Free Enthrall Me (The conclusion to Enchant Me) by Anne Violet

healers to bring me out of my coma, and another two to heal my powers. Although I am told I may never be as strong as I once was, or could’ve been. I got up and paced the length of my room. An image came to mind, one with long, red hair, and a mischievous smile. Alexis. No matter how much I tried to block any thoughts of her, she haunted me, every day and night. Disgusted with my weakness, I stomped out of the room, and almost ran over Sebastian, one of our many shape shifters, who was poised to knock on my door.
    An orphan, only a couple years younger than me, and way to innocent and naïve for his own sake, stared up at me with a worshipful expression, one, he should know I couldn’t live up to. I grasped his shoulder, moved him out of my way, and walked past him. The kid was so light on his feet, that I didn’t even know he followed me until he spoke. “You can release the shield, they knocked her out with some sleeping drink.”
    I glanced down at the skinny, dark haired kid, grimaced, and nodded almost gratefully. Immediately I let go of the shield, and relief flooded me. I leaned against the wall for a second, the kid smiled up at me, happy that I felt better. I studied his expression, trying unsuccessfully, to remember a time when I was innocent and happy like that. I resisted the urge to pat him on the back. I wouldn’t encourage him to be soft.
    In the dining hall extra tables were set out for our new converts, they were more numerous than I remembered, and overly excited with the coming mission. I ignored them as I took my seat, and nodded acknowledgement to Garron, and Lisette as I sat down. Sebastian, my shadow, took his usual seat next to me. I smiled at the empty chair across from me, glad I would be spared Tempest’s drama queen act during dinner. Then Leander, Lowell, and Lia, the noisy, shape shifter triplets, sat down, and made up for her absence with their constant in-fighting. Having just graduated high school, they were excited to be free of their parents, and full of themselves. Sometimes I found their fighting the best entertainment around, and other times it made me want to drown them in the river. I noticed Lisette stared at them from down the table, she looked ready to give one of her stern, unnecessary lectures, only to be beaten to it by Ryker.
    A thirty year old American with telekinetic powers, Ryker slammed his glass down on the table, and glowered at them. “Shut up,” he snarled, and with his powers jerked their chairs closer to the table. I smiled at their grunts of discomfort, when the air was knocked out of them. They apologized after they caught their breath, then nervously kept an eye on Ryker as they ate silently.
    Towards the end of dinner, Garron in a somber suit, his gray hair neatly styled away from his face, stood and called us to attention. “In less than a week someone will join us, someone that not only can increase our powers, but help us to build our own army.” Murmurs of excitement filled the air. “As many of you have heard, I have found the incantation that will destroy the veil between our world and the Otherworld, forever,” this time the excited roar around me was deafening. Garron held his hands up for silence, his pale blue eyes, frighteningly intense. “Soon you won’t have to hide what you are, soon you won’t have to fear your children being discovered, soon…” he paused dramatically, “the others will be the minority. Our time of fear and ridicule is over.” With the air of a king he sat, benevolently gazing upon us. I hid a smirk, and lightly shielded myself. I didn’t need Lisette to catch my true feelings. I had no interest in Garron’s cause, I only cared about my revenge. One that Garron’s plan would help me to get.
    I finished my dinner, not even aware of what I ate, and excused myself. I left the castle, and immersed myself in the night. Our village of La Roque-Gageac looked like something only magic could create, buildings of creamy