Fallen Love
Chapter 24

Esra

After leaving Chris’s place, I went back to my flat, which felt really good. By the time I’d found a rhythm and absolute calm, the idea that had been slowly germinating in my head was making headway. I looked on the internet to see how much it would cost. Two months’ rest to recharge my batteries and here I am in Avalon, California. Appearing in an alleyway in the early afternoon next to a DIY shop, I went inside and already felt lost when I saw the size of the building. The height of the shelves, all the items, I was already gasping with discouragement. Fortunately, I had the reflex to make a list – a long list – of what I’d need. The only thing is, I don’t have much in the way of landmarks, so I’m looking for signposts. Grabbing a caddy, I head for the paint aisle, and after an eternity I find different colours for different parts. I’m not going to use the same colour everywhere, so once that’s done, I go to the floor and tiling aisle. But here I don’t know what to choose, the most suitable dimensions, the easiest to clean and lay above all. Footsteps approach me and I mentally thank this person for coming to help me.

– Can I help you, madam?

Turning to him with a smile – with pleasure – I begin my tirade about what I wanted but I don’t have a house, it’s complicated, but the advisor is nice and offers to make a sketch of the house with approximate dimensions. Fortunately, he didn’t ask too many questions about the fact that I was buying a lot of things but that the house wasn’t ready. The first thing to do after that was to rebuild the house. After that, I take care of the electricity, heating and plumbing. Finally, I spend the rest of the day getting everything ready and scheduling appointments for the next day. Thanks to my parents I have some money to spare, as well as Melinda’s, which I avoid using. The sun was setting so I took advantage of not seeing anyone and teleported to my parents’ house. The house is just as it was the last time I saw it. Eleven years ago to be precise. The house is on the ground, all black, everything ruined and it hurts my heart. Once the house is done, I’ll go home and eat and sleep. I’m looking for a phrase that would fit the situation.

Da dove vengo io.

(From where I come.)

Tutto è stato distrutto.

(Everything is destroyed.)

Facciamo il minimo indispensabile.

(Let the minimum be done.)

Attraverso il tempo e lo spazio.

(Through time and space.)

The carcass flies away so that walls and a roof can take their place. A beautiful single-storey brick house faces me. Just like the old one. A wave of excitement washes over me, so without further ado I enter the house with my cadi and smile even though everything is empty, just the doors and windows. I visit my home to determine where the locations will go. I then decide to go back into my flat and have a nice shower. Once in my living room, I see Em sleeping on the sofa, which makes me despair. That’s all she does, sleep. I eat the rest of the lasagne I’d left out for tonight, eat fairly quickly, get in the shower and go to sleep. Em joins me in bed so I can tell her about my day. Em spreads the word to the witches that I’m the new head of the magical world and that if they want to try me out, there’s no need to worry, I’m ready to show them that I can kick a*s despite my young age. Some of them are trying to convince themselves that the master is still alive or that someone like him will take over, because falling back into goodness will be a trying ordeal. But I’m ready to help them, to repent if need be.

– Have you heard from the pack?

– Have you forgotten that my phone is in my bedside table and switched off?

– That’s true, but you could have gone to see them.

– I don’t belong there any more Em, I’ve realised that whatever I do, I’ll suffer. You’re right, I have to forget them.

– I feel your pain and I don’t like it.

It’ll pass, when I get down to work, in the direction of the magical world, my mind will be occupied and I’ll think of the pack as little as possible. The pack, but especially Chris. During those three weeks away at Melinda’s, even with the link broken, I felt a lack, I thought about him a lot, I wondered what he was doing? Who he was with? Where? How did he feel? Lisa didn’t know and I prefer to keep it that way. I’m going to bed full of hope for tomorrow.

Tomorrow, overalls and paintbrushes. Here I am, working with my hands.

I’ve just arrived home and the sun is starting to rise. Em is by my side because she wanted to see where I used to live and, above all, to give me advice on room layout and decoration… If Em hadn’t been a totem animal, she would have been an interior decorator or an architect, who knows? Anyway, the electricity and water people don’t come until around ten o’clock, so I’ve got plenty of time to paint a few rooms and at best do at least two coats. I put my bag in a corner, take out a Kinder Country and eat it as I go to put the paint cans in the appropriate rooms. After that, I tie up my hair and take off my waistcoat.

