PROLOGUE
“Ashalam haska Magnit hella tisku ma ninna, turanto maleska”
A shout from a small girl echoed around the bustling train station. A spark of green is all it took for every pair of eyes in the room to focus on the now moving train tracks, that were now bending further and further into a circle.
A ringing sounded out. A train was approaching.
The bending train tracks had been fully bent now into a large circle. The ground inside it started swirling. All the colour in the swirling mass of ground started to fade away, becoming a blank white. It shone brightly lighting the entire station in a ball of white light.
The small girl was watching eagerly at the edge. Waiting.
A hand appeared from the ball of white. Then an arm. Half a body and a leg. A face – twisted in fury. Another leg and arm. And finally the second hand. A woman now stood above the swirling mass of bright, white light. She stood tall with long dark hair. Her black robes, in which she was dressed, were old and tatty, but it wasn’t that that everybody was focusing on. Everybody was staring right into her eyes – her pitch black eyes. Her eyes were not in the slightest normal, the whole eyes were a black colour, like those of a teddy bear.
The little girl was stood in amazement. She had a smile that reached from one ear to the other stuck on her face. She was almost a small replica of this mysterious woman that had just appeared. She too had long dark hair, and her eyes had now turned a pitch black, mimicking those of the woman. She looked no older than three years of age.
The sound of the approaching train stated to rattle around the room. The mysterious woman turned to face the oncoming train and chanted “Alecto malesta kelumb tocato mankata”
A bright green light blinded the entire room. And when it had gone, everything was normal. The train pulled up at the station. Some people got off and some people got on, but nobody had even a slightest hint on their face that something that could change the course of the entire world had just occurred.

CHAPTER ONE
CHARLIE BALLON
“Charlie? Charlie are you there? Earth to Charlie, are you there?”
“What?” I asked the beady eyes that were poked into my face.
“Come on Charlie, It’s your line. We only have ten minutes until the show, we need to go through the lines” the beady eyes replied. The beady eyes belong to none other than my bestest friend in the world – Alison. Alison had been my best friend since primary school. She looked nothing like what I did. She was pretty to start off with. She had long golden blond hair, with glistening blue eyes. She had the figure of a model but she never let anyone know about it.
“Oh right. Are you making fun of me Rizzo?” Me and Alison had the two of the female leads in our school’s version of Grease. I was Sandy and she was Rizzo.
I had never performed in a school show before and neither had Alison and the pair of us were shaking in our bones compared to the others like the girl playing Frenchy. She played the lead role in last year’s production of West side story. She was strutting around the place like she was the queen bee of the show, like she knew everything about everything.
“Girls, come on. We don’t have much time now. Time for a the last meeting” shouted our teacher.
We rushed to him along with the rest of the class.
“Right, five minutes and we go on. I just want to say that you have all worked really hard on this piece and I have had the best time working with you all and I hope that you all enjoyed working with me. So let’s show them what we can do. Let’s show them what talent this school has” he said.
It wasn’t much of a prep talk compared to his usual rants that could go on for hours, but it was enough to make the entire group shout and cheer.
Five minutes. Four minutes. Three minutes. Two minutes. One minute.
Queue the beginning song ‘Grease’.
The whole cast flooded on the stage, in character of course.
“Grease is the word. Is the word. That you heard. It got groove. It got meaning. Grease is the time. It’s the place. It’s the motion. Now Grease is the way we are feeling.” We sang.
The blood in my veins heated up as the beginning song came to a close and the time between now and my first line vanished. My nerves were rising. I felt like I was about to burst and scream.
“I’m going back to Australia” was my first line.
It was just me and Ricky – who was playing Danny Zuko – on the stage. The pupils of over a hundred pair of eyes were on me and Ricky. The perfect time to make a mistake.
...
“Tell me more, tell me more. But you don’t have to brag” sang the boys on the next number.
“Tell me more, tell me more. Cause he sounds like a drag” sang the girls.
...
I was glad to get off the stage in the interval. I loved the thrill of the show but my nerves where making me feel ill. I was starting to go a little light headed. I could feel each beat of the drum stick on my head. Once the curtains had dropped I rushed off to the girls’ toilet where I was able to be in peace. I stood in front of the mirror. My face had gone a pale white. I looked as well as I felt. How could my condition worsen within one half of the show? My knees were buckling, I was going to drop, I had to sit down. There was only a small stool in the room. I stumbled over to it, slowly, keeping a tight grip on the side. I literally fell on the stool. I could feel the room spinning around me. Blank.
“Charlie? Charlie? I know you are in there. We only have ten more minutes until the second half” I could hear Alison shouting into the girls’ toilet. “Charlie? Answer me. Charlie? Ok. I’m coming in”
I could hear the door open. A scream ringed out followed by a shout “Sir. Sir”
Her shouted faded. Peace.
“In here” I heard her again.
“Oh dear. Alison go and get Miss Lidetti, she’s on the front row and tell Charlotte to put on her Sandy gear.” Said our teacher. I could hear the worry in his voice.
“Yes sir.”
There was a scramble of feet. And then more scrambling of feet. More panicked voices. Alison had returned with Miss Lidetti, the school nurse.
“Oh, dear. Alison, do you know her family?” Miss Lidetti voice rang in my ear.
“Yes miss. Her father is in the audience” she replied.
“Go and fetch him. And be careful of your choice of words” Miss Lidetti instructed “Richard. Phone 999. There is little I can do.”
I heard no more than that. All of my senses had gone.
....
I woke to the concerned face of my father. I looked about. I was in a hospital ward.
“What happened?” I asked with what strength I had. I could hardly move I was so weak.
“You collapsed in the toilet during the interval” replied my father.
“What about the show?” I asked.
“Your understudy performed the rest of the show” he replied.
My heart sank. I hadn’t even managed to get through my first performance and even worse what will everybody say at school.
A nurse came over.
“Oh, you’re awake” she said in a sweet soft voice.
“Yes, can we leave now?” my father asked.
“I’m sorry sir, but we still don’t know what caused her to get so ill, and she is still ill. Her temperature is over the maximum for sending home.” The nurse replied.
“I know why she was ill. She has had a condition since she was little and the best thing for her is to go home and rest” my father said standing up to the nurse.
What condition was he on about? I knew nothing of a condition. Was he lying or did he forget to mention I had a condition? I didn’t get the answer, I dropped back to sleep.
The next time I woke, I didn’t have to open my eyes to know where I was. I could feel a leather fabric under my fingers. I was lay on a leather sofa. I was home. I flipped my eyes open to see the ceiling to my lounge. I looked about.
My father was nowhere to be seen. I tried to sit up. I just fell straight back down. Instead I tried sliding up the arm of the sofa. It worked. I was sat up. There was a loud bang up stairs.
“Dad?” I shouted.
There was a loud scuffling sound of somebody rushing down the stairs. My dad burst through the door. He looked tired and strained. He breathed a sigh of relief. His skin was pale and there was distinguishing rings under his eyes.
“Are you ok?” I asked him “You look terrible”
“Did you really just ask me if I was alright?” He asked back half laughing “it’s not me that’s sofa-bound”
“I know but you...” I started but he placed his forefinger on my lips to stop me.
“I’m fine. I’ve just been a bit pressed. Looking after an unconscious girl is no joke. I only just managed to get you out of that death trap of a hospital” he replied removing his hand.
“Did you lie to them about a condition?” I asked him accusingly.
“I didn’t lie” He replied “You do have a condition”
“What condition?” I asked him.
“I cannot possibly explain now. Rest. We’ll talk later.” He replied trying to lie me back down.
I could hear him breathe out in relief as he headed out of the room.
He never did explain later, even when I was well enough to go back to school. His secrecy bothered me, his behaviour was just getting stranger and stranger. He getting paranoid of something happening, so much so it was a relief to be out of the house. The first day back at school was odd though. Nobody seemed to remember what had happened, even Alison.
I had no idea that something had occurred that would change my life forever.

CHAPTER TWO
MALIETTA
A few months later, when I had decided dad was just going off his rocker, was when my life finally hit the dramatic stage that you would normally only find in fiction books.
Monday break. Alison and I were by our lockers, getting out the books ready for our next lesson, when the lights switched off, leaving us in almost pitch black. The sun had gone behind some clouds so only little streaks of light fluttered into the corridor in which we were stood. The whole corridor erupted in screams as the Gym doors flew open, letting a gale force wind sweep through the corridor. Alison and I quickly grabbed on to the first thing we could – The locker doors. Those who had been stood in the middle of the corridor and those who hadn’t been quick enough to grab something, where now flying down the corridor, doing spins and rolls as they went.
“Charlie? What’s happening?” I could hear Alison shout over. I didn’t know how to answer. I knew just as little as she did but I could hear the desperation in her voice.
“I don’t know, but it’s going to be alright.” I shouted back to her.
I could feel a jolt on my locker door. One of the hinges had failed. It was holding on with only two. The wind increased. I could see panic in Alison’s eyes, her eyes widened even more. I had to look. Behind me, was a swirling mass of red cloud. I expected it to be swept away by the ever increasing strength of the wind but it stayed. It was waiting, very patiently waiting. I felt another jolt of the door. Another one of the hinges was gone. Only one left. The swirling mass of red cloud increased until it filled the entire corridor. I wanted to look away but my eyes were glued to it. The last of the hinges failed. I was sent flying into the mass of red cloud.
“Charlie!” I heard Alison scream behind me.
I slammed my eyes shut. I expected to hit the end of the corridor but instead I just stopped on the spot. I opened one eye. I was in a pitch black room, suspended in thin air. I opened the other eye. I was truly suspended in thin air. I could feel nothing holding me up, but I couldn’t feel anything beneath me.
“Hello?” I shouted. Nobody replied so I shouted again “Hello?”
I moved my arm but as soon as I did, I dropped. I went shooting down to ground level.
BANG
I hit the ground with a thud, face first into the concrete floor. I could feel the blood dripping out of my nose. I looked about. I was in... I didn’t know what I was in. It looked like one of the bunkers you see on films – where the villains keep their captives to be tortured. I had to get that thought out of my head. There was barely any light The only light was that of a small window. I looked towards it, the sky was dark – night time. Where am I? How long had I been here? I stumbled to my feet. A sharp pain flooded into my ankle. I must have landed funny. I fought through the pain to stay standing. I winced. I heard a sneer.
“Hello? Who’s there?”I asked quietly, not sure I wanted to know the answer.
I strained my eyes as I looked about the room. A silhouette was stood leaning against the corner, in the shadows.
“So nice for you to drop in” a woman’s voice said, but the voice wasn’t soft or welcoming like you’d expect, it was harsh and crispy. The silhouette stood up straight.
“Who are you?” I asked.
She stepped into a beam of light. She stood tall with long dark hair. Her black robes, in which she was dressed, were old and tatty, but it wasn’t her appearance that filled my body with fear, it was her eyes – her pitch black eyes. Her eyes were not in the slightest normal, the whole eyes were a black colour, like those of a teddy bear.
I was lost for words. I tried to take step back but my ankle failed on me and I dropped on to my bottom. I shuffled away from her and landed myself against a wall. She walked closer to me.
“Who are you?” I whispered at her finding my voice.
“Malietta” she replied briefly.
We remained in silence observing each other, when she turned away and went back to her corner.
“Where am I?” I asked.
“In my head” she replied coarsely.
“How can I be in your head?” I replied breathlessly as I began to panic.
“Because I willed for you to be in my head, and here you are. Do not worry, you will be back into your pathetic little school soon. I just want you to answer a few questions” she replied.
I waited for her to continue. She stayed stood on the spot. After a few minutes silence she ran to me. She picked me up by my collar and slammed me against the wall.
“Where is it?” she sneered.
“What?” I asked.
“Where is it?” she sneered again.
“I don’t know what you are on about” I replied as she moved her hand up to my neck.
“Tell me where it is. If you tell me you will never see me again however if you don’t I will turn your life into a living hell” she sneered as she restricted my breathing.
“I... don’t know... what you ... are on about?” I wheezed. She let me drop to the floor gagging for breath.
“I know you are lying girl. I know you know where it is. How could you not? You are Charlie Gyid after all.” She spoke gently.
Charlie Gyid? Who is Charlie Gyid?
“My name isn’t Charlie Gyid. My name is Charlie Ballon.” I replied.
“No” she screamed. She pinned me to the floor. She climbed on top of me. She leaned in close to me and sniffed.
“You are Charlie Gyid. You have the Gyid smell” she replied. She stood.
She placed one hand on the ankle that was causing me pain and pressed down hard. A shooting pain rocketed up my leg but within seconds it had gone. She picked me up by my top.
“I’d watch your back Gyid. I’m going to get it, even if it means killing you and searching the entire world for it”
She reached into her pocket and blew in my face a red dust. My eyes started stinging. I had no choice but close them. Suddenly I felt drops of water pouring down on me. I could hear the sound of girls screaming. My eyes shot open. I was back in the corridor. The sprinklers had been turned on and had made all the girls in the corridor run including Alison. I could see the back of her head heading towards the exit. I followed her out.
As the whole school waited to go back inside, questions pondered my mind. Who is Charlie Gyid? What did this Malietta want? Did it have something to do with my condition? I couldn’t concentrate for the rest of the day. These unanswered questions kept stealing my attention away from my teacher.
When I came into the house. Dad’s car wasn’t there. He must still be at work. I walked to the front door. It was partly open. I pushed it. I took a step inside. The corridor looked like usual apart from all the doors were shut. I walked to the lounge door, and opened it.
I couldn’t speak. My tongue had been tied into knots. I couldn’t believe what I saw. The room had been trashed. Everything had been thrown from its usual place. Even the sofa had been ripped to shreds to reveal a box. Lay by the box was a small girl. She looked no older than three. When I look back now, she looked so much like Malietta. She had long black hair too. But my instinct were to help the girl. I quickly rushed to her. As soon as I touched her a spark shot through my fingers and she woke. When she opened her eyes, she too had pitch black eyes. She sat up almost robotically. She looked me in the eye and hissed. She hit me in the face forcing me back. When I sat back up she had gone. She had completely vanished. I looked towards the box. I went to touch it when dad burst into the room.
“What are you doing?” he screamed.
He quickly grabbed my arm and pulled me up.
“Someone had trashed the house, and there was this girl, she was just lay in front of the box, dead-like.” I spluttered out extremely fast.
“Of course she did. Only you can get in this box. Anybody else who tries gets a nasty shock” he replied looking around the room, “Go and pack you essentials. We’re leaving”
“What? Why?” I asked him.
“We are not safe here anymore. Now go” he replied looking around the house.
“But...” I started but he shouted “Now”
His eyes were pulsing with anger. I rushed up the stairs. Essentials? What exactly are essentials? Hairbrush, Make-up, Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, conditioner, a few clothes, and some money. I placed all of these in my favourite bag. I was about to head out when I saw a picture of me and Alison. I walked to it. I pulled it off the wall and placed it in my bag. I checked my pocket for my phone – got it. Phone Charger. I put my phone charger in my bag.
“Charlie?” dad shouted up the stairs.
I quickly rushed down.
“Ready?” he asked.
I nodded.
We headed out of the door and climbed into my dad’s car. I looked into back seat and saw the box hidden under his coat.
“Dad, what’s going on?” I asked him, “What’s in that box?”
“Something powerful.” He replied.
“Dad!” I moaned.
“You want to know everything?” he asked me questioningly.
“Yes” I replied.
“Ok.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. He handed it over to me. At first touch I knew it wasn’t a piece of paper at all, it was a photo. I unfolded it. It was a photo of a family. A mother, a father and a baby. The mother was as slim as someone possibly could be. She had long blazing red hair like mine, with bright green eyes that still glistened through the photo. The man was as covered with muscles from head to toe. He had a strong jaw line, and short and spiky black hair. Then there was the baby. It was obviously a she. She looked about six months. She had been dressed in a beautiful pink dress. She had a short bush of blazing red hair like her mother and emerald green eyes.
“Who are these?” I asked him.
“Can’t you tell?” he asked back.
I shook my head still looking at the photo.
“That’s you, and your... real parents” he replied.
“But that’s not you” I commented not understanding what he said.
He looked me in the eye which is when it hit me.
“You’re not my dad” I whispered.
He shook his head.
“No”
“Then who are you?” I asked.
“Call me Jeff. I was a friend of your fathers. When they... died I took you in. I knew one day she would return and she’d want it. She killed your parents to try and get it but you stopped her.”
“How did I stop her?” I asked. As soon as it left my lips I realised a more obvious question “Who is she?”
“A wicked witch. Malietta. She terrorised the whole of our world for that stupid box. You and your parents are the only ones that can get into that box. Inside holds the most powerful object in the entire wiccan world. The orb of power. If it falls into her hands she could put all mortal humans into slavery and kill every wiccan that tries to stand against her. When she last found the box she had already killed your mother and father without realising she would need them to open it. When she found you she tried to use you but something happened that not even I can understand. She just froze on the spot at one touch of your skin. That held her long enough for the others to arrive and send her to the depths of the underworld. But, obviously, she has returned. And she will stop at nothing to get that orb. She must have found us hiding, so that is why we are leaving” he replied.
“Is my real name Charlie Gyid?” I asked him.
He looked at me rather shocked.
“Yes. How do you know that?” he asked.
“Then I’ve already met this Malietta. She pulled me into her head.” I explained to him.
“That must be how she knew where you were. In that case, there is only one place where we can go where you’ll be safe” he said.

