Chapter 12

-Canta's POV-

I nodded my head and closed my eyes. We had an open bottle of water and my necklace in front of us. We created a small circle, holding hands. I held Juniper's and Loche's, whilst Kavi held Loche's and Juniper's. I tried not to smirk at the fact Loche and Kavi were holding hands, but anyone could spot chemistry there.

"Right, I don't know a lot about Chang, so I need to concentrate." I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. "Just, think about everything you know about him. Which is nothing. The intentions and thoughts are still just as powerful."

Other than our breathing and the occasional bird, the forest was silent. I couldn't even hear the roaring traffic which was only a few feet away. The thick trees were like a comforting blanket, keeping us safe from the entirety of the outside world. Loche and I came here often, so it was a good place to do such a spell.

I tried to concentrate, but there was something blocking me. There was pure energy in front of me, a bright light. But from my left, there was a dark green energy, synonymous with jealousy, and to my right, there was a black energy, synonymous with hatred.

"One of you is too angry." I tightened my hold on the hands which I held. I knew that they were the two to most likely get upset over something like this. "I don't want to be holding a paw, or fire at any point during this, thank you." I didn't want to put too much pressure on either one of them by naming names. They were both as bad as each other.

"Remember Canta, if you're there, you may as well work some of your special magic too." I knew what Loche meant, but I didn't want to start a relationship with my fiancé based on him being charmed.

I nodded absently.

It was so strange to be somewhere which isn't' England. Whenever I did this, I was always after someone nearby. This was dangerous and foolish, but I wanted to make it clear where I stood on the wedding situation before conversations deepened.

It was warmer than what I was used to, making me wish that I could take my blazer off properly, but I couldn't let go of the hands I was holding, because then I would lose the connection. I searched in my mind for him. I didn't know who exactly I was looking for, there were people rushing around a large building. It was minimalistic. But everything which was there looked grand and expensive. I didn't know the function of some things, but I was sure that I'd be forced to at some point soon.

"Master Leung," a voice caught my attention. It was a submissive and humbled voice. It must be a worker, which others may consider a servant, I didn't like that word. "Your tea has been prepared."

The person, who I could only see the back of, waved his hand. A desk came into focus, along with a small table, and shelves containing hundreds of books.

"I'll leave it here," the worker said again, and placed a tray on the table. They were skinny, and short. It was clear that they weren't looked after, maybe they only had one meal a day, two would be pushing it. The worker bowed before moving to the front of the room, by the large doorway.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of a psychic visit?" a deep drawl came from the man sat at the desk. "I wasn't expecting anyone."

I wasn't sure if he could see me yet, as I was nowhere near his line of sight. He must be able to sense me. His words suggested he received many psychic visits, at least enough to recognise when there was someone there.

"I wished to meet you," I told him calmly. We were both speaking Chinese, but mine was a bit rustier. My parents took pride in their ability to learn the local languages, so I hadn't heard Chinese in a long time. "I thought that you would like to see what you were getting into."

Chang chuckled and turned around in his seat. His face was set in an angry expression, but his posture didn't seem angry. His brows were furrowed and there was a frown on his face. His black eyes looked me up and down, almost greedily. I wanted to cover myself, despite being fully clothed. I did not like how he was looking at me.

"Canta Lai, I presume?" He stood up from his chair and strode towards me. He was wearing a black suit, as though he were getting ready to go to a black-tie party. "When your parents said you were beautiful and charming, I expected more."

My jaw clenched. I shouldn't have felt so insulted by that, as he was just a stranger to me right now. But the fact that this was my future husband, insulting me on our first meeting, caused my heart to quicken and my eyes water.

"I'm sorry I'm not up to your standards," I remarked, crossing my arms over my chest. I still had my white shirt, tie, and school skirt on. It made me feel incredibly underdressed in such an environment.

"I'm sure you'd be able to rectify that soon, you'll have plenty of time to." He shrugged, brushing me off in the same way as he had the worker. "You are clearly a powerful witch."

I nodded my head, not quite feeling up to speaking again. I didn't know exactly what to say, I was expecting him to continue his observations. Especially since I didn't seem like much. But he didn't say anything.

"So?" I asked after a while. "Why exactly do you want to go through with the marriage?"

Chang, who had picked up his cup of tea, laughed. He tilted his head back before sipping the tea. "I can see many advantages. Connection to the Lai family fortune, a powerful witch who is experienced in love magic, and I would have something to look at. The only downside to this would be...dealing with you." He hesitated before his last utterance, as though he was looking for the best way to describe what a nuisance, I would be to him. "Besides, can't continue the bloodline without a woman, unfortunately."

I quivered. My hands were shaking, and I felt dizzy. "This isn't going to happen," I told myself. I looked around the room once more, imagining myself, but not as myself, wearing long dresses, or maybe a suit, strutting around the halls and fulfilling Chang's every need.

I felt sick.

"I'm afraid you won't have any input in the matter," Chang told me. He didn't even look at me when he was speaking. "This is how it is done in the supernatural community; it doesn't matter where you are."

"It hasn't been like this in centuries," I argued. "The supernatural community isn't years behind the rest of the world."

"You kid yourself if you think that this doesn't happen in places all over the world," Chang said in retaliation. "Just like it will happen here. The supernatural community may differ from human society, but there are just as many differences within our separate worlds as there are between them."

I couldn't argue with him. It was true that there were many differences between any community on the planet. But that didn't make it any less right that I shouldn't have any say in my marriage. Everyone should have a say in their own life. I made my choice then. If I were to marry this man, then I would make sure that I would save as many people as I possibly could from the same fate. I was a love witch, for goodness sakes, I had the power to do that, surely. I could bend the lives and emotions of others to my will. It would take time, but I would do it.

But what about Juniper? Would I actually be able to make her fall out of love with me? I has the strong feeling that I wouldn't be able to. I didn't know enough about soulmates, but I felt like the very act of making sure that someone had a soulmate was condemning them to the same person for their entire life. It didn't feel right to say condemn when I was paired with Juniper, a smart and head-strong person, who genuinely cares about people. It's ensuring that the person who it's cast on, would be happy.

I was meant for Juniper, and that was all I could think about.

I wasn't meant to be in this hall, listening to an unpleasant drone of an even more unpleasant man. I shook my head and immediately disconnected.

I was back in the forest, lying flat on my back. My hands clasped in Loche's and Canta's. They were all looking at me with concerned eyes.

"Are you okay?" Juniper asked in a whisper. I was sure she didn't know if I was conscious or not.

I took one look at her hazel eyes before bursting into tears.

Juniper pulled her hand from mine and enveloped me in a large hug.

"He's terrible," I said through sobs. "He doesn't care about anyone, or anything. He just wants me for my powers and other things." I couldn't bring myself to say the other things. "There's no way out."

"Shhh, it's okay," Juniper whispered to me. She was lightly stroking my hair. I could feel droplets falling from above, was it raining?

"I'm gonna kill him," Loche declared in a quiet voice. I almost thought I had imagined it, as I struggled to comprehend hearing anything over my loud sobs.

"I'll join you," Kavi offered, in a voice unlike any angel's I've heard.

"We're going to get you through this. I promise." Juniper placed her hands on my cheeks and forced me to look at her.

I shook my head and tried to speak, but I was silenced as her lips met mine in a sweet and long kiss. I found myself relaxing in her arms. It made me feel far better and far worse at the same time. I could have this contentment, this happiness. But it was going to be ripped away from me very soon.