Rescue Request

Leia's POV

"Are you seriously asking us to assist you in rescuing a woman branded as a traitor to the witch lands for aiding the Black Moon pack?" Jess questioned incredulously.

"Yes, that's correct. I will compensate you generously for your help," I replied earnestly.

"Besides being a witch, there's something unique about you. I sense a faint trace of a wolf from your aura," Dian said, sniffing the air around me. I felt an odd sensation at her action, but I maintained a steady facade. I pondered whether I had made a mistake in conversing so openly with these women. My mind was brimming with doubts and questions.

"I believe you already know who I am," I said confidently, assuming they recognized me.

"Indeed, we do. You are the Luna of the Black Moon and Blue Wood pack—the most powerful woman, possessing dual magic elements," Jess stated, locking her gaze with mine. "I find it intriguing that you sought us out, given your unfamiliarity with our kind."

"I had a strong gut feeling that you could be the allies I've been seeking," I admitted candidly. Jess narrowed her eyes, scanning my face for any sign of deception.

"It appears you've come to the right people for assistance," Jess said, smiling. "We despise the new queen, Heather. She is clueless about the nuances of power and alliances. She's interested only in enriching herself and collaborating with the wrong sort of people, which could put our entire witch community at risk."

"Forgive me, but I don't understand why you're telling me about Queen Heather. My sole intent is to rescue Jennifer," I said, puzzled by Jess's tangent about their queen.

"You're missing the point," Jess retorted. "We want your help to dethrone Queen Heather and install a worthy successor to ensure the safety of our kind. We'll find ourselves without a home if we don't act soon. In exchange for your assistance, we'll help you free Jennifer. She has earned our respect on many occasions; she stood her ground for the right things. But remember, we'll only lend our aid if you agree to our terms." With those words, I found myself stunned into silence.

"Are you insane, asking me to assassinate your queen? That would spark a war between wolves and witches, and I'm not willing to risk such a fallout," I retorted, taken aback by their audacious plan.

"No one needs to know it was you who killed Queen Heather. The operation will be discreet, and then you and Jennifer can escape," Jess reassured me.

"You don't understand what you're asking of me. The stakes are too high. I can find someone else to assist me without inviting such enormous risk," I retorted, rising from my chair, frustrated with the conversation's direction.

"I suggest you refrain from being so frank with others. Other witches might attack you for less," Jess warned. "And you should know, Jennifer is set to be executed in three days." I froze, the information hitting me like a brick wall. I turned back to face Jess, dread in my heart.

"You're lying," I accused, my eyes narrowing suspiciously. Jess responded by showing me the witch newspaper. In bold headlines next to Jennifer's picture was the proclamation: 'Traitor sentenced to death by Queen Heather.' A wave of fear washed over me. With only three days, it would be nearly impossible to seek help and locate Jennifer. Time was working against me.

"Jennifer is being tortured in prison with magic binds, so she might not even survive until the execution," Venia added, deepening my despair.

"Fine, I'll take the deal," I agreed.

"Good decision. We'll ensure you don't regret it," Jess said, rising from her seat to shake my hand. I couldn't help but second-guess myself. Had I just plunged myself into even more danger? Was my decision the right one? My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts as I followed this rebellious group.

"Why can't you three attempt to assassinate your queen? Why do you need me?" I inquired as I trailed behind them through a hidden passageway that led into a concealed room.

"We attempted a coup before and narrowly escaped before Queen Heather's guards could catch us," Jess revealed, leading us into a room filled with blueprints and a whiteboard covered in plans.

"Many suspect that we are rebels against Queen Heather, but they only have doubts, no concrete evidence," Venia elaborated. "We lack the power to overthrow Queen Heather. She wields potent light magic, which we find difficult to combat. However, with your dual magic elements, you could easily take her on."

"Hold on, if you confronted Queen Heather before, wouldn't she recognize you?" I asked, trying to understand their story.

"We had cast a spell that blurred her vision during our encounter. She couldn't identify us but put up a good fight," Dina clarified.

"First, I need to ensure Jennifer's safety. Only then will I consider removing Heather," I explained my condition. The three witches exchanged glances, communicating silently among themselves.

"Fine," Jess agreed after a moment of silence.

