A Teenage Enchantress: With Light Comes Darkness

By S.B. Bartlett

Arabella’s constant fight for survival began from the moment her true identity was revealed. It doesn’t help matters that the people she trusts most are keeping secrets from her. Being in the clutch of her foresworn enemies is the least of her worries. They sometimes say that the truth is better left untold, or at least Arabella wishes that were the case. One fateful night, a time walker visits Arabella with a prophetic warning – a war is coming, and Arabella is tasked with saving all the magical realms from complete destruction. With vigorous training of her magical abilities, and the aid of familiar faces from the past, Arabella is determined to save her world. Two questions haunt her though: Will she be able to save her people, and at what cost?

• Language: English
• Publisher: S.B. Bartlett
• Release date: Oct 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310503498

S.B. Bartlett

S.B.Bartlett graduated from Quakers Hill High School and attended Wyndham College in Sydney, Australia.She currently resides in Tasmania, Australia with her two children and runs a small business and writes in her free time.

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A Teenage Enchantress

With Light Comes Darkness

Copyright 2016 S.B.Bartlett

Published by S.B.Bartlett at Smashwords

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

A TEENAGE ENCHANTRESS Copyright © 2016 by SB. Bartlett.

All rights reserved. Printed in Australia. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

For my sister, Katey, for letting me talk her ear off,

And for her unconditional love and support, thank you.

Sorry for the spoilers at times.

I love you.

Acknowledgments

To my children, Tayla and Nicholas, thank you for believing in me,

Encouraging me, every day. I love you two so much.

To my sisters, Melissa, Katey and Carley, thank you for everything,

Thank you for reading my stories, and for your advice.

I love you.

As always thank you to my parents, Michelle and Graham,

For their unconditional love and support.

Thank you to Maria Al Ameen, my wonderful Editor,

As always, you are simply amazing,

Thank you for helping me shape my writing,

Thank you for absolutely everything.

Contents

1. The Dark World

2. A Royal Ball

3. An Enchantress and A Werewolf

4. Amulet Academy of Magic

5. Defense Training

6. The Time Walker

7. The Black Curse

8. A World at War

9. The Realm Jumper and The Hourglass

10. The Mirror of Time

Flashback

The portal appears, and Grandfather heads through first this time. I move quickly but am yanked back roughly. My necklace is caught on the tree!

"Grandfather? Help me, I’m stuck!" I yell in panic.

But he had gone through already, and I didn’t know if he could hear me. I try to untangle my necklace from the tree, but I couldn’t. Time was running out. The portal is only open for thirty seconds! I’m panicking, oh my God, I’m going to be stuck here.

"Grandfather!" I yell again, hoping he could sense my dilemma.

I couldn’t risk breaking my four-element necklace. Oh my God.

"Grandfather!" I give one last desperate shout.

That’s when I feel someone cover my mouth, preventing me from calling out any longer. I freeze in shock and watch as the portal disappears, tears streaming down my face. I’m officially scared. Who is holding me in their clutch? I have a really bad feeling about my captor.

"So good to see you’ve returned, Arabella," spoke a deep, dark, evil voice.

I gasp in fear as I notice werewolves slowly closing in, surrounding me completely, and leaving no room for me to break through. Their sharp claws and fangs glisten in the sunlight.

Please. Someone, anyone, please help me, I think desperately, knowing my chances of survival were slim to none.

The Dark World

"You’re in the Dark World, a realm between Hell and Earth."

The portal completely disappears before my eyes. This cannot be happening! The hold over my mouth lets up, though his paws move to firmly grip my cheeks. I feel like spitting out the foul taste that seeped into my mouth; it’s not every day a filthy, damp paw covers your mouth.

The wolf’s claws painfully digs into my cheeks, no doubt leaving them violently red, but thankfully not hard enough to pierce my skin. I try to adjust my jaw to lessen the pain of his grip. He doesn’t completely let me go; he pins me to the tree, holding me firmly in place by my shirt with a single claw, on hind legs, his massive form allowing him to do so with ease.

I find myself unable to move, restricted by his clutch. One by one, the pack close in around me, snarling fiercely. I wildly look for a way to escape, various scenarios running through my mind, but I knew each one was futile. Even if I was able to miraculously get away, it wouldn’t take them long to catch me, and who knows what they would do to me then?

