I stand in a daze, listening to the attack plan over dinner. For the first time, I realize the dangerous responsibilities that come with the duties of being a ward member.

Our attack plan formulated, We ride out into the village and lay low, waiting for the vampires to show up. I feel a little disappointed that my magic can't aid me in fighting the bad guys, but I quickly brush it off. Ha! I'm good with my pistol!

The night is chilly and it's eerily quiet. But then we hear it, riders invading the village.

They don't stir up too much dust, dismount and scatter to find their targets. Cecelia confirms they are all vampires and there are five of them. Our backup arrives Fiona and Sascha. Cecelia asks everyone to tail one of the vampires.

"Wait!" Just before I can dash off after a gruff-looking female vampire prowling the streets, Cecelia waves me over. "Maybe you should stick with me. You're... a mortal. And your witchy powers haven't exactly ripened."

The old me would have taken offence to hear such words, but the new me is unsure. Cecelia has a point, I'm a mere mortal against the supernaturals.

"You need a partner..." Cecelia tries to convince me again, but I shake my head. "No. We can't let any of the vampires roam free."

Cecelia nods and presses six extra silver bullets into my palm. I save them in my belt pocket and set off, chasing my target.

The plan was to incapacitate the vampires, subdue them and then Cecelia will handle things from there.

I move in the dark alleyway, cautious of my target's movements but my slight loss of concentration causes me to lose track of him.

"Where's she?"

I look around but freeze when I hear a hiss from behind my back. I'm frozen with fear for a moment but then turn around, my gun already blazing at the vampire's body.

She's agile. She dodges my attacks. We move to duck and jump, our movements akin to dancing. I fire again and again but miss hitting her. Ugh!

The hissing again gets closer. Oh no she's using her stealth power to sneak up behind me. I leap up avoiding her claws which were about to dig into my shoulder.

I'm sweaty and breathless. "Maybe I should have listened to Cecelia... I do need backup..."

I grit my teeth in frustration but hold my ground.

"Indeed you need a backup..."

That voice. It's Kellan! How does he materialize every single time?

"Cecelia asked me to be your backup. Ah, I was nearby and she pushed through her telepathy powers to talk to me..." Kellan says, urging me to move. "Come on, let's win this fight..."

The rest of the fight is a breeze. I'm in awe of Kellan's firepower. As I wallow inwardly in self-pity, he notices and pats me on the head.

Strange. I can feel the heat of his fingers even through my hat.

"I appreciate your approval of my skills, little witch. But don't forget you're powerful. With a little practice, you can have the world dancing to the tune of your fingertips. Oh, but you're someone who'd use your power for the greater good, right?"

Damn that heat, those words are warming up my heart.

I nod. "Yes. Yes, Captain. You know I don't hurt people. Not the righteous people, no."

Kellan chuckles and nods, moving away from me to bind the subdued vampire with a rope.

"Keep practising, you'll reach there. Meanwhile, I should have a talk with Miss Visconti about exposing you to danger."

His words lit a fire in my heart. I keep my mouth shut but I'm determined to make myself useful.

***

A week passes after that. I work harder than ever. Kellan often comes to check on me. I enjoy our banters and I kind of love how he looks after each of the ward members.

My admiration for the man is growing. He's a good guy.

My magic begins to come to me steadily. Cecelia and the team are fighting zombies in a nearby town’s graveyard. I rush to their aid without consulting the captain as he’s elsewhere. We fight as a team and win.

But in a dramatic turn of events, some stuck-up diplomats from the New Amster show up and take all the credit before townsfolk, saying if the Ward is putting in good work, it’s all thanks to their directives and training. Half the townsfolk believe it while half doesn't, but still, it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

“This is unfair!” I complain, joining the ward members, my friends from the Wisp Willow, as we all slowly pile out of the graveyard.

Sascha gives my shoulder an affectionate squeeze. Fiona pouts and sulks but not loudly. Cecelia appears calm but Nathan swears under his breath how the city-bred, stuck-up diplomats are always meddling and troubling. Unable to bear it any longer, Cecelia assures us that she and Kellan will stabilize things. And it’s not very often that New Amster butts into the affairs of a quaint town like the Wisp.

I mutter a few curses under my breath myself, but cheer up as everyone begins cracking jokes. While Cecelia leaves us, heading to the Ward office; I, Sascha, Nathan, and Fi, make our way to the saloon to blow some steam.

***

I’m pleasantly calm when I return to the Ward Office later that night. Calm but not buzzed. I arrive alone (the others have gone to tie some loose ends, but I suspect some of them are still partying), and a little late, feeling guilty because I know I should have been early to assist Kellan with his paperwork.

When I step into the office, I’m greeted by Kellan’s powerful presence. That quite calm of his is domineering in its own way. I clear my throat and explain why I’m late.

Kellan smiles, brushing it off. With a little troubled smile, he says, “I’ve only arrived from the Infernus just now… Do you still have the stamina to work? I heard the fight had been intense.”

Kellan is such a considerate boss. I appreciate his kindness, showing a bright smile. I shrug, “I’m a little tired, but that’s not what nags me… those New Amster foxes! No, rattlesnakes, slithering their way, trying to impress the townsfolk… what are they trying to pull here?”