CHAPTER THREE
THE SWISS COVERT
“She knows about the box, ma’am” the little girl spoke at last.
“You have done well, child. Now rest.” Replied Malietta.
“But Ma’am. What if they move her to... you know where? Neither of us can enter in there.” Questioned the little girl.
“I have my ways and means child. Should she enter, we can always lure her out. She will be of age soon, we need to get the orb before then. After that she will be too strong” said Malietta.
...
I had fallen asleep about two hours into the journey, when I woke the car was in a confined space lightened by a bright orange light. We were parked still. I looked over to dad – I mean Jeff. He was sat with one hand holding the wheel and the other was rested on the side of the car. The windows were open
“Where are we?” I asked.
I looked about and saw the sign for the channel tunnel.
He watched as I read the sign and realised where we were.
“Why are leaving the country?” I asked shocked.
“Because we need to get to the Swiss alps.” He replied facing the front.
You could hardly feel that we were moving. Every now and then a jolt would refract down the carriage. I lay my head back.
“What happens if I open the box?” I asked him.
“I don’t know, all I know is you are not to open the box until you are of age. Then you open the box and whatever happens happens.” He replied not even looking at me.
“Will whatever happens not happen if I open it early?” I asked.
“I am not sure. I’m not really the person to ask. When we arrive you can ask the others. They will be able answer your questions.” He replied.
“What others?” I asked. It was only then I realised how many questions I was asking about the orb and how little information I was getting back.
“the other wiccans of the Swiss Covert. Your covert.” He replied.
“Covert?”
“Gatherings of wiccans. There is one for each country. It watches over the wiccans in their country.” He explained.
“Why are we going to the Swiss one?” I asked him.
“You do ask a lot of questions” he laughed. I looked him in the eye. His smile faded a little and he looked forward. “Your mother was a Swiss Wiccan so you were born into the Swiss Covert. You are also a Swiss Wiccan.”
“What about my father?” I asked him.
“A French Warlock. The same as me” he replied.
“You’re a Warlock?” I asked.
He nodded. He looked towards me. He laughed at my shocked face.
“I may not look like one but I am” he laughed.
I couldn’t help but let out a small giggle.
“What is the difference between Wiccans and Witches and then Warlocks and Wizards?” I asked. It was one of the questions I have wanted to ask ever since I found out Malietta was a Witch.
“Wiccans are real and the name Witch is what Wiccans fed to Human to cover their tracks. Same story with Warlocks and Wizards” he replied.
“But you said Malietta was a wicked Witch?” I asked.
“The name ‘Witch’ is something humans fear and so the name has stuck with her.” He replied “Anyway, you need sleep, I can see it in your eyes. So go back to sleep”
I must of done what he said there and then because I couldn’t remember coming off the channel Tunnel and entering France but when I next woke, we had pulled up at a service station. He had nudged me awake.
“Thought you might want to freshen up and maybe get changed” he said softly.
I nodded.
“I’ll be out here, ok?”
I nodded again.
I headed in. I followed the signs to the toilets. Around the one-way shop, down the stairs and along a small corridor then second right, after the gents. I headed in. I went to the loo and changed into a fresh pair of clothes. I went to the mirror, I got out my hairbrush and brushed my curly blazing red hair. I looked tired and exhausted. I took off what remained of my make-up from the previous day. I brushed my teeth. When I lifted my head up from the last spit, stood next to me was another woman. She was standing far too close for comfort staring me in the eyes. She had bright blue eyes, that glistened in the light.
“Oh sorry” was all I could come out with. I went to walk away but she moved in front of me.
“What’s your name girl?” she asked.
“Charlie” I replied.
“Charlie Gyid?” the woman asked.
Now I was panicking. Why was it that she knew my name? The only thing that popped into my head to offer and explanation was “Are you a Wicc..?”
I didn’t get to finish my sentence. She slammed me against the wall and hissed “Are you mad? Do you want to announce it to the whole world?”
“Nobody else is here” I said in a little whisper “Who are you?”
She let go off me and said, “Elspeth. From the French Covert. I was told you were heading through France and I was asked to accompany you to the boarder.”
She held her hand out for me to shake. I took her hand. The butterflies were still storming around my stomach but at least they weren’t bombing it anymore.
“Sorry, if I frightened you. A habit.” She said, her tone had turned friendly and cheerful.
“That’s ok. It’s a habit of mine to get frightened easily” I replied “But I had better go. Dad – Urm I mean Jeff will be waiting for me”
“Just to let you know. I will be following closely behind, so don’t be frightened if there is someone following you, that’ll be me” she said giving me a wink. “Oh, should you need any help, even when you’re in Switzerland, just call for me”
I smiled, nodded and then headed back up the stairs and out to the car. I didn’t think to ask how to call her when I have no number for her.
When I climbed in the car, I could see Jeff’s patience was running thin.
“I was about to come in and get you” he said starting up the car.
I didn’t reply, I had spotted Elspeth coming out of the service station. I was watching her through the car mirror. She headed to a black motorbike with bright blue stripes. I smiled as she started it.
“Did you hear me?” Jeff asked clicking in my face.
I looked at him and said “Sorry”
“What’s wrong with you?” he asked.
“I met a French Wiccan...” I replied. A smile came up on his face. “...Her name was Elspeth. She seemed nice.”
“French Wiccans are nice” he laughed.
“You’re only saying that because you’re a French Warlock” I retorted trying not to laugh.
It was a long journey through France. Every so often I would catch a glimpse of Elspeth on her motorbike. She swished through the cars like a painting being drawn – smooth and gently.
It was about a good eight hours until we stopped to cross the border into Switzerland. I could see Elspeth watching until we finally went through.
I was getting restless and Jeff had noticed. “Don’t worry. It’s only a little longer now. We’re over half way, I swear”
“Good” I replied needing to stretch my legs.
I can’t remember the rest of the trip, so I must have fell asleep, but all I can remember was having my eyes closed, the sun shining on my face, lighting even the inside of my eye lids. And then... darkness. I had to open my eyes. We were inside a cave. Jeff braked hard and stopped.
“We’re here” he said. He sat inside the car watching as I sat up. I sat back.
“Aren’t you going to go in?” he asked.
“I was waiting for you” I replied “Are you coming in?”
He didn’t reply he just unfastened his seatbelt and climbed out the car. I followed suit. He got out of his bag a pair of gloves. He placed them on and lifted up the box. I watched as he did this, full of questions.
He obviously saw I had questions as he said, “My skin can’t come in contact with it unless I will end up like the girl you saw in our lounge. Only you can touch it”
He picked up his own bag and I picked up mine.
He lead me to a spot in the cave. On the rock was a small part that stuck out. It looked like someone had sketched a circle around it as there was a deep cut all the way around. Jeff placed down both the box and his bag and pulled the rock off. Below was a touch pad. He pressed it and then took my finger and pressed my finger onto it.
A part of the rock wall vanished revealing a rock corridor behind it. Jeff picked up his bags and headed through it. I followed closely. Once through I looked back but all I could see was a rock wall. The rock corridor was dark with a fire on the wall every now and then. Slowly the rock faded and it became a soft and smooth plastered wall with cream wallpaper.
“Welcome to the Swiss Covert” Jeff said.
Two men stood by a door. The only door we had come across so far, and the only way out of this corridor. They held their hands out ordering us to stop.
“State your names” said the one on the left.
“Jeff Ballon. French Warlock” Jeff said. He and the guards looked to me.
“Oh, Charlie Gyid. Swiss Wiccan” I said.
The guards straightened up.
“The gate recognised Jeff Ballon, French Warlock and Charlie Gyid, Swiss Wiccan. You may enter”
The door opened. What I saw amazed me. The corridor I was stood in was dark and dreary but the corridor in front of me was strange. The walls were rock but a beautiful rock with some plants going up it in some parts. The carpet wasn’t carpet at all but grass and then the ceiling wasn’t a ceiling it was the sky, but it wasn’t the real sky.
“An enchantment, whatever the sky looks like outside the ceiling in here will mimic it” explained Jeff as we walked through the corridor. “Then an enchantment on the carpet and walls so it feels like your outside. It’s a Swiss thing. If you came into the French Covert you’ll see water all around you. Note the eye colours. French have blue eyes for the sea. Swiss, green eyes for nature”
I couldn’t stop looking around the corridor as we walked. Neither could I stop gasping at everything. At one point a butterfly flu up to me and landed on my shoulder. It stayed for a while and then flew off, showing its full beauty as it did.
It wasn’t long until came across a Swiss Wiccan or two should I say, we were about to reach a t-turn in a corridor when two Wiccans came rushing down to us from the right.
“I’m so sorry you have had to find your own way this far. Please allow me to help you with your luggage” she said bowing. She looked around my age, the other looked even younger. She took my bag off me. She then took Jeff’s. She handed the bags to the younger one and said “Room 31 and Room 32”
The younger one rushed off with the luggage.
The Wiccan looked at the box and then looked Jeff in the eyes. She shook her head and then looked me in the eyes.
“Oh my, Charlie Gyid.” She shook my hand. “My name is Gabrielle, but everybody calls me Gabby.”
“Hello Gabby” I said.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you Miss Gyid” she replied.
“Please call me Charlie” I said. I had only heard myself being called Miss Gyid once and I already didn’t like it.
“Ok, then, It’s a pleasure to meet you Miss Charlie” she repeated.
“No, just Charlie” I said with a small giggle.
Her checks turned red with blush.
“Sorry Charlie.” She said “Anyway, this way”
She lead us though corridor after corridor until we reached a grand door. It was a golden colour, in fact it looked like it had been made out of Gold. She knocked twice. She put her hand up for us to wait and then headed in. We were stood outside for a few minutes until the doors swung open. Inside was a bright room, the bright light made it look extensive – like it could go on forever. Three grand and golden chairs were placed in what looked like the middle – I couldn’t tell because of the extensive look. Both me and Jeff walked to just in front of the grand chairs. Jeff bowed down on one knee, so I did the same. Sat on two of the chairs where two grand looking people. The grandest chair had an elderly man sat on it. He looked old and fragile. He had a long silver beard, and was wearing grand red robes. On his left was a middle aged woman. She had long brown hair, and emerald green eyes. She was wearing long green robes. The third chair, on the elderly man’s right, was empty.
“Stand” said the elderly man.
“Your names?” asked the woman as we stood.
“Jeffery Van Ballon...” started Jeff when the elderly man interrupted him “Warlock from the French Covert”
“Yes, Sir Mallot” replied Jeff bowing.
Sir Mallot must be the elderly man.
“Welcome back, Mr Ballon. You have done well” said the woman.
“Thank you Mistress Halsente” replied Jeff.
So, the woman was called Mistress Halsente.
“And you my dear?” asked Sir Mallot.
Before I got chance to reply, the Mistress Halsente spotted the box and gasped “The box”
All eyes fell on the box that Jeff was holding.
Both Sir Mallot and Mistress Halsente stood and started to walk to us – well to Jeffery.
They inspected the box and then turned to me.
Sir Mallot held out his hand to me. I took it. He kissed my hand and said, “Welcome Miss Gyid”
Mistress Halsente gasped again. She was quick to shake my hand and said, “Welcome home child”
“She is hardly a child anymore Hazel” said Sir Mallot.
I smiled, Jeff often forgot I wasn’t a child anymore and now someone had recognised it.
“You look ever so much like your mother” said Sir Mallot with a touch a sadness in his eyes.
“You’ll have to excuse our un-announced visit, but it is no longer safe for the box or Charlie to be outside the Covert’s walls.” Announced Jeff.
“I see” said Sir Mallot.
Both he and Mistress Halsente took their seats on the grand chairs.
“Explain Jeffery” instructed Sir Mallot.
“The first hint that Malietta had returned came when Charlie got a sudden illness that has suggested various times with other people to be the return of their enemy. Then Charlie was pulled into her mind, and finally the house was ransacked and the child that I believe to be her accomplice was found at the scene under the symptoms of trying to open the box. We packed up straight away and headed here.” Jeff explained briefly.
“You decided wisely. This is disturbing news” said Mistress Halsente.
“Very” agreed Sir Mallot “We lost hundreds of Wiccans from every country the last time she was around”
“How long is it until she comes of age?” asked Mistress Halsente about me.
“Around six months” Jeff replied.
Around six months. So coming of age is turning sixteen. I turn sixteen in six months and one week.
“Six month and one week” I corrected.
“So she knows?” asked Sir Mallot.
“I told her briefly about Malietta and her parents but I never said what coming of age was.” He replied.
“I worked it out. He said around six months. Well, my birthday is in six months and one week, so I presumed it meant when I turned sixteen. Am I right?”
“Yes, Charlie you are” replied Jeff.
“Well then she will placed under watch until she is of age. Gabby, that will be your job” said Mistress Halsente.
“Shall I ask for her to enrolled into the school, Mistress Halsente?” asked Gabby stepping from the side. I had almost forgotten she was there. She had been standing with two large guards. They must be the protection.
“Yes. She can learn while she is here. I presume she is lacking in education” said Mistress Halsente.
“I have been to school Mistress Halsente. I get straight A’s” I said starting to feel my blood boil that that comment. Lacking in education. Pfft, I’m the complete opposite. Most people always said I was a bit of a nerd for knowing all the answers.
“I’m sure you are my dear, but that is not what Mistress Halsente meant. She meant you must be lacking in education in the arts of magic. We are positive you are a bright girl when it comes to mortal subjects like Maths, Science and English.” Explained Sir Mallot.
“Oh, sorry” I said sheepishly.
“No problem my dear. I would have been offended too” replied Mistress Halsente giving me a smile.
“Gabby, would you show Charlie to her room. We would like to discuss our next move with Mr Ballon alone” instructed Sir Mallot.
“Of course Sir Mallot” replied Gabby. She turned to me, smiled and then said “Follow me”
She lead me down another series of extensive corridors.
“How big is this place exactly?” I asked her.
“However big Sir Mallot and Mistress Halsente want it to be. It’s enchanted you see. We can extend it whenever they ask us to.” She replied “At the moment there is five hundred and ninety-six bedrooms, the grand room that you’ve just been in, eighteen rooms belonging to the school and then ten training rooms”
“Wow that is a lot” I gasped.
She lead me to my room. Room 31.
“Mr Ballon will be in the room next door. Room 32.” Said Gabby as she reached a number. 31. I could see no door anywhere.
“Malestra Voltra” said Gabby touching the wall.
The wall around her finger started to melt into a brown door with the number 31 on it.
“Malestra Voltra?” I asked her.
“Yeh, say that and will for the door to appear and it will. With any door. Apart from the grand door, and the school doors and the training room doors” explained Gabby.
“So only bedroom doors?” I asked her.
“Yes” she replied going red in the face.
When the whole door had appeared she opened the door. Inside was incredible. I walked in. It was wonderful. This room too, had grass for the floor, rocks for walls and the sky for a ceiling On the wall to my right was a waterfall that was continuously splashing down the rocks. But the water just vanished at first touch of the floor. In the room was a sofa and a plasma TV. Wow. In the middle was a Japanese looking screen. I walked to the other side of it and in the centre of this part of the room was a grand looking double bed. I jumped on to it and let it swallow me. It was as soft as a bag of feathers. Gabby poked her head around the screen.
“Do you like your room?” she asked.
“I love it. But where is the loo?” I asked as I sat up realising the lack of a toilet.
Gabby’s head disappeared. I stood and followed her around the screen. She walked to the waterfall and said “Apundo”
The waterfall split into two and revealed a door.
“Right, another word I have to learn. So it’s Malestra Voltra for the bedroom door and then Apundo for the bathroom door. This is going to get confusing” I said.
“Don’t worry you’ll get used to it” Gabby laughed.
“Where are you in this building?” I asked her.
“Room four” she replied smiling.
“And how do I get there?” I asked her.
“Well, hopefully anytime you need me I can come to you. All you have to do is call me” she said.
“There’s no phone” I commented looking around.
“No, I mean will for me, and I will sense it and come straight away.” She laughed.
I was starting to feel like I had fallen into an imaginary world. Into one of them worlds you dream off as a little girl.
“Anyway, I shall leave you to sleep, I am sure you are tired after your journey. School starts at nine tomorrow. I’ll come and wake you at eight to make sure you are ready.” She said starting to head out.
“Ok. See you tomorrow” I replied to her.
I looked around my room. It was defiantly different. It was then I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket. I fetched it out. I had a text, from Alison. ‘Where are you? ’
I went to reply but I realised then, what would I say to her? I couldn’t lie to her but I couldn’t tell her everything. ‘the house was burgled so dad and I have gone away for a while. Dad hasn’t said how long for but we’ll be back soon hopefully ’
Send.
I placed my phone down on the sofa. My bag had been placed next to my sofa. I went to it and fetched out the picture of me and Alison. The only problem was I couldn’t pin it up on the wall. I didn’t like the idea of sticking a pin though the rock, it would probably break the pin. I slumped down. What do I do now?
In a way I wanted to explore where I was but if it was as big as Gabby had said, I would easily get lost. I laid down letting myself watch the single cloud drift by on the ceiling. The light was fading. It was getting later in the day.
I didn’t know how long I was sitting there for but after a while there was a knock on my door.
“Who is it?” I shouted.
“It’s me” I heard Jeff shout back.
I rushed to the door and opened it. He walked in observing the surroundings.
“Nice room. You would love the French Covent’s bedrooms. You walk in and you feel like you’re in an aquarium.” Commented Jeff as he sat down on my sofa.
He spotted the picture of Alison and I still in my hand.
“You’ll see her again, don’t worry” said Jeff in a comforting tone.
I went and sat down next to him.
“But when?” I asked.
“When your sixteen you can do whatever you want. You may decide to go back home or you may decide to stay here.” He replied “You’ll be pretty much out of danger then. Malietta will be no match against you when you have opened the box”
“Then how come she could kill my mom and dad?” I asked.
“Because the box doesn’t affect them, only you. It was only ever you. They could touch it and open it but it would only take effect on you” he replied looking me in the eye.
“Why me?” I asked in less than a whisper.
“Nobody knows why you where chosen, you just were” he replied “Maybe the mix of Coverts. That hadn’t happened before. I don’t know”
“You don’t know much do you?” I laughed.
“I am only thirty odd. Still very young in Warlock terms” he replied.
I smiled at him.
“You should get some rest, especially if you start school tomorrow. Magic school is no joke. It’s hard work” he replied standing.
I just nodded. He went to walk out, when I said “Jeff...”
He turned to me. I ran to him and gave him a hug. He wrapped his arms around me and whispered “It’ll be alright kid. Your safe here.”
He kissed me on the forehead – the father way – and then headed out.

CHAPTER FOUR
MAGIC SCHOOL
I was awoken the next day by the knocking on my door and the familiar voice of Gabby shouting “Charlie, time to get up”
I lay in my bed a little longer with my eyes shut until on large bang came on my door.
“Ok. I’m awake” I shouted back.
My eyes fluttered open. The sky was overcast today, just like I felt. New day. New country. New School. New Life. I sat up rubbing my eyes. I flipped the bed sheets off my legs and twisted so my legs dangled down the side of the bed.
I jumped up, suddenly feeling awake. I opened the door and let Gabby walk in. In her arms she carried some clothes.
“Your school uniform” she said placing them on my bed. “I’ll be back in ten minutes.”
She said nothing more and headed out. I must have annoyed her by not waking up. I headed to the school kit. It looked like the sort of thing you would wear for a fancy dress party. It consisted of a very tight fitting brown top with a golden sun sewn on – in the centre of the golden sun was the Switzerland flag – a black tight skirt that reached down to the centre of my thigh – with black tights of course – and then a black drop pocket cardigan that reached down to the bottom of my skirt. I actually liked this school uniform, my old one had been horrible and ugly, but this one was stylish and flattering to my curves. I tucked the brown top into my skirt. I then added one of my wide black belts into the mix. I placed it so it covered the transition from skirt to top.
There was knock on my door. I opened it and to no surprise Gabby was behind it. I let her in and turned to do my make-up and hair.
“That look really suits you” said Gabby. She too was wearing the school uniform, however she wore her top outside of her skirt. She was carrying two bags. The bags had the logo from the top on it. I presumed inside were the school books.
“Should I tie my hair back?” I asked her.
I didn’t like tying my hair back, I like to let it fall down my back but if there was going to be a lot of PE-like lessons, I want to tie it back.
“I think you should be alright till the afternoon. It’s theory till afternoon. You can come back at dinner to tie it up if you’d like” she said.
I left it down.
“Are you ready?” she asked.
I make a few last adjustments and then nodded.
“Good, here is your school bag” she said handing me one of the bags.
It was heavy. I opened the bag and inside it looked like a library. I’d heard of looking bigger on the inside then out but this was stupid. Gabby obviously saw my face.
“An enchantment. It’s so we don’t have to carry a big rucksack with us everywhere. There’ only ten books in there really.” Commented Gabby with a small smile on her face. Obviously amused by my shocked expression. She was right there was only ten books but each one looked bigger than an Argos catalogue – and that is big.
“Come on, you don’t want to late on your first day” she said grabbing my wrist and leading me out of the room. She lead me down corridor after corridor. I was glad I was with her, I never would have found this myself. Just around a corner the nature themed corridors changed to those of a usual school. All white, with lockers along the walls ect.
“Welcome to the school wing” said Gabby.
As we walked down the corridor we started to walk past other students. They were all wearing the same uniform as me and I couldn’t help noticing every head turned as we walked through. It was like going to a usual school, there were different types of students. The geeks, the jocks – even though I’m not sure what they play – the populars, the misfits, and then the middle class.
“What are the lessons exactly?” I asked Gabby trying to defuse my attention from the eyes following us down the corridor.
“Spells and enchantments, History, magical creatures, potions, defence, and battle. The battle lessons are the physical ones in the afternoon.” Replied Gabby counting each lesson on her fingers.
“What about flying, like on brooms?” I asked her.
“That’s a myth. There’s a levitation spell but we can’t fly on brooms” she replied with a slight giggle in her words. I couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed at that.
There was obviously a lot for me to learn. Gabby turned left into one of the classrooms. The class room was light and consisted on five rows of six single desks, spread out. The teacher was stood at the front. From the back I had no idea who she was but when she turned around I saw it was Mistress Halsente.
“Good morning, Charlie” she said with a sweet smile on her face.
“Good morning Mistress Halsente.” I replied.
Gabby sat down on the back row, in the corner. She pointed for me to sit on the desk directly in front of her. I sat down and placed my bag on the back of the chair.
“There’s always a space there” she whispered. As the rest of the class filled up I spotted that everybody looked in my direction upon first entering.
“Is it rare to get a new student?” I asked Gabby.
“At this stage, yes, very rare. Most new students have to start at the bottom and work their way up no matter how old they are but Mistress Halsente instructed you be placed straight into this class” replied Gabby.
“What stage is this?” I asked her as more people filled up the room.
“The first year of intermediate. You’ve missed four years of beginner level.” She replied.
“Then why did she ask for me to put in here?” I asked confused.
“I don’t know, she just did” Gabby replied.
Mistress Halsente cleared her throat so I twisted around in my chair to face the front of the class. She was looking directly at me along with the rest of the class. She nodded at me and turned to the board.
“Right, can you get your spells and enchantment books out and open them at page ninety-four, please” said Mistress Halsente. The way she said it, it sounded like a question, but everybody in this room knew it wasn’t. I rummaged through my bag until I found the book entitled ‘Spells and Enchantments. Intermediate level.’
I pulled it out and almost dropped it on the desk it was so heavy. It was a forest green colour with the writing in a fancy red scribble. It looked hard and ragged to feel but at first touch I felt it was as smooth as felt. I lifted the front cover. And what struck me first was the name on the inside of this book –
‘This book belongs to Sarah Manning. Wiccan from the Swiss Covert’
Who was Sarah Manning? Was I supposed to have this book. It was then I spotted a small love heart in the corner of the page. Inside the love heart it said –
‘Sarah Manning + Jerome Gyid’
It hit me like a wet sponge in the face. Mom and dad. This was mom’s old school book. I couldn’t help but let a smile seep onto my face. I could feel someone at me, and they were, Mistress Halsente was watching me. She clicked her fingers and my book opened to page ninety-four. I rebounded, but then I spotted everybody’s eyes were on me so I shuffled my chair back under my desk.
At the top of the page it said-
Dream Invaders
This is going to be interesting. I didn’t even know there was such a thing as a dream invader.
“Can you please all read the first paragraph” instructed Mistress Halsente.
What is a Dream Invader?
A dream invader is not a creature, it is a skill. A skill to enter into somebody’s mind. Once entered they can observe or manipulate dreams. Any powerful Wiccan or Warlock can master the skill of a dream Invader, but if caught the punishment is definite death.
The text was repetitive of the fact somebody could alter your dreams as you have them. It made me wonder why it is punishable by death. Surely it could be a way to warn or help somebody. I had a puzzled look on my face and it had been spotted. Mistress Halsente came and looked over my shoulder.
“What are you confused about?” she asked.
I didn’t want to look stupid in front of the rest of the class so I just pointed to sentence in question.
“Because, the usage of the spell is forbidden.” Explained Mistress Halsente “To invade someone’s privacy is an unforgivable practice”
“What if it was to warn or give them answers to questions?” I asked.
“It is very rare someone would want or need to do that. And if they did, chances are, the person who they are helping aren’t likely to report them” Mistress Halsente replied.
I nodded.
“Anymore questions?” she asked already knowing the answer.
I shook my head ‘no’.
She stood and walked to front of the class.
“Right. Class, eyes up please” she instructed.
Everybody’s eyes fell on her. She walked to the side of the room where a collection of drawers where stuck randomly in the wall. She opened one and pulled out a bag of seeds, a white cloth bag with a drawstring and a safety clip.
“Everybody gather around my desk please” she said as she placed these three objects on her desk. Everybody stood and created a mob around her desk.
“Where’s Charlie?” she asked.
Everybody turned to me.
“Charlie come to the front” Mistress Halsente requested. The other students made a corridor for me to walk through, all eyes on me. I came to the front.
“Stand next to me” she said. I walked to her side.
“Now, I’m going to show you how to repel people from invading your dreams. The instructions are in your textbook but it’s better to watch somebody do it. Now Charlie, I feel this could come useful to you, so you are making it” Mistress Halsente said.
My eyes shot up to meet hers. She couldn’t be serious. This was apparently Intermediate level, and I hadn’t even done the beginner levels.
“Ok, pick up the white bag” said Mistress Halsente. As she gave me the instructions I followed her every word. “Take three Apple seeds from the bag of seeds and place them in the bag. Close the bag. Now when you get back to your room use the safety pin and pin that to the pillow you sleep on. Leave it for three days. When those three days are over. Throw the seed out your bedroom door. Then if a certain someone – I presume you can guess who – comes to invade you dreams, she will find her path blocked”
I smiled as I held the bag in my hand. That seems simple enough. Was this really intermediate level?
“Mistress Halsente, do we get to make one?” asked one of the other students.
“What did you think you were going to be doing for the rest of lesson?” barked Mistress Halsente “The stuff is in your desks”.
Everybody flooded back to their tables. I went to walk back to mine but I felt Mistress Halsente’s hand on my shoulder. She spun me around to face her.
“Has Jeff explained to you what will happen?” she asked.
I shook my head ‘no’.
“We believe Malietta might try to lure you out of here, so we have placed two guards outside your room, so should she manage to tempt you, you will be stopped, so don’t be unnerved by the Warlocks outside your door. Gabby, is going to be your day by day protector. Is that clear?” she asked me.
I nodded, “Mistress Halsente, can I ask you why I have been placed in this class?”
“Because we do not have time to teach you the beginner stuff. We don’t know when Malietta will try and... well... you know... so we need you to try and keep up with the more advanced stuff” she explained.
I nodded “I’ll do my best”
“Good” said Mistress Halsente.
I walked back to my desk. I had to see where everybody was getting the stuff from. I thought I had been sitting at a usual desk. I studied my desk for a while until Gabby walked up and lifted the top. Instead of looking down on to the floor like I expected there was a cabinet filled with different items and artefacts. I couldn’t help it. I had to say it “Wow”
“Enchanted” Gabby remarked.
She placed the lid back down and went back to her desk. I sat down and watched as she made her protection against the dream invaders. I couldn’t understand it but everybody was stood up while they made it – just like in my old science classes, we had to stand when we did a practical.
Once everybody had finished they took their seats again.
“Well done. I know this may have seemed easier than your usual stuff but it is a useful thing to know. Every time you move rooms or houses, the spell will break and you would have to repeat it.” Said Mistress Halsente.
A bell rang. It rang twice. I looked around, everybody was placing their textbook back in their bags. Was it the end of the lesson? I followed suit. I placed my book and my white bag inside my school bag. I placed my bag over my shoulder and followed as everyone flooded out of the classroom. Gabby lead me to our next lesson. For this one we had to go down a set of spiral stairs. When we reached the room I could see collections of single tables pushed together to make tables of four. On each table there were two cauldrons.
“Potions?” I asked.
Gabby just nodded.
We sat on the table closets to the front. That was Gabby’s usual seat and like before there just happened to be a spare seat near her. I was her partner for this lesson. The teacher hadn’t shown up yet.
“We’ve had a different teacher every lesson for months now” whispered Gabby to me.
“Why?” I asked.
“Because nobody wants this job, for some strange odd reason. We get Wiccans and Warlocks from all over the world coming to teach us but they only every stay for a week or two and then go again.” She replied.
We had to share the table of four with a pair of boys. Gabby didn’t even look at them when they sat down. They didn’t acknowledge her either. Both of them were covered head to toe in muscles, you could see their six packs underneath their tight brown tops – vest tops.
“Who are they?” I whispered to her, so quietly I was surprised she even heard me.
“Billy Atkins and Brad Watkins. Both Warlocks. Both extremely popular and both jocks. Brad is like Wiccan royalty. He’s Sir Mallot’s nephew.” she whispered back.
Brad must be the taller one. I could see why he was popular. He looked like a god. His spiky brown hair, his sparkling green eyes, his masculine jaw line, Perfection.
Just then the door flung open and a figure in the door suggested our teacher. He walked to the front of the class. I was so shocked I couldn’t stop my jaw dropping to the floor. Jeff. He was our potions teacher?
“Hey, isn’t that...” Gabby didn’t have to finish. I elbowed her to shut her up.
“Hello. My name is Mr Ballon. I am a French Warlock and I am your new potions teacher” said Jeff, his eyes looking at the whole class then resting on me. I could feel my cheeks burning up.
A lad at the back raised his hand.
“Mr Ballon, how long will you be teaching us for?” asked the lad.
“Well, I’m defiantly here for six months.... and a week, but should you want me to stay longer than that I shall” Jeff replied.
Jeff looked around as everybody was quiet. They obviously wasn’t expecting him to stick around very long. Or at least not that long.
“Anyway, books out” he smiled.
I reached into my bag and pulled out my potions book. This one was a sky blue colour with dark black writing. Inside the cover again I found ‘The property of Sarah Manning’ but to my surprise there was something different this time...
Sarah Manning + Natasha Flemming BMA
Alison and I often wrote these sort of things on our book. BMA meant Best Mates Always. It was odd, this made this school seem like an ordinary school. Best friends, doodling in textbooks, and secret crushes.
“Page 10 please” said Jeff.
I turned to page 10.
LOVE POTIONS
My mom obviously went on this page often, her and her friend – I’m guessing Natasha – had written almost a whole convocation in it.
I am so using this potion on Jerome.
You will regret it
How will I?
Cause it’s not real love. He loves you anyway and you know it
My mom seemed even more like me. She may have been a Wiccan but this made her seem somewhat normal. She must of really loved my dad, to even think of using a love potion on him.
GYPSY ROSE LOVE POTION
The Gypsy Rose Love Potion is easy to brew for the right Wiccan or Warlock. All the ingredient needed reside in the chant that you perform with it. You place each ingredient in, in the order that it appears on the chant. You then stir three times. Each stir as you say the three last lines. Be sure to stir with a SILVER spoon.
Three hearts of precious wild pink rose
that under sun and starlight grows;
Three silver spoons of honey gold
awakens powers of the old;
Three silver spoons of brandy wine
you shall be mine, you shall be mine.
You shall be mine till I set you free
This is my will, so shall it be.
Wow. Deep. I couldn’t help but smile at this. Had somebody given me this book a few weeks ago I would thrown it back in their face and ran off screaming ‘Weirdo’ or ‘freak’.
“Right, you’ve probably read what you need to do. Your ingredients are by your cauldrons. Two per a cauldron. Brew away.” Jeff said.
Gabby and I stood so we could start. I could see Brad and Billy whispering away behind their Potion books. They didn’t look in the slightest bothered they had been told to start making the potion. How disrespectful!
Turning my attention to Gabby and our potion, we decided – well Gabby decided – I should do the chant as I have less experience with the whole magic stuff. Already it the cauldron was a mixture of boiling water and some sugar. I started the chant.
“Three hearts of precious wild pink rose that under sun and starlight grows”
Gabby added in three Rose buds.
“Three silver spoons of honey gold awakens powers of the old”
Gabby put in three Silver spoons of honey.
“Three silver spoons of brandy wine”
Gabby added in the wine.
“you shall be mine, you shall be mine.”
Gabby stirred the mixture.
“You shall be mine till I set you free”
Gabby stirred it again.
“This is my will, so shall it be.”
The final Stir.
A puff of pink smoke rocketed out of the top of cauldron. It formed together to make a the shape of a pink rose. It then settled back down on the surface of the mixture.
Jeff came over.
“Brilliant girls.” He said. He looked over to the boys who were still whispering away behind their books.
“Boys” The boys looked at him. “Are you going to be joining the class today?”
The boys stood, and Billy stuttered out “Yes sir.”
Jeff turned back to us.
“Well done” he whispered into my ear.
The room had started to go up in puffs of pink smoke as more and more people completed the potion. And finally the boys who shared our table finished their potion as well.
“Great. Now I’m afraid I can’t let you take any of this out of the classroom so can you step away from your cauldrons for a moment.” Jeff said. Everybody took a step back. Those in the middle collided with each other.
“Cleanesto helsa gareda molesta helcta” said Jeff and in a collection of white smoke, all the cauldrons where empty and the leftover ingredient were stacked on his desk. He smiled. Everybody took their seats.
“We have about ten minutes so just chat until the bell” said Jeff.
Everybody stared at him in disbelief. It was obvious no teacher had let them chat before. And after the moment of shocked silence had passed, the room roared into life. Every mouth was moving.
“So, what do we have next?” I said to Gabby.
“Break, and then Magical creatures. Then lunch and then...” she gulped “Battle”.
“Don’t you like battle?” I asked her.
She said nothing but shook her head.
“Nobody likes Battle” spoke up Brad. His voice was musky. The very sound of it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
“Why not?” I asked, more to Gabby than him.
“It can get a bit rough. The teacher doesn’t believe in stopping your opponent if you’re injured. You have to keep going until the bell or you pass out” Explained Brad “It’s alright for those that always win but for those who well... don’t, its hell”
“Why? I mean why does he let you get hurt?” I asked.
“He says that out in the open, your enemies won’t stop if your injured.” He replied.
Fair point, they won’t. But surely in school, it is wrong for them to let you get hurt. This school has gone strange again.
“My name is Brad by the way and this is my buddy Billy” said Brad holding out his hand.
I had half a mind to tell him I already knew his name and who he was but I decided against it.
“Charlie” I said shaking his hand.
“What are you like at Battle?” he asked me.
“I don’t know. I’m actually sure what Battle is” I replied being completely honest.
“You use spells and stuff against you opponents and on the odd occasion we learn hand to hand combat as well” Gabby explained to me.
“Then I’ll be beaten to a pulp” I commented.
“If you pair with me I can look after you” He said. I could feel myself going red at the offer.
“Do you fight in pairs?” I asked.
“Yep, two against two.” He replied.
I looked towards Gabby. I could see her pulse racing. As much as I would jump at going with him I have often said friendship over relationship.
“Maybe next time, I think this one I should stick with my friend” I replied.
“Next time then?” he asked.
“Yeh” I replied.

