Chapter 46
The High Mage sits motionless behind his desk. He should have known that Kollis would fail him. He had been a failure from the start. He had gone against his better judgement and given him chance after chance. Now Velvet was gaining strength, like a wildfire out of control. Burning his plans around the edges. If he didn't fix this soon, Velvet would make it to the seers. His plan would never come to fruition if this happened.
"Bring in the hearth witch!" The high mage bellows. He could hear the servant leaving his post, his feet pounding on the stone to do his master's bidding. It didn't take long for the servant to return. Opening the door and ushering in the heath witch. Her shocking emerald green hair and angelic face hide the rotten heart at the center.
"Greetings, High Mage," Elara said, her voice carrying a melodic quality that seemed to harmonize with the vibrations of the air around them.
Elara's eyes sparkled with a mixture of excitement and cunning. She moved gracefully, pulling out a small stone with ancient symbols and glowing crystals. She beckoned him to sit in the chair opposite her, her gaze steady and focused.
"High Mage, what I am about to reveal to you is a rare gift, a magic so primal and potent that it must be approached with the utmost respect and responsibility," Elara cautioned. "If you do not, it will consume you." she cackled.
The high mage leaned forward, his gaze fixed on Elara. "I understand the weight of what you offer, Heath Witch. I am prepared to embrace this gift with reverence."
Elara nodded, her fingers gracefully weaving through the air. Energy pulsed around her, a vibrant aura that mirrored the life force of the world itself. With a whispered incantation, she conjured a small orb of shimmering light floating before them.
"This, High Mage, is the essence of primal energy," Elara explained. "It is the manifestation of the untamed forces that flow through all living things. By tapping into this raw power, you can reshape reality itself."
The High Mage's eyes widened with a mixture of awe and anticipation. He extended his hand, hesitating for a moment before touching the ethereal orb. A surge of energy coursed through his veins, filling him with a newfound vitality. He grinned with malice.
"The potential of this magic is boundless, High Mage," Elara continued. "With it, you can alter the very fabric of existence, reshape elements, and command forces unseen. But remember, such power demands harmony with the natural world and a deep understanding of the balance that sustains it." She cocked her head and stared at him. "If you use it with too much evil intent, it will suck the soul from your body." With that, Elara began to laugh manically.
The High Mage glowered at her. Tired of her games, he snapped at her. "Name your price and be gone, witch."
Elara leaned back in the seat, a look of contemplation crossing her face. "I have read from the endless fountain, so I will not accept payment for this gift. Watching what happens next is a gift enough." she smiles slyly.
"What do you mean by that, you black hearted wretch?" The High Mage barks out.
"Tsk, tsk, we can never reveal what we read in our fountains. You know that." Elara quickly stood from her seat. "Be careful how you use it. I will come and retrieve it once it is done with you." With that last comment, Elara opened a portal right in the middle of the High Mages chamber and disappeared inside, blowing him a kiss before the portal winked out.
Annoyed, the High Mage turns his attention back to the orb. Oh, what he will do with this orb! The whispers of untold power become intoxicating. The kingdom will be his for the taking. He will do away with the useless rules banning Raza magic and make the whole continent tremble at his feet. The Fae would be supreme once again. First, though, he would need to rid himself of the bitch. He realized after his disaster with Kollis that if he wanted something done, he was going to have to do it himself. This time, there would be no failure.
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I woke up suddenly, a feeling of foreboding winding its way around my heart. I look over to find Axe sleeping peacefully, unaware of the whisper of danger. I slip from the bed, grab my robe, and tie it tight around my waist before padding silently to our door. I open it and check to make sure there isn't anyone lurking outside of the door or the corridor. I move forward and slowly close the door behind me, careful not to make a sound. I walk aimlessly around the hallways. Whatever it was, it must have been strong for it to wake me from a dead sleep. Before I realize it, I'm standing outside the shadowed hallway. I find it easy to navigate to the room I originally investigated. The hallways aura is as dark as it was that day. The person is here. I slow my walk the closer I get. I round the corner and almost run into a hooded figure. We're both startled. Before I can register anything, the hooded figure turns and starts running. What the hell?! I immediately give chase, they're not getting away from me this time. I don't have a plan other than to rip that hood right off of their head.
Moonlight spills through the stained glass windows, casting ethereal patterns across the ancient stone walls of the castle. The air is thick with an eerie silence as I race through the dimly lit corridors, my footsteps echoing through the empty halls.
My heart pounds in my chest as I pursue the figure ahead, their cloak billowing behind them. The chase had taken an unexpected turn, leading me deeper into the labyrinthine castle. Each twist and turn seems to play into the mystery that shrouds this place.
As I round a corner, I catch a glimpse of the elusive figure disappearing through a hidden door. I quicken my pace, my determination driving me forward. But when I reach the door, it stands firmly shut, revealing no trace of the person who had just vanished within. Where did he go?
I stand there, my mind racing, searching for any clue that could guide me. Then, I notice a faint draft of air coming from a nearby tapestry. Instinctively, I pull it aside to reveal a secret passageway concealed behind. I hestitate
With renewed courage, I fling the door open and venture into the hidden corridor. The walls seemed to whisper secrets of forgotten times, and shadows danced along the stone. The air grows colder, chilling my breath. The further I delve into the depths of the castle, the more mysterious it becomes.
At every turn, I expect to catch up with the elusive figure, but they remain just out of my grasp. They seemed to possess an uncanny ability to vanish into the shadows, leaving behind only a lingering sense of their presence.
Through narrow hallways and winding staircases, I chase after them relentlessly. But just as I think I am closing in, they slip away once again. It is as if the castle itself conspired to protect its secrets, aiding the enigmatic figure in their escape.
As the chase wears on, a sense of frustration mingles with the mystery. How could someone elude me so effortlessly within these ancient walls? The castle seemed to revel in its enigmatic nature, taunting me at every turn.
Finally, in a grand chamber adorned with tapestries and flickering candlelight, I catch sight of the figure standing on a distant balcony. Their silhouette was framed against the night sky, an aura of enigma surrounding them.
With a surge of adrenaline, I rush forward, determined to finally apprehend them. But as I reach the balcony, all that remains is a lingering breeze and a view of the moonlit landscape beyond. The figure has once again slipped away, leaving me with nothing but unanswered questions.
Breathing heavily, I lean against the balcony railing, my mind swirling with anger. Even though the chase has ended, the mystery has only deepened. Who the hell is this elusive person, and what secrets do they hold? As I stand there, the castle whispers its secrets once more, leaving me to unravel the enigma that had eluded me. How am I going to explain this to Axe? He's going to be really angry with the fact that I snuck out, and chased down a hooded figure after he explicitly told me not to. What was I supposed to do? Let him get away?
"There is no need to explain anything, Velvet."
I jump at the sound of Axe's voice. "You scared me!"
"I scared you?! I woke up to find my mate gone from the safety of her bed. Are you trying to get yourself killed?" Axe grits out.
"Of course not! I couldn't sleep, and I found my way here." I say it in a low voice.
Axe walks over, picks me up, and slings me over his shoulder.
"What are you doing?!"
"Taking you back to bed."