CHAPTER 153: HUNTING STONES

"What did you say?" The Grand Witch paused, and for the first time since their arrival, a flicker of genuine interest crossed her gaze as she looked down at her old apprentice.

"I said, she looks like Ember," Dorothy repeated softly as she wondered if she should present the box with Emira’s hair again. It would be easy to make sure but then stopped herself. It was better to talk it out first. Even as she was wondering this, the Grand Witch straightened, showing disinterest again as if that news was already old...

Dorothy wondered if she had made a mistake about the Mistress’ interest. What if she was not interested in Ember at all now....

But before Dorothy could panic, the grand witch asked in a probing voice, "And what ancient magic did she perform? That has you so excited?"

Dorothy glanced around before leaning closer and lowering her voice to a whisper. "She performed the slave bond with the Alpha triplets of the Stormhold Pack. A dark magic."

That got her a reaction far stronger than she had expected. The Grand Witch snapped upright and pressed her wand under Dorothy’s chin threateningly. Her voice was calm, but the cold edge in it made Dorothy’s stomach twist. "What do you mean, slave magic? You mean she bound herself to them as a slave?"

Dorothy swallowed hard, staring up at her mistress. Her throat felt dry, and her mind scrambled to form the right words. This was not the reaction she had expected. Shouldn’t the Grand Witch be thrilled to learn that Ember’s daughter was still alive and that the ancient magic was not lost? Yes it was dark magic, but some dark magic was useful and much more important to them! Yet, looking at her mistress now, she seemed more furious than happy.

Cautiously, Dorothy replied, "Yes."

The Grand Witch’s eyes flashed. Her grip on the wand tightened, the faint hum of power filling the room. "Are you trying to fool me, Dorothy? Ember’s daughter, a slave? Impossible! She would sooner enslave others! Ember would never teach her daughter such useless magic! Have you forgotten what kind of a person she was?"

Dorothy let out a slow sigh and shook her head. No one who had come in touch with Ember would ever forget her. But despite the accusatory tone in her mistress’ voice, she said softly, "Mistress, the girl is an orphan. I do not know much about her. She returned from the Moonville Pack, following the two princes. And it was only later that everyone else discovered that she was their bonded slave. Though no one knows how it happened. It is also why I have come here. The three princes have already found their mate and—"

"Impossible. Dorothy! You are mistaken. Ember’s daughter would never enslave herself..."

Dorothy’s mind turned restless at the Great witch’s sure words. What if she really was mistaken? What if it was only a coincidence—the face, the eyes, the faint pull of energy she had felt around the girl?

Ember’s bloodline was supposed to have ended long ago. And yet, something about that omega’s presence felt too familiar to ignore. She had the same calm under pressure, the same way of looking at people without fear. But the thought of Ember’s daughter being bound to wolves made little sense. Ember had despised them.

No. She had to let the Grand Witch conform if the girl was indeed Ember’s daughter. Only then would the mistress be willing to help her with her task.

"Mistress, there is a way to—" Just as Dorothy was about to present the box again, a sound from behind made her pause. Soft footsteps, approaching. where they were sitting. She turned sharply and her hand slipping into her pocket, pushing the box deeper

They turned around to see Prince Zen standing there. His presence seemed to cut through the air, the easy calm in his expression at odds with the charged silence that hung between them . Did he listen in? Dorothy hurriedly pushed the box back into her pocket as the prince asked, "I hope I am not disturbing."

"You need something, Prince Zen?" the Grand Witch asked slowly, her tone controlled again though her eyes had not lost their sharpness.

Zen gave her a crooked smile. "Hmm. Food would be good. If you don’t have any, then I wonder if you would be okay with me going out to hunt."

Dorothy stayed quiet, her pulse still uneven, trying to steady her breathing. The Grand Witch did not look at her again, but Dorothy knew this conversation was far from over. But it could not be continued in the Prince’s presence.

But there was something else on her mind right now. Had the prince heard anything? His tone was calm, but there was something in his eyes that made her uneasy. He was not a man who missed much, and if he had caught even a part of what they were talking about, then this would become difficult. From what she had observed, he was the one who was most protective of Emira.

Before she could jump up and ask him what he had heard, she heard the Grand Witch say, "Ahh, forgive this old woman’s forgetfulness. I do not have many visitors."

And then, she raised her wand with a small flick, and from the shelves and corners of the room, a few plates and bowls floated through the air. They set themselves neatly on the wooden table at the center, filling slowly with warm stew, bread, and fruit.

Dorothy shook her head at her mistress’ antics. She was deliberately doing this kind of magic to wow him and distract him. But Prince Zen was not some behind the ears green child. If he caught a bone between his teeth, he wouldn’t let go.

"Sit, Prince Zen. You will need your strength. These woods are not gentle to outsiders." She then turned slightly toward Dorothy. "You too,Dorothy Come and eat. There’s enough for everyone. But you will return to kneeling once you are done. And then we will talk..."

Before the older woman could continue, she was distracted by something...