The Enchantress (Wicked Book 1) by Blaire Hammond Read Free Book Online Page B

relieved that someone finally understood, ‘that is
exactly how I feel.’ Her eyes flickered up at Mara Warlock, standing on the
battlefield ‘my mother is a warlock.’
  ‘Yes, and she was a very powerful one before she left this world. But you are
even more powerful than her.’
  Laura turned to face Caspian, ‘I have never felt powerful. I have never used
any ‘power’, how could I possibly be as great as everyone seems to think I am?’
‘We will teach you.’
  ‘And what ‘power’ do I have? Everyone keeps saying I’m so powerful,
but what do they mean by powerful? What can I apparently do?’
  Caspian frowned as a flash of something appeared on his face. Concern, Laura
thought. But it was gone seconds later and he returned his gaze to her before
answering, ‘I have to be honest, I don’t know what you are capable of. But
believe me, it will be something extraordinary. I can feel it.’ He was grinning
at her now.
  Laura smiled back, unsure of how to respond. Suddenly, Laura realised
something, and it terrified her.
  ‘The people who took my mother, the ones who want me, they hold the red light
don’t they?’
  Caspian nodded, ‘and we assume that’s why they want you. To try and turn you
evil at heart before you turn eighteen. To make you Wicked.’
  Laura glanced at the red light in Erebus’ hands.
‘I would never turn to their side.’
    Later on,
when Laura had left the library, seeking much needed sleep, she couldn’t help
thinking about all she had learned. It seemed so unbelievable. So ridiculous.
How could it all be true? It was crazy. They were crazy. The thought had indeed
crossed her mind.
  But what reason do they have to lie? She reasoned with herself.
  Instead, she asked herself how could her mother have hidden it all from her?
Surely she would have noticed if her mother had power. Or even herself! Yet she
could not recall a single time when something out of the ordinary had happened.
  A war was raging inside of her as she fought against her hope, her instincts
and the facts. She couldn’t help but believe it was all true. Again, she asked herself,
why would Caspian lie? Why would any of them?
    Gemma
entered the library to see Caspian staring up at the paintings that plastered
the walls. Again.
  ‘Fraternizing with the enemy are we?’
  ‘She’s not the enemy, Gemma,’ Caspian said softly.
  ‘We don’t know that. She could be a spy, already corrupted by the other side.
We have always had specific rules to abide by when allowing people into this
manor, but she can waltz straight on in? I don’t like it. Estella and Leo are
putting us all at risk.’
  ‘Didn’t you hear Stella? She and Leo were very close with the Harmers. They
trust them and they trust Laura. And if they do, then I do,’ Caspian turned
away from the wall to face her, ‘she just watched her father die in her arms
and she was then brought to this place and introduced to a whole world she
never knew existed. That’s a lot to try and comprehend. When you came to join
the manor, were you put through the hell of constant meetings after what you
had just been through?’
  Gemma avoided making eye contact with Caspian.
  ‘Exactly,’ said Caspian.
  They both fell silent.
  Caspian sighed, ‘look I know you are worried, and I get it, but give her a
chance. Like we all did for you.’
  Gemma raised her eyes to Caspian’s and the edge of her vision was blurred by
a memory. She recalled that dark, wintery night, when she had stumbled up the
steps to the Grand Manor, covered in blood, terrified and in a state of shock
after what she had just witnessed. She remembered Caspian’s kind face as he
opened the door and, after gasping with surprise, his arms reached out and drew
her into the warmth without a second thought.
  She wrapped her arms around herself, hugging her body the way she had done
that dreadful night, standing before Stella and Leo, replaying the horrifying events
to