"Here's the blueprint of the castle basement where Jennifer is kept," Jess explained, detailing the rigorous security monitoring Jennifer.

"I gather that the security is high," I noted, studying the blueprint. "What's the plan?"

"Queen Heather is hosting a midnight party for the witch aristocrats and her new allies tonight. We'll blend into the crowd, then set off a bomb to distract the security. In the ensuing chaos, we'll rescue Jennifer. As I understand it, you're capable of creating portals, Leia," Jess laid out the plan, looking at me expectantly. I nodded in response.

"Great, so you'll handle the teleportation while we work on our part," Venia said.

"I need to be fully informed. Don't leave me out of the loop," I insisted, to which Jess nodded, signaling Venia to continue.

"We plan to cast a spell on Queen Heather's room, enabling us to teleport directly inside her chambers. She won't stand a chance against you this time," Venia elucidated. I just nodded, still unsure whether I could bring myself to kill Queen Heather, even if it was necessary to free Jennifer.

"We should get going. We need to rest for a few hours and then get ready for the midnight party," Jess suggested. I returned to my hotel suite and texted Xavier and Kai about the mission and the rebel group I had met, who planned to help me rescue Jennifer.

Seeing Xavier read my text and immediately call me was a relief. "Leia, how are you?"

"I'm fine," I murmured.

"I'm glad to hear that. But the plan you mentioned in your text is perilous," Xavier warned.

"I know, but Jennifer is set to be executed in three days. I can't let that happen," I confessed.

"You need to be cautious, Leia. Don't trust them too easily. I suggest you return to the Black Moon pack when you rescue Jennifer. Don't involve yourself further with this group of rebels, especially not in an assassination plot against the queen," Xavier advised.

"I intend to do that, but let's see how things unfold. Where is Kai, by the way?" I asked, curious about his whereabouts.

"Kai had to go to the Blue Wood pack for work and accidentally left his phone here," Xavier explained.

"What about Susan? Is she okay?" I asked, worried about my friend.

"Susan is staying in our manor. She probably went to bed after crying her eyes out," Xavier shared. "But you better take care, Leia, and come back home. I love you."

"I will come back home, Xavier. I love you too," I replied, ending the call. I then turned to my backpack to find a suitable dress for the evening. To fit in with the high-ranking witches at the midnight party, I chose a purple gown that shimmered with gold and featured a sweetheart neckline. Checking the time, I realized that there was no opportunity for rest. I dressed quickly, then teleported back to Jess's basement to wait for the others. As I waited, I scrutinized the blueprints and newspaper clippings, hoping to glean something the rebels hadn't mentioned.

One article featured a photo of Veronica with Jess, Dina, and Venia beside her, all proudly holding a magical trophy. The headline read, "Rebel group saves Witch Land from external threats." The article detailed how Queen Veronica had entrusted this group with the protection of Witch Land from both internal and external threats. Another article explained that Queen Heather had stripped the rebels of their power, deeming them useless for Witch Land's safety.

"You're here," Jess said, interrupting my reading. I quickly replaced the newspaper clipping, hoping she hadn't noticed.

"Couldn't rest, so I decided to get ready and wait for you three here," I replied nonchalantly.

"It's good to see you're eager for tonight's mission," Jess commented as she moved to another part of the room to retrieve something from a locker. At the same time, Venia and Dina arrived via a vortex.

"Jess, I've added our names to the guest list," Venia reported.

"I've got the magic bomb potion ready," Dina said, handing it to Jess. She infused the potion into small crystal orbs lit up as if activated. Each of us was given one, including me.

"Place it in your clutch and use it immediately," Jess instructed. I nodded in agreement.

"Are we all set, ladies?" Jess inquired.

"Yes," we chorused, just before the vortex swept us off to our destination. We materialized outside the entrance to the Witch Land Queen's Palace, a castle of imposing magnificence. Here I was again, in this familiar yet foreign place, ready to free the woman who had taught me magic and had helped our pack win a war. Hang on, Jennifer. I'm here to rescue you.

"Pardon me, miss. Are you four on the guest list?" A suspicious security guard halted us. Jess exchanged a glance with Venia, questioning whether our names had been registered on the guest list.