Broken, but Not Defeated

Chapter 27 (Caldina)

My hands were shaking, how? A witch is never scared. I'm not even scared of my aunt. Yet, meeting my siblings had me scared, and nervous. I have faced horrors that not even my aunt's bodyguards wanted to face. I feel Sienna and Esta's presence at my back. It is time to give the humans my answer. The doors to the dining room were pushed open, thanks to Sienna. I watch as the Captain's eyes go straight for Esta. Interesting. Wesley stands next to Anya. They like each other, they're just scared to admit it. And then Juliana is ready to face whatever life throws her way. Artic and Beorn race for each other and start snapping at each other in a friendly way. I look down at Shadow. He looks like he wants to join, but his dignity is too important. "Oh go ahead you lazy bum." I feel everyone looking at me. Shadow gives me a look then races for the other two barking and they all start chasing each other. Juliana starts laughing. I look at her, then chuckle. "Please sit down." I am glad we have those wolves and a dog.

"Caldina, thank you for everything."

I look at Anya. "You're welcome." I walk to my seat at the head of the room. "Before we eat I have something to say. As many of you heard, the Doryukans have joined forces with my aunt, who has joined forces with the human Commander and they mean to wage war on the King. But as you know I have always hated my aunt." I look at the Thirteen and give them an evil grin. "So I plan to wage war!" The Thirteen cheer and stomp their feet. The other witches give a yell. I look at Wesley. "We will not let your people suffer, we will destroy them all."

Wesley nods with a grim face. "Thank you."

I nod to Esta. She walks to the boys. "If you are going to fight you will need weapons." She nods to two other witches. They walk forward bearing two swords. Cole grabs one.

"Orynth, boy have I missed the feel of you."

Wesley grabs the other, then walks towards me. "This sword should belong to the heir, it was mother's." I hold the handle and pull it out of the scabbard. It is beautiful. I look at it for a long time.

"No." I put the sword back into the scabbard and back away. "If mother gave it to you, then she obviously wanted you to have it. Not me. Besides, someone has to lead the human soldiers that are on our side. And it will be you. Then you will need a sword." Wesley looks at me like I have grown a third eye. But he nods and heads back to his seat tying the sword to his belt. Juliana stands there looking from Cole to Wesley to me, and then back to Cole.

"No!"

I look at Juliana, "What did you just say?"

"No, you are not going to war and leave me here. I am a witch. I can fight, let me fight."

"No." Wesley said before I could. "Absolutely not!"

"Wesley, our mother died fighting. Why should I have to be left behind, while all my friends leave for war?"

"No! Besides, one of us must still be alive."

"Wesley, please, I must."

"Juliana, Wesley is right. But Wesley, Juliana is right too. It is not fair, the planning will take a while and we will have time during the march. Juliana, this training will not be easy."

I sat down. "Now let's enjoy some dinner." Witches talked back and forth about their own battles. I look at the four humans. They are silent, each in his own world. Anya looks at me.

"Excuse me, milady. But if you can train Juliana can't you train me?" Everyone looks at Anya.

"That is not up to me. It is up to your brother."

Anya looks at Cole with a pleading look.

"It's your decision, Anya. Just think wisely." Cole says.

"I have." Anya stands up and walks to the center of the room. "I've been keeping a secret from you." Just then there is a blinding flash and where Anya was a copy of Juliana stood. Cole tips over his chair. Wesley looks like he is ready to bolt. Juliana stands up and walks towards Anya.

"Anya?"

"It's me."

I stand up and also walk towards Anya. "A shapeshifter. I heard the last of them had died."

A bright flash and Anya is back as herself. "I am the last of them."