Werewolf

Ch- 20

“Klara…!” he cried. The Wiccan stood as still as a statue and almost as pale. With her messed hair in front of her face, he couldn’t make eye contact with her in hopes of breaking through the spell. He struggled to free his leg from the trap, only to get a surge of Dark Magic that burned him.

“I must thank you Randolf, you made this almost too easy.” Gertrude laughed, walking around her niece and clasping her shoulders. “I knew she couldn’t live without her dearly departed mother’s necklace, and you couldn’t bear to see her unhappy. I just had to wait until your little cicerone friend came to find it.” She touched the amulet and sighed. “My best work really, I do love hexing people.”

“Klara, wake up!” Randolf yelled, “Fight the magic, I know you can!” Klara still didn’t respond. “Klara!”

“Sorry dear, but she’s completely under my control. She will do anything I say. In fact...” Pausing she told Klara, “...change him.” Klara slowly looked up and Randolf saw her usual beautiful turquoise eyes were purple and glazed. She raised her hand, dark magic glowing at her palm. Randolf’s body stiffened then seized, every muscle contracting so hard that he could barely even yell out. Slowly he morphed back into his human form, nearly passing out from the pain.

“Klara...” he shouted, his claws digging into the ground. “S-stop...!” She didn’t heed his words and the painful transformation continued until he was human again. It left him with little energy, he couldn’t fight or even stand. That didn’t stop Gertrude from giving Klara another order.

“Well done, my dear.” Gertrude whispered to her niece as Randolf panted, dripping in sweat. “Now, restrain him.” Again Klara raised her hand and the bear trap sprung open while vines from a nearby tree grabbed hold of the wolf, tying him up from the neck down then pinning him to the tree.

“Klara….please…I know you are in there.” He begged softly. “Listen to my voice, mein Täubchen.”

“Don’t you listen, Randolf?” Randolf turned his head as Gerrick emerged with a limp Carina over his shoulder. Rage flared in his heart at the sight of his enemy as well as the poor state the princess was in. God only knew what the monster had done with her in the time since she’d disappeared. Gerrick grinned at Randolf, relishing in his helpless rage. “Your poor Wiccan is completely ours.” Turning to Gertrude he asked, “Is she ready?”

“Yes, mein Kuschelwolf. Put her there..” She pointed to an open spot next to Klara. Gerrick dropped Carina’s body harshly then stepped back, leaning against a tree to watch.

Carina moaned and whimpered, straining to lift her head. She was covered in bruises and other evidence of physical abuse littered her small, fragile body. There were tears in her wings from Gerrick viciously slashing them with his claws, preventing her from being able to fly. Gertrude knelt before her and grabbed her chin.

“You’ve been a thorn in my side for decades, princess.” She spat the word. “With your brother disposed of and you soon as well, Klara will be powerful enough to overtake the Forest for us.”

“She won’t hurt me.” Carina muttered boldly, even as tears of pain ran down her pale cheeks. “Klara is a good person.” Gertrude threw back her head and laughed.

“Look at her,” she commanded the princess. “She is my mindless slave. The weak Wiccan you love is gone.” Klara stared blankly at her friend, making the fairy shiver heavily. There truly was no sign of Klara in her void gaze. Gertrude stood up then said to Klara, “Kill the princess.”

“Klara….no…” Carina begged, too weak to even stand as her friend stepped closer, a dark magic, falchion sword materializing in her hands. She gripped the handle with both hands, looking like an executioner as she stepped forward. Randolf grunted, desperate to break free. But Klara’s magic was just too strong.

The blade swung up….

“Klara, ich liebe dich!” Randolf yelled. She froze, the sword held above her head. A moment passed... then another... still she didn’t move. Carina gingerly touched Klara’s foot, whispering,

“Fight her, mein freund.” The Wiccan blinked her eyes, a confused look morphing on her impassive face.

“What are you waiting for?!” Gertrude yelled. “I command you to kill her!” Klara tightened her grip and swung...