My Beautiful Witch

The night was cold and dark clouds hung above her as she made her way forward into a circle of people. Every step she took was powerful and her cold, ruthless gaze made the people gulp in fear as she passed by.

Her black cloak swept the floor and the crown which was fittingly sitting atop her head felt heavy but she still held her head high, bearing the heavy weight of it as she walked in along with another woman who hurried behind her.

A heavy and somber air surrounded them as Sylvia stepped into the circle to be met with a gruel sight of a body.

Her cold eyes surveyed the open wounds, the burnt flesh and the claw marks that filled this person's body who was probably a woman. One of her kind had been killed again by those cruel werewolves and she didn't think she will let this slide this time.

"Brenda?" Her voice sounded in the room and her right hand woman who was behind her quickly came forward to answer her.

"Yes my Queen" Answered Maria "She was sent out on an errand by Amora and didn't return for days, the women found her like this in the mountains, left to be eaten by wild animals"

"Take her away" said Sylvia, coldly. Her eyes glinted as something dangerous flashed in them. Brenda had been one of her favourite maid.

She was one out of the hundred people that surrounded her who would speak what they truly thought. She didn't know how to filter her words and Sylvia liked her that way but now she was gone. She felt a rage she had been trying to suprress bubble inside her as she turned around to face the people who had almost thesame expression. They were angry. Just like her.

"This is the work of the iron claws!" One person stepped forward and said before the body could be taken away. Sylvia was sure this person didn't care about her life anymore as she dared to speak when she wasn't asked to.

She looked at the woman with dark, dirty curls who threw herself on the floor, next to her feets.

"I'm telling you this because i'm sure. I have seen how he works. I have seen his victims and i always recognize them"

Sylvia's head tilted a little to the side as she looked at the woman with her wickedly sharped eyes. She wondered why people never listen. Going closer to the woman, she squatted in front of her so she could look into her eyes and whisper "How many times do i have to tell all of you that Iron claws is dead? I witnessed it myself. Is there any more proof that you need?"

By now, the woman was already trembling but there was something in her gaze that made Sylvia's eyes narrow.

"The body" The woman started, not able to hold Sylvia's gaze, she looked away. Her eyes were red probably because of crying "You said the body disappeared"

"He disintegrated given the kind of being he is" Sylvia corrected.

Another person stepped forward. This time, a woman that looked middle aged. Sylvia recognized her as one of the coven leaders.

"If i may speak, my Queen" She bowed a little "If he is truly dead, how do you explain the way our kind has been killed over and over again? The bodies all looks like how he usually kills his victim"

"Have you heard of a copy cat?" She asked and the woman swallowed, knowing what she was trying to say.

The man was called Iron claws because he truly had iron claws that were as sharp as anything that was sharp. His victims had alway been witches, for some reason he hated witches and loved to see them suffer. He was the witches sworn enemy as he had killed and captured many of their kind in the past. There was nothing from him since the last five years and hearing that he was dead, they felt relieved but recently, their kind started to be murdered again in a cruel way. In thesame style which he used to kill. How could anyone not think that perhaps, he has been raised from the dead? They were scared knowing that they would keep losing loved one's like this.

But what the people didn't know was that. That man who was everyone's sworn enemy was their queen's mate. Back before she became queen, he had captured her too.

Of course, Sylvia couldn't reveal this to anyone. Not that she feared their judgement but it will cause a disturbance. She could see the fear in their eyes at the mention of Iron claws. Yes, he was that scary to them.

Sylvia looked at the body and the claw marks which were already turning blue. It was exactly his style and she didn't blame the others for suspecting he was not dead. Her lips curved upwards as she said "Looks like a new Iron Claws has risen"

Whispers erupted at her words and she turned towards them "I will have to take care of this myself" She only wanted to find out and be sure that this person was truly a copy cat for her sake as she was starting to doubt her own conclusion.

"I know that you are all sad but that wouldn't last for long. I will find him" She started, looking at the faces of her people and those Coven leaders who couldn't wait for her to leave the throne which well, was not going to happen soon. "And i will destroy him!" She promised but she only saw fear in their eyes.