I feel myself sink hopelessly in despair. Here I am, surrounded by witch hunters - our foresworn enemies, a pack of them at that! These wolves are huge, much larger in size than a mountain lion. How is this even possible? Last time, Grandfather had a vision, a warning so to speak, giving us time to escape, but this time…it happened without any forewarning, leaving us blinded to their actions.

Due to some historical bad blood between magic and wolf, it’s quite obvious we have become enemies, and their ultimate goal is to hunt us down. I suppose it doesn’t help matters with Grandfather killing their Alpha! I gulp in fear, eyes darting to each creature for signs of malice. I’m alone, with no one close by to save me. I wasn’t reassured at all by their malevolent expressions; each one was snarling viciously at me, knowing exactly who, or rather what, I am.

I tug at my necklace forcefully, surprising myself when it finally untangles from the tree. I had almost forgotten about it. I desperately struggle to break free from his clutch, legs flailing wildly, to no avail.

With the portal’s disappearance, I had no way of communicating with anyone from Aquarian Falls. I could feel my heart skipping beats in fear, my breathing increasing with every passing second in the literal claws of my enemies.

I couldn’t…I wouldn’t even attempt to use my magic because panic held me back, and so did not knowing what magic I would conjure and what possible effects it would have; I couldn’t remember any of the spells I was taught, not that I was taught any spells to fend off werewolves yet. I recalled Grandfather’s words, If you ever perform a spell and forget certain words, you are forbidden to make up words because you will never know what spell you are creating, and what dangers it could entail… I couldn’t risk another disaster; my misuse of magic was what destroyed the portal between Aquarian Falls and Earth in the first place.

Arabella Stone, the King’s own granddaughter! Where is Avery? demands the wolf holding me against the tree harshly before he lets me go and steps back. He can speak while in wolf form? I almost tumble down onto the ground but keep upright by steadying myself by holding on to the tree bark. The werewolf shifts into human form, clothes instantly forming on his body with his transformation. Thank God, I think with relief. I don’t need any more trauma.

He’s tall and massively built. Black leather pants tightly donned his long legs, his feet and chest bare, large scars running from his right shoulder downwards across his chest. Perhaps he’s gotten into a fight with one of his own? He had dark brown shoulder-length hair; it looks as though he’s slicked some gel through his hair and scrunched it, giving it a damp wavy look. His grey eyes, cold and emotionless, stared directly into mine, though in a strange way, he was seemingly attractive.

I try to speak, but no words come out. I was too scared, just staring blankly at him, like an idiot, literally speechless and not because of his attractiveness, but because I’m scared. How pathetic!

I’ll ask you again. Where’s your grandfather Avery? his voice booms angrily.

He’s gone, is all I manage to whisper in fear.

Back to your realm?

Obviously! I can’t see him anywhere, can you?

Clearly they didn’t see Grandfather make his way through the portal.

I nod in affirmation.

He’s left you here all alone, in the mortal world, without protection. What kind of grandfather does that? he snickers, the rest of his pack following suit.

A stupid one, speaks another werewolf, as he too transforms. He speaks in a hillbilly manner. He stood there, just laughing under his breath, dancing from foot to foot with excitement.

I narrow my eyes at his blatant stab at Grandfather. He didn’t mean to leave me alone! I snap in defence. How dare he belittle my grandfather!

I quickly regret my temper as he steps into my comfort zone, his face so close to mine that I could feel his hot breath upon my face. I scrunch my eyes shut and slightly turn my head away, my hair falling like a shield between us. He lifts my hair from my face.

Careful now, little girl, he says softly.

I slowly open my eyes to look into his. His voice contradicted his stormy expression. Little girl? I’m sixteen! But that didn’t stop me from being petrified at my current state, did it? Tears were building in my eyes. I just want to go home.

Get comfy boys, he’ll be back, he snarls, moving away from me to bark orders. I quickly brush my hair back, allowing it to fall behind my back, and try to brush his touch off of me. I wonder if he’s the new pack leader, as he seemed to yield authority. Why hasn’t grandfather returned yet?

As for you, sit down! he harshly demands as he spins around and points to the ground, against this tree, and don’t bother getting any ideas with your magic powers. I mean it…we’re not afraid to hurt you if we have to, he threatens.

Her power is strong, I can smell it, speaks another wolf as he adapts human form, his voice sort of squeaky, like a mouse - not a voice you’d expect from a big tough werewolf. I almost laugh, but their expressions of fury quickly halt it. Now’s not the time Arabella!

Yes, I can smell it too, the authoritative figure affirms, inching his face closer to mine, sniffing. I inch my head back as far as I can against the tree.