CHAPTER FIVE
BRAD
Break wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. There was a large room where you could hang out. I could see you hung in your own groups. The populars with the populars, the nerds with the nerds, the middle class with the middle class, and the training guards with the training guards. Gabby turned out to be a training guard, so I stood with her. She introduced me to her friends. Most of their names went in one ear and out the other. But I couldn’t help noticing Brad’s eyes floating over to me every so often, the only thing was mine where doing the same for him and on the odd occasion our eyes locked. Every time they did I quickly turned away, blushing a deep red.
The bell went.
Magical Creatures.
Magical Creatures was completely theory. We were looking in the text books at various different creatures that I believed to be just myths. I was sat sharing a double table with Gabby at the back right hand corner of the room. Brad and Billy where sat on the front in the opposite corner. Again my eyes often floated from off my book to connect with his.
“Do you have a crush on him?” Gabby asked me half way through.
“What would make you say that?” I asked her, half laughing.
“Just the way you are looking at him, that’s all” she replied.
“I think I do” I replied. I quickly turned serious and looked her in the eye and asked “What do I do?”
“Nothing. It’s natural to have a crush, and by the way he’s looking at you I would say he took a fancy on you too. He’s a good one to catch” remarked Gabby.
“Girls, I hope you are concentrating on your book” remarked the teacher. I turned my eye back to the book. We were meant to reading about Werewolves.
CREATURES OF THE NIGHT
WEREWOLVES
Werewolves are well known for being half-breeds of Wolf and man. Most typical Werewolves are those born a man and bitten or scratched by another Werewolves, but there are some recorded that have been born a Werewolf.
The origin of the Werewolf is unknown but what is known is they are most definitely dangerous creature of the night. During the day and twenty five nights of the month they are harmless but on the three night that the moon is full they turn vicious. They lose complete sense of themselves, so much so, they would kill their own family if they came in contact with them.
Nice. So heartless creatures of the night really do exist.
Lunch.
At lunch the large room we had been in at break had been turned into a cafeteria. The combination of food was great. I chose to have spaghetti and meatballs, and I have to say, they were the best spaghetti and meatballs I have ever had. I didn’t get much chance to stare at Brad though because as soon as we had eaten, Gabby had grabbed my wrist and was pulled me up to my room. Just like Mistress Halsente had said two guards were stood outside of my room. One on either side. Brilliant, and this wasn’t invading privacy?.
“Malestra Voltra” I said with one finger on the wall. I remembered at least.
I headed in with Gabby following. I took my white bag out of my school bag and pinned it to my pillow just like Mistress Halsente had instructed.
We only came up so I could tie my hair back but we spent the rest of lunch in there talking, mainly me asking about Brad. Though most of the questions Gabby couldn’t actually answer.
Time for battle.
I followed Gabby to the battle room. It was a large room. It was only just bigger than the sports hall at my old school and that was the size of a football pitch. The whole class filled in. I could tell by everybody’s faces that nobody really liked this lesson.
This teacher was large and bulky. He stood over even the tallest students. Everybody cowered under him. But you know what they always say ‘their bark is worse than their bite’.
Unfortunately what wasn’t true, he seemed as heartless as a werewolf on a full moon.
“Right, in your usual pairs please” he barked.
Gabby had no choice but pair with her usual partner – one of the trainee guards. I was stood alone.
“New girl. Here now” He shouted towards me.
I gulped and walked towards him.
“What’s you name girl?” he asked.
“Ch... Charlie” I stuttered out.
“Charlie what?” he asked.
It was then that I realised that nobody in my class apart from Gabby knew my full name, they just knew me a Charlie.
“Charlie Gyid” I spat out.
The teacher recoiled a little. The rest of the class gasped.
“Well, let’s find you a partner” he said turning to the rest of the group.
Gabby stepped forward and started to speak “Sir, I have been...”
“Shut it, short pie. Back with your partner” he barked.
“Yes Mr Walice. Sorry” whispered Gabby stepping back.
“Watkins. You can go with Miss Gyid. That breaks up the annoying triplet” barked Mr Walice with an evil smile on his face.
Brad had been stood with Billy and another lad. There was obviously an odd number before I joined the class.
Brad walked to my side. He shot me a smile then turned to face Mr Walice.
“Today you will fighting one Vs one in your pairs. Hand to hand combat” Said Mr Walice. He looked around as everybody gulped. “Well what are you waiting for?”
Everybody scattered into their places. Brad took my hand and lead me to a free space. He actually took my hand. I felt about ready to scream ‘OH MY GOD’.
“You never told me you were Charlie Gyid” he commented as he took his fighting stance.
“You never asked” I replied looking at him a bit confused.
“You never had a fight before have you?” he asked in a bit of a sigh. I shook my head ‘no’.
He walked to me.
“Put one foot in front of the other” he said.
“Does it matter which way?” I asked.
“You strongest foot in front” he replied.
I placed my right foot in front.
“I guess your right handed then?” he laughed.
“Yep” I replied briefly.
He move behind me. I could feel his chest pressing up against my back, and his breath breathing down my neck. He placed his hands on top of my own, and raised them up in a fighting stance.
“Is that comfortable?” he asked.
“Yeh” I replied almost as soon as he had started the last word.
“Good” he replied. He backed away. I could feel the disappointment run through my veins. He walked around so he was opposite me. He took his stance.
“I’ll try and go easy on you” he laughed.
I couldn’t bring a laugh up. Butterflies were flying around my stomach. He made his move. A right punch, narrowly miss my head. I just managed to dodge his second punch to the stomach. I backed away.
“You’ll have to fight back eventually” he said.
I could feel Gabby watching as best as she could while dodging punches herself.
I couldn’t explain what happened next. It shocked even me.
He went to punch again but I blocked with my left and punched him in the gut, winding him. I moved back. He was shocked as I was. My mind was on fire. I rushed to him and asked, “Are you alright?”
“Yep... I’ll be... fine” is all about what he managed to spit it.
I helped him to his feet but his stomach was still scrunched up.
“You have... one nasty... punch” he gasped.
“Sorry. I don’t know what happened.”I whimpered.
“Hey, don’t you... go crying on me... it was a fair fight. I should have... seen that coming” he replied starting to get his breath back. He was able to straighten up a little.
“I’m sorry. I’ve never punch anybody in my life. Are you sure you are alright?” I repeated.
“I’m fine” he was at the point of laughter at my over-protectiveness. He straightened up a little more.
“Sure?” I asked.
“Sure” he replied “I think it’s just the shock of it”
He stood back straight.
“Are you ready to go again?” he asked me.
I stood back and nodded slowly.
We both took our fight stance. He went to punch me but I grabbed his wrist.
The rest was a blur. I had grabbed his wrist but the next thing I knew he was lay on the floor, rubbing the back of his head.
“Ok, I am never underestimating you again” he commented as he sat up. I sat down next to him.
“Must we continue or can we just pretend for the rest of today?” I asked him softly.
He said nothing but nodded. He stood and put his hand out to me. I grabbed it. He pulled me up and we both got into our fight stances.
As the two hours of Battle passed, Mr Walice walked around the different pairs watching them fight, when he came to watch us, we both put on a good performance and he walked away smiling.
“Perhaps you’d like to maybe spend some time with me later? I know this really nice place in the mountain where we could go” He asked as the lesson was coming to a close.
“I would love to” I replied rather quiet but with an exciting ring to it.
“Good. What room are you in?” He asked.
“Room thirty-one.” I replied.
“Well, shall I come to you at seven – after dinner?” he asked.
“Yeh. That’ll be great” I replied.
I joined Gabby as he re-joined his friends. Gabby lead me back to my room when I explained everything to her. She was almost as excited as I was.
“He actually took you hand?” she gasped.
“Yeh” I screamed.
It was then I heard my phone vibrate. I didn’t have to go over to it to know why. Alison would have text back. I walk to it and picked it up. In fact she had text me not just once or twice but three times.
‘Sorry about your house. Hope you come back soon ’
‘Hey, in geography, so boring without you, hope your having a better time than I am ’
‘Has your father said yet when you’ll be returning home, me and Ricky want to know. Yes Ricky is asking about you. I think he misses you. :P’
That just put a damper on the mood. Gabby walked to my side.
“What’s up?” she asked.
“Alison has been texting me” I replied.
“Alison?” she asked.
I picked up the photo of Alison and I.
“We were bestest best friends in the whole world” I told her.
“I’m sorry” she replied.
“Nah, it’s alright” I said as I started to text back.
‘Started my new school. It’s crazy. Nothing like Razor Hill. You would love it here. Wish you were here. Made two friends. A girl – Gabby and guy – Brad. Brad is as fit as... definitely a 10 :P meeting him later, alone. Might get a pull’
Send.
“Might get a pull?” laughed Gabby.
“It’s a joke between me and her” I replied with a large smile on my face.
“You never know you might actually get a pull. I think he really likes you” she laughed.
I let out a little laugh myself.
The next two hours, went so slow – typical, when you want time to go fast it goes slow. Dinner was interesting. Everybody was packed into a great hall with rows and rows of tables. I could see Jeff sitting with Mistress Halsente, Sir Mallot and the other teachers. Other adults were sat together. What I did notice was the adults sat on the left with the teens and children on the right. I sat in the closest corner. Perfect for a full view of Brad. He was sat with a collection on Jocks and populars.
“What exactly do the Jocks play?” I had to asked Gabby.
“Nothing special, it’s a human sport really... They play dodge ball.” She replied.
“Dodge ball? Really. I love dodge ball” I gasped.
She said nothing but nodded.
As the hall emptied I watched Brad leave his table. He had to walk past behind me to get out of the room. As he walked past he stopped and kissed me on the cheek. He said nothing but carried on walking. I was half way through drinking, but when he kissed me, a natural reflect came into action, I spat my drink back into my cup and plainly watched him walk out.
Gabby was laughing at how red I had gone. I had gone as red as a strawberry. Gabby was about wetting herself with laughter.
“Will you help me get ready?” I asked her.
“Of course, come on” she replied grabbing my wrist and literally dragging me out of the room.
Once in my room she placed her hand on an area on the wall. A thought occurred to her.
“I never showed you this did I?”
“No” I replied.
“Relajo” she said and out of nowhere a wardrobe door appeared.
When she opened the door I saw the huge collection of clothes.
“What do you think I should wear?” I asked her.
She pulled out a top but as she pulled it out I spotted something that was hanged up next to it. It was a Belted Bow Stripe playsuit. I pulled it out and went into the toilet to place it on. When I came out, Gabby smiled.
“Ooo, I know what’s missing.” Said Gabby as she rushed to the wardrobe. She pulled out some flower patterned plimsolls and a beautiful flower necklace. I placed both of them on.
“Right it’s ten to, I better go. I’ll see you tomorrow. Have fun” she said as she headed out.
It was exactly on seven when there was a knock on my door. I rushed to it. I welcomed Brad into my room.
“I love your room” he commented.
“I thought all rooms were the same?” I asked him.
“No, each room is designed to meet your expectations. If you expected to have a double bed, you will have a double bed, if you expect...” he turned to my TV “Whatever this is”
“It’s a TV. Well a Plasma TV. It’s an exact replica to the one in my room back home” I replied.
“You’ll have to show me how it works sometime” he said taking a seat – narrowly missing my picture of Alison and I. He picked it up and studied it.
“Who’s this?” he asked.
“Alison. My bestest best friend in the entire world” I replied sitting next to him. He took my hand and squeezed it tight.
“Can I ask you a question?” he asked me after a moment of silence.
I just plainly nodded.
“What’s with the Warlocks outside?” he asked nodding towards the door.
“Protection from Malietta” I replied briefly.
“You’re joking” he laughed. I looked him the eyes, and when he saw I was serious his smile dropped “Malietta can’t enter this place. When she started causing trouble Sir Mallot and Mistress Halsente place a spell on her stopping her from entering the Covert.”
“No. It’s to stop her from luring me out. If she manages to tempt me to leave, they are there to stop me, and then protect me” I explained.
He kissed me on the cheek and whispered into my ear “Well I’ll be here to protect you as well”
“Anyway, you wanted to show me something” I said.
“Yes, come on” he pulled me up as he stood up himself.
He led me out of my room, down some corridors, up some stairs and up some more corridors until we reached a dead end. Brad lay his hand on the end wall.
“Ateska revelo” he said. As soon as he started the wall burst into flames.
I jumped back but he kept his hand deep in the dark red flames. The flames changed to a dark blue colour and then vanished. The wall vanished behind it, revealing a beautiful garden, with multi-coloured flowers, and multi-coloured butterflies.
We stepped in.
The grass felt like a bag of feathers under my feet, so soft I could have fell asleep on the spot.
“This is beautiful” I gasped gawping at every other thing.
“It is isn’t it. My uncle used to bring me here just to talk. You know, one of those comforting ‘I’m sorry for your loss’ sort of talks” he explained.
“Sorry for your loss?” I asked him confused.
“My mother. Murdered by my father” he replied as he sat down on the squidgy floor. I sat next to him.
“I’m sorry” I replied quietly.
“It was a long time ago” he said as he kissed my cheek “But thank you”
I smiled at him. He threw a smile back, and I caught it full on in the face, sending me bright red.
“Does anybody else know this place exists?” I asked him.
“No. Nobody ever has the guts to explore this place” he laughed.
“Can you blame them? It’s like a maze” I replied laughing myself.
He placed his arm around my shoulders. My blood turned hot. I could feel myself heating up. He pulled me close to him. I lay my head on his shoulder. I could feel his heart beating. It was regular, unlike mine. Mine was going at four times the usual pace. His scent filled my nostrils. Creeping its way up. It was the beautiful scent of wildlife and a freshly mown lawn.
We sat in silence just taking everything in. I didn’t know how long exactly we were sat there but it was wonderful. I was about falling sleep it was so peaceful when I felt his head close to my neck. He nuzzled it with his nose, and then touch it with a soft and gentle kiss. He kissed down and then back up my neck. When he reached my jawbone, he started kissing my cheek, moving his way across the side of my face. His soft lips came in contact with mine. Finally! I had been waiting for him to kiss me.
He ran his hands through my hair, softly. He drew back and smiled at me. A smile was etched onto my face. I could feel my cheeks had gone a rosy red. He placed his hands on either side of my face and kissed me again. This time more passionately. I could feel his tongue as it poked its way through to connect with mine. I was taking every last moment of it in until I heard a cough. One of those coughs you do when you’re trying to catch someone’s attention. I pulled back and looked to where that cough came from.
Stood behind us was Jeff. He had a picture of anger on his face. He didn’t have to even open his mouth to let me know how he felt. I avoided his glaze.
“Mr Watkins, would you please head back to your room. I wish to have a little talk with Charlie” Said Jeff. It wasn’t a question, it was an order. I could see Jeff’s blood boiling.
Brad looked me in the eye. I nodded. He nodded once and then headed out.
“Charlie, look at me” Jeff ordered.
I looked him in the eye.
“You about scared me half to death. I came to look for you when I found you weren’t in your room. And then Gabby told me you were with this... Brad. And when I finally find you, he had his tongue down your throat” he said in an angered tone.
“I’m sorry. He said he wanted to show me this place, and...” I stopped.
“And what?” Jeff wished me to continue.
“I like him” I replied in no more than a whisper.
“You what?” He asked, going quiet himself. I could just see the anger leek from his body.
“I like him” I replied, a little louder.
He stood frozen to the spot. He shook his head. At first I thought he was about to shout but instead he just hugged me.
“My little girl has got her first boyfriend” he said more in a mocking fashion than anything else.
“Jeff!” I moaned pulling free of his grip “He’s not my boyfriend... And he wouldn’t be my first even if he was.”
“He’s the first one I found out about” he laughed. I could never understand how he could go from being angry to laughing so quickly. He had done it since I could remember, always angry then laughing a few seconds later.
“Come on, I don’t suppose you know what time it is?” He asked me as he placed his arm around my shoulder and lead me out.
“No” I replied.
“Ten to ten. Past your bedtime” laughed Jeff.
“I don’t have a bedtime, I’m not a five year old, I just have a time I go to bed” I said defensively, half laughing.
“Of course you do” he laughed back.

CHAPTER SIX
THE OUTSIDER
My eyes fluttered open the next morning. The sky was a deep blue – when you looked at it, it looked as though it could go on and on. I looked about my room, reminiscing about the previous night’s events. He kissed me! He actually kissed me! The only thing I regret about last night was that Jeff had to come looking for me. I thought like I was going to melt with embarrassment when I first saw him standing over us. I sat up and flipped my legs over the side of the bed. I stretched and then sighed. I wished to see Brad standing at my side saying a kind good morning and then giving me a good morning kiss. I jumped out of bed and started to get changed into my school kit. I heard a knock on my door.
“Hang on” I shouted.
I finished throwing on every part of my uniform and neatened myself up. I rushed to the door and swung it open. Gabby. I grabbed her wrist and pulled her in and slammed the door shut.
“Guess what” I said to her half screaming.
“What?” She asked me intrigued with what I was about to say.
“He kissed me” I said in a high but quiet scream.
“Really?” she said in the same pitch as me “Tongues?”
“Gabby!” I gasped but after a few seconds I nodded adding in a little excited scream.
“Are you ready for school?” she asked me.
I grabbed my bag from the sofa and then nodded. We practically ran out of my room together.
“What was it like?” she asked me as we headed down.
“Amazing. Heaven” I replied.
“Everybody always wonders what he’d kiss like” commented Gabby.
“Really?” I asked we entered the school wing.
“Yeh” she replied nodding.
All of a sudden a pair of arms came wrapping around my waist, lifting me off the floor. I couldn’t help but laugh as I shouted “Put me down”
I could hear a recognisable laugh – Brad. He placed me down and spun me around. He locked his lips with mine. I could feel people watching but for once I didn’t care. Somebody cleared their throat. We turned to see Mistress Halsente standing behind us.
“Mr Watkins, I would appreciate it if you could keep your hands off Charlie. She has things she needs to be concentrating on and I am sure you locking lips with her every five seconds isn’t going to help” She sneered.
“I’m sorry Mistress Halsente” replied Brad, his ears going a little pink.
As soon as Mistress Halsente had vanished off into the crowds. I grabbed his head and forced his lips back on to mine. I could feel his lips curl into a smile.
I pulled back and smiled the sweetest smile I knew.
“I hate to break up the lovebirds but we’ve got to get all the way to History” spoke up Gabby.
“May I walk with you?” asked Brad to me flashing on his charm.
“Of course” I replied.
I was determined to still walk with Gabby so I walked right next to her. Brad put his arm around my waist and walked next to me.
History was up the corridor and up some stairs and then the first door on your right. This classroom looked like one from my old school. Single tables but pushed together to make rows of six. Gabby sat at the back of the class. I came and sat next to her, and then Brad came and sat next to me. He held my hand below the table. The teacher walked in. Sir Mallot. He gave a quick glance at me and Brad and let a small chuckle escape his mouth.
We still had five minutes until lessons started so Sir Mallot walked over to us. He pulled up a chair and sat opposite me.
“Did you enjoy your day yesterday?” he asked me.
“It was very good thank you Sir” I replied.
“Good. I’m sure you’ll enjoy today just as much” he smiled.
“I hope so Sir” I replied smiling back.
“Looks like you’ve already met my nephew” he commented smiling more at Brad then at me.
“Yes, Sir. He’s lovely.” I replied hugging Brads arm tight.
Even I could tell what was going through his mind – his uncle and his new girlfriend were double teaming to embarrass him. But he wasn’t having that without something sweet added in.
“Yes, she is a good kisser, Uncle” he laughed.
I gasped and gave him a playful punch in the arm. I had officially gone red now.
“Ah, young love” was the only thing Sir Mallot could spit out as the rest of the class started to file in.
Sir Mallot stood and gracefully walked to the front of the class.
“Well, I wasn’t lying” whispered Brad as he kissed me on my cheek. My face was burning up.
“Right. Today we are – for the benefit of one particular member of your class – studying the Malietta era.” He said taking a seat behind his desk.
I could feel everybody’s eyes fall on me. I had ignored how everybody had flinched at the name but when everybody is looking directly at you it’s hard to ignore it.
“Page 389 in your books please” he said.
I searched for my book but I didn’t seem to have one. I haven’t taken any books out my bag! I turned to Gabby and whispered into her ear “I don’t have a history book”
“You should have” said Gabby as she grabbed my bag off me. She searched through it.
“I defiantly put it in. I swear”
“Well I haven’t taken any books out apart from in lessons” I replied.
“Tell sir” she said.
I raised my hand.
“Yes, Charlie” he said without even looking in my direction.
“I don’t have a book” I said to him lowering my hand.
“You should have. Gabby did you give her all the books?” he asked heading towards our row.
“Yes. I placed each one in. I ticked them off on my check list, Sir” she replied.
“And you haven’t taken it out?” He asked turning to me, looking me right in the eye.
“No sir” I replied “Maybe it fell out of my bag in my room”
“Perhaps...” he said.
“Shall I go and have a look Sir?” I asked him standing.
“Quickly” he replied.
I thought I could remember the way back. Down the corridor and then down some more corridors. I looked around. My room should be somewhere around here but there were no Warlocks. I was looking for the Warlocks. I went to turn and go back when I spotted the number 31 on the wall. This was my corridor. Where are the guards? I couldn’t help but wonder.
I placed my fingertip on the wall. “Malestra Voltra”
The wall melted revealing the door. I grabbed hold off the door handle but had to pull back. It was as hot as a fire. I couldn’t think what came over me. I pulled my cardigan sleeve over my hand and grabbed the door handle and yanked the door open.
Nothing.
The room was exactly how I was expecting it to be. Nothing had moved. Nobody was in here. Or at least that’s what it looked like. I started looking about. Under my sofa, under my bed, under all the pillows. I flipped the bed covers off my bed. My heart almost stopped, I stumbled back in shock.
A message. Written in blood.
You will die
Charlie Gyid
Fear ran through me. I rushed out of the room not thinking of closing the door behind me. I ran back to the History classroom and burst in.
“Oh, my dear, what’s wrong?” asked Sir Mallot from the front of the class.
Brad stood and came to my side. I couldn’t get my words out. I stood there in silence not know at all what to say.
“Charlie what’s wrong?” Brad asked. He lay his hand under my chin and moved my face to face his “You look like you’ve seen a ghost”
“Somebody... has been... in my room...” I stuttered out.
“That’ll only be the cleaners my dear” replied Sir Mallot.
“No” I shook my head in a panic. “No. There’s a message on my bed. Written in... Blood”
The room was filled with gasps. Sir Mallot stood frozen.
“All of you are to go to defence immediately. Gabby fetch Mistress Halsente and Brad you go and fetch Mr Ballon. Then meet myself and Charlie in her room” said Sir Mallot.
The rest of the class filled out. Gabby hugged me and then headed to get Mistress Halsente. Then Brad came up to me and whispered “No matter what, I won’t let anything happen to you”
He kissed my forehead and then rushed out to get Jeff.
Sir Mallot and I headed up to my room. As we reached my corridor, Sir Mallot placed his arm in front of me to stop me from going any further.
“The door is open. Whoever it is may still be in there” he whispered to me.
“I never closed the door when I ran out” I whispered back.
“Better to be safe than sorry. Wait here” he whispered to me.
He slowly and carefully approached the door, trying not to make a sound. I waited and watched as he vanished into my room. I waiting there in silence until his head reappeared.
“It’s safe” he said to me.
I walked to him and into my room. Gabby and Mistress Halsente came running in not long behind us, followed closely by Brad and Jeff. All of them stood shocked at what they saw written on my bed. Brad walked to me and pulled me close.
“Benjamin, how is this possible? She cannot enter this building” Mistress Halsente said, in a tone of desperation and shock.
“I do not know. This is extremely disturbing.” Replied Sir Mallot obviously deep in thought.
“What it wasn’t her and she has somebody on the inside?” I spoke up.
“An outsider within our walls. A fair option. I would not rule it out.” replied Sir Mallot.
“What do we do about this? Whoever did it knows which room she was sleeping in and is obviously intrigued on killing her. She is no longer safe in this room” spoke up Jeff who had been silent since he walked in, filled with shock.
“It’s a terrible thing to say, I know, but if she is not safe in here she is not safe anywhere” commented Mistress Halsente.
My eyes widened. Not safe. I came here to be safe. I left my friends to be safe. My breathing was starting to go wild. I could feel Brad kissing me on the side of the head.
“Don’t worry. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I will never let anybody hurt you” he whispered into my ear.
“But where are the guards?” Gabby asked.
A thought struck all three of the adults. The guards were missing. Something could have easily have happened to them.
“Jeff, alert the rest of the Covert and start the search. We go into shut down until we find the guards. Hazel tell all the students to enter the grand hall. Only we can open those doors so only you and I would be able to reach them and then join Jeff in the search” said Sir Mallot “Charlie can remain here. I wish to have her close by so I can watch over her and I can have a small chat with her”
“Sir, what is going to happen?” asked Jeff, a tone of worry in his voice.
“I will talk to you Jeff once the immediate panic is over.” replied Sir Mallot, there was no worry in his voice but all of us knew he was extremely worried.
“Of course, Sir Mallot” said Jeff as he headed out.
“Should I take Gabby and Brad?” Mistress Halsente asked.
“Yes. It would be easier for me to have only Charlie” Sir Mallot replied.
“Uncle...” Brad start to protest but Sir Mallot cut him short “No, Brad. She will be safer if it was just me and her. Adding you as well, I would have to keep my eyes on both of you and not just her”
Brad lowered his head. He still had his arms around me hugging me tightly.
“Be careful” he whispered into my ear. He turned me to face him and locked his lips with mine. We remained –our lips locked – until Sir Mallot said, “Brad. I need you and Gabby to help Mistress Halsente round up the rest of the students”
Brad pulled back, nodded, gave me one more quick peck on the lips and then followed Mistress Halsente and Gabby out.
“Sir, what is going to happen?” I asked him once the door had shut.
“I do not know” he replied taking a seat on my sofa. I sat down next to him trying to calm my breathing. “I am sorry Charlie. Not everybody is perfect, everybody has their flaws and I’m afraid not knowing what to say sometimes is one of mine”
“But Sir, What am I meant to do? I wouldn’t be able to sleep in here now” I asked him.
“You will have to share a room with somebody. That’s the only way I think we can keep you safe.” He replied.
“Sir, what would happen if I was to open the box now?” I asked him.
“Nobody knows, so I would prefer to be safe rather than sorry” he replied.
I lay my head on his shoulder, and let my eyes drop close.
...
Home. The field at the end of the road. The smell of a freshly mown lawn crawled up nose. I was lay on my back on the soft ground. I watched as the clouds drifted across the sky, only occasionally would one cover the sun. I let the small, cooling breeze float over my body. I let my eyes shut.
Suddenly, everything went dark, when I opened my eyes the sky was no longer blue but a blood red. The ground below me had gone hard and dry. All the grass had vanished. I looked about. I slowly stood. I could hear a shrill familiar laugh.
Malietta. Her figure appeared in the corner of my eye. I had to look. She was stood there smiling with her devilish smile. A shock of fear flooded through me. “Hello, Charlie. How nice is it to see you again” she said in that taunting tone.
“What do you want with me now?” I shouted at her.
“You know what I want Charlie” she replied walked ever closer to me.
“The box” I whispered. I gulped and the shouted “You can’t have it”
“Strange, you parents said the same thing. They didn’t know what was good for them either” she whispered into my ear.
All of a sudden two large green veins grew from out of the ground. The formed the shape of two adults. After shifting about in its green skin, they formed the figures of a couple. The colour of the skin changed from green to a pale white. Red blood ran down their faces and arms. Their eyes were grey and empty, nothing like those shining eyes of the living Wiccan and Warlocks. They stood zombie like. I couldn’t move and I couldn’t talk.
Mom and dad.
“You could always bring them back. All you’d have to do is bring me the box” whispered Malietta into my ear. I had completely forgotten about her. She had walked behind me.
I had lost my tongue. The image of my parents like this struck me through the heart.
“You want them back don’t you?” she asked me tempting me.
I nodded without realising it.
“Then I can help you. All you need to do is bring me the box” she said laying her hand on my shoulder turning me to face her.
Her eyes pierced through me. It was then I snapped out of her trance. “NO” I shouted in her face. I turned back to my parents. Fire now engulfed them causing them to scream and shout. Pain surged through my ears, causing me to drop to my knees. I dropped completely onto the floor.
...
“Aleta nekta youshae walnet bretta randofs lowop draska” I could hear him chanting over me.
My eyes fluttered open. I was no longer sat on the sofa with my head leaning on his shoulder, I was lay on the floor almost directly next to the sofa. Sir Mallot was kneeling over me. I slowly sat up and looked Sir Mallot in the eyes.
“What happened?” I asked him holding my hand to my throbbing head.
“I was hoping you could tell me. One minute you were sleeping the next you had dropped to the floor almost faint like. I presumed it was Malietta using the dream invader charm...” he stopped almost to see it I would confirm it.
I nodded, he helped me back up onto the sofa.
“Tell me, what happened?” he asked me gently.
“I was in the field at the end of my road back home, when the sky turned red and the floor turned hard and dry. And then there she was. She said she wanted the box. Then my parents appeared, growing like plants. They looked... terrible. There was blood dripping down their... face. And their eyes were grey and empty. And then she said that we could bring them back if I took her the box.” I explained to him.
“I thought that is how she would try and tempt you. I am sure that they are your biggest weakness” he said as he placed his arm over my shoulder. “Don’t worry, I have been told that in Mistress Halsente’s lesson you made the counter charm for the night invaders”
“Yes, I put it on my pillow as soon as I could” I replied.
Sir Mallot stood and headed to my bed, and I followed him. And to our surprise the bag was no longer there.
“I swear I put it on there” I replied.
“Did Gabby attach hers to her pillow?” asked Sir Mallot.
“Maybe” I replied.
“Well then when the three days have passed and the seed have been thrown out, you and can go and stay in her room with her, but until then you will need to stay with Mistress Halsente. She will be able to pull you out of any dreams that Malietta may interfere with.” He replied.
Just the Jeff and Mistress Halsente walked in the room both breathless.
“We found them, Sir Mallot. A sleeping charm had been placed on them. They had been stuffed into the wardrobe at the end of the corridor.” Jeff reported.
I rushed to him and hugged him. He wrapped his arms around me and squeezed me tight. When he let go I didn’t. I just dug my head into his chest. He wrapped his arms around me again. He must have looked questioningly at Sir Mallot as Sir Mallot said “She’s just a dream that had been tampered with by Malietta, involving Sarah and Jerome.”
He didn’t have to say anymore for Jeff to understand. He squeezed me tight and whispered “It’s alright, it was only a dream.”
“Benjamin, there is more. We haven’t managed to catch whoever this person was. The door log said somebody left about the same time we discovered the message, just before we ordered the lock down.” Reported Mistress Halsente.
“Has anybody entered the Covert?” Sir Mallot asked.
“No” she replied.
“So whoever it was is out?” Sir Mallot asked her.
“Yes, Benjamin” she replied.
“Good” commented Sir Mallot “Jeff, Hazel, will you take Charlie back down stairs. I think we need to restore order back into the school. And I am sure Brad is missing his Snow White”
“Of course” replied both Jeff and Mistress Halsente leading me out.
The tension in the Grand Hall was high, everybody was nervously looking towards the doors for someone to come and give them news. Everybody eyes watched when the doors opened and in walked Mistress Halsente and Jeff with me following closely behind.
Brad was waiting almost next to the door and he rushed to touch my lips with his.
“Are you ok?” he asked in a very worried tone.
“I am fine” I replied.
“Everybody, a false alarm, there is nothing to panic about, now if you please, I believe it is lunch time. You are free to go.” Shouted Mistress Halsente.
Brad held me back as the rest of the student flooded out. He wouldn’t let me go. He kept his hands tight around my waist holding me close to him. I had laid my head on his shoulder.
“Are you ok, Charlie?” I heard a quiet but recognisable voice –Gabby.
I looked about. She was stood behind me. She looked about ready to cry.
“I failed you” she whispered as the first tear rolled down her cheek.
I made Brad let me go so I could rush to her and hug her.
“No. No you didn’t.” I whispered to her “I am fine. I’m not in any more danger after this threat then I was before hand, so nothing has happened”
“Are you sure?” She asked me.
“I’m positive. Anyway, at this rate we will be late for lunch. I fancy some pasta” I said raising the moral of the room.