"My Queen, did you mean that you are going to find Iron Claws yourself and kill him?" Another coven leader step forward.

"Did you not hear clearly?" Sylvia answered without hesitating "We cannot let him continue with what he is doing now, can we?"

"He is dangerous and slippery. Even the previous Queen went after him and was unsuccesful" This time it was a man who spoke. Gerald's eyes held hers and she smirked.

"He even once captured me" She added knowing many of them had wanted to point this out badly. How could she go after someone who had captured her once?

She was not thesame Sylvia from five years ago. In the years that has passed by, she had changed a lot. She was much more powerful now, capable enough to not fall into a werewolf's trap.

"Being inside his cage for months, don't you think i might have learned a few tricks of his? Besides, no one has ever gotten out alive from his clutches but i did. Does that say something?"

"This is not about how you got out alive. This is different. It means that you will have two parties to look out for. On one hand is the Iron Claws and the other, is stepping into the werewolves territories. You know how they now mercilessly burn our kind. This is a dangerous decision and i don't support it" said Gerald, firmly. But somewhere, he knew that he couldn't change her mind once she has made a decision.

As expected, Sylvia's expression remained thesame. Perhaps Gerald was the second other person who could object to her words openly like this. He was someone she knew ever since he was a kid. Someone who at least cared for her genuinely and maybe that was why he had that right but he couldn't change her mind.

Sylvia pretended not to have heard what he said as she moved forward, stopping in front of a girl with green, sharp eyes. She looked young but she recognized her as she had witnessed her practicing her spells one time through the windows of her room. She was good but she belonged to a lower coven. The one's with little to no power when it came to the land's affairs but this was also what she wanted.

"Fiona from the white coven, step forward" The lady bowed and moved forward and Sylvia glanced at another girl with wavy curls. She looked beautiful but she also hadn't seen her before. Given that some members of all the covens lived in the palace.

"What's your name?" She asked and the girl stepped forward. She looked scared to be in her presence and Sylvia could see how her hands trembled a bit. This was also what she needed.

"Evelyn, my Queen" She answered.

"Evelyn and Fiona" Sylvia called "You two will go with me tommorrow to hunt for the werewolf with Iron claws" As she said this, she saw Gerald frown and Maria too but she could tell the others were a bit happy.

Especially the coven leaders in a higher stand. They probably thought she was willingly walking into a pit of hell where she could die at any time and perhaps, that could happen.

Stepping into the werewolves territories was like stepping into the lion's den.

When Sylvia returned to her room, she placed the heavy crown down on the table, feeling the weight leaving her head, she took a sigh of relief. It was such a hassle to have to wear this every time she went out. Maria quickly came to take it and put it in it's rightful place.

"My queen, may I ask the real reason you chosed those two young ladies? Their abilities are low and they might not be of much help to you" Maria asked carefully.

Sylvia paused for a moment before she turned towards her "Then... Do you suggest I chose someone from the spirit coven or someone from the circle sisters who will do nothing but spy on me and try to look for my weakness the moment I let them close?"

Maria sighed "I know most of the other covens in higher ranks are scheming but you still need to chose someone with real abilities my queen. Only then can you be protected properly"

"I can protect myself Maria. You don't need to worry about me" said Sylvia, taking off the cloak from her back and the rest of her clothes as she got into the bathroom where she slipped into the tub while Maria came to stand next to her.

"Even I am aware of your powers but you know how they say, no matter how strong you are, there's someone stronger out there. In that case, don't you think its better you take people who you can tap powers from if--"

"Stop it, Maria" Sylvia gave her a stern look and she gulped "I already made up my mind. If I encounter a stronger enemy, then so be it. I either be killed or be captured" It wasn't like she cared about dying anyway. She sighed.

It didn't take long for her to finish her bath and she retired to sleep.

Maria sighed, watching her for a long while. She wasn't usually this cold that is, before that person died five years ago and everything changed.

...

The sky was dark and an almost full moon hung above her.

She was staring at a person's body lying there in the cold floor, a person very familiar to her and slowly, she moved forward. He was still in his wolf form and had his eyes closed. Blood gushing out from so many places. He was not dead yet but she knew he would die for real soon. This realization made her body start to shake as an intense pain spread through her. Perhaps, if this was days back, she wouldn't care about his death but not now. She didn't want him to die just yet.

