Syrene P.O.V

Syrene bolted upwards. Her heart was pounding against her chest. Every thud felt like a fist was punching its way out of her. She placed her hand over her heart, trying to calm herself. Slowly, the pain subsided, and her heart ceased its pounding.

"What was that?" She asked aloud. "Did I just have a dream within a dream? Why was I dreaming of myself, dreaming of myself?"

Her questions drifted through the dark on the wings of the cool night breeze. Unanswered. She thought back to the witch. Clearly, in her head, she saw that the witch looked like her. Everything about her features was the same as Syrene, except for her eyes. Her eyes were a swirling pool of black whiles Syrene's were grey.

Could she have dreamt of her past self? She knew that it was possible, but she didn't have the kind of magic required to do such a thing. And what about the dream her past self was having? Did she really dream of her past self, dreaming of her future self? It was all too confusing for her to think about. And it would seem that her past self could sense that Syrene was watching. What kind of witch was she in the past? Must have been a powerful one.

She sighed, tired of analysing it. It was useless to dwell on things that she had no control over. But that dream her past self was having. What was that?! Without a doubt, Syrene knew that it was her. Not past life her, but future her. She knew that it was her because she recognised the voice of the demon. It was the same demon that saved her life. Why did she have a dream of herself with him? What could it all mean?

Syrene played the dream over in her head. The first thing she felt was the increased beating of her heart, then an intense burning, as if her body was enflamed. She shook her head, trying to get rid of the images from the dream, but as the burning intensified, the images got clearer.

She saw as well as felt the demon's hand, slowly gliding over her thigh, touching every part of her. Her body burned. She hissed a breath, feeling the touch as if it was actually happening to her.

The long nightdress that she was wearing felt heavy against her heated skin. She lifted the fabric, hoping to let some cool air hit her body. However, when she let the dress fall back in place, it felt like sand against an open wound. Her skin felt bruised and even the thin material was too much for her to bear.

She needed cool air. She needed to get out of her clothes. The burning picked up. The pain was so bad that her vision blurred. All the while, images of her and the demon played in her mind.

What is wrong with me? She thought.

She got out of bed, stumbling over the window. Lani was still asleep on the bed, so she did not want to wake her. Her body felt weak, and the burning was not easing up. She needed air to soothe her heated skin. With the little strength she had, she threw open the window in the small room, sighing as the cold night air hit her skin. It felt good, but it was not enough. The burning was still the same. It felt like it would never stop. However, just when she was about to rid her body of the clothes she was wearing, the burning started subsiding.

She breathed a sigh of relief but stayed at the window a little longer. It was only when she heard her roommate stirred that she closed the window and moved back over to the bed. Exhaustion overtook her. Her eyes became heavy as she drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

*****

Syrene was sat in the chair Kailani was in the night before, flipping the pages of the same book. She didn't know what was written on the pages, but it must have been interesting. She would like to know what the book said, but reading wasn't something that she thought she really needed. It would be nice to know how to do it, but it wasn't a priority. What she needed more was to learn more ways to make money.

It was Monday and she was at home. All her fights were cancelled. Well, the pitmaster put the word out that if she was caught anywhere in his arena, he would kill her or worse. There went her only way of making money. She had fought at other pits, but none of them paid her as good as Haggard. It was a shame he turned out to be a creep.

She was almost to the middle of the book when Braith and Kailani flung the door open, startling her.

"Syrene, quick, we have to get out of here! The National Guards are after you."

Syrene jumped from the chair. She needed no further explanation. They always knew that they couldn't stay in the small hut for too long. It was their fifth location that year, and the only place they'd stayed the longest. They always had to be on the move. Fighting in the pits was a crime for witches. She would be taking a risk every time she fought, but it was what she was good at. And her only way of making money.

She ran into her room, grabbing the bag that was always packed and ready to do. Lani was right behind her. Both of them stopped and glanced around the room. The hut was not luxurious by any means, but it was the place they called home. They were going to miss it.

"Let's go."

Lani nodded. Braith was waiting for them by the door. He gave the place a sad look before smiling at them. He reached for the door but stopped. Both girls froze in place. They didn't have to question why he stopped. Braith had a keen sense of smell. If he was hesitating, it was because something was amiss.

He turned to them and mouthed, "Guards."

Syrene nodded. It was too late. The guards had found them. But she wasn't going to let them capture them. Braith backed away from the door, moving over to the window, peering out. Syrene stood next to him, looking out as well. There were six guards, all armed with arrows that were more likely dipped in witchbane. Amongst the guards were Haggard and the man that chased her into the woods.

"I can cast a cloaking spell, but I'm not sure how long it will keep us hidden."

Braith shook his head. "It will drain you. It's too dangerous. I'll distract them and you and Lani can escape."

