“I'm not sure, Nora, but that's what it looks like. If you look at each time the curse appeared, Cursed Ones were the child of a witch and a werewolf, just like Nephera's baby and myself. I bet Clarissa's dad had werewolf blood too, but that's a question I'll solve later. The witch went insane, and the child only survived if... Dark Magic was used."
Now that I think about it... it might explain why Clarissa ended up in her father's care instead. If her mother knew she was going to be sick, or losing sanity, perhaps she decided to protect her daughter by sending her to her dad... Perhaps that's even why Nephera didn't stay in Silver City at first. Other than Judah Black trying to kill her and going insane, she may have known she'd be a danger for her new mate, and perhaps their children...
“There's one thing I don’t understand. If that's the key to the curse, why did she let you see all this?”
“Because she is actually the same thing as the ones she despises! Luna is half-werewolf and half-witch! From what I saw, she was trained in both Light and Dark Magic by the witch, but look at us. Nora, your Royal blood only kept the Light Magic, although it's very tame and more of a purification power now. But it's you using your own life energy to protect and heal others, right? That’s the definition of Light Magic. Meanwhile, I'm a Dark Witch.”
“Mara…”
“No, don't worry. It's a pain in the ass, but it's the truth. I'm a fucking Dark Witch, we don't need to pretend anymore. I was born using the life force of two others, Clarissa and little Mara. I'm a Dark Witch whether I like it or not... perhaps more of a mix of both actually, now that they are gone. But that's why Luna has no choice but to actually resonate with me. Her illusion shows me her point of view, not the other Luna's. She's just the same as I am, and that's why she loathes Cursed Ones the most. Because we are what she tried to stop, and now, we are the ones who can stop the curse.”
I jump over a hill and roll down to avoid a golem trying to grab me, Liam jumping on his back right after to give him a monstrous kick. When did he find the time to put on a pair of jeans, by the way? I don't have time to dwell on that for long. I get back up, and start running again. We are not just rushing through the area; each time one of us can, we help other wolves defeat the golems. It's not a waste of time, seeing that the curse can't create more. She still had plenty of time to create a nightmarish amount of them, though...
“What about the humans?” I ask, suddenly remembering the possessed girls.
“You'll see,” says Selena, with what sounds like a smirk in her voice.
Is that good or bad? We keep running, everyone strangely silent, probably focused on not getting killed. The closer we get to Spark, though, the better I feel. Moreover, the rain around me isn't affecting me like it used to anymore. I feel... fine with it. I know I could channel all this rain and use my water element instead, but for some reason, I still feel fire is supposed to be my main power. It's the one I'm most comfortable with, and I am missing it at the moment.
Our group slowly makes its way back to Spark, and finally, I catch sight of my giant blazing cat, who turns his big head to me as soon as I appear, his ears perking up. He definitely made a huge difference in the fight here. The field is unrecognizable; East Point Ground is completely turned all upside down. All the hills around him smelling like burnt soil are most definitely his doing... Still, there are a ton of golems around, and I understand what Selena meant. The humans. The girls that were possessed before are now all collapsed on the ground, and some people are actually trying to grab them and evacuate the battlefield. Spark, some wolves, and some human men are forming a wall between the golems left and the defenseless women, fighting back, while the rest are trying to get them out of there quickly. Spark is at the front, jumping from one golem to another while trying to stay away from his allies and not burn anyone. Now that he's seen me, though, the large cat jumps in my direction.
"Spark!"
He immediately starts purring, the sound so loud it's almost an echo to the thunder above. He rubs his flank against me, and I smile, his warm flame immediately making me feel a hell of a lot better...
"Missed me much?" I chuckle, pushing my hands through his hair-like flames.
“What now?” asks Liam, arriving by my side.
With the arrival of the two Lunas and their mates, the line of humans and wolves were taken by surprise, but at least the path is getting cleared in front of them. I turn to the closest ones to us, who have their eyes on the strange witch petting her fire cat.
"Are you going to be fine without him?"
The two guys whose golem just got defeated by a simultaneous attack from Selena and another trio of wolves exchange a curious glance. They look like they have been through hell, and one's shoulder is covered in blood, but they turn to me and nod.
"Y-yeah. Can you... stop all this?" he asks, hesitant.
"I sure hope so..."
They nod and leave to get to the next golem already, their wolf allies following behind them. I take a deep breath, and turn to Spark, who's agitating his tail, irritated by a nearby golem.
"Spark!"
He turns his head to me again, and I extend my arms to touch his burning cheeks.
"No more play time for you, big tiger. Can you go and watch over Kelsi for me?"
He lets out one of his cute meows, deeper than usual because of his size, and rubs his forehead against mine. Moon Goddess, I love my magic cat.
"Good boy."
I pat and caress his head, but we need to get going now. I take a deep breath, and focus on those flames surrounding him. They are my fire, to begin with. I just need to take it back... Letting Liam and the others defend my position, I close my eyes and focus. I feel the black markings appear on my hands, but it's alright. As long as I focus on my flame, I'll gain more power than I lose. I take a deep breath and focus on cutting myself off from everything going on around me. I focus on my breathing, and at each inhale, I feel the fire inside burning bigger, as if I was eating those flames up. I can almost feel them streaming out of my mouth... I keep going, feeling the flames outside disappear while the one inside grows. Oh, it feels so good to have it burning again. I didn't realize how cold I was from that freaking illusion of hers... Not anymore. I feel my fire raging inside, the sparks electrifying each pore of my skin, the blood getting hotter and hotter in my veins. Yes... I'm back.
I open my eyes, feeling the golden, reddish halo in them. At my feet, little Spark is back, and the now completely black cat meows cutely.
“...Uh, wrong cat?” asks Liam, a bit amused.
"Just out of magic, he'll be fine. Spark, go!"