She wanted to hold him in her arms but just as she took a step forward, she heard a loud noise and immediately, smoke filled everywhere. Thick heavy clouds of smoke that covered her vision and made her unable to see anything. So she ran forward blindly to the spot where she had seen his body just now but that spot was empty, the body missing. He was not there.

Sylvia held her chest, breathing out heavily and saw some two other men whom she knew approaching her as the smoke slowly dissipated.

"Where Is he?" They asked, looking around and one of them caught the cloths lying on the floor.

Sylvia hurried to take the clothes from him and she recognized it as the clothes he had been wearing before he changed. She couldn't comprehend what was happening.

Taking a step forward, she looked around and noticed something on the ground, some parts were covered with sand and she bent down to pick them up but she froze when her hands touched them. Gulping, her heart began to beat fast in her chest as she slowly picked up the iron looking things. They were claws. His claws. The iron claws!

...

Sylvia woke up with a start. A shrill noise rang in her head and she held it. She was used to having thesame dreams every night that she wasn't surprised anymore.

She got down from bed and approached the window. As she opened it, she saw the bird that was on it fly away. It was early morning and the day was just starting to break but this day was not like any other day. She will be setting out on her mission to find the so called Iron Claws who she strongly believed was a copy cat. The real one was dead! Or perhaps, she just wanted to believe that.

A knock came on the door and Maria came in. They prepared for the day and as usual, Sylvia didn't have her breakfast with the others. It was served to her in her room. They finished and both got out.

Sylvia walked down some stairs and then entered the corridors. Moving to enter a room with double doors. She was dressed in nothing but plain clothes, surprising those who were in the room.

"What? Why do you all look so surprised?"

The two girls she had picked were inside along with her god sister, Racheal and someone else whom she didn't think was suppose to be here.

"Gerald? What are you doing here?" She asked him.

Gerald's jaw clenched as he looked away from her and answered with his head bowed a little "I'm going with you"

Silence followed for a while before Sylvia slowly step towards him.

Although she was dressed in plain clothes, her aura did not leave her. That aura that warned everyone not to get too close if you'll be burnt. She arrived in front of him and Gerald was not afraid of holding her gaze. Her sharp eyes pierced into him and for a moment, he wanted to turn away but he held himself back knowing what she was like.

Sylvia's lips parted to say something and Gerald thought she was going to refuse right away. She hated it when someone does not follow her order but she surprised him by blinking and tilting her a head a little to the side as she looked at him,

"Okay" she uttered and his eyes narrowed.

She walked away from him and faced the girls who had their hands folded at their front in nervousness. Sylvia could see in their eye that they weren't willing to go on this mission with her. Of course they were scared and probably already bade their families a goodbye like it was their last time.

"I expect you have both prepared a plan"

The two ladies glanced at each other and Sylvia could tell that they hadn't thought out anything yet.

"I'm quite disappointed" she said, and turned around to face Gerald "Do you have anything?"

Gerald stepped forward "I found out where he is rumoured to live. If we can find our way there, then we have a chance" he added "A tiny one"

Sylvia nodded and turned back towards the girls. "We will be stepping into the werewolves territories. I'm sure that sounds scary to you so if you do not want to be burnt alive, use your head and make sure you do not get caught"

"Yes, my queen" They both agreed.

"Did you prepare the scents?" Sylvia asked Maria and she nodded "I packed everything you will need"

Sylvia trusted her so she didn't bother checking those things but just then, a knock came on the door and a woman rushed inside, breathing heavily.

Sylva frowned as she approached her "What's wrong Lillian?"

"Th-they..." The woman tried to breathe and Sylvia had to wait until she got back her breath "They found another body!" She announced and a gasp erupted from behind her.

Sylvia's gaze hardened and anger brewed in them. Fine.

Since you want to play this way, i'll make it my life's mission to destroy you!

Seeing the woman's expression, she could tell it was someone important that has been found.

"Who is it?" She asked the woman who now began to cry.

"Madam Hera" Lillian replied in between breaths "She was found inside the forest this morning" She looked up at Sylvia "She was killed last night"

A coven leader.

