Arabella

A week has gone by with no word from Edmond. The scar on my neck was still raw. I tilted my head as I looked in the mirror and gently trailed my finger over the small cut. It wasn’t painful at all, but it wasn’t going away either. Whatever possessed him to do such a thing?

I walked over to the bed and knelt down pulling out the box he sent me shortly after our incident. It contained all the tools I needed to lift this binding spell, I still had no idea why it was cast in the first place, and what my purpose would be once I’ve completed this. The question that begged to be asked was, would I be cast out into the wilderness again, left to fend for myself like I did before? A few days ago all I wanted was to leave this place, regardless of the luxuries and easy access to food, or the magnificent library I visited every day since. But the longer I pondered over what happened between Edmund and I, the more determined I was to stay and figure out what was going on. I had the right to know. Plus, my attraction to him was making me second guess myself.

Still on my knees I glanced towards the window at the waning moon. I could delay the inevitable and wait for the moon phase to pass, but eventually I was going to have to do it anyway. Might as well get it over and done with.

I started to lay out all the items I needed to do the spell, and cast my circle. It was a ritual as second nature as breathing. Once done, I positioned my candles at each of the four corners representing the elements, fire, air, earth and water. It was no surprise that all the ingredients for the spell were neatly set in a small wooden box.

With my eyes closed I centred my spirit and focused as I started my cleansing chant, it was a simple meditative practice to chase away all conflict and dark spirits that may try and break my concentration. Finally, I started to feel the weightlessness as gravity released its hold on me and the floor below started to feel like a soft cloud. With the candles in place, I lit each one and then sprinkled the myrrh, patchouli and sandalwood incense in the fire bowl. I pricked my finger and squeezed a few drops of blood into the burning incense.

“Sileneous Imurinio, expegris,” I chanted.

“Sileneous Imurinio, expegris.” the candle’s flames started to grow taller and stronger, and as I continued the chant, I felt a surge of power stream from the crown of my head to the base of my spine. My palms were on fire and as I swirled my hands over the incense smoke that rose from the fire bowl, I chanted louder. Whoever cast the binding spell on this place was no rookie. I could feel my energy drain by the second. The sensation of strands that wrapped around me became stronger and I fought harder.

“Sileneous Imurinio, expegris!” I cried out louder this time, forcing the entity that haunted this place to another dimension. The door swung like a pendulum and so did the wardrobe doors. I could feel the warm trickle of liquid running from my nose over my lips, but I refused to give up.

“Ejecucio purifuro, sileneous imurinio, expergris!” the magical storm magnified as the blood magic of the unbinding spell started to gain power, and just as I thought I was going to collapse with my face in the burning incense there was a great explosion, shattering the windows. Then everything went dark.

I sat slumped forward for a few seconds, waiting in anticipation, and when the candles lit up on their own one by one, relief flooded me. The binding spell was finally broken. Exhaustion consumed me and I toppled over unto my side. I drifted in and out of consciousness, while visions of me wearing a fur coat and a bear’s head as a headpiece ransacked the little coherency I had left until my mind went completely blank.

Eventually I came to, only to see Edmund hovering over me. There was a hint of concern in those whiskey coloured eyes, and when he reached out to brush a strand of hair from my face I quickly shifted away.

“You’re free of the binding spell now, so what happens next?” I had no time for small talk.

“Yes, we are free now, how are you feeling?”

“Don’t concern yourself over my wellbeing, I want to know what happens now.”

What was it with him and his half arsed information he was feeding me? I knew he was hiding something. I was tired of the games he played, and after what happened between us earlier in the week, I was angry.

“Arabella, rest for now, we’ll talk once you have your strength back.”

I stood up and unable to catch my balance I nearly toppled over, but Edmund was quick to steady me. I pulled away from him and used the windowsill as to lean on instead.

“Why do you refuse to tell me what’s going on? Every time, ever since you brought me to this place, you avoid answering my questions. I think I deserve some answers after saving your arse! You can’t just keep me a prisoner here and treat me like an object! I am NOT having it. Just who do you think you are?”

Yes I was a persistent bitch, and no I refused to give up and be made a fool of. I wanted answers and I wanted them now.