CHAPTER 2

The hall had been cleared of all the furniture and a large pattern of a five-pointed star was drawn in the centre. Hundreds of candles were arranged in systematic arrays around this pattern.

I turned towards my sister and smiled, “You already finished this?” I laced my hand through hers as I continued in a saccharine voice, “Thanks for doing my share of work, Zaviana.”

She snorted and shook her head, “I am telling you, Ora. This is the last time I have helped you. The next time you have to do it yourself. You are already twenty now. Shouldn’t you be a bit more serious about your work?”

“Alright… alright, now please don’t lecture me like mom,” I said with a poker face before she launched into a full-fledged explanation. It was a pain when she tried to educate me. I couldn’t even ignore her words like my mother's. Her words tended to swarm in my head for days. I was afraid I would lose my edge if I kept listening to her.

A deep gust of wind escaped her lips, “Ora…. I hope you are more careful while dealing with Magus. She won’t be so forgiving as mother.”

The mention of her name made my heart skip a beat and my grip on Zaviana’s hand tightened. My mind veered to the day when I had bumped into her performing the Bishen ritual. I was impressed by her skills and for some Goddamn reason, I requested to be her apprentice.

Over the years, I have seen her perform such dark rituals that can chill anyone. An involuntary shudder coursed through me. If I could turn back the time, I would never enter that cave.

“Ora! You shirked your duties yet again!” Mother’s infuriated voice pulled me back to the present. I took a step away from my sister and said in an innocent voice, “Mom, had you assigned any other task apart from gathering materials and creating the array?”

“No.”

“Then, why are you upset?” I waved to the formation on the floor, “I have already done all the preparations.”

Her jaws clenched and her piercing gaze bore into mine, “You know that there is no point lying to me right? I know both of you like the back of my hand.” She took a step towards me, her gait menacing, “I think I will use the seven curse of needles…”

“Mom, it is time for the ritual… You can scold Ora later,” Zaviana interrupted mother before she could complete her sentence. My mother’s eyes remained narrowed for a good minute before she walked to the center of the array.

“Zaviana, you have always been my good daughter. Why do you have to support your step-sister like this?” A sharp twang struck my heart at the mention of the term ‘Step sister.’

She threw a condescending gaze at me as she sat down, “I don’t know what you see in her.” Her discerning gaze lingered on me for a moment longer than usual, making me lower my gaze. “Mark my words. One day you will suffer because of her.”

“Mom, you worry too much,” Zaviana said sweetly as she walked over and sat down on mom’s right side. “Ora will be more careful in the future.”

“What are you looking at now? Come and complete the formation!” She snapped, eyeing me with what I thought was three parts disgust and one part resignation.

I walked over hesitantly, sat to her left, and placed my left hand in hers while my right hand was grabbed by Zaviana. She sent a warm wave through our link to soothe me. That was her way of telling me that we were good, and everything will be alright.

A smile spread on my lips. Despite my mother's constant partiality and nagging, we always remained close to each other.

“Close your eyes and focus,” Zaviana said in a hushed voice, tugging my hand. “Mom is on the verge of breaking down. If you throw any more tantrums, I am afraid I won’t be able to save you.”

Letting out a prolonged sigh, I closed my eyes; albeit a bit reluctantly. “Ovum preste vistalia…. Ovum preste vistalia….”

The rhythmic chanting of the spell resounded in the room and the candles started lighting up one by one. The crackling of the energy in the room made the hair on my back stand. It wasn’t fear, rather it was a kind of thrill that came from restoring our magical powers.

The crackling grew in intensity until it became almost painful. Then, with a soft rebound, it ebbed, extinguishing all candles. I felt completely energized by the time the ritual got over.

The magus had come up with this ritual three years ago. Monthly rituals restored and enhanced our magical skills. So, this ritual became a norm in all families having magical traits; including ours.

Every time we performed this ritual, the longing in my heart intensified. If only our father had not died on that fateful day, things would have been different. My mother would have still been alive and…

“Pop!” A static disturbance sent a ripple through the room and moments later a man dressed completely in black appeared. His expression remained stoic as usual; no smile, no bow, no nod of acknowledgment; his gaze empty and distant as usual.

“The children have gone missing, Madam Pristine. Magus has given the witch community 24 hours to find them,” he gave the message in a mechanical voice before disappearing again.

The color drained from mother’s face and she staggered a bit, “The children are missing.” She licked her dry lips and ran her hand through her hair, “How will we find them?”

“Why are you getting so worked up, Mom? The Irish Coven was given the task of keeping the children safe. I don’t think there will be any dire consequences even if we don’t find them….”

Mother’s eyes narrowed and she spat, “I should have expected you to say something like this. You just stay at home and do nothing as usual.” Turning towards Zaviana, she continued, “You must help me Zaviana. If I can find those kids before the Irish Coven, Magus will surely give us the ‘Grand Coven title.’

So, she was after the ‘Grand Coven Title.’ I should have expected that. She must have made some kind of deal with the Irish Coven but with the children gone, her plan was in jeopardy.

Mother closed her eyes and started chanting a spell I had never heard of. The incantations were so shrill that they almost made my ears bleed. Her eyes opened abruptly and she glared at me, “Don’t tell me you were the one who let the children escape?”

I shrugged my shoulders. Now that she had already found out, there was no point in denying, “I did…”

Her nostrils flared and the next moment, she slapped me hard across my face, “What were you thinking Ora!?

My hand flew to my cheeks and my eyes stung, “What Magus is doing is beyond cruel. Those innocent kids don’t deserve to be slaughtered without any reason.”

She grabbed my arms and shook me up, “Who are you to decide that?” Her voice was so shaky with anger that her words seemed slurred, “Have I not taught you anything about loyalty? Everything Magus does is for our good.”

My lips lifted in a sneer and I scoffed, “I have been her apprentice for five years now. I know very well that it is not true.”

Her expression darkened further. She looked like she would burst any moment. Zaviana placed her hand on her shoulder and tried to soothe her, “Please don’t torment yourself like this, mother. It is not too late… Ora put a protection spell around those children. She can easily find them if she tracks the trail of her energy.”

Something flitted in her eyes and she released me, “If you find the children in the allotted time, I will let this matter slide….”

“She will… I assure you mom, she will….”

“We will see,” she spat with a scowl and pushed me out of her way. She stomped towards the staircase as she continued to speak in a voice dripping with disdain, “If Ora doesn’t find the children before dusk, I will disown her.”

“Ora….” Zaviana started talking but I raised my hand, “Don’t. Even you can’t convince me to do this.” I shook my head decisively, “My spell is supposed to protect them; not track them.”

Her lips parted and she looked at me with a pained expression. My heart ached to see her like this but I couldn’t give in. After what seemed like an eternity, she nodded. Sliding a black ring into my hands, she whispered, “Leave and don’t return until you get my message.”

My eyes widened and tears stung my eyes, “But…”

“Don’t worry, I will handle everything.” She cupped my right cheek and her lips lifted in a smile, “If you stay here mom will find a way to compel you. You have to go….”

My gaze lingered on her for a restless moment. I wanted to tell her how grateful I was for her help but the time was ticking. With a quick nod, I rushed out of the house. I would thank her once I returned.