Chapter 72:

Chapter 72:
Ezmeralda POV:

I knew the moment Natalie saw her that she was frozen to her own mind. It really is a witches worst nightmare. You can see and hear everything going on but you are very limited to what you can and can’t do. Others that cast the spell can determine how you move, how you speak, your mannerisms and all. It’s more or less like being a puppet. 

As soon as we were pulled out I kept a hand on Avery, she was able to stay awake by taking my warmth. I let Ash finish filling Natalie in and when he was done I placed my other hand on him and took us straight to the coven house where I knew Dahlia and my mother would be. 

“I need some help in here!” I shouted. 

“What do you need?” Ash asked.

“I have warming blankets in my closet, I’ll need a few of those and a pillow for her head please.”  I replied with a soft smile. 

“What is going on?” My mother asked as she came around the corner with Dahlia and Talon.

“She has been mummified. She is one of the white witches, I woke her by lending my warmth but we need to handle this quickly.” I said in a rush. Dahlia hit her knees beside me,

“You need to let go of her, use your flame instead. I’ll need your hands free.” Dahlia said. I felt my shield extend from me to Avery just as Ash came back with what I needed. 

“Thank you my love.” I said grabbing everything. 

“What else can I do?” Ash asked. 

“Come with me, I’ll need help grabbing the herbs and stuff that is needed.” Talon spoke. Ash didn’t waste a single second following Talon back down the hallway. 

“What is her name?” My mother asked. 

“Avery. What I know is that her parents were Natalies mothers official guards. They were the gifted ones. She was taken in hopes that the element carriers would come and gift her but they didn’t” I replied. 

“Thank goddess they didn’t. I remember the two of them, very sweet when you got to know them but incredibly deadly when they needed to be.” My mother said. 

“Avery might want to hear some stories when we get her back to normal.” I whispered. 

“There is an entire book about them. I’ll go and grab it. It’ll have everything she will need in there plus she can talk to me, Odin or Thena. We were around them the most.” My mother replied. 

“That would be very helpful mom, thank you. Ezmeralda, go get a hot bath ready, have Talon take the herbs to you. I’ll meet you in there with Avery.” Dahlia said. I stood to my feet and rushed down the hallway,

“Please bring them to my bathroom!” I shouted as I passed by. I rushed into my bathroom and started the water, I turned and grabbed some towels out of the closet and set them along the side of the bathtub.

“I took the liberty of confirming who she is.” My mother said as she walked in. 

“Thank you, the thought had crossed my mind but then again who would do that to themselves.” I muttered. 

“You would be surprised. Especially at times right now.” My mother responded. She had a point, Victor wasn’t all the way stupid. The door to my room burst open and Ash was carrying Avery and he gently placed her in the bath tub. Dahlia and Talon were right behind him dumping the herbs into the bath with her. 

“What do we do now?” I asked. I didn’t know how her process was for all of this, mine was different. 

“We wait, the spell used on her was tweaked a little bit so I had to change a few things. Regardless, it should only take a few minutes. With who her parents are anyways.” Dahlia shrugged. 

“We need to do some research on that. If her parents were Natashas guards then that means she will be Natalies.” Talon said. He was right. Only the gifted guarded the white witch queen. She will have to learn like the rest of us but our side of the war is looking better and better. 

“Has anyone considered why Victor is having them attack random places?” My mother asked. 

“Honestly, we haven’t had much time to think. With Emmas coven getting attacked, us learning how to use our abilities and bringing in the white witches and dealing with the rogue ones.. Things have been a little chaotic.” I answered. 

“Maybe it’s time we think about it.” Talon offered. 

“We will. We’ve kind of talked about the rogue king. We can’t really understand why he would align with black witches.” I said. 

“Ace has always been egotistical, always looking for a way to become king of all wolves.” My mother spat. 

“What do you know?” I questioned. 

“It wouldn’t be the first time he’s tried something like this. We met long before you were born and before Victor showed his true colors. Ace asked for an audience with me and Victor didn’t see the harm in it.” My mother started. She now had my full curiosity. 

“He wanted a team up per say with us dark witches. He was looking for spells that would harm the wolves, nearly cripple them but I said no. It wasn’t our fight and we would be staying out of it.” My mother added. 

“Did you tell my father?” Ash asked. 

