Janice

I've lived a long, long time. Many things still surprise me. The Queen and I have lived a relatively mundane and happy existence for 300 years. I consider her a great friend and I suppose at one point a lover.

All this time and I've never encountered such a strange series of events and I am a witch! A great powerful witch. No one knows this, I am the rightful witch queen.

I didn't want that life, I wanted freedom. The freedom to do as I will and let nature lead me, to discover the world and all it's power. I denounced my claim a long time ago and handed the throne over to my husband.

Yes, I was married once. He was a fair man. I grew up with him and trusted him completely. The marriage was one of convenience. It was no great love. My near rule, is lost in history.

I set off on a journey. I travelled many kingdoms. My thirst for knowledge was unquenchable. To be free to mingle with other species and the learning of different magics was my souls calling.

Witches tend to stick to their own kind. We are quite snoby in a way. We have the belief we are better because we are born with power. Other creatures are made. The only ones who are born are witches, fae, wolves and the odd vampire. They are no match for us.

Witches and vampires never mix. Natural enemies. So it's more than strange, I became a slave to one. In my naivety, I met a handsome young vampire at a tavern. My curiosity got the better of me. I wanted to understand why my body instantly went on high alert around their kind.

I befriended the vampire and was taken in by his charm. I even fell for him and ofcourse every part of my body screamed it was wrong but I didn't listen. You could say the serpentine struck me.

This all played into his hands. He seduced me. I came willingly. One cursed night, We lay together. Lost in passion and pleasure. My defences dropped. A cuff was placed upon me. A witch cuff.

The cuff traps our magic. We can only use it if willed to by the owner of the charm. From then, our relationship dramatically changed. I was no more than a toy. The man I knew never existed. He was cold, cruel and calculated. He always had a plan.

My heart was ripped to pieces. I blamed myself. I knew not to mix with vampires. I was used and abused but he never touched me intimately again. I couldn't help but love him from a far. Hoping one day that the vampire who charmed me was still there.

He used me to gain entrance to the witch realm and seek out the oracle. When the then oracle bestowed the queens image to him. That's what broke me. A beautiful young maiden so innocent. To see him smile, to see him long for someone was much too painful. I couldn't escape. This blasted cuff.

We found her and he changed her. That poor girl. I couldn't help but feel grief for her. However, I had no loyalty or aleigence to her. I was at the will of the master. I could not break that.

Many years later and she freed me, a spark of that girl was still there. Who could not fall for her. I stayed by her and I'm glad I did. I have no love for my kind our my old home. Her Majesty is my home.

So I can't help feel protective. I have that strange pinch within me. I get the feeling in the presence of vampires, but this is stronger around the black haired vampire. Her Majesty is taken but I can't trust it. If the past has taught me anything, it is to listen to my body.

When Cass and Percy leave the room. Relief instantly washed over me. "Majesty, with all due respect. How can we trust them? Yes, you've told me the story. He gave you the memory but I can't ignore the feeling"

Her eyes narrow and I can tell she is holding back anger. She shakes her head "Janice, my dear friend. I understand but I can't describe the feeling I have with him. I've known him, I've loved him and I love him. He is very much in my veins" Her Majesty answers me, brightest smile on her face. Will however, clenched his fists and jaw.

"Majesty I will have faith if you are certain, perhaps it's Percy. I never did like him. Snivelling rodent" I laugh he really does look like a rat. Vampires are usually perfection. Beautiful alluring creatures but something went wrong with him. "Percy?" Her Majesty asks.

Oh this memory thing is getting old. "Yes, the robed man" Her Majesty nods in understanding "Gift memories are great but details seem to get lost in them. I'm going to go for a bath" She says leaving the room.

I look over at the broken lycan. I feel for him. I too know what it's like to be left and cast aside for another. "Will, I don't trust this Cass. If you care for her you will protect her" I whisper to him. He gives me a grin but I still see his pain.

"She seen his memories, like she did with us. As much as I want to believe your distrust. My mate-... Her Majesty seems happy and at ease. I can't ignore it" I huff, I hate having to enlighten everyone.

"Not all vampires can obtain or gift memories. I'm surprised her majesty can. She is no longer Queen nor a pureblood. However there has been times one of that power can loan the gift. To the ones they make. From what they've told us Cass is not a pureblood. Perhaps, the reason is they were both made by gods. Anyway, I digress. Gifting a memory isn't always fool proof. You can always manipulate a memory."

Like lightening struck him, He grabs me "Oh thats right, a manipulative vampire is only natural. Oh Janice I could kiss you but I won't because I don't really like you." Will says to me giddy as a child in a toy shop. "Likewise, let's keep this between us for now. Her Majesty is blinded by him she cannot see reason. We will watch and see how it plays. I will do some research" I say to him.

We both jump hearing the click of the door. "I've been thinking, If I am to defeat them. The serpent queen and Thorne. I need to become a hybrid again. Janice do you think you can replicate the spell that was used on me? If we time it right, our lycan here can bite me before I turn completely human" Her Majesty says gliding elegantly towards us.

"Majesty do you remember the spell? It is quite painful. Few have the power to perform it. Are you sure you want to do this?" I plead to her. I'm not comfortable performing such a spell.

"I'm sure. I don't remember what happened to me but I assumed it was magic. I trust you completely and if any witch can do it, it's you. What do you think lyc- .. um ... Will?" She turns to Will and I swear if he was in his beast form. His tail would be wagging.

Will nods "Great then it's settled, let's do this shall we?" She gestures to us open arms. "Yes your majesty. I will do this for you. I just need some of your blood and some ashes of the dead.