"Fine, I don't know much about fighting another witch," I shout back, "however, shouldn't you learn to talk before attacking me?"
"I didn't come here to get a drink and become besties with ya, dearie."
"Well, I have questions anyway. What do you know about the curse? And what was that tattoo your lackey spread?"
She rolls her eyes.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Don't play pretend," chuckles Ravena. "Someone's been trying to play naughty ahead of us..."
This time, Ayesha prepares another fireball in a split second, and I get ready. Can I receive it like she just did with mine? However, much to my surprise, she actually pivots her upper body at the last second, and sends it flying without any restraint or hesitation toward Ravena. The Earth Witch has to jump to the side to avoid it, and when she raises her head, her confident expression is definitely gone.
"How dare you...!" she yells.
"I did warn you to fuck off," shrugs Ayesha.
She has another fireball dancing on her fingers, and she's obviously ready to hit again. Ravena glares at her, then at me, but we all know she won't win anything by staying around. She starts stepping back, cautious, and quickly disappears between the trees. I frown, and glare at Ayesha.
"I wasn't done talking with her," I growl.
"Oh, as if she was going to reveal anything. That selfish bitch is only good at playing around and using others' weaknesses, she can't do shit upfront... You, cutie pie, look like more of a straight-forward kind of gal."
This time, she puts her hands close together, and increases her fire.
"What's your problem?!" I growl, already annoyed at this crazy one.
"Oh, come on, I just want to play a little. Test how good my new little witch sister is..."
She should find another playmate, I don't want to play with her! However, I don't have a choice. Ayesha's about to send another damn purple fireball, and if I don't stop it, it might really cause some serious damage. She plays with it like a ball in her hands, smiling. She's really testing me.
“Mara…”
“Stay back, and run if I tell you to.”
Liam doesn't have time to protest. The purple ball flies my way and I have just enough time to use my hands to receive it, as she did. I didn't even think. I extended my hand, and with all my might, lit another fireball to receive it. The two make an awful crackling noise as soon as they meet. It lasts for a few seconds, then her fire disappears, and I can breathe. I wasn't as efficient as her, but I still managed to stop her attack, somehow...
I'm far from okay, though. I may have gotten better, but I did not expect to have to fight a witch now, not so soon. My heartbeat increases, the adrenaline rushing through my veins. This isn't just a friendly match, I know she's probably just waiting to get rid of me to take Silver City. I can't afford to lose or even be injured, there are two more lurking around!
She chuckles, and lights up her hands.
"Alright, someone's a fast learner!"
Right after that, she sends more purple-ish fires, and I have to stop them once again using mine. It's nerve-wracking. I have to find out where they will land, act fast, and yet stay as composed as possible to keep control over my own fire, making sure it will be big enough to withstand hers. It's like trying to stop balls while juggling with my own. Moreover, she doesn't just stop there. Right after I've blocked those, she sends another two, and another, and another. She keeps sending them, in pairs, making me completely follow her rhythm. The speed at which she produces them is terrifying. The whole forest could be burnt down if I wasn't there to receive it!
"Come on, show me what you got!"
Instead of two, she suddenly joins her hands again to send another fireball, even bigger than the previous two. Moreover, this one takes a dramatic blue color, and gets larger and larger. What the heck is that?!
I prepare myself, but I can't grow my fire that much or fast enough, and I don't even know what I'm about to block! She smiles like a demon, her black eyes shining with confidence. Suddenly, she throws it, and I change at the last minute. I split my fire, and instead of blocking it with my own fireball, I cover my hands with my fire, and receive it like a cannonball.
My feet slide in the mud, but I hold on. I feel the heat on my fingers, but I don't waver. I'm holding my fingers like hooks to stop it, and add some pressure to crush it. I keep pushing and pushing, until it explodes in my hands.
"...Not bad, for a young one," she chuckles. "Let's see how you do when it's not so simple..."
What the hell does she mean, not so simple? My wolf growls and wants me to shape-shift, but now's not the time. Ayesha smiles and moves her finger. A magic circle appears in the air, slowly and steadily getting bigger and more complex. The runes are appearing in the air so fast, traced by her fire, I can't even keep up. My eyes go left and right, trying to decipher her circle, but she keeps smiling.
"Come on... Are you going to let me finish?"
