Fallen Love
- Chapter 23

Esra.

Who’s this idiot who thinks he can destroy my protective barrier? Besides, the vampire cape look is so cult-like, they all think they’re in a film. Catching Em’s gaze, she told me one thing.

– This is Master Esra, his power surpasses anything we’ve encountered so far.

– All right, let’s get it over with once and for all.

Em spat out her agreement as she turned towards the aforementioned master. I swung my arm in his direction to expel him, but only succeeded in making him take a few steps back. I mustn’t be surprised, if he’s managed to turn the magical world upside down then he’s very strong. I mustn’t forget that. His hood flew back because of my gesture, revealing his face completely exposed to us. I was hoping to recognise him, to know who he was, but against all odds, this guy doesn’t look familiar. He looks a bit old but nothing else jumps out at me. Maybe he was just hanging around waiting to be strong enough to strike. No idea, and I’m not helped by the fact that I knew very little about my parents’ work. As I was quite young, I have very little recollection of their deaths or how their days went. The man in front of me understood that I was launching hostilities, but being in the protective bubble, I was out of reach. That’s why he beckons me to come out so we can confront each other. I took a few steps, but before I could pass the barrier a hand held me back, and I was surprised to see Chris with red eyes.

– Be careful, Esra.

– I’m not going to lose, don’t worry. Go and look after yours, I’ll look after things here.

I didn’t give him time to reply, so I was on neutral ground and had to use my reflexes by ducking down, my bow appeared and then I fired at a witch, who didn’t see it coming, but the three remaining ones anticipated and avoided all my arrows. The master didn’t attack, leaving me to fend for myself with his minions to see if I was worth it. Deflecting their spells and projectiles, I looked for a solution and then, throwing myself to the side, I pulled a knife from my boot and threw it at one sorcerer, who received the blade through the heart. The second was blocked and swallowed up by the ground. Em crawled towards the last sorcerer, then just as she was about to pounce on him, catching his attention, she disappeared, leaving me to throw a fireball, charged with electricity, giving him no chance. With all the sorcerers now dead, only the master and I remained after the wolves had left.

Let the show begin.

A fireball each, we circle each other to see who’s going to attack first and I go for it. I have no desire to drag the fight out or to play on each other’s nerves. I send out my fireball in a hurry with one of my arrows, which is unfortunately stopped before it disappears. The anxiety starts to build and I do everything I can not to show it, it’s double or quits, either I’m fooled or I’m not. A hot draught reaches me on the right so I shift, but not enough as a burn spreads over my left shoulder. As soon as the master appears I send him as many fireballs as I can, but with my emerald vision I can see that he manages to dodge them all. Throwing myself to the ground to avoid being hit by a wave of stones and branches, my fingers on the ground open as I try to absorb the master in the depths, but again he dodges. How can I kill him? It’s impossible. It’s as if he’s anticipating all my blows in advance. Seeing him attack me, he disappears again, I close my eyes, feeling each wave, then, still in the dark, I lift my leg, turn around and strike the back of the master’s head. I open my eyes to see him face down on the ground, unleashing another arrow to hit his shoulder as he quickly gets to his feet. I need to hit a more vital area for the poison to work quickly.

– Why kill so many people?

– I couldn’t stand following the rules any longer, those who were against me simply had to die.

– Do you realise that you’ve killed thousands of your own kind?

– Yeah, and look how much fun I had, until you got your little a*s over here.

What a bastard, I tried to shoot another arrow that I fused with a fireball but I was caught from behind by something invisible before I felt a blade under my throat. Not daring to swallow, I admit defeat and pray that I die quickly.

– I’ll kill you, then the whole pack behind us will be killed, I’ll force them to watch me kill the children and I’ll finish off with your soul-sister, telling her it’s all your fault,” he laughed.

NO, out of the question.

A burst of energy reached me, determined I turned my bow against myself then Em appeared to shoot before disappearing just as quickly, my scream broke the silence as I had just shot my already injured shoulder. What relieved me was to hear another scream, falling to my knees I struggled not to turn away. Walking on all fours, I turn to see the master with a piece of arrow through his heart. I’m grateful that he’s taller than me. The veins in his face turn black, allowing the venom to spread throughout his body, and I concentrate one last time to see his chest stop heaving. I collapse after I’m sure he’s dead, my eyes staring up at the sky, tired, sore but happy. I’ve done it, I’ve done it, he’s dead. Good and dead. No one need fear the witches any more, they no longer have a leader. Of course, some will try to resist, but it’s only a matter of time before they give up. Tears roll down my cheeks because I really thought I was going to die, but Em was right, I’m much stronger than I look.