Sylvia's eyes narrowed. Madam Hera was someone she had seen just last night. Except she had gotten out on her own, there was no one who would take her from these walls. The werewolves or other beings weren't able to step into the walls of the Witch palace as it had been made and surrounded with wolfsbane.

Then how did she die? Why did she leave the palace walls last night?

..

With the others behind her, Sylvia arrived in the place where the body was laid. Madam Kate's body had started to turn blue due to the freezing cold and she could see the claw marks, blood trails. She was not tortured like the others but she was killed brutally. Sylvia couldn't help but feel like there was more to this.

She looked up to meet the gaze of one of the coven leaders but the woman quickly looked away. Sylvia's brows drew together.

"Amora, do you have something to say?"

"No, my queen. It is just too sad that she had died like this. She was good to us"

"She was good to everyone" said Sylvia, as she squatted next to the body. Her eyes scanned all over the body as she memorized every single details of it before she ordered for it to be taken away.

As Sylvia made her way back inside, Maria quickly came to block her, trying to catch her breath. "It's not him. He didn't do that"

Sylvia gave her a look as she crossed her arm. Her lips parted "I know" she paused, as she looked ahead with her eyes squinting at the sun that had just risen "It's them"

...

Amora entered inside a dark room along with some other witches. They were all leaders of the covens and they seemed anxious.

"Do you think she suspects something?"

"I don't know" Amora replied as she paced around the room while the others watched her.

"We have to speed up our plans especially now that she will be leaving" a wicked glint passed through her eyes "I doubt she will be able to come back"

Sylvia got ready as her things, along with everyone else's was packed. She had deviced a plan and went through it with the others. She hoped everything would work out well and they wouldn't need to lose more lives.

Maria was here to act as Queen in her absence so she was rest assured.

It took about half a day to arrive in a small town and they crossed the werewolves boundaries then looked for a place to hide. They masked their scents so they wouldn't stand out before going out and mixing with the others.

Werewolves were sensitive creatures. They could tell apart the species of people from their scent alone but the Witches of course had spells for everything. They could mask their scent by rubbing plain oil on their skin and reciting some spell to make them smell just like werewolves. That way, they wouldn't stand out.

Evelyn and Fiona still shook with fear whenever someone would pass by them. They were now walking in the midst of werewolves and they wondered if maybe somehow, the spell wouldn't work out and they would be fished out and burned alive in front of anyone.

What they forgot was that their queen wasn't just anyone. During the years that has passed, she had advanced into a level of sorcery that not any one of the witches could reach. It was why everyone feared her and didn't dare to challenge her. So of course if any of those things happens, she was capable enough to protect them and herself.

"How much longer do we have?" Sylvia asked looking around the market place that was bustling with people

"We are almost there. It's the town behind the mountain over there" Gerald pointed ahead where they could see a mountain in the distance. A car couldn't pass through this kind of place so they had to walk and she was getting tired.

Her eyes suddenly spotted a restaurant with transparent glass walls. At thesame moment, her stomach growled and the others all looked at her.

"I think... I have to eat" she said, a bit embarassed but she didn't show that on her face as the four of them approached the restaurant and took a seat then waited for the food they ordered to be prepared.

As Sylvia sat there, she suddenly felt a gaze on her back. Like someone was watching her. She couldn't help but feel like they should leave this place but that woukd.make them seem more suspicious. She turned towards Gerald, whose gaze was fixed on her.

"What's wrong?" He asked, but Sylvia didn't reply. She knew that werewolves had heightened senses. They could hear whatever one was saying from a distance.

Very soon, the food was served and Sylvia was about to dig in when she heard the sound of footsteps approaching them from behind her. She saw Evelyn and Fiona stiffen as the person came closer and she hoped they wouldn't give themselves away.

"Hello" A handsome face popped up in front of her and before she knew it, the man was already taking the seat next to her.

The others looked at him strangely and he blinked a few times before bowing his head slightly to greet them. Both Evelyn and Fiona responded back with a smile while Gerald threw him a hostile gaze.

Sylvia looked indifferent. As if she wasn't aware someone had just joined their table. She continued eating her food non-chalantly.