CHAPTER SEVEN
ALISON’S ARRIVAL
My eyes fluttered open. My leg fell down the side of the bed. I stood. After three days of sleeping in the same room as Mistress Halsente and her snoring, I was happy to be now staying in Gabby’s room. An extra bed had been placed in her room, for me to sleep on. We both had double beds.
“Gabby, wake up” I shook her.
“It’s Saturday. My lie-in day” she replied half asleep.
“It’s almost eleven o’clock we will miss breakfast” I said. She wasn’t listening she had fallen back to sleep.
I headed into the bathroom and filled my water bottle with freezing cold water from the shower. I headed back. She was back asleep. I crept to the side of her bed, and raised the bottle over her head. The water gushed out of the bottle and on to her face. She screamed springing up spitting out water that had accidently splashed into her mouth.
She grabbed her own water bottle – that was half full from the previous day – and threw some in my direction.
“Alect stomenta” I shouted lifting my hand to the water. The water froze and dropped to the floor in an icicle. I had improved when it came to magic. That was one of the spells that I had learnt without a teacher. Most I had learnt from Mistress Halsente in Spells and Enchantments, but there was a few I worked on outside of the school block.
“Right I’m up, we may as well go to breakfast, I suppose” moaning Gabby fetching out of her wardrobe some shorts and a T-shirt for her to wear. I looked into the wardrobe for my stuff. What haven’t I worn yet? I pulled out a black vest tops that had ‘love hurts’ written on it in white. I then pulled out my Denim shorts.
“Come on. I’m dying for something to eat” I grabbed her wrist and literally pulled her out of the room.
We grabbed our food and grabbed a seat. Brad walked in. He spotted me and rushed to my side.
“How’s the most beautiful girl in the world?” he asked me as he kissed my cheek.
“If I see her I’ll ask her” I replied with a large smile etched along my face.
“Well all you have to do is look in the mirror” he replied kissing me on the lips.
“Well, thank you” I replied giving him a kiss back.
“So what you doing on this beautiful cloudy Saturday?” He asked me, a chuckle in his voice.
“Homework. Mistress Halsente gave me about ten times the amount she gave you. Gabby has offered to help me. So I’ll be vanishing for the day” I replied in a depressed tone.
“Oh, well when you’re finished, I’ll be in the training room probably. Billy wants to try out that spell we learnt in Spells and Enchantments yesterday” he replied. He leaned forward as to give me a kiss but then moved back. Disappointment flooded through my body, and without realising I planted his lips with a kiss.
“It’s interesting how you kiss me if I look like I’m going to kiss you but don’t” he laughed.
“You did that on purpose didn’t you?” I asked laughing myself.
He nodded.
“I better go. Good luck with your homework” he said standing. He pecked me on the lips and then headed out.
Gabby who never said a word when Brad was near suddenly came out of her shell.
“Are you ready?” she asked me.
I gobbled down the rest of my breakfast and nodded.
Gabby’s room was bigger now that I was sharing it with her. Mistress Halsente placed an enlargement charm on the room to make it bigger so both us could be comfy in it. Her’s too had grass as a carpet, rocks as walls, sky as the ceiling and a waterfall covering the bathroom door. We headed in. Gabby went to the books but the one thing I really had to do was brush my teeth. I had a bit of an OCD when it came to brushing teeth – it has to be done after breakfast.
I thought I could hear the shower on, but then again it could have been the waterfall.
I headed into the bathroom. I took one step in and froze. I couldn’t believe my eyes. On the mirror there was more writing... in blood, and then a body in the bathtub. Water was rushing over it from the shower. I didn’t stay long enough to read what the writing said or to see who was slumped in the bathtub. I rushed out so quickly I tripped over my own feet.
“Go and get Mistress Halsente and Sir Mallot” I screamed to Gabby.
“What? What is it?” she asked rushing to me.
I couldn’t speak another word so I just pointed. She took one look and then slammed the door shut. She turned to face me in a way I didn’t expected, she gave me a look of apology than worry. She didn’t say a word she rushed out of the room leaving me there. I had to know why she looked at me like that. I headed to the door, and turned the door handle. I opened the door. It was the body that left me speechless.
Alison.
She looked dead-like. I couldn’t help but rush to her but as soon as I felt her skin a shock rushed through me. I withdrew. She was ice cold. I tried to turn off the shower but the tap was stuck. There was no blood on her or bruises or cuts. At least that was something! She was wearing her favourite dress – the dress she wore for her first date with one of her boyfriends. Her hair covered her face. Being careful not to touch her skin I moved her hair. Her eyes were shut, almost like she was asleep. I couldn’t help it. I broke down crying leaning on the side of the tub for support.
Seconds later I heard somebody move behind me. I turned to see if Gabby had returned with help. It was Gabby, but she wasn’t alone. She was being held with a knife to her neck by a man. I had never seen this person before. He held the blade to Gabby with one arm and the box with the other.
“Open it” He said throwing the box in my direction. It skimmed my head and hit the wall behind with a thud.
I looked towards the box and then to Gabby. She had tears in her eyes, she was scared, but she shook her head - I wasn’t to open the box.
“Open it or they both die” said the man holding the knife even closer to Gabby’s throat.
‘Mistress Halsente I need your help. Please, come quickly’ It was the only thing I could think of.
‘I’m on my way’ I heard her voice in my head.
“Who are you?” I asked him – starting in a whisper but gradually getting louder.
“Never mind who I am. Just OPEN THE BOX!” He replied, screaming the last part.
“But it could kill all of us. We don’t know what will happen if I open it before I am sixteen” I replied trying to buy us more time.
“I said OPEN IT” He screamed in my face.
I looked towards Gabby for a bit of support. She just looked me in the eye through her tears. She thought I was going to let him kill her.
“Ok.” I replied.
“No...” screamed Gabby, but as soon as she started the man slapped his hand to her mouth.
“Shut it, short pie” He replied.
“I will open it, only if you let her go first.” I said.
“How will I know you will open it?” he asked me, finding holes in my plan.
“You have my word” I replied.
“Fine” he said shoving Gabby towards me.
“Now the box” he said.
I knelt down in front of the box. Gabby grabbed me as if to pull me back.
“No. Charlie you mustn’t” she pleaded.
“I gave my word, Gabby” I said, wiggling out of her grip.
‘Are you near? I can’t stall for much longer’
‘Just a few more seconds’
I pulled my sleeve over my hand and turned the box to face me. The man drew closer to us. He had his legs bear. I lifted the box by the handle. I placed my bare hands over the buckle. I could feel a burning sensation in my fingers. The man was within arms’ reach now. I grabbed the box and swung it at his bare legs. The box crashed into him, forcing him to topple to the ground. He had frozen solid.
“What..?” Gabby started. I knew what she was going to ask so I answered her “The box freezes anybody who touches it with bare skin that isn’t me.”
“You were planning that all along weren’t you?” Gabby asked me.
I looked up to her and nodded.
She rushed to me and hugged me.
“But what about your word?” she asked.
“It only counts if you shake on it” I replied almost cheerful.
Just then we heard a high pitched scream from behind us. Alison had awoken. I rushed to her and gave a her a huge hug.
“What happened?” she asked me “Where am I?”
“Somebody kidnapped you and brought you here to scare me” I replied to her so fast I surprised she caught it. I hugged her again, just relieved that she was alright.
“Gabby, get a towel” I said to Gabby.
Alison looked to the man on the floor. She gave out a little whimper. “I remember” She whispered.
Gabby handed me a towel and I wrapped it around Alison, helping her out of the bathtub while I was at it.
Just then Mistress Halsente ran in the room followed by Jeff and Sir Mallot. They saw the man first. Then us, then the box and then the writing on the mirror. I had forgotten about the writing on the mirror, curiosity flooded through me.
You will fail AND THEN YOU WILL DIE
Jeff rushed to my side and hugged me.
“Are you alright?” he asked me.
“I’m fine” I replied.
Jeff looked towards Alison, a little shocked. He looked towards me.
“He used her as bait. He knew I would stay with her” I explained.
“Are you ok Alison?” Jeff asked.
Alison just nodded.
“Alison?” asked Mistress Halsente.
“My best friend from my old school.” I replied.
“I should have know she would try and use Alison as bait” said Jeff to Mistress Halsente.
“She would be safer here as well Jeff” said Sir Mallot.
“But what about her family?” I asked him.
“Jeff, do her parents know you well?” asked Sir Mallot to Jeff.
“Yes” he replied.
“Go and bring them here. They would only need to bring essentials. The rest we can provide.” Ordered Sir Mallot.
“I will leave immediately, Sir Mallot” replied Jeff heading out.
“Gabby, Hazel, will you sort Alison here out some nice clothes?” asked Sir Mallot.
“Sir Mallot, could she share the room with me and Charlie. It might help the adjustment” suggested Gabby.
“I suppose so” Sir Mallot replied.
“You would have to have a bunk bed though. I cannot extend the room any further.” Commented Mistress Halsente.
“Alison and I will share the bunk bed” I spoke up.
“Very well. Come on child. Let’s get you out of these wet clothes.” Said Mistress Halsente as she and Gabby helped Alison to her feet and out of the bathroom.
Sir Mallot looked towards the man on the floor. Frozen on the spot. He looked towards me.
“Charlie, I am going to get your guards to carry him to the holding cell. When I need you I will call for you but I will need you to... well...” he started but I knew what he was going to say “Unfreeze him”
“Yes” He nodded “You did well”
“Thank you Sir.” I replied.
“Come on” Said Sir Mallot “I want you to vanish for a hour or two while we sort this out.”
“I’ll go and see Brad in the training room” I said as we both stood.
“I will tell Gabby to join you with Alison” he replied as we walked out to the main room. “Good day, Charlie”
I headed out, and to the training room.
When I walked in, Brad was in the magic room – a glass box where Warlocks and Wiccans can challenge each other in – with Billy. He was mid way through a battle. I walked to the side and watched as one of his spells went storming towards Billy. Billy was forced back and when he sat back up, he held his hand to his head. I could hear him say something. Brad turned to walk out when he spotted me. He smiled and waved. I gave a very small smile and a small wave. He could by my lack of enthusiasm that something was wrong. He rushed out and to me.
“Are you alright?” He asked me.
“I’m fine” I replied extremely quiet.
“No you’re not, you can tell me. What’s wrong?” He asked.
I explained to him everything, but when I had finished I just broke down crying, “Anything could happened to Gabby and Alison”
He wrapped his arms around me. I lay my head on his shoulder but almost straight away he placed his hand under my chin and move my face so I was looking him in the eye.
“It’s going to be alright” he said quietly.
He whipped the tears from my face and then gently touched my lips with his. His kiss as soft as a feather. He pulled back, but I grabbed his face and pulled it towards me. The kiss became aggressive.
When suddenly there was a loud clearing of the throat.
Gabby had come down with Alison. I backed away from Brad.
“I see you got over what just happened pretty quickly” commented Gabby.
I went to reply when Brad spoke up, “Sorry, that’ll be my fault.”
“Just kidding” laughed Gabby.
“Gabby!” I shouted giving her a small punch on the shoulder.
“Who’s your new friend?” asked Brad nodding towards Alison.
“I told you about Alison” I said kissing his cheek.
“Of course” replied Brad.
“Alison, this is Brad” I said introducing him to her.
“Can I talk to you for a moment, Charlie?” asked Alison.
I nodded and followed Alison to a corner.
“I see you... how do we put it?... pulled” she giggled.
“I know. And a good one too” I giggled, my mind back to when we were in primary school.
“Listen, Mistress Halsente told me where I am and what you are and what is happening. But how come you didn’t tell me?” she asked me turning serious.
“I didn’t know. If I did they said I would have been in more danger while I was still out there and apparently now while I’m in here” I replied.
“CHARLIE!” a shout came from across the room. It made both me and Alison jump out of our skin. It was Sir Mallot.
“I got to go. I’ll be back here soon, alright?” I asked her.
“Yeh” she nodded and headed back to Gabby.
Sir Mallot lead me to the holding room where the man was still frozen. The holding room was dark with one single light that was swinging forwards and backwards. Cold mould was dripping down the walls. One pipe ran along one inch from the floor. It ran from one side of the door, around the room and to the other side of the room. The man was tied to the pipe by his left hand and left foot. He would be able to stand up but not move very far. Sir Mallot didn’t come in but stood by the door. I knelt down next to him. I took a deep breath and then placed a finger on his forehead. A shock ran through my hand and he spurted into life. As soon as he stirred he jumped back.
“W’at ‘appened? W’ere am I?” He asked in less than a whimper. He sounded different. He had gained a French accent.
“You traitor Richard” growled Sir Mallot.
“Traitor..?” he asked growing even quieter.
“Working with Malietta. You were one of the people I thought I could trust” Growled Sir Mallot even angrier.
“I never... I’d never... I zwear” He replied panicking.
Sir Mallot growled “Don’t lie to me”
Sir Mallot rushed into the room and picked the man up by his throat.
“Wait” I shouted.
Sir Mallot just looked at me.
“Why? He’s a traitor” he growled.
“Isn’t it possible she took have over taken his mind? I swear I read it was possible in Spells and Enchantments” I asked him.
“It is but...” he replied.
“But nothing. I can tell it wasn’t him on his own accord. He had lost his accent when he talked to me in the bathroom. If it was him doing it, he wasn’t doing it of his accord” I spurted out.
Sir Mallot dropped the man on the floor.
I walked to Richard and turned his face to look at me.
“Did you do it on your own accord?” I asked him gently.
“I do not know what you are on about” he replied starring me in the eyes, his eyes where at the brink of tears.
“Sir, I think we put the charm on his room so Malietta can’t use him, but until then he should remain in here for his own protection” I turned to Sir Mallot in the middle.
“Good idea” He said.
Both of us went to leave when Richard said, “You will never survive it, Charlie Gyid. Never” His accent had gone and his eyes had turned a dark black. “This man is useless now, I shall just pick another. You will die Charlie Gyid but not before you open the box for me. So be warned.”
And at his last word out of the palm of his sprang out a knife, it shot straight at me. I jumped to the side, the knife just missed my face. The knife sprang around and came to shoot right down at me.
“Amerio Caleto” I shouted at the knife. It froze.
My heart gave a leap, the knife turned facing Richard and zoomed across his throat leaving a huge gash. Blood spurted onto Sir Mallot and I. Blood poured out of the gash and down his chest.
I had frozen. I couldn’t even think of moving, to the extent that Sir Mallot had to literally drag me out of the room. As soon as the door had shut every starting blurry.
“Charlie, are you alright?” Sir Mallot asked me.
I just managed to shake my head ‘no’.
Darkness.
“Is she ok?” I could hear Jeff ask.
I couldn’t see a thing. Everything was black. My eyes were still shut.
“She will be fine Jeff” I could hear Sir Mallot reply.
“Are you sure? What happened?”
“A tragic story to say the least. Richard Doherty... yes one of your fellow French Warlocks. I had asked him to come here a few months ago to teach magical creatures when Alex was done. His mind was obviously weaker than I thought it was. Malietta managed to invade it to the extent of controlling his body. And then with some very powerful magic almost killed Charlie and then slit Richards throat. The shock of it all was too much for our little friend. She just collapsed.” Sir Mallot explained.
I heard a bang, like a door being flung open and slamming against the wall.
“Where is she? Oh my... Is she ok?” It was Brad.
“What happened?” Gabby had come with him.
“Just a little faint” replied Sir Mallot.
Silence.
I made a little moan as my eyes started to flutter open. The light of the room almost blinded me. I was in mine and Gabby’s room, except my bed had been replaced with a bunk bed. I was on the bottom bunk. I looked around at everybody’s faces that were all watching me.
“Why are you all looking at me? It’s making me nervous” I asked them, as I sat up.
Brad couldn’t hold himself back. He swung his arms around me and held me tight.
“Please don’t scare me again” he whispered.
“I think I was the one that got scared” I whispered back with a small hint of cheer in my voice.
“Maybe” he laughed as he pulled back.
“Charlie, are you ok?” asked Jeff, sitting down next to me.
“I’m fine” I replied.
Just then Alison walked in and walking in behind her were her parents, who were starring at every other thing just like I had when I first came.
“How are you?” Alison asked me.
“Fine” I replied. “Hello Mr and Mrs Hilvers”
“Hello Charlie” they echoed together.
“Get some rest Charlie. It’s a school day tomorrow” said Sir Mallot.
“I thought it was Saturday today, that would make tomorrow Sunday” I replied.
Everybody looked at each other and then back at me.
“You’ve been... well... out of it for the whole night. It’s Sunday afternoon” Brad replied.
“Oh” I didn’t think it was possible to faint for more than a few hours, but all night and morning?
“Rest” said Sir Mallot again, “Come on, everyone, we all have stuff to do, I am sure”
Everybody but Gabby and Alison headed out of the door.
“Sir Mallot told us what happened.” Commented Gabby.
I nodded “I wouldn’t expect anything less”
“I’m sorry Charlie. I’m not really very good at protecting you am I?” Gabby sat down next to me.
“Gabby, I was with Sir Mallot. We both thought the same thing, I’ll be safe with Sir Mallot but he was as in as much shock as I was” I replied “It’s not your fault”
I lay my head back on the pillow.
“Anyway, I’m going to get some sleep.” I said.
“You’ve been sleeping all last night and this morning” commented Alison.
“You can never get enough sleep” I laughed.
“No, you can’t” laughed Gabby.
Both Gabby and Alison laughed along with me and then went about doing their own things as I drifted back off to sleep.


