76

ARTEMISIA

"I believe there are a lot of humans here with extraordinary abilities. Wow, it's so nice to see a shapeshifter." The man with the buzzcut asserted.

A Shapeshifter?

I knew what it meant. But how was Julie a shapeshifter?

I had been with her my whole life and I hadn't for once thought of her having supernatural power.

Also, it didn't seem like she was just knowing as well because she was so comfortable with shifting!

And I recalled the several times she had come into my room saying she'd protect me and I had laughed it off.

I had brushed it off as well and thought her to be powerless.

But she wasn't the person I thought she was. She wasn't powerless.

"Shapeshifter or not, you stand no chance, b*tch!" The lanky blond yelled and charged.

Julie did the same as well. I heard a howl after they collided with each other. Also, a bone-crushing sound. Maybe Julie had broken a bone or the person she was facing had, I didn't know.

I was startled, my eyes rounded and followed the movement of all that was happening.

They flickered away from the battle between Julie and the lanky blond, around the room. And then I realized there were still four unoccupied men in the room.

We were outnumbered.

I didn't know if Sin would be in the room soon enough because the four men seemed like they would devour me as soon as they could.

If he was here, he'd definitely take down all the men and make me and Julie escape.

But, I doubt he would. I was furious with him and we haven't had any meaningful conversation since his betrayal.

Maybe, setting my anger aside and yelling for him would be better.

Because as it seemed, it didn't look like I would win any fight if I faced them alone.

"Don't hurt the prize. We were told to bring her unscathed." The man scuffling with Julie said with a grunt.

Someone was sending them to fetch me. Who was that?

I had no time to think about who the dratted human or werewolf was, I needed to defend myself before I got captured.

I let out a deep breath and shut my eyes. When I opened it again, I felt as if something snapped inside of me.

I glimpsed the guard that was coming toward me retreating.

"What the hell are you doing? She is only a stupid little girl."

"Little girl?" I scoffed. I was a freaking twenty-one years old woman and they assumed I was some child due to my petite frame.

I was a freaking woman with a child, I wanted to yell but I concentrated on glaring at the man with a buzzcut in front of me.

"I-I can't get close to her." He yelled.

He looked frightened and he gasped, jetting to the door.

"S-she looks different!" He stuttered.

I managed to gaze at myself in the mirror because I was close to it.

I wasn't surprised as I was the last time.

It had surfaced again.

I didn't know what was happening, but the appearance I had assumed in the initiation ceremony was gazing back at me.

My unnatural deathly grey eyes glistened, and my lip quirked up in an amused smile.

My red hair flustered and I heaved a sigh.

Was the appearance supposed to make me more powerful?

Maybe because I felt powers surging through me.

I was surrounded as well and I feel as though I can take all of them on.

I had never felt this strong before and it was thrilling.

"If you can't do it, then I will." A shrill voice said.

I was smacked back into the wall by a force.

I groaned as my head smacked the wall.

"Artemisia!" Julie growled. She had changed back to her human form and was still fighting with her opponent who didn't seem like he was giving up.

"I am your opponent b*tch." The lanky blond said.

Julie winced as she was tugged back by her hair.

I gazed at the person that had slammed me back to the wall.

It was the teenage boy and he beamed whilst staring at his hand.

I didn't think he was a witch.

As I gazed at him intently, I realized something was helping him.

The aura I saw in most witches wasn't present in him.

And I noticed a signet ring on his index finger.

The ring glowed red as he smirked.

"I was told you bestowed some unusual powers. So, I got prepared and might I add I am disappointed as it seemed you are just a mere human."

"Cease her!" He ordered and two people rushed towards me.

"No way!" I growled and shoved the people coming at me backwards with a wave of my palms.

"Oh, you want to fight? Feisty." His slate grey eyes twinkled.

"I'd do anything to protect myself and anyone," I said through gritted teeth.

"Say that to someone else! You are no match for me!" He growled and yelled.

I got flipped backwards once more, my head smacking the rough wall.

My ears rang and dizziness washed over me.

Shutting my eyes briefly, I panted.

"I must not pass out." I reminded myself. "I can take him. I was sure of that."

But he was freaking too strong! And fast.

I groaned and attempted to stand, my hand on the wall, to brace myself. The force with which I had hit the wall this time was so hard and I even felt a bone breaking.

I felt like passing out.

But I did everything not to. I could not blackout when there were a lot of enemies in front of me.

Heck, I had no one to help me.

I needed to beat them myself as I was the only witch in the room.

My brows scrunched up and I channelled my anger toward them. I stretched forth my hands and my eyes opened.

The boy that slammed me into the wall, was on his knees, his hands wrapped around his neck.

"Bitch!" He wheezed.

"That I am and I will show you not to mess up with me," I growled.

And what happened the next few minutes, I didn't know. All I knew was I heard the pleas from the four people before me and the crunching of bones.

I concentrated on inflicting each with the pain flaring up in my head and abdomen.

"Evanescere!" I yelled and I heard a cracking sound. I had snapped his neck and it felt so good.

I turned to the others as well, there were still four, I counted.

Then, abruptly, I darted in front of Julie who was about to get hit.

I took the blow and I let out a loud groan. But that didn't stop me.

Despite the pain flaring in my lower abdomen and back, I concentrated on him and within me, I mumbled and he choked.

I believed I imagined him to do so, he began to choke on his spittle and he gripped his neck.

"B-bitch…" He gasped out and fell to the floor.

I gazed around me and noticed they were all down.

I grinned and winced at the same time, holding my belly.

I felt a warm liquid on my hand and I frowned. Gazing down, the dress I donned was stained red.

My mouth opened to speak, but no word came out. My frown intensified as Julie darted to me, yelling my name.

In that instance, Sin stepped into the room as well.

He looked alarmed and furious. But, I didn't know who his fury was directed at.

He snatched me from the ground, lifting me like a weightless doll.

"W-what…" I began but a hush from Sin stopped me as well as tears I noticed in his eyes.

He placed his hand on me as he laid me on the bed and chanted, "Don't die on me…"

"I am not dying!" I wanted to yell at him. But I couldn't

My eyes fluttered close as I continued to watch Sin's face which got blurry with each minute.

Before succumbing to the darkness that enveloped me