The Ride to the Unknown

"Alright, you've got to spill the beans on what went down back there. I never expected you to be such a powerful witch. What's the deal?" Adam inquired, his intense gaze seemingly penetrating my very soul.

We were cruising in the car, en route to our destination. I couldn't shake the feeling that I already knew where he was taking me.

"Well, I was attacked by two vampires, and I had to defend myself," I stated matter-of-factly, hoping he'd drop the questioning. I wasn't ready to reveal the extent of my powers, especially to someone I'd just met. I needed to get to know him better before sharing such crucial information.

"Are you kidding me? That's all you're going to tell me? What about the fact that one of those vampires ended up dead with roots all over his body? Isn't that a tad unusual, not just for me but for you too?" He persisted, and I realized it would be tricky to change the subject without him noticing.

"It was a forest, so naturally, there were roots everywhere, don't you think?" I countered, feeling his eyes roll as he sighed in exasperation.

"Seriously? Normal roots don't burst through your belly or wind around your neck like that. I get it, you're a witch, but this was some next-level stuff, especially for an 18-year-old like you. Your powers should not be this potent at your age." His breathing quickened from all the excitement, and I couldn't help but think that sometimes his wolf side took over, making him resemble an energetic puppy.

"There are witches more powerful than me at the age of ten. Maybe I have a gift that others don't. Not every witch uses the same kind of magic you know," I insisted.

"As far as I know, there's no record of a witch in our region with your level of power. If there were, my pack would've known through the Law of Balance," he said confidently.

The Law of Balance is a set of guidelines dictating the response to supernatural beings with extraordinary abilities. The Lunar Council established this rule to prepare each species for potential threats from others and to curb ambitions that could lead to arrogance. Ever since the 14th century, after the Great Imbalance, this law has been recognized and adhered to by all supernatural species, including the most powerful ones. The Book of Masters, which details the gifted beings' origins and degrees of power, is automatically updated by magic whenever the Moon Council notes the information in their original copy.

I sighed, focusing on the road, searching for the right words to respond. He was really starting to get on my nerves. Why was he so fixated on my powers? We'd part ways once he showed me the location of the coven he mentioned.

"Okay... My coven specializes in controlling nature and using it to our advantage. That's how I did what I did. Physical magic is easier for me to wield than non-physical magic. Satisfied now?" I replied, hoping he'd buy the half-truth. Technically, not everything I said was false; my coven did specialize in nature magic.

"Finally! Was it so hard to share? I thought we were friends," he said, pouting.

Honestly, we've only known each other for ten hours. What did he expect? That I'd reveal my deepest secrets and life goals? I raised an eyebrow and sneaked a glance at his face.

"Come on, we've only known each other for ten hours. What were you expecting? That I'd spill my innermost thoughts and future plans, like how many kids I want when I get married?" I quipped.

"Oh, alright. I see your point. But now that we have a few hours before we reach our destination, we can chat about our lives. What do you think?" he asked, his voice sounding cheerful, and a big smile forming on his lips.

I really couldn't figure him out. He appeared to be a strong warrior in his pack, exuding power, yet he acted like an over-caffeinated child. Maybe we'd learn more about each other during the journey.

"Sure, but you start," I said, and his smile grew even wider, if that was possible. Like I said, a kid who's had too much coffee.

"Alright. I saw that coming. So, where should I begin...?" he mused, deep in thought.

"First off, my sister's name is Marie, and I have two brothers named Peter and Louis. Our father is Oliver. We've been living in France for about five years now, and our pack consists of a hundred members. I go to school and have human friends. My hometown has various supernatural beings, so you'll have to be cautious," he explained. He then directed me, saying, "Oh, in about ten kilometres, you'll need to make a right turn."

I nodded and pondered his words. I'd never attended a regular school; my coven had its own school for our kind. Consequently, I'd never had human friends. Now I'd have to enrol in a conventional school if the new coven accepted me. I doubted they had their own school either.

"I dislike history. I've never understood why we study events from centuries ago, and economics isn't my strong suit either. I'm more into sports," he continued, bringing me back to the present.

"It doesn't surprise me that you're into sports. Frankly, I'd be more shocked if you said you were a math genius," I teased.

He gave me a wounded look, and as I turned onto the highway, I tried to stifle a laugh.

"How could you say that? You've wounded my feelings. For your information, I excel in math," he retorted, sticking his tongue out.

Truly a big, muscular goofball.

