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Chapter Eighteen
Adrian
I mounted my trusted steed, the tension coiling within me as I prepared for the daring ride ahead. The wind whispered through my hair, carrying with it a sense of urgency and purpose. With a resolute heart, I urged the horse forward, setting off towards the witch’s cottage nestled high in the rugged mountains.
The path unfurled before us, a labyrinth of winding trails and treacherous terrain. Yet, with each stride of the horse, my determination grew stronger, propelling me forward through the challenges that lay in wait. The rhythmic pounding of hooves against the earth echoed the pounding in my chest, a fierce determination pushing me ever closer to my goal, which was to find the witch and see what she knew. She was the only one who was able to provide me with the right information to keep Lilith safe, which was all that mattered.
As we ascended higher into the mountains, the air grew cooler, invigorating my senses. The scent of pine mingled with the adrenaline that surged through my veins, heightening my awareness of the task that awaited me. The panoramic view of majestic peaks and sprawling valleys served as a constant reminder of the formidable power of nature and the magnitude of the mission at hand.
Finally, the witch's secluded cottage came into view. Perched on the edge of a precipice, it stood as a bastion of mystery and ancient wisdom. The smoke that billowed from the chimney carried with it the fragrance of herbs and enchantments, a potent blend that filled me with a sense of anticipation.
I knew I had to be careful. There was danger everywhere I turned. I couldn’t let my guard down, even for a single second, especially here.
I dismounted my steed, my footsteps measured as I approached the wooden door. With a steady hand, I rapped my knuckles against the timeworn surface, the sound reverberating through the silence of the mountains. A moment later, the door creaked open, revealing a visage weathered by time and the secrets of her craft.
The witch’s eyes, sharp and penetrating, met mine, as if she had already glimpsed the purpose that brought me to her threshold. Her voice, like a whisper carried by the wind, cut through the stillness.
“You have exactly three seconds to state your business here,” she told me in a raspy voice.
“I seek your guidance,” I told her with as much reverence as I could muster. “Florian sends me on behalf of King Theodore.”
“The human king?” she frowned, as if she just ate something disgusting. “I have no business with humans.”
She started to close the door, but I slid my boot between the door and the doorway, blocking her from closing it. I knew this was a risky move, but if those doors closed on me, I knew there would be no chance of having them opened again. Her shocked gaze bore into me, as if she could read the very depths of my soul.
“Please, let me show you something,” I urged, not wanting to shove my hand into my pocket too swiftly, for fear of her thinking I might be drawing out a weapon.
She didn’t say anything to that. And the door remained as it was, with my boot in between. I took this as a good sign.
I reached into my pocket slowly, my fingers closing around the pendant. The necklace glimmered in the dim light, its silver surface reflecting the truth I carried with me.
“A sign of Florian’s trust,” I spoke, my voice steady, as I revealed the pendant, allowing it to dangle from my fingertips.
The witch's eyes flickered with recognition, her skepticism giving way to a cautious curiosity. She leaned forward, her gaze fixed upon the pendant, examining the intricate details that adorned its surface. The moon, a symbol of power and mystique, held within it the essence of Florian’s influence.
With a slow nod, the witch acknowledged the proof I presented. “Very well,” she conceded, her voice laced with newfound trust. “You carry Florian’s mark, whose mother was a Moon Witch, like me, and for that, you shall be granted entry.”
She opened the door, but first, stood in the doorway. “But don’t think this gives you the right to think that I am your servant now. You have merely been granted audience with me. Nothing more. I will hear you out, but I am in no obligation to help you. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” I nodded.
At that moment, the path to her hut was finally opened to me, when she stepped to the side. I entered, and immediately, a world of ancient knowledge and hidden enchantments awaited within. I stepped forward, gratitude swelling within my chest for Florian’s foresight in providing me with this token of trust. Otherwise, I would not have entered this sacred place.
As I crossed the threshold, the witch’s presence enveloped me like a cloak of intrigue and ancient wisdom. The air crackled with anticipation, the scent of mystical herbs mingling with the promise of revelations yet to come. I had earned her trust, but the true tests lay ahead, as we delved deeper into the secrets that held the key to the vampires’ plan.
“What is it you seek of me?” she asked, once we were both seated by the crackling fire.
“I seek your knowledge of Constantine’s plan to overthrow King Theodore and harm his daughters. How does he intend to achieve this?”
The witch regarded me with a piercing gaze, her eyes gleaming with ancient wisdom. She remained silent for a moment, seemingly weighing her decision, before finally speaking, her voice laced with an air of mystery.
“Knowledge is a delicate gift, and its revelation comes at a price,” she replied cryptically. “Yet, your pendant, a symbol of trust, convinces me of your sincerity. I shall share what I know.”
My heart was beating wildly. I couldn’t believe that this was happening. Not in a million years did I think that I would be here, seated by the side of Evangeline the Witch, hearing what she had to say, and having the privilege of her company.
“Constantine is cautious and determined,” she started. “That makes for a very dangerous enemy, because he is not a hasty man. Because of his patience, he has cultivated a network of discontent, sowing seeds of doubt and strife among the people and vampires alike, so he could bring them together under his own rule. There are even humans who have become his allies, just like there are vampires who have allied with King Theodore.”
Upon those words, she looked at me. I knew she was referring to me, I just didn’t know if that was an insult or a compliment. From what I could gather, Evangeline wasn’t on anyone’s side. She was on her own side.
