CHAPTER 238: CHAPTER 238 THE WITCHES’ REALM (14)

Rhydian’s expression tightened, but he said nothing.

I glanced between them, then looked down at my hands. The outburst of my powers scared me a little... not because I didn’t want the power, but because I didn’t know what it would do next. I didn’t know if I could control it.

The silence stretched across the room, thick with tension.

Damon’s jaw tensed. "You said it was a witch. What exactly did she do?"

I hesitated. "She tried to get inside my mind. I couldn’t see her face... but I saw her eyes. They were pale blue. She told me to let her see what I am."

Rhydian stepped away from the bed, pacing slowly. "I think they must have known you were a fae."

"So you’re saying she’s seen me before?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Rhydian stopped pacing. "I’m saying she might have been watching us."

A chill ran through me, bile rose in my throat at the thought of encountering the witches again.

Damon finally moved. He walked to the side of the bed, crouching slightly so he could meet my eyes without towering over me. "From now on, you don’t go near the windows without one of us nearby. If she comes back, I want her to find me instead."

His tone was calm, but the look in his eyes wasn’t. It was dark, guarded, like he was holding something back.

I swallowed hard and nodded, unsure what else to say. Everything still felt unreal... the witch, the attack, the magic... my own body turning into something I didn’t recognize.

’Isn’t this what I always wanted? My powers... to fit in as a fae... it was the only wall between me and duty and family.

"I felt different," I whispered. "When the magic took over."

It scared me, not just because it felt unfamiliar, but because all my usual emotions had vanished. I felt stronger and powerful, like I could have the world under my feet, yet it was so terrifying as I felt myself getting lost as the magic took over.

"You weren’t someone else," Rhydian said. "You were you. The real you. The version of yourself that’s been sleeping until now."

I stared at him. "Then why did it feel like I was being ripped apart?"

"Because that’s how awakening feels," Alaric replied quietly from the back. "It’s painful and violent, it feels like you’re being reborn."

Alaric sighed. "I apologize for not coming to your aid when you needed us the most." His tone lowered, and even the smile he had always worn had disappeared.

My eyes blurred with tears. The feeling of helplessness I felt a while ago made my stomach churn. I don’t blame him for not hearing my cry... I couldn’t even hear myself.

The weight of their words pressed down on me. I wasn’t ready for any of this, even when I had always wanted it.

So I leaned back against the pillow again and closed my eyes, trying to steady my breathing.

"Change of plan, we are not waiting until tomorrow to leave, we are leaving tonight." Damon’s gaze was calculating.

"Why did you say so? If we leave now, the whole village will be against us." Rhydian tried to reason.

"If the witches have been spying on us, it means one thing... and that is they would be attacking soon." Damon’s voice grew stronger and more dominant leaving no space for argument.

Rhydian closed his eyes, as if he were battling with himself. "If you want to leave you can go. I’ll take care of Aeris."

"She is staying with me!" Damon stood his ground, his fingers clenching.

Rhydian sighed. He knew deep down that staying would only invite more trouble. "If anything should happen to her, I’ll hold you responsible." He said through gritted teeth.

......

(Third POV)

The doors creaked open as a cold gust of air swept into the hall.

A witch stepped inside, moving slowly with one hand cradling her ribs. Her cloak was torn, and blood streaked across her jaw while soot clung to her sleeves. She did not bother greeting anyone. She dropped to one knee in front of the wide blackstone table where Seraphina and Gwen were standing.

Gwen narrowed her eyes as she looked her over, a look of surprise flickered through her eyes, but her lips curled up in amusement.

"You look like you went to hell and back," she said, her voice flat and unimpressed.

"I was attacked," the witch muttered hoarsely. "By a feeble girl."

Seraphina descended the short steps, her long robe trailing behind her as she walked with smooth but firm steps. Her hair was hidden under the cover of her hood.

"You reached the girl?" Seraphina asked as she came to a stop.

"Yes," the witch said with a slow nod. "She was alone by the window. I thought it would be simple to get into her head. She was already succumbing to my power, but something inside her reacted before I could get through. It was something old and powerful," the witch’s voice lowered as if she was scared she might be heard.

Gwen leaned forward with both elbows resting on the table. "What do you mean by old?"

"She did not just resist me. She exploded with raw magic," the witch explained, her voice quiet but shaken. "Her magic was golden, and her eyes changed to purple. She was not in control of it, but it felt ancient and terrifying."

Seraphina stilled, her expression unreadable. "Was the Lycan King there?"

"No," the witch said. "He arrived after the blast. But I believe he saw everything."

Seraphina’s jaw tightened as she looked at Gwen without saying anything right away.

"Purple eyes and ancient fae magic...," Seraphina finally said, a frown marred on her forehead.

Gwen tilted her head slightly. "Could she be the next Chosen?"

"If there is a Chosen, then our worries are over," Seraphina replied, her tone cold and final and calculating.