Alora

Chapter 16

"Hold out the book, hun." She pantomimed how she wanted Alora to hold the book. The pages flipped open themselves. Alora smiled as she read the first words, 'Adventure Mythos.' Alora's amusement stopped when she noticed Wura's small silver dagger and a broken piece of glass. "Please trust me." Wura pleaded. Wura carved a familiar symbol two circles on top of each other in the powder and covered it with the broken shard. Alora jumped when Wura clapped her hands together and said more witches gibberish. 

Alora's hairs on her arms were standing up. Alora watched as the words on the page started to swirl. Wura's golden brown eyes turned jet black. Alora saw her breath spewing from Wura's lungs in a thick grey fog. Spittle flew from her bright red lips when she continued the incantation. The fog absorbed into the book. Next to the titled page, a design appeared like it was drawn when the book was originally written. It was an intricately designed compass. Alora watched as the compass arms were spinning wildly. "Perfect." Alora heard Wura say. "Want to test it out?" Alora flicked back up to Wura. A sickly roll washed over her like she was flying over a cliff.

"Umm." It was all Alora could get out. It was like she forgot how to speak.

"Don't worry. It happens a lot. This was a very strong spell. Just center yourself." Her voice was very self assured.

Alora closed her eyes from the spinning hands. RUN. She needed to get to the forest. She needed to go now. She stood up dropping the book and scattering the circle. The candles snuffed themselves out- unlit like they had never held a flame. Alora's eyes found the door.  Silently, she walked to the exit. She didn't acknowledge the ware standing watch this time, but his eyes went wide as he watched her take off in a brisk jog down the path. 

She was depraved of her peace and had a strong urge to find something to bring it back.  At first she wished Kitsune was there.  She knew he could whisper a few words and the world would be turned upside down, but she always felt peace in his presence even if she knew she should feel scared.  She shook her head from her thoughts.  The forest held her calm. She found a empty clearing surrounded by older trees, hidden behind a bush so her back was protected.  She zoned in on the chirping birds and a squirrel or two munching on acorns. A pine needle fell on her head as she plopped into her spot. 

Back by her cabin, Alora noticed the young ware had started to chase after her, but Wura held him back.  Alora grimaced and thought that maybe being alone was not the smartest idea she had.  Her web was thrashing now. Alora couldn't help herself. She doubled over in pain as she tried to keep her web from being brushed aside. A heat grew from her toes to her knees. She was crying now. The tears singed her shorts. Short bursts of high pitched ringing interrupted the forest noise around her.  She whimpered in pain.

SNAP. She hitched her breath. Her eyes were plastered with dried tears and sweat. She knew she blacked out again. It was late at night. The crickets were calling to each other. She should be feeling exhausted and scared, but she didn't. "Wura?" She called. No one answered. She shrugged off the sound. It must have been an animal then. 

Her breath felt light? Weird.  Her mind felt rebooted. She smiled. She felt like herself again though still a bit disgusting from crying.

Brushing off her shorts, she stood up. Her web felt tight. She looked around and there was a moment where she felt like she wasn't alone. It was like someone was watching her. She had practice with that being in a dark hole for years with just a voice. However, then that feeling was gone and she felt anxious. The weight of the world was back on her. She sighed. "I better get back to Wura then."

As if on cue, she hear some loud footsteps coming from camp. Wura had the book in front of her. "Oh thank Mother Earth!" Wura half stumbled to Alora. "I thought at first it wasn't working. I mean it was working, but then it just... stopped. Then just a few minutes ago it started again!" Wura gave her smile and then scrunched up her face in thought. "Maybe I should do a strengthening spell just in case?" Wura shrugged and gave the book to Alora. "Don't tell anyone about this- not even me." She looked around worried. "Lets get you back to camp so you can sleep for a few. The whole camp is thrumming right now, but they should be hitting the hay soon since everyone has to be up early for the hike." Wura walked Alora back to her room silently. A different ware was standing watch. Again she got a nod and nothing else.

"Thanks." Alora said just above a whisper not really to anyone. Maybe it was to everyone? She was starting to feel overwhelmed. Wura did seem like she really wanted to help Alora. Granted her coven wanted something. What? She couldn't be sure, but there was definitely an agenda going on and she felt they were holding something important from her. However, it did seem like Wura was making an effort.

"Night Alora. Sleep well." Wura's voice was distant like her mind was already back to her spells. Alora shut her door behind the witch. Tears fell again and she felt a growing sense of dread for tomorrow.