Spell for the day :

Bless your mind, bless your heart, let these painful thoughts depart.

Spell to erase ones' memory.

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**Unknown POV, set a few days back from today ***

I walk a lonely road with only the darkness as a companion. I feel the chilly breeze brush past me. My long coat fluttering against the wind.

The wind was fanning my hair and stinging my face. It somehow makes me feel alive more than anything in the past few years ever did.

There is something about the air in here. My body was growing fragile and weak. Maybe it's time.

I do not spot a single soul. I see the streetlight above me flickering and laugh at the irony. Its life is exactly like mine. No clue how long it would last, or would it even?

The sight of a car approaching from the distance distracted me and I smile, a creepy one you might say. I could smell the persons' blood from a mile, the blood was infiltrated with fear.

My throat runs dry at the smell of blood, and I lose control over its overwhelming smell. It has been quite long since I had a taste of it. Maybe it is time - - time for a meal.

I sigh in content, finally!

I slowly walk up to the middle of the road, preparing for my act.

The car comes with a flashing speed and hits me, but that doesn't even hurt me. I've done this a thousand times already, but I fake my pain and fall down on the road, like a typical human would.

I see a man in his late forties with a balding head and a protruding stomach come rushing out of the car.

"Oh, my god. Are you alright?"

Yeah, like as if that wouldn't kill a person.

"Oh god. What did I do?" the poor guy says, holding his head in his hands.

I felt like I'm a spider spinning my act and he was the prey who fell right into it.

I slowly move my fingers to get his attention. 

I see him sigh. Poor soul! He thinks he has a chance to prove his innocence.

I open my mouth gasping for air and slowly turn over. His eyes following my every movement.

"I'll get the first aid kit," he says, turning around.

Now is my chance. 

I swiftly get up, follow my prey. I sneak up from behind and hold him hostage with my arms. I close his mouth with my palm lest he lets out a cry.

I slowly let my fangs sink in his neck. It feels like heaven, utter bliss.

Oh, warm blood. We finally meet.

I see him collapse after a few minutes. I could see his eyes open and even after his death his expression reflect what he feels - terrified.

Dang! This wasn't enough, I think I need more.

I pick up his wallet from his pocket and walk over to his car. I catch my reflection in the window and see blood dripping from my mouth and my shirt now soiled. 

Looks like I'll need fresh clothes.

I see that my green eyes turned a shade darker because of my hunger. My skin also looks like it caught a little tan. Maybe the sun wasn't a bad idea.

Of course, without the ring, it wasn't possible. 

I rub the ring placed on my middle finger and walk up to the door.

I drive in his car and make my way towards this town, which is named Oakdale.

This town brings back a lot of memories and has grabbed my attention not because I got to fulfill my growing desire for blood but because something in the air around here seems different.

I could feel my blood lust rising with every step I take towards this town. Maybe this human wasn't enough to fulfill my appetite, I need more. I stop the car by the edge of the forest and walk on the empty streets.

Maybe I'll find my next prey here. I find myself attracted to the dark forest and I walk in, hoping to make it my new home.

I am walking deeper into the woods, when I spot lights from about a mile away from me and make out the outline of an enormous place. This place has a different, yet powerful aura to it, which seems to be mixed with a completely different aura. They seemed to be clashing.

Maybe I'll get to have some fun in this town.

I walk towards the edge of the forest yet again, and this time I see I'm on the other side of it. Oh, maybe it wasn't as big as I thought it to be or maybe I was walking a little above my average speed or you may say vampire speed.

I see two silhouettes walking towards a huge house. This place literally screams money, yet there was something not quite right about it.

A variety of smells hit my nose. I could smell death and decay or maybe that was just mine along with a little vanilla.

Vanilla, haven't smelled that in a while. I walk away looking for food - - or prey.

Back to present.

*** LILIA'S POV ****

Ugghh, when will things get back to normal?

First the dead bodies, now Ingrid being a witch, and there is also a beast in my outhouse.

I wish my mom was here to help me through this.

Calling her could maybe work.

I swiftly search my pockets for my phone when I realize I must have left it in the car.

Ughhh, How could I forget that? Damn!

I face-palm and turn around to go to my car before telling them I'll be back. I rummage through the dashboard searching for my phone when I hear a husky voice.

"Forgot something?" he says, his voice ringing over in my ears.

Ah, sweet cheese. His voice is just so tempting.

Wait, no, he is the bad guy. I repeat over in my head, reminding myself.

I was shivering, and I wasn't sure if it was because of the wind or him.

"Hey," I say, my voice coming out weaker than I wanted.

"Hey, you okay?" he asks coming closer.

"Ahem, yeah," I say coughing a little.

"Here, let me put this on you," he says, grabbing the jacket in my hand.

