2. Chapter 2 - A Witchs Training

Chapter 2 - A Witch's Training

Evelyn

"I won't kill you yet, Sheriff," Ryan sneered, his tone laced with twisted amusement. "No, you'll stay right here while I take control of Harmony Grove. You'll watch as I dismantle everything you hold dear, and when the time comes, you'll beg me for the mercy of death."

His words sent a chill down my spine, but I refused to show any sign of fear. Instead, I met his gaze head-on, my jaw clenched in defiance as I struggled to maintain my composure in the face of his malevolent intentions.

"You're delusional, Ryan," I retorted, my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins. "You'll never succeed in your twisted ambitions. We'll stop you, no matter what it takes."

Ryan's laughter echoed through the warehouse, the sound grating on my nerves as he took a step closer, his eyes blazing with manic fervor.

"Oh, I'm quite sure of my success, Sheriff," he replied, his voice dripping with smug confidence. "And when I'm finished, Harmony Grove will bow before me, and you'll be nothing but a distant memory."

I woke up trembling; with no idea why.

Adapting to my new life in Harmony Grove as their new Sheriff, was a journey of discovery that unfolded in the delicate balance between the supernatural and the ordinary. As the mayor's girlfriend and now his soon-to-be wife, I was over the moon. There was also the fact that I was a member of the witch society. Whenever I remembered that my life had turned from a regular human to a witch, I felt a strange wave of mysticism wash over me.

It was like I was living a dream. I couldn't believe that I was involved with the most gorgeous man I'd ever seen. And not only that, I was also going to marry him. And he was a damn vampire. I mean seriously, a vampire.

Most of my mornings were spent at the witch coven, where an elderly witch patiently guided me and helped me understand how my newfound abilities worked. Today was one of those days. After Alexei and I had breakfast, we said our goodbyes. While he went to the vampire council to inform the elders about our plan, I went to see the witch.

"Sorry I'm late, Karla," I said as soon as I entered the spell room. It was a small room in the coven where the witches practiced their spells.

The air in the room carried a subtle mix of herbs and ancient magic. Karla didn't immediately respond.

Without waiting for her reply, I decided to explore the room. The coven was hidden from the mundane world, and every time I was inside, it felt like I was in a haven of mystical secrets. The walls seemed to whisper with the knowledge of countless spells and enchantments.

As I wandered, my eyes fell on a small pot in the corner. It drew my attention, not because of its size or shape, but because of what it held within – a potion gently brewing without any fire underneath. The liquid inside simmered with an ethereal glow, casting a soft light that danced within the confines of the room.

Every encounter with mysterious elements like this stirred a sense of wonder, a reminder of the extraordinary world I had become part of.

As I observed the potion, a sense of reverence settled over me. There seemed to be some kind of strange energy oozing from the potion. I took a moment to close my eyes, absorbing the energy that enveloped me. The air itself seemed to vibrate with the echoes of spells cast, a symphony of whispers from the past guiding me on my journey of discovery.

As I opened my eyes, I stared at the potion. The allure of its magical dance enticed me, and my fingers instinctively reached out, poised to touch the liquid. However, before I could make contact, a voice broke the tranquility.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."

Startled, I turned around immediately to see who the voice belonged to.

It was Karla, her presence emerging from the thought she had been in. "Oh my goodness, you scared me."

"I'm sorry, Evelyn. I just didn't want you touching that. It's a potion that causes brownscale."

A puzzled frown crept across my face. "What's brownscale?"

Karla shrugged, her expression holding a hint of caution. "It's just small scales that appear on the skin. Harmless, but quite itchy. Trust me, you wouldn't want to experience it."

I recoiled at the thought, grateful for Karla's timely intervention. "Thanks for the warning. I guess I got a little too curious there."

She chuckled, a warm reassurance in her eyes. "Curiosity is a trait we all share, especially in the world of magic. Just need to be cautious about where it leads you."

As I moved from the potentially troublesome potion, Karla gestured towards a nearby table with a collection of spell books. "Let me show you something else. A spell that might come in handy… Well, someday, I guess."

"Okay." My curiosity was piqued once again. I followed closely after her until we got to the table.

Karla opened a weathered spell book, its pages filled with ancient symbols and chants. "This spell is for protection. It is a simple but effective way to create a shield around yourself. Always good to have, especially when dealing with unknown elements."

She explained the chant and the corresponding gestures, guiding me patiently through the steps. The room resonated with the spell's energy as if acknowledging the transfer of wisdom from elder to apprentice.

As I practiced the spell, I felt a newfound sense of empowerment grow inside me. I could sense the subtle shift in the air with each practiced chant.

After practicing for an hour, I was exhausted. The one thing no one told me when I decided to take being a witch seriously was how exhausting it was. After an hour-long session, I always felt like I had just run ten miles.

