The City of Light and Secrets

~ Chapter 8 ~

Unknown POV :

It was her. After all these years, we finally found her. We could finally be free of this debt we had. Regret rushed through my stomach for only a split second as I pictured what they would do to her when we handed her over. She seemed kind and lively, innocent to what the worlds cruel intentions really were. Still, a debt is a debt and she is not only the key to my freedom but also my mothers. The last thousand years has been torture doing sinful biddings for the Fallen Queen. Our mistake from the past would finally be paid.

It was weird this time though, she’s a human. In a human form, no power would be accessible to her, weak and defenceless. It was like the Gods had planned it, to hide her away from all of us sensing her. She is probably 19 or even 20 now and we hadn’t even realised who she actually was or even her importance. Previously when she came to our homes in the Golden Forest, her eyes were brown. We had assumed she was maybe a descendant from the Phoenix bloodline as she looked the same, but not the one we were looking for who possessed the power in her eyes. The soul of the sky and earth itself. She clearly fooled us. Did she know who she was? They told me she wouldn’t know anything about her past life. She hadn’t seemed to recognise me but then again I was under an altered glamour. 

We made it back to the Forest just before our Leader noticed we were gone. The coven had been summoned quickly for a convocation. Super glad we arrived back when we did. I walked up the stairs to our small church like hall, the roof opened with the Golden trees streaming with light above us, a small fountain in the centre of the room, spurts of flowers floating inside the large bowel with golden water. Vines were up the walls with lotuses springing to life the moment any of us witches or witchens walked in to signify our arrival. Its more like a head count though. 

I moved towards the stage at the front of the large opened room and sat in the first rows aisle seat, just in time for Libitinas arrival. My mother sat on the left of me, my grandmother on the stage as Libitinas Leader prospect. She is like her second in command, taking over when Libitina is either unwell or needs to travel away for any business. My mother was devastated when Libitina didn’t choose her. They had been friends since they were young and my mother felt it as a betrayal when she chose her own mother over her. 

My grandmother looked over to me and sent me a small smile. She looked mid thirties but in reality she is three thousand years old. Us witches and witchens are similar to the Fae like that. Once we reach sixteen though our ageing slows down and our souls continue to grow till the Gods deemed fit. My mother looked mid twenties but was two thousand years old. I on the other hand looked like I was nineteen but in reality I was born fifteen hundred years ago. 

My attention turned to Libitina who had cleared her throat for everyones attention. “My dearest  flowers, I thank you all for joining on such short notice” her voice soft and low, but the whole hall could hear her from a mile away. She smiled as she spoke again, “I have a few things to discuss, it won’t take up too much of your time, I know we have much better things to do” She beamed, this time her eyes landing on me, with a tight smirk. I adjusted myself in my seat, smiling back yet avoiding eye contact. I didn’t want her to sense where I had been today. “I will start off with our bad news. Our supplies have been lessened due to the murders that have been happening in the city, we will still have our help from those within the city who can provide us with more herbs for our elixirs and crafts, however our food supply can not be smuggled to us, which means we may not be able to perform our rite this weekend.” She paused, to let those who were in discord with the announcement say their peace. One witch from the back stood up yelling, “We did nothing wrong, why are you letting them treat us this way!” Others shouted back in agreeance with her, lifting there hands up. A witchen stood up only a few rows behind me as he spoke in his thick roaring voice, “We need to show them we aren’t a threat, if this is the only way to get back to normal again, then do it” I would know who that was yards away. My boyfriend, Dalton. He was such a peacemaker on the front, but in reality my key man to getting me out of this debt my mother and I were in. No one would even suspect an evil thing from him. I smiled to my self as a few agreed with him as well. It was back and forth for a couple of minutes maybe even longer. 

Libitina raised her two hands in the air, making everyone become silent in a split second. She wore her usual white, over the shoulders dress, tight against her small curves, flowing down to her ankles, with the long sleeves puffing at the ends. Wearing no shoes as usual, you could see her toe nails freshly painted to match her dress. Her dark red hair loose, barely reaching her shoulders, with a twisted golden crown around her head, a few little lotuses blossoming on the ends. An upside down moon centred in the middle of it. “I understand this is a difficult time for all of us, although I do have faith in the next few months, we will be living free again.” Bringing her hands down, clasping them behind her back, she beamed with her next words, “Our greatest news is that not one but two of us have been chosen for the New Moon Crowning” The whole room went still, not even the Golden trees looming above our heads moved. For me, this was the best news I have heard of in terms of my plan to break my debt. With everyone distracted at the trials I could finally take her, giving the Fallen Queen what she desperately needed and finally be free from my mistake all those years ago. 

My thoughts stopped as Libitina announced the two chosen, “My daughter, Elara” She gestured to her left. Elara was too precious for any trial, she probably wouldn’t make it through the first one.  From what I remember at every rite, she couldn’t perform her offerings as they always went wrong or not enough power in her chantments. I laughed inside myself, the second chosen definitely had the pressure to win now. Elara has the same dark red hair as her mother but it was longer, past her shoulder blades, in two tight braids that swayed with her every step. Her face was smooth and babylike shaped like a love heart. Her dark green eyes largely rounded, with a petite nose and small chin, looking exactly like her mother. She wore a bright green strapless dress, that hit the floor straight down, the ends looking like a curtain. She didn’t wear a crown but she did have a necklace around her neck that is similar to her mothers crown. Gods help us if she ever becomes our next leader. Libitina kissed Elara on the forehead whispering something in her ear making her daughters cheeks blush into a bright pink. Turning back to the stage, Libitina announced the second chosen, “Our fiercest witchen, Dalton” my whole body stiffened at the name. You have to be kidding me.