They can smell my power? Creepy!

Just kill her Norrix, that will send Avery a clear message not to mess with us again and dare kill our Alpha!

Oh my God, no, please don’t! I do not want to die! I start to panic, my heart begins to race, and I think of the worst, but there’s also anger within me brewing. I can’t die, I won’t, I will fight back, I think fiercely.

A lighter coloured wolf, with a single streak of red through her fur on her head, gives a yelp of approval, stepping forward and suddenly transforming into a woman. Leather clothing appeared in tune with her transformation, long skin tight leather pants and a strapless leather top, but it were the shouldered armour that sat outwards like large spikes on either side of her and a black choker around her neck that gave her a don’t mess with me look.

Just seeing her face, and the anger within shine through, is enough to scare anyone off. Her physical attributes are startling; bright red hair that she flicked across, revealing that her hair is shaved completely on the side, blood-red eyes with a green shadow around them, her lashes red and thick, surprisingly red eyebrows, pale and colourless lips, and golden skin covered in tribal tattoos. She glares at me hatefully with her devilish glowing eyes, an expression of pure evil and animosity.

I’ll gladly kill her, she croons softly as she creeps towards me, a maniacal look in her eyes.

Please don’t let her kill me.

Norrix steps aside as she ferociously grabs my throat, forcefully shoving me up against the tree with my feet lifted off the ground, squeezing the life out of me with a gleeful expression. Her grin widens as I struggle to breathe, my hands clasped onto hers in a futile attempt to unlatch her grip, my legs kicking out wildly as I feel darkness settling at the corners of my vision.

Tears fall down my face as I come to realize that this may very well be the last moments of my young life. I can’t believe that this is it. I’m actually going to die. I’m only sixteen, there’s so much I was still yet to achieve, hopes and aspirations to fulfil. This cruel werewolf held my life in her hands, and she wants nothing more than for me to die, most likely painfully and slowly. I struggle to breathe as I stare into her eyes, seeing the pure evil within her. I’ll never to get to see my mom again, look up into her eyes and see them brimming with love and affection, hear her sweet voice feel her warm loving hugs and smell her fruity perfume, or hear my brother complain at bed time, or grow old with my best friend. My stream of tears fall faster and more heavy as I feel the life slowly slipping away from me as my lungs fail to function, straining to get in some oxygen.

Your heart is beating so fast! she snickers, enjoying my predicament. You, sadist, I think angrily, still trying to fight her off while feeling my strength ebbing away.

Let her go Ansel! Norrix mercifully snaps, clearly needing me alive and seeming to have had enough of my struggles.

Her eyes narrow in response and with an inhuman growl, she releases her grip, the glow in her eyes fading away. She turns around and walks to the other wolves, laughing with them, proud of what she just did. I fall to the ground, coughing uncontrollably as I gulp in a lungful of air to regain my breath, my vision blurring, but after a few blinks I’m able to focus clearly.

She almost killed me. This is way more serious than I first thought. I slowly stand up with trepidation as Norrix strides over and stands too close to comfort. I try to control my breathing as I gently sob. I can’t look at him. My eyes remain on the ground. All I want to do is break down in tears. I wish I could escape, I want this to end, but I refuse to allow it to end with my life.

What’s this? he asks curiously, lifting my glowing necklace into his big palm.

Obviously a necklace!

Well? he demands impatiently.

It’s just my necklace, I whisper, looking down nervously.

I know it’s a necklace, why is it glowing?

My mind has drawn a blank. What do I say? I don’t want him to know the truth. I fear he will take it, and I need my necklace.

Who cares Norrix? She’s a little girl. Little girls are bound to have stupid jewellery, interrupts Ansel.

But she is no ordinary girl!

And I’m not a little girl!

He looks at me with suspicion, and softly growls under his breath, allowing the necklace to drop from his palm.

She needs the drink, give me the wolfsbane, he snaps, narrowing his piercing eyes at me.

Ansel starts laughing, clapping her hands, and more than happy at the mention of this mysterious drink!

Drink, what drink? I wonder in a panic, observing their movements, trying to catch a glimpse of this drink.

Another werewolf already in human form steps forward with the wolfsbane, handing it straight to Norrix.

Drink this! he demands, placing a seemingly old rusty flask in front of me. So I’m not going by strangulation, just poison!

No! Though I know it’s not wise to refuse his command, I had to try fighting back. I squeeze my lips shut, and try taking a step back in clear refusal of the drink. What will it do to me?