“I did, he didn’t think it held any importance because if Ace was seeking help then he wasn’t near strong enough to really do anything.” My mother replied. She was right about that. He knew he couldn’t take Odin on,

“But wouldn’t he have passed it all down to a son? Surely he is not still the reigning king.” I spoke. 

“I don’t know honestly, it’s how it’s supposed to be but Ace won’t do it willingly. I don’t even know if he has any kids to be honest with you. After that they just dipped off the radar and haven’t been heard from since.” My mother replied.

“Something still doesn’t add up though.” Dalia voiced. 

“He would have to give control to Victor and I just don’t see that happening so something is off.” Dahlia added. She had a point. All of us were prideful but his was a very toxic one. I’ve never met him but I have heard the stories. 

“I think we have some homework to do.” Averys voice chimed out. I snapped my head and looked at her, she looked overly tired but a lot better than what she looked like in her own head. 

“How are you feeling?” Dahlia asked. 

“Better, but tired. It’s weird to feel movements now honestly.” Avery chuckled. 

“How long were you like that?” I asked. 

“Not long after Natasha died, my parents never came home so I assumed they died with her. A bond between the gifted and the queen is like a lifeline. Should she die, they go with her to guard her in the afterworld.” Avery said. 

“Why would she need to be guarded there? Siennas realm is beautiful.” I stated. 

“I don’t know, being a guard like that is complicated. Or maybe not, they didn’t say much to me about it.” Avery shrugged. She stood slowly to her feet and looked around. I handed her a towel so she could dry off. 

“I’ll go and get you some clothes and food. I’m sure you are starving.” Dahlia announced. 

“Just some clothes please, I’d like to meet Natalie.” Avery replied. 

“Well, why don’t you shower and get cleaned up and when you are dressed we will take you to her.” I said. She nodded once before we walked out of the bathroom. 

“She seems intense.” Ash whispered. 

“If she is to be Natalies gifted guard then she is feeling a heavy pull towards her.” My mother replied. 

“How? She doesn’t have the elements just yet.” I said. 

“I’m sure she will very very soon. The element carriers are quick with bestowing gifts and she hasn’t been able to get them in years.” My mother answered. 

“So in a way the balance was thrown off?” I asked. 

“Correct. When Natasha died and they all hid away and she was taken I don’t know if they were able to bestow any gifts.” My mother said, I was honestly highly curious, if none of them had any gifts because of what happened then I wondered how this was all going to work. Was it going to be a mass thing or did they find them? My bet is they were still able to find them. 

“White witches were known for aiding wolves and dark witches were known for protection. I’m sure they still found them.” Talon voiced. 

“We need to talk to Natalie. I need an update on the other witches too. I know there was going to be a punishment but I don’t know what that was.” I replied. The door finally opened and Avery stepped out. She looked a lot better but she had a determination in her eye that I knew all too well. 

“I am assuming you are ready to go?” I asked. 

“I am, it’ll be nice to finally meet her being myself this time around.” Avery smiled. 

“Alright, everyone grab on.” I said holding Ashs’ hand. I waited for everyone else and in the blink of an eye we were standing back in front of the palace. 

“Ezie!” Sally yelled. I looked over to see she was smiling from ear to ear. 

“Have fun with Delilah?” I asked. 

“I did! I’m just coming to get something to eat and then going back. I started braiding her main and tail, I hope you don’t mind.” Sally said. 

“Not at all, she loves being pampered.” I laughed. Together we walked inside, Sally ran off to the dining area and it was so nice to see how comfortable she was becoming.

“Natalie!” I called out, halting her in her steps. Avery stood beside me and I noticed she had a smile on her face. 

“I’d like you to officially meet Avery.” I said, taking a few steps back.

“It is so nice to meet you back in a healthy state. How are you feeling?” Natalie asked. 

“Much better honestly, it is nice to meet you too.” Avery replied. 

“I would like to pledge myself to you as your warrior. If you will have me.” Avery added, Adira already had a smile on her face so I knew she already knew what was going to happen. 

“I would truly be honored.” Natalie smiled as she extended her hand out. The moment they shook hands there was a loud crackle through the air and four people stood in front of us. At first I took a step back closer to Ash, everyone stopped to see what was going on. Michael glued himself to Adira, Blake and Wayne also stood in front of Bobbie and Mariah. When I looked closer I noticed odd details about the individuals. 

“We have been waiting a long time for this.” One of them said, 

“Holy shit..” I whispered. They were the element carriers and they are here…