I have never been a “successful” witch. I knew that since I was quite small, after setting my classmate’s hair on fire. Though he did look like Hades, no one else found it as perfect and entertaining as I did. So you can only imagine how unvexed I was when the Council called me in.

“Aren’t you nervous Ariea?” I rolled my eyes at my friend Maxis. “The Council only calls witches to court when they’re in enough trouble to-”

“To take their magic away,” I glared at him, “Yes, Maxis, I know.” He pulled my arm and flipped my body to face him. “What?”

“How are you so calm about this?” he snapped. I understand his concern but seriously.

“They’ll have to kill me to take any of my magic Maxxy.” I ruffled his brown, silky hair. Almost instantly he smacked my hand away.

“Don’t you think they know that? These aren’t amateurs Ariea, these are fully capable witches and wizards, who wouldn’t blink to take your magic, let alone your life.” I sighed, annoyed by his words.

“They’ll have to catch me first.” Of course I was joking, but the look in his eyes showed me it wasn’t as funny as I thought. “I’ll be careful. Besides, I have a backup plan.”

“A backup plan?” He huffed. “And what’s that?”

“My secret, remember, they’re always watching.” They were. Every corner, cameras, posters, chains tying me down to their insufferable laws. The annoying standards we were all forced to follow.

I released Maxis hand from my arm, setting it back to his side. “I’m going to head home.” He looked away from me concerned. I leaned in, hugging him tightly in my arms. “I’ll be gone before they even arrive at my door,” I whispered into his ear before pushing him back from me and smiling.

Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators!

I turned away, heading to my house, my cell. As I walked I looked around me, the white buildings, covered in black and red posters. So plain, so basic, so controlled. Not even grass grew in this cursed land. If it did, it was cut down instantly. This place was Hell. Pure Hell. Anything, anywhere was better than here. And that’s where I was going, anywhere. Well not anywhere exactly, I wasn’t sure where exactly it was, but I heard others call it, “The Netherlands”.

Apparently those who have successfully travelled to the Netherlands, were those witches and wizards who broke laws, as I have done. I’ve heard that it was a luscious land, covered in so much lands, colour, and full of life. The exact opposite of this wretched land. Where I could perform any spell, without worry, without care. My absolute paradise.

As I walked into my apartment I felt the cold chill of my familiar. His name was Nickar, a small grey cat. Well at least when he was alive. Never did I imagine that if we connected, that he would stay my familiar after his death. Not that I minded, it was a nice welcome home.

I petted down his back and walked to the living room.I had everything I needed for this. Down to the very last detail. The colour of the candles to the type of herbs I needed. Now all I needed was to create the circle. I began by grabbing the candles and putting them around me. I pointed to the herbs, which Nickar gladly brought to me. As i grab them from his mouth he purred and meowed. “Don’t worry,” I smiled, “You’re coming too.”

I smashed the herbs in my hands and dropped the remaining pieces to the floor. The circle glowed a deep red, causing a smile to form on my face. Nickar curled around me excited as I began to chant the spell out loud. I could hear footsteps at my door, then banging. I swallowed hard as I spoke the very last line of the spell. The light shot around me, causing me to drop to the ground grabbing Nickar. I was waiting for the smell of grass, trees, something other than old books, and carpet cleaner.

But instead I fell back. Fell back? No. I was pushed back. When I opened my eyes, I saw a dark figure coming out of my floor. Panicked, I shot back. “What the fuck?!” I yelled. The figure’s eyes shot up to me glaring. Nickar hissed, clinging to my shoulder. The thing stood up. It was muscular, had sharp, long horns, and wings folded behind it’s back. It walked closer to me, humming somehow. “What the hell are you?!” I saw the white of fangs show as it smiled.

“I am Tamrayzal.”