cage. The Fairy Queen returned, “We’ve got to get you fixed up. Your owner is almost here and I’m going to get her to give you up.”

(-)

“We have to go on that island.” Jori the elf indicated to a spot in the center of a large pond. She hopped on her broomstick and invited the elf along. “You don’t expect me to go by myself, do you? Hurry up!” She demanded. He hesitated. His turquoise eyes darted back and forth nervously before he pulled his green hat around his pointy ears and got on. As she approached the palace in the center of the island, arrows with ropes tied to the ends shot around her. She cried out in pain as one nicked her shoulder. She clung to her broom, but she was tied up and brought down. Soon, several elves surrounded her. She glared angrily at Jori who stood beside her unharmed. “You! You lured me into a trap!” She accused. He fixed her with his beady eyes. “She’s my queen. I had no choice.” He replied, hanging his head and twiddling his thumbs. Another elf came up behind her and gagged her with a bandana and covered her eyes, too. They forced her to kneel and took off the blindfold. Before her stood the Fairy Queen herself. Her eyes were an indiscernible color, yet opalescent. “You’re brave, I’ll give you that.” She complimented the teenage witch. Hilani struggled in her ropes and tried to speak. “You’re feisty. You need to settle down!” The fairy waved a hand over her, a mist formed around her and she froze. “Now, the reason you’re here.” She snapped her fingers and Keir’s cage dropped from the ceiling like a chandelier, stopping an inch from the marble floor. Hilani could only look on, mortified. “HILANI!” He called out. Only her eyes could move, but he could see the relief in her indigo depths. He paced back and forth in his cage like a panther even though he was in his human form, the cage height only allowed him to be on his hands and knees.

Keir’s ponytail had been cut off and the queen held it in her hands. She ran her fingers through it. “Little girl, this conflict precedes you. Relinquish him at once.” She demanded. “Don’t do anything she says!” He shouted. Bolts of light shot out from her fingertips and shocked them both. She turned back to Hilani, who had fallen backward. She grabbed the girl by the front of her shirt and pulled her back to her knees. “I’ll allow you to say goodbye and go home if you give him to me.” The sovereign offered, dragging her to the cage. A tear fell from each of Hilani’s eyes, washing away the silencing spell. “I need him, please. I’ll give you anything if you free him.” She bargained, leaning against the cage. Keir pressed his forehead against hers as best he could against the bars. The monarch visibly shuddered at this girl’s ability to break her spells with such ease. She was unable to move now. “I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault you’re mixed up in this.” The young man apologized. Their fingers intertwined between a loop in the cage. Hilani’s bottom lip trembled. “No, I chose to come after you.” She refuted. “Why did you do that?” He reprimanded. “I-“ The queen interrupted, “ENOUGH!” Hilani stood and the ropes holding her fell to the floor. The queen took a step back, an arm darting up protectively to shield herself. The young witch began chanting and her broom came flying from where the elves had taken it; the elves were now running away frantically. The queen laughed maniacally, “you’re just a novice.” “You’re right, so I need my familiar.” The cage melted and Keir morphed, lunging at the queen. Keir jumped back to Hilani’s side. She lit a candle and threw it at the queen’s feet, surrounding her in a ring of fire. “I’m keeping him and you’re going to take the powers of the witches who brought them to you. Then, you’re not going to interfere with us anymore.” The queen was very proud, of course, she remained standing tall and clenched her fists. But, as the flames encircled her, she complied. “Oh, I’ll leave you with a parting gift.” The fire went out abruptly. She lit a pink candle and the queen blinked with a gasp. The queen turned slowly toward Jori, “Oh, my you’re handsome! Come here!”

Then, Hilani and Keir flew out of the palace. Now in his human form so he could speak, “you can’t leave her that way.” She looked over her shoulder at him, “I know. The spell will end at daybreak.” “Good, cuz bad witches are ugly.” He jeered. She smiled at him widely before turning to face forward to hide her blush. He leaned against her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and rested his chin on her shoulder.

“Thanks for saving me again.”

“Uh, of course.”

“I’d do the same for you, just so you know.”

“You better!” She retorted playfully nudging him in the gut with her elbow. “Hey! Careful or you’ll knock me off.” He warned. “Oh, you know I’d save you. Hold on tight!” She quipped and they soared faster back home. Their feet planted the floor with a soft thud. Florence, Katalina, and Lenore came running toward her. “What did you do to us?” They asked frantically. Hilani placed her hands on her hips. “You don’t deserve powers you didn’t earn fairly. Rather than letting you turn ugly and evil, I thought it’d be better for you to be ordinary women. “You can’t do that!” Florence protested. “You’re right, I can’t, but the Fairy Queen can.” Hilani explained. The three girls looked at each other with surprised expressions. “We’re sorry!” Katalina apologized and threw herself at her enemies’ feet. “Should I forgive them?” Hilani asked, looking up at Keir. The girls hugged each other and looked at him sorrowfully. He placed a hand on his chin pensively. “Hmm. I don’t know, after everything they’ve done to you…” “We were just jealous of your powers and of your familiar.” Lenore admitted. Florence swallowed her pride, “We would be honored to be allies and form a coven.” Hilani bit her lip, glanced up at Keir, and then smiled at the girls. “I’d like that. Let’s be friends.” The girls glowed red, orange, and yellow respectively. They hugged each other, then curtsied to the new leaders of their group. Hilani welcomed them with open arms. The next day, they all practiced their magic together. Each girl could help the other with their weaknesses. The three girls surrounded Hilani while Keir went to wash up. “Hey! So, what’s the deal with you two?” Florence asked, her voice just above a whisper. “What do you mean?” The heroine innocently inquired. “Seriously? He adores you! Can’t you see that?” Katalina was astonished. A blush swept over Hilani’s cheeks, “W-well, we are friends.” “He’s gorgeous. You need to claim him before someone else does.” Lenore warned. “Give me a break. We don’t have time to be thinking about boys!” Hilani defended. “Make time!” Florence encouraged. “Here he comes.” “Oh, we are going to go get lunch. You two hang out here.” Katalina said nonchalantly as she laid out a picnic blanket. The three girls looped arms and skipped off, glancing back at Hilani and winking. Hilani sat quietly beside Keir. She brought her knees up to her chest and loosely hugged her legs. She rested her chin on her knees and looked over at a mushroom poking out from the lush grass. He looked at her from the corner of his eye. He nudged her, “Hey. What’re you thinkin’ ‘bout?” She bit her bottom lip and looked into his sunset-hued eyes. “You…me…us.” She choked out. He tilted his head curiously at her. He really was beautiful; she’d thought that from the first time they’d met. “We’ve been through a lot together. You’ve always supported me and believed in me. You’re my best friend,” She started. Now he was blushing and looked down at his boots. “W-wait.” He interjected. He stood up, taking her by the hands and pulling her up with him. “Please, allow me to stay by your side.” He begged.

“Of course, silly. What’d you think I was saying all this stuff to you for?”

“It sounded like you were releasing me.”

“No. I-I need you. That is, I want you with me.” She assured. She looked down at her hands still clasped in his. A blush dusted both their cheeks. “I want to be with you, too, but as your…boyfriend.” He confessed. “Y-yes.” She accepted. He pulled her into an embrace. She buried her face in his chest. “Hilani?” He breathed her name, tucking his thumb under her chin and tilting her head up to look at him. “Hmm?” She intoned lightly. “You’re mine now.” He teased as he leaned in to plant a chaste kiss on her lips.

-0-0-0-

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