– Esra, can you hear me?

I opened my eyes and smiled at Lisa who was crying with joy, she helped me to my feet and then hugged me, screaming with joy, which made me laugh. It hurt my ears and my shoulder but I was so relieved and happy that I didn’t say anything. After a few minutes of realising that I’d won, Lisa helps me to my feet but keeps an arm around my waist for support. We approach the pack and Lisa informs me that the houses are in a very bad state, which is very annoying. When we arrive, the wolves are in the process of collecting any belongings that haven’t burnt. Unfortunately, there’s not much there, and I’m glad of one thing: that there are no young children to see and endure this scene. A few people saw me coming and thanked me for saving them. It’s true that when we appeared and everyone was gathered in a prison, surrounded by sorcerers, we had to react quickly, but luckily nobody was hurt, that’s the most important thing.

– Oh my God, Esra.

Tears well up in my eyes as Nick runs to me and hugs me. I laugh as my tears flow again with joy and pain. I remember the surprised look on his face when he saw us appear, it was laugh-out-loud funny.

– You’ve done it,” he says. You’re amazing.

– We’re all free,” I confirm with a smile.

– How’s the damage? asks Lisa.

Nick turns to the village and loses his smile. Ouch, I fear the worst.

– Several houses are no longer accessible, the stores have burnt down and so has the training hall. I don’t know how we’re going to rehouse those in need.

– Do you mind?

I hold up my finger to attract their attention since my sentence wasn’t enough, but getting no more results, I move forward, evading Lisa’s awakening grip and follow me into the middle of the prevailing construction site. Chris’s parents join me, trying to get me to rest. Apparently I’m not looking too good at the moment. I take them at their word, but I’ve got one last job to do today. Chris sees me too, and as he takes a few steps towards me, I recite a formula.

Che l’oggetto del l’obiezione,

(That the object of the objection)

Se trasformar,

(Transforms itself)

E che il visibile,

(And the visible)

Diventa invisibile,

(Becomes invisible)

A strong wind battered us, but there was no pain – fortunately – I won’t forget the episode when I broke the link. All the damage, all that burnt, all that was broken, shattered… the formula worked and one by one each element repaired itself to become as it was before. To the astonishment of the werewolves, the village was as good as new and I was very proud of the result. One by one they turned towards me and applauded, followed by whistles. Embarrassed, I did the only thing I could think of; I curtsied, making the crowd laugh. My bow appeared in my hand and the other held my arrow pointing skywards, then I shot a little wildly as my shoulder was still aching, a snake twirling among the clouds, visible only to the supernatural beings. I’m not stupid enough to reveal myself.

– The Co’Wayne family is back,” exclaimed Chris’s mother.

Seeing the happy look on her face, I can’t help but smile. Yes, my family have been in the grave too long without knowing that I escaped. I survived and triumphed. I hope my parents are proud of me from where they are. A huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I’m not my parents, but I’m going to try to rule the magical world just as they did before. Anyone who tries to stand in my way will pay the price. I have deprived the wizards of the master of evil, now it’s up to me to help them get back on the right path. An arm rests on my shoulders and I look at Nick out of the corner of my eye, ready to hear anything he can come up with.

– Well done, my favourite witch.

– Thanks, but I’m the only witch you’re seeing.

– You don’t need anyone else, you’re the best.

I laugh awkwardly because I don’t want to get too attached. Attempting to glance towards Emmett, I see him standing next to Lisa, an arm around her waist. Feeling my attention drawn to him, I tell him how I feel.

– You’re on the right track, your mother and Clara would be proud of you.

His eyebrows furrow as he realises I’ve just spoken to him mentally. He must not be used to having someone in his head. Once the surprise has worn off, he nods at me, a gesture of thanks. The pack set off to explore the new homes. Nick leaves to see Alice, who is calling him. As he walks away, I feel a sense of unease, as if my lifeline has gone, and I feel alone. Nick, Lisa, Alice, anyone. I have so many bad memories of this land that I know I don’t belong here. I feel the urge to leave more and more. Everywhere I look, I feel I’m in a place where I couldn’t possibly feel safe. And right now, the only place I can think of is home. Not my flat, not Melinda’s. No, my parents’ house. In Avalon. Seeking Lisa’s attention this time, it only takes me a few seconds to get it.

– I’m going Lisa.

– Don’t you want to stay? It’s a party, we’ve won and it’s all thanks to you.

– Think of me, that’ll be enough.

A tear appears at the corner of her eye and she knows why. We talked about it for three weeks at Melinda’s house. This house will never be my home. It’s Melinda’s house and it always will be. With one last look at the pack, I disappear before Chris’s eyes.