Abominations

                Scarlet Vanier was raised with the knowledge that witches had mates but if that mates wasn’t another witch, they were unworthy of being a witch’s mate. She and her sister, Lydia were raised the same. When their parents were killed by vampires, Scarlet took over the coven. Lydia couldn’t handle the grief. Scarlet wanted revenge and confronted the vampires. She was seething with hate until she felt those sparks. She would reject this vampire for a witch as pure as herself would never mate with such a creature. Thankfully, the vampire, Pyter, felt the same as she. He took her to his office to do the rejection. When they stepped in, she felt the power running throughout.

“What is that?”

“Dragons. Their blood has a certain quality that makes us stronger.”

“I can feel it.”

“Must be good for witches.”

“How do you capture a dragon?”

“Make sure they are alone and sneak up behind them.”

“What if we shared this?”

“Shared what?”

“The dragon’s magic?”

“How?”

“You and I are mates but won’t accept it, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be allies.”

“Agreed.”

“Let the witches help you in capturing the dragons.”

“In return?”

“Witches will consume part of the dragon, just as you have, and we will also help the vampires in any way we can.”

Pyter liked this idea and soon they were allies in it for power. Pyter saw her as a strong and capable woman but he would dare mix his bloodlines.

Lydia waited for Scarlet and when she arrived back, she questioned her.

“Are you crazy. Going to confront the vampires.”

“I made a deal. They capture dragons and use them for power. I made a deal that will ensure our safety.”

“What did you do?”

“I agreed that witches will capture dragons and we will share their power.”

“How?”

“You and some of the others have the power to create a spell to subdue them.”

“Scarlet!”

“I need you, sister. We wont ever again be bested.”

“I’ll have to go get supplies.”

“Thank you, Lydia.”

Scarlet was overjoyed that Lydia would help. When a week had gone by and Lydia still had not returned, she feared the worst. When she went to the last spot Lydia was, she found her note.

                ‘Sister, I can’t help you do this. Its wrong and you know it. I know Pyter is your mate and I know how we were raised. What your doing is bad and will be your downfall. Please don’t come after me.’

Scarlet was furious. Her sister betrayed her. She sent scouts out everywhere to find her. She thought she was dead when years had passed and there was still no word. When someone rushed in claiming that there was urgent news from wolf country, she could care less. That was, until she heard that a witch and a wolf had mated and procreated. Her sister had betrayed all her own beliefs. She sent spies and factions to over take her. When it found out that her mate had become alfa, they backed off. When her child had turned twelve, she had enough. She went herself. She didn’t like threatening her child, but she knew it was the only way to get her to come with her. Her mate swore to do everything he could to get her back. When he became the immortal alfa and best friends with King Raymond, she thought she would have a problem.

Scarlet laughed on the morning she found out that James would do nothing knowing of her plans with the dragons and the vampires. He wanted the dragons help in stopping her. Everyone knew that the dragons didn’t team up with anyone and since they had a clad iron deal with the dragon alfa, she knew James had failed. She told her sister just as much when she went to her cell.

“Dear sister, I have news of your mate.”

“What about James?”

“He has become the immortal alfa and if rumors are to be true, he is now best friends with King Raymond himself.”

“So, he kept his word?”

“He failed you.”

“How so?”

“He won’t do anything without the dragons help.”

“After the things you’ve done, they might.”

“But they won’t. The dragon alfa, Fredrick is the one supplying us with dragons so long as we leave his son out of it.”

“No.”

“The dragons won’t help him without the permission of their alfa, and he won’t help him.”

“You came down here just rub it in my face?”

“Yes.”

“Any news of my daughter?”

“Yes. Poor little Nicole was beaten and nearly raped when James went to the challenge. Deavon died trying to save her. If I heard right, Nicole no longer feels her wolf. As I understand it, James is bringing her the Gathering of Leaders and taking her before the queen.”

Scarlet laughed as Lydia cried. He sweet daughter had not been safe since she left, and this broke her. She had to find a way out and she knew she would have to kill her own sister to do it. For Nicole, though it was worth it.

