Song Recommendation for this chapter: "Witching Hour" by Thomas Beck
Content Warning: This chapter contains mild sensual scenes and occult imagery. Reader discretion is advised.
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Upstairs, the young woman who had earlier opened the door for Adam sat on an old dining chair. A large sheet of parchment lay across the table, smeared with blood in the shape of a five-pointed star. Beside it, an old scroll rested, its ends curling slightly with age.
Unrolling the scroll, she revealed a map marked with the five known lands. She studied it for a moment before laying it beside the blood-stained sheet.
"Incatium opulatatia rigdaradribulam," she chanted under her breath, lighting four black candles and placing them at each corner of the map. Shadows danced across her face, highlighting the intensity in her eyes.
Adam emerged quietly from the basement and noticed the young witch performing a ritual. He walked toward her and stood behind her with folded arms, watching the process with interest as the witch continued to murmur the incantation.
The young witch gave Adam a brief glance, acknowledging his presence behind her, then turned her attention back to the map. She reached for a small velvet pouch. Her lips moved in a steady rhythm as grabbed a handful of crushed obsidian from the pouch and poured it onto the parchment, drawing a perfect circle around the star with practiced grace.
"Avastka incar hubakrhi ushtr..." she whispered.
Then, without hesitation, she pulled out a pointed dagger from her belt and pierced the skin of her palm. A single drop of blood fell onto the parchment's center, sizzling as it touched the surface.
Her eyes shut in deep focus.
Moments later, the star symbol on the parchment began to glow—faint gold at first, then brighter.
Adam's eyes widened when the flames from the candles suddenly detached from their wicks and floated into the air, flickering and swirling above the map in a circular rhythm.
What's going on? he wondered.
He was just a werewolf—one who had allied with the dark witches to help resurrect their Grand Master and reclaim his sealed dark energy. He had seen spells and blood rites performed before, and he knew this one wasn't a difficult one—a simple ritual, perhaps. Rebecca wasn't powerful enough to perform complicated rituals like his mistress yet, but it intrigued him every time he saw someone performing any kind of magic.
The flames slowed and began settling. Two hovered over Arcadia and Northwick, while the other two moved across Wendylin, pausing a few inches apart.
Adam placed a hand on the witch's shoulder and squeezed it gently. "Rebecca."
The young witch tilted her head slightly to glance back at him. "Hmm?"
"What are you doing?"
Rebecca chuckled softly. "Do you see the flame above Arcadia?"
He nodded.
"Watch it closely."
Adam leaned in, eyes focused. "It's positioned near Terracotta—the capital village of Arcadia."
Rebecca smiled faintly. "Now look at the two flames over Wendylin. What do you see?"
He shifted his gaze. "One's burning brightly. The other... it's dim. Flickering."
"Yes," Rebecca said. Then she pointed toward Northwick. "And that one?"
Adam turned just in time to see the last flame sputter out. "It's gone."
Rebecca's eyes glinted. "Exactly."
"Are you going to tell me what it means?" Adam asked, growing impatient. "I don't have much time."
"These flames reveal the locations of the Stellar Gems," she said.
"The Stellar Gems?"
"Yes," she explained. "They are four individuals destined to stop us from unleashing the dark energy. I performed a tracking ritual to confirm their presence. Our suspicions were right, two of them have emerged. One in Arcadia, and the other in Wendylin."
"What about the other two?"
"The extinguished flame indicates they either haven't been born yet or haven't become powerful enough to manifest."
Adam frowned. "I thought all four were supposed to exist at the same time?"
Rebecca shook her head. "The prophecy never said that. It only warned that these individuals will hinder us and that we must eliminate them before they grow stronger."
Adam hummed thoughtfully. Rebecca began muttering again, "Dexotorium vestraoe. Aluretium val'ksa."
The star faded. The flames vanished. Silence returned.
Rebecca sighed, then casually shifted the topic as she started clearing up the table. "So? What did my sister ask you to do this time?"
She carefully removed the candles and rolled up the map.
"She's ordered me to keep an eye on the Arcadian Lord—and to kill his future bride", Adam replied.
Rebecca's brows rose. "Future bride? Who's the unlucky lady?"
Adam sighed and dropped his shoulders slightly. "I have no idea."
Rebecca grinned. "If she exists, I'm sure you'll find out soon."
"I hope I do," Adam said, tone heavy. "Mistress sees her as a threat to the plan. I'm to eliminate her."
"Well, good luck with that," Rebecca said, rising from her chair. "I hope you succeed—and come back to me alive."
Adam exhaled. "Anyway, I should go."
Rebecca pouted. "Why, mister? Leaving so soon?"
"I need to reach Arcadia by tomorrow evening. It's going to be a long, awful journey."
But Rebecca was not in the mood to let him go. Slowly, she pulled the hair stick from her bun, letting her wavy black hair cascade over her shoulders. Adam took a step back as she tossed the hair stick onto the table with a clatter. Then, with an evil grin, she unhooked the front buttons of her gown, revealing the soft curves of her cleavage.
"I thought we could have a little fun before you leave," she said teasingly.
Adam's eyes darted downward, and he swallowed hard. "Rebecca, stop tempting me."
She bit her lip seductively, tracing her fingers along his cheek. "Come on, Adam," she whispered, grabbing his cloak and pulling him in for a passionate kiss.
He groaned against her lips, his resistance crumbling. His arms found their way around her waist, and he kissed her back with equal fervor.
When they finally broke apart, breathless and flushed, Adam muttered, "Mistress is downstairs... and I have to leave in the morning."
"Oh hush," Rebecca said, already untying his cloak. "Stop making excuses. You want me as much as I want you."
Adam sighed. "Fine. Let's get ourselves a room. But promise me you'll let me go as soon as we're done."
Rebecca grinned. "I promise."
With a wicked smile, she dragged him into her room, the door slamming shut behind them.