– Why don’t you just do it magically?

– Because it’s good to do things yourself, it’s easy to always use magic.

– You’re not wrong, but it would have allowed you to organise the magical world first.

– I’ve got to find somewhere to live because my lease is coming to an end.

– OK, OK, you’re right.

Starting with the master bedroom, I paint it pinkish beige. I’ll also start on the living room, which will be in shades of blue-grey, and the dining room, bathroom, kitchen and guest bedroom will also be in other colours. Once the whole place is finished, I open all the windows and sit down on the steps to air everything out, so that it’s dry by ten o’clock. The clock is ticking and Em is going to have to leave, and I doubt if anyone will stay if they see her. Madam is flinching because she doesn’t know what to do.

– I don’t know, go hunting, go and see Maxence,” I clap my hands and stand up. Better still, go and visit Lisa.

– Yeah, I don’t know, I’d rather not re-establish contact when you’re not for Esra.

– Let’s just say that if you go, I won’t have to.

She looks at me in shock, which is odd for a snake, but I can’t help it. Em paces back and forth, wondering what she’s going to do next. She’s understandably not thrilled with my choices. When we have time for a visit, Martin’s pack will be our first destination. My python is still thinking, so I’m going to give her one last option.

– If you want to do something more productive, you can go to the old master’s house and see if you can find anything interesting there.

– And if I find something, we’ll do something right away?

– Of course.

Satisfied, she disappeared without waiting, just as two vans pulled up in front of the house. I’m coming down the steps as the two men get out of their vehicle. I shake their hands after they introduce themselves. It’s going to be three hours maximum, so I’m wondering what to do – carry on painting, but I’m afraid the smell will give them a headache and they’ll do something stupid. No, I lay the floor in the rooms where it’s OK. It’s taking me a while as it’s my first time. For the last hour, I don’t know what to do, at worst I can get someone to come in but I don’t want to disturb them or take the risk that things won’t go well. A gulf is forming between us and I don’t know whether I should react or let it happen. It would sadden me to erase three years of friendship. However, the one thing that will remain true is that werewolves and witches are not meant to be together. Unfortunately in my case. I took out my mobile and called Lisa, who picked up straight away. On the one hand, I wish she hadn’t answered. But I mustn’t run away, not from her.

– Esra, are you all right?

– Yes, yes, I’m fine. Are you busy today?

– I’m going to sort something out with the boys, we’ve got an important meeting but we’ll postpone it.

– Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to slow you down.

She doesn’t answer me, so I guess she’s talking telepathically, so I wait, dreading what she’s going to say.

– Esra?

– Yes, that’s right.

– Chris says that if you don’t mind, the guys can come too, as the meeting is about the next steps.

This time it’s me who’s not answering. I only wanted to see Lisa and not the whole gang. In itself, I don’t mind, but it’s a reunion and I don’t know what the atmosphere will be like. I can’t see myself refusing, so I agree and we hang up. After ten minutes waiting for them to get ready, I open a gate to their living room, out of sight. Lisa is the first to arrive, followed by Emmett, Nick and finally Chris. They all come over to give me a hug, all except Chris of course. One by one, they look away behind me towards the house.

– Where are we now? asks Nick.

– In my new home.

– And what town is that in?

– Avalon,” Chris answers for me.

I simply nod to confirm, which doesn’t please Lisa, but she doesn’t comment, saving an interrogation for later. But anyway, they’re here for the meeting and as we can’t go in without possibly catching the ear of one of the two men, we stay outside and go and sit on the grass. Lisa is between Emmett’s legs and he’s hugging her. I’d rather see her happy than sad, as she’s often been since we’ve known each other. I meet Nick’s eyes, he thinks it’s thanks to me but I like to think it’s Emmett who’s taken the step to get help.

– So how are you getting on? I’m just getting started.

– It’s quiet,” said Chris. Several packs have contacted us to find out what this means and who will be taking over.

– We’ve told them everything Esra, we had to explain to them that the threat is no longer there,” continued Emmett.

