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1601 Words
"Celestia? Is something bothering you? You've been quiet since we got home," Renee said, gently caressing Celestia's hair. "Are you still thinking about what happened earlier?" she added.
"Aunt... there's something," Celestia said with a sigh. "I don't know. When I used that strange power, I felt something—like something was calling out to me," she whispered.
Renee's heart started pounding.
"Celestia, whatever you will discover tomorrow, remember that I'm always by your side," she whispered, embracing Celestia.
At dawn, Circe stepped out of her hut. Today was the annual meeting between the witches and the wolves, a day for discussion, unity, and to honor the sacrifices of the ones who fought the Nightmare Wolf century ago. But this year was different.
Today, for the first time in twenty years, they would see the child—the bearer of the mark.
Circe looked up at the sky from the small window, the pale light of dawn washing over the coven. A deep sigh escaped her lips.
"Lilith, I wish you were here with me," she whispered. Her sister’s last smile was still clear in her mind, a memory that never faded despite a lot of time having passed. But there was no time to dwell on the past. Today was too important. Circe stepped out of her hut.
Immediately, she spotted Renee standing with Celestia. The young witch looked calm on the outside, but Circe could sense her unease. The more Circe thought about Celestia’s hidden power and those black flames that appeared yesterday, the more it unsettled her. There was something about it—something beyond even her understanding as a Grand Witch of the Nightshade witches.
"Good morning, Grand Witch," Renee greeted, bowing slightly. Celestia followed her lead. Circe gave a small nod.
"Are you ready, Celestia?" she asked.
Celestia swallowed hard. She wanted to be brave, but deep inside, she was afraid of finding out the answers to her questions.
"Yes, Grand Witch," she said, her voice steady despite the nervousness in her eyes.
"Let's depart," Circe said.
Riding in a small carriage driven by two Nightshade witches, they set off for the Shadowclaw Pack. Celestia gazed outside, her eyes shining with wonder as she took in the sights beyond the coven she had known all her life.
The journey would take them eight hours by carriage—the only means of travel available at the moment. They could use magic, but it would be difficult and far too exhausting.
"Celestia? Are you okay?" Renee asked worriedly. Celestia glanced at her and smiled.
"Aunt, I didn’t know the world outside the coven was this beautiful," she said, completely forgetting the true purpose of their journey. She was amazed by everything she saw beyond the coven, a place the Grand Witch had forbidden her from visiting.
Circe looked at her with pity in her eyes. She had created that rule specifically for Celestia, to keep her from falling into the hands of the dark forces.
"I apologize, Grand Witch," Celestia said and sat properly when she noticed Circe looking at her.
"It’s alright," Circe said. "You can look around. We have plenty of time," she added.
"Aunt, what does Shadowclaw Pack look like?" She whispered in Renee's ear.
"It's beautiful, but not as beautiful as our coven. Werewolves live there surrounded by nature like us, while the northern region belongs to the human tribe," Renee explained.
"The south is home to the lawless, and the west is where the mountains and beasts are," she said. "Only the brave enter the western region," she added.
"Only the foolish, you mean," Circe interrupted. "The west is a dangerous place because deadly beasts live there. Some attempt to hunt them, yet none survive to share the experience," she continued.
"The world is not as beautiful as you think, Celestia," Circe muttered, deep in thought.
Renee smiled at Celestia and held her hand, silently telling her not to mind what Grand Witch Circe had said.
"Grand Witch," Renee called.
"The next town is an hour and a half away from our location. Take Celestia and look around while we gather supplies," Circe said. Renee nodded her head.
An hour and a half later, they arrived in a small town. Circe paid five copper coins for the carriage to enter the town and another five copper coins for the carriage horses to eat and stay in the stable.
"Let's go, Celestia," Renee said, holding Celestia's hand. Celestia was too focused on looking around, amazed to see different races besides her own.
Renee explained that this town in the east was home to humans, werewolves, and witches living together. Celestia also learned that there were a few covens in the east, but theirs had the largest number of witches.
"Aunt...look!" Celestia said and found a stall selling jewelry. "They are all beautiful," she whispered.
"This one will fit a beautiful woman like you, young lady." Celestia looked at the necklace the owner presented to her, and she instantly fell in love. "For one silver and five copper coins," she added.
