SWNOVELS Chapter Chapter Thirteen
Amethyst’s Pov:
It’s been 14 years since the slaughtering of the Amazons. And eight years since I’ve become one of many girls who were apprenticing for the title of High Priestess of the Moon. And Gretchen’s own daughter was one of those girls who was hoping to receive the title. Amongst those who were from the original coven, she’s the favorite to take her mother’s place.
No weak blood, as they like to remind me. Because of my apprenticeship, I’ve received much backlash from those who believe themselves to be stronger thanks to their own self-righteous views.
Tonight, we were to receive another demonstration of Gretchen’s so-called power. “Amethyst, it is almost time,” my mother harped. “Please do not give Gretchen anymore reasons to hate you.”
“Do not worry mother, the will of the Goddesses speaks louder than the coven ever could. Even they are not foolish enough to cross the Goddesses,” I laughed, heading out the door.
While I walked, the beauty of the cold silver moon caught my eye. Tonight, something in the air caused my heart to grow more anxious than ever before. And yet, I couldn’t help but smile to myself.
“Running late?” the familiar voice teased. “No, I’ll just tell Gretchen it was your fault, Timothy. Who is she going to believe?” I jested, unable to hide my smile. A sour expression crossed his face, causing me to laugh harder.
“I believe you left exactly when you meant to, knowing I wouldn’t be far behind. You are an evil child,” Timothy grinned, before he pulled me into his arms, placing a kiss on my forehead.
“I am hardly a child anymore,” I reminded him. “Thyst, you are still very much a child,” he laughed. His words pulled at my heartstrings. “It’s only my body, which is nearly eighteen, you know,” I smiled slyly.
“Currently, so is your mind,” he scoffed. As we approached, the rest of the girls apprenticing for the title of Priestess of the Moon took notice of Timothy and me. As a result, I earned many glares from the others. Including Gretchen.
“Alpha, you really ought to stop showing so much favor to someone that lacks so much discipline,” Gretchen scolded. All the while, she held her disapproving gaze on me.
“Let’s face it Gretch, she is the Goddesses’ favorite to take your title,” Olympia stated. The anger rolled off Gretchen, forcing several girls to back away from her. Amused, I smiled inwardly.
“Are you still jealous that Timothy gives a child more attention than he does you?” Olympia asked. Never did I believe I would witness Gretchen about to burst a blood vessel, giving me yet another reason to smile. She’s hated me longer than I should be able to remember.
I studied the priestess. Now more than ever, she looked thin, tired, and fragile. Her hair seemed thin, and her colour was ghastly. Now more than ever, she always appeared sickly. Gretchen’s appearance was well beyond her years of only 120.
It was my worry she couldn’t contain the magic she possessed for much longer. “Priestess, what is it you want to show us?” her daughter spewed excitedly. Unable to control myself, I rolled my eyes. “Ah! I am glad you asked about your lesson, unlike some people here,” Gretchen praised her daughter before casting me a vile glare.
“As many of you are aware. 14 years ago, the Goddesses asked the brave Queen Hellena, her guardian, and 100 of her warriors to ride out and meet their deaths. They lost their lives at the hands of Silverlight. It was the Goddesses’ plan to bring the remaining Amazons here. To shelter them until such a time as the Goddesses’ own daughter is to destroy Silverlight,” Gretchen droned on.
The delighted expression on all the girls’ faces was enough to cause me to gag. Olympia needed to choke down a laugh because of my expression, causing Gretchen to scowl at her. “Perhaps you should just get on with what it is you are planning to do, Gretch. Instead of boring us to death with a history lesson,” Timothy sighed, plopping down on the altar.
Of course, several of the girls giggled at this. Timothy gave them a playful wink, causing me to feel slightly jealous. They, too, were almost 18. And their minds were the same age as their bodies. As where I have seen more than they would ever be capable of understanding. Yet, he was giving them the attention that I craved.
“Attention! Attention!” Gretchen screeched, clapping her hands. “If you are quite done. Now, I have spent the last 14 years creating a spell which will place a barrier around this isle. Thus, shielding it until such a time as the Goddesses see fit for us to rejoin the rest of the world. Because of this, no one will ever be able to find us! Isn’t that exciting?” she beamed.
“You can’t be serious Gretchen,” I blurted out in disbelief. Astonished, I pushed myself to the front of the apprentices. “Of course, I am Amethyst,” she hissed. Unable to process what I just heard, I glanced at Timothy and Olympia for help.
But all they did was just send each other confused looks. “Gretchen, your body can’t handle that amount of magic. If you even try, the magic you absorb will rip you apart, killing everyone here,” I blurted out. In order to see if I was telling the truth, Timothy’s stare burned deep into me. But I refused to break eye contact with Gretchen. As she needed to see reason.
“Says who, Amethyst? You?” she scoffed, fidgeting with her nails, unimpressed by my warning. “Yes Gretchen. While it may have escaped everyone else’s notice, but the more magic you absorb recently, the frailer and sicklier you are becoming,” I snapped back. “Really, Amethyst, you are of weak blood. What do you know about magic?” Gretchen taunted. A sly smile creased her pale face.
“Gretchen, perhaps in this case you should listen to Thyst?” Timothy tried to reason with her, worry crept into his normally assuring voice. “Timothy really, your pet has no more magical talent than my baby toe. Why do you insist on feeding her delusion?” Gretchen seethed. “No more interruptions!” she yelled, stomping her foot like a child. “You are right Gretchen,” he sighed, conceding to her. Frustrated, I attempted to protest, but he raised his hand to stop me. “Please continue,” he cooed.
I watched in horror as the wind picked up. The electricity in the air became uneven. Unfortunately, I seemed to be the only one who was aware of the erratic changes around us. Gretchen raised her right hand, palm up, to the sky while her left one extended to the ground.
Her eyes took on a brilliant shade of silver. Gretchen’s eyes move to mine. All the while, her face smeared with a cocky smile. Just then, several of the girls gasped before retreating as Gretchen’s smile revealed blood covering her teeth.
Suddenly, she clutched her stomach and screamed in pain. Light radiated through her as water would crack through the parched ground. The magic she was channeling was ripping her apart from within.
Without thinking, I leaped onto the altar. I attempted to place a barrier around her before the magic completely tore her to pieces and killed all of us in the process. There was no chance for me to close it before she exploded. With only a split second to think, I moved the opening to face me. Out of all of us, it was me who had the best chance of survival.
The world slowed as Gretchen stretched her hand out to me. Her silver eyes they somehow pleaded to me to stop her impending death. Timothy’s voice cut through all the confusion. Although I couldn’t make out what he was saying, the terror in his voice was clear.
Unseen by me, Olympia, ever the champion, made her way to those who were too afraid to move. Olympia used her body as a shield to save as many of the girls as she could.
“I’m sorry Gretchen, I can’t stop this,” I whispered to her, blinking back the tears. Shock washed over her as the magic tore her apart from within. For a moment, the universe stopped before everything faded from existence.
“Amethyst, you are strong enough to use Gretchen’s failure to your advantage. Complete the shield, just as you did when you were a small child. It is your time to take your place as the High Priestess of the Moon,” the Girl growled.