A Witch's Way

Chapter 20

Serena jumped up at this, opening her mouth to agree. A glare from Ian and Stella both caused her to slump back down in her seat. She didn't understand why they wouldn't agree to it.

"Oh? Seems like someone up there is pretty excited with this offer," Fran teasingly said, eyeing Serena.

Serena ducked her head as the remaining five people huddled together, debating what to do. She refused to meet the eyes of Fran, or even worse, Jasmine. After a few minutes, everyone filed back to their seat and stared at Fran.

"What's the stipulations of the exchange, then?" Chase said, meeting the eyes of Jasmine.

Fran turned to face Chase, eyebrows raised. "We both meet at the bridge connecting Lostrona and Felport, tomorrow at dawn. As soon as everyone is in place, someone on each side will signal that they are ready. The two will walk forward, and be safely transferred to each side without any hitches if everything goes to plan," Fran said calmly, meeting the eyes of each Elemental Six member when she spoke.

"We agree," Lyra said, and the Six nodded. "We will meet at the bridge at dawn. Make sure to bring Jasper. If we cannot see him, we are leaving immediately."

"The same to you with Jasmine," Fran shot back, before smiling. "I told you that you wouldn't refuse!" she chimed, snapping her fingers and she disappeared into the water, the shallow water now draining from the room.

"Are we going through with this, Ian? This could be a trap," Stella said, tense.

"We have to. This is the only way to get Jasper back without any casualties," Ian stated and stood up. Serena and Stella remained sitting as the others left.

"I'm coming, you know," Serena said, helping Stella with her cloak.

"No, you're not. I absolutely, as your supervisor, refuse that you come. This is dangerous. They could be tricking us, and have an ambush planned."

"Do you think they would do that with Jasmine in our hands? She's one of their top leaders, I thought," Serena argued, crossing her arms. She was getting annoyed with Stella. "You know, if you were just a little bit more trusting--"

"How can I be trusting when every time I am, they break off the trust?" Stella snapped. "How can I be trusting towards them when they dare to harm those I care about? How can I be trusting when they prove that they cannot be trusted in anything?"

Serena had no answer for Stella's outburst. She was right, they were the opposing city, and they played dirty. Her garden could answer for that firsthand.

"For Gaia's sake, Serena. I thought Jasmine was one of us, and look at her! She's on their side. Who knows who else is on their side in here! If Jasmine is, then who says that Lyra, or Colton or--"

Serena looked up to see Stella slumped in her chair, shoulders moving in a familiar fashion. She was crying, though trying to hide it with her long hair. "Ian wouldn't, Stella. You have to put your trust in people. You trust me, right?"

Stella snapped her head up. "Of course, I do!" she whispered, wiping at her cheeks. "I trust you and Jasper and Ian and..."

"Then that's all you need to do. You need to trust them. They seemed to despise Felport just--"

"So did Jasmine, Serena. I don't know who to trust anymore. I can try to, but I'm not sure I can," Stella said dully, gathering her things and leaving her standing in the room.

Serena stood there, on the damp floor, watching as the chamber doors fell shut. She spun around, a feeling of being watched drenching her. Anxiety poured into her stomach, and she felt herself tense up.