Chapter 1 Heartstone

Selene

“What are you doing??” Those were the first words that escaped my lips and there was an appalled look on my face as a pair of strong arms wrapped around me from behind. I wanted to scream, but he wrapped his hand around my mouth, muffling my screams.

I paled and all the hairs at the back of my neck stood as the familiar smell hit my nose. “Keep it down. It's only going to take a while.” I almost puked at the sound of his voice. It was disgusting.

“Just let me go. I'm going to scream. I swear, I'll scream for my mother to—”

“And do you think she will believe you? My wife trusts me, Selene. She will never believe you. So why don't you just calm down and enjoy this? We will both enjoy this.” I felt bile rise to my throat when he suddenly grabbed my ass cheek and I could feel his hands already reaching out for the strings of my corset.

I did not think before grabbing the nearest weapon. I mustered all of my strength, turned, and hit him with a stick that I successfully reached out for.

“Get off me.” He groaned in pain, staggering backward and I watched in horror as my stepfather’s eyes filled with rage. He looked at me angrily.

“Stupid bitch.” He cursed. “You should be glad that I'm after a girl like you. You are the most useless among us witches. Your magic is the weakest and be glad that a man wants to treat you right.”

“Well, I don't want it.” My whole body was shaking out of fear.

“And I'm going to tell Mama this.” I turned to run away, but he was quick to grab my wrist, pulling me close to himself.

“I'm not done with you yet.” I struggled with him, but he held me tighter. “I took a peek at you when you were bathing last night. And my God, Serene, you are a beauty.”

“Let me go!! Mama!!” I screamed.

“Scream all you want. I cloaked this kitchen. Your mother will not hear us. You only get to leave once I break that tight cunt.” My eyes filled with tears and I struggled more with him. His hands were already moving to grab my breast, lifting the heel of my foot, I managed to kick his crotch and then I ran right out of the kitchen. I did not stop, even as my stepfather angrily called after me in pain.

…..

I had been restless since I managed to escape my stepfather. I was not thinking straight and all I felt was fear and disgust. I remained in my room, scrubbing myself so hard as I wanted to get his disgusting touch off my skin.

“Are you sure that you don't want to come with us?” Mom asked with worry in her voice and I shook my head at her, slowly pushing my thoughts aside.

“Mama, I think she's acting strange.” My twin sister, Serena pointed out.

“Don't worry mama. I’m good here.” I flashed a weak smile at her and her shoulders slumped. My mother and my twin had been begging me to speak to them, to open up to them. But my answers remained the same. No. I could not do it. I could not bear to see the disappointment on my mother’s face when she realized that the man she loved so much was a rapist.

“It’s fine. I'm good. You guys can go without me.”I smiled wider this time, but my mother did not buy my smile and placed her hand on my shoulder.

“I’m here to listen dear. Your sister and I will listen. Just talk to us.” She pleaded and my eyes began to fill with tears which I was quick to blink away.

“There is nothing, mama. I'm good.” I tried to assure her and when she sighed, I knew that she had finally given in.

“Lucian is waiting in the carriage for us.” The mention of his name startled me and I became at full alert.

“The witches have been asking after you. And our annual ceremony only happens once every year. It would have been so nice if you came.” She sighed yet again, her breath shaky.

“I’ll join you guys later. I’ll come on horseback.” I finally said. It was better I went there and not disappoint my mother. I was already a disappointment for not having strong magic. My mother or sister never rubbed it in my face. The witches were nice to me, but still, I hated disappointing them.

I was a witch. We were all witches in Elarith. It was a small town of witches where we all lived in harmony. Everyone was kind here, except the monster that I called a stepfather. Elarith was a very small town and humans lived in the surrounding villages. Then the werewolves had their huge kingdom. They were very dreadful and the witches stayed away from them. Everyone did.

“I can wait—”

“Don't.” I interrupted my sister, not giving her the chance to finish her statement.

“See you later then.” She said excitedly and I waved at her, watching as they both walked away.

It was after a while that I decided to get dressed for the party that we were holding. I made sure that all the fires were off before heading out of the house. Climbing onto my horse, I rode straight to the open field where all witches were celebrating. I was still scared to my bones and prayed not to come across Lucien.

When I got to the place, I noticed that the whole place was strangely rowdy and I did not miss the metallic smell of blood that hit my nose. What was going on?

My heart was racing as I looked around in panic, trying to catch a glimpse of my mom or sister, but they were nowhere in sight. Instead, most of the witches were running around. Some were injured.

My heart was racing and confusion was written on my face. I yelled when my eyes fell on a dead body that dropped to the floor. I screamed.

“What is going on?” I cried, stopping one of the fleeing witches.

“The Lycans are here. They are killing the witches.” She brushed past me, running for her life. The Lycans. They came. The only thing on my mind was to find my mom and sister.

They were nowhere in sight. I managed to run away from the chaos and everywhere was a mess. The Lycans were winning and many witches kept dropping dead on the ground. My horse had run off and I was hiding behind a tree panting heavily when my eyes fell on two people.

“Where is the Heartstone?” The voice was deep, cold enough to freeze the blood in my veins. I crouched lower behind the tree, barely daring to breathe as I peeked out.

A tall, hooded figure stood in the clearing. Shadows clung to him like armor, his blade glinting in the moonlight as he pressed it to my mother’s chest. Her face was streaked with ash and blood, but her eyes held no fear

“You’ll never find it,” she said through clenched teeth, voice steady despite the trembling in her hands. She moved subtly, a whisper of magic starting to gather at her fingertips. But the man didn’t give her a chance.

With terrifying speed, he plunged the sword into her heart, silencing the spell before it could be cast. My breath caught as he yanked the blade free, her blood painting the earth beneath her.

My eyes widened in horror as my knees buckled beneath me, sending me crashing to the ground while I held back a scream.