He can be such a jackass sometimes. River thought fondly as she watched Jack gave his typical scare the shit out of the students before class had even started speech. She folded her arms over her chest, watching him with a smirk as he stalked around his two students telling them of their apparent impending doom. When he was finished she rolled her eyes and turned to Mackenzie who had popped up as first to go. The new girl was still seated and still radiated with every fiber of her being that she didnât wish to be here but at least there were more enthusiastic students this year. River gave Mackenzie a smile as she plopped the silver knife into one of her hands then pointed to the box. âWell, alright then here we go.â
River double checked the circle before straightening up and coming to stand beside Kenzie, just outside of the circle. âFirst off, ignore Jackâs big scary speech ok? Summoning
is very dangerous but donât let that spook you because the benefits and experiences outweigh any danger. I promise.â
Heck, if everyone ran away from something that was difficult and possibly dangerous then nothing would ever get done! Then again, most difficult things donât include the occasional monster that wants to snack on your face. âNow with that said Iâll be here the entire time, helping to draw your familiar out but like Jack said once itâs here then itâs up to you. Youâll have to control it and subdue it if need be then after that Iâll tether them to you with the same spell I used to keep our naga friend here, only stronger. Your familiar will never be able to leave your side unless you command it. It might seem a bit harsh but trust me, once you bond and the two of you resonate with each other then they will not want to leave. Alright, here we go.â
A nod to Kenzie was the signal to drop a bit of blood into the ring. The droplets splattered onto the hard floor and River moved herself into a stance, almost as if she were preparing for a fight. âNow use everything in you, focus on the droplets, focus on that and will it to draw forth a fae.â She waited a few moments, her eyes trained on Kenzie before encouraging her again. âCome on, you have everything in you to do this already. Just will it, use any stubbornness you have, all of your focus to push the blood to release your essence.â A few more moments passed by and a grin spread across Riverâs face. âThere we go, there we go. Now Iâm going to open a portal, remember
focus.â There was obvious emphasis on the last word as River began making hand gestures in the air, drawing symbols into what seemed like nothingness. She then trailed her right hand over her left forearm, following the lines of a tattoo, before stretching out her right hand.
This is it.The blood seeped into the floor and a thick mist began seeping out from where it had been. It twisted and twirled, beginning to take form. âFocus, just focus and donât be afraid.â
I forgot to find out her name before we started this. Well, like Jack said if she lives then I can ask and remember. The mist finally solidified and the creature that appeared before them seemed innocent enough but it caused River to gasp sharply and curse. âOh shit.â
The creature was a ball of fluff in the most literal sense. Its blue eyes shone with curiosity as it looked about the room trying to figure out exactly why it was suddenly here. âNo one look it in the eyes.â When River uttered the warning the small thing fluttered its wings, apparently startled that there was someone in the room with him and he turned with the aid of his long, golden colored tail to stare at her and all the other occupants surrounding it. âThis is what you call a white imp, very dangerous for many reasons. Donât let anything it says to you fool you. Donât look at its eyes until Iâve tethered him and youâve bonded.â Her voice was stern, which was unusual for River and she moved around the circle, keeping her eyes fixed anywhere but on the cotton ball that had been summoned. âStay focused, I know itâs difficult without actually looking at it but for the love of all that is holy do it.â River rifled through the cabinets as she spoke before pulling out a living, squeaking mouse from a small cage.
Iâm so sorry little one. River approached the imp as it made a curious chirping noise, its small wings flapping excitedly at the sight of the distressed rodent. It then began to bounce up and down, chirping and squeaking before River tossed in the mouse. It was quick, the blink of an eye really, a clean cut appeared out of nowhere down the mouseâs back and suddenly its skin flayed off. The now skinless mouse writhed in pain and squealed loudly as the impâs small mouth suddenly grew, revealing hellish looking teeth. A long tongue snaked out to snatch the morsel inside its mouth and it purred happily while loudly chewing.
While the awful sight unfolded River had lit a stick of incense and had begun motioning in the air. The air popped and sparked where she drew with the stick until finally she was finished. Kenzie would feel a sudden snap, as if a missing piece had been popped into place. It was as if she were two beings at once, two heartbeats, two souls. The imp made a noise that can only be described as a sream when the tethering was complete and its voice now resonated within Kenzieâs head. While it screeched and squalled to the others in the room she would hear a small, but very angry, voice in her head.
âWhat did you do to me?! I want to go home! I hate you, all of you!â It focused on River and hissed at her.
âYou, look at me! Look at me and die! Its wings flapped in fury, its lips curled back to reveal teeth as it carried on in its fit. Kenzie would feel a pressure on her mind and her body as the imp fought at the tether. It clawed and pushed, the feeling was that of getting a cut on your skin again and again and again. He turned to face her, hissing loudly.
âLet me go or die!â River winced at the noise the creature made; obviously it wasnât happy about being tethered. âFight whatever itâs doing to you. My part is over but yours has just begun. Wherever you go, he goes. So, I want you to take him somewhere quiet and calm him down. Thatâs your first test.â She flashed a smile at the girl. âPlease do be careful, Iâd rather not have this demonic piece of lint skin you and then run loose in the school.â After that warning she turned to the blonde girl. âNext?â