"Can we stop, please? I think I've reached my limit," I told Karla, panting slightly from the exertion.

The older woman nodded, her eyes filled with a knowing glint. "That's okay. We'll pick up where we left off tomorrow."

Relief washed over me as I sank onto a nearby chair, feeling the fatigue settle in my muscles. Karla joined me, her presence a comforting reassurance in the aftermath of our magical endeavors.

"I never imagined learning magic could be so physically draining," I admitted, rubbing my temples.

Karla chuckled, her laughter echoing the wisdom of years spent honing magical skills. "Magic is a force that taps into the energy within and around you. It's not just a mental exercise; it engages your entire being. It's normal to feel tired, especially when starting out."

I nodded, still too tired to respond otherwise.

Karla let out a small laugh. "I completely understand how you feel right now. Don't worry; the more you practice, the stronger you'll be. Your stamina will improve, and you'll find a balance. Magic becomes a part of you, and the exhaustion transforms into a sense of fulfillment," She explained, her gaze fixed on a distant point as if reflecting on her own magical journey.

The words resonated with me, offering a glimpse into the transformative nature of my chosen path.

"Thank you for guiding me through this, Karla. It's a lot to take in, but I'm eager to learn," I expressed, gratitude coloring my words.

Karla smiled warmly. "You're doing well, Evelyn. Everyone here is proud of you."

After resting for a few more minutes, I decided it was time to leave. With a contented sigh, I rose from the chair, the fatigue slowly giving way to a sense of accomplishment. After my regular sessions at the coven, I would return to my office at the Sheriff's Department, where the rhythm of everyday life awaited.

Since there hadn't been any trouble in Harmony Grove recently, I didn't have much to do.

I walked into the Sheriff's Department and greeted Marie, the new receptionist.

"Hey, Marie. How's it going?"

"Good afternoon, Sheriff. You look radiant today."

I gave her a bright smile. "Thank you."

I took a glance at my finger, and Marie followed my gaze.

A small gasp escaped her lips when she noticed the ring. "Oh my God! Is that what I think it is?"

I chuckled, feeling a surge of happiness. "Yes, Marie. Alexei proposed, and we're getting married."

Her eyes widened with excitement. "That's amazing, Sheriff Evelyn! Congratulations!"

"Thank you, Marie. It's still sinking in for me, too," I admitted, my hand subconsciously reaching to touch the ring that now adorned my finger.

Marie leaned in, her voice hushed with anticipation. "Have you set a date yet?"

I shook my head. "Not yet. We're still figuring things out."

"Wow. Are you going to make an official announcement?" she asked.

I couldn't tell Marie I was a witch, and my fiancé was a vampire. Or that we had to officially announce our engagement at a peace treaty that would be held at the new museum. So, I settled for a vague answer.

"Nah. We just want to keep things low-key."

Her curiosity piqued, Marie leaned back, her eyes gleaming. "I completely understand. Besides, Alexei doesn't seem like the type of man to publicly announce that sort of thing."

I chuckled, appreciating her perceptiveness. "Yes, you're right. Alexei is exactly like that."

Marie was very chatty, and I knew that if I didn't find a way to interrupt her, the question would keep coming. "But enough about me. How's everything on your end?"

Marie's enthusiasm spilled into her response. "Oh, it's been great here! Everyone's been welcoming, and I'm still getting used to how things work."

I nodded, happy to see her settling in. "You'll get the hang of it. If you have any questions, just let me know."

"Will do, Sheriff. And again, congratulations on the engagement!" Marie said, smiling.

"Thank you, Marie. Now, let's see what recruits we have today."

Marie handed me the file containing the information about the recruits as I made my way to the briefing room.

I entered the briefing room and saw we only had two recruits.

Greeting recruits was somewhat routine, and among them was Ryan, a human seeking redemption after a challenging past he said. His determination to forge a more decent path resonated with me, a testament to the transformative power of second chances. But something was haunting my mind regarding his name, Ryan. What is it? I cannot seem to recall.

As I mingled with the recruits, Alexei's sister, Ana, approached with a furrowed brow. "Evelyn, we need to talk. It's about Alexei and the werewolf pack."

Concern flickered in my eyes. "What happened? Is everything okay?"

Ana sighed, her frustration evident. "He's meeting with the werewolf pack and asked me to go with him. I thought you should know."

My heart sank at the revelation. Knowing Alexei, he immediately decided to act on the idea as soon as it occurred to him. I didn't mind him being determined to secure peace among the supernaturals. I would just prefer it if he told me first.

"Why wouldn't he tell me about such an important meeting? I should be there with him."

Ana nodded in understanding. "I agree. That's why I'm going to find him. Want to come?"

Without hesitation, I nodded. "Absolutely. I need to talk to him. Give me a second. I need to sign a few documents. I'll be ready in five."