CHAPTER EIGHT
MEMORIES
“Charlie! Charlie! Time to get up” I heard Gabby say to me.
I opened my eyes to her prodding her head over mine.
I sat up just missing banging my head on the bed above my head.
I stretched as best I could and then stood. I looked into the bed above mine. It was empty. I turned Gabby. I didn’t even have to ask. She nodded towards the bathroom. And almost like they had rehearsed it Alison walked out, in our school uniform.
I got changed into mine.
“I didn’t think you’d be coming to our school” I said to Alison.
“Mistress Halsente said it’ll be better than just sitting around bored out of my mind.” She laughed.
At breakfast, Alison, Gabby and I sat at our favourite table. Brad and Billy came and joined us.
“How’s my Charlie doing?” Brad asked wrapping his arms around me and kissing my cheek.
“Your Charlie?” I asked back laughing my head off. I could see Gabby and Alison sniggering as well.
“Yeh. My Charlie” Brad replied joining in.
“Good” I replied half eating my breakfast.
“I heard we got our exam timetables today” said Billy, completely out of the blue.
“Exam’s?” I asked. I had never even heard of Magic exams. Exam’s on what? Spells? Fighting?
“Yeh, end of year exams. There’s one for each subject” replied Brad. “They usual start in about three months”
“I’ve only been studying for a month at the most, how am I going to pass an exam?” I asked him starting to panic.
“Calm down. Mistress Halsente isn’t going to let you take an exam you could never do” said Gabby from across the table.
“I heard this year’s exams are going to be easy compared to other years that have done these exams” spoke up Billy.
“What a brilliant time to be a human” commented Alison smiling.
All of us just plainly looked at her. Her smile was wiped from her face, “Sorry”
Just as I feared when I entered the Spells and Enchantments classroom with Brad, Gabby, Alison and Billy, written in extremely neat handwriting was the word I dreaded the most.
Examinations
But underneath it said
Three Months to go till Spells and Enchantment practical exam
Three months? That’s all. Three stinking months?
Mistress Halsente walked in almost simultaneously with the last person taking their seat. Alison took a seat on the desk in front of me, as the person who usually sit there offered to move to the empty desk next to his best friend – that had originally been placed there for Alison.
“Alright, class, as it says on the board, you have only three months until the Spells and Enchantments practical examination. For the exam you will be performing a spell. Of course the more complicated the spell is the more marks you will get, but if you fail to perform it you will be held back to do the re-sit in August.” Explained Mistress Halsente.
I gulped and I heard the whole class do exactly the same.
“Now, I will be picking a spell or enchantment I believe you should be able to do - depending on your ability of course.” She continued.
“Each of you will have attached to your exam timetables the spell I wish you to do. Then you can have the rest of the lesson to research the spell.” She said picking up a stack of paper from her desk. She gave them out in a sort of order. On each timetable the name of the student was attached to it. It appeared that it was not just in Spells in Enchantments that things had been planned for us. Jeff had set us all a different potion to make, our magical creatures teacher has given us each a different animal to answer on, Sir Mallot had given us a time in history to answer on and then the battle exam was to be magical combat.
I looked to Gabby and we both gulped at the same time. I searched down the list of subjects till I got to Spells and Enchantments. She had given me...
The Time Spell
I flipped my book open to the index page. I looked down the list until I finally found ‘The Time Spell’. Page 398.
I turned the huge book to page 398.
Mom had obviously visited this page. She had highlighted the important parts – They can only see you if you want to be seen. You have no physical presence in that time. Be sure not to change the course of time.
Why had Mistress Halsente given me this spell? I turned around to talk to Gabby.
“What spell has she given you?” I asked her.
“The charming spell” she replied a bit depressed.
“What’s wrong with the charming spell?” I asked her.
“Nothing, it’s just I’ve tried this spell before and it didn’t work. I can’t afford to be held back till the re-sits” she replied.
“Maybe Miss gave it you so then you could prove to yourself you can do it” I suggested.
“Maybe. What about you? What has she given you?” she asked me.
“The time spell” I replied.
Gabby’s mouth dropped.
“Really?” she asked almost like she couldn’t believe her ears. I handed her the piece of paper.
“Yeh why?” I asked her.
“I’ve heard that’s hard to do. Really hard. Only some of the best Wiccans and Warlocks have managed to do it” she replied gawping at the sheet.
“Really? Why has she given it to me then?” I couldn’t help but ask. Did she want me to fail?
“I bet she thinks you can do it” Gabby replied handing me back my sheet. I turned back to the book for the incantation for the spell.
Macus Taronus alos timarta Aliscos (add date here e.g “19th of the 4th 1887”and time e.g 2030 or 0300 and location ‘room 18, Swiss covert, Switzerland’)
I had to think for a second, if you could go back in time you could watch things happen. You could watch the worst moments of someone’s life or you could watch their most favourite memories.
My mind spun on the different things I’d be able to see with this spell and within no time the bell went for the end of the lesson.
Potions.
Jeff started the lesson in the same way. Explaining to us when our exams are going to be and the fact he had already picked a potion for us to make in pairs. Gabby and I had been given ‘The Halestos Potion’ – a healing potion – for any injury, shallow or deep. According to Gabby it was meant to be hard to brew. Very hard. So far I had only been given hard things for my exams so I wasn’t surprised when I was given ‘Makitiska’ – a very dangerous and rare animal, with a bull’s head, a monkey’s body but a scorpion tail - to study in magic creatures. And finally I was paired with Brad in Battle which meant a proper battle had to be done in our exam – against each other.
The day was stressful, very stressful. For each exam the teacher had given me a hard topic to do. Almost as soon as schooling hours had finished I took my books to my room and started to read and read, trying to get every possible thing out of the books and into my head. It seemed it would be ‘The Time Spell’ that would be the hardest.
“Macus Taronus Alos Timarta Aliscos 16th of the 5th 2011, 0315, room 31, Swiss Covert, Switzerland” I closed my eyes in hope, but no luck. Nothing had changed. I hadn’t moved an inch and everything looked exactly where it was supposed to be.
The door knob started to twitch. Instinctively I dived into my wardrobe, but what I saw shocked me. I had just walked in. Me, Gabby and Alison. I looked to my watch. 03:16. It had worked, I had gone back in time twenty minutes.
“I’m going to show Alison a few spells are you going to come with us?” asked Gabby.
“Nah, I think I’m going to practice ready for my spells and enchantment exams” I replied – well not me, the me outside the wardrobe.
“Fair enough. We’ll see you later” said Gabby practically pushing Alison out of the room.
I watched as I sat on my bed with the spells and enchantment book in my lap. I – myself – was starting to get restless in the wardrobe. I was compact in a very tight space and I defiantly wouldn’t be able to stay like this much longer. I looked to my watch. 03:34. In a minute I will cast the spell. And so I did. Once I – the one outside the wardrobe – had gone I climbed out and straightened my gear.
I grabbed my book and looked through it. This spell wouldn’t be very useful if I can’t travel back to my original date. According to the book all I had to do was repeat the spell but add on the end – instead of the date- ‘origatil’ and that would send me to where I was supposed to be.
There was a knock on my door.
“Come in” I shouted.
Jeff opened the door and walked in.
“You ok?” he asked me.
“Yeh, just revising” I replied.
“I just saw Alison and Gabby. They said you are stressing” he said taking a seat next to me.
“No. I was stressing. I just had a go at the time spell. And it worked. I went back in time exactly twenty minutes, which is what I wanted to do” I replied chuffed to bits.
“Good. That’s very good. I can’t even do that spell. I always struggled with that spell. I used to ask for twenty minutes in the past and I’ll end up in the stone age. The only bit I could do was get back to the original time.” He laughed.
“You went to the stone age?” I laughed.
“Yeh, it’s not that funny” he smiled.
“Yes it is” I laughed “I can’t imagine you in just a piece of fabric”
“Charlie” said Jeff in a mock stern fashion.
I looked him in the eye.
“So what else have you been set? I set you the Halestos potion. What creature did they set you?” he asked.
“Makitiska” I replied.
“Ouch” he commented “That’s a tough one. Your father had that seventh year. I just laughed at his face when he found out. You should visit that date. It’s classic. 16th of the 5th 1990. Nine o’clock I think, you might have to sit it out for a while. Room 56, French covert, France.”
“I’ll have a look at that at some point” I replied.
“You should, his face is so funny, or at least it was to me” he said with a slight reminiscing laugh.
“When did mom and dad meet?” I asked him.
“At the age of fifteen. There was an European competition for Wiccan Dodge ball and it was held here, in the Swiss Covert. Both me and your father came here to play, and of course he saw your mother and couldn’t keep his eyes off her. Love at first sight, it was” he said.
“What date was that?” I asked him.
“You want to see it don’t you?” He asked me back.
I nodded.
“Ok. 23rd of the 11th 1982. Three o’clock the match started and it was after the match. Training room 3, Swiss Covert, Switzerland” he replied.
“Ok.” I said closing the spells and enchantments book.
“I’ll leave you to view some memories” Jeff said standing.
I rushed to him and hugged him.
“Thank you for everything” I said to him.
He hugged me back and said, “It was nothing. I wouldn’t have passed on it for the world”
He headed out and as soon as the door slammed shut I started.
“Macus Taronus Alos Timarta Aliscos. 23rd of the 11th 1982. 1500. Training room 3, Swiss Covert, Switzerland” I chanted. I closed my eyes as a spinning blue light surrounded me creating a tunnel of twisting and turning blue light. The floor beneath my feet vanished and I was floating down the tunnel of blue light. Just then I felt floor beneath my feet. I was in the great hall. The room was crowded with people in the stands. I had landed on the third step up. Somebody headed up the stairs walking straight through me. In front of me was the pitch and on each side the teams were chatting among themselves. It was then I spotted him, Dad, and beside him was Jeff. And of course it wasn’t long until I spotted mom as well. She walked in through the main doors. Her bright red hair flowed down her back, bouncing with each step. As soon as she came in viewing view of the players, Jerome had the eye for her. Both me and my dad watched as she took her seat on the front row, accompanied by her two friends – one of them must be Natasha Flemming who had wrote in her book.
The game started.
Typical dodge ball, dodging ball after ball. The game kept going until one of the teams were out. The French team was wearing a kit decorated in the French flag, and then the other team had the England flag on it – England’s team.
Eventually there was two Vs two. Jeff and dad Vs two English men. Jeff threw the ball getting one of the other players out, but he was hit by a ball by the last remaining Englishmen. Dad and the final Englishman played for at least ten minutes until dad caught out the Englishman. The French team flooded onto the pitch lifting dad on to their shoulders. The crowd started cheering including mom.
When dad had been placed down he walked up to my mother. I slipped through the crowd so I could hear what they were saying.
“Hello” My dad said.
“Hello” my mother replied going a little red in the cheeks.
“Urm... I was wondering if you’d like to go for a meal with me some point. I’ve been told about a nice place just outside the covert” said my dad.
“But none of us are allowed to leave the covert walls, I’m sure your teacher told you.” Sneered one of my mom’s friend.
“Tasha.” Growled my mom. So that was Natasha. My mom turned to my dad and said cheerfully “I’d love to, but first, what is your name?”
“Jerome Gyid. And you?” he asked her in response.
“Sarah Manning” she replied with a sweet smile.
“It was good to meet you” he said taking her hand, and planting a kiss onto it.
I could see my mom blushing.
The grand hall had been empting as they talked but eventually dad said “I had better go and freshen up. Shall I meet you outside this room at seven?”
“Of course” she replied.
Both of them headed out but at different times and with their own friend groups.
“Macus Taronus Alos Timarta Aliscos. Origatil” I said slamming my eyes shut. And in an instant I had touched down on the floor of my room.
Mom and dad really were love at first sight. Now on to the next memory.
“Macus Taronus Alos Timarta Aliscos. 16th of the 5th 1990. 0900. Room 56, French covert, France” I said slamming my eyes shut for the third time. I again travelled down the swirling tunnel of blue light, until my feet touch the floor. I opened my eyes. I was sat in a classroom. The French classrooms were a dark brown colour, making it dark inside. There was only just enough light to be able to see what you are doing. The classroom was empty besides the teacher a few chattering students. The bell went off.
I was stood in the back corner on the opposite side of the door so I could watch as my dad and Jeff took their seats. My dad and Jeff sit like me and Gabby do. One in front of the other. Jeff was on the back row and my dad in front of him. Just like in my Spells and Enchantments room this morning on the board the dreaded word was written.
Examinations
But underneath it said
Three Months to go till Magical Creatures exam
“Alright, class, as it says on the board, you have only three months until the Magical Creatures examination. For the exam you will be answering questions on a magical creature that I will be choosing for you. Of course the rarer the creature is the more marks you will get, but if you fail to answer on it you will be held back to do the re-sit in August.” Explained the teacher.
I heard the whole class gulp, just like my class had.
“Now, I will be picking a Magical Creature I believe you should be able to do - depending on your ability of course.” The teacher continued. “Each of you will have attached to your exam timetables the creature I wish you to answer on. Then you can have the rest of the lesson to research the Creature.”
The teacher handed out the timetables and the moment my dad had been given his he immediately shot around to face Jeff.
“Look what creature he’s given me. A Makitiska” he moaned. Jeff was right, his face was classic. It was mixed with almost fake looking panic, shock and an embarrassing bottom lip. I had to literally pinch myself to stop me from laughing.
“I bet Sarah’s end exams aren’t this hard. It should be illegal to give this for the exam.” He moaned.
“When you next seeing Sarah?” Jeff asked trying to change the topic.
“After the exams. We’re meeting at a hotel on the boarder” he replied with a large smile sketched on his face, “God, I’ve missed her. I really have. I can’t wait to see her again”
“I can tell” Jeff remarked “You haven’t stopped talking about her”
I had seen all I needed to see. The last few comments left no doubt in my mind that mom and dad where very much in love with each other, even at school.
“Macus Taronus Alos Timarta Aliscos. Origatil” I said slamming my eyes shut. And in an instant I had touched down on the floor of my room.
I lay down on my bed and thought about what I had seen. They really did seem like they were in love, especially dad. Another date and time popped into my head. My birthday. But the only thing missing was the location. I wouldn’t be able to get there as I didn’t know where there was.
There was a knock on my door.
“Come in” I shouted.
Brad opened the door and headed in. He came and lay down next to me.
“What you thinking about?” he asked curious.
“Mistress Halsente set me ‘The Time Spell’ for my spells and Enchantment exam so I was practicing I watched a few captions of time from about twenty years ago, when my parents met and when my father got set a Makitiska for his magical creatures exam just like me.” I replied.
“And what did you find out?” he asked.
“They were madly in love and when I say madly I mean so madly that you wouldn’t be able to tear them apart if they got together” I replied.
“Well. I’m madly in love with you. I can’t even seem to be able to get you out of my head” he said as he turned his body to face me and then moved up to me and kissed my cheek. I turned to face him.
“Really?” I asked him quietly.
“Yes.” He replied.
I couldn’t hold myself back. I hit his lips with my own. His hand crawled through my hair as we kissed. He moved it down the small in my back and pulled me close to him. The kiss gained in passion as he rolled on top of me. We just remain kissing until the door handle started shaking. He rolled off me and sat up on the edge of the bed.
“Someone always comes in at the wrong time” he muttered laughing.
...
Just like any exams, they came quickly, too quickly. Those three months seemed like only days. We had all the exams timetabled for different times. On each day another exam took place and you only had to step foot in the school corridor if it was your time for the test. The spells and Enchantment exam, the potion exam and the battle exam took place one person or pair – for the potions and battle – at a time so the teacher could watch everything. The magical creature exam was a class at a time answering questions on a piece of paper – in typical (human) exam conditions, complete silence. Then the history exam was spent answering on an exam paper and then Defence was a theory examination – to everybody’s shock.
My first one was Defence. It was a very boring exam consisting of questions like ‘your opponent has attacked you fighting partner with the stunning spell which spell will you use to return you partner to full health?’
History wasn’t much better. Most of the questions were asking about what happened during ‘the Malietta reign of terror’. I had studied that like it was the bible plainly because Sir Mallot had told me to, so then if any weaknesses appeared I could exploit them should I ever have to face Malietta before I open the box. So, I knew most of the answers off by heart.
Battle was slightly better than I thought. As Brad and I shot at each other with different spells, sir just plainly sat back in his chair, watched and wrote little scribbles on a piece of paper on his clipboard.
When he had finally had enough he shouted “Alright. You can go”
Nobody ever wanted to hang around near our battle teacher so as soon as we able to we shot out of the room, and burst out laughing as soon as the door had shut behind us.
The next day was the potion exam. It was more nerve raking with Jeff watching us. He may have been our teacher for the subject but in a way I still saw him as a dad, it was just like having your dad watching you do your homework. But the potion – when it was done – looked like what the book said it should look like, and Jeff looked satisfied so both me and Gabby were able to walk out the room smiling.
Magical Creatures. This exam was stranger than the rest, everybody was given the same set of questions even though we were given different creatures. I knew that one of the girls at the front was given ‘a Shapot’ as her creature, but there was no way you could answer these questions on that. Explain its look? A shapot was invisible. Explain its eating habits? A shapot didn’t eat. Thankfully for me, I was able to answer all the questions. Jeff had been kind enough to lend my dad’s old book for magical creatures that contained all of his notes.
And then the one exam I’d been dreading the most came. Spells and Enchantments. It was just me and Mistress Halsente in the room. When I entered she stood from her desk and walked to the middle of the room where I was to join her. She took my hand and said “Any date, any time, any location. It’s your choice.”
“Macus Taronus Alos Timarta Aliscos. 16th of the 5th 2011. 0910. Room 56, Swiss Covert, Switzerland” I said. Both Mistress Halsente and I went sent into the very dizzy world of the spiralling blue light. We landed in the classroom we had just left just three months earlier. The classroom was packed. Mistress Halsente was stood at the front of the classroom explaining the exam.
“Alright. Take us back” Mistress Halsente said.
“Macus Taronus Alos Timarta Aliscos. Origatil” I said slamming my eyes shut. And in an instant we had touched down on the floor of the classroom.
“Very good. Would you like to know what you got or would you like to wait till results day?” asked Mistress Halsente to me.
“Is it just me you will be asking or ...?” I started to ask when she interrupted “I thought you would like to know just in case”
“When is the results day?” I asked her.
“About a week after your birthday” she replied.
“I think I’ll risk it and wait” I said.
“Ok. I shall see you in class on Monday” she commented as she turned to walk back to her chair.
“Thank you Mistress Halsente” I thanked as I headed out of the room.
As I reached my room I could think of nothing better to then flop on to my bed and relax.
“How did it go?” Alison asked.
I hadn’t even noticed she was in the room she was being so quiet. She was on the top bunk.
“Alright. She said very good after I’d done it, so hopefully she was impressed.” I replied.
“That’s a good sign. And besides when has Charlie Ballon never got a A* in an exam?” She asked with a cheery tone in her voice.
“Technically I’m no longer Charlie Ballon but Charlie Gyid” I pointed out.
“You’re still you” replied Alison in one of her ‘I’m right and you know it’ tones.
“Ok, I get the message” I said to her.
There was a knock on the door.
“Come in” echoed both me and Alison.
Jeff poked his head around the door.
“Well..?” he asked as he walked in and shut the door.
“Alright, she said very good, so hopefully I impressed her” I replied.
“How come you didn’t want to be told how you did?” Jeff asked me.
“I don’t know. I kind of regret it now. It’s going to drive me mad not knowing but I’ll live I suppose” I replied.
“I know if you want to know” he mentioned.
“I do” said Alison.
Jeff stood up on the side of my bed so he could whisper into Alison’s ear.
“Ok. I want to know” I said.
“Good, you got full marks. Apparently you did the hardest spell possible and did every single thing to the latter. Well done” He said giving me a hug.
A leap of excitement flooded through me. I had to contain myself to stop me from jumping up and bouncing up and down.
I had gotten full marks on my exam!

CHAPTER NINE
THE POTION OF ELISHA
“Geska! In here now” She was getting impatient. Malietta sat in her grand throne, looking to the door with fury, waiting for it to bang against the wall, and a small scrawny and pathetic girl come running in.
Bang. The door hit the wall with a force so strong it made a dent in the wall.
“I’m sorry m’lady” the small scrawny girl said running to Malietta’s side and bowing to her.
“Geska, what news do you bring?” Malietta growled through clenched teeth.
“I am sorry m’lady but the Covert has activated its inter-covert protection spell, protecting the whole covert.” Replied Geska too afraid to meet Malietta’s glare.
Malietta did nothing but growl causing Gaska to flinch.
“I’m sorry M’lady, I am working as hard as I can to find another way” pleaded Geska.
Malietta stood and walked to her large black cauldron that was placed in the corner of the room. She picked up a hand full of green dusk and sprinkled it into the cauldron of boiling water. As the green dusk sank, up came the image of Charlie Gyid.
“Charlie! Charlie! Charlie! How am I to get to you I wonder.” Pondered Malietta. She turned to Geska and shouted “Leave. I will call you when I need you”
Malietta turned back to the cauldron.
She made a fist and splashed it into the water distorting Charlie’s face. She couldn’t hold it in her. She let out an unearthly scream that broke every mirror in the building. Shaking the building off its stand.
“M’lady” came the quiet voice of Geska from the door.
“What?” shouted Malietta turning to face her.
Geska pulled back a little and then said, “I think I have found another way”
Malietta’s frown turned into a smile. She walked back to her seat and sat on it. Geska came to her side and bowed to her.
“What is your idea Geska?” she asked as sweetly as she possibly could.
“The Potion of Elisha, M’lady, once completed it would allow you to enter the covert. You would be able to collect the box and have Gyid open it” she said gaining in bravery as went along.
“The Potion of Elisha?” Malietta asked.
“Yes M’Lady” replied Geska.
“Get me my Potions book, Geska.” Ordered Malietta.
Geska ran to the other side of the room, where leaning on the wall was a grand bookcase. Geska reached to the top shelve and pulled down a large book. She rushed to Malietta’s side. She bowed and held the book above her head.
Malietta took the book and placed it on her knee. She opened the book to the index. She looked down the list while mumbling “The Potion of Elisha” over and over. Until she finally found it in the index. Page 1010. She turned to that page.
“Oh yes, this is genius.” Said Malietta as she read the properties of the Potion.
The Potion Of Elisha
Created by Elisha Ireshed in 1708, this potion allows the maker to enter an area of which they have previously been banned, by magic, from returning.
Malietta moved her eyes to the bottom of the page for the ingredients that are imbedded in the chant used.
A flower of a whitened rose,
a ruby from the reddest sea,
a grain from the richest hayfield,
a victory you will see.
A journey you will take,
a journey you will make,
a blood of another,
you will have to take.
The blood of pure,
the blood of I,
the blood of thee
I will to die.
She sat back for a moment and pondered what ingredients she would need. She read it again reading out the ingredients.
“A flower of a whitened rose” she said.
“There is white rose bush currently growing in the store, M’Lady” informed Geska.
“A ruby from the reddest sea” Malietta continued.
“We can send a worker to the red sea to fetch you a ruby” commented Geska.
“A grain from the richest hayfield.” Malietta continued.
Malietta paused waiting for Geska to tell her about this particular item.
“A piece of grass you idiot” Hissed Malietta.
“The grass outside is long. I can get a piece from there.” Replied Geska.
“The blood of thee I will to die. Charlie” hissed Malietta.
She turned to Geska and lifted Geska’s face up to connect eyes.
“Tell me, how do you plan to get Charlie Gyid’s blood to me?” Malietta asked.
“I haven’t thought that far yet, M’lady” replied Geska.
Malietta brought her hand around and slapped Geska across the face.
“I’m sorry M’Lday I will keep looking” pleaded Geska.
“Send people out to collect the ingredients. If Charlie ever does leave the safety of the Covert, I would like to be ready” ordered Malietta.
“Yes M’lady. It will be done M’Lady” bowed Geska as she headed out.
Malietta returned to her cauldron where the image of Charlie still remained.
“You may be mine yet Charlie Gyid” she hissed.
...
“We have the ingredients that you desired M’Lady” bowed Geska.
“Prepare them” replied Malietta still slouched on her chair.
Geska headed out and brought back in a tray of the different items.
“All we are missing is the blood. I have sent an agent out to see what he can do” reported Geska.
“Very good, Geska. You may be a useful apprentice after all” commented Malietta “I want the Covert watched, if Charlie even takes one foot outside the covert walls, I want to be the first to know”
“Yes M’Lady. I will see to it straight away M’lady.” Replied Geska.

