Yasmin was not willing to leave that place. Not now when she found something.
"Talia and I can stimulate the area with our energies. Maybe we find more clues."
"How will you stimulate it?", Axel asked with disapproval obvious in his voice.
"We will use our abilities at the same time.", Yasmin responded.
Talia was not sure if that was a good idea, but Yasmin looked at her pleadingly, so she thought about how to please everyone.
"Yasmin and I will make a small circle around this hill and see if we find something. In the meantime, you guys organize notes and prepare for the teleportation back to the Coven." She turned to Yasmin. "Even if we find something, we will take notes on it, and investigate further some other time."
"OK. Let's do this.", Axel said.
Yasmin stopped him. "Just Talia and I. You can pack the maps and make sure everything else is ready."
Axel didn't want to leave Yasmin out of his sight, but then he remembered that she will be with Talia, the strongest Alpha ever, so… Yasmin will be safe.
Damon wanted to come along, but Talia stopped him with one look, and words only he could hear, 'Let me be alone with Yasmin. I want to apologize.'
"Be safe", Damon said, without bothering to use the mind-link. "If anything, and I mean if ANYTHING, unusual happens…"
"I will let you know.", Talia ended instead of Damon. She gave him a quick kiss on the lips and then Yasmin and Talia walked away.
Talia and Yasmin moved among the bushes, neither of them had difficulties seeing in the dark.
Yasmin was chanting occasionally, and Talia would follow with a silvery light that was emitting from her palms.
Talia wanted to apologize for being insensitive and keeping her distance from Yasmin since their talk at the fountain, but Talia didn't know where to start. Yasmin was completely focused on what she was doing, and Talia decided to keep that apology for later. Besides, Yasmin didn't seem to be bothered by it, probably because she had other things on her mind.
"Thank you for indulging my unreasonable request", Yasmin said after some time.
"Don't worry about it", Talia was quick to respond. "If I had a single clue on how to find what happened to my parents, I would do anything, no matter how silly it sounds."
"Yet you didn't show your necklace to my mother", Yasmin said.
Talia paused. Yasmin was right. Talia wanted to show the necklace to Evanora, who was the most knowledgeable of witches, but Talia also feared that Evanora might misuse the information contained there. What if it has something super-secretive and Evanora decided to use it against Talia?
Before Talia could respond, Yasmin said, "I understand. You are wary of my mother, and… it's for a good reason. I'm not saying that she has malicious intent toward you, but she has her priorities."
Talia released a slow breath. "Don't we all?"
"So, what are your plans?"
"Damon and I want to return to the Midnight Guardians pack as soon as possible. No later than tomorrow. What about you?"
Yasmin thought they will stay longer. She wanted more time with her mother and sisters in the Coven, and she also wanted to know more about her father. She just scratched the surface! But they came together, would it be fine to separate? Yasmin also knew that Axel wanted to spend time with Talia, at least while she was here.
Yasmin wondered if she should try to convince Talia to stay longer.
Unfortunately, considering Talia's reaction from the previous night at the fountain, Yasmin understood that Talia feared for her safety and no amount of persuasion will let her stay unless Yasmin can guarantee that no one will touch them. Could Yasmin make such a promise?
What if someone makes a move against them sneakily? Based on the amount of power Talia could wield, Yasmin feared for the safety of the Silver Flame Coven if anyone dared to provoke this seemingly fragile female. And there was also Damon who would probably smash any part of the Coven that Talia missed during her rampage.
A rustling from behind was heard, and both Talia and Yasmin whipped their heads in that direction.
It was Cassandra. The Oracle was approaching Talia and Yasmin while nervously looking back like she feared that someone will follow her.
"Why are you here?", Yasmin asked suspiciously. She didn't interact with Cassandra much, but she knew that Cassandra was a she-wolf who came from the Midnight Guardians pack after messing with dark magic which was taboo.
Cassandra lowered her head in submission. "I was hoping to get a word with Alpha Talia."
"Speak", Talia said curtly. She allowed Cassandra to come here because of her knowledge related to the portals, but that didn't mean Talia liked the Oracle. Cassandra's actions that harmed Damon can't be forgiven no matter how much good she did.
"I know that I'm unworthy and undeserving, but…", Cassandra paused. "I implore you to take me with you, away from here."
Talia's brows came together in a frown. "You want to come to the Dark Howlers pack?"
"There, or the Midnight Guardians pack, or anywhere other than here. Please."
Talia tilted her head while processing Cassandra's words. "Didn't you stay here on your volition?"
Cassandra raised her head to meet Talia's scrutinizing gaze. "I stayed with the desire to learn, yet…" Cassandra glanced at Yasmin nervously.
"Do you expect me to agree to your request and upset the witches without understanding your reasons?", Talia sneered while wondering what Cassandra was trying to drag her into.
After a long moment, Cassandra turned her back to Talia and Yasmin.
The duo didn't move as Cassandra lifted her long white dress to expose her legs and back.
Talia swallowed the bile that rose in her throat at the sight of mangled skin. The flesh was ruptured, yet not bleeding, and it looked soft and fresh without any signs of healing.
"What did they do to you?", Talia asked, and Cassandra swiftly released the garment to fall down.
"I know I did wrongs. I am not asking you to heal me or to inquire with witches about this. I am only asking you to take me away from here. If you don't…", Cassandra's voice trailed, and Talia didn't need to hear more. Actually, Talia was aware of Cassandra's emotions because she could feel them through the bond of the pack and Talia knew that Cassandra was genuinely in distress.
"Didn't you make a deal to stay in the Silver Flame Coven?" It was Yasmin who asked.
"My deal was with priestess Cornelia", Cassandra responded. "My intention is not to end that deal. I don't mind following priestess Cornelia if that's what Alpha Talia wishes."
Talia released a slow breath. She was angry at Cassandra for what she did, and she wanted the Oracle to suffer beyond just taking away Cassandra's abilities, but this… this was too much.
"I will talk to Damon about the best approach. Be ready, we are leaving tomorrow."
Cassandra's eyes shook and she fell to her knees with her head so low that she was touching the ground.
