When Two Worlds Meet

The Snake

Virgil's POV

I knocked on Beatrix's door, licking my dry lips nervously. Heart hovered loyally behind me, even though it was clear it didn't enjoy being here. Somehow, I thought it could sense the Protector within me, which didn't make sense. The 'obscure' that I had cast (AN: that's a spell that hides quintessence from the senses of other witches) seemed to be hiding me perfectly.

The spell had been incredibly easy to do. Too easy. It felt like cheating that I didn't have to practice these types of spells to get them right. Sure, I'd studied magic very thoroughly in the hope that studying would increase my ability, but I'd never actually cast the spell. I felt dirty, like a thief.

'Do you ever stop moping?' The Protector asked slowly. His voice was layered with sly, hidden insults. 'Honestly, you are so uptight about right and wrong. Relax a little. Enjoy yourself.' His tone made it sound as though he were laughing at me, which wasn't so far fetched. Judging from the conversation we'd had earlier, he didn't think very highly of me.

He hadn't given me much information, but he had basically told me that I needed to cast the Portal spell as soon as possible. The Portal wasn't actually a gateway or a standing object; it was a spell that could only be cast by the Protector's family. It could stay activated for long periods of time, but since my mother had died, it had deactivated. Apparently, I could only do the spell with the help of the witch mother. The Protector wouldn't tell me what help she was going to give me, but apparently she was important. As a precaution, I needed to go through the steps of becoming a full fledged Protector, such as naming my successor. There was always the chance that I could be killed and I was the only connection to the Portal. If I died, then the line of Protectors would end.

I didn't know how to respond, but thankfully the door opened before I needed to. I watched a young girl with average features nervously peek around the wooden door. She had brown hair and eyes and was a little short for her age, although she had a bit of bulk around her stomach that gave the impression of a dwarf: short and wide.

She relaxed when she saw that it was just me. She had worked as Beatrix's serving girl for a few years now (characterized by the fact that she had no cloak), and she was used to seeing me, since I came by on occasion to visit my adoptive mother. I knew that I didn't need to be afraid that she would sense my shield since she didn't have any magical prowess. I raised my eyebrows curiously and her face fell when she realized who I wanted to speak with. "The witch mother is in a council right now." She whispered.

Disappointment bubbled in my chest and I made an irritated face. It was against protocol to interrupt a council meeting and was considered incredibly rude. I could just interrupt her, but I wasn't sure if she would listen to me if I disrespected her. 'This is more important than a council meeting.' The Protector whispered in my mind. 'She'll understand.'

'Shut up.' I thought viciously. 'You don't know her at all if you think she won't mind.' The girl watched my face awkwardly for a moment, then hesitantly started to close the door, but on an impulse I stuck my foot in the gap. Heart buzzed disapprovingly and the girl looked up, startled. I signed quickly at her, 'I need to see my mother. Urgent.'

She seemed at a loss for words, unsure of what to do. 'Please go get her.' I signed, a little more vicious in my gesticulating than necessary. I was getting impatient with her, which I knew was really unfair, but I'd have to beat myself up about it later; this was too important.

She hesitated, then nodded nervously. "I'll go see if she can come." She tried to close the door again, but I kept my foot in the doorway and gave her a pointed look. She gave up and let Heart and me in, making sure I shut the heavy door behind me before walking away down the dark hallway. I looked around while I waited. The inside of Beatrix's hut was made of dark wood, and that fact combined with the hour of the night and the lack of candles made the serving girl disappear quickly into the blackness. As she was swallowed by the shadowy corridors, I noticed by how wide the hallways were, making her seem even smaller than she was.