"Do you want that, Celestia?" Renee asked,.
"Yes, Aunt," Celestia said. "But do we have money for this?" she asked. Renee smiled and took the silver and copper coins from her pocket.
"Of course," she said.
"Thank you, Aunt Renee!" Celestia said, eyes twinkling. The woman gave them the necklace, and Renee put it on Celestia. The necklace complements the color of her eyes.
"Let's go, Celestia," Renee said. "Let's return to the stables," she added. Celestial nodded her head while touching the necklace.
Unbeknownst to them, someone was watching their every move.
"Have you bought everything you need?" Circe asked.
"Yes, Grand Witch," Aleia replied, a witch and one of the coachwomen.
"Good. Let's have a meal before we depart again," Circe said.
They all followed Circe into a small tavern and ordered food.
"Fill your stomachs," she said, and the witches began eating.
Hours later, they finally arrived at the Shadowclaw Pack. Immediately, they were greeted by two warriors.
"Grand Witch," they said, bowing their heads. "They are expecting you."
Circe nodded, and the carriage began moving again.
"Where is Solomon?" Circe asked.
"I will bring you to him, Grand Witch," one of the warriors replied.
"Aleia, take the horses to the stable. Marra, follow me," she ordered. "Renee, bring Celestia as well," she added.
Renee nodded and reached for Celestia's hand.
The warriors guided them to a large house made of bricks. As they entered, an elderly man greeted Circe.
"Grand Witch Circe," he said.
"Solomon," Circe acknowledged, looking around. "Where is your son, Kieran?" she asked.
"He went out when our warriors spotted rogues crossing the border," Solomon replied.
"Is this the Abyss Brotherhood?" Circe asked.
"I'm afraid it is, Grand Witch," Solomon said.
"Shall we begin without him?" Circe asked as she took a seat on a wooden chair.
"We should," Solomon agreed, sitting across from her. "The elders are here, and Kieran will join us soon," he added.
Circe glanced behind her and motioned for Celestia to step forward. Celestia hesitated for a moment before obeying.
"Is she..." Solomon started but trailed off when Circe raised a hand to stop him.
"I’d like you to meet Celestia, the one mentioned in the prophecy," Circe announced.
Whispers and murmurs filled the room. Solomon's gaze lingered on Celestia, his eyes filled with pity.
"What... what prophecy?" Celestia whispered, her voice barely audible as she turned to Renee. "Aunt..."
"Celestia, sit down," Circe commanded gently. "I will tell you everything I know."
"A long time ago..."
As Circe spoke, Celestia felt her chest tighten. Each word weighed heavily on her, a burden she had never expected to carry, and the truth that they had long hidden from her. Her hands curled into fists, her nails digging into her palms as silent tears spilled down her cheeks.
"Celestia," Renee called softly, concern in her voice.
"I can't... Excuse me," Celestia whispered, rising to her feet and fleeing the room.
Renee moved to follow her, but Circe raised a hand, stopping her.
"Let her go," Circe said. "The pack is safe. She needs time to come to terms with what she has discovered about her," she added.
Renee bit her lip, hesitating, but obeyed Circe’s order.
Celestia ran, her vision blurred with tears, her breath hitching in her chest.
Suddenly, she collided with something solid, her balance failing her. She braced for the impact of the cold ground, but instead, strong arms caught her, holding her firm.
Her breath hitched as she looked up, finding herself ensnared by piercing green eyes, deep as the forest and filled with something unreadable.
The man gazed down at her, his grip tightening as though anchoring himself to her.
"Witch," he murmured, his voice thick, almost dazed. "What have you done to me?" he added.
Celestia’s heart pounded wildly in her chest.
"I-I did nothing," she stammered, her voice trembling as she felt the heat of his body so close to hers. His fingers traced the curve of her waist as if drawn by an unseen force.
"Then why... why do I feel as though I should never let you go?" he whispered, his breath warm against her skin.
Celestia swallowed hard, her own body betraying her as warmth spread through her veins.
"What are you?" The man murmured, his gaze darkening as his hand instinctively cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing away a lingering tear.
Celestia had no answer. For the first time in her life, magic had nothing to do with what she was feeling.
- Writer
