Arabella

I still had no idea why I was here, and the tingling in my fingers was slowly starting to rub me up the wrong way. I could feel the magic swirling around within me like a tornado, but just as I think I can conjure up a spell, the vortex of energy dissipates. The only reasonable explanation for this was that another witch must have cast some sort of binding spell, something that blocks magic, but why?

As I followed the small servant through the long hallways and smaller passages, I couldn’t help but appreciate the collection of historical artefacts that lined the walls. From Persian rugs and ancient weapons, to photographs of the once proud cities that filled the land with their high rise corporate buildings. There were framed cartographic and ancient documents of lost civilizations, and among these were papyrus scrolls encased in glass cases. Arcane invaluable pieces, I wish I could get my hands on, but my guide was marching ahead determinedly.

“Can you tell me more about this place?” I dared to ask, but she remained silent.

We passed a large wooden door, which drew my attention immediately, unlike all the other steel doors, this one had an air of historical brilliance to it, above it was inscribed The Alexandria Room. Just then the heavy door opened and a tall lanky female exited the room carrying a set of ancient looking books. I managed to glance past her and was surprised to see hundreds of books lining the walls.

“Is this a library?” I asked the woman, but even this one remained silent. How bloody rude. I could only draw two conclusions here, everyone in this facility was either bound to a vow of silence, or, they chose not to speak to me.

As tempted as I was to just turn left and enter the library, I couldn’t, the girl leading me was standing at the junction up ahead and she looked annoyed as hell. Shaking my head, I quickened my pace to catch up to her and then silently followed until we reached my so called room where she left me unattended. Thank the gods! Another minute in her silent presence would have killed me. My relief was soon whitewashed when I noticed the CCTV camera outside my door in the hallway. If only I had my magic, I would so easily disable it. Then again a can of spray paint would work just as well. But neither magic nor spray paint were at my disposal at the moment.

Once in the confines of my room, I felt more at ease. The room was small but cosy, a single bed and a low table stood near the window and in the corner of the room was a tub. A tub, I can’t remember when last I had a bath, definitely the first thing on my list of things to do. Even above escape.

There was also a wardrobe, which stood open, and I was quite surprised to see a few items of clothing hanging in it. Not exactly my style, but at this point beggars can’t be choosers. Black or red, red, no black, black it is. Red signified sexy and dangerous, black signified serious and ominous, which was the preferred look I was going for. I pulled out the long black dress and rubbed my cheek against its velvety surface. It smelled strangely familiar, I bunched it up and inhaled deeply, but instead my own stench wrapped around me like a cloud. Suddenly I felt embarrassed, all this time I’ve been showing complete disregard for my captors while I smelled like a pig, no wonder they wouldn’t talk to me, they couldn’t stand the smell of me!

Good thing there was a bath. I reached for the tap, and I nearly squealed as water started to flow freely. I was surprised, considering the earth was barren and the water supply in most areas of the world was non-existent, or had turned to sulphide. I simply could not wait to wash the grime and stench from my body and hair.

I adjusted the taps until the water was warm. I hurried and tore off the clothes I was wearing and tossed them in the wicker basket standing next to the tub, then stepped into the warm water and sunk down until my entire body was submerged. Every muscle in my body unwound like a coil that was strung too tight.

“Thank you Hecate,” the gods were clearly pleased with me, why else would I be granted these luxuries. On the other hand, I was still no better than a prisoner in this…whatever this place was.

I must have fallen asleep; it was so comfortable, because when I woke up with a start, the water was already turning cold. I quickly lathered my hair with the cake of soap that was provided and then washed and rinsed the rest of my body. Finally, I felt normal and better able to figure out what the heck was going on here.

Reluctantly I got out of the tub and dried myself, then took the long dress I picked earlier and pulled it over my head. The fabric felt like silk as it glided down my clean skin. The front was embellished with Hecate’s circle, which I found rather interesting. My captors were clearly prepared and ready to make me feel at home, but I was still not sure what my purpose was. If I had no ability to perform magic, what use was I to them?

A slight knock on the door drew my attention, and with my hair still damp I went to open it. Seeing the Major standing in the doorway came as no surprise strangely enough. I half expected him to eventually find me or summon me to his domain. Only this time, he was dressed more casually, and this new side of him caused my insides to quiver. He was in fact very handsome. When I met him earlier I felt intimidated by his presence, but now, not so much. And like an idiot I stood staring at him. The silence between us stretched far beyond what was necessary before he spoke.

“I hope I’m not intruding?”

“Erm… no, not really,” I felt my cheeks heat and I quickly lowered my eyes and fidgeted with the hem on one of my sleeves. What the hell was wrong with me? I was acting like a giddy teenager; with a serious hormone imbalance. Okay fine, as if being one of the only witches out there in the wasteland once abundant with human life and pleasures wasn’t bad enough, I was a lonely too. In fact, I can’t remember when last I found myself in the company of a man. It’s not every day that you got to stand in front of someone whose features would put even Lord Ares to shame.