3. The Former Royal

“Sacrifices must be made if you desire the position of power.” My late grandmother’s wise words reverberated in my brain as I accepted the offer by the Wiccan Council last night. She herself was among the first council members after we lost our King and Queen. 

This morning, I mulled over the circumstances leading to my appointment as Crimson Bay’s youngest council member as my feet took me to my father’s office.

“Yes, Father. You called?” I knocked on the door and peered cautiously before entering into his office. 

“Ah, just the person I am looking for.” My Father looked up from the sheets of paper that he had in his hands, a frown wrinkling on his forehead, his eyes glazed, his mind still immersed in whatever issue he had at hand. 

He dropped the pieces of papers on the desk and rounded the table, his eyes crinkling as he smiled at me proudly. 

“Congratulations! I heard the great news. You are part of the council now.” Father beamed and hugged me warmly. 

“Thank you, Father. I wouldn’t be able to if it wasn’t for you.” I replied sincerely, my eyes shimmering with gratitude. 

My father must have put in a good word for me. After all, he is one of the many advisors to the council.

“Our work has just begun, Nari. Take a seat, as we have much to discuss.” His face turned sombre, a sense of urgency in his voice.

“Will Romeo be coming to your birthday tonight?” Father asked as I slid into the chair opposite his desk, his eyes roaming on my face, trying to discern answers before I even opened my mouth. 

Father is apprehensive, I realised. 

There is a lot hanging on my birthday event tonight and although Romeo is unaware, he plays an important part in our future. 

“Yes, Father.” I smiled assuredly, squaring my shoulders and sitting up straighter in the chair. 

“Ah, good. You know why I have called you this morning. We are moving into the next phase of our plan. Do you remember the prophecy?” Father asks. An eyebrow raised at me, waiting for me to answer. 

Of course, I remember. The prophecy is what I live for. 

Father and Mother have been pushing me to realise the prophecy for years. The prophecy reveals the culmination between a wolf and a witch, the werewolf guardian of the black onyx stone and witch guardian of the ruby stone. The unification between the realms of witches and werewolves.

With my close relationship with Romeo, I am their only hope at realising the prophecy.                                                                              

“Yes. Father.” I answered boldly. 

However, there is only one problem, the ruby stone is missing.

Just like the black onyx stone is an insignia for the Kingdom of Werewolves, the ruby stone is an insignia for the King and Queen of Wiccans. Our family is the guardian of the ruby stone but it has been missing for many years, leading to the fall of the royal family.

Only the guardian of the ruby stone can be proclaimed as a royal. 

My grandmother, who was supposed to be the next in line for the throne, told us it was stolen from her when she was just a child. Now, the royal family is no more, replaced by the Wiccan Council. 

“We will use a locating spell to search for the ruby stone while you focus on Romeo. We may need to sacrifice a life for the spell to be more potent but we’ll worry about that later. Are you certain that Romeo is going to take you as his mate?” My Father asked curiously, tilting his head to the side, his eyes glittering brightly. 

Because of the mate bond that werewolves believe in, very rarely are werewolves mated to witches. 

“Yes. I am.” I smiled triumphantly. 

Of course, I am certain. After all, what witch would I be without a love potion or two?

“You have done well, Nari.” There was a feline smile on Father’s face. He is pleased with me, I know. 

Shortly afterwards, I left my father’s office and retreated to my bedroom. There is much to do today and not a moment to spare.

I stood in front of a brick wall in my room and pressed the palm of my hand against the wall, feeling a tingling vibration as magic left my palms and ensconced itself into the wall. The brick shimmered and gradually the bricks faded, revealing a hidden enclave.

I entered the hidden chamber, a secret space for me to practice my magic and create new potions and spells. The wall shimmered and closed behind me, I am now enclosed in a protected space, shielded by a cloaking spell. 

No one can find me here, because this room does not exist. Not to the naked eye or to any locating spell.

Unlike my spotless bedroom, this hidden chamber is messy. Spellbooks piled up high on the desk and spilling onto the floor, floor to ceiling shelves filled to the brim with potions and jars of various sizes and abundant magical knick knacks littered whichever space available. 

And in one particular section, I have my prized possessions, ingredients for my spells and potions. Ambergris, elephant tusks, monkey brain, pixie dust and many other rare items sit on the shelves.

They are the reason for the cloaking spell. I cannot have anyone knowing what I possess.

My fingers deftly pulled out items needed for an amplification potion which would enhance my spells. The potion would make my spells more powerful and potent. Now that I’m a council elder, I need to cast stronger spells. 

I also need to pass the remaining tests from the other three council members before my induction into the council is complete.

Incantations flew from my lips and my fingers sprinkled ingredients into a large cauldron filled with boiling water. Dragon scales, benzoin, pixie dust, bear’s paw, mermaid’s tear, motherwort leaves and ghost orchids.

I paused, trying to remember the final ingredient, tapping the side of my cheek with my forefinger. My eyes scanned the room, flitting from one shelf to another until it landed on the final ingredient which I had brought in a few days ago.

Oh, I almost forgot, I need the heart of a witch or a wizard. 

Picking up a carving knife, I turned to the motionless figure lying in the corner, his eyes glazed and unseeing. I carefully pushed the sharp instrument into his chest, making squishing sounds as a rounded outline was carved into the wizard’s torso. My fingers turned crimson as I pulled out the sticky flesh and dropped it into the boiling water. 

The water bubbled for a moment and then stilled. My amplification potion is ready. 

Looking at my watch, I realised that it's almost two in the afternoon and I need to attend another meeting.

Leaving the chamber, my head tilted towards my first wizard sacrifice, now lying with a huge hole gaping in the middle of his chest.

“Thank you, Callum. For your heart and your seat at the council.”

One by one, my plans are falling into place.