A walk through the forest was accompanied by soft jingling from the bells that witches had around their ankles.
The witches were observing newcomers and spoke in whispers.
Talia was looking around while trying to figure out where they were going. There were no houses or anything that could be called a dwelling.
They stopped at the bottom of a precipice whose top disappeared into the darkness.
"This way…", Cornelia called, and she stepped straight into a rock that shimmered as Cornelia's form disappeared.
Talia reluctantly extended her hand to see her fingers sinking into a rock like it was not there. It was an illusion. She wondered if her senses would be fooled by this, but she didn't have time to stop and focus.
Talia was first to get in, with Alex behind her and Cassandra trailing behind.
All three of them paused at the intricate carvings in the hallway that was bathed in the warm yellow light of an unknown source. It was like the whole ceiling was glowing. It was fantastic.
After several twists and turns, the left side of the hallway opened up with archways to reveal a colorful garden that looked mystical under the shadows the moonlight created.
They passed by several small groups of scarcely dressed women lingering in the hallways, making Axel lower his gaze and Talia wondered where the men were. She didn't see a single one.
Eventually, they stopped in front of a door.
"The High Priestess is expecting you.", Cornelia said and pushed the door open.
Talia entered gingerly and observed a big room with stone walls that looked like a study. There were freestanding bookshelves filled with books, a few figurines, and tapestry hung on walls. The ceiling glowed in the same warm yellow light as hallways, but it was brighter in here.
In the middle of the room were three chairs facing a big desk made of dark wood, and a small woman with blonde hair behind it.
The woman appeared to be in her late forties, but the sharpness in her light blue eyes hinted at wisdom worth centuries. Her body was slender and delicate, just like those women they saw dancing around the bonfire in the forest.
Axel exhaled in relief when he saw that the woman was wearing a white tunic. It will be easier to look at her without her body being exposed.
"I am Evanora, the High Priestess of the Silver Flame Coven. I hear you are looking for me.", she said with a smile that was more predatory than warm.
"Yes, we need your help, and we appreciate your willingness to see us on such short notice.", Talia responded. "My name is Talia, and these are Axel and Cassandra."
The woman spread her hands, gesturing to three chairs that were facing her desk.
"Tell me about it."
"My lover was influenced by dark magic. Black runes, to be precise. Somehow, it impacted his memory, and he doesn't feel the mate bond…"
"Mate bond?", Evanora's question interrupted Talia. "You are a werewolf?"
Talia confirmed. "We all are."
Elanora took a deep breath. "You don't smell like it."
Talia remembered that they all took herbs. "We usually bathe in herbs that temporarily diminish our scents." A small lie, but Talia thought it was fine.
Evanora's eyes darted from Talia to Axel and then to Cassandra, examining their features cautiously like she was not sure if they are really werewolves. After some time, she said, "You came through the portal."
That was not a question.
Talia could feel the air in the room stiffening, as Evanora's hostility rose and she wondered if she made a mistake. Was she not supposed to reveal who they are and from where they came? But, Elanora would figure it out eventually and then they would be caught in a lie and things would escalate. The only thing Talia could do was tell the truth.
"We came through the portal.", Talia confirmed and when Evanora frowned, Talia decided to give background as well. "We don't know why our ancestors closed off the portal. Actually, until recently, we were not aware that portals exist. After I found out that my mate is influenced by black runes, I came to Cassandra to search for answers. She didn't know much about runes, but she remembered legends about you and that lead us to find out about the portals", Talia said in one breath.
"I see.", Evanora said stiffly. "Is the portal still open?"
Talia glanced at Axel. She felt the energy fluctuations while scanning the surroundings with her senses, but she didn't know if it was wise to confirm that the portal was open. What if witches decide to sneak attack the Midnight Guardians pack?
But then... witches can go to the portal and check for themselves.
Talia's anxiety swelled.
Kai, Meg, and Tyler knew where Talia and Axel went, and they arranged for patrols to be in that area, just in case, but still… no one would expect an attack.
Axel responded, "I believe it is open. But no one will come through. You can rest at ease. After our business here is done, I hope we can keep the portal open and discuss further collaborations that will benefit both sides."
"Until the portal closes again.", Evanora spat, obviously displeased by this possibility, and Talia wondered about the circumstances behind closing the portal in the first place.
"No. It won't close.", Axel said with finality. "But both sides need to agree on keeping it open."
"How can you guarantee that your Alpha won't close the portal?"
Talia opened her mouth. "That's because…"
Talia stopped talking when Axel squeezed her hand.
Axel stood up and bowed a little. "I apologize for not introducing myself properly. I am Alpha Axel, Alpha of the Midnight Guardians pack. Talia is my sister and that is Cassandra, the pack Oracle."
Evanora nodded, but the lack of reaction told them that she already knew this information.
Axel sat back on his chair. "I hope that we can keep the portal business for later and focus on resolving the problem of black runes. Cassandra is the one who cast the spell and she can tell you exactly what she did. We hope you can tell us how to reverse it."
Evanora smiled a little. "Of course. I can look into it, but first, we should discuss payment."
"Whatever you want, as long as it's in my power, I will agree.", Talia said quickly.
"That's a generous promise.", Evanora responded. "But it's not whatever I want. We work on an equal exchange. In order to get something, you need to give something of equal value. That's how we ensure that the balance is maintained."
Talia blinked. "Equal value? What is equal to black runes?"
Evanora cocked an eyebrow. "Is that what you came here to ask for? Black runes? I thought you want to save your mate."
Talia bit her lower lip. Does Evanora want something of equal value to Damon? But there was nothing more valuable than Damon. Even if Talia gave them all the things she had, it wouldn't match the value of Damon's pinky finger.
"I don't understand.", Talia said.
"I do.", Axel chimed in. "Equal value. A mate for a mate. Right?"
Evanora's smile widened. "You are a smart Alpha."
Axel steeled his resolve. "I will pay for her."
