Chapter 1 Run or Burn

Cressida's pov

"She's just ahead, hurry"

They were right behind me, I could feel them.

Wolves.

And definitely but the civilized kind. They felt different just like savages.

Rouges perhaps, that can be the only breed to give this kind of strong burning stench.

Ever since I passed through the border everything has been so different.

Okay fine, a witch on the wolf property doesn't exactly make this place feel like home.

And the last thing I'd ever do is to give out my scent. The wolves won't just take me, they'll exploit every single last drop of my blood till there's nothing left, not even my bones.

I tightened my grip on my Harley and sped deep into the night. I could hear their howls loud and clear behind me.

Earlier, while crossing the border, I passed one but my scent was covered but he still looked at me with so much doubt. It didn't even take three seconds to get me into this mess. Funny thing is that if I end up not being what they expected, they'll do worse things to me and I couldn't afford that.

They were closing in, I could have easily used my magic to make them disappear or worse make them suffer worse fates that what they put my people into. Tie them to a stake and burn them down not with the usual gasoline...hell nah that would leave bones behind. But the second I let me powers loose, even if it was not more than a wisp, it'll set off the alarm on the parameters and wolves worse than the rouges literally the whole institute would come after me.

I recently got a scholarship into Blackfrost Academy which only made my plans and goals so much easier.

My one goal in life is to avenge my people's death, infiltrate the academy and get close to the only heir of the Thorneval bloodline who slaughtered my family till what remained was just a little girl thirsty for the enemy's blood.

Here I am, Cressida Ashcroft. The only surviving witch of the Ashcroft bloodline. I've learnt how to suppress my powers for eleven good years and it wasn't easy.

I couldn't let everything I've worked for for so many years go down the drain all because of these wretched rouges.

Soon enough I was at the mountain road. The moon barely bright enough for me to make my way out if not for my Harley's light.

This was risky, the ice here might not be strong enough to hold the weight of I and my Harley. But between taking the mountain road and the normal road into Blackfrost which would make it easier to be caught I would rather take the risk.

Without a second thought, I revved up the ice road.

I loved the thrill that coursed through my veins. I've never felt more free than I feel with the wind in my hair.

My Harley hit the ice at a full 70 mph speed which was too fast given the strength of the ice.

Something within me warned me to slow down but before I could do that I felt the rear wheel slip. Felt the bike fishtail and my bike went out from under me with lightening speed.

"Shit!!!"

One second I was racing through the mountain pass, the blackfrost road twisting like a black striped ribbon beneath my wheels and next the handlebars wrenched from my grip and felt my stomach drop as physics reminded me that I was nothing more than flesh and bone and that the mountain has been here long before me and would remain same even after me.

My Harley went left and I went right.

The crash is brutal as I'm being thrown harshly against the gravel and tumble down roughly till I hit a guardrail. I heard my Harley crash too wherever it was.

Fucking hell! What was I to do now?

My vision quicky became hazy and the world looked like white and black all together.

I could hear my own breathing, too loud... too scared.

I could hear the rouges catching on. I had succeeded in drawing their attention here. Just great.

Above all, I fought to stay conscious but more than that to keep my powers bound just the way they have been. But it was hard given the fact that I was loosing too much blood. The pain was making the suppression slip and I could feel my very own power pressing against my already hurting ribcage like a trapped animal begging to be free.

The binding in my chest flickered and then I felt it. A crack; a thin hairline fracture of magic escape and I instantly felt the way the entire mountain responded and quacked at that.

The only one emotion I could recognize was fear.

"No,no, no...."

I forced it back down, forced the walls back together as I tried to move but couldn't. I felt my body was at an awkward angle.

Tears hot and angry ram down my cheeks. This can't be happening.

If I leaked my magic here, in wolf territory. They would find me.

They would smell it in the air, taste it in the blood seeping out through my face and they would come.

Now I could see grey at the edges of my vision.

I was fading and there was absolutely nothing I could do about it.

I could feel the cold creeping up though my fingers, the literal heaviness of my limps, the strong temptation to just close my eyes and let go.

My mouth felt dry.

"Grandmother. I'm sorry...I'm sorry I couldn't ..."

Footsteps were loud approaching and I knew that was it. I could hear their twisted laughter. The tongues lapping greedily against their lips.

Looks like this was my end. The end of the Ashcroft bloodline.

Before I could succumb to my pains, something bright flashed.

Headlights.

"Help me please..." I whispered weakly.

It was the sound of an engine, something obviously bigger than a bike.

Soon enough, the tires screeched as it came to a halt just close to the road.

Then footsteps running.

Then him?

No no no no no

"It can't be"