MAGIC and All Other Deadly Affairs | COMPLETE!

THIRTY THREE | Past.

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Thirty Three | Past.

"We need to avoid a war at all costs," Nora explained to my council glancing at me.

I nodded realizing how cramped my office was with my council, my aunt, Nora and Creed. Which I probably should have thought through because neither Havak nor Crow were pleased by Nora's appearance.

"What Allister threatens is above just our cove. He doesn't wish for a fight, he wishes to a genocide. Which is why Nora and I are going to publically decree an alliance between our coves," I announced, "Beginning a peace not even Allister can break."

"What?" Crow hissed, "That's insane!"

"That could destroy everything!" Havak roared.

The lights flickered as Nora slammed her hand down onto my desk, "Enough!"

"Who do you think you are?" Havak demanded, rage burning in his eyes "to boss us around? Clearly you have Maeve fooled but you won't fool us. You are not welcome here, there will never be a treaty with your kind."

Creed coward back to place her hand on Havak's arm, "Stop, please."

"No!" he snapped, "How many of their kind have killed ours? Have killed fae and dark witch alike. How many have to die because of them? I say let Allister start a war he won't win."

"How selfish of you," Wyren muttered.

"You don't have a say so shut up," he hissed.

She rolled her eyes, "I won't fight but I will speak my mind. Know your place hothead."

"Guys, now is not the time to be fighting. Our priestess is asking for our guidance, arguing is disrespecting everything she's done for us," Claret whispered moving to stand between the two.

I could only watch as my council continued to bicker. It was then I noticed Rosaline was also only watching. So was Thomas and Henryson. My eyebrow arched as Rosaline's eyes met mine and she smiled slightly before shaking her head. What was she thinking about?

"If I may?" Creed spoke softly, bringing the room into silence.

I looked over at her and nodded, urging the fae to speak her mind. She smiled shyly before her gold eyes dipped down to the ground. Havak rubbed her back and she found the courage to raise her head.

"Have the treaty signing in my village. This treaty will not only protect you but us to. Especially after the attack. In return my village will be in debuted to you. With the fae approving the treaty there will be even less Allister will be able to try," she said softly, like tinkering silver bells.

I nodded realizing she was right, "That's a great idea."

"We need to hold the treaty signing as soon as possible then, thus we must begin preparations now," Wyren cut in.

"I agree," Nora hummed, "In order to have an official signing each cove needs three witnesses. I think I should be off then, I need to gather my witnesses and quietly 'else Father will surely kill them."

"And these witches will for sure follow you over Allister?" Thomas asked.

She nodded, "These witches are loyal only to me."

"We can stay in contact through my familiar," Claret told her then snapped her fingers. Appearing out of a cloud of blue was a small, bird with teal feathers, and lavender coloured eyes, "This is Lily. Take her with you. We can keep in touch through our bond."

"Very well," Nora said then faced me, "I leave the rest to you then. Good luck Maeve Bishop."

"Good luck to you as well Nora," I smiled.

Then she was gone through a teleportation spell. Once she was gone, I faced the remaining witches in the room. I felt lost, I wasn't sure where I was to begin and what I was supposed to do. I only knew that the alliance was a front to keep the book safe.

The book was the only detail I hadn't told Nora about, I couldn't. The Goddess had kept such a task to me alone and I couldn't break such a vow. But I was also so new to this – and the only one I could rely on just left.

"Maeve," Thomas hummed lowly, "If I could help you?"

I nodded trying not to look desperate.

He snickered, making my eyes narrow, "Havak and Crow, go with Creed and secure the village. Create a barrier as well as traps – Claret go with them to keep suspicion low as well as panic. Rosaline I'm sure you want to set up the actual event? Henryson go with her, and keep our finances in order. I'll oversee the entire project."

"And me?" I asked hesitantly and astonished how great of a leader he was.

Wyren stepped towards me, a grimace on her face, "I think it's time I took you to the library."

I gulped nervously, why did she want to take me there? The archive library – I had only heard bits and pieces of it mainly because the cove recorder and the priestess was allowed to enter it. Now it was time I go there...

"R-Right," I tried to contain my shaky voice, "When?"

"Now," Wyren laughed, "However your familiar can't come. Only you."

That seemed sketchy – I wasn't sure I wanted to go anywhere without Balfer. My eyes slid to where he sat on my desk and my teeth dug into my bottom lip. Henryson stepped forward to lay his hand on my arm.

"It'll be ok, I'll look after him I promise on my life," he vowed.

That made me smile, "Thank you Ry."

A blush danced across his cheeks and he nodded. I held back a giggle before scooping up Balfer into my arms and giving him a long hug. I knew he'd be ok with Henryson, nothing would happen to my familiar.

But...

"Make sure their all ok," I whispered to Balfer.

"Pi-ku," he promised jumping from my arms to shift into the shape of a wolf.

I nodded. My familiar would protect my council. In my absence he would be my fight – Allister would not hurt any of them. I would protect them – Balfer would protect them. And that was all I could hope for.

"Let's go," I hummed.

She nodded, waving her arms around before speaking magical words,

"Show us the path only our eyes can see!"

There was a burst of light and colours, then nothing as the ground gave out beneath us and we fell. A scream tore thorugh my lips as we fell deeper and deeper, my eyes shut tight as I hoped this wasn't a mistake.

"Open your eyes."

The voice... it was warm – and musical like Wyren's. I opened my eyes slowly. My jaw fell open as I looked around at the magical place I stood in. The floor was made out of glass, beneath it swirls of magic swirled and coiled, around us in the distance golden walls held thousands of thousands of shelves holding books of all sizes. It smelt of ink and dust, and the lighting was dim but not so that we couldn't see.

"I was also speechless my first time here," Wyren laughed.

I nodded looking over at her, "It's like the inside of a genie's lamp."

"Oh no," she said amused, "a genie's lamp is much more golden and horded. Come, we should get moving."

"Where are we going?" I asked.

She looked over at me carefully, "We are going to made amends with the past, then I hope you will choose to ditch the horrid item here once this is all over."

I frowned confused, "What item?"

She stopped walking then tilted her head, her silver eyes glistening with unspoken power. It was so sudden, I found my feet moving on their own to take a step back.

Her words then filled me with unease, "The grimoire of course."