— You won't have a choice.— My sister took off the blouse she was wearing, leaving only her top and tied her hair, while keeping her eyes fixed on mine.
— Megan, stop.
— If you don't react, you'll get hit!— She stated and I crossed my arms when she stopped in front of me.
— I don't want to,— I growled. — I can't just go back to my room and...
I was interrupted when Megan landed a punch that sent my body slumping to the ground like a sack of potatoes. Pain shot through my jaw and I groaned in pain, rolling in the grass.
— Megan!— I murmured her name, but she didn't stop. My dear sister landed a kick to my stomach, followed by another and another, over and over again.
— React, Zoe, react!— she screamed and yanked me by the shirt, throwing me away without the slightest difficulty. I roared in pain as I landed on top of my arm. I spit out the blood that was pooling in my mouth as my blood boiled with irritation.
— Megan, what are you doing with your sister?— I heard my mom scream in the background, I couldn't get up to see her because Megan ducked in front of me and punched my face once more.
— Stop being weak!— she screamed into my face, I flung my eyelids open.
— P—stop,— my voice came out weak.
— You're a disgrace to our family, Zoe.— I closed my eyes in pain, feeling his words weigh heavy on my mind.
— Megan!— It was my dad's turn to yell, berating her.
— You don't deserve the blood that runs through your veins, you are weak!
— I know,— I whispered with tears streaming from my eyes.
— You're crossing the line!— my mom snarled menacingly, but Megan was still glaring at me.
— You can't even defend yourself — My body shuddered when her hands started to glow, she was using her magic and was going to attack me. — You are a failure!
She raised her hands which held a sphere of magic, which moved like fire, it was intense and violent, like a wild animal wanting freedom. She would destroy me, I saw it in her eyes. Something inside me awakened, something strange, something powerful, but... dark! An unknown force reached my body, flooded every part of me, took over my mind and when I realized it, I had already lifted myself off the ground and hit Megan without me being able to control myself.
— Megan!— My voice mingled with my parents' as we screamed for my sister who had flown away.
Wide— eyed, I looked at my hands and a dark mist surrounded them, the necklace around my neck glowed. My heart raced inside my chest.
It was...black magic. I had hit my sister with black magic!
I ran towards my sister who was unconscious on the floor. On her lap, she had a huge dark spot.
— Megan.
I knelt beside her, touching her face. A chill ran through my body at the sight of how cold and pale her skin was.
— No, no.— My mom reached desperately beside us and touched Megan, flinching instantly. Her green eyes, filled with tears, stared at me, scared. — Zoe, what did you do?
— And—I…I don't know,— I stammered shakily.
— Megan, honey?— Mom tried to wake her up. Suddenly, the necklace around Megan's neck began to glow brightly, the dark spot on her neck slowly disappearing. Gradually and with difficulty, her eyes opened. — Megan?
— Shit, Zoe, my back hurts.
I leaned over Megan, hugging her tight, not caring that tears of pure relief escaped my eyes and soaked her clothes.
— You idiot, are you crazy?— I snapped, pulling away and wiping my eyes.
— I did what no one else had the courage to do.— I frowned at the smile that appeared on his lips. — discover your potential
— What are you talking about?
— Your power, your magic knows no bounds, Zoe.
— That was a dangerous move,— Dad warned and helped Megan to her feet. — You two nearly killed each other again!
— You're still going to kill me — Mom said letting out a long sigh and let out a groan of pain, placing her hands on her belly. — There!
— Mother?
— My love, how are you? — my father ran to help her, resting one of his hands on her back and the other on her belly.
— I'm fine, don't worry,— she murmured and took a deep breath. — Aaron is agitated today.
— Are you sure you're okay?— Dad asked, visibly worried about her.
— I'm fine, my love and our puppy too — he held his face and kissed him quickly.
A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips, but it quickly disappeared as a chill ran down my spine, that cold feeling enveloped me and my chest rose in recognition of the feeling. I looked all over the arena for him and when I looked into the forest, I found him, staring straight at me through the trees.
— Zoe?
I blinked a few times, looking back at my twin who had a crease formed between her eyebrows.
— What?
— You look like you've seen a ghost,— she commented, and I shook my head.
— It was nothing, I just need to run a little.
In fact, I needed to be alone to find out what the hell the wizard wanted with me again. But mostly, I wanted to fly at his neck for daring to show up after killing Jony in front of me.
— Do you want me to accompany you?
I shook my head, licking my lips.
— I need some time alone and you should rest.
Megan sighed, narrowed her eyes slightly, but finally nodded.
— Be careful.
I smiled at his words.
— Since when are you the uptight sister and I'm the rebel?
Megan smiled.
— Life is a box of surprises.— He turned away and I shook my head. — Don't go too far honey, I'd hate to have to put your leash on. Taking the courage I needed, I turned in the direction the wizard was, looking for him through the trees, but I couldn't find him. Squeezing my eyes tightly.
— Looking for me?— I jumped in fright when I heard his voice and turned around, seeing him in front of me.
My heart raced in my chest when I finally saw him clearly. And his eyes were the most beautiful I had ever seen in my entire existence, a shade of greenish blue that gleamed in the sunlight.
— What are you doing here?— I pulled myself together and growled in his direction.
— Are you scared, sweet Zoe?
I clenched my hands in fury, feeling my claws pierce my skin.
— How dare you?— I asked through clenched teeth, trying to contain my anger. — How dare you appear in front of me after what you've done?
He buttoned up his dark jacket as he kept his eyes locked on mine. I wanted to dodge, wanted to rake my claws across his throat or sink my fist into his chest and rip his heart out, it was my will, but I wasn't stupid, I couldn't make mistakes like days ago. I underestimated him, and he won. it wouldn't happen again.
— He touched you, my sweet Zoe, he had wicked plans for you and I couldn't allow it.
— You're a wretch.
A strong gust of wind hit us hard. He made a noise with his mouth in denial. He ran a hand through his pale hair, the soft strands golden.
— What do you want from me?— I tried to contain my anger, I couldn't lose control.
— Marry me.
— No!
— That wasn't a request, sweet Zoe,— he said coldly and my skin crawled at his tone. I lifted my chin, challenging him.
— I don't take orders from you. — I assured and saw anger shine in his eyes, he didn't like to be challenged, I hid a smile of satisfaction.
— Oh my sweet Zoe, so naive.
I found myself locked in place when he lifted his hand and his cold fingers touched my face, I tried to escape his touch, but my body didn't respond, it paralyzed when his fingers glided over my skin slowly.
— Take your hands off me and set me free!
— I'm not holding you back, my dear.— He leaned toward me. — Your body reacts to me, don't you see?
I clenched my jaw, irritated, furious with myself for being so stupid, so weak.
— I said...get your filthy hands off me!— I screamed again into his face, feeling my magic hit him and he flinched, nearly falling backwards. — Don't ever come near me again, understand?— Leave me alone!
— That's not going to happen, Zoe,— he assured her. — You'll be mine sooner or later.
— That will never happen,— I snapped.
— You're meant to be mine, it's fate, sweet Zoe!
— I am the owner of my destiny and it will never be with you!
My breathing sped up, my chest rose and fell rapidly, indicating how altered I was by his presence. His eyes stared into mine with an intensity that sent a shiver through my body. It was strange, confusing and intense at the same time. His eyes carried something, a mystery, a darkness that intrigued me. Who was that man?