Tega was ready to be home from her lengthy road trip to the mountains. She had just come face-to-face with one of the most powerful beings of the Underworld. Although it wasn't really a battle, she was ready to relax and fight the simpler creatures of the night.

"Welcome home!" Tega’s roommate, Suri shouted as she came in the door.

Suri was a short 21-year-old woman with dirty blonde hair, sharp green eyes, and a spray tan. She attended the same college as Tega, and they have been friends since childhood.

"Hello, what are you doing here?" she replied as she gave her a hug.

"Did you have fun?"

"Not really.”

Tega knew something was wrong from the moment she walked in the door. Suri wasn't the same as before she left, and it seemed as so she was hiding something. Ignoring her feelings, she headed to her bedroom. Standing in the doorway, she noticed Nario laying on her bed shirtless reading a book.

"What do you want?" Tega sighed as she walked over to the bed shutting the door behind her.

"I am only here for business," he replied, not taking his eyes off the book.

"Okay," she sat down on the edge of the bed, "What business?"

“I heard you ran into a warlock?”

“How did you know that?”

“I know everything Tee.”

She reached over and snatched the book from his hands and tossed it onto the floor, “Did you know that?”

He laughed as he sat up on the bed.

“Get out Nario.”

“Did he give you his name?”

“No, but he knew my name.”

Nario’s eyes widen in response.

“Why? What does that have to do with anything?”

“Don’t go off alone next time, Tega.”

“Why?”

“Just don’t! Listen for once!”

She looked at him confused. She had never heard him so angry nor has she ever witnessed him raising his voice at her.

“Leave.”

                                                             *******

A sudden buzzing sound awoke Tega from her nap. Reaching under her pillow she pulled out her smartphone. Another buzz and a message popped up on the screen from Suri:

"Hey Tega! Meet me in the stadium as soon as you get this. Please don’t reply. This is important."

Her heart sank after she read the message.

What’s going on?

This wasn’t like Suri to disappear in the middle of the night.

Tega got dressed and met her friend as asked. Suri was standing in the middle of the stadium. Dressed in a flowing white dress she smiled at her.

"What is it Suri?" she asked as she paused a few feet from her with caution.

"You've met the warlock, right?"

"Yeah, I did, but how did you know?"

"I never wanted to hurt you Tega." Suri eyes filled with tears.

"What are you talking about?"

"I am a witch, Tega."

"What?"

"A witch. That warlock is my father."

"Are you serious Suri?"

Tega slowly reached for her gun in the holster on her hips.

"Please don’t. I don’t want to fight you Tega!"

"Yea, but you’re a witch, Suri!"

Suri ran over to her and hugged her tightly.

"Suri?" Tega whispered as she hugged her back.

"Please forgive me for deceiving you."

Dumbfounded, she paused.

"I'm sorry," she cried as she placed her palm in the middle of Tega’s back.

“Suri, stop!” Tega tried to free herself.

Suri cast a spell on her back as tears flowed from her eyes.