71

ARTEMISIA

I let out a breath as I twisted my finger for the umpteenth time. My heart rammed in my chest and I bit my bottom lip as well as dug my feet into the soil so as not to dart out of the crowd because that was what ran through my mind.

That was the only thing I could think of.

Run as fast as I could and not look back until I get to the entrance of the castle for fear of being caught.

I didn't know why I was this nervous about what was happening.

It wasn't like I was going to be killed or maybe I was in a sort of funeral.

But, I was certain the expression on my face looked like it.

I was at my initiation as well as the other newbies which I met at the coven meeting and none of them looked as nervous as I was.

None looked like they were about to dash out of the hall with the little opportunity they got.

Besides, I was past the difficult stage of the initiation. I believe I shouldn't be nervous anymore.

But I couldn't help myself. It seemed like with each second I stayed out, the nervousness intensified.

My eyes shifted from the elders of witches, the council of witches or whatever they were called.

But I realized they were a group of people, perhaps senior witches that were versed in the craft.

Also, I recalled Mila stating they were the ones who often enforced rules for witches to follow.

Moreover, they could dispense punishment to anyone who was found guilty and who didn't follow the directive.

Mila stood by them and a huge grin was plastered on her face.

She mouthed, 'You are doing great.'

And I nodded before letting out a relieved sigh.

Ignoring the glare, Adrina was shooting my way as I gazed to my right, my eyes zeroed on the woman who was the instructor.

She beckoned to me with her head and I walked towards her slowly.

With each step I took, my inside warmed and I felt jittery.

"You don't need to be afraid." I heard a soft voice.

It sounded awfully like Trivia. But I couldn't find her anywhere as my eyes travelled across the large area which was filled with only witches.

The woman before me smiled as if she knew what was going on.

"Just do your best, no one will berate you for not being able to lift those feathers. I know you have it in you, and this doesn't necessarily mean you aren't part of us," She said, her green eyes twinkling.

Briefly, her face flickered. I could have sworn she was familiar and more like someone I knew.

Trivia.

Only that the woman before me was blonde.

But then, I learned the gods and goddesses could choose how to appear at any time they desire.

"I am with you and will guide you throughout your journey."

The voice said in my head and my eyes snapped open as if they had been shut all along.

My nostrils flared and I breathed out gazing at the women in front of me.

"Trivia?" I mumbled.

She said nothing, only flashed me a brighter smile and led me to the middle of the circle where another pentagram was drawn

"Inside." She ordered.

I stepped in it and sat crossed-legged as instructed.

Then proceeded to shut my eyes. My hands clasped in front of me and I exhaled again.

Focusing on the energy that surrounded me and trying to release it, I clenched my teeth as I felt something trying to pull me backwards.

It was like another force that did not want me to tap into the energy.

"Relax…" I heard Trivia murmur, her soft feathering touch on my back, caressing it.

Tilting my head, I inhaled and exhaled, and did it several times.

I felt the surge of energy at my fingertip, and without hesitating, I released it.

I heard a scream followed by loud voices talking at once.

Then, several yells and someone shaking my shoulder.

"What?!" I growled as I turned to Mila.

"S-stop." She stuttered, then trailed off. She stepped backwards and tilted her hand to my face.

My brows creased as I saw the fright in her eyes.

"I told you she is a witch!" Someone from the crowd yelled.

"Of course, she is silly!" Adrina snapped.

"I mean she is evil!" Another shouted.

I was evil? I asked myself, then gazed at Mila who was still some distance away from me.

Not only her. Even those that had surrounded me.

The woman whom I now assumed was Trivia, had an astounding expression on her face, making me more confused.

"What is going on?!"

A mirror teleported into my hands and swiftly, I lifted it to my face.

Perhaps, there was something in it that made people scared of me.

I slinked back and gasped. The mirror with me dropped to the floor and I didn't care if it shattered or not.

What I just saw didn't look like me.

Heck, it was far from who I was.

They had called me evil and I wondered why but after seeing my face, they had the right to be scared.

I couldn't recognize myself as well.

My once turquoise blue eyes had turned to a deathly grey, my hair still the ginger it was but much more fiery.

Like fire and it flapped around as if the wind was in it.

It wasn't what had made me perplexed. It was my change in appearance and the wicked glint in my eyes.

When I looked into the mirror earlier, I was someone else. Like I was possessed and the other part of me was trying to fight the other.

I let out a staggering breath and held my hands up, I felt a twinge in them like something was pulling my veins. But as soon as it started, it stopped.

The wind I felt around me stopped as well.

"It's fine everyone." The instructor hollered. "Come back to where you belong. It's part of the initiation ceremony and surprises are good!"

She grinned and then proceeded to pat my back. That was the only thing that granted the others relief which meant I was saved to be around.

The ceremony went on without any more surprises. But they didn't stop looking at me in a different way. As if I would snap their neck if they offended me.

Adrina didn't help matters as well as she gossiped loudly and lied about how I was cursed with two faces.

I wasn't bothered by any of her lies. I was my normal self once more and all I wanted was for the ceremony to finish so I could go back inside and cuddle with my pillows.

As soon as it was concluded, I didn't wait for the normal congratulation from everyone, I darted out of the opening before even Mila could catch up with me as I sensed she was coming over.

As soon as I got into the room,  I lay on the bed for a while, thinking about the event from before.

After tossing for a few seconds, I drifted off.