"Hello" The man waved his hands in front of her, trying to get her attention and Sylvia sighed, finally putting her utensils down as she threw him a glare but she was stunned when she saw his face. It wasn't a man but a... a boy. A cute teenage boy. He had dark and long hair but it looked very clean and oiled.

The boy smiled showing his pearl white teeth and Sylvia came out of her daze as she asked him "What do you want?"

"You" He paused then, continued "I saw you"

Sylvia blinked twice, not quite understanding what he meant. She was sure she hadn't met him anywhere before so why was he suddenly talking about seeing her?

They both stared at each other for a while until the boy spoke. "I have the ability to see the future" As he said this, his gaze looked serious. The playfulness that was visible in his expression before disappeared as he continued "And ... I saw you in one of my visions"

For a moment, Sylvia felt like she was not speaking to a child. The way he looked at her was as if he knew everything. Her gaze was calm as she leaned against the seat, looking at him with interest "That's something. What did you see about me then?"

"Alot"

"Tell me one of them" She probed and when she saw him open his mouth to speak, she was expecting to hear something that she might actually believe but instead...

"You long for someone"

Sylvia "..."

Long for someone? Sylvia resisted the urge to laugh. She had never even fallen in love so how could she...? Now she knew not to take him seriously.

She casually took a sip of the wine that was served "And... That person cannot be you right?"

The boy smiled, exposing his teeths "I know I am handsome" He got closer and whispered to her "Probably all the girls wants me" but this action made Gerald be at alert as his eyes keenly watched the boy incase he was here to pull tricks. Sensing Gerald's gaze the boy pulled back while Sylvia laughed. He was funny.

"But my brother isn't too bad either. I'm guessing you guys will make a great couple. How about i introduce you? He is picky with women but the first time i set my eyes on you, i knew you were the one. My brother will like you too. Come with me hm? i will show you"

From being a fortune teller to becoming a match maker. Well, it was getting interesting.

Sylvia wanted to know what else he would suggest but a deep, angry voice made her turn her head.

"Kai!"

Seeing the man who was storming to their table, Sylvia noticed how Kai's expression changed and he quickly stood up, then his lips stretched into a smile that looked so fake.

"Brother?" He called with a charming voice while making a cute face "How come you are here? I looked everywhere for you"

The moment his brother reached him, he received a hard flick on the forehead which made him fall back on his seat, holding his forehead "Ouch... It hurts"

Sylvia looked up to meet a set of grey eyes. He was quite handsome and she wondered if this was the brother Kai was talking about.

"I'm sorry if he has been a nuisance to you. Please ignore him. It's my fault for not teaching him properly" came his deep voice.

Sylvia quickly shook her head with a rare smile on her face "Don't worry. He was quite entertaining"

Hearing this, Kai grinned taking his hands away from his forehead to reveal the red patch that had appeared there "I told you i wasn't going to cause any trouble"

His brother glared at him and he quickly went quiet.

"We'll be leaving then" He grabbed Kai's hands and started to practically drag him away.

"I hope to see you again!" Kai shouted back and Sylvia chuckled, seeing the way he was being dragged like a rag. He was so cute and funny.

Seeing her smile like this, Gerald stared at her "Does he make you that happy? I have never seen you smile like that ever since that day" He was surprised.

The smile slowly disappeared from her face when she realized this and she started to eat again without saying anything back.

....

Only when Kai was dragged completely out of the restaurant was he released from his brother clutches.

"Ouchh... Why are you so fierce with me" Kai complained but only received his brother's glare.

"I told you not to wander around and go telling people useless stuff about their future"

"I didn't tell her anything. i Just..." Kai seemed sad when he thought about something. " I can't stop myself from seeing it okay?"

His brother looked so frustrated that he wished he could just punch a wall "Have you forgotten what you were told?"

Kai finally looked guilty as he lowered his head "I know. It's just... that woman..." He sighed "Her future looked so rough and uncertain. It was sad" He looked up to meet his brother's eyes "I saw her die Kel"

.....

A/N:

I know this is just the beginning chapters but please, support me by dropping comments. Comments means alot to authors.