Lydia was working one morning on the sleep formula for dragons when she heard her sister raging. Scarlet stormed into the room, furious with everything. Lydia decided to rub salt on an open wound.

“Penny for your thoughts, sister?”

“It’s your daughter.”

“What happened to Nicole?”

“Apparently at the gathering, she found her mate.”

“Okay, so what has you in a fit?”

“Her mate is a dragon.”

“Fredrick?”

“No, his son. Austin challenged Fredrick to a fight for right to be alfa and won. Now your daughter is mated to him.”

“Abominations to you, sister.”

“That’s not my only problem. If she decides it, Austin will use the dragons to help James.”

“Oh, that’s what has you worried. James promised to rip you limb from limb.”

“This is not funny.”

“To me, it is. My family is coming for me.”

“Not if I get to them first.”

“You touch her and Ill kill myself before helping you any further.”

Scarlet turned red with anger and stormed out, knowing her sister’s words to be true. Scarlet sent spies to observe Nicole and see if her mate was kind to her or if he was just like his father. To her dismay, Austin was just like his mother when it came to Nicole. Her spies watched her run one afternoon and then after that, no one had seen her away from Austin for weeks.

Scarlet grew worried that Nicole somehow knew, but thought it crazy. When she got word that Nicole was seen out running again, she had to go for herself. She expected to find the little wolf alone, but instead she was surrounded by the clan with Austin not far from her. She knew that Nicole knew something and would punish her spies for their recklessness.

Once back at the coven, Scarlet found her spies and questioned them. That had spoken their thoughts out loud by the river where Nicole often went. She punished them harshly.

Lydia heard the screams of pain from her cell one night and wondered what had happened. In the next moment, one of the witches ran down and pleaded with her.

“Scarlet has lost it and is now taking it out on everyone. Please help us.”

“Of course.”

Lydia knew that this was her chance. When she got up there, though, she knew she had to save her. Scarlet had a bite mark on her neck. She guessed that it was from Pyter and knew something had to be done.

Lydia got the other witches to help her take down her sister. She had her tied to the bed in her room and given something to sleep. Meanwhile, Lydia went inside her sister’s mind to see what had happened.

Four years ago, …

Pyter had expected Scarlet that afternoon, but when she came in frantic, he grew worried. Even though they didn’t accept each other as mates, they didn’t reject each other either. Pyter grew worried for her in a way that sickened him, but he couldn’t help the feeling.

“We have a problem.”

“What it is?”

“My sister’s mate.”

“The wolf?”

“He’s the Immortal alfa now. Plus, there are rumors he has become fast friends with Raymond.”

“Not good for you, my dear.”

“Not good for us. The witches are the ones with the deal with Fredrick. If he knew that vampires where harming the dragons he sends, he would kill us all.”

“So, what do we do?”

“What can we do?”

“Continue as we have been. No one suspects us.”

“If they do?”

“We will figure it out when we get there.”

Months went by and Scarlet found that Pyter was right. They hadn’t been found out. When she found out about Nicole, she went to Pyter in a panic.

“Lydia’s daughter has mated.”

“The half breed?”

“Yes.”

“To who?”

“A dragon.”

“No, we can’t risk that. Take out the dragon.”

“It’s not that simple.”

“How?”

“It’s Austin, Fredrick’s son. It gets worse.”

“How can it be any worse?”

“Austin fought his father for alpha and won.”

“No.”

“What do we do?”

“I’ll figure it out. I’ll keep in touch.”

“How?”

Without thinking, Pyter bit her. Scarlet went home, shocked by what happened. The more her spies failed the more she felt angry and she knew Pyter was to blame. She tried to hide it until the rage got out of control and she lost it.

Lydia couldn’t believe what she saw. Pyter marker her and filled her with such rage. His venom now coursed through her veins and the only way to make it stop was if she marked him. Lydia knew her sister would never do such a thing. She tried to remove most of the venom to kill the rage. It worked for a short time, but not longer enough. Lydia knew she had to stay and make sure her sister was safe in order for her family to be safe.

