The Dark Side of the Moon

T H I R T Y - T H R E E

Two nights ago, Elle came into my bedroom in the middle of the night. I was up writing poems, something I only do when I'm upset. It must be some sort of twin telepathy because she knew exactly the right time to come in.

"Hey little bro," Elle says as she plopped down next to me. I turned my notebook away from her prying eyes as I continued to finish the stanza.

"You're literally only three minutes older than me," I mumble, annoyed that she keeps bringing up that fact.

"Oh, hush. I'm older, therefore I'm wiser. I also know when my brother is upset about something. So, spill. Why are you acting even more depressed than usual?"

I stop scratching phrases into my battered notebook and drop it onto my lap. She gives me a knowing look, like she already knows all of the answers. She's a know-it-all, so that doesn't surprise me. However, she doesn't know what's plaguing my mind this time. She's usually the one person I open up to, but I've been blocking her out while my mind is wracked in guilt like never before.

"I'm not depressed," I say in a low voice as I avoid eye contact.

"Sure, that's why you're writing depressing poetry. Because you're not depressed. Makes sense."

"You know what?" I raise my voice at her. "You don't know shit! I don't need to tell you everything. I'm dealing with a lot of things right now and what I don't need is for you to sit here and pretend that you understand everything!" By the time my mini-rant is complete, my chest is rising and falling rapidly with each breath I take.

"Hey," she says gently and takes my hand. "You're right. I don't understand. So help me understand."

So I did. I told her about my friendship with Thea and how guilty I felt about her imminent death. That's when she hatched a plan. A stupid plan that will most likely end with our deaths, but it's the only plan that could save Thea and save me from losing someone I care about. I stopped caring about the repercussions it will have for me. The coven will be pissed, sure, but I don't care. I'm more powerful than the majority of them anyway.

The night Grayson and his pack members decide to storm the coven headquarters and demand for us to reverse the spell, Elle and I portal out of my bedroom and right into the lion's den- well, the wolf's den.

As a pair of twins, our magic is stronger together. I'm nervous about getting my face clawed out, but for Thea, I'd risk anything. She means more to me than I'd like to admit.

"You ready?" Elle asks, grabbing my hand and giving it a hard squeeze. I look into her brown eyes that are identical to mine, and I suddenly feel very grateful for her. She doesn't care either way whether Thea lives or dies, yet she's willing to risk her life just to make me feel better.

We weren't raised in an affectionate household. Our mother is strict and unforgiving. She taught us from an early age that we are above all supernatural creatures and must always let them know that simple fact. There's a reason that there are so few witches and warlocks alive- many of us are born with little to no power. The bloodlines have been diluted so much that those with powerful magic are few and far between. Elle and I are rare.

"I'm ready."

I close my eyes and we begin chanting.

"Videtur. Inveniet Thea. Videtur. Inveniet Thea."

After repeating the phrases few more times, I can feel the magic stirring to life beneath my fingertips. The typical blue hue or energy expands from our beings and begins to shimmer as it takes effect. The usual nausea that accompanies a trip through a portal spreads through me, but after enough practice of this type of interdimensional travel, I've learned to keep in my vomit.