"Alright, what do you want to know about me?"

My heart raced, and I started to sweat. I didn't want to talk about myself, especially regarding the unspoken topic. The reality of it all hadn't fully sunk in yet.

"Well, for starters, do you have any siblings?" he inquired, his puppy-like demeanour unchanged.

What a question! Why not ask about my blood type or my favourite number? I'd already answered this question, and it felt like he had a pretty short memory span.

"No."

"Ah, thanks for the detailed answer. So, why did your coven live in France instead of Poland?" he probed.

That was a tricky one to answer. I couldn't divulge the real reason for our escape; I didn't fully understand it myself. Plus, I couldn't risk him inadvertently revealing my whereabouts to the Three-Headed Serpent. That would spell the end for me and anyone with me at the time.

"We had to leave Poland due to a major conflict with one of the most powerful covens in the country. We couldn't stay there after that. It was a pretty brutal clash, if you catch my drift."

"Wow, that's dark and unfortunate. I hope you at least had a decent childhood in France. Such a drastic change in life can be tough, especially if you've already made friends," he said, giving me a sympathetic look and confessing his own experience.

"I know it's probably really inappropriate to ask this, and I can already guess the answer, but I'm curious to know why you don't have a coven right now," he prodded.

After a long silence and deep contemplation on my side I decided to reveal a part of my past to him after all he saved my life. "My coven was annihilated by the vampires who attacked me earlier. They came when I was out for a walk and killed my parents, then moved on to neighbouring houses, wiping out the entire coven."

Speaking the truth aloud brought intense pain, and I was overwhelmed by memories and guilt. I could sense embarrassment radiating from Adam after my admission.

I probably shouldn't have shared the truth. It might not have been the best topic to discuss with a possible new and first non-witch friend.

"Ouch... I'm sorry about that," he said apologetically, his relief for some reason evident in his eyes. "Do you know why the vampires attacked your coven? Two vampires risking their lives to destroy a regular coven without an apparent motive is strange."

After his question, my mind flashed back to the scene where I discovered my parents' lifeless bodies. I tightened my grip on the steering wheel and answered, "I don't know."

A wave of sadness and emptiness consumed me, and I couldn't halt the haunting images that assailed my thoughts.

In my mind, my parents lay motionless, their bodies drenched in blood and grotesquely disfigured. What was even more unsettling was that the faces of their killers were etched in my memory, and I couldn't help but imagine the horrific events that had transpired.

It felt as though I were present in the same room with them.

I envisioned that massive vampire tearing my father apart, while the loathsome Alexey sank his teeth into my mother's flesh and then meticulously gouged out her eyes. My mother had been the last to succumb, forced to watch my father's brutal demise while enduring unimaginable agony.

The most distressing aspect of my imagination was the sinister smirks on their faces, marred by the blood of my parents.

After my response, I fell silent for a long while until Adam brought me back to the present.

"Oh, we're nearly there. Just take a right turn soon," he advised.

I followed the direction he pointed, and soon we saw a sign for "Strasbourg." It would be interesting living in a city like this, I thought, as we started exiting the highway.

"So, where's the coven you wanted to show me?" I asked him as we drove.

"They actually live in the same neighbourhood as my pack. All you have to do is drop me off at home," Adam replied, guiding me through the city. The city was a sight to behold, boasting not only modern structures but also buildings from various architectural eras, with a remarkable medieval district. The city's beauty left me awestruck, but I couldn't help thinking that residing at the seat of the European Parliament was potentially dangerous for supernatural beings.

Eyes were everywhere, observing your every move.

After a few minutes of driving, we pulled up in front of a grand mansion. It was undoubtedly a pack house, I realized, as we got out of the car and stood by the entrance.

"First things first, I should warn you about my siblings; they're a little... unique. Don't worry, my dad and most of the pack are pretty cool," Adam said with a wide grin. The word "unique" left me feeling a tad uneasy. What did he mean by that?

I thought to myself, but before I could contemplate it further, a boy around my age welcomed us with a mischievous grin.

"Adam! I was beginning to think you found some nice ladies and left our pack," the unfamiliar boy jested with Adam, hugging him. After some small talk, he turned his attention to me, his grin intensifying.

Great...

"Well... What's the name of this fine piece of eye candy?" he asked. I was taken aback by his audacity, and I had a feeling I'd face some tough times ahead.

It was evident that I'd made a mistake following this playful wolf.