I was running, well more accurately, sludging through the woods. I knew it was going to rain today, but did it have to be right now ?
I am totally late for the council's meeting. I had to freaking stay after school to give my name up for the cheerleading team and had to listen to coach Benson go on about our uniforms and how strictly forbidden it is to hem our skirts shorter.
Ahead I could see the Archway in front of me. It's formed by two massive tree's that grew into one another. And also Rebecca standing with an umbrella.
"How the hell did you get here before I did ?" I asked Rebecca who also had to stay after school. She even stayed longer because she was on last years team.
"I jumped a portal, which is what you should have done." Rebecca replied.
I only rolled my eyes at her. I pulled out a pocket knife and stood closer to the left side of the Archway. The only way through to the magic realm is to make a blood sacrifice. It's like a way to keep humans out. You can't open the gate without supernatural blood.
I cut open my hand and flinched in the proses, Rebecca did the same. We each took our hands and placed it on the centuries old tree. We stood back a few inches and waited for the shimmering blue light to fill the empty space between the tree's. Now all you have to do is step through.
Welcome to Origano Magicae. The name originally came from the words the origin of magic. On this side of the Archway we have heavy security to keep the big and scary creatures out of the human world. Just think of the chaos and mayhem all of the creepies and ghouls would cause.
Anyway, just before you are allowed to pass further into Origano Magicae, you are handed a pure gold ring that is encrypted with runes and symbols. It plays the role of your green card. Without this handy ring you are stuck in here.
Rebecca and I used a healing spell to clear up the mess on our hands.
This place was also soaking from the rain. Luckily we had a contact that lives in the magic realm. His name is Peter Sanders, he's a warlock. He was already waiting for us by his car and had a big smile upon his face.
"Ladies..." He said and embraced us in his arms.
We got into his car and drove off to a castle like building that was covered in ferns and moss al over the old stones. We got out and went straight through the heavy oak door and walked to the meeting room. This whole place looked as if it was caught in the dark ages with the Victorian style it held.
We got in and everyone was already seated, so we decided it was best to sit at the back. Peter sat on my right as Rebecca sat on my left. I know Rebecca always admired his red hair and good looks. It was strange to not see her trying to sit next to him.
It was silent as the head of the council, Amara, took the front of the room under her feet. She represents the witches, but it seemed fair to give each chair on the council to represent the magic beings in the realm. So each of us had a voice and would always be in on the know.
"Good afternoon everyone." Amara spoke with a deep British accent, "I believe that everyone here has already been enlightened on our current situation with the bodies being found across the region. Frankly it has been pure chaos and panic in the human and magical realm's."
"We have gathered all our troops to find the creature behind these attacks, but they have had no luck. Some of our troops have even been injured. We are now facing the threat of countless hunters on our trail as well."
"We've seen it fit to introduce some old friends tonight."
She waved her hand over a door on her left, my right, and opened a portal. Behind the flashing blue stepped out two men and Aiden.
"Oh you have got to be kidding me." I said under my breath.
The men walked tall and filled with pride. They each took Amara's hand to address her and show her respect. How chivalrous of them.
"These gentlemen you see standing here, have agreed to lend a helping hand in capturing whoever is behind this... matter." Amara spoke on.
"This evening, we are opening up a seat in the council to the Immortals. We have signed a peace treaty long ago which allowed them to stay in hiding for as long as they wanted. They have clearly resurfaced and we are gratefully accepting their help."
Amara took a step aside to let the old guy take the stand.
"Hello. My name is Bearn and these are my two sons, Alexis and Aiden. We have a few people we would like to stay behind after this meeting has ended. The rest of you are free to leave. As your name is called out, please proceed to the room across the hall."
"Who is this guy ?" Peter asked a rhetorical question.
Amara had a list in front of her and started calling out names. One by one people started walking out the room. "Peter Sanders, Alicia Pierce. That is all. Thank you."
I saw Rebecca looking discouraged after not hearing her name being called out.
"I'll meet you after." I told her and walked into the hallway with Peter.
We walked off into the room across the hall. There's blood red curtains hanging to the floor, an oak desk and chair. Right behind me walked in Amara and the men.
"It is important that all of you listen closely to what we have to say." Amara said and looked over to Bearn.
"I am going to make this short. We have selected all of you to be part of something bigger and more dangerous then what you have ever encountered. You will each be given a specific metal bracelet. You will be able to create a portal through them to jump to where ever you need to go. They are your scapegoat for whenever you are in too much danger or for when you are urgently needed. You will have access to all portals through these rings." Bearn said.
I looked down at the silver bracelet in my hands and it had a code written on the inner side of it. Other then that, it looked like a normal bracelet.
"You will be put together in teams of two. Your duty to the council will be to be our eyes and ears at all times. You will be our new in site of young, skilled and powerful defenders against the dark arts. We are all facing a greater threat then you might imagine. We chose the best of the best." Amara said.
"What kind of danger that we don't even know about it ?" Peter asked, but I didn't answer.
"It is mandatory that all of you will from now on meet at my academy and train 4 hours daily. So, you have a choice to make. Stay and be the greatest warrior you can be or leave now, turn in your portal key and walk away as a coward." Bearn said.
"Let the Hunger Games begin." I whispered to Peter who nudged my shoulder.
I looked over to see Aiden staring at me with a dead look in his eyes, pun intended. We stood and waited for anyone to leave the room, but no one did.
"Wonderful. You will be given a location to where my academy is hidden. I will see you all at 5am. More will be explained when upon your arrival." Bearn said and simply walked pass me out the door, Alexis and Aiden following right behind him.
As soon as the big deals where out of the room, you could hear everyone start to mumble.
"Who the hell does he think he is ?"
"Did you see the two guys, cute right ?"
"Vampires ?"
"This has to be a joke"
"Well I guess we can go since G.I Joe left." I said.
I turned to walk when Peter grabbed my arm and pulled my back.
"Alice, your mother is in the council. Do you know anything about this ?" Peter asked.
"Yeah, like I was told about the peace treaty between the vampires and witches of Fell Grove. Oh yeah, don't forget we're joining a secret army formed by Dracula himself." I replied.
"Is sarcasm your only answer to everything ?" Peter asked.
I rolled my eyes and walked out the door, Peter not far behind me. We found Rebecca standing against the wall in the hall way with her arms crossed over her chest.
We walked out to Peter's car when I heard someone call my name. I looked to see a black Mercedes and that it was Bearn who called me. I walked over to hear why he was calling my name. How does he even know my name ?
"Alicia, it's nice to finally meet you."
"Hi, um, you can call me Alice. You know who I am ?"
"Yes, I heard of Aiden's encounter with a witch with the ability to see beyond. A very rare and powerful gift you have."
"Thank you."
"Well, I will see you tomorrow. The misses is waiting on me."
He stuck out his hand for me to shake. He knows of my gift, meaning he knows that I will see a vision when I take his hand.
I was hesitantly looking at his hand when he drew it away and smiled at me, "Of course." he said and got into the car.
I walked back to Peter and Rebecca, "What game is he playing at ?" Peter asked.
"I have no idea." I said.