I try to avoid eye contact and keep them lowered. I catch sight of his ring, which looked so exquisite on his hand. Made his hand look a lot more regal.

Wait - - it looks familiar.

"Um thank you," I say and hurry back home completely forgetting my phone.

"Wait!" he exclaims.

I try to hurry back on my way, but he is now standing beside me.

"I'll walk you till the door," he says, I holding my hand.

I feel sparks on my hand where he touches. It feels so good, but that I wish he'd never let go of me.

I wonder what else could he do to me if just one touch of his has me turning into a muddle.

I shake my head, trying to get rid of these thoughts and try walking away from him.

Damn, these short legs! Why did he have to be so tall? I was literally running, and he looked like he was talking a casual stroll in the park.

"Bye and thank you," I say, attempting to be firm yet polite.

I walk inside and turn around. I catch sight of him running in his hand in his hair and somehow; he looked a lot cuter with his messy hair.

Why the hell am I thinking about all this?

I slam the door shut and turn around to see Mrs. Potts standing in the hallway as if waiting for me.

"Lili. Come on, let's have dinner," she says, leading me to the dining hall.

I sure am famished. I reach the dining table and see Ingrid and Em with their plates full, but none eating a morsel. 

I see that the cook made Ingrid's favorite disk 'Baeckeoffe', but she didn't seem to enjoy it. I took a bite, and it was heavenly. The meat is perfectly cooked with the right touch of spices. I could feel the taste of spices hitting me with every bite I took. From the potatoes to the meat, everything is perfect, even the wine used was old enough.  

Maybe being a witch took a toll on her.  

After what seemed like an eternity, given the silence and the palpable tension at the table, I finish my food. I slip a quick 'Good night' to Mrs. Potts and walk upstairs, following Ingrid and Em.

We walk into Ingrid's room, desperately waiting for some answers. Maybe she can shine a light on a few things! 

I switch on the light and see that the room was a mess. 

Typical Ingrid!

"So, who do you think is the guy who stole the blood?" I ask, trying to figure out things. 

"The same one who killed the people, the one in the outhouse," Ingrid says, very confidently. 

"I spoke to him and he didn't sound like someone who'd kill people," I say, sounding hesitant about blaming him without having solid proof.  

"Maybe he is trying to cover up his tracks and is being nice to you because he probably needs your help," Em says. 

"Maybe!" I say, silently agreeing with them.

Ever since I was a kid, people have always been nice to me because of my parent's wealth, not because of who I was. They were always good to me when they needed my help or wanted to get close to my sister. My sister mingled easily with people and everyone wanted to be with her. I always felt like the outcast, not because of what I did, but because of what I felt. 

Maybe I am overthinking, but I'm glad I found a few people who weren't like them. But will I ever stop second-guessing myself?

"So, Ingrid. Prove that you are a witch," Em says, addressing the elephant in the room. This successfully distracts me and I sure am curious to see how does her magic work.

"You may want to check the window before you ask me to do anything," Ingrid says skeptically.

I walk up to the window and draw the curtains open and see the window frame, half-burnt and see the leaves of the tree missing and the branches also looking equally burnt.

"Woah, did you do that? You sure can do magic!! Coooll !!"Em says.

"How did you?" I say.

"What? I had no clue what was going on and you say cool? "

"Well, glad you found out. Maybe now we can use magic to find some answers and also maybe - - "

"Have some fun," Em says, completing my sentence.

" I wasn't exactly thinking that, but yeah, why not?"  I say, turning around to look at Em. Her eyes were gleaming and shone of excitement. 

"Guys, I have no clue how to use it!" she yells. 

"Well, maybe we can help," Em offers.

"How? " We both ask, not having a clue how would this work. 

"We are members of the secret circle, we stick together no matter what and figure things out," she says.

What? Since when did she talk like this?

"That's what was written in my grams' diary. They had a secret circle, remember?" Em says and I wonder how much of her grams' diary did she read. 

"Eh??" Iddy asks, sounding just as confused as I did. 

I was lost in my thoughts the minute I heard 'secret circle'. 

Secret Circle, diary, the ring. Wait... The Ring.

"Guys... I think there are more members to the circle," I say urgently, snapping back from my thoughts.

"Who could it be?" Em asks.

"Yeah, I think even I know," Iddy says with fear evident in her voice and her eyes literally bulging out. I think she was as petrified of it as me.

Authors' note :

So guys the person, in the beginning, will soon be revealed.

What do you think of this chapter? How did you like it?

Hit the star and drop a comment ❤️☀️

Also, who do you think would be the better antagonist?

Tyler hoechlin.

Or Taylor Launter.

Please do let me know who do you think is better.

Until the next update,

Lots of love
~Vaishnavi.