Chapter 38
Savannah’s POV
The other group was indeed the strongest. They didn't hesitate and their magic was powerful. I needed to find an opening to knock some of them out. Their shields seemed impenetrable and that was a problem. If I couldn't breach it I couldn't attack successfully. Then they slightly shifted and there was a gap. I didn't waste any more seconds and released my magic. The back row was out. Only five people left. Mathematically speaking we had the best chance to win. I looked around and I saw the others realize this too. Without questions they formed pairs and launched their attack. I withdrew and went to the back. I was only defending myself from the stray balls, but didn't attack. The guys did it. We won.
“Today's winner is group No.20, let's congratulate them. Our mission is tomorrow. Let's meet here at 9 am sharp. I believe there's still something on today's agenda. Are you ready, Princess?”
“Of course, General. Let the best win. What do I get if I win?”
“Anything you want. Within reasonable limits, of course.”
“I want to train them when they use their magic.”
“Fine. If I win, I won't ask for anything.”
This was my chance to oversee their magic training. Everybody else sat down on the ground and watched us with anticipation. This was different. I knew Gabriel's strengths and he knew mine. I sent a series of magic balls towards him and immediately put up my shield. He immediately retaliated. This had been going on for five minutes and I had enough. At this rate neither of us would win anytime soon. I didn't want to use spells against him. I wanted a fair fight. No spells, only magic.
“Come on, Princess? You can do better.”
“Oh, I know that General. I like to toy with my opponent a bit.”
“Then stop playing. Show us what you got.”
He was trying to distract me, so I'd let my guard down. That would never happen. I put up my shield and looked inside me. I knew that the shield was solid and impenetrable. I felt something new in me, something raw that wasn't there before. I tapped into it. For a moment I became one with that raw energy. Two magic balls appeared in my hands, but they were different from the previous ones. I released them, but Gabriel was quick and ducked down. He didn't have enough time to put up his shield. I tried again, but no matter how hard I concentrated, I couldn't feel that raw energy. I opened my eyes and saw the two balls racing towards Gabriel from behind. They collided with his back and he fell down and lost his consciousness. What was that?
“How did you do that dear?”
“I don't know grandma. How come you're here?”
“Ezekiel informed me about the duel and I came to check out. Do you know what kind of power that was?”
“No. I just felt it, but I don't anymore.”
“You can't feel it because it should be impossible to feel it. Savannah, that was part of your angel powers. You shouldn't even feel them until you unlock it.”
“What? Are you serious?”
“Yes. Nothing like this has ever happened before. That's not all. I heard your group won the battle. Your wish came true in the end. Getting the reward for winning is one of the most sacred things. You were part of the group so you deserve to go on the mission as much as the others. Before you leave tomorrow, I'll remove the seal. Before you get too excited, that only applies if you promise to be careful and listen to Gabriel. Do you understand?”
“Yes, grandma. I won't do anything stupid. Where exactly are we going?”
“You'll find out tomorrow with everyone else. No special treatment for you, young lady.”
I couldn't understand anything anymore. I was different from others. I didn't know how or why I could access my angel powers without making a sacrifice. What else can come my way? I had enough surprises for a lifetime. I didn't need more.
“Ugh, I feel like a train hit me. What happened?” - Gabriel asked with a groan.
“I won. From now on I'll be training them when they use magic.”
“Deal's a deal, but when did you hit me?”
“When I released the last two balls.”
“No way. I ducked and avoided them.”
“Yepp, but they were like boomerangs. They hit you from behind.”
“Perfect! You're awake, Gabriel. Come, talk to me.”
“Of course, Queen Seraphina.”
“I'm going to your house, Gabriel.”
“Sure. See you later.”
“Ready to go?” - Gabriel asked me next morning.
“Sure. Can you tell me where we are going?”
“Sorry, but you'll know when I tell the others too. A few more minutes.”
“Fine.”
Safe to say I wasn't exactly happy that he didn't tell me the destination. I was hoping that it'd be somewhere near to Blackstone. I wanted an excuse to visit Maddie or at least tell her to meet us there. The chance for that; however, was slim. To show my displeasure I told Gabriel to go ahead, because I forgot something. In reality I opened a portal to the training grounds. Yesterday evening I told him that we can go by portal. That way we didn't have to leave the house fifteen minutes earlier. Now he only had a minute to arrive. It'd be a shame for the General to be late for the first time in his life.
“Good morning everybody!”
“Good morning!” - they chorused.
“Savannah, where's Gabriel?”
“He's late because of some unfortunate circumstances, Ezekiel.”
“You left him, didn't you?”
“What can I say, he refused to tell me where we are going. He'll learn his lesson now.”
“He'll be furious. He's never late. By the way, we're going to Salem.”
“What? Why?”
“Queen Seraphina's orders. She wants to know what those two are planning. The seers told her that they're getting closer to the root of the dark magic. They narrowed it down to Idaho and Wyoming.”
“What?” - I asked and could feel myself getting pale.
“Are you okay? You're so pale.”
“Nothing, I'm okay.”
He gave me a skeptical look, but left it there. That's exactly what happened in my dream the other day. This couldn't be a coincidence. For some reason I saw their exact plans. While we were waiting for Gabriel, I sent a text to Natalie to meet me and act like she just met me by coincidence. Everybody was whispering about Gabriel's whereabouts. I just smirked. He made it in ten minutes. He must've been running.
“Good morning! I apologize for being late. I became a victim of a mischief.” - he said while looking at me.
“So I've heard.”
“Right, Ezekiel. So back to our mission. We're going to Salem. Our task is to figure out Dalia's and Jeremy's plans. We won't confront them if we meet. Savannah, I'll ask you to mask yourself. They cannot know you're there with us. You won't use magic, unless absolutely necessary. Any questions?”
“What about me? Grandma's not here to remove the seal.”
“She did it. There were some urgent matters, but she removed it until we're back.”
“Then no more questions. Wait, how are we getting there?”
“Through the veil. Just hold my hand and it'll be okay.”
Nobody else had questions, so we were off. I held Gabriel's hand and the next thing I know that I was facing the Welcome to Salem sign. Before we left I masked myself and here we were. I fell behind a little and sent a quick text to Zamyr too. If there's a chance for us to meet, I'm willing to do anything. The town was full of tourists and local residents. I could tell who were humans, because they simply looked through us.
“I'll be there in five minutes, Savannah.” - was Zamyr's reply.
“So, we'll just look around?”
“Yes.”
“We can ask the witches, you know.”
“We won't involve anybody else. They can't even recognize you.”
“I'm their coven leader. They can sense me. Do you think if we meet a witch she won't recognize me?”
“Savannah, what did you do?”
“I didn't do anything, I swear. I was with you the whole time.”
“Fine. If that's the case I'll figure something out.”
“I know where to go. We put up a shield in the witches' neighborhood to keep out the people with bad intentions.”
“Savannah, I'm starting to think you did something and I don't like it.”
“Don't be a party pooper. It was a precaution of which I happen to know.”
“I won't argue with you. You might pull another stunt like this morning and I don't want that.”
“It was funny, though.”
“For you maybe. I've never been late until now.”