***

FROM AUTHOR::

Hey guys!!! Sorry, I took a long break without telling you guys. It was my cousin's wedding and also a small family trip, so I couldn't finish any of my works. I just got back two days ago and I have to travel again. Because I am shifting to another city . . . Another big city. For work and studies. I don't know how my writing schedule will work now but wish me luck. I hope my new life doesn't crush me.

Anyway, I'll try to post as frequently as possible, and thank you very much for your patience.

Love yall.

Now, enjoy the chapter.

***

Chaos.

That's what Chris walked in as soon as she stepped out of the temple with Ginny, Luna, and Colin. Fergus's magic door led Chris straight to the scepter room at the same time Ginny, Luna and Colin appeared out of nowhere. They looked very confused to be there and surprised to see Chris already standing in front of them. Also, they were impatient to know what had happened but Chris quickly looked for Oziyat and when she didn't find him in the temple, she told her friends that something was very wrong.

And Fergus was right. 

Outside Gweneth and one of the Vampire Guardian's weapons clashed with four wizards' magic and bright lightning flashed. Oziyat was fending off three wizards, and the other Vampire Guardian was lying on the ground motionless and beside him were five dead wizards matted with blood. And all of the wizards wore very familiar and similar dark cloaks. With a jolt, Chris realized who were the Wizards.

Malgino had found her.

Suddenly, one of the wizards tried to attack Gweneth from the back and Chris jumped into action. With a quick blow, she blasted off the wizard attracting everyone's attention there. Just for a moment, the fight stopped and the wizards and vampires both stared at her.

But Chris bȧrėly noticed the looks because she was stunned by something else. Her magic was stronger than before, she felt as if, now, the magic running through her veins were part of her, not just a forced thing. It felt euphoric to use that magic. Chris understood that the knowledge about her magic was finally making sense and now she was more in control of it.

She looked back at the temple and smiled, "Thanks, Fergus."

"There she is. Capture her," one of the wizards came out of his trance and shouted recognizing her.

"Oh, I would like to see you try," yelled Ginny stepping forward.

And the wizards rushed towards Chris, only to be blocked by Luna's shield and Ginny's strong blow. Colin was already jumping to help Oziyat and Chris ran to finish off the wizards attacking Gweneth and the other Guardian.

"You okay, Gweneth?" Chris asked as she blew two more wizards.

"Yes," Gweneth was panting, both magic and weapon-wielding were taking a lot from her. "These are Malgino's people, aren't they?"

"Yes. But I have never seen them before. They must be new people, he was calling from other countries," Chris said as she stood back to back with Gweneth and stunned a wizard running towards them. "They must have also attacked the castle and our town," Gweneth said killing another wizard. "We need to go and help them, Christina."

"Yeah, you are right," Chris said thinking. "I have an idea! They are here for me so I can lure them away and you guys can—"

"Don't even think about it," Colin warned as he and Oziyat defeated two more wizards.

"Then let's finish up here quickly," Chris said suppressing her smile. She was really amazed by the way her friends fought. They looked so trained and fast. Oziyat was a vampire and he was fast, of course, but Colin was not very far behind him. Luna and Ginny worked exceptionally well together as one handled defense and the other went for the offense. And surprisingly, Chris and Gweneth worked together as well. It was an easy win.

"We need to go back to the castle," said Oziyat as soon as the last wizard fell.

Everyone nodded in unison. The Guardian woke up the unconscious Guardian as his regeneration fixed his wounds. Oziyat ordered them to go ahead and inform others that Oziyat was on the way with Chris and others. And both of the Guardians took off with inhuman speed. Oziyat whistled sharply and their horses came galloping from a side of the forest, where they probably took off when the battle started.

"What the hell happened?" Ginny asked as they followed Oziyat through the woods.

"I got a message from Rosaline after you four were gone. As soon as I got the message, I ran out and we met with a dozen of wizards," Oziyat explained, shouting over the deafening sound of the horses' hooves. "I wasn't worried about us, I'm worried about our people. Even though we come across as vicious predators, our people are just normal. They haven't fought in centuries. We decided a long time ago when we detached ourselves from the wizarding world that we wouldn't fight until they attacked first."

"And they did," Colin said ducking under a low-hanging branch. "I mean not all wizards but these Malgino's minions did."

Oziyat frowned and didn't say anything and led the way a little faster. Chris raced up to Oziyat.

"Oziyat, if they sent a dozen here, that means they have a lot of them at the castle," Chris quickly whispered. "Are Rosaline and Sol okay? And the Queen? She is sick. Is Ethan here?"

"That's what I am worried about," Oziyat hissed through his clenched teeth. "I know Rosaline can save the castle and everyone. She is very very powerful. A few wizards wouldn't be able to do anything but . . . Ethan. He knows a lot about her. He knows her weakness. And I'm worried if Rosa loses control —"

"She will be fine," Chris swallowed the lump in her throat. "They will be alright."

Oziyat gave a firm nod at Chris and she nodded back looking equally determined. 

For the next ten minutes or so, they galloped and nobody spoke a word, everyone was trying to figure out what to do next but as they drew closer to Castle, their thoughts were disturbed by the shouts and weapon clashing sounds. Even before they saw the tall towers of the Vampire Castle, they heard the cries of people. 

The whole Titian was under attack.

"STOP!" Gweneth abruptly overtook Oziyat and pulled the reins of her horse, making it screech.

Gweneth stopped blocking the way and Oziyat, Chris, Ginny, Luna, and Colin had no choice but to pull the reins of their horses as well, but because of the suddenness, they almost flew out off their saddles and their horses were not very happy either.

"What's wrong with you?" Ginny shouted getting back on her saddle. "I almost toppled over and we are almost there, why are you stopping now?"

"You!" Gweneth pointed her index finger at Chris and glared. "They are here for you."

"Gweneth now is not the time—" Oziyat began angrily.

"This is the perfect time, Your Highness," Gweneth told Oziyat without taking her eyes off Chris. "The day she came here, she told us, we would get in trouble if she stayed here; if we knew her secrets. And here we are. We were practically harboring Malgino's mortal enemy."

"Should I handle this bitch or will you?" Ginny said taking out her wand.

"Gweneth, please," Oziyat said wearily. "Don't you feel how many they have sent to retrieve her, You Highness? Don't you smell the blood in the air?" Gweneth continued without concern. "If they see her see her —"

⟦To be continued⟧