A Hymn of Snakes

TWENTY FOUR

     I was heading to a meeting about the surviving witches the Queen announced as I was stopped by a young Keeper. She was a reflection of who I used to be. Her black hair was slicked back into a low ponytail and her noir style uniform was clean cut just like the Keepers wanted it. You could tell she was fresh out of the Academy as she called out for me, "Duchess Petri, I really need to speak to you." This was the first time I've heard a Keeper call me by that name and it caused my pride to glimmer deep within my heart.

"What do you want?" I asked her as she stopped in her tracks, she wasn't expecting me to respond to her.

She lost her train of thought for a while and Ithe pitied the girl, I guessed she had trouble speaking to me. Did I terrify her that much that she couldn't find the words to speak to me. "The Keeper Council is requesting an audience with you." She announced to me, my brows rose wondering why I should care. I began to walk away without focusing on her words, as if the Council would seen a fresh Keeper to court me. I refused to be mean to her but then again my temper had grown slim,"You need to account for the Lost in the dungeons by the Keeper's order." She yelled after me as my heel snapped against the ground, Holstien had been telling me I needed to act more like a Duchess so a smile brimmed on my face.

"Tell me, do I look like a Keeper to you?" I asked her making her an example to act like an entitled politician.

She was stuck, she scoffed at me and just rolled her eyes. Finally, the girl showed me the truth of who she really was. "No you look like a traitor." I was surprised but I liked it. Now she really reminded me of myself, her dark eyes bore holes into me as Ithe twitched in my mind.

I nodded, "What's your name?"

The girl seemed to not understand what I was asking but as her lip quivered in her voice, she gave away in what she had to say. "Amelia Bordeau." Amelia lifted her head up to me, I allowed Ithe a little insight as a purple colored aura rounded around her head. Then there was a feeling that resonated in my heart, this girl was a witch. Every inch of her was soaked in magic and from the souls of her feet to the top of her head she sought enchantment.

Goosebumps rose on my arms as took a step closer, she was nervous and yet so excited to see me. Her eyes held a little glimmer in them, her heart hammering in her chest. "I won't meet with the Council," I started, her eyes touching the floor. "Don't look down when you're scared, match their eyes. Even the toughest of men get unnerved by a girl who stares daggers at them." The words of wisdom matched that of grandmother, she nodded at me in understanding as I finished speaking. "The Keepers tell you it's a sin to use magic, don't let them be your judgement. Can you promise me that?" I asked as she quickly and sweetly nodded her head at me, brimming with excitement as she lowered her body into a bow then bolted away.

I could only hope she'd listen to what I had to say.

My shoes clacked under my legs as I circled my arms across my body, a dark chill over coming me with worry as the darkness of the hallway sent me down into the shadows. A feeling arose in my gut as a familiar voice ripped through the air, my body froze as he talked. Warning fulfilled me. "You always wanted to be a teacher." The Prince said, I refused to look at him as he used his monstrous speed to collect himself before me. A lump gathered in my throat as I watched him. Fear enlaced me as he backed me up against the wall. I looked away from his gaze, "I don't want to hurt you." He told me as his bloodshot red eyes studied my bare skin.

He lifted his hand on top of the curve of my neck, a low painful whimper escaped my body. Ithe challenged me but my body wouldn't move, because Alex had done like his mother and opened up his pheromones. My body stiff as atone just like Natalia tried to do so long ago. "I hope you won't." I was able to say.