CHAPTER 237: CHAPTER 237 THE WITCHES’ REALM (13)

I gripped the window frame tighter, my heart pounding in my ears.

I opened my mouth to scream for help, but no sound came out.

My eyes widened in horror.

"Let me see," the voice said again, soft but sharp, like it was slicing through my skull. "Let me see what you are."

The pressure inside my head grew worse, like invisible claws digging through my mind, tearing something open that wasn’t supposed to be touched. My body refused to move. I couldn’t pull away.

My hand shook on the window ledge. My legs nearly gave out.

"No," I whispered, barely able to form the word. "Get away from me." I cried out inaudibly.

I prayed for Rhydian or Alaric to wake up, and help me. But for some strange reason, they were fast asleep.

My only hope was Damon, but he was nowhere to be found.

Fear flickered through my eyes, boring deep into my soul.

’No Aeris, no... it can’t end like this. It can’t end like this...’

The blue pendant on my chest pulsed, shimmering like a star.

Something deep inside me snapped, and a feeling rose from a part of me I didn’t even know existed. Heat spread through my chest, sharp and overwhelming. The air shimmered. Everything around me blurred for a second, and I felt my veins pulsing with magic...

My chest tightened. Gold energy crackled at my fingertips, and my blue eyes slowly turned to purple.

Gold energy pulsated around me, my silver white hair flew up as if dancing to the wind.

My gaze hardened and became cold... like I had become someone else.

"GET AWAY!"

The words ripped out of me just as a wave of energy exploded from my body. It rushed straight through the window like a storm, loud and violent.

The force threw the figure into the trees. Branches snapped in two and the trunks as the figure crashed through the forest.

The window shattered in front of me. Wind howled into the room, slamming against the walls and sending papers flying.

A strong force circled with an overwhelming energy, sending the tables, beds, and chairs flying in the room.

Rhydian jumped to his feet, staggering as he squinted his eyes, Alaric and Mr. Four eyes clung to the wall.

"Aeris." Rhydian tried to reach me, but the magic became more violent.

I gasped as my feet lifted off the ground, my life force running out, but I was furious... furious that someone tried to take advantage of me.

The door burst open behind me. I turned around, my purple eyes met with Damon’s black ones. He was stunned, unable to take another step.

His eyes locked on mine. His lips parted slightly, like he wanted to speak, but no sounds came. His brows furrowed, and his knuckles were white at his sides.

Then, the magic began to fade as fast as it came.

I dropped to the floor, gasping for breath. My knees hit first, then my palms. I stared down at the cold floor, my arms trembled, and my whole body was heavy. My mind felt like it had been torn apart.

"Aeris!" Damon yelling my name was the last thing I heard, before everything went dark.

.....

The first thing I noticed was the warmth pressing against my skin, followed by a dull throbbing in the back of my head. My body felt heavy, like I’d been lying in the same spot for too long. My throat was dry, and it took effort to peel my eyes open.

The ceiling above me came into view, dimly lit by the soft glow of a nearby lantern. For a moment, I just stared at it, trying to make sense of where I was and why my entire body felt drained.

I slowly turned my head, Damon stood closest to the bed, his arms folded, his eyes locked on me. Rhydian, Alaric, and Mr. Four Eyes stood just behind him. All four of them were quiet, tense, like they’d been standing there for a while.

"You’re awake," Rhydian said, stepping back slightly, giving me space.

I pushed myself up on my elbows, wincing as the ache in my limbs flared. It hurts as if something had run through me and left me completely hollow.

"What time is it?" I asked, my voice hoarse.

"Evening," Alaric said. "You’ve been unconscious since last night."

I blinked slowly and tried to sit up all the way, but the dizziness hit me and I had to pause. Damon didn’t move from his spot, but I felt his eyes watching my every reaction. He looked more guarded than usual.

I leaned back against the pillow, letting out a slow breath. My body still felt off, like the energy I had used had taken more than I realized.

Rhydian’s voice cut through the silence again. "Do you remember anything?"

I nodded my head, turning to meet his gaze. "I managed to access my powers," I said, a tinge of excitement in my voice.

Rhydian sat on the lower end of the bed, he gently held my hand in his palms. "Congratulations on unlocking your power." He smiled warmly at me.

"What triggered your magic?" Damon asked, his voice low. "Did you see something or... someone?" His eyes narrowed, locking on Rhydian’s hand over mine.

I paused, sighing before parting my lips. "I was attacked last night."

"Attacked? By who?" Alaric’s stunned voice made me turn to face him.

"A witch. A mind-controlling witch. She tried to enter my mind... I tried to call for help..." My voice trailed off, as fear and panic of not being able to call for help struck me.

Damon leaned closer, his frame towering over me. "We are here now, no one can hurt you."

His eyes held mine, his reassurance made my heart skitter in my chest. I nodded my head, "I wasn’t able to call for help and you all were sleeping and wouldn’t wake up. I don’t know what happened but my magic unlocked then."