The Half Blood

NALA

I arrived at the hotel, took a refreshing shower, and changed into fresh clothes. My spirits were high.

As I slipped into a beige cotton dress and paired it with earth-toned shoes, I realized I needed to discuss last night’s events with my sister. Perhaps she could shed some light on it.

I styled my hair into a high ponytail, applied a touch of makeup, and headed to my sister’s room. I rapped on the door twice before Maeve answered.

“Why are you up so early?” she yawned, squinting at me. “What time is it?”

“I think it’s almost nine,” I replied, stepping into her room as she shuffled back to her bed.

“Get up! We have things to do. I’ll grab you some breakfast. You just need to freshen up, change, and join me.” I took a seat beside her.

“What’s going on?” She could tell something was off. Maeve had this uncanny ability to sense my deepest emotions. Even when I was in high spirits, she could tell if something was troubling me.

“I had a dream last night.”

“The usual one?” she asked, her voice heavy with sleep, her arm draped over her eyes.

“Sort of. But this one was different.” I paused for a moment. “I was near a lake. It was dark, and a woman was calling my name.”

“What did she look like?” she asked, not moving from her position.

“She had white hair, black eyes. She didn’t look much older than you. Her skin was as pale as milk,” I recounted.

“Did she say anything?” She lifted her arm to look at me.

“Yes, she asked me why I took the necklace.” Her eyes widened in surprise.

“You mean the one I gave you before we came here?”

“Yes, she knew about it. I don’t know how, but she said I can’t escape my destiny, and then she vanished. After that, I remember walking through a forest because I heard a noise.

“I found the same people dancing around a fire, and then I saw her again. She asked me to show her that man.”

“What?” Her voice held a hint of nervousness.

“Maeve, I think she was controlling my dream, because after she asked me, I saw him standing next to her. I told her I didn’t know him, and she said I would soon.

“After that, my wolf woke me up because I was screaming. I felt a burning sensation in my hands and body,” I finished, my voice shaky.

“Calm down, Nala.” Maeve tried to soothe me. “Let me access your memory so I can get a clearer picture of who she is.”

I closed my eyes, attempting to relax. I could feel the pressure building in my mind.

Maeve was now inside.

“Is this the place?” Maeve asked.

“Yes.” We were now strolling around the lake.~

“She was there.” I pointed to the spot where I’d seen the woman. But she was nowhere to be seen now. I led my sister to where the campfire had been.

“I was here.” I pointed to the spot.

“Okay, let’s see if we can find her.” We scrutinized our surroundings. I felt Maeve’s hand grip my wrist tightly. As I felt her grip tighten, I turned to look at her and saw her staring at something.

She was trembling with fear. I followed her gaze.

A flash…

A scream…

The black eyes…

Maeve’s scream was so piercing, it was almost unbearable. When I managed to break free from her spell, I found her screaming, her hands covering her eyes. She seemed to be in pain.

“Maeve!… Shh… Maeve!” I tried to soothe her. I gently removed her hands so I could see her eyes.

“Are you okay?” Maeve slowly opened her eyes, trying to focus on me.

“Maeve?”

“Nala…”

“What happened?”

“I saw her… I mean, I think I saw her. Nala, that entity forced me out of your mind. It was dark magic. She’s definitely a witch, and a dangerous one,” she said, her voice frantic, still rubbing her eyes.

“Shit!” was the only word I could muster. “But what could a witch like her possibly want with me?”

“Hear me out,” she began, her hands firm on my shoulders. “If she brought up the necklace, it’s because your mate is somehow tied to her. This dark magic is targeting you.

“We have to talk to Dad.”

My mind was a void.

“No, not right now. I’ll speak with Dad when we get back home.”

“Nala, that’s not wise. Dad could help us understand your dreams.”

“Maeve, I’ll talk to him soon. I don’t think anything bad is going to happen at this moment. I always have the necklace with me.”

She let out a sigh, rolled her eyes at me, and left me alone on her bed.

Initially, I’d felt a pang of guilt for using the necklace. I was trying to avoid my mate.

When my sister had come into my room that night, telling me she’d dreamt of me and seen me in pain because I was likely to find my mate, I’d been frightened.

She’d noticed and reassured me it might not happen, but I didn’t want to take the chance.

***

“Can you hide my scent?” I asked her.

“Are you out of your mind, Nala? I won’t do that.”

“Please…,” I pleaded. “Mae, I’m not ready to meet him yet.” I took a deep breath. That’s a lie.

I mean…” I dropped my gaze, my hands covering my eyes. “I mean, I do want to meet my mate, but I’m not prepared yet, not after what you just said—”

“Nala, you know my dreams don’t always come true,” she interrupted.

“I don’t care. Mae, please just…just help me.”

She sighed. “Alright, I’ll help you. Do you have something you can keep with you at all times?”

I handed her the necklace our mother had given me for my last birthday. It was simple and unassuming.

“Won’t it break when you transform into a wolf?”

“No, it’s long enough to withstand the transformation.”

“Okay, I’ll take it now. I need to check my books for the scent-masking spell. I can’t recall all the verses at the moment.

“The only thing you need to know, and listen carefully, is that once you start wearing this necklace, neither you nor he will be able to detect each other’s scent.

“Even if you lock eyes, you won’t recognize each other as mates. Once you remove the necklace, the spell will be broken, even if you put it back on. It won’t work again.”

“I’ll take it.”

I felt like a coward for doing this. But the thought of enduring pain for something or someone, especially after witnessing my sister’s betrayal by her mate, terrified me.

When she’d discovered the truth, he’d treated her with such indifference that it had only deepened her pain.

My sister had stopped eating for days, barely slept, and wept in her bed every night. No words could console her.

Her soul was shattered. Gradually, she returned to her routine, but her expression was always vacant. Even when someone cracked a joke, her laughter never reached her eyes.

Not even our father could lift her spirits. When your soul is shattered, you’re never the same again. And my sister was never the same.