Chapter 10: Unseen Shadows
Dani's footsteps echoed through the corridors as he made his way back to the student quarters. His father's warning still rang in his ears-don't tell the Council, come directly to him. The old witch's appearance had stirred something dangerous, and Dani knew they were playing a delicate game. The Council might view Joy, Zephyr, and Ash as potential risks, but Dani saw their potential as something far more valuable. He needed to protect them, not only from external threats but also from the Council's suspicions.
As he approached the dormitory, the air felt heavy, like something unseen was watching. Dani's instincts kicked in, and he tightened his grip on his staff, scanning the shadows for any sign of danger. Nothing moved, but the feeling persisted, chilling him to his core.
He knocked softly on Joy's door. It opened almost immediately, and Joy appeared, her blonde hair slightly tousled. Her eyes were wide, as if she hadn't slept.
"Dani," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "What did the Council say?"
Zephyr and Ash were sitting on the edge of the bed, both looking equally tense. Zephyr's silver hair shimmered in the dim light, while Ash's dark eyes flicked between Dani and the door.
Dani closed the door behind him and cast a quick silencing spell, just in case any eavesdroppers were nearby-especially Wardell. He turned to face the trio.
"They're concerned," Dani said carefully, "but they've decided to keep a close eye on you three. They see your connection to the human world as a weakness."
Joy's jaw clenched. "Of course they do."
"But there's more," Dani continued, glancing at Zephyr. "The old witch-she seems to know something about you. The Council doesn't know that yet, but it's clear she has plans, and they likely involve all of you."
Zephyr shifted uncomfortably, their long fingers twisting a piece of fabric in their lap. "I don't understand. I don't know anything about her."
"I believe you," Dani said, stepping closer. "But that doesn't mean you're not in danger. My father has instructed me not to involve the Council if the witch shows up again. If she does, we handle it ourselves. Quietly."
"Why wouldn't we tell the Council?" Ash asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.
"Because they don't trust you," Dani replied bluntly. "They see you as a threat, and if they think you're connected to something dangerous, they might take drastic measures. My father thinks it's safer to keep this off their radar."
Joy stood up, pacing the small room. "So we're just supposed to handle this on our own? With no help from the Council?"
"We have help," Zephyr said softly, glancing at Dani. "We have him. And his father."
Dani nodded. "We'll figure it out. But for now, you need to be careful. The old witch is still out there, and we don't know what she wants."
Ash crossed his arms, his voice tense. "What if she comes back? What do we do then?"
Dani hesitated for a moment before responding. "You don't engage her alone. If she returns, you contact me immediately, and we'll handle it together."
The room fell silent as the gravity of the situation sank in. Joy stopped pacing, her eyes meeting Dani's with a mixture of frustration and determination.
"We can't just wait around for her to make a move," Joy said. "We need to be proactive."
Zephyr nodded in agreement. "She's targeting us for a reason. If we can figure out why, maybe we can stop her before she gets what she wants."
