Scarlett Brown - The Half Witch

Chapter Seventeen

“Right leg kick! And duck, side kick, duck, round house kick and-“ Amanda stopped shouting orders as I fell on my butt. I kept messing up when it came to this part.

“Focus your energy.” Amanda said coming to stand next to me. She positioned herself in a fighting stance. She motioned slowly once again showing me how to kick a roundhouse. “ The kick focuses the energy sideways instead of straight in front. Enter into a chamber position by raising your kicking leg and angling your knee in the direction you’re kicking. Shift the weight to your support foot at the same time.” Her leg raised up simultaneously. “Throw the kick by extending your leg so it sweeps from one side to the other. Make contact with your lower shin, just above the ankle. Extend the arm on your kicking side down as you kick to maintain balance. Aim for your opponent’s middle section or thighs so you can do more damage, lower level kicks are harder to defend and ensures your safety, your opponent can’t catch your leg nor will you be at risk of tearing a muscle.” She gestured for my sparing partner, Dave to get back I to position so we can try again.

“I’ve realised you keep contact with the top of your foot when doing a roundhouse kick, that’s a big mistake, the small bones here can break easily if you hit something hard.” He gestured to his feet. “Loosen up, keep your stance follow my lead if you get troubled again okay?” I nodded and we went again.

“Aaaand start!”

Within the few days that passed and school got back in progress a lot of things took place; more guards were set up within the buildings and the surrounding areas. We were told to always walk around in groups and for the sake of safety we were allowed to keep our cellphones in case we found ourselves in a situation possibly similar to what happened with Jasmine and Hanna.

Unfortunately there was only bad news about Hanna, she had slipped into a comatose due to severe internal bleeding although all her vitals went back to normal she doesn’t look like she would be waking up soon. We weren’t allowed to visit her either, Mr Brown insists we need to keep to where it is safe, which apparently means the school.

Amanda and Mr. Stewart had taken it upon themselves to be my teachers and trainers, like history wasn’t enough Mr. Stewart now teaches me about my abilities. I have come to realize this was more for him than for me because he seemed to be studying me. He jots down everything new he can find about me. For example, how I'm not as strong as a vampire but I was stronger than an average human, or the fact that I would not drink blood for days and I'd be okay no cravings or outrages thirsts unless provoked. There was one finding we both took an interest to though and that was how weak I became when I used my magic the greater a spell I cast the more energy it takes from me, the more magic I use the more Vampire I become.

It was exhilarating and scary all at the same time. Making things fly or setting things alight were exciting but learning how to hunt and kill were things which brought out a dark side of me I wasn’t willing to accept. The excitement and adrenaline rush of chasing your kill before pushing my fangs into them had become emotionally difficult.

Today marks two weeks after Hanna's incident. I walked out of the old building we used as my training grounds with Amanda in tow. “I’ll have to go speak to Mrs. Chetty and ask for more books so we can search for more intense spells. We seem to have worked through the first one.”

Amanda had been teaching me practical spells which was the best part of my training. I could now melt things, set things on fire by just thinking it, I could create something out of nothing by a single spell, I especially enjoyed trying it out on food. We had began with the little things but I loved learning more about being a Witch.

“We might have to level things up now we’ve had our fun we need to concentrate on the elements and see how we could use them as defence. I was also thinking-“

I was only half listening to her my mind was concentrated more on the feeling of his sudden presence. I knew we weren’t alone it was like my senses were on high alert but more so when it was him. Antonio stood in the shadows merely watching us. I knew Amanda wouldn’t see him but those blue eyes staring right at me were hard to miss.

“You can go ahead I’ll catch up to you. I think I want to take a walk and probably hunt for a while. You did almost kill me with your power blasts training and round kicks today I need to uh” I cleared my throat I hated saying the word, “refresh" I chose to say lightly. She understood and nodded, “okay just stay within close range and should you need a change of clothes there is some in the room upstairs, second door to the left. Let me know when you done I’ll come get you.” I nodded.

As soon as she left Antonio was by my side. The wind blew my hair by his sudden appearance. I didn’t want to turn back.

He drew his hand up my arm slowly caressing it then pulled me to face him. My hair flew to my face covering it, he fingers traced them back, “How are you?” he asked but his fingers traced along my jaw leaving traces of electricity following after them leaving me incapable of responding. He traced slowly down to my neck, my eyes closed instantly I felt him lightly kiss my jaw and then my neck. I almost mourned but I quickly opened my eyes and stared into his. They were more icy than before today they seemed more emotional like he needed me. I touched his jaw feeling his beard, Antonio was certainly the most handsome man I’ve met. His eyes closed at my touch, his jaw clenching and releasing as if trying to control himself his face contorted like he was in a bitter sweet pain.

I wanted to know what troubled this handsome man ,what sort of dark secrets lay beyond his handsomeness and hard chest. What was hidden in the rhythm of his heart beats, I wanted to know him I wanted to know it all.

He pulled me in closer holding me into a bone crushing embrace he buried his head in my hair and one of his hands holding onto my hair his other arm draped firmly around me keeping me firm.

He took a large gulp of air breathing me in, “I waited for you. Just like I promised,” he whispered into my ear. “Just like I’ve done in every life time.” As if we weren’t close enough I felt him bring me closer to him. I felt him chuckle and then he let go of me a little so he could look at me. “I memorized the scent of your soul. Even after all these years you still smell the same. You took a bit longer to come back to me this time ” He held my face in his hands I almost panicked seeing the tears on his face. “But here you are right in front of me. You are in my arms again Natalia.” He leaned his forehead against mine.

This is probably the part where I freak out. He seemed to be drunk and delusional he even freaking called me by another woman's name he was in a pretty bad place and my stupid self did not want to leave him.

He seemed to notice it though, his arms fell back to his side his eyes went wide as he realized it’s me. My heart broke a little when he let go of me and stepped back.

“Who’s Natalia?” before I could stop myself the question was out into the open.

He turned away from me. For a long time he said nothing. I didn't want to regret my decision if asking him that question, it may have slipped out but deep down I really wanted to know who is the woman that got him so miserable.

"I brought something for you." he turned and picked up a bag I hadn't notice was next to him. He held up the duffel bag.

I knew he was trying to play it off, like what just happened hadn't happened. His poker face was back, he spotted a small smile his eyes mischievous.

okay, whatever game he was playing at I too could play along.