CHAPTER 77: A POWERFUL WITCH

They both stopped when they noticed her. Lilith felt her heart skip a beat as Hades’ piercing eyes met hers. She swallowed and offered a bow.

"Good morning, Your Highness. Lord Lucian," she greeted politely.

"Good morning, Lilith. You woke up quite late this morning. Is everything alright?" Lucian asked, concern flickering in his eyes.

"Ye.. No, i had a very strange night," Lilith said softly.

"Strange how? What happened? What do you mean?" Lucian’s brow creased with a frown.

"Something happened... I passed out. When I woke up, it was past midnight. I was searching for the Book of darkness when I heard a bird crashed into my window. When I went to check it there was a smear of blood on the glass, and the bird was lying dead beneath it. But this morning, when I went to check on it, everything was gone, no blood, no bird. Nothing. It was as if it has never happened and it was but my imagination." She watched Lucian’s face closely for any reaction, but his expression remained neutral.

"Shall we see where you saw this dead bird?" Hades asked, his voice calm but curious.

"Of course. I shall show you now," Lilith said, turning to lead them to her chamber, when they got inside, she wasted no time as she pointed to the exact spot. "It was right here."

Hades stepped forward and opened the window, running his fingers across the glass. Then he crouched to inspect the spot beneath it. He looked up at Lucian, and the two exchanged a glance that felt like silent communication.

"It appears someone was playing mind tricks on you," Lucian finally said. "But don’t worry. They can’t get into your chambers. You’re safe." He assured when he noticed the scared expression on Lilith’s face.

Lilith’s face paled, Lucian words did nothing to calm her raging nerves. "What do they want?"

"Probably to scare you. It’s likely just a mindless game, take no heed to it as Lucian mentioned, you are safe here." Hades said, already turning toward the door.

"There’s something else," Lilith called after them.

They paused. "What is it?" Lucian inquired.

"The book... the pages are blank. Something happened yesterday. It feels like... the spells are inside me now," she whispered, her voice trembling as both men turned to face her again.

Lucian walked over to the dresser, picked up the book, and began flipping through it. His eyes widened in realization, Lilith had been telling the truth. "How is that possible?" he murmured.

"She absorbed the books’ spells and magic. Wonderful," Hades said, sounding almost proud of Lilith’s unexpected accomplishment.

Lilith glanced between the two men. "Is that bad? Is something going to happen to me?"

"It’s not bad... but it’s also not entirely good," Lucian admitted. "I fear you may not be strong enough to contain and use the powers now within you. Every spell in the Book of Darkness is immensely powerful. That’s why only a truly strong sorceress can even read from it. But now that you’ve absorbed all of them... it’s concerning."

"What Lucian means," Hades added, flexing his fingers, "is that the magic might start to corrupt your thoughts and mind. And with the power you now hold, we can’t afford for that to happen."

Fear gripped Lilith’s heart. "What can I do to get it out of me?"

"That’s not possible, Lilith," Lucian replied, his tone cautious. "I have only read about this in ancient texts. No one has ever witnessed it happen, at least, no one I know."

"So... is that it? Am I going to die soon?" Lilith whispered, sadness softening her voice.

Hades chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "It’s not going to kill you. I highly doubt it will even harm you. In fact, I believe you’re strong enough to control whatever spirits those spells carry."

His words warmed her heart. He called me strong.

"I will like to believe that the prince is right," Lucian nodded. "We’ll observe you for a few days. If you notice anything unusual—anything at all—come to me immediately."

"I will. Thank you, Your Highness. Thank you, Lord Lucian," Lilith said with a smile.

"I have business to attend to. Call for me when you’re both ready," Hades replied, then turned and walked out of the room, heading to his chambers.

Inside his chamber, with the door shut behind him, Hades removed his coat and laid it on the bed. Lilith had once again exceeded his expectations. He was genuinely intrigued—how powerful was she truly? What kind of witch had she become? It was clear now that she was special... and powerful.

He doubted her mother was a witch. It had to be her father. If Hades wanted to understand the nature of Lilith’s powers, he needed to speak with her father—who was likely a formidable sorcerer himself.

Almost immediately, the door creaked open and Grim entered the room. The creature moved swiftly to stand behind Hades, its head bowed low.

Hades noticed the moggly’s grim demeanor and chuckled. "Why do you look like you’ve just received a death sentence, Grim?"

"What I have seen is worse than a death sentence, Your Highness. There is trouble brewing in the underworld, and I fear it will reach us soon," Grim said, all traces of his usual playfulness gone.

Hades turned, frowning. "What do you mean?"

"There are rumors that the traitor of the underworld is planning his escape. His followers are planning and preparing to make it happen," Grim explained.

"That’s impossible," Hades scoffed. "No one escapes the Dungeon of Doom. He was already condemned to death the moment he was casted into that place."

"We must remember that this traitor is no ordinary prisoner, Your Highness. Before he was sentenced to the Dungeon of Doom, he swore vengeance on all who led to his downfall." Grim paused, his voice dropping dangerously low. "I also learnt that the Staff of Lucifer has been stolen. If that staff falls into the traitor’s hands... we are all doomed."