A Hybrid

The rain had stopped falling about half an hour ago, leaving the chilliness in the air behind. The cemetery ground was a mush that Sylvia didn't want to step on.

She sat on a rock slab placed as a bench from where she could look over the whole place. Sylvia was never afraid of death or dead. Yet she didn't want to face hers ever.

The witches had a greater lifespan than the humans, but that one lifetime was not enough for Sylvia to achieve the greatest powers. She was a power-hungry woman who wanted to be at the top of the power pyramid.

And to achieve that power, she was ready to go to any extent and sacrifice anything.

She left her home, her family, and her beloved sister for that quest for power. And now she had run from Malvadogar, Reznor, Oscar and Gerald.

But she missed them!

She wondered if she was with Gerald at that time, then he would have pulled her small frame into his chest and would have wrapped his arms around her. She would have placed her head on his bare chest, inhaling his natural scent with a smile on her face.

He would have talked about anything and everything until she was lulled to sleep.

Sylvia's hand shot to her heart, and she squeezed her dress tightly at the sudden realisation of emptiness.

For the first time, she had felt something special for a man. Yet she sacrificed him for the sake of her ambition for power.

But now... she didn't know if he was safe. She shouldn't have left him when his life was in danger.

But how could she hold onto a man who had someone else in his heart?

He was a human, a muggle, and he had to be with another human and not the dark witch!

But would she be able to love another man now?

Sylvia wiped her tears with the back of her hand as she heard the sound of footsteps. She instantly reached for her wand and held it tightly in her fingers.

Her dark eyes looked around in alert. She couldn't see much in the dark. The moon shining in the dark sky scattered its dim light, which was the only source of light she had.

Sylvia stood up from the rock she was seating on and began searching for the source of those sounds.

Did those wizards find her? Or was it someone else?

She knew better than to believe the ghosts.

Her heart lurched into her throat when someone placed their hand on her shoulder. She jumped with a screech, but a hand covered her mouth before she made more noise.

Sylvia's panicked eyes settled on a face that looked a little different than she remembered.

"Shhh! It's me. Roma! Now come. We shouldn't stay here for long."

Not giving Sylvia a chance to say anything, Roma took her hand and began dragging her out of the cemetery.

Sylvia didn't question her or doubted her. Because perhaps she was the only person Sylvia had found after leaving Warthford Island who kept her word.

Sylvia's head spun as Roma guided her through many alleys and passed from the squares and corners before she slowed down in front of a small building.

Sylvia gave up paying attention to the road they had taken after the first few minutes because it was a tiresome job, and her mind was not in the right place to do it.

Roma took her to the back of the building, where a green door was. She let go of Sylvia's hand and raised herself on her tip-toes. She searched a horizontal gap above the doorframe to find a key.

She then unlocked the door and welcomed Sylvia.

"Come in."

Sylvia took small and hesitant steps inside the building that had dim lights on. Her vision took a few moments to adjust to that orange light.

Roma closed the door behind them and walked ahead in what looked like a corridor. Sylvia followed her silently on the first floor until Roma stopped in front of a door.

"Is it..."

"Yes, it's my room." Roma smiled before letting Sylvia in.

She lit up the lamps that illuminated the whole place in warm light. Sylvia's eyes wandered around the small, cosy place, which was surprisingly clean and neat.

A smile made its way on Sylvia's face for the first time in all these days.

"Do you like it?" Roma asked while taking off her jacket.

"Yes, I do. It's clean and neat." Sylvia answered truthfully.

"We will talk in detail but first take a hot bath. I will arrange some freshly cooked food for us. You must be starving and I didn't get to eat anything after that fiasco."

The mention of hot baths and food melted Sylvia's heart, and she nodded vigorously without objection.

After fifteen minutes, when she stepped out of the small attached bathroom, she found a dress already placed on the single bed.

Sylvia smiled at the thought of wearing clean clothes. She put on the dress. It was a bit bigger than her size, but she didn't mind at all. She combed her tangled long raven hair, taking a look at herself after what felt like ages.

Her lips pursed in a thin line in distaste at her state.

She heard a light knock on the closed window. She quickly rushed toward it. Pulling the white curtains aside, she opened the window to see a raven sitting there, waiting for her.

Her chest filled with relief, and she smiled, running her fingers on its head.

"You must be cold. Find a warm place for yourself. Don't worry about me. I am fine!" She assured the bird.

Every witch and wizard had their own bird or animal. Their companions, who carried a part of their soul in them. In case the owner gets in a life-threatening situation, and their life is hanging by one thread, these birds or animals could give part of their soul back to them.

But if the witch or wizard died and their bird or animal didn't get a chance to return the part of their soul, then that bird or animal also die with their owner.

These creatures carried a deeper and stronger connection with their owners on the emotional level that the owners refused to part from their creatures.

And this raven was Sylvia's soul career.

Sylvia's head turned around when she heard the sound of the door opening. She quickly pulled the curtains, hiding her raven from Roma as she entered the room.

She trusted Roma but not as much as revealing her raven to her.

Sylvia walked over to Roma and took the tray she carried from her hands. Placing it on the small table, she gaped at the two bowls of steaming soup and two pieces of bread.

Roma had also gotten some hot coffee for them to keep them warm from the cold.

Sylvia's stomach grumbled loudly, and a light pink blush covered her cheeks.

Roma smiled, patting the place next to her on the bed. "Come. You are hungry."

While eating their food, Roma explained. "Don't mind, but I never liked goblins. They are untrustworthy and too smart for their own good.

When that goblin came into the restaurant, a group of people followed not a minute later. They came together but took different tables and requested to not let any other customers into that room.

That was when I got suspicious of them. I kept my eyes on them. When you asked about that goblin, I was surprised. Because you didn't seem like one of them. You were nervous and scared."

Sylvia focused on her food as well as Roma's words while remaining silent.

"I was serving in the next room when I heard two men talking in hushed whispers. They were saying something about trapping the rebel and killing her right then and there. The other one argued that they should take the rebel back to Larnwick because someone called Devera would like to punish her with his own hands."

A chill ran down Sylvia's spine, and her hand paused. The delicious soup suddenly lost all its deliciousness.

"Look, I don't know who you are and what have you done to get that tag of a rebel from Larnwick. But when we first bumped into each other, I felt a strange connection with you.

I couldn't let you die there. So I helped. I just want you to know that I am not one of them, and you shouldn't be suspicious of me."

Sylvia liked how this girl was straightforward.

"You are not human, are you?" Sylvia asked.

Roma shook her head. "I am actually a hybrid."

"A hybrid?"

Roma nodded her head. She raised her hand, and within a blink of an eye, it transformed into a wing with white feathers.

"Half swan, half human."

Sylvia blinked in amazement. "I thought we don't find these supernatural breeds of birds except a few."

Roma nodded her head. "We are rare. Our breeds became the victim of the pleasure of the powerful ones. Many of us have gotten extinct due to uncontrollable hunting.

They hunt us for their pleasure, not realising how we were once the respected kinds." Anger was clear in her voice.