Page 3 of Savage Desire

“It’s the symbol of the original ancestors. It’s linked to those the first witch loved.”

I should want to know what that means, but there’s a sliver of naïvety inside of me that’s disappointed I didn’t learn something directly about my parents.

My coin is a symbol of the original ancestors. Why does that matter to me? The first witch didn’t love me, clearly, otherwise I wouldn’t be cursed along with everyone else.

The water shuts off, drowning the room in silence as the lingering drips of water fall to the gathered pool by the drain.

“Polaris?”

I still at the sound of my name coming from Bryony’s mouth, desperate for her to leave. I hold my breath, curling my lips inward as I spy her sandals under the stall as she waits a few moments before she retreats back into the hallway, and I sag with relief. I should be thanking her for getting me back to campus so quickly. She saw the horror in my eyes, the disbelief of my sigil releasing, and before anyone could say a word, she was hightailing me out of there.

It’s all a blur, one that didn’t seem to come into focus until the familiarity of Trinity Falls Academy came into view. Then I took off, refusing to glance back as I sprinted across campus.

She’ll want to talk, make sure I’m okay and be there for me, like a good friend does…

Only, the idea of talking makes me physically ill. I can’t even gather my scattered thoughts, never mind verbalize the mess I’m in. Besides, she saw it for herself.

Worried she might come back in, I force myself to stand and head for the door. I’m drenched from head to toe, but I don’tcare. Peering out into the hallway, I think the coast is clear and hurry for the stairs before I can change my mind, leaving wet footprints in my wake.

I reach my bedroom door without incident, barreling inside before I slam it shut behind me.

Staring around my room, it suddenly feels foreign. The bed is the same, the armoire, the desk, all of it. Not a single thing has changed since I was last here a few hours ago, butIhave. I’ve changed more than I could have ever imagined.

My gaze locks on the diary nestled on my nightstand with my special Florentine pen waiting on top. I feel like I need it more than my next breath, and I dart across the room, falling to my knees as my fingers wrap around them.

Flipping through the book, I find the next empty page and scribble like my life depends on it.

I think it just might.

Dear diary,

I… I was… I just…

Dear Diary,

My sigil is gone.

My virginity is gone.

I don’t know who I am or what I’m supposed to do, but one thing is abundantly clear now.

They have my coin… a coin connected to the creators of the damn curse that has us all here. It doesn’t make any sense, I’m not sure I want it to. Maybe being kept in the dark is the better option.

Despite what I want or think, the truth can’t be changed.

I am a witch.

Polaris x

2

POLARIS

It's no surprise to acknowledge that, yet again, sleep isn't my friend.

It doesn't come, not even for a second. My mind is too wired. I thought scrawling my thoughts on my impending doom into my diary, revealing my new truths would unleash them from me, but they plague me worse than ever.

Now that the adrenaline has worn off, I’m also left with an ache between my thighs, and the reminder of why it's there plays just as rampant in my mind. I’m acutely aware of the lack of weight on my wrists too. With the bangles gone, I’m left with a cool tingling sensation dancing over the bare skin every time I move, serving as another reminder on my ever growing list.

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