Summons

Cara confidently walked with her ball of fire, and as they passed by torches, scattered in the maze, she lit them all up with just a look and mental chant. It clearly convinced Ashton that Cara is a fast learner, or she's just an old soul that century old spells could come out of her so naturally.

"Well done, love." Ashton said to Cara with a big smile on his face.

"You ain't seen nothing yet, love." Cara answered with another song title.

They both laughed as they got near the center of the maze, but as soon as they reached the center, their mood changed. It's like they switched to their serious mode in an instant.

Ashton placed the pile of wood he prepared earlier directly under the concrete staircase. Cara walked closer and placed her hand directly above the pile of woods. "Silab" she whispered. And instantaneously, the pile of wood was set ablaze.

Ashton took out a small iron cauldron from his duffle bag and placed it over the fire pit. Ashton stood back and watched Cara do the rest needed. Only the Sakalam is able to do this ritual. He knows that this summoning is a double-edge sword because not only the witches but also the Phantoms will be able to see the summon. But with the aggressive move of the Phantoms, this is the most logical thing to do.

Cara wore the black veil that Ashton brought for her. Cara's hand is sweating. She could not hide the nervousness she feels at the moment. She exhaled deeply, gathering all the courage she's left with. Being the Sakalam is a challenge no one else would relate to because she is the only one. She glanced in Ashton's direction; he nodded smiled at her. She felt a little more at ease seeing the hot husband standing behind her, supporting her.

"Thanks, love." She mouthed at him.

She went back to her task. Cara took out the orange potion bottle Ashton gave her earlier. Ashton's father made this concoction years ago. It does not contain any magic because a witch did not make it.

Still, it means a lot for Cara that Ashton kept the bottle for the longest time even if he hated her so much before.

Ashton admired the night sky; it was perfect for tonight's ritual. He smiled, thinking this perfect sky isn't a coincidence after all, his student is amazing.

She poured the contents of the bottle into the small cauldron. Cara then spread her arms wide, letting everything go and surrendering her powers to the heavens who installed all her powers.

As if on cue; the thunder and lightning made their presence felt. It made Ashton's hair stand on with everything unfolding before him.

"Cara is the one, the strongest of them all. What more if she gets to master her skills. She is one scary babe." Ashton's thoughts echoed in his mind.

"Cara Lang Sakalam, Cara Lang Sakalam," she chanted repeatedly, her words getting louder and louder as she repeats her chant.

"Agh, "Ashton suddenly felt a burning pain on his back, his matching tattoo with Cara. He readily focused his eyes on Cara's tattoo, and like he expected, Cara must be experiencing the same thing. But unlike him, she went on with her task, not minding the pain she is going through.

The edge of her tattoo was glowing fire red. Cara raised her hand up in the air and just like that, a wooden staff appeared in her hand. It has a gleaming moon like ball at the top and the shaft is embellished with golden accents.

Cara held her wand like proudly. She chanted and pointed her wand at the cauldron "Bubula Liquido". The concoction started to bubble, and thick orange smoke started escaping the cauldron. Cara raised both her hands as if instructing the wind to carry the smoke, to summon all the other witches.

This summoning ritual is a confirmation that the Sakalam has arrived and is calling for them. The witches that know about their being should follow the orange smoke that they are seeing. This smoke is invisible to non-witches once it drops to the ground.

The set back of this ritual is that while it the smoke is still in the sky, witch-hunters will see it.

****

"Thomas, look at the sky right now." A man with a very distinct husky voice called Thomas. He obliged, and as soon as he looked up it left him stunned to his core.

"What the, how is this possible? She was born just a few weeks ago. She can't possibly complete the summoning ritual." Thomas answered, while he still finds the event right now incomprehensible. Their group was looking for a newborn, they searched every hospital record. They even checked and tracked every woman who they think fit the possibility of bearing the Sakalam. But now they know that they should be looking in the other direction.

"We are wrong, Thomas. Completely wrong." The man on the other end said in disappointment.

"I see, I should gather the Phantoms for this update." Thomas replied, desperate to correct their mistake.

****

Ashton and Cara walked back towards their cabin. Cara is tired, but her spirit is lifted, nonetheless.

"You did well in there babe, I am proud of you." Ashton declared his admiration.

"I hope I did it right." Cara lowered her head while they were walking.

"You did. By the way, does your back still hurt?" He asked Cara and looked at Cara's back.

"It stings but, It's okay. How did you know?" She asked Ashton. "Wait, are you hurt too, love?" She asked again, like a concerned wife.

Ashton liked how she asked him. After his parents passed away, this is the first time he felt someone was sincerely concerned for his wellbeing.

"It's fine. Nothing I can handle." He smiled back at Cara. The truth is; Every time Cara uses her powers, the branding on Ashton's back becomes deeper and more permanent. It is the brand of a servant that would serve the Sakalam all his life.

Ashton despised this branding when he read it in books. But now it feels like her connection with Cara is stronger. This is what confuses Ashton all the more; "Why do I care about our connection, or how she feels? It is impossible for me to love her… but why do I feel this way?" He asked himself while she looked at Cara, who rushed inside the cabin.

"What are you looking for?" Ashton asked Cara, who was scouring the drawers.

"There has to be a first aid kit in here somewhere." She answered without looking back at Ashton.

Ashton cupped his chin, almost covering his mouth. Inside, he was smiling. "This woman, she really cares about me."

He walked near the toilet and reached into the top shelf. He handed it to Cara. "Here it is, Love."

Cara accepted it and pulled Ashton to the bed.

"Take off your shirt." She ordered Ashton.

"What? No. I'm okay." Ashton replied, a little embarrassed to take off his shirt while they are inside a dimly lighted cabin.

"You are such a baby." Cara exclaimed at him. It made Ashton laugh, seeing Cara beg him like that.

He raised both his hands and agreed. "Okay, okay." Ashton took off his coat and his white shirt. He sat back on the bed and positioned his back to Cara.

Cara squeezed an antibacterial ointment on her fingers to spread on Ashton's back. "It's not as bad as I thought." Cara commented while treating Ashton's brand.

"Thank you for taking care of me, love," He said in his low voice. Ashton turned to Cara. Their faces were so close he could almost taste Cara's lips.

He drew closer. Cara did not move away. He held her chin and tilted it towards his lips. He claimed Cara's lips like they were his own. She did not protest, instead she welcomed his searing kisses as mild moans let out her lips. "Ohh, Babe."