Worlds Collide: Chapter 16 Witches

I swim to the edge of the water and Juan offers me his hand to help me out. His strong pull lifts me out of the water so that I’m standing only an inch away from him. I can feel the heat radiating from his body that contrasts to the cold water dripping from mine. We are standing too close, but neither of us moves away. I look down at our still joined hands and notice how comforting it feels.
I shiver as I feel his breath in my ear whispering “What are you going to do?”
A hundred indecent images of what I want to do in this moment flood my mind before the reality of my situation hits me and I realise that his question is more pragmatic than propositional.
“I don’t know. I’m trapped.” I say quietly.
Juan takes a deep breath and then steps back. “Lets go and talk to the professor. Maybe he will have a solution or at least an explanation. He remembers the barrier being created after all.”
My optimism returns as I realise that he is right, there has to be another way to get back and I just need to find it “Lets go back then” I answer.
We fly back to the castle quickly and are met with puzzled faces. I don’t answer any questions until we are with professor Vladimir. Before I can explain he speaks.
“Ah so the caves have closed then?” He states matter of factly.
“You knew?” I question.
“I suspected. I didn’t think that the witches would have made crossing the barrier that easy. Centuries ago when the dragons were at the height of power in the world, we decided to spilt off to avoid being hunted and persecuted. All the creatures and even some humans worked together to create our safe haven here, but the witches were the ones that created the barrier separating us from the rest of the world. It was agreed that the barrier needed to have some crossing points in case things didn’t work out, but that these should be hidden. Even I don’t know where they are” He explains.
“So who does know where the crossing points are?” I ask.
“The witches” He says with a tone of mild disgust.
“Are there any nearby?” I ask, hopeful.
“There are a few in my kingdom, but none that would know. Most people now do not even know that there is another world behind the barrier. Our alliance didn’t last long, after the split, there were wars and fights for power here and that is when we spilt into the 3 kingdoms again. Most of the witches went to Malifa, it is in the North.” He says.
“So I need to go to Malifa to ask the witches there for help?” I ask.
“Yes, Esme used to be the high priestess, she would know, or one of her decedents. It is a hard task to speak to her though. The witches are not very welcoming and the road to Malifa is very dangerous.” He warns.
“You are welcome to stay here Rain. We would not want any harm to come to you” Queen Ava offers.
“Thank you, but I have to try. I have to get home.” I say determined.
“Well then you must take some of my guards with you, for protection” King Ash offers.
“I will go” Juan announces without hesitation, surprising me.
“Ezra’s scout troop can accompany you too” Ava suggests.
“They will slow us down, we can fly there without them” Juan says
“Do you have any information on the witches or any maps we can take? I’d like to leave as soon as possible. I have already been away from home too long.” I say.
“Of course, Vladimir please gather any useful information for Rain that you can. Juan will take you to the supply room to get you both kitted out for the journey.” Ash orders sounding like a king for the first time since I have met him.
I follow Juan to a room that excites me. It is filled with interesting, beautiful and deadly weapons. He starts chucking some in a duffle bag as I look around in awe. My eye is drawn to a dagger and sword pair that are made from some kind of crystal, you can see straight through the blades and in the right light they look to be made of ice. I reach to grab them.
“Oh no, you don’t need weapons” Juan says
“Still don’t trust me then?” I question.
He doesn’t respond.
“Oh come on, if I wanted to kill you, I wouldn’t need these, but they will be useful if I have to fight in my human form.” I plead
“Fine. Don’t make me regret it” He says and I grab the pair fastening the dagger to my thigh under my skirt and the sword around my waist.
I catch Juan’s eyes lingering where my dagger is “Relax, I promise I won’t stab you… unless you really deserve it” I tease.
Juan rolls his eyes at me and packs some food rations and spare clothes into the bag.
We collect a map and books from the professor before heading off. I’m oddly glad that it is Juan with me, even if his arrogance and obvious hatred towards me annoys me, his presence is familiar and reassuring.