The Shadow Howlers

Achyls looked around at all her witches. They had come quickly, just like she knew they would. She hadn’t told them what the plan was yet because she didn’t want them to chicken out. She had seen Sabnac arrive and had to admit it caused her to have doubts about her plans. However, when she realized that he was now a big pushover she thought it was going to be a piece of cake to get rid of them all. Nyx she planned to save for last. She prepared the lie she would tell the witches to do what she wanted.

“Thank you all for coming. We have a special task. It has come to my attention that the people who live at the lycan palace plan to eliminate all witches. We must stop them. They have many people who are planning to help them, some with powers that can rival ours. Don’t be scared. We have the power of dark magic on our side. If they know anything about usthen they should know that we don’t play fair.I want you to use every spell and trick you know on them. We will leave as the sun sets. Prepare for the darkness and witches will rule the world.” The witches cheered for Achyls.

She had planned to get into the palace and take the pups butshe hadn’t been able to. They were never left alone and even she could tell those pups weren’t stupid. Achyls walked back into her house to prepare. She loved theatrics. She was dressed in a long purple and black dress. The skirt was slit in multiple places so it could flow around her easily. Her blonde hair was left long and loose. The final touch was her black ankle boots that had three-inch heels.

Achyls looked outside and saw the sun was almost ready to go down. In less than an hour, they would attack the palace, and victory would be hers.

At the palace, everyone was sitting in the dining hall eating dinner. They had spent most of the day in the office coming up with a plan to defeat Achyls and her witches.

“Can we please fight the witches too?” Polly begged. She and Trisha were disappointed that they couldn’t fight, so they tried to convince everyone at the palace to let them.

“You heard Selene. She said that your fight would come later. What would happen if you fought now and got hurt. Then you wouldn’t be able to fight in the big battle later. We need you girls to stay in the palace and stay hidden.” Gunnar said sternly. Trisha and Polly crossed their arms and pouted.

“How can we protect the queen if we have to hide?” Trisha asked hopefully. Sabnac watched the pups with interest. He was quite taken with them as was Eris.

“What if I make them invisible so they can watch but not join the fight?” Eris asked Gunnar and Bianca. Trisha and Polly looked at them too.

”Please can we be invisible? We promise we’ll stay by the front door and just watch. Pretty, pretty please?” Polly asked as she and Trisha stuck their bottom lips out to pout. Gunnar and Bianca looked at each other and then at Eris.

“Are you sure you can make them invisible?” Bianca asked.

“Yes. I know I can. I’ve done it before.” Eris replied.

“If you allow this I can use my magic to place a protective shield around them so they can’t leave the area you want them. It will also protect them from Achyls and the witches.” Nyx mindlinked Gunnar and Bianca.

“You’re sure that it will keep them safe?” Gunnar mindlinked her.

“Yes, I promise.” She replied.

“Okay, girls. If Eris can make you invisible you can watch. You have to stay by the front door andyou have to be super quiet so Achyls and the witches don’t know you’re there.” Gunnar said. Polly and Trisha squealed happily.

“We promise we won’t move,” Trisha said. No one wanted to tell them that Nyx was going to ensure they didn’t move. As the sun seteveryone headed toward their rooms but were stopped by a mindlink.

“They’re coming. They’re running and flying from all directions. It’s time.” One of the guards said. Everyone ran to the front entry.

“Come here Trisha and Polly, let me make you invisible,” Eris said as they reached the door. She took each of their hands and closed her eyes. After a few seconds, she opened them and the pups were invisible.

“Did it work?” Polly asked excitedly.

“Yes, no one can see you. When we get outside stay by the door.” Eris said as she kept hold of their hands.

“Okay,” Trisha replied. Everyone walked outside as the witches flew over the fence surrounding the palace. Eris released the pup’s hands after the door was shut, and Nyx used her power to place a shield around them.

Once all the witches were on the palace grounds they stopped and waited. The palace guards and all of the Shadow Howler warriors joined the others near the entry of the palace. A minute later Achyls showed herself. She flew over the palace fence letting the wind blow her hair and dress all around her. She landed in front of the witches with a smirk directed at Nyx.

“Hello, mother,” She said.

“I am not your mother. Creating you was the worst mistake I ever made,” Nyx replied as Lachlan squeezed her hand tightly.

“I may have been a mistake but you allowing me to live was an even bigger mistake. I’m going to kill you and everyone with you. Where are the little pups? I would love to start with them.” Achyls laughed evilly when she saw the look of horror on everyone’s faces.

“You will not touch them or anyone else,” Sabnac yelled at her. Achyls saw Eris holding his hand and her smile grew.

”It looks like the evil demon has turned into a soft teddy bear. Sabnac, I thought you wanted to kill gods and goddesses. It’s such a shame that you changed your mind. We could have worked well together.” Achyls kept her eyes on Eris as she spoke. Eris was shaking with anger but Sabnac held on to her before she did something she regretted.

“People can change. It’s too bad you haven’t changed because you’ve just ensured your own death.” Sabnac yelled back at her. He had some tricks up his sleeves. He may have changed sides, but he still knew how to kill.

“That’s what you think teddy bear. I’m done talking it’s time for action. Prepare yourselves to die.” Achyls let out a high-pitched scream and the witches ran and flew toward the palace. Trisha and Polly held hands but remained quiet. They didn’t want to admit it, but they were terrified that their family wouldn’t survive.