I understand them, such a change requires explanations, to have another way of life, therefore to be freer and that there is no longer the fear of a witch coming to ransack their territories or attack the packs. The answers Chris and the others gave them helped them to see the current situation more clearly. If my action can soften the blow, then I won’t hide from it.

– But what about you? asks Lisa. What about magic?

– I’ve had several challenges, all lost causes trying to make a deal with the devil, between me and the master.

– Aren’t you scared?

A giggle comes out of my mouth. Afraid? No. A lot has happened, I’ve had to do so much as you’ve seen, the fights, the spells, the help I’ve given to the pack, that now it’s become automatic to fight. Witches are so disorientated because they’re no longer living in their world of evil that they’ve got nothing left to lose. There are other white witches, I can feel it since the master died, their aura has appeared. But first I want to get rid of the evil so that the good can return in safety. These last two months have allowed me to do a lot of things, but at my own pace.

– You should have warned us, Esra,” Chris scolded me.

– Don’t worry, the day things go wrong you won’t have a magic barrier any more.

– It’s not funny,” grumbles Lisa.

The one time I laugh, I’m chastised like a child. Kill the pack. Mentally I call Em to the rescue, praying that her intervention will loosen them up a bit. My python swoops in between us, right in the middle of the circle, making the boys back off. They’re a bunch of scaredy-cats, but if you listen to them, they’re the all-powerful males. Bollocks.

– So, doggie people, how’s it going? she says.

I can’t help it, I burst out laughing when I see their stunned faces. Em’s an expert at lightening the mood, and I fall over backwards.

– I resent you calling us dogs,” grumbles Nick.

– You do belong to the canine family! You wag your tails, you bark and you piss to mark your territory. It’s all the same.

– I don’t appreciate the comparison,” grumbles Chris.

– It’s not mean, I say.

It doesn’t stop guys from growling. But for now, let’s see what my girlfriend has to say.

– Well, I’ve just come back from the land of evil and there’s not a soul left, they’ve all deserted.

– That’s a good sign,” comments Emmett.

– Yes, except that now Esra’s going to have to summon all the species and take on the role of leader, like her parents before her.

– You’re not going to come and see us any more?

I glance at Em before seeing Nick looking sad.

– I’ll see you at the supernatural meetings. And I’m still linked to you, the magic barrier is proof of that.

– There was a whole council running things with your parents and you’re on your own Esra.

– Well, I’m here too.

She’s right, all I need is my snake. The two men who’d come for the water and electricity leave, so I get up too, place a barrier around the house, making it invisible, and then decide to leave for the master’s lair.

– Well, I’ll go and have a look,” I declare.

– Do you want me to come along? Chris suggests.

– That’s not a good idea,” I grimace.

– I’d say yes, having an Alpha along will show you’ve got a powerful ally on the werewolf side.

I glare at her, but on reflection she’s right. But not with Chris. Especially not him. I’ll go with Martin if I have to, but I’m not going to take him for a ride into hell. I reluctantly agree, then send the others home, and as I’m about to leave, I hold out my hand to him, embarrassed.

– You don’t have to hold my hand if you…

– No, no, don’t worry.

Determined, he takes my hand and holds it firmly as I teleport us away thanks to Em, who shows me the way. We appear in a large room where a throne stands, surrounded by skulls. The smell of death is so strong that I put my arm under my nose.

– Oh, it’s whipping,” complains Chris.

– This is the execution room.

I approach the throne and the skulls and put my hand on them, but when I get flashes of what’s happened I recoil as if I’d been burned. Chris stops me, holding me as I try to calm down, but the witch’s scream comes back into my head. She’s had a terrible death, poor thing. Seeing the whole series of deaths on display as trophies, I resign myself to releasing them, so with the Alpha’s help I pass my hand in front of the rows and the skulls gradually disappear, leaving a stream of white in their place. Once the room is empty, the smell disappears and the black-painted windows become transparent again, letting in the daylight. We go down the aisle on the right as Chris has gone there, leaving Em to go left, there’s a long corridor with lots of cages, thankfully empty but full of b***d. Everything’s quiet, which is odd in this sort of place and there’s no aura present either. Em’s right, everyone’s gone. Turning my head towards Chris, I see him enter a cell and touch the back wall. Er, what’s he doing?

