STARLETTE
Bella let out a heavy sigh of relief, and I exhaled sharply, though still in shock. Never in my wildest dream did I imagine that the witch I came seeking for was the daughter of the elder.
Emelia turned her gaze to me, a wide smile spreading across her lips as she pulled me into her arms. “It’s been so long. Thank you for accepting my invitation.”
I pushed the shock in me to a hideous depth and replaced it with a cheerful demeanor. “It’s good to see you again.”
“Come with me,” she said, helping Bella up and wrapping her arms around our shoulders as she led us out of the gloomy room.
“Be careful, Amelia. These wolves are not to be trusted.” Her father called after her.
“Don’t worry, Dad. I trust this one.” She assured him before we exited the room.
We walked through the dark corridor in total silence, none of us addressing what just happened. My head was filled with billions of questions, my mind hoping she would agree to what we came here to ask.
Stopping in front of a giant double oak door, Amelia finally removed her arms from our shoulders and pushed the doors open.
“Please come in.” She said, and we did.
The room was large and very bright. Finally, a breath of fresh air. I was starting to feel really dizzy from the gloominess of other parts of the castle. Her bedroom, I presumed.
I admired the room as we ventured further inside. The beautiful flowers sitting by the wide-open window were captivating, and beyond the windows were gardens that soothed the eyes. The atmosphere smelt just as nice.
One could tell that she was a lover of nature.
I cleared my throat. “Thank you.”
“I could never allow my friend to be harmed in my land when she’s come to see me.” She met my gaze, seeking confirmation. “You are here for me, right?”
I nodded. “Right.”
“The flowers are beautiful.” Bella complimented as she looked around.
“Thank you.” She beamed. Her eyes landed on a white lily flower that was beginning to wilt. She pointed at it. “That one is already withering away; I should revive it.”
She trotted over to the plant, and we watched in amazement as she spread her hands out and effortlessly restored the flower’s vibrancy with her magic. She didn’t even need to mumble spells to do that. She was evidently powerful!
I expected nothing less from the daughter of the clan elder anyway.
“Perks of being a witch.” I mused.
“And I assume you’re here for that same perk.” She said, her expression turning serious as she turned around.
I hesitated to reply, and she scoffed. “Don’t tell me you’re here just to visit me. Even a newborn wouldn’t believe that.”
Taking the opportunity, I cut straight to the chase. “I came to ask for your help. I know this might be difficult, but I really need your help.”
“Oh dear.” She murmured, her tone soft. “Let’s hear it.”
“There’s a friend of mine whose wolf had been bound since he was a baby. And-”
“You need me to help free his wolf?” She finished for me.
I nodded. “I know this is a lot to ask, but-”
She cut me off. “You don’t need to stress. I would help you. That’s what friends do, right? They help each other.”
My eyes widened in surprise. That was easier than I had expected. Way too easy that it seemed too good to be true.
“And besides. I was studying that spell the other day from my grandmother’s grimoire.” She reached for an old, rusty book and flipped it open. “Trying it out in a real-life situation would be nice.”
She mumbled a spell from the book before closing it and returning it to it’s place.
“Are you really going to help us?” I asked, still in disbelief.
“Why not.” She opened her arms wide, a smile touching her lips. “When do you want it? I’m at your service.”
“When would it be convenient for you?” I asked.
“Full moon is next tomorrow. We could tap the energy from the moon for the task.” She raised a brow. “What do you say?”
“Perfect!”
“Good. Where is this friend of yours?” She asked.
“The Royal Crest Pack.”
“Hmm, that pack.” She suddenly looked puzzled. “How come you are helping someone from that pack? Thought you were from Star Claw?”
I let out a heavy breath before going ahead to fill her in on the recent developments in my life.
“Interesting.” She said once I was done. She pursed her lips and thought for a moment before looking at me. “Since you’re happier and obviously healthier now, that’s good. No offence, but I’m glad you’re not the frail, depressing girl I met a few years ago anymore.”
A laugh escaped me, hers echoing mine.
“For real. Damn! Did you see you back then? You looked terrible. As if you were about to give up on life.” She chuckled. “I’m just glad to see you again. Better this time.”
“You don’t say.” I chuckled.
She was right. I had been a shadow of myself in my former pack, wishing every day was my last. I was much better, happier, and healthier now. I had people who genuinely loved me around. My life had really changed for the better.
She cast a spell and snapped her fingers. A piece of paper suddenly appeared in my hand, and I gasped, perplexed.
“That is my phone number. Call me in case of any emergency.” Amelia said.
I gazed at the number written on the paper. I had never owned a phone. I had never even had a reason to own one. We communicated via mind link in my former pack, but maybe I needed one in the Royal Crest Pack since I wasn’t fully a member and couldn’t mind link yet.
Looking at her, I folded the paper and slipped it into my pocket. “Thank you very much.”
“No worries.” She giggled. “So, I’ll give you a compass. Follow the direction of that compass around 7. p. m. next tomorrow. It would lead you to me. I would be waiting for you inside the woods of the Royal Crest Pack.”
“No.” I shook my head in fear of her getting caught. “We need to come up with a better plan. The warriors might see you and capture you.”
She smirked. “I’m a witch, Starlette. A powerful witch at that.” She boasted. “It’s easy. I could just cloak myself.”
My mouth formed an ‘O’ I really underestimated her powers. That was amazing and bothersome at the same time. It only meant the witches had more advantage over our species.
I shook it off my mind, trying not to think about it. At least not today.
She reached for the compass she had mentioned and handed it to me. It was gold in colour, resembling an artifact. It was an artefact.
“I really don’t know how to thank you enough. You are being so kind to me. Thank you very much.” I was on the verge of tears, overwhelmed by her kindness.
“What are friends for?” She smiled before turning around. “Come, let me show you around our world.”
“Uhm… Amelia.” I called after her.
She turned to look at me with a raised brow.
“I would have loved to tour with you, but we’re running late, and we would like to return before our absence is noticed.” I told her.
Maximus would have already noticed our absence, but we had to return before he did something drastic.
She pouted, her tone sad. “That’s sad. I would have loved to spend more time with you. But it’s okay.” She cheered. “We’re meeting next tomorrow anyway.”
I closed the distance between us and pulled her into a very tight hug. “Thank you very much.”
“You’re welcome,” she said, pulling away from the hug. She cast her gaze at Bella.
“Sorry, I forgot to ask your name.”
“Bella.” I answered for her.
“Nice to meet you, Bella.” She flashed a smile at her. “Just like Starlette, you have a beautiful aura radiating from you.”
Bella’s cheeks reddened. “Thank you.”
“So, let’s get you out of this realm. See you the day after tomorrow, ladies.” She blew us imaginary kisses before chanting a spell and snapping her fingers.
A wave of dizziness hit me as the world around me spun, and suddenly, I found myself beside Maximus’s black mustang that we had taken here. Bella appeared a second later, gasping for air just like I was.
“How did she do that?” Bella breathed.
“She’s a witch. A powerful one.” I pointed out.
I cast my gaze at the place we once were, amazed that everything, everyone had vanished into nothing but a vast meadow. Incredible!
I stared into the empty space for a good minute before turning to look at Bella. “Let’s go home.”
Our mission there had been accomplished successfully. Now we had to go back and face a raging Alpha King.