"No!" Both Lani and Syrene whispered harshly.

"They will kill you! The cloaking spell is our only option. I'm not leaving you here to die, Braith."

He opened his mouth to protest, but Syrene silenced him with just one look. She was not leaving any of them behind.

"We're in this together. We're a family."

He looked at her for a few seconds longer, before nodding in agreement. As the guards approached the door, opening it. Syrene moved them over to the far end of the room. Linking their hands together, she closed her eyes, envisioning them being wrapped in darkness.

The spell was easier to cast this time. The four other times that she had tried it, her soul felt like it was being pulled out of her body. This time, she saw clearly in her mind, an invisible blanket wrapping around them. She felt the warmth, as it embraced her like a comforting hug. The cloak was different from the other time she'd use it.

She closed her eyes, giving herself over to the feeling of peace that it was evoking in her. The warmth washed over her, bathing her in a tantalising heat. It was so different, unlike anything she'd ever felt before, yet so familiar.

"Syrene!"

Her eyes popped open with a start. For a few seconds, she was confused. Unsure where she was and what was going on. As the cloak unwrapped itself from around them, retreating into her mind, things started to become clear.

"Are you okay?" Braith asked, concerned.

She nodded. "Yes. What happened? Have they left?"

He nodded, but his eyes were still filled with concern. "They have. They searched, and when they didn't find us, they detained Haggard and his men for questioning."

"What happened to you?"

The question was from Kailani. Syrene wished she could explain it to them. But the truth was, she did not know herself.

"I don't know. The cloak felt different. There was no pain this time when I called it out. Just warmth and peace. And I don't feel drain. I feel stronger, actually."

Thinking about it, she knew it was true. Her magic felt stronger, far stronger than it had before.

"Maybe, you are becoming stronger."

She smiled and nodded at Braith. "Maybe." She replied, but not really believing it.

Something deep within her soul told her that whatever just happened to her was only the beginning. Something very big was on the horizon.

"Come on, let's leave before they decide to return."

They grabbed their bags and left. Heading in the direction of the woods. They would have to make camp in the wilderness until they found somewhere else or try to escape the kingdom.

****

They were hiding behind a few trees hoping to escape in one of the carriages that were leaving the kingdom for Balzard. After camping in the woods for almost four days, they decided that it would be best for them to try and leave the kingdom. Braith had snuck back into town to see if it was safe, but the guards were still looking for her. They weren't sure what she looked like, but word had gotten around, and people were looking to collect.

Braith had killed a large deer and placed it in the middle of the track. The carriages would have to stop and move it before they could carry on. They were going to use that opportunity to hide amongst their stocks.

"They look to be merchants. When they stop, we only have one chance to do this. So, we have to be quick."

Both Syrene and Lani nodded. They got ready as the carriages got closer. The first one came to a stop upon seeing the dead deer. The second one stopped right behind. A short man stepped down from the first carriage, looking wearily at his surrounding, before approaching the second carriage.

Two more men exited from the third carriage, walking towards the second carriage.

"We will hide amongst the third carriage. That way we won't be seen."

The three men approached the dead deer. Something seemed off about them. The way they carried themselves was different from any merchant she'd seen before. Even though they looked relaxed, Syrene could tell that they were on guard.

"Now," Braith said.

They started moving out from behind the trees. The men were busy moving the deer, so it was the best time for them to move. Just as they were about to come out into the open, Syrene felt an invisible force pull her back. Rooting her to the spot.

Stay where you are, witch! These are royal carriages.

Braith and Lani looked at Syrene confused. Her eyes had gone blank like she was lost in her head.

"Syrene? What is it?"

She wanted to answer him, but the invisible force had control over her mind. It had taken control of her movement.

Listen to me carefully, witch, if you want to live. There are national guards in the carriages to the front and the back. Unless you would like to be the entertainment for the journey, you would do well to stay hidden.

She was released from the hold. Her movement once again free. Blinking to regain her composure, she took the hand Braith offered her.

What had just happened to her? Where had the voice come from?

Even as she asked the question, she knew the answer. She had heard that voice before. She heard it on the day she almost died and in her dreams. It was the voice of the demon.

"Damnation!" Braith curse.

Syrene looked up to see him looking at the carriages that were riding away. They had lost their chances. She started to feel guilty, but all guild vanished when she saw a woman wearing the national guard uniform standing at the back of the third carriage.

"Double damnation." Lani cursed.

They had been lucky. The demon voice in her head had saved them. But did the demon really talk in her head? Was it somehow related to her dream?

Am I finally losing my wits? She thought in her head.

The reply to her question came in a chuckle.

No, you have not yet lost your mind. You just have demon blood in you, little witch.