One week, Scarlet was functioning normally. She was no longer tied down, but she was kept locked in her room. Lydia was the only one in and out and was made coven leader. She ordered the attacks on the dragons stopped and cleansed everyone back to an earthly kind of magic. Scarlet was not aloud to do magic and she knew why. Lydia came in and she had to know.

“Why have you stayed?”

“What do you mean?”

“You could have just as easily killed me and went back to James. Why stay?”

“You need me. Nicole will never be safe as long as Pyter has a hold on you.”

“I’m sorry, for everything. I should’ve listened to you.”

“We all make mistakes, Scarlet.”

“Mine cost you your family.”

“You are my family to, Scarlet.”

“You mean that?”

“No matter what, you are still my sister.”

After a few months, Lydia decided to get back in touch with James. She mind-linked him and was overjoyed to hear him again.

‘James, can you hear me?’

‘Lydia? Dear God, is that really you?’

‘Yes. Yes, it’s me.’

‘Oh, my sweet, it’s wonderous to hear you again.’

‘I feel the same.’

‘Where are you? Are you hurt? I can come for you?’

‘I’m at my coven. I’m safe. Scarlet has been marked and is being taking over by a vampire.’

‘Oh no. How is she?’

‘Getting better. The vampire who has a hold on her is her mate, though. The only was for the venom to stop killing her is for her to mark him back.’

‘I’m so sorry, my love. What can I do?’

‘Tell Nicole that I’m alive and safe. Tell her to tell Austin that no witch will harm the dragons. If dragons do go missing, it’s because of Pyter and his vampires.’

‘I will. My sweet, when will I see you again?’

‘I hope real soon. I must help my sister first. I hope you understand?’

‘Of course. Stay in touch, though. Please. My heart could not stand it if I lost you again.’

‘I promise, James.’

With that smiled and went to check on her sister. Scarlet noticed a change in her the instant she walked in.

“Someone looks cheery.”

“I talked to James.”

“Oh.”

“He knows everything and doesn’t blame you. He understands.”

“Wow.”

“James is a good man and I would love for you to meet him one day.”

“You and I both know if I leave this room from your spell, Pyter will only get me again.”

“I know.”

“Thank you for trying.”

Lydia smiled as she knew her sister was dying more and more. She wanted to save her but knew there was no way. Lydia had heard so much of her daughter and started writing everything down and showing it to her sister. It lifted her spirits and made it not so terrible. She still thought Nicole was an abomination, but she grew to love her niece. Pyter would want them all dead and it was then she realized Pyter would never get rid of her. He needed her and she wanted to be rid of him.

“Lydia, don you think I could get something to drink? Tea please.”

“Of course. I’ll be right back.”

Lydia left to fix her tea. She really felt bad for her sister. She had stayed and nursed her for three years when she could have gone back to her family. She was getting worse and worse and still Pyter plagued her thoughts. She stumbled over the mirror and broke a piece. Scarlet took a final breath and slit her throat. When Lydia returned, she found her sister’s body on the floor and wept. She took the spell down and the others came rushing in. Lydia touched her head to her sisters and found a message.

                ‘Go home, dear sister. Take the witches with you. You have told me so much of your daughter, she must miss you. I know I did. Pyter will blame you for my death. He won’t believe it was suicide. I’m sorry for everything I did. You need to go to Raymond. You will need help to take Pyter down. He’s stronger than he portrays and will fool you. Be safe, Lydia and know that I love you.’

Lydia cried more but she knew what she had to do. She gathered all the witches and informed them.

Pyter felt the moment Scarlet died and it tore him apart. He locked himself up for weeks, knowing nothing could ease the pain he felt. He marked her and she was kept locked up so she couldn’t mark him back. He swore revenge on Lydia and knew just how he would do it. There was nothing cared about more than her daughter. Nicole would be his.