Bonded By Destiny

Tamara

I perused my mother’s journal page by page, mouth agape and thoughts running wild. The more writings and drawings I saw, the more I began to savvy that it was not a journal but a spell book of some sort. I knew most of the spells, starting from binding to healing, even cleansing spells.

The book had this sweet musty smell that seemed to waft and linger in my nose. It’s appearance was powerfully and mysteriously alluring. It’s as if there was a magnetism I couldn’t explain that pulled me into it. Curiosity began to brew deep inside, the need to go through every drawing and writing grew in minutes. I was however after a specific spell, the channeling spell.

I knew what I was getting into and yet it was the only option I had if I wanted to defeat the evil wizard. As I skimmed through the drawings, one caught my eye. There was a large candle in a tin of water, with two large pots of plant on either side. On the far end of the page, a bird soared high with a ring of fire placed around one of it’s legs.

There weren’t any spell written on this one, and that intrigued me even more. There wasn’t any words on this particular artist’s impression, and that clear meant something. Channeling spells weren’t easy to come by, in fact my mother used to tell me that no living witch in other parts of the world could perform that.

My mother had taught me time and time again that witchcraft mostly revolved around four elements. Water, fire, air and soil. Looking at the image, the candle represented fire, the tin of water was pretty direct. The pots of plant represented soil, from which they grew with the bird clearly standing in for air. What I didn’t understand was the ring of fire, what did it represent?

A slight headache was beginning to form, my mind overworking to try and break the hidden meaning. Where was the written spell to go along with the depiction?

‘The sun. ‘ My mate placed his file beside. We were in his office, each one of us doing separate things.

‘What are you talking about? ‘

‘ That candle represents light, the ring of fire represents fire. ‘ He picked up the journal and walked towards the window.

‘Come here Tamara. ‘ I followed behind, wondering what he was trying to achieve.

‘Do you remember the time you broke Addanc’s curse on my dad’s wolf? ‘ He smiled as realization finally dawned on me.

‘Of course! I just have to hold the page against the sunlight! ‘ I snatched the book from him and tore the paper and held it at the window. Alas! we could clearly see a whole paragraph of bold words written in italic.

‘Now I need my grandmother’s ashes. ‘ I clapped my hands enthusiastically, pulling Ryker by his hands.

‘Relax, one spell at a time Tamara. First we will go where the remains of your mother are, then after that we will go in search of the ashes your nana talked about. ‘ I carried the paper with me, and a glass from Ryker’s desk.

‘Come on let’s go, remember Theo said that there is no time. ‘ A shiver ran foam my spine, the thought of Addanc and Pete succeeding bringing slight fear in me.

‘We will stop them before they even hurt anyone this time. You have your powers and the witch ancestors and I have my warriors. Together, we shall make them pay, no doubt in my mind. ‘ With that, we stepped out of the office and headed to the pack’s traditional burial grounds.

‘You know there was a time when I used to cry when I went to visit my mother. ‘ I recalled how my eyes would swell from the amount of tears I would shed on a daily basis. It had been quite hard to let go of my mother and accept her death.

‘What about now? ‘ My mate draped his arm on my shoulder and pulled me on his side.

‘I feel proud of myself for surviving on my own up to now. I am so thankful to her for teaching me all the things that I know now. She kept some from me, but she knew I would eventually find out. ‘ I leaned on the side of his shoulder. I felt safe walking around him, my wolf’s tail wouldn’t stop wiggling.

‘She was such a smart woman, and if what you say is true, her power will soon blend with yours. ‘

‘Are you doubting me. ‘ I placed my hand on my chest in mock hurt.

‘No, but I don’t trust your grandmother, after all her spirit inhabited your body for minutes without consent. ‘

‘Because I would have burned the entire pack down. Your rejection had caused me so much pain Ryker. I was raging inside and the fury would have forced flames out of these hands you call tiny. ‘ I reasoned out with him.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

We arrived at the gravesite shortly and it’s only then I realised what the ring represented apart from fire. Our bond, with the flame representing the yellow light that engulfs mates the first time they meet.

I gathered a small heap of soil on the grave, and made a hole on top. I poured the water, and asked Ryker to hold the tattered paper for me against the light. With my arms spread in the air, and my eyes closed, I started.

Kwa dunia, kwa hewa, kwa maji na moto

Kwa dunia, kwa hewa, kwa maji na moto

I chanted, my voice rising with every word. I could feel a cool breeze against my cheek as I uttered the words.

Kwa dunia, kwa hewa, kwa maji na moto.

Kwa hivyo ninakualika ewe mama yangu.

Kwa dunia, kwa hewa, kwa maji na moto.

Kwa hivyo ninakukaribisha kwangu.

Kwa hivyo nguvu yako inijie mimi na kuniongoza.

Louder, my voice arose, calling out to my mother’s spirit and inviting her power to blend with mine. I repeated the chant over and over again until finally me hands began to itch.

Kwa dunia, kwa hewa, kwa maji na moto.

