Chapter 9: Council Deliberations
The heavy wooden doors of the Council chamber creaked open as Dani stepped inside, his silver staff clutched firmly in his hand. The room was dimly lit by floating orbs of light, casting an eerie glow over the round table where the Council of Witches sat. Each member's expression was stern and unreadable. At the head of the table, Lady Charm—Wardell’s mother—sat with regal poise, her fingers steepled under her chin.
Dani swallowed, feeling the weight of their collective gaze on him. Though he was no stranger to the Council’s scrutiny, the room had a way of making even the strongest witch feel small, with its high arched ceilings and walls lined with ancient books.
“Dani,” Lady Charm said, her voice commanding the room. “You’ve requested an audience with the Council. What do you have to report?”
Taking a deep breath, Dani stepped forward and recounted the events of the hallway—the appearance of the old witch, her offer to Zephyr, the confrontation, and the trio’s combined magic. As he spoke, he could feel the Council's silent judgment, weighing his every word.
When he finished, Lady Charm’s eyes gleamed with interest, but her expression remained impassive. She exchanged a glance with the other witches seated at the table, a silent conversation passing between them.
“The old witch,” murmured Councilor Gravelle, a tall, severe woman with graying hair. “She’s been seen lurking in the shadows, but this is the first direct encounter with students. Troubling.”
“Especially since the students involved are of human blood,” Lady Charm added, her tone cold as her eyes fixed on Dani.
Dani stiffened. “They handled themselves well. Joy, Zephyr, and Ash—they’re strong. But I believe the old witch’s intentions go beyond simple corruption. She knows things about Zephyr that even I didn’t.”
The room fell silent, the tension thick as the witches absorbed this information. Dani could feel the prejudice against human-blood witches hanging in the air like a storm cloud.
Councilor Yara, the youngest member, finally spoke, her voice sharp. “Joy, Zephyr, and Ash may be talented, but their bloodlines make them unpredictable. Their connection to the human world could unravel everything we’ve built.”
A murmur of agreement passed around the table.
“They are still students,” Dani said, more firmly now. “They deserve the same protection as any other witch.”
Lady Charm gave a slight nod. “Of course. But we cannot ignore the risks. The Council will deliberate.”
Dani bowed his head, knowing there was little more he could say. He stepped back as the witches began speaking in hushed tones. The words he could catch confirmed his suspicions: the Council saw the trio as both a danger and a potential tool.
After a long pause, Lady Charm raised her hand, silencing the room. “We will keep a close eye on this trio. Their connection to the human world makes them vulnerable. Dani, you will continue to mentor them and ensure they remain on the right path.”
Dani nodded, the weight of the Council’s decision pressing down on him. He knew they were being watched now, every step under scrutiny.
“Dismissed,” Lady Charm said, turning her attention to the ancient tomes in front of her.
Dani exited the Council chamber, his mind racing. The Council’s decision didn’t sit well with him. He could feel the tension between their words, the distrust aimed at Joy, Zephyr, and Ash. But what worried him most was the old witch and her connection to Zephyr. Something about it felt dangerous, and he didn’t trust the Council to handle it the way it needed to be handled.
He hurried down the long corridor, his silver staff tapping softly against the stone floor. He needed advice, and there was only one person who might understand the gravity of the situation—his father, Councilman Ravi.
Ravi’s private study was tucked away at the far end of the Council’s tower, away from prying eyes. As Dani approached the door, he hesitated for a moment, then knocked.
“Enter,” came the familiar deep voice from within.
Dani pushed open the door to find his father seated behind a large wooden desk, quill in hand as he scribbled notes on a parchment. The room smelled faintly of incense, and shelves of books lined the walls. Councilman Ravi looked up, his sharp gaze softening slightly when he saw his son.
“Dani,” Ravi said, setting the quill aside. “What brings you here at this hour?”
Dani stepped inside and closed the door behind him. “I just left a Council meeting. I need your advice.”
Ravi’s expression became more serious, and he gestured for Dani to sit. “Go on.”
Dani recounted the events again, just as he had before the Council, but this time, he added his growing concerns about the Council’s intentions. “They’re watching Joy, Zephyr, and Ash more closely now. I’m worried they’ll treat them as a threat instead of giving them the support they need.”
Ravi listened carefully, his brow furrowing slightly as Dani spoke. When Dani mentioned the old witch, Ravi leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful look crossing his face.
“The Council is right to be cautious,” Ravi said slowly. “But I’ve seen them make rash decisions before when it comes to human-blood witches.”
“That’s what worries me,” Dani said. “I don’t trust them to handle this properly.”
Ravi sighed and stood up, pacing behind his desk. “You’re right to be concerned. The Council has a way of turning potential into peril when it comes to those with human ties. And if this old witch is as dangerous as she seems…” He trailed off, deep in thought.
Dani waited, knowing his father was weighing the situation. Finally, Ravi stopped pacing and looked at his son with a stern expression.
“If the old witch comes back,” Ravi said quietly, “you don’t report it to the Council.”
Dani blinked in surprise. “What? But—”
“Come directly to me,” Ravi interrupted, his voice firm. “The Council will only make matters worse if they’re involved. We’ll handle it ourselves, quietly. You understand?”
Dani nodded slowly. His father rarely spoke so bluntly, but it was clear he didn’t trust the Council’s judgment either. “I understand.”
Ravi placed a hand on Dani’s shoulder, his gaze intense. “This is bigger than the Council realizes. Be careful, Dani. We can’t afford any missteps.”
Dani swallowed, feeling the weight of his father’s words. He rose from his seat, gripping his staff tightly. “I’ll be careful.”
Ravi gave a brief nod. “Good. And remember—if she shows up again, you come straight to me.”
With a final glance at his father, Dani turned and left the study, his mind swirling with the new instructions. He didn’t know when the old witch would return, but when she did, he would be ready—and so would his father.