– Chris?

– Can you hear the crying?

– What crying? No, I can’t hear and there’s no one there.

I try to open my mind to the slightest sound but no, I can’t hear anything. No human or dead person is present. Realising that he’s the only one who can hear the crying, Chris rips a bar from the cell and taps on the wall with great force. The first few attempts work, but not for him apparently, as he starts growling ferociously and adds speed to his blows, making them blur. My throat tightens as I hear crying, but not just any crying, a baby’s crying. Chris has created a passageway and enters without delay, followed by a more audible cry of fear. The mother is sitting on a table, frail and trembling, rocking her body back and forth as she cradles her crying baby. She stares at Chris, who is slowly taking off his jacket.

– You’re safe, I won’t hurt you,” assures the Alpha.

– You …. are… a… werewolf.

The woman is really struggling to speak and clears her throat, so I slowly move over to stand next to Chris. The woman looks at me, then frowns.

– Who the hell are you?

Chris glares at me to get me to answer and soothe her.

– My name is Esra Co’Wayne.

The woman’s reaction is swift, her eyes widening as she doesn’t seem to believe my words.

– Are you alive?

– Listen,” said Chris. We’ll answer all your questions, but we’ll do it safely.

– And he’s right.

After the witch confirmed that she was alive, I approached and Chris got down to the baby that the mother was entrusting to him. The woman leans on my shoulders to get down from the table, but falls as soon as she puts her foot on the floor. However, she doesn’t fall to the ground, Em appears around her to keep her on her feet.

– Oh my God,” panicked the woman.

– Don’t worry, this is Em, my bondmate.

– But who has a snake as a totem animal? she complains in relief.

I laugh slightly as we leave the cell, but once in the great hall three witches face us.

– You’re going to put them back in the cage right now,” orders the biggest one.

I approach, protecting the mother and child. Turning my eyes emerald green, the witches swallow their saliva with difficulty. They’ve recognised me.

– The master is dead, I rule the magical world now, so either side with me or join the horrible man in the cape.

They hesitate, but balls of fire appear in their hands. Their choice seems to have been made, too bad for them.

– Esra, be careful,” Chris tells me.

I draw my bow and fire an arrow that pierces the fireball coming towards me, disintegrating it in space, but my arrow lands right in the witch’s heart. The other two are launched at the same time, but with the flick of my wrist I send one back to its sender, while the third witch is blown up by another of my arrows. The ball smashed against the protective bubble, causing no damage. Calm returns and the protection comes off.

– OK,” I declare, turning towards them. We’re off.

– We’ll follow you.

I conjure up a portal for the others to take, just setting fire to the master’s house to send a message to those who don’t seem to believe in change. After seeing most of the room burn down, I arrive in Chris’s living room. As soon as I arrived, I went over to the baby and ran my hands over his little body to check for any injuries. Fortunately, it’s nothing serious, just dehydrated and lacking in vitamins.

– I’ll look after him,” Chris’s mother suggested. I’ve given birth to all the children in the pack, I know what to do.

Without hesitation I agreed. I went to see the mother, who seemed to be on the verge of collapse. Without waiting, I treat her, putting her in a coma so that her body can recover from its wounds. But her life was no longer in danger, so Nick and Chris’s father took the mother to a spare room – my old room – and set up a drip for her food and another for any pain. Crashing into the sofa, I breathe a sigh of relief that everything has gone well. A hand takes mine and gives it a gentle squeeze.

– You’ve been great,” says Chris.

– No, you were great, without you she and the baby would have died.

– Wolf hearing is infallible.

Well, that’s a relief. I’ll never go out without a werewolf again when I’m on a magic mission.

– They’re fine, Esra, relax,” Lisa consoles me.

– You’re right, they’re fine.

After a few seconds, feeling a headache coming on, I got up and headed home. Well, not the flat, the house is uninhabitable, but that’s going to change, because there’s no way this lady is going to get away from me. I’m going to take care of her and her baby. It’s my turn to help people.

– I’ll be back tomorrow, I say.

– Stay here Esra, you’d be better off here,” Emmett tells me. At least for tonight.