The moment the door closed behind me, I dashed into the woods. Trees flashed by as my feet trampled twigs and grasses. The need to get back to the witch, to comfort her pushed me further away. I neared a familiar spot and my pace slowed.
My strides ended in front of a large cedar tree. Grass and wisp covered its roots. My head turned from left to right. A lazy smile curled my lips when only trees greeted my eyes. I stooped in the spot and whispered the spell, "Αποκαλύψτε την κρυφή πόρτα που αναζητώ," to the vines. (Reveal the hidden door I seek)
They heard and obeyed the command. Long thick vines slithered along the ground, revealing a trap door. Holding the lever up, I pulled the door and jumped down in the tunnel below. The bang of the door slamming shut cracked through the tunnel like a firecracker going off in the middle of the night.
"Αναμμένα φώτα." Another spell illuminated the area. (Lights on)
Almost a millennium ago, at the young age of three hundred, I had stumbled upon the metal door above ground. Back then before I had hidden it, it was more visible. Young, curious, and depressed, I came down here to explore. I later found out it was more than a dark tunnel.
Back then it was a large concrete space with a pool to the far end. While to the opposite end was a smaller passageway, leading out into the forest. A quick dive in the pool, and I was able to figure out it led to an underground spring. The spring flowed in the river which parted the mountain.
Later this space became a place I could be free and relaxed. Treasuring what I found, I combined camouflage and barrier spells to keep it hidden. As the years went by, it became more of a hiding place for me. A few renovations were even done to make the place homier.
Now there was a small bed adjacent to the ladder, leading to the trap door overhead. A study desk and chair beside it. Columns of history books and diaries were packed on the desk. A small lamp was situated in the middle, nearer to the wall. Beside the table was a trunk filled with clothes. On top of it was a basket with utensils, pots, and plates.
Further down, nearer to the pool, a fireplace sat. While opposite it hung a punching bag. Beyond it was a clothesline. Even though there was no sun, it helped with the assembling of wet clothes. Before the pool, there was a face basin with a mirror above it, and a shower area next to it.
I rid myself of my clothes and dove into the pool. I stayed there, where it was calm and quiet.
Then water blurred my vision and my chest burned, begging for air. I wished I had the powers of a Eunuch. Underwater there were no obnoxious sounds or people to disrupt the peace.
My mouth opened, gasping for air as soon as I surfaced. I pulled myself from the water and sat on the concrete. My mind then returned to the scene from earlier.
I was supposed to be annoyed by the witch. Yet, when she revoked her scent I got angry. What she did was for the best. I affected her and she wanted protection from that. Hell, I needed protection from her. So, why had it irritated me so much?
A groan passed through my lips as I kicked my reflection. Waves disfigured him, but he came back.
'What is it about her that makes you want to throw all caution into the wind? Have you forgotten what happened with Scarlett?'
I cringed at the voice in my head.
Scarlett was a witch I would never forget. She haunted me for centuries after playing and manipulating my emotions. Her skulduggery was explicit. However, something about this witch made me forget all logic; all the trouble I went through with Scarlett.
A smile tugged at my lips when Brianna's scent came to mind. She smelt of freshly bloomed flowers. An aroma I couldn't get enough of. Ever since our first encounter, it took residence in my system and refused to leave me alone. I became an addict, needing to get a whiff every so often.
My back hit the concrete. The shiny reflection of the water danced on the roof.
Those purple eyes of hers. I doubt she knew they got a shade darker when she laughed or how bright they shine when she used her powers. Not to mention those full lips of hers. They were so inviting. She was perfect.
My lids drifted close. The memory of how her tongue felt danced across my brain. How good it felt to be near her. I wasn't a sybarite, but she could turn me into one.
'There you go again, Kyleon. Always a lovesick puppy. No matter how many times you're kicked, you always keep running back for more.' This time the mental voice, wolfie was coated with disgust.
Wolfie was right. I was behaving like a puppy. I had been hurt once by a witch, there shouldn't be a second time.
My palms scrubbed across my face. Moving it away, I glimpsed a little blood under my fingernails. The same fingers which had dug into her soft flesh. The same ones that had caused the bright crimson syrup to pool out the punctured spot.
A sharp pain rippled through my body. I rolled on my side and punched the ground. The expression on her face when she realized I had hurt her settled behind my lids. Sounds of bone-cracking rang out, bouncing on the walls. Sharp nails dug and scraped at the concrete.
What was wrong with me? Why had I hurt her?
A loud groan rumbled from my throat. The wail vanished and was replaced with a howl. I darted through the tunnel, passed the barrier, and out into the forest. My tongue lolled from my mouth as the wind ruffled my furs.
Peace. No thoughts plagued my mind. No disturbance. Nothing. Until the scent of fresh flowers crept up my nose. Her scent.
Sniffing the air, I tracked the fragrance. Beyond a tall tree, over the riverbank, sat the girl I couldn't get out of my head. She was wrapped in the same yellow dress from earlier. The garment looked as if the designer had made it on her body, just for her. Long, shiny black hair was tied up in a messy bun, advertising a creamy neck. The same neck my fingers had curled around. The same soft, smooth neck which was easily pierced.
Saliva dripped from the corners of my mouth.
How I wished I had sunk my fangs in it instead. My front foot stepped forward but paused when two other girls emerged from the woods.
"I'm sorry about my cousin's behavior," Amy apologized, mixing something in a coconut shell. "Kyle can be a bit…"
"Intense," Ashley offered, staring at something on the side of Brianna's neck.
Brianna sighed, and fidgeted on the stone she sat, allowing her neck to be examined by the two women.
"Strong-willed," Amy finished. "He doesn't do too well with spells. Essentially if they're aimed at him."
An understatement. Ever since I was a child spells rubbed me the wrong way. However, this time it wasn't the spell she had cast which had riled me up, but the fact she used it on herself to take away her scent.
"Oh, please," the human, Summer retorted, rolling her eyes as she made her way to the girls. "Stop picking up for him. You saw everything we did. He doesn't like her and he used what she did to send a message. To show her who's boss."
Ashley nodded. "It makes sense. He really doesn't like her."
"Yeah," the human continued, happy for the support. "Besides, the guy's a beautiful asshole."
I rolled my eyes at how far-fetched she was. Disturbed at how fast Ashley agreed with her. I wasn't that bad.
Fucking humans.