CHAPTER TEN
THE BREAKOUT
“I heard somebody aced their Spells and Enchantment exam” said Brad almost in a tune.
“Yes. Are you pleased with me?” I replied laughing, wrapping my arms around his neck.
“Very” He replied planting my lips with a kiss.
We were sat on my bed in my bedroom. It was only him and me in the room. Gabby and Alison had excused themselves when he arrived.
“How did you do?” I asked him.
“I don’t know. I – like the rest of the class – won’t know until the results day” he replied pinning me down on the bed. He climbed on top of me and let his lips touch mine. A hot blush ran through my body. He kissed me again but harder and rougher. He ran his fingers through my hair and down my arms. The kiss fell gentle. He covered my neck with kisses.
“I love you” he whispered into my ear.
“I love you” I whispered back, so quiet even I was struggling to hear it.
“ I know” he gave out a small laugh.
There was a knock on the door. Brad sat back but remained sat on my legs as I sat up to face him. The door swung open, Gabby and Alison were behind it.
“We didn’t disturb anything did we?” asked Alison in an accusing fashion.
“No” replied Brad keeping his eyes locked with mine. He leaned in to kiss me when Gabby said “I think there may be a way to find out about the box”
“Really?” I asked her breaking the lock between me and Brad. I literally pushed him off of me.
“Yes. Read that. Page 184” said Gabby throwing the big and heavy history book.
I turned to page 184 and read.
The Orb Of Power
One day a powerful Wiccan/Warlock will take their place as protector of the Magic World. The powerful Wiccan/Warlock will be gifted with one thing – The Orb of Power – which will be given to them on their coming of age – 16 years of age. In order for the true power to used it must be opened by the powerful Wiccan/Warlock.
The rest of the text seemed to go on about the same sort of thing.
“Look who its written by” said Alison.
Reported by
Laura Drew
Wiccan of the German Covert.
“What’s your point?” I asked them, utterly confused.
“If we can find this Laura Drew, we could ask her about the orb of power” Alison explained.
“And how are we going to find her, we are not allowed out of the Covert?” I asked them.
“Well, I’m sure they wouldn’t mind us going out for a little while” tempted Alison.
“And how exactly do we know she’d be able to tell us anything we can’t read in this book?” asked Brad next to me, thinking the same as me.
“Read the bit above her name” moaned Alison.
“I am well aware of the speculation of my sources but I have on several occasions came in contact with the owners of this special object – Mr and Mrs Gyid, of the Swiss and French Covert.” I read out loud. The thought instantly struck me like a wet sponge. “Mom and dad could have told her about the orb”
“That’s what we were thinking and as Jeff, Sir Mallot and Mistress Halsente seem to be good at avoiding answering our questions we thought maybe she might tell us the answers” explained Alison.
“What do you think?” I asked Brad.
“Depends if you think it’s worth the risk” he replied briefly.
“Guys?” I asked them.
“Well if we knew the facts before you opened the box we’ll be more prepared. I don’t know. But a few days we might be able to get away with” Gabby replied.
“I guess. But we won’t be able to just walk out we need a plan. Gabby, you and Alison find out the exterior guards rota. Brad and I will find an escape route and work something with the guards outside my room” I ordered standing.
“Ok. We’ll get right on that” said Gabby as she and Alison rushed out.
“Do you really think this will work?” asked Brad standing as well. He took me in his arms.
“If we work hard yes. Now come on. We need a way out of here” I said kissing him.
“In a minute” he replied pushing me back down onto the bed kissing my neck.
“Brad. We need to get this done. We can do that when we come back” I said pushing him off me in the kindest fashion possible. I couldn’t believe I’d done that. I’d pushed him away from me when all I want is him to be close to me all the time.
“Alright. Where do we start?” he asked.
“Are there any exit’s in that room you showed me?” I asked him back.
“I don’t know, we could go and have a look” he replied grabbing my hand.
We rushed up to that room. It looked as brilliant and beautiful as the first time I saw it. We carefully prodded around the walls looking for a secret passageway of some sort, but with no luck.
“There’s not one in here” he commented sitting down in defeat.
I sat next to him.
“Where else could there be one?” I asked more to myself then him.
“Maybe instead of looking in the different rooms we should go for the floor plans in the great hall” he replied.
“How we going to get in there?” I asked him.
“Billy told me that he ran into a secret passageway that leads out of there while we were all stuck in there not that long ago. So, if he can find the other end, that will take us right into the great hall.” He explained.
“We’ll need help with that. We will need somebody to keep Sir Mallot and Mistress Halsente out of that room” I said.
“Perhaps you could ask to talk to them – about the box – while I sneak in and get the plans” he replied.
“I suppose” I replied thinking about what I could say.
“Shall we do that?” he asked standing.
“Now?” I asked him in response.
“Yes” he said, “They won’t be in meeting until tonight, so we have more time to bring it back once we have found an exit”
“Ok” I replied taking his outstretched hand.
Finding Sir Mallot and Mistress Halsente was the easy bit, they were in Mistress Halsente’s classroom talking to Jeff – guess what about? Yep you got it. Me. I knocked on the door before entering.
“Come in” came the shout of Mistress Halsente.
I walked in and walked to Jeff’s side.
“I needed to talk to you” I said to them. I hadn’t had time to prepare for this so I hope they can’t tell something is wrong.
“What is it, my dear?” asked Sir Mallot.
“It’s about Malietta.” I said. That was all I had to say to get their total and full attention. “I’m a bit worried, I’ve been thinking, what should I do should I come in contact with Malietta before I am sixteen?”
“My dear, why has this suddenly come into your mind?” asked Sir Mallot obviously trying to avoid this subject.
“I was just sat thinking sir, with everything that has happened, things seem to suggest that I will have to face her eventually it’s just what do I do if I have to face her before I turn sixteen?” I repeated.
“Well, first of all, you use what you have learnt in your lessons to defend yourself. Secondly, you get in touch with one of us immediately and we will come to your aid, and then thirdly, do not let her make you open that box. You are safe as long as you don’t open the box for her. Without you she has no hope in the world from opening that box so she could not afford to kill you” explained Mistress Halsente.
“Oh, but what if she finds another way?” I asked. I wasn’t expecting an answer that was so detailed for the last question. I had hoped that they would be a little less honest and so one question would take longer, but no.
“It’s impossible. That box is only there as a safe guard to stop anybody else from opening it” replied Jeff. You’re not making this any easier.
“But what if there is a way that nobody else knows about?” I asked, running out of ideas for questions.
‘Hurry up. I’m running out of questions’
‘I’m in the grand hall. Just looking for the floor plan. I let you know when I’m out.’
“My dear, you can put full faith in us that there is no other way of getting in to that box” said Sir Mallot quietly “besides you are perfectly safe inside the covert”
“Unless she finds a way to get in” I suggested.
That thought seemed to strike the others as a shock.
“That is impossible, there is a charm on her that forbids her from this place” snapped Mistress Halsente.
“Just a suggestion” I whispered almost so quiet I couldn’t even hear myself.
“I’m sorry.” She said. She took me by the shoulders and said to me “You have nothing to worry about Charlie. Everything is alright while we are here and we don’t plan to leave anytime soon”
‘Ok, I’m clear of the grand hall. I’ll meet you in your room’
I nodded.
“Is there anything else we can help you with?” Sir Mallot asked me.
“No, I think that was it. If I think of anything I’ll find you” I said.
“Yes. I shall see you on Monday in class” he replied.
I nodded and then headed out. As soon as I was clear of the door I rushed up to my room.
When I entered Brad was stood over a map of lines and boxes, looking carefully over every section.
“Well, any luck?” I asked him.
“There are several ways out. The main way, and then four secret passageways. Each of the passageways are just as tricky to access as each other. One is right by Sir Mallot’s bedroom, one by Mistress Halsente’s bedroom, and then the other two by guard bedrooms. They obviously selected those rooms for a reason.” He replied.
“So, your saying if we do manage to get out, chances are they’ll know about it before we even reach the exit of the exit” I commented.
“Pretty much. We’ll have to have somebody’s help, get one of those people away from the exit so we can exit. Now, my room is just down the corridor from Sir Mallot’s room, so we could hide in there until it is clear, so I suggest using that exit route” he suggested.
“Yeh, but how will we get him out of his room and away from the corridor?” I asked.
“Perhaps Billy will help us” He replied.
“Yeh, he would be able to lure Sir Mallot away from the exit long enough for us to escape” I said.
“We’ll wait from Gabby and Alison to return and then we’ll get that plan into action” he replied.
We didn’t have to wait for very long, Gabby and Alison were in in seconds.
“Guard wise we are stuck. There is nothing anywhere that tells anyone the guards rota. It changes regularly and they work it out themselves and leaves the agreements in their own personal chambers” informed Gabby.
“We have another way. There is a secret passageway by Sir Mallot’s room, all we need to sort out is the distraction. Brad is going to talk to Billy about that” I explained.
“Well then, what are you waiting for. The sooner we go the less time they have to find out what we are planning” ushered Gabby.
“Ok. I’ll go” said Brad.
He kissed me on the lips and then headed out.
“So, how are we going to find this Laura Drew?” I asked Gabby.
“We’re still trying to work that out” replied Gabby.
“Gabby, if we leave not knowing what we’re doing, we’re going to be out there for ages” I said.
“Well we know we need to get to the German Covert somehow” commented Alison.
“How are we going to get there?” I asked them both.
“There’s a train that leaves the town Malistiwa – that’s not far from here – and it goes straight to a town almost next door to the German Covert.” Replied Gabby.
“Ok. We just going to hope this Laura Drew person is there?” I asked relaxing slightly.
“Yes” replied Alison taking a deep breath out.
“And even if she is not, the covert will know where she is” continued Gabby.
The door opened, Brad walked in followed by Billy.
“He’s agreed to do it” commented Brad.
“Good. We have a way to get to Germany.” I told him.
“Now, on the timetable, the first train tomorrow leaves at nine. If we leave at eleven tonight by the time we get to Malistiwa we’ll only have to wait three hours at the most. So I suggest we leave then” suggested Gabby, fiddling with her fringe.
“Right so, exactly on two minutes to eleven you will knock on Sir Mallot’s door saying that somebody is causing a racket up by your room, Billy, and then we will head out that exit. We shall walk to the town Malistiwa, where we will catch the train to Germany and find this Laura Drew.” Explained Brad.
It was a long wait until the time we all headed to Brad’s room. Brad sat by the door so he could hear when Billy goes past with Sir Mallot.
And exactly on two minutes to eleven we all heard Billy go rushing past with Sir Mallot. We sat for one more minute and then headed out. We went to the exit and opened the door. We quickly rushed through making sure the exit was fully closed behind us.
“Alright. Here we go” whispered Brad.
Brad, Alison, Gabby and I started the long walk through the pitch black tunnel. We kept our hands on the wall. The tunnel was pitch black. I couldn’t see where I was putting my feet.
“We should have brought a light” I moaned.
“They might spot the light if they were to look down the tunnel now. It wasn’t worth the risk” replied Gabby.
Brad was at the front, I was behind him, Alison behind me and then Gabby at the back.
I heard Brad give out a yell.
“Brad?” I couldn’t help but shout “Are you ok?”
“There’s a slope” he shouted back, the sound of voice sounded like it was bouncing of the walls. He seemed miles away. “A steep slope, like a slide, but it comes out at the exit”
I stepped forward and I knew instantly what he was on about. I was sent zooming down a natural slide. I couldn’t help but let out a small scream as I went down. I had never really liked slides, especially in the dark. The slide was starting to level out. My legs hit something hard forcing it to land on me.
“Sorry” I heard Brad mutter.
“Brad” I swung my arms around him. He was still lay on top of me. He stood and pulled me up with him, but then we heard Alison screaming her way down the slide. He pushed me up against the wall allowing Alison to fly past us, landing bottom first on the floor. I quickly grabbed her and pulled her to one side as I heard Gabby come down. She too hit the floor bottom first.
“Ouch” she moaned as she stood up.
We could see a glisten of light up ahead, well, up ahead and around a corner.
“That looks like our exit” I commented.
“It sure does” replied Brad taking my hand in his.
We all made our way to the corner, and just like we had said, the exit of the mountain was there.
We were about to step out of the protection of the Covert into the perilous world.

CHAPTER ELEVEN
THE POWER
The view from the exit was breath taking. Green mountain after green mountain, with snow covered tops. The sunset red sky had not even a wisp of an airplane vapour trail spoiling the view. We took a step to the exit when we saw what our next trouble would be. To get down from the exit you have to climb down a horizontal rock wall. Brad left the safety of the platform first. He lowered himself down to the next platform, and then the next. I followed. Followed closely by Alison and Gabby. There was some tense moment as we scaled the perilous drop. Some of the rocks were so weak, they only took a slight tap to go crumbling down the side of the mountain.
“Why do they have this as an exit?” I grumbled as we took a break halfway down.
“Easier to leave then it is to arrive” replied Brad.
“Huh?” I had to ask didn’t I.
“Well, if the covert was ever attacked, the attackers would take more time climbing up one way then what we will dropping down the other” explained Brad.
“Your people are strange” Commented Alison.
Brad and Gabby just smiled at the comment but I couldn’t help but nod along. They were strange, I mean, we are strange.
“Ready to finish the climb?” asked Brad.
I didn’t have to reply, everybody just stood up ready. Brad dropped first, again. I didn’t like him going first, if he fell nobody would be able to catch him, but he refused to let any of us girls go first.
...
“I swear sir, whoever it was, was making a hell of a noise” commented Billy as he completed his part of the deal.
“I’ll look in to it, Billy, now try and get some sleep” replied Sir Mallot heading to walk away.
Brad looked at his watch.
11:10
Will they be out by now? He thought.
“Wait sir” he shouted deciding to give us a bit more time.
“Yes Billy” commented Sir Mallot turning back to face Billy.
“What if it was..? You know. Like when we had that panic” asked Billy trying to buy us more time. That had been the first thing that had come into his head.
“I highly doubt it Billy, probably just somebody messing about” replied Sir Mallot in his usual calm tone.
“I was just suggesting, cause there’s an entrance, isn’t there, down the corridor connected to mine. What if somebody was rushing past?” he asked. As soon as the words had left his lips, he knew he had gone too far. He slapped his hand across his mouth to stop him from saying anymore.
“Billy, there has been no intruder. There was never any noise was there Billy?” Sir Mallot had gone suspicious. He looked Billy in the eye waiting for an answer.
‘I’m busted. Please tell me you are already out.’
‘Yeh, it’s alright, we’re at the bottom of the mountain.’
“No sir” replied Billy going quiet. Even Billy knew he couldn’t lie to Sir Mallot when he was eye to eye with him.
“Why did you bring me out then?” asked Sir Mallot accusingly.
Billy didn’t reply.
“Billy, Why did you bring me out?” repeated Sir Mallot with a hint of anger in his voice.
“I was asked to” replied Billy suddenly falling quiet. He didn’t want to tell but he knew he was a terrible liar when Sir Mallot is like this. His face was starting to go pale from his worry of spilling the beans.
“Who asked you to?” asked Sir Mallot.
Billy looked to the floor. The one question he didn’t want to be asked. He looked into Sir Mallot’s beady eyes.
“Perhaps you’d talk to Mistress Halsente” commented Sir Mallot. Everybody knew that Mistress Halsente could get an answer out of anybody.
‘Don’t stop to rest. You’ll get busted if you do, Sir Mallot has grown suspicious, he’s taking me to talk to Mistress Halsente’
‘Ok, thanks for the warning. And try and buy us as much time as you can. We all know what Mistress Halsente is like’
Billy didn’t get a say in this, Sir Mallot literally dragged him to Mistress Halsente’s room.
...
“We have to keep moving. Billy will break and tell them any minute” Said Brad as we headed across a land of green grass. The sun had gone in. We were relying on the moon to light our way. The moon was in its last quarter. It was bright for the time of the month, which we couldn’t have been more thankful for. We were able to see the moon light bouncing off all the stones that we needed to avoid.
“I knew we shouldn’t have told him what we were doing. We should have just told him what to do” moaned Gabby.
“Well, it’s too late now. We did what we did” I said. I still had my hand in Brads. I could feel him tensing at the thought of being caught.
If we were to be caught, the punishment would be so severe we would have no second chance. They would not trust us, they would have us watched every hour of the day, and every day of the week. We would not be allowed alone in a room if we were together, even if it was just me and Brad.
We had miles to walk yet until we reached the town we need. It was only 11:30, we weren’t meant to arrive at the town until six o’clock at the earliest.
...
“Sorry to bother you Hazel, but Billy here has something he needs to tell but refuses to tell it” commented Sir Mallot pocking his head around Mistress Halsente’s door.
“Come on in. I was only thinking.” She replied as they walked in and closed the door behind them.
“What were you thinking about Hazel?” asked Sir Mallot.
“I was thinking it is time we tell Charlie the full extent of the power she will receive after she opens the box” replied Mistress Halsente.
Billy bit his bottom lip.
“I agree.” Agreed Sir Mallot. He then pushed Billy forward “We still need to know what he need to tell us. I got to somebody had asked him to draw me out of my room but he will not tell me who”
Mistress Halsente stood and walked to face him.
“So who did tell you to draw Sir Mallot out of his room?” Mistress Halsente leaned close to Billy as she asked. A trick of hers to get to the truth.
Billy shook his head.
“Billy? You don’t want to get in trouble yourself, I know you don’t, so you can tell us. Who told you to do it?” asked Mistress Halsente in her sweetest voice.
“Brad and Charlie” replied Billy in quieter than a whisper.
“Who sorry?” asked Mistress Halsente.
Billy took a deep breath and then repeated, slightly louder, “Brad and Charlie”
Both Sir Mallot and Mistress Halsente took a step back in shock.
“Brad and Charlie?” asked Sir Mallot shocked.
“And their two friends that I don’t know the name of” continued Billy.
“What were they planning?” Sir Mallot asked him.
“I don’t know” replied Billy growing quiet.
“Yes you do” commented Mistress Halsente growing close to him again.
“I... I...” his words escaped his lips.
...
“Can we take a break?” asked Alison growing tired.
“We need to keep moving a little longer. We need to put enough space between us and the mountain before they are on to us” Brad replied squeezing my hand.
...
“Billy, tell us what they are planning” demanded Mistress Halsente.
“They’ve already gone. They could be anywhere by now” blurted out Billy.
“What do you mean?” asked Sir Mallot.
“They’ve gone looking for a German Wiccan called Laura Drew to ask her about the box as you refuse to tell them. When I took Sir Mallot out of his room is when they went through the exit at the end of his corridor” explained Billy still rather quiet.
Mistress Halsente locked eyes with Sir Mallot. Fear struck them both in an instant.
“Go to your room, now” said Mistress Halsente to Billy.
Billy rushed out of the room.
“Go and fetch Jeff and I will go and check Charlie’s room” said Mistress Halsente as they both headed out the room.
A minutes later, Mistress Halsente barged into Charlie’s room to find it empty. She looked in all the beds and the bathroom. When she walked out of the bathroom Jeff and Sir Mallot where stood in the main part.
“We checked Brad’s room on the way, he isn’t there.” Said Sir Mallot.
“Well, Charlie, Alison and Gabby aren’t here either. They really have gone looking for this Laura Drew.” Replied Mistress Halsente flopping on the sofa “Had she waited one more day she wouldn’t even think of leaving.”
“We need to find her before Malietta finds out she has left the covert” said Jeff.
“Jeff, go and wake all the guards you can find and take them on a search of the grounds” ordered Sir Mallot “After that, find Laura Drew, if we find her, Charlie, Brad, Gabby and Alison will arrive there eventually”
“Yes sir” said Jeff as he headed out.
Mistress Halsente hung her head.
“We failed Benjamin. She’s out there in the open. It’s only a matter of time before Malietta finds out” cried Mistress Halsente.
Sir Mallot sat down next to her placing his hand over her shoulders.
“Hazel, we have not failed yet. We must keep the box safe. While we can account for the box, Charlie will be safe no matter where she is” explained Sir Mallot.
“You’re right. I am sorry Benjamin.” Apologised Mistress Halsente.
...
“Ok, now I think we can rest. We’re good few miles away the mountain” said Brad slumping on the floor. I slumped down next to him.
“We can’t stop for long. I bet by now Billy has cracked and a search party would have started” I said to him taking his hand in mine. I gently kissed his cheek. He turned to face me and kissed me on the lips. Passionately.
We must of fell asleep, all of us, when we woke it was at least half twelve. We needed to move and quickly. If they were on to us they would be close by now.
“Guys, come on, we need to keep moving” I said.
We walked for seemed like days as the sun finally started to rise. As the sun rose we were able to stand on a top of a hill and watch the sun shine of the little town of Malistiwa.
Gabby and Alison sorted out the train. The train was to take several hours and then it should only take two hours in a taxi to arrive at the German Covert.
It seemed like clockwork switching from a train to taxi, but it was where the taxi dropped us off when both me, Brad and Alison got confused.
“Where are we?” I asked.
The taxi had left us in the middle of a forest. The road just stopped surrounded by trees. I couldn’t see any buildings around anywhere and especially no mountains.
“Through here” said Gabby leading us through the thickest part of the trees.
After ten minutes of moving tree leaves after tree leaves to try and get through, we reached a clearing. Stood in this clear was a large house. From the outside it looked like one of those National trust houses.
“Are you sure this is it?” asked Brad.
“Positive” replied Gabby heading towards the building.
...
“Ma’am, I have just heard some very good news” said Geska running to her leader, Malietta.
“And what would that be Geska?” asked Malietta staring intensely at her fingernails. She was sat in her grand chair in her grand room. Geska was bowing down next to the chair.
“Charlie Gyid has left the Swiss Covert. Our sources say she is heading towards the German Covert. We have placed two men outside the German Covert to intercept her. She cannot stay there forever, she will have to return to the box – which is still at the Swiss Covert – in time for her sixteenth birthday” explained Geska filled with joy that she had been able to give her leader some good news for once.
“Prepare my transport. I wish to be the one that intercepts Miss Gyid” laughed Malietta.
Geska nodded and then said “It shall be done ma’am”
...
KNOCK. KNOCK.
A flap in the door opened. “Who wants entry into the German Covert?” a voice called out.
“Brad Walice, Warlock from the Swiss Covert” said Brad.
“Gabby Galice, Wiccan from the Swiss Covert” said Gabby.
“Charlie Gyid” there was a gasp from the other side of the door flap. I ignored it and continued “Wiccan from the Swiss Covert”
“Alison Florel, human” said Alison.
“The Covert recognises Brad Walice, Gabby Galice and Charlie Gyid, you may enter” said the voice through the flap. The door opened.
“What about me?” whispered Alison into my ear.
“What about Alison Florel?” I asked the man that was now holding the door open.
“She is not recognised by the Covert” replied the man.
“She has currently been staying at the Swiss Covert and is aiding me in my research” I said “And I demand she be recognised by the Covert.”
“I will check with my superior” said the man closing the door again.
“Sorry guys” whispered Alison.
“Alison, if they don’t let us in, then its them we’ll be angry at. We won’t go in without you, we’ll just have to head home early” I said back to her.
“Thank you” whispered Alison again.
The man came back and opened the door and said, “The Covert recognises Alison Florel”
All of us headed in. It was strange how each Covert differed. The Swiss was nature, the French was ocean and the German was an ordinary old-fashioned household. Just like when I entered the Swiss covert a young Wiccan came running to us.
“Welcome to the German Covert, would you like to follow me” It wasn’t a question. We were to follow her. This is going to make the time span we are here longer.
I was starting to get a bad feeling of how long we had been away from the Swiss Covert. I knew Sir Mallot, Mistress Halsente and Jeff will be panicking, especially Jeff.
She lead us through corridor after corridor until we reached a grand door. Another great room. Another pair of leaders to meet, and more time wasted.
“Hello, and who is it we are meeting?” said the elder of the two male leaders.
This grand hall looked almost identical to the one in the Swiss Covert. There are three grand chairs, the one on the left was empty.
“Gabby Galice, Wiccan from the Swiss Covert” said Gabby.
“Alison Florel, human” said Alison.
“Brad Walice, Warlock from the Swiss Covert” said Brad.
“Charlie Gyid Wiccan from the Swiss Covert” I said.
The two gents sat up straight.
“Miss Gyid, we weren’t expecting such a guest as yourself” said the younger leader “Please call me Sir Haslot and this is Sir Masket”
“Thank you Sir Haslot, but we are here in the search for a German Wiccan named Laura Drew.” I mentioned.
“I should think we would be able to find her for you. May I ask what you wish to see her about?” asked Sir Masket.
“Of course. I wish to ask her about her research into the Orb of Power” I replied.
“Sally, take them to Laura Drew” ordered Sir Haslot to the girl who lead us to here.
“Of course Sir. This way Miss Gyid” said the girl starting to head out.
It was a long walk through the now dreary walls of the German Covert. The corridors were dark and plastered with old-fashioned wall paper and furniture. The dreary corridor looked wet and felt damp leaving a horrible smell lingering about. The corridor went on and on until we finally reached Room 108. The girl knocked on the door.
There was no reply so she knocked again. Still no reply.
“Miss Drew, you have visitors” shouted the young girl through the door.
“The door is open” Shouted back a very feminine voice.
The girl turned the knob and opened the door.
Laura’s room was bright, it was in complete contrast with the corridor outside. All four of us stepped in. The girl closed the door behind us, leaving us in the room alone with Laura Drew.
Laura was one of those beautiful Wiccans. Her black and long hair bounced down her back, her eyes glistened a ruby red – that must be the German colour. She was tall and slim and wore a long and flattering black robe. She was sat on a single seat sofa.
“Hello, who do I have visiting me?” she asked us.
“Gabby Galice, Wiccan from the Swiss Covert” said Gabby.
“Alison Florel, human” said Alison.
“Brad Walice, Warlock from the Swiss Covert” said Brad.
Laura picked up her juice drink and placed it on her bottom lip to drink the contents.
“Charlie Gyid Wiccan from the Swiss Covert” I said.
She spat out her juice at my name.
“Charlie..?” is all she managed to spit out. She stood and walked to me. She placed her hands on both my cheeks “Of course, how could I not have recognised you? You look so much like Sarah”
“Did you know my mom well?” I asked her as she removed her hands.
“Did I know her well?” she let out a laugh “I only grew up with her. I only shared a room with her and Tasha at school”
“I thought you were German and she was Swiss?” asked Brad.
“I am a German Wiccan but I moved to the Swiss Covert with my father – he wanted to teach Potions there – but I moved back here to start teaching here” she replied with a small smile on her face.
I looked around her room until I found the book Alison and Gabby showed me. It was stuffed into her bookcase.
“You wrote an article about the orb in that book over there” I said pointing at the book in her shelf.
She stood up and walked to the book and brought it over to me.
“Yes, I did, however, it was not the original draft. The original, Sarah and Jerome dismissed. They refused to let me publish everything they told me.” mentioned Laura.
I sat down opposite her.
“Well, that’s what I’m here to talk to you about. I want to know everything there is to know” I said to her.
“Well, I hope you have a lot of time as this might take a while.” I nodded. “Well, where to start, it was given to your mother when she first started to date Jerome. She was told that should she have a baby with Jerome, that baby will be the most powerful Wiccan or Warlock ever to have existed, and the power of this baby would be significantly increased when he or she opens the box on his or her sixteenth birthday. She was told that all matter of power would be placed into your body. When the box is opened by you, the orb will combine itself with your heart and soul increasing your power and knowledge of magic.”
“What sort of power?” asked Brad.
“Well, you’d able to control anything. Hang on, let me think of a good example, oh I know. An ordinary Wiccan or Warlock no matter how powerful can only control certain elements of the weather, they can never fully changed the weather, however, when the orb combines with you, you would be able to change the whole course of the weather. You could change the weather in the winter into summer weather. It could throw the whole world into chaos.” Explained Laura sitting up and leaning towards me.
“So you mean she will get unearthly powers?” asked Gabby.
“You could put it that way yes” replied Laura.
“No wonder they refused to tell you Charlie” commented Alison.
“Who refused to tell you?” asked Laura.
“Sir Mallot, Mistress Halsente and Jeff Ballon” I answered.
“Ah, of course they would. Sir Mallot and Mistress Halsente seem to think that with great power comes great responsibility and pressure, they wouldn’t want that being placed on your shoulders. And then Jeff Ballon, he would do whatever he was told to do when it involved the well being of Jerome’s baby” explained Laura relaxing back in her chair “I hope you are satisfied with what I had to say.”
“Of course, is there anything else?” I asked.
“I would like to ask you one question” she commented.
I nodded for her to continue.
“Well, what are you doing here when Malietta could be on to you?” asked Laura.
“We’re hoping we can be back before Malietta knows I’ve even left the covert.” I replied to her.
“So do I” Laura smiled.