‘Kwa hivyo ninakubali nguvu yako. ‘

Then I felt it, raw power spreading in my veins. Deep yellow flames on my finger tips swayed in the cool breeze. I  could feel the strength that I suddenly possessed. It had worked, my power was no longer my own.

‘Incredible. ‘ Ryker whispered looking at me in awe. “Your countenance screams might, our thread feels so strong now. ‘ I remained silent, my mind failing to process any words for me to speak.

‘Tamara, while you were chanting, Jayson mind linked me saying that mother is crying uncontrollably and she won’t say anything. ‘ Maggie was a strong woman, there must have been something of significance bothering her.

‘Come on. ‘ We left the grounds, racing to the former alpha’s place. The cries could be heard from the front door and the hurt in them broke my heart. Upon entry, Lionel sat on an armchair, eyes fixed on one spot unblinking. His elbows were placed on his knees with his hands supporting his chin.

On the far side of the living room, Janette stood in her mates arms in confusion, eyes darting from Lionel to Maggie. Maggie paced on the area carpet bare footed, shaking her head repeatedly. It was as if she was finding it hard to come to terms with whatever was the matter.

‘What happened? ‘ Ryker asked Jayson and Janette, looking at his parents.

‘We really have no idea, we just came in and your mother offered to prepare some coffee. We sat down chatting with your dad while your mother went into the kitchen. ‘ We listened attentively, but found nothing to explain why they were acting that way.

‘Your mother turned to join the chat while in the kitchen but she ended up freezing. Literally, she seemed in so much shock that your dad had to go shake her from the stupor. When he looked at us, he quietly walked to that armchair and sat down. They haven’t said a word since and we just decided to inform you. ‘ That was by all means odd to say the least.

‘Mum, dad. ‘ None of them looked at Ryker.

‘What is the matter with the two of you? ‘ His words fell on deaf ears. The cries had subsided, but she wouldn’t take her eyes off Janette even for a second.

Janette wore a strapless maternity dress that accentuated her figure nicely. There was nothing wrong with her so I did not understand why Ryker’s mother stared at her. However, I knew just the right thing that would get their attention.

‘I don’t know what brought all this but I will not stand here and listen to it. You are making Janette and I worry and that is not good for the babies we are carrying at all, don’t you agree Janette? ‘ I winked at her, earning a nod from her.

‘As a matter of fact, my baby stopped kicking the moment Ryker’s mother started cryin…’ She didn’t even finish the sentence, the older woman was already racing to her and feeling on her belly.

‘Is she alright? ‘ the former Luna apologetically questioned, wiping her tears.

‘Why don’t you first explain what the fuck just happened. ‘

‘Language Ryker! ‘ The father scolded, seemed my plan had worked.

‘You might want to sit down because I promise this is not a joke. ‘ Maggie sniffed, but remained standing as we took our seats.

‘When a child is born in this pack, the parents choose what to gift the new bundle of joy. ‘

‘Yeah you kept a ring and gave it to me when I turned twelve. I remember you telling me to give it to my mate on her second pregnancy. ‘ Ryker agreed, flashing a smile at me.

‘We gave your sister a gift Ryker. ‘ Maggie sniffed yet again, closing her puffy eyes briefly.

‘Before she was stolen? ‘ I questioned, the story now drawing quite a large amount of curiosity from me.

‘Yes, I had your late father create something that would remind her of us and Ryker for the rest of life. ‘ Lionel spoke lowly, his voice breaking. The pain of one’s child being taken away from them was something I wouldn’t wish on anyone, including my enemies.

‘Why are we even adding  salt to our wounds? ‘ Sadness filled our bond and I could only calm him down as his beast began to rage. He knew that his uncle was the one who had taken his sister and yet he had kept it from his parents.

‘Because those wounds might start healing sooner than we expected. ‘ His mother whispered.

‘With all due respect what does that story have to do with you staring at my mate and going hysterical? ‘ Jayson chimed in.

‘Everything. ‘ Lionel sighed, giving his wife a nod.

‘What gift did my father make for your daughter? ‘ I wanted to know.

‘Something that defined and represented us. Ryker, myself and my mate, his representation was that of our family bond. ‘ I still had no idea what they were talking about. Janette kept quiet, obviously trying to understand the story and all.

‘Mother we asked you why you behaved the way you did, not for a story about the past. ‘ Ryker was losing his patience and with Addanc’s threat in mind, he would soon leave to do his work as the alpha.

‘You do not understand Ryker. Your mother just found that which Tamara’s father made for your little sister. ‘ The former alpha stood, eyes closed and head nodding twice.

‘I never thought I would see this day. ‘ He whispered before breaking down. Now this had all our mouths agape, Lionel sobbing?

‘Janette, that tattoo on your back, when did you draw it? ‘ Maggie turned to Janette.

‘Uum my former guardian said it was a birthmark. ‘

‘Ryker, Tamara’s dad drew three wolves in between your sisters shoulder blades using magic. ‘ Janette collapsed.

‘The very same ones on Janette’s back. That is your sister Ryker. ‘