Do not make me angry, drink this now! he roars frighteningly.

He grabs my face, pinching my already sore cheeks together and forces the drink to my mouth, giving me no choice but to swallow as the disgusting liquid is poured mercilessly down my throat. It tasted utterly horrible, almost like a mix of stale milk and onions! I sputter at the aftertaste, almost gagging, needing a few moments to catch my breath.

"This drink little girl is called wolfsbane, a powerful drink that will make you weak, drowsy and unable to use your stupid abilities. You’ll want to sit down, or just fall, no one really cares," he smirks.

Ansel continues with her laughter in the background along with the others. I wish I were brave enough to punch her right in the mouth, but that’s not me; I’m not usually a violent person, unless forced to be.

I look at each of them as tears stream down my face. I’m pathetic, I have powers and I can’t even use them. I’m useless, I weep, trying to get a handle on my emotions.

I slowly make my way down to sit, feeling a sudden rush of dizziness followed by a bout of drowsiness. I try to focus on the werewolves as they stand staring at me, but all I could see was double of everything. What was in that drink? I knew it! I’m going to die.

For one moment, one split of a second, it crossed my mind, that maybe, just maybe, Riley will come save me! Wishful thinking. And with that thought, everything turns black and I fall into a dark abyss.

Wake up! I hear a voice hiss as I’m shaken from my slumber.

Arabella, you need to wake up! The female voice continues to urge in an incessant manner.

I slowly open my eyes and try to focus them, feeling disoriented. Night has fallen. My vision is unfocused as I see a double image of a fire burning nearby.

What’s going on? I mutter as I place a hand to my forehead, feeling a raging headache.

Quickly, before they wake up, she murmurs, pulling me from the cold, wet ground.

I stand to my feet, my eyes finally starting to focus. I brush the dirt and fallen leaves off my cold arms. I look around and see six werewolves sleeping around me, none of them in human form. I gasp in silence and start to panic as a sudden flash of memories hit me, a flashback of events unfolding, reminding me of everything that has led to this situation that I was in. I take in a deep breath and square my shoulders, cautiously raking my eyes over the sleeping werewolves, more alert than ever.

C’mon, she whispers, pulling my arm. I wondered who this girl was. She was alone and as mysterious as the hooded black cloak she donned, although her voice sounds quite familiar. Did Grandfather send her? Come to think of it, why hasn’t he returned?

My necklace! I think in a panic, reaching for my neck and breathing a sigh of relief when my fingers come into contact with it. Thank God.

Who are you? I ask suspiciously, as she continues to pull me through the dark forest.

Am I still in Edgewood Forest? I ponder.

It’s not the time for an explanation, just do as I say, I need to get you to safety, she replies.

I suddenly hear them howling. I’m sure my absence has more than angered them. Oh god! My heart starts to pound, and fear sets in.

They’re awake, they know you’re gone, we have to hurry! she commands.

Where are we going? I ask as we both break into a run.

She doesn’t answer me. I was forced to run faster as she let go of my hand, running further ahead in front of me. Don’t leave me behind! She continues to look back at me, though her face remained hidden by the darkness. It’s almost as though she doesn’t even have a face, just darkness sits beneath the hooded cloak. Is she even human? Does she have a face? Who knows! I can hear wolves running after us, their paws pounding on the ground as they run, their incensed howls getting louder the closer they got to us.

Suddenly we find ourselves in the middle of a dark deserted road, panting with exertion. I realise it’s River Lane, the only way in or out of Edgewood Forest. But what now? How are we to escape? River Lane goes for miles, and I can’t run that far.

I can still hear them, I whisper, scared out of my mind, trying to catch my breath.

The fear of the unknown is crippling. I hope this girl knows what she’s doing; I’d hate for either of us to get hurt.

Headlights suddenly light the dark road, heading towards us extremely fast. I lift my hand to shade my eyes from the bright lights.

I run back to the side of the road, while this strange girl remains standing dead centre in the middle of the road. She’s insane!

Arabella, get back here! she screams.

No way!

The werewolves are seconds away from snatching you, hurry!

Can she not see the oncoming car?

That car will hit you, you’re insane!

There’s also a thing called magic, now get back here! she demands, throwing her hands in the air in an exasperated manner. I go to take a step, trusting this stranger with my life, but I hear the paw steps of a werewolf behind me as he slowly crunches fallen leaves with his giant paws. My eyes widen and I stand frozen in fear, slowly turning my head back to glimpse