CHAPTER 12
TAKEN
“Thank you” I said as Me, Gabby, Alison and Brad headed out of the room.
“You’re welcome, Charlie, wish everybody well for me” she replied standing by the door frame.
“I will” I said giving her a final smile and a wave.
I heard the door shut as we turned the corner in the corridor.
“I didn’t realise I was in love with a power freak to be” laughed Brad.
“A power freak is someone who wants to gain lots of power not someone who has lots of power” I laughed back.
His ears went a little pink. “Yeh alright”
On the way out we took several wrong turns. This place was just as hard to navigate as the Swiss Covert was.
‘You and I are going to have a very serious talk when you get back to the Covert, young lady, now tell me where you are so I can come and get you’
“They’re worried about us. Jeff has just called me” I said to the others as we finally reached the door to exit.
“Tell him we’ll meet him back at the Covert we’re on our way back” said Gabby as we took our step out into the open, outside the German Covert.
‘We are on our way back to the Covert’
‘Good. I shall meet you there’
We started our way down to the trees. The sun was setting. How long had we spent talking to Laura? We needed to start moving if we were going to be on the other side of the trees in time for the taxi to pick us up. The area of trees was full of shadows, it was hard to tell where the tree roots were, so we were moving extra slow. Had we not been walking in silence I wouldn’t have heard the slight whisper “Alect tresco remot hardesk ataske”
The trees suddenly started moving around us, enclosing us. As the trees closed in, the area darkened in shadows. I could just see a figure fit through a gap in the trees.
“flementa” the figure said. I swore I recognised that voice.
A flame came up on the figures hand, it was then we saw who this figure was. The wet sponge of realisation hit us all at the same moment. Malietta. All of our hearts gave a leap. The shock of her appearance left us all frozen on the spot, vulnerable.
“Telesca froza” The others turned a pale white, frozen completely on the spot.
“So nice to finally meet you in person” laughed Malietta as I looked around for any escape route.
There was none.
“I’m glad I can’t say the same to you” I sneered through gritted teeth. I was trying to make it powerful but my nerves showed through my voice.
“Ooo, you know how to play, it’s a shame your nerves aren’t as strong” laughed Malietta.
“Froscka momenta” the words just slipped out of my mouth.
The earth around us started to rubble but within seconds she stopped it with a counter charm.
“Telesca froza” she shouted.
Everything went black.
...
“She said she was on her way back. It’s been three days” grumbled Jeff, his voice squeaking with worry. He was pacing inside of my room, Mistress Halsente and Sir Mallot where sat on the sofa, waiting, not very patiently waiting.
“If she said she was on her way Jeff, she’ll be on her way” replied Mistress Halsente, trying to hide the fear from her own voice.
The door burst open and in ran Laura Drew, followed closely by Brad, Gabby and Alison.
“Where’s Charlie?” asked Jeff as all three approached them.
“She came to see me” explained Laura.
“Why?” asked Jeff.
“She wanted to know the full power of the orb, she left but I knew something was wrong, I just saw you know who carrying her off. I was able to unfreeze these. I don’t know where she has taken her” Laura spat out.
Jeff flopped on the sofa and dropped his head in his hands. Small whimpers could heard from him.
“Jeff...” started Mistress Halsente but Jeff interrupted “No, don’t. I wanted to protect her and now she’s...” he burst into more tears.
...
My eyes started to open, I could feel that my arms were strung up. I was being held in the middle of the room. I was facing a great big chair, and then in the corner a large black cauldron. Even from where I was I could see something was bubbling inside of it. I was suspended in the air. My arms were tired up by rope to the ceiling, and then my legs tied to the floor. I could see Malietta sat in the chair, staring intensely at me. I looked back at her into her pitch black eyes.
“You’ve been a pain in my life for over sixteen years, it’ll be good to finally be rid of you” hissed Malietta with a wicked smile on his face.
“You can’t kill me until you get the box and you know it” I hissed back.
She stood at my words and walked to me. Her face was inches from mine.
“No, but I can make you suffer” she whispered threateningly.
“You can torture me as much as you like, but even I know you can’t do that forever. You are no closer to getting the box now then you were the day you killed my parents” I growled.
“I would think again, Charlie, I am close to getting the box and you are going to help me” she laughed. She turned to the door and shouted “Geska”
A small girl came through the door. It was the girl who I had seen in the lounge in my house. She looked scarily like Malietta.
“Yes ma’am” Geska bowed to her.
“Get the tools” ordered Malietta.
I couldn’t help but let the fear flow through my body at the wicked smile that was shared between the two devils. The girl, Geska, rushed out and within a few minutes came back in with a tray of stuff, knifes, tubes, and blades.
I couldn’t help but gulp.
Malietta chanted “Alesheta gudar”
The large black cauldron lifted up and moved over to me. My legs could just about feel the side of the cauldron. The heat of it burnt the skin on my leg and I couldn’t help but let out a scream.
Malietta hovered her hand over the knifes obviously trying to pick the best one for the job. She finally chose one. It was a long curved blade and a round cylinder at the end of the handle. She lifted it so I could see the blade. Another tray was brought in with different ingredients.
“ A flower of a whitened rose,” she placed in a flower head in cauldron . As she said each thing she placed it in the cauldron, keeping the knife in her left hand. “a ruby from the reddest sea, a grain from the richest hayfield, a victory you will see. A journey you will take, a journey you will make, a blood of another, you will have to take.”
She lifted the blade to my arm, my forearm. She stabbed the end into my arm and ripped it down my arm. My terrible screech escaped my lips. She threw the knife into the cauldron and then continued “The blood of pure, the blood of I, the blood of thee I will to die.”
A large puff of red smoke blew out of the cauldron.
Malietta picked up a glass bottle from the tray, the bottle was the size of a wine bottle.
“Collecta Gashe” chanted Malietta.
The bottle flew out of her hand and into the cauldron. It filled the bottle with the potion. The bottle lifted up and landed in Malietta’s hand. Malietta lifted a small glass and poured some the potion out. She swirled it in the glass and lifted to her lips. She took a large swig, pulled it back, lipped her lips and then gulped down the rest.
“What’s the potion for?” I asked in less than a whisper.
“Well, as there is now nothing you can do to stop me, I suppose I could share my little secret with you” She whispered into my ear, she gave a little laugh and then continued “That potion allows me to step foot in the Swiss Covert. So I am closer to the box then you think.”
That struck like a knife in the chest. She could get to the one thing that was keeping me alive. I could be dead within a few days.
“Geska, watch her, I’m going to get some rest” ordered Malietta.
“Yes ma’am” Geska bowed as Malietta headed out the door.
‘Jeff? Can you hear me? Jeff? Dad? Please tell me you can hear me’
...
Lay on my bed, he rocked forwards and backwards holding my favourite bag close. Alison, Mistress Halsente and Gabby were sat on Gabby’s bed while Brad and Sir Mallot were sat on the sofa.
“Do you think she’s alright?” spoke up Brad.
“I am sure where ever she is, Malietta can’t afford to kill her, so she is fine” replied Sir Mallot.
“She’s a strong Wiccan” commented Mistress Halsente.
‘Charlie, can you hear me? It’s Jeff. Please tell me you can hear me, please’
...
“Why do you listen to her?” I whispered to Geska.
Geska’s pitch black eyes locked with mine.
“Because I am her assistant” she replied in the same heartless tone.
“You know you don’t have to be. You could be so much more” I said.
“No. Assistant is good” she smiled that evil smile.
“You have no idea what it is like to be free, Geska, it’s never too late” I said my voice getting louder.
She stood for a second like she was pondering what I had said but then gave out a devilish laugh. Her laughed froze just like realization had come to her. I saw something in her eyes. A gold colour was coming though.
“I could... but how?” she asked me.
“You need to break free of her grip. She treats you like filth when you deserve so much better than that” I said softly.
Her eyes turned a pale gold colour. The black had gone. Her hair changed into a brown colour.
“My eyes, they’re back” she gasped catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror.
“Listen, I can help you...” I started but I didn’t have to finish. She grabbed one of the knife and swung it at all four ropes holding me up. I fell to the floor. She pulled off the remainder of the ropes.
“What’s the best way out of here?” I asked her as the last rope was pulled off me.
“There’s only one way I know...” she gulped.
“Geska? What way?” I asked her.
“We’ll have to pass her bedroom.” She replied quiet.
“Ok, we need to hurry, we can’t afford to have her wake” I replied grabbing Geska’s hand.
“Wait... you’ll have to go alone, I have a connection with her, she’ll know I’ve passed by. It’ll wake her” she cried.
The true Geska wanted to escape, as I guessed she would. She was only a child.
“How do we break this connection?” I asked her.
“I don’t know” she replied so quiet I could only just hear her.
I looked about and headed over to the bookshelf.
Forbidden Charms and Spells
Just the title told me this was the right book. I opened the book to the contents page. Connection spell... connection spell... where are you? Ah, page 2065.
The Blood Connection
The blood connection charm allows you to become a part of each other. You live off each other. The mixing of blood creates the blood connection.
I looked down the page, there was only one way to reverse the blood connection and that is by a second connection. I looked towards Geska, who was still in the spot that I had fell, tears in her eyes. Sorrow filled her entire face.
The blood of another,
The blood of I,
Mixing together,
A blood tie.
I walked to Geska and grabbed a small knife off the table. I knelt down opposite her and made a small cut on her arm. I placed my arms on hers, so my blood was mixing with hers. She looked at me shocked. She hadn’t expected me to be this kind to her.
“Read this in sync with me” I said to her placing the book to the side of us, so we could both read it.
“The blood of another, the blood of I, mixing together, a blood tie” we chanted together.
A sharp pain rocketed through both mine and Geska’s arms as the blood mixed together and zoomed back into our arms. When we pulled our arms away, the cuts had healed. She rushed to me and flapped her arms around me.
“Come on, we’re running out of time” I said lifting her to her feet.
I took her hand and pulled her out of the room.
She lead me through corridor after corridor. Then she stopped and motioned for me to be quiet. We must be close to Malietta’s room. We snuck down one extremely dark corridor, passing only one door. That must be Malietta’s bedroom.
“Wait, I have an idea” I whispered stopping Geska.
“What?” she whispered back.
“I want you to open the door just enough for me to be able to see Malietta” I told her.
She didn’t argue she prepared herself.
“On three. One... Two... Three” I counted down.
She swung the door open. I could see Malietta sleeping on the bed.
“Telesca froza” I shouted.
Malietta fell a pale white and froze on the spot.
“Good idea, but that won’t hold her for long” said Geska grabbing my arm and pulling me away.
We ran through the house-like place until we reached a set of grand golden doors with a grand silver knocker. Geska swung them open. I was expecting to see the light of outside instead it was just a room with a mirror attached to the wall.
Geska picked up some dust and threw it into the mirror and said “Taporta Swiss”
“Geska?” I had to ask. There was no escape from out here.
It was just then we heard it. A high pitched scream from somewhere inside the house “GESKA!”
Geska grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the mirror. I looked back at the door we had just come from to the see the frame of Malietta standing there.
“Grado conecta” shouted Malietta.
“It won’t work, I’m no longer connected to you” sneered Geska.
Malietta looked shocked. She defiantly wasn’t expecting that.
“salotte flementa circa” I screamed, a ring of fire circled Malietta. The flames rose up so high we could see her, or what she was doing.
“Alecta momenta” she shouted.
A green flash of light came from the flames and hit Geska just as we headed through the mirror. We came out of a mirror into a wooded area. I went on instinct. I picked up and piece of wood and smashed it against the mirror. The mirror cracked and then shattered into hundreds of pieces on the floor. I may have gotten seven years of bad luck but now she can’t follow us. I looked about for Geska. She was lay dead like on the forest ground. I rushed to her side.
“Geska?”
She was breathing.
Alecta momenta, what does alecta momenta do?
I lifted her up in my arms. She was extremely light. I just wished I knew where I was. I had to think for a moment. What did she say to the mirror? Teporta Swiss. I was in Switzerland somewhere.
I went on instinct and headed in the direction the sun was setting. West. The sun always sets in the west.
The forest wasn’t very long, I was out of it within minutes. I was in the mountain area. But which mountain was the Swiss Covert mountain. Think Charlie, what did it look like when we left?
The sun had been setting to the west, and you could see several mountains. There had been more on the right then the left. There had been a bunch of squashed in mountains on the right causing the imbalance. I looked about. The valley thing I was now in showed the more mountains on the left then the right, but I am still facing where the sun is setting. It can’t be one of these. I looked behind me. There was a collection of mountains together on the left hand side. Had I been looking at them from the other side of them I would see... more mountains on the right hand side then on the left.
I had to head for them. I started walking but as the sun set it became more tricky. Once the sun had set completely I stood no chance, the moon was very dim, not giving me the light to keep moving. I lay Geska down on the grass and sat next to her.
“Flamenta togata” I said. A flame roared out of the ground. It stayed compact in that one little flame, not spreading anywhere. It gave me enough light to keep an eye out.
...
Home. The field at the end of the road. The smell of a freshly mown lawn crawled up nose. I was lay on my back on the soft ground. I watched as the clouds drifted across the sky, only occasionally would one cover the sun. I let the small, cooling breeze float over my body. I let my eyes shut.
“Charlie?” I could hear a female shout. My eyes opened. Sitting above me were mom and dad. I had never heard mom talking to me before.
“Mom” I whispered.
She flung her arms around me.
“My little baby’s alright. You’re safe” She cried holding me tight.
“Sarah!” my dad had placed his hand on her shoulder. She pulled back.
“Are you ok? Pumpkin?” He asked me, kissing my forehead – the typical father thing.
“I’m fine” I replied in less than a whisper.
Both of them let a smile cross across their face. I couldn’t help but let one be sketched on mine as well. There was nothing I wished more for then this, since I knew who they really were. I let myself lie back down. Their eyes watching me. I let my eyes drop shut.
...
My eyes opened like a rocket. I was back in the Valley. I had dropped off. I slapped myself to wake myself up. What I’d give to have made that dream real. I’d give everything. Or at least I think I would. The sun was starting to rise. How long had I been asleep for?
“Flamenta reduc” I said. The flame sunk into the ground, like it had never spurted out in the first place. I lifted Geska up and carried on with my walk through the mountains.
Once past the big bunch of squashed in mountains I looked back the way I came. I had seen three mountains between the Swiss Covert and the big bunch of mountains. I counted three mountains as I walked along. It took me three hours to pass all three mountains to reveal an extra large mountain.
This was it. I was sure of it. I started to walk towards it when I spotted a small rectangular stone. I couldn’t say why that particular stone caught my interest, it just did. I walked to it, slowly. I looked closely at it. I balanced Geska on my left arm and right leg, while I knocked on the stone. I flipped Geska back into both of my arms.
A small part of the rock vanished to reveal a face poking through it. A face with emerald green eyes – the Swiss eyes.
“Can I help you?” he asked.
“I wish to enter” I replied.
“Name..?” he asked.
“Charlie Gyid, Wiccan of the Swiss Covert.” I replied.
“And her...?” asked the man staring down at Geska.
“Geska, a wiccan, but I don’t know where from” I replied being completely honest.
“You both may enter” he said. The whole rock vanished revealing a tunnel. I entered being careful not to knock Geska on the rock wall. I only had to walk a bit further until I reached another door with guards.
“Name..?” they asked together.
“Charlie Gyid, Wiccan of the Swiss Covert.” I replied.
“And her...?” asked the man staring down at Geska.
“Geska, a wiccan, but I don’t know where from” I replied.
“You both may enter” they chanted together.
The door opened revealing the welcoming corridors of the Swiss Covert. Before I stepped though I asked the guards “Which way – from here – is Room 4?”
“Straight down the corridor, eighth right and then seventh left miss Gyid” replied one of the guards.
“Thank you” I said stepping in.
Geska was still completely out of it. She lay dead-like but still breathing, like she had been paralysed. Of course. Alecta Momenta was the paralysing spell. I took the eighth right but didn’t have to move much further until I saw someone I knew. Billy came out of the fourth left. When he saw me a large smile came up on his face. He rushed to me and wrapped his arms around me trying to avoid squishing Geska.
“Are you ok?” he asked “Your kidnapping has spread through the whole Covert. Everybody is so worried for you. Mr Ballon hasn’t left your room since Brad, Gabby and Alison returned”
I had forgotten completely about Brad, Gabby and Alison. I had presumed they got away ok. It only struck me then that something could have happened to them.
“There alright aren’t they?” I asked.
“Yeh.” He replied a smile still on his face.
“Where are they all now?” I asked adjusting Geska’s position.
“I think they are all trying to cheer up Mr Ballon in your room” he replied.
“Thank you” I said as I squeezed past him.
I headed down the seventh corridor on to my corridor.
Room 4.
I moved Geska again so she was lay on one arm and one leg as I placed my right hand on the door and said “Malestra Voltra”
The wall around my hand melted away to reveal the all too familiar door. I turned the handle and pushed the door open slightly. I picked Geska back up in two arms and pushed the door open with my foot.
Everybody was shocked when they saw me at the door. Even though Jeff was the furthest away from me he was the first one to reach me, he moved so fast. He pulled me into a hug not caring about Geska.
“Jeff, I need to sort Geska out” I said pulling away. “You can hug and yell afterwards”
He pulled back and nodded. I walked to my bed and lay Geska onto it.
“What happened to her?” asked Mistress Halsente.
“The Paralysing spell” I replied.
“Here, I’ll do it child” said Mistress Halsente moving to my side. Brad rushed to my side and took me in his arms. I couldn’t help but smile when I saw him. He grabbed the sides of my face and kissed me. He kissed me like he hadn’t seen me in a whole lifetime.
I broke it off when Mistress Halsente said “Momenta revecta”
Geska spurred to life, she shot up, a worried look in her eyes. She looked about until her eyes locked with mine. I gave her a little smile. Her worried expression softened into a small and sweet smile. I untangled myself with Brad’s arms and walked to her side. I sat next to her and asked, “Are you ok?”
“Yes” She replied in a new sweet little voice. She swung her arms around me in a tight hug “Thank you Charlie”
“You are more than welcome. I couldn’t have gotten out without you” I Replied.
“Who are you?” asked Gabby.
“Geska, Wiccan of the fifth dynasty.” She replied.
Everybody but Alison and I gasped.
“Are you really, child?” asked Mistress Halsente coming to my side.
“Yes ma’am” Geska replied.
“What’s the fifth dynasty?” I asked. My head was spinning. There was more than I didn’t know already.
“There was a selection of Wiccans and Warlocks that broke off from the ordinary Coverts. They called themselves the dynasties. It was to be one big group but they could never decide where to call home so they broke into five different dynasties. My parents were both in the fifth so I am from the fifth Dynasty” explained Geska.
“How did you two come across each other?” asked Jeff.
“In Malietta’s layer” I replied.
Geska hung her head in shame.
“I was fool. I was only two when I met Malietta. She destroyed the whole of my dynasty, leaving me to die. I didn’t want to be the only one not to so I went after her hoping she would kill me too, but she was impressed and gave me an offer. She said she could bring them all back. But she would need me to aid her...” Geska started but Brad interrupted “You work for Malietta.”
He grabbed my arm and pulled me back away from her in a protective fashion. I pulled my arm out of his grip and hissed at him “She doesn’t anymore. I wouldn’t even be here if it wasn’t for her”
“I’m sorry” he said hanging his head.
Guilt ran through me. I placed my hand on his cheek and said softly “It’s alright. You just want me to be safe”
His eyes shot to mine. I softly touched his lips with mine. When I pulled back he gave me his dashing smile that always made me blush.
I turned back to Geska. I sat next to her and said “Carry on Geska”
“She made me do the blood connection with her, so then when I finally realised what I had done, I couldn’t escape it. I had to do what she said. She put a spell on me that stops me from ageing and growing in power. So I’ve been three years old for longer than twenty years. It wasn’t until Charlie came that I was even offered a way to get away. And Charlie saved me.” Finished Geska.
“But the only way to override a blood connection is by another blood connection” gasped Sir Mallot. All eyes fell on me. I starred sat each one in turn as I said “I couldn’t just leave her there”
“So you two now have a blood connection?” asked Brad sitting down next to me and taking my hand.
After a few minutes of silence it was Jeff to break it.
“Can I have my hug now?” asked Jeff.
I literally ran to him and hugged him. He squeezed me tight.
“You got me so worried” said Jeff “Please, never do that to me again. I thought I’d lost you.”
I couldn’t talk. My head was buried in his chest as he squeezed me tight.
“You’ll never lose me dad” I whispered to him as he started to relax.
“Did you just call me dad?” he whispered back in a confused tone.
“I have all my life, and I’m not stopping now” I replied. He smiled and squeezed me tight again.
“Charlie, the potion. We should have got rid of the potion she hadn’t drunk yet. She needed to drink all of that bottle for it to work.” Panicked Geska, realisation hitting her.
“What potion?” asked Mistress Halsente.
“The potion of Elisha” replied Geska “A forbidden potion. When she finishes the bottle she will be able to enter the Swiss Covert”
Literally everybody gasped.
“Hazel, go and warn security. Jeff, go and test the warning bell. We will need to know that the students know what to do. Give us twenty minutes, though.” Ordered Sir Mallot.
“Of course” echoed both of them together as they headed out.
“Geska, what happens when the other side of the mirror is smashed?” I asked Geska.
“Then the mirror is useless” she replied “Why?”
“As soon as we crossed through I smashed the mirror” I replied.
A smile came up on Geska’s face.
“Then she will have to repair it, that could take months” cheered Geska.
“Brad, go and tell Jeff to return, we do not want to stir panic months in advance” ordered Sir Mallot.
Brad headed out but not before giving me a kiss on the cheek.
“Sir..?” I had to ask as he slumped on the chair.
“I’m too old for this sort of excitement” he laughed.
“Will you be ok sir?” asked Gabby.
“Of course” replied Sir Mallot.
I went and sat next to Geska.
“Can I go back in my old room but with two beds? One for me and one for Geska” I asked him.
“Of course. I’ll sort out your room once Jeff is here” replied Sir
It was then I felt Geska’s head drop onto my shoulder. I looked down and her eyes were shut. She was asleep. I lifted her up in both arms.
“Ali, get the bed covers” I said as Alison flipped the bed covers off my bottom bunk. I lay Geska in and wrapped her in the cover.
“She’ll wake in a few hours” mentioned Sir Mallot.
I stayed sat next to her even when Jeff and Brad returned.
“I thought you said...” started Jeff but Sir Mallot interrupted “Malietta has a few month repairing a mirror before she can enter this Covert, we don’t want to stir panic months in advance”
Jeff – as we could tell – wanted to argue but Sir Mallot was Warlock royalty so he kept his mouth shut. He walked to me and sat next to me. He took my hand.
“Your very brave to do a spell like that” he said.
“I agree, especially with the fact you got no advantage out of the spell yourself” agreed Sir Mallot.
“But I did, I never would have found my way out of that place without Geska. I owe my life to her right now.” I replied watching Geska sleep.
And within a few hours both me and Geska entered room 31. I looked about and gave out a sigh. It looked almost exactly the same except now there was two double beds instead of just the one.
“You didn’t have to move for me, Charlie” commented Geska.
“I know, but from now on you are my blood sister, so get used to it” I replied.
“You have lots of books, Charlie” commented Geska looking at a collection of book that were piled in the corner.
“There not mine. They must be what you expected to be in this room” I smiled.
“Will you read me one?” Geska asked picking up one of the story books.
“Sure” I Replied sitting on her bed, leaning against the wall. She came and sat next to me, and snuggled up to me, like a little child. She gave me the book. I opened the first page, it was a Wiccan fairy tale with a typical fairy tale opening and a typical fairy tale ending. I looked to Geska. She eyes were shut. She was asleep. I lay her down and tucked her in the bed.
“Goodnight Geska.” I said as I turned out the light and got into my own bed. I just shut my eyes when I heard a faint whisper
“Goodnight Charlie”