Kellan looks away, looking troubled again. I grit my teeth and remark how unfair it is.

“It’s fair and it’s not…” says Kellan. "...but that shouldn't stop us from doing what we must, and we won't…"

He smiles a little as he pulls out some very special documents that needed to be filled with precision. “These aren’t your regular documents and, yeah, it might be a little ridiculous, but you need some impressive cursive.”

I look at the inkpot and feather pen. My handwriting was never artistic. As I begin to doubt my skills clutching the feather pen, Kellan comes to stand behind me and guides me on how to keep my hand steady, saying that I can pull it off if I concentrate. He’s radiating heat is a little too much from such proximity, and thanks to his burning hand that envelopes mine, his warmth blankets me and brings me a sense of comfort.

We complete filling the document like that in about a couple of minutes that feel like an eternity.

At the same time, I’m extremely distracted. He smells damn good. Thump-thump… is that my heart?

“You're a quick learner.” Kellan steps away from me, but not before patting my back. “I appreciate the help.”

I nervously joke, “Cap, you have to pay me some real gold too, not just compliments.”

Hearing this Kellan laughs. I relax and murmur to myself how nice it is to become his assistant. He’s considerate and caring. He doesn't judge either. I’ve never felt better working under someone before. And I feel like, in recent days, I’ve gotten closer to Kellan. Yeah, I still can’t decipher him. He’s still that enigma.

I work on the rest of the documents as taught. Kellan returns to attend his own. The silence is amicable but something that I’m not used to. I have to run my mouth.

“So… you keep dealing with such things in Willow Wisp, huh? The townsfolk don't exactly know what kind of law you’re enforcing but they trust you wholly to keep them safe. This is still a hard life with how much evil lurks in this otherwise quiet town…”

What am I saying? It doesn't make sense even to me, yeah, some of it does, but….

Kellan says, “these things exist in the world too. Evil exists. It's often close, and very often it chases good people.”

The amount of agony in his expression shocks me. Before I can say something, the fire in the fireplace burns brightly, the flames taking the shape of a bird — a phoenix.

The bird carries an envelope in its beak which it juts out towards Kellan. He wordlessly reaches for it while I gawk, scanning the contents of the letter almost immediately.

“Ah, an Invite to the Infernal gala…” he mutters, looking away with a sigh, but still tucks the envelope into the pocket of his waistcoat.

Just then, Cecelia waltzes in with Nathan in tow. Kellan immediately makes way to the duo, ignoring Nathan, and focusing on the vampire ranger.

“Please! Visconti, I need your help!”

I’ve never seen Kellan so desperate, but boy, he sounds desperate as he pleads with Cecelia to partner with him as he attends the gala.

Cecelia wears a troubled expression. “Wisp is turning volatile. We can’t leave this town unmonitored, Captain. Someone has to stay here. Besides I’m busy dealing with a few of the incidents from surrounding towns…”

“I know…” Kellan sighs, running a hand through his locs.

Cecelia just then makes a dramatic suggestion. “Why don’t you take our little witch? (Y/N) is a great choice! She can be your partner!”

Kellan shakes his head and looks even more desperate.

“She’s a WITCH!” he says, looking at me. “She’s only a mortal… Her magical powers are improving, sure, but Infernus can't be a safe place for her—”

I seethe at the caring tone of his. “I don't need mothering. I don't need protecting!” I scream at him before I can stop, “you clearly need a partner, Captain. If Cecelia can't come then I’m the only choice…”

My pride swells but deflates realizing Kellan can have Fiona… In fact, he can have any girl, and that fact doesn't sit right with me. Why am I feeling like this? What am I trying to accomplish by going to these lengths, and partnering with him?

“I’m sorry. It wasn’t my intention, but my words must have come off wrong. I never considered you weak. You're a strong woman who can fight her way through anything. Just yesterday you were thrust into this beguiling world of the supernaturals and you’re fighting not running away… I appreciate everything you are and your efforts towards the Ward.”

Kellan apologizes, touching my shoulder, and I melt into a puddle. He recognizes me, but he only worries for me. That’s a sweet sentiment, one that I’m not used to. And his words of praise, recalling them makes me blush.

I stammer, trying to reply, but I can’t manage and scowl at myself.

Kellan squeezes my shoulder again as Nathan and Cece witness our exchange mutely.

“Infernus is a dangerous place. Even if you’re the strongest, that place can burn you. Well, I still trust you to take care of yourself… and I’ll be there for you as much as I can. So… are you willing to come knowing the risks?”

I look at Kellan. Without an ounce of hesitation, I give my yes.

***

That week I train harder and harder. Fiona helps me practise my magic, and with her help, I summon my familiar Enzo — he’s a cute little ball of fur, but he's also a demon, and he’s so loyal and loving. Infernal Gala is a day away, but I know that I’m strong, that I am safe. I have myself — and I have Kellan and Enzo.

***

To be continued!

I apologize for the delay in posting this part. But life happens and life sucks. Ah, I’ve finally managed it. Hopefully, the next part will be out soon!

The infernal gala should be fun! Apologies for typos if any. I will check again.