CHAPTER 13
THE ORB OF POWER
The months that followed couldn’t have been more tense. As I guessed, as my birthday approached more and more guards were added to the Covert. We had guards from every Covert in Europe, just to protect me from Malietta and anyone else who would want to harm me. In fact one of the Wiccans from France I had already met, Elspeth, who I had met in one of the French services on the way to Switzerland had assigned herself – to Brad’s dislike – my personal bodyguard. She wouldn’t let me be alone for one second not even during the night in my room. And to add on to the extra guards I now had to do extra Battle sessions one to one with the battle teacher, whom I detest with a pleasure, everybody does.
“Charlie, can we read Cinderella again tonight?” Chanted Geska over and over, jumping up and down in front of where I was sitting. I had just got in from another one to one with my battle teacher and he had literally beaten me to a pulp. “Malietta wouldn’t let you rest when you get hurt.” He repeated over and over. His logic works but it’s not something you want when you’re just trying to learn. After all, I want to survive to actually fight Malietta. I had came into mine and Geska’s room and just literally collapsed on the sofa.
“Please, Charlie please” begged Geska jumping onto the sofa, next to me.
In these last few months she had been like a little sister to me. She acted her age, three years old, which made it even harder to believe that she had once worked for Malietta. She had never had a true childhood so I was determined to give her one.
She moved up closer to me and cuddled my arm like a three year old would do.
“Please Charlie” pleaded Geska in a soft and small voice.
“Alright, go and get the book” I said.
She rushed to the new book cabinet I asked to have put in. She pulled down a big pink book with the titles ‘Princess stories’. I climbed on to her bed and sat leaning up against the wall. She passed the book to me and then climbed under the covers of the bed.
“Once upon a time, there was a young and beautiful girl called Cinderella...” I started. You know the story of Cinderella. Cinderella had become a favourite of Geska’s. Over the last two weeks we had read it over ten times. When I asked Jeff why he thought this was all he could come up with was “Maybe she can connect to it, after all she was a bit like Cinderella, working for Malietta and all”
Anyhow, she loved it, so I kept reading it to her.
“...And they all lived happily ever after” I finished. I looked down to her and as per usual she was fast asleep. I don’t think there has been a night where she has been awake for that very last sentence. I tucked her in and headed for the light switch besides the door. Just as I was about to touch the switch I heard Geska ask “It’s you birthday soon isn’t it?”
For once in my life, I wasn’t looking forward to my birthday. This birthday was my coming of age, where I would open the box and have the mercy of the earth lying in my hands. We all knew if Malietta had fixed the mirror she would come before I could get chance to open the box, so instead of waiting until the morning, I would be opening the box at exactly 00:01. Within the first minute of my birthday.
“Yes Geska” I sighed.
“Are you not looking forward to your birthday?” she asked.
I turned to look at her, she was still lay in her bed but she turned her body to face me. Her eyes full of curiosity.
“Usually I would be, but this birthday is different” I replied walking to her.
I sat on the end of her bed. She sat up so she could see me.
“How is it different?” she asked.
“I’ll be opening the box” I replied.
“Isn’t that a good thing?” she asked fiddling with a bit of her hair.
“Depends. It’s a good thing if you think about the power I’ll get, but a bad thing if you think about Malietta trying to stop me” I replied. At the mention of Malietta’s name Geska’s hand froze on the spot. It happens every time I mention the woman. She shook her head and started fiddling again.
“Well, I think it’ll be amazing once you’ve opened the box” she commented with a sweet little smile.
“Once I’ve open the box it will. Anyway time for you to get some sleep” I said standing again.
Geska lay back down in her covers as I went back to the light switch. I switched the lights off and then climbed into my own bed.
“Goodnight Charlie” Geska said sweetly.
“Goodnight Geska” I replied shutting my eyes.
...
“Charlie! Charlie! Charlie! Wake up Charlie! Charlie! Charlie!” I could hear her shouting as she bounced up and down on my bed trying to wake me. “Charlie! Charlie!”
“Ok, ok. I’m up. Geez, can’t a girl have a lie in on a Saturday” I moaned opening my eyes. Saturday? Great, less than twenty four hours until I have to open the box.
Gabby burst in the room, fully dressed. She stopped by the side of my bed.
“Charlie! Mistress Halsente and Sir Mallot want you in the great hall right now” she said so quick I could only just understand her. She didn’t stay another second she just rushed back out.
“What’s a bet they want to talk about tonight?” I joked to Geska as I sat up and flipped my legs over the side of the bed, letting them dangle in the cold air.
“They may just want to congratulate you” suggested Geska.
“For what Geska?” I asked her as I stood.
“For surviving three months with me in your room” giggled Geska.
“Urm, that could be an option” I laughed back.
“Hey” Geska put on her fake moody face and crossed her arms over her chest. I went to her.
I gave her my best wicked smile and started to tickle her. She dropped onto the bed in a laughing fit as I continued to tickle her, “Stop it, stop it” she laughed.
There was a loud knock on the door.
“Charlie! Come on, Sir Mallot and Mistress Halsente are waiting” It was Gabby.
“Alright I’m coming” I shouted to the door, I turned to Geska and whispered “Saved by the knock”
I quickly changed and so did Geska.
“Can I come with you?” asked Geska.
“If you behave” I replied.
She rushed to my side and took my hand.
The walk to the grand hall seemed to last for ages. For most of it, Gabby was ranting about how we’d taken too long getting changed but I wasn’t focusing on what she was saying. I knew exactly what Sir Mallot and Mistress Halsente wanted to talk to me about, tonight, when I open the box.
The grand hall was exactly the same as the first time I ever stepped foot in it. The door was opened by the guards inside the hall, and already there, sat on their grand chairs were Sir Mallot and Mistress Halsente. Jeff and over twenty guards were stood to the side watching as Me, Gabby and Geska walked to Sir Mallot and Mistress Halsente and bowed down.
“Rise” said Sir Mallot.
All of us stood up straight.
“Gabby, Geska, would you mind stepping aside so we can talk to Charlie please?” asked Mistress Halsente in her nicest voice possible, though it still couldn’t hide the stressed tone.
Geska and Gabby bowed and moved over to where Jeff was stood.
“Charlie...” started Sir Mallot. He sighed and then continued “As you know, at exactly twelve o’clock tonight you will be of age, and so able to open the box”
I nodded for him to continue but he didn’t he just stared at me with sorrow in his eyes.
“We believe that Malietta has been able to fix her mirror. A French guard we placed in the location you said the mirror had been, has not returned the call out that we send out every hour on the hour. He has missed three now, so we believe she has crossed through the mirror” continued Mistress Halsente for Sir Mallot. She too had sorrow in her eyes.
Nobody else dared speak a word.
“Well we knew she would fix it eventually” I said.
“But this is untimely. She could come when you are just about to open the box, in which case you will be alone in the room. We wouldn’t be able to help you.” Commented Mistress Halsente.
“Why will I be alone?” I asked.
“If we are in the room the orb will... well... kill us” answered Sir Mallot.
“Then wouldn’t it be a bit risky for her to come at that point?” I asked.
“Well no” said Sir Mallot. I had to stare at him. Yes it would. “Well it would, but what has she got to lose”
He was telling the truth. She didn’t have anything to lose.
“We want you to open the box in this room. At exactly ten o’clock you will come here. We are not giving her the chance to get you beforehand either. Jeff and other guards will be placed guarding the entrance to this hall...” explained Sir Mallot. I was about to say about the other entrance when he continued, not giving me the chance “At exactly twelve o’clock, Mistress Halsente and I will step out and join the outside defence and then you shall open the box”
I couldn’t help but feel nervous about tonight, and this little chat hadn’t helped very much. If anything it had made me more nervous.
“Now, Jeff, have you come to an agreement with your guards?” Asked Sir Mallot.
“Yes sir, we will have the German Guards covering the different entrances and exits of the Covert. If she tried to enter through them she will find herself exceptionally outnumbered. We will then have French Guards parading in pairs through the corridor keeping a watch out, and then the rest of us covering the entrance to the grand hall. I and Elspeth, from the French Covert will be escorting Charlie from her room to the grand hall.” Explained Jeff.
“And the students..?” asked Mistress Halsente sitting up straight. The students was all she ever thought about. The students have always been the safest people in the Covert since she became Wiccan Royalty.
“In the school Cafeteria protected by the English Guards.” Replied Jeff.
“Good, very good” she commented relaxing a little in her chair.
“And what about protection during the day?” Asked Sir Mallot.
“The different groups have split taking on shifts throughout the day. Those who will be protecting the grand hall, during the day will be stationed outside Charlie’s room at different points in the corridor” explained Jeff “And Charlie will remain in her room throughout the day”
Oh great, what possibly could be my last day and I have to spend it locked in my room guarded by about twenty guards.
“Do I get to have other people in my room?” I asked to him.
“I have permitted Geska, Gabby, Alison and Brad to be allowed into your room throughout the day. But at ten o’clock they will have to be escorted to the canteen like the rest of the students” replied Jeff.
I said nothing and just nodded. This is the first time I had heard Jeff talk all profession, I was so used to him speaking normally.
“Good, Charlie I suggest you get going to your room” commented Sir Mallot.
I turned to Geska, “Geska?”
She rushed to me and took my hand. We headed out of the room.
When we entered my room Brad was stood inside. He was sat on the bed inspecting the plasma TV. He did this every time he thought I wasn’t looking.
“Who said you could come in?” I joked.
He turned to me, cheeks bright right with embarrassment of being caught inspecting the TV again. Geska let go of my hand and rushed to him. He lifted her up in his arms.
“You alright Geska?” he asked her.
“I’m fine” she replied as I walked to their side.
He walked to her bed and placed her down. He then rushed to me lifting me up and spinning around.
“Brad!” I screamed laughing.
He placed me down and didn’t waste a second to plant my lips with a kiss. I could feel myself go red as the kiss got more passionate, until Geska made a vomiting noise. We just looked to her and she just burst out laughing. Geska was one of those people who make you laugh when she laughs, so neither of us couldn’t help but let out a little laugh.
“Are you ok?” asked Brad.
“I’m fine” I replied.
“Good, because I have something very special planned for me and you to do tomorrow, to celebrate somebody’s sixteenth birthday” he smiled giving me another kiss.
“If I make it to then” I replied glum, staring down at the floor. I couldn’t help but bring that up. That was all that was on my mind right now. I couldn’t seem to be able to forget it.
“Hey, you’ll be fine. I believe in you. You are an incredible Wiccan” he said kissing my forehead.
The whole day went by so fast it was hard to believe it had happened at all. Typical, when you don’t want time to go quickly it does. Within, what seemed like minutes, it was ten o’clock. Brad and Geska were still in my room but Alison and Gabby had joined us. It seemed strange for us all to be together. There had not been one second since I returned with Geska that all of us had sat in one room altogether apart from Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
There was a knock on the door.
“Oh god” I said as my nerves started to rise.
Brad noticed. He grabbed my shoulders and turned me to face him.
“Listen to me, you will be fine, you are a brilliant Wiccan. You are the best, the funniest, the smartest, the strongest and the prettiest Wiccan I have ever met. You are going to be ok. Ok?” he asked me.
I didn’t reply I just flung my arms around him and dug my face into his shoulder.
There was another knock, a louder knock accompanied by Jeff shouting “Charlie?”
“I’ll get it” Geska shouted rushing to the door.
Brad placed his arms around my waist. I refused to move my face from his shoulder. “Charlie, you’ll be fine” He kissed the side of my head the best he could.
Jeff and Elspeth were stood in the door frame when I finally pulled away from Brad. He smiled to try and get me to smile. A very small smile came on my face for the smallest mille-second. It wasn’t much but it’ll do for him.
“You’ll be great” said Brad as he kissed me one last time. I never wanted this kiss to break. This after all, could be the final one. I need to stop thinking like that. Never the less I never ever wanted him to stop but a clearing of the throat made him pull back.
“Charlie, we need to go” said Jeff.
I lay both my hands on Brad’s Cheeks. I nodded in response to Jeff as I said “Ok” I had said it in less than a whisper but he managed to hear me.
“I love you Brad” I whispered to him kissing him on the cheek.
“I love you Charlie” he whispered back.
I turned to Alison, and hugged her. She knew hardly anything about what could happen. Nobody had bothered in explaining the actual details just the basic facts. I turned to Gabby and hugged her too.
“Thank you Gabby, for everything” I whispered to her.
“I’m not finished yet, we still have another five years as classmates.” She replied, she tried to hide the worry in her voice, just like Mistress Halsente had.
I turned to Geska. I didn’t just hug her I picked her up to hug her.
“You’ll be alright Charlie, won’t you?” she asked me in that three year old voice.
I couldn’t bear to tell her I didn’t know, so I put on my best smile and said “For you I will be”
She wrapped her arms around my neck.
“You’re the best sister ever Charlie” she whispered into my ear.
“Well, you’re the best little sister I could ever ask for” I replied tickling her to make her laugh.
“Charlie” said Jeff suddenly stern.
I nodded in his direction. I placed Geska down on the ground and headed to Jeff.
At the door frame I turned to them and said “Bye guys”
I didn’t get chance to hear their reply, I was whisked away by Jeff and Elspeth.
“Are you alright Charlie? You look a little pale” asked Elspeth.
“No, I’m about to open the box” I replied as we walked down the usual looking corridor – well Swiss Covert usual looking corridor.
“Charlie, we wouldn’t make you do it if we didn’t think you were ready to” commented Jeff.
“I’m not on about that bit, I’m on about the part about Malietta” I replied my nerves peeking.
“She won’t be able to get to you Charlie, that’s a promise” promised Jeff putting his arm around my shoulders and pulling me close.
“Ok, but you have to lick the bottom of your shoe if the promise breaks” I threatened.
“Charlie, you know where the bottom of that shoe has been” moaned Jeff letting me go.
“So you think you’ll break the promise?” I asked him accusingly.
“No... I was just moaning” replied Jeff with an uncomfortably long pause in the middle. That make the hairs on the back of my neck stick up.
We turned down the corridor towards the Grand Hall. As we turned the corner I saw it, at the other end of the corridor. Malietta. Moving in a blur across the space. I was sure of it. I froze at the sight of it. How could she be in already? How could she have gotten in undetected by Jeff.
“What is it?” asked Jeff looking towards the end of the corridor.
“You didn’t see her?” I asked him back shocked.
“See who?” asked Jeff in response, his voice starting to go high.
I gulped and whispered “Malietta”
“Are you sure, Charlie?” asked Elspeth moving in front of me and placing her hands on my shoulders.
I looked her in the eye.
“Positive” I replied nodding.
“I’ll go and check it out” said Elspeth removing her hands and starting to walk.
“No, we need to get Charlie to the grand hall safely. We need to stick together” argued Jeff grabbing her arm and pulling her back.
“But Jeff...” she started but Jeff interrupted “No. We’ll go a different way”
He grabbed my hand and started to pull me back the way we came. One huge bad feeling flooded through my body. Panic. Fear. Worry. Just to mention a few of those feelings mixed together to make one.
Another series of corridors, and then they saw it too. The next corner we turned Malietta hurried past in blur again, at the end of the corridor. As soon as they saw it they froze as I did. Both of them immediately stood in battle position, but there wasn’t even another sound.
“Dad...” I started, in nothing more than a whisper.
He grabbed my hand and pulled me back the way we came.
“We’ll go ever single way if we have to” commented Jeff behind grinding teeth. He was starting to panic. She knew the Covert better then all of us. I had only been here Six months, the same with Jeff and Elspeth had only arrived about a month ago.
We turned another corner and we spotted a set of guards, and fighting with them, Malietta. When she spotted us, she froze, and then stood up straight. The guards were thrown back to us. Jeff and Elspeth helped them to their feet.
“Elspeth, get Charlie out of here. We’ll make sure she doesn’t follow” said Jeff getting into his fighting stance along with the guards.
Malietta did the same adding a little growl.
“Dad...” I started but I was cut short by the growl of Jeff “Go”
Elspeth grabbed my hand and started to run away. I didn’t want to leave him, not now.
“Please be careful” I added as I was pulled around a corner.
Elspeth didn’t want to waste another second, she was running and pulling me along like a dog on a lead. She didn’t stop to ask more guards to go and help Jeff like I suggested but instead kept running.
When we arrived at the grand hall, Elspeth still didn’t let me go. The corridor outside the grand hall was lined with guards stood against the wall, and then peering out of the door were the very worried faces of Sir Mallot and Mistress Halsente. Elspeth didn’t stop running until we were face to face with Sir Mallot and Mistress Halsente.
“Get her inside and lock the door” said Elspeth in a panic “I’m going back to help Jeff”
Sir Mallot and Mistress Halsente didn’t ask any questions they just pulled me into the grand hall and then asked them.
“What happened?” asked Mistress Halsente.
“Malietta... is inside” I said trying to catch my breath. I had never run so far so fast before.
“How?” gasped Mistress Halsente.
“I don’t... know but everyway... we took we bumped into... her” I replied still trying to catch my breath.
“Well your safe in here” replied Sir Mallot “I just hope Jeff is as good a fighter now then what he was when he last visited”
I could listen to that. I didn’t want to hear that at all. I turned to face the rest of the room. It was then I noticed the disappearance of the chairs. And in their place was the box. The dreaded box. The rest of the room was how it always was, an expansive white. I went and sat down behind the box staring at it. Normally when I sit I sit with my legs crossed in front of me. But worry flooded through me, but this time not for me, for Jeff. He could still be fighting against Malietta, or he could be badly hurt, or he could be... No, he wouldn’t be... No. My legs had raised to my chest and my arms had flung around them holding them tight. I could feel my head drop, banging my forehead on the top of my knees.
“Jeff will be fine Charlie” said Sir Mallot in his softest voice while he sat down to the left of me.
I could feel tears pouring down my cheeks. Mistress Halsente came and sat on the right of me. She placed her arm around me. She pulled me close to her so I could cry on her shoulder. I let my legs drop as more tears escaped my eyes. Right now, I just wanted to know whether Jeff was alright. It was silent apart from the sound of me crying. But then there was a shout from outside the doors, so loud that it froze us in our tracks.
“There she is” is all we heard. We could tell some fighting was going on. We didn’t have to be able to hear it to know that it was happening. It made me feel better to know that she attempted the main doors, that means she doesn’t know of the side entrance.
I looked at my watch. 11:54.
The time to open the box was approaching. Only seven minutes at the minimum till I have to open the box. Sir Mallot and Mistress Halsente also looked at the time. Both of them took a deep breath. They were as nervous as I was. I didn’t need them to tell me that, just the way they reacted at the time gave it away.
I had to look again. 11:56.
It’s getting closer. A lot closer. My lungs were starting to collapse in on themselves in fear. I had to take very deep breaths to stop myself from collapsing.
I had to look again. 11:57.
The time was getting closer. In three minutes I would be able to open the box so Sir Mallot and Mistress Halsente would leave me alone. A deep breath in, a deep breath out, a deep breath in, a deep breath out.
11:58.
These few minutes were excruciating. They were going so slowly and now I just wished to get the thing over and done before I collapse of lack of breath. Deep breath in, deep breath out, deep breathe in, deep breath out.
11:59.
One more minute to go. The box seemed to be shouting in front of me. I could feel the tension outside the door. Whatever fighting had happened had either completely stopped or had gone quiet. Either Malietta had backed away, or she was defeated or the guards were defeated. I was hoping for the second.
Sir Mallot’s pocket clock started to beep. 12:00. It was time.
All of us stood simultaneously. Sir Mallot took my hand, kissed and then said, “Good luck Charlie. And don’t panic, just relax and get it done. We will return after an hour. It should be done then”
Mistress Halsente pulled me into a hug.
“You would not believe how proud everybody is of you at this very moment. Sarah and Jerome would have loved to witness this day” she whispered into my ear.
She let me go and then she and Sir Mallot walked towards the door. They turned back to me once they had actually reached the door.
They nodded to me and then opened it.
A leap of hope rushed through me when I saw a group of our guards standing right outside the door, almost preventing them from leaving. Sir Mallot and Mistress Halsente squeezed passed the guards and then closed, and locked, the door.
It was just me and box left in the room. It was defiantly tense in the room, even with just me in it. I walked to the box. It was facing the wrong way so I spun the buckles to face me. As soon as the tip of my fingers came in contact with the box, they began to tingle. A rush of heat went through my body. I lightly placed my hands on the buckles ready to open them when she spoke “I wouldn’t do that if I were you”
She made me jump. She was stood behind me. The opposite side to the main door. She did know about the side entrance. I couldn’t help but gulp.
“Galesto fortuna” she screamed and just like that a huge gust of wind started blowing. I tried to stay stood up.
“Prolema protota” was the only thing I could think of. A huge see through shield appeared in front of me protecting me from the wind. Though my arms had to remain holding it up.
“Incresium” she declared. The wind picked up throwing me back. The wind was too strong for me to hold up against. I banged right into the white wall behind me. Just missing the grand hall doors.
The ever increasing wind held me high on the wall.
“Seasium” she said. The wind dropped instantly making me fall to the floor with a thud. I couldn’t help but moan as I stood back up. She was walking dangerously close to the box.
“Propellium” I whispered pushing the air just in front of me. Time to see just how big this room was. She was sent flying away from the box. My mind was working on instinct, I ran for the box, but before I grabbed it I too was sent back by a Propelling spell.
“You haven’t learnt a lot in six months” commented Malietta, getting closer to the box then I managed.
She had propelled me almost back to the wall. I struggled to my feet. “I learnt more than you think” I sneered at her. “A hell of a lot more.”
“I shall believe that when I see it” laughed Malietta. Her laugh was just as shrill as when I first heard it, just over six months ago.
My legs started moving as I began to run to her.
“Flamenta propelium” shouted Malietta but by instinct I had simultaneously shouted “Alect stomenta”
The flame that had been propelling towards me from Malietta’s hand had now frozen and dropped to the floor. I never even knew that would work but it distracted Malietta for the brief second I needed to so I could grab the box. I grabbed it by the handle before Malietta shot again “Propellium”
I held it tight as I went zooming across the room. I hit the wall again. I fell to the floor. The box slipped out of my hand. Malietta walked to me.
“You were a brilliant opponent, Charlie, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I will enjoy getting rid of you” sneered Malietta as she lifted me up by my hair.
“You can’t kill me. I will never open that box” I sneered back with a small smile on my face.
“But you will open the box Charlie” she laughed. My smile vanished. She had a plan and I could tell. She threw me to the floor. She bent down next to me.
“Leachum” she said hovering her hand over my heart. All of a sudden a steam like substance raised from my heart into her hand. I was growing weaker and weaker. This must be the leeching spell. Mistress Halsente had shown me the book for it. It was a forbidden spell that could be used to absorb somebody’s power. She was draining me dry. She removed her hand breaking the connection. I knew she felt so much stronger. I could hardly move. I could move my hand and then get so exhausted I can’t move anymore. Malietta lifted me up so I was knelt just above the box. I was too weak to struggle.
She lifted my hands and placed them on the buckles.
“Open it” she whispered into my ear.
I didn’t move a muscle. I could feel tears dropping from my eyes. Malietta yanked back my hair.
“I said open it” she whispered into my ear.
My hands started to move around the buckles, I slowly untied them and then let my arms drop.
“Well done, now your going to chant these words and on the last word open the box” whispered Malietta into my ear. “Maleska hovate peration pasioon Malietta. Say that. And open the box.”
It was the chant to change the power to Malietta.
She pulled on my hair and growled “Say it”
“Maleska... hovate... peration... pasioon...” I was about to say it when I froze. She watched me anxiously as I placed my hands on the side of the box ready to open it. I couldn’t let Malietta have the power. But if I say my own name she would kill me before it would reach me.
It was then that the thought came into my head.
“Rapida” I said as I flipped open the box
“No” shouted Malietta yanking my hair back.
A bright white orb was lay in the middle of the box. It lifted itself up. I managed to whisper “You lose Malietta” before the orb zoomed into my chest, only it didn’t come out the other side. It remained in my heart.
Malietta was forced to let go as a burning sensation ran from my hair into her hand, which made her let out an unearthly screech. My strength was growing rapidly. I was able to stand. When she saw my face she froze with fear in her eyes. I didn’t have to ask or see in a mirror to know my eyes had turned a pearly white colour. I could feel it in my eyes. The orb was in control of my body now. My arms raised and I spoke “Deatherta mayta facela youse”
I recognised it immediately. It was a death spell.
She screamed as the red glow that has zoomed out of my hand hit her in the chest. She fell to the floor dead. Her eyes were open. I could feel my eyes go back to normal. My legs were starting to flop. Was this normal? Was this supposed to happen?
I scrambled to the door. I felt for the knob. I found it. I turned it and pulled the door open. Stood there was two large guards. They turned to face me. I couldn’t see who was stood past them, my eyes had started to go blurry. And then everything went black.
...
“Is she alright?” I could hear somebody say. The voice was blurred so I couldn’t tell who it was.
“I think she did the rapid transaction. So it would happen in seconds. Her body wasn’t ready for it, and hasn’t adjusted. She’ll wake when she has adjusted.” Replied somebody else.
“And she’ll be fine after that?” the first person asked.
“Of course, Jeff, she’ll be fine” replied the second.
Jeff was alive. That cheered me up massively. It was just a shame I couldn’t see him, and I couldn’t hug him. I was barely conscious, so I couldn’t open my eyes or move any part of my body.
Everything went silent.
...
My eyes fluttered a little.
“Charlie?” asked a familiar voice, Geska.
They fluttered again but wouldn’t open.
“I think she’s waking” shouted Geska. I could feel her take my hand. I had my feeling back.
“Geska, calm down. She’ll wake when she wakes” commented Jeff.
My eyes fluttered and then finally opened. It was dark, but just light enough to see around the room.
Geska’a face was literally all I could see, she was so close to mine. She moved away. I was lay in my bed in mine and Geska’s room. Jeff was sat next to me, watching me, just making sure I was alright. He had a big stitch line down the side of his cheek and a bandage around his left arm, wrist and hand. A tear came up in my eye.
“Don’t worry about me kiddo” he said to me, whipping away the tear as it rolled down my cheek.
I tried to sit up but I failed.
“Will you sit me up?” I asked trying again.
He lifted me so I was sat up. It was only me, him and Geska in the room.
“Where is everybody?” I asked him.
“it’s three o’clock in the morning kiddo. They’re asleep, just like Geska should be” he replied placing his arm over my shoulder and pulling me close. He said the last bit towards Geska who was still sat by my side.
“I only wanted to see her wake up. I wanted to know what happened” she replied.
“Well... I was about to open it when she appeared. She had come through... one of the hidden passageways. We fought for a little bit... and then she used a leeching spell on me so I was too weak to... fight against her. And then she pulled me towards the box, telling me... to chant the chant to convert all the power to her. Instead of... chanting that chant I chanted the one for it to happen... quickly” I explained the best I could wheezing all the way through.
“How come when you were so weak you will still able to do the transition?” asked Geska.
“I don’t know” I replied “I wasn’t expecting it to work”
“It was because of the blood connection. She was able to work off of you Geska. That’s why you felt slightly ill” explained Jeff “Anyway, to bed Geska”
Geska moaned but stood and went to her own bed. She lay down in it and pulled the covers over her.
“Are you sure you are alright?” whispered Jeff.
“I’m fine” I replied.
“Then go to sleep. I will still be here in the morning” commented Jeff.
With Jeff’s help, I lay back down and closed my eyes.
The worst day hadn’t seemed that bad, I had survived after all.
The next day as I walked into my classroom with Gabby and Alison the whole room erupted into applause including Brad. He rushed to me and lifted me off my feet while planting a kiss on my lips. The class cheered even more.
“Calm down. Calm down” I could hear Mistress Halsente shouting to the whole class. Eventually they quietened down but I wasn’t concentrating on them, I was still in the grasp of Brads lips.
“Mr Watkins, what have I said about Charlie?” asked Mistress Halsente in one of those ‘I’ve told you about this before’ tones.
Brad pulled away and said “Sorry Mistress Halsente” but his eyes never left mine.
“Mr Watkins, perhaps you can take your seat” commented Mistress Halsente.
“Of course Mistress Halsente” said Brad, as he regretfully turned away and took his usual seat.
Mistress Halsente placed her arm over my shoulder and lead me towards the door. Just as she took hold of the door handle she said “I expect you to have read the whole of pages 94 and 95 before we return”
She then lead me out and as we both expected the class erupted into a mass of chattering. She lead me to Sir Mallot’s room. She knocked on the door and only poked her head around. She didn’t have to say anything, Sir Mallot came out of the room. He walked straight to me and pulled me into a bear-like hug.
“You did well child, very well” he said as he pulled away.
“Thank you Sir” I replied a small smile on my face.
“There is something we did miss out when we told you what would happen after your birthday. We intended to tell you as soon as you had transformed but you were still unconscious so we are telling you now. We are making you a Swiss Wiccan Royal. We have been saving that seat sine you were born and now it is time for you to take it” explained Mistress Halsente.
...
“Charlie Gyid of the Swiss Covert, we give to you the royalty of the right throne.” Proclaimed Sir Mallot as he stood tall.
Everybody – all the guards including Jeff and Elspeth and then, Brad, Billy, Gabby, Alison and Geska – were stood in the grand hall. The three chairs were back. Sir Mallot and Mistress Halsente were stood in front of their own. I was bowed down in front of them.
“Stand Charlie Gyid and take your seat” said Sir Mallot.
I stood and walked to my chair. I was stood in front of the seat on the right of Sir Mallot. I was now classed as royalty and all because the orb chose me to be its host. The three of us sat together. The people in the room bowed towards us.
I truly was a Wiccan Royal.
My name is Charlie Gyid, Wiccan from the Swiss Covert. I am a Wiccan Royal and the host of the orb of power.


EPILOGUE
“Charlie?” I heard Brad shout.
I came rushing out of the bathroom and into his arms.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
“Of course I am” I replied planting a kiss on his cheek. He placed his hand around my waist and lead me from my room. After a few corridors and a set of stairs he stopped me and placed his hand over my eyes.
“Brad?” I had to ask.
“Do you trust me?” he whispered into my ear.
“Of course” I said back in less than a whisper.
He lead me further. I couldn’t see where I was going, but I could hear door after door opening by somebody else opening them from the other side, almost rehearsed. When finally we came to a stop.
“Close your eyes, so I can add the last few touches” he said.
I slammed my eyes shut. He removed his hands and moved away. I couldn’t feel the heat from his body when he was away from me, all I wanted was to rush to him.
“Ok, you can open them” he said.
I flipped my eyes open.
We were in Brad’s special room, the one he brought me the day I met him. It was night time so candles had been set out around the room, among the grass. And then right in front of me was a red blanket with a pick-nick basket on top of it. Brad was sat facing me with a huge smile on his face.
“Well..?” he asked.
I couldn’t speak, I was speechless. I just couldn’t help but look around again and gasp. It was beautiful, no, it was wonderfully beautiful. Brad stood and walked to me, he pulled me to him, so our noses were practically touching and asked “Do you like it?”
I didn’t reply. I just grabbed his face and pulled it to mine, planting his lips on mine.
I finally found my tongue and whispered into his ear “It’s wonderful”


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Don't miss Book number 2
Charlie Gyid
The Vampire Prince
http://www.bookrix.com/_title-en-anysia-eaton-charlie-gyid-2#book_comments

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Tag der Veröffentlichung: 18.05.2011

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