Prologue
There was smoke and fire everywhere. Guards were running around the grounds, trying to put it out. All the while, no one noticed as two human women slipped inside the palace. It was quiet inside, very different from the chaos raging outside.
The human woman looked around, trying to figure out where to go next. They shared a glance before going up the marble staircase. After going down many halls and checking many rooms, they finally found the room they were looking for, the nursery. They glanced around at all the sleeping babies around them, unaware of the chaos going on outside.
Along the far wall sat two bassinets, decorated in fine jewels. The two women quietly slipped over to the two bassinets to see two tiny babies sleeping peacefully. They carefully picked them up, one each, just as a guard came running past. They glanced out the window at the fire raging outside, then back at each other. The guard ran into the room as they disappeared in a cloud of blue smoke.
The guard ran outside, looking for his captain. He quickly found his captain and walked over to him. His captain looked up as he approached, eyes showing exhaustion and weariness. “Be on the lookout tonight, Jebediah.” His captain told him. “We don’t know who or what started that fire, but it randomly just went out.” Jebediah glanced back at the palace, then nervously around the courtyard.
“I think I know who it was.” He looked at his captain in the eyes. The High Lord had walked over then. “It was the witches. They took Kaylessa and Celestia.” The High Lord’s eyes hardened.
“Are you certain it was the witches?” The High Lord asked. “That is a pretty serious accusation, and I need you to be certain before something happens. Stealing a High Lord’s kid is a crime and something I will go to war for.”
“Not entirely.” Jebediah started. “I didn’t get a good look at them, but I do know that the magic they used when they disappeared is nothing like any other fae magic I have seen before. It was a puff of blue, like a cloud.”
“Dyffros,” The High Lord called out. “I’m going to write out a letter, and I want you to deliver it. I want my daughter back, and I will go to war for her.” He opened his mouth to say more when three witches walked into the courtyard.
“Greetings, High Lord,” The three of them bowed. Every one of the guards went on high alert. “I wish to talk to you in private. Is there somewhere we can go?”
“Greeting, Leighla, Delano, and I don’t believe we have met.” The High Lord looked at the third witch, who was standing there.
“This is Alice, she’s my wife,” Leighla spoke up.
“Congratulations,” The High Lord spoke up. “I do have somewhere we can go to talk. Dyffros,” Jebediah’s captain looked up at his High Lord. “I want you to break the news to Zilyana and your Lady. Please keep them guarded tonight, take Vamir with you as well.” Jebediah’s captain nodded and walked over to Vamir. “Jebediah, I would like for you to come with us so you can say what you saw tonight.” His High Lord turned and walked towards the palace. Jebediah let the three witches go in front of him, and he brought up the rear.
The five of them headed up to his High Lord’s council chamber. They sat around the table, with his High Lord sitting at the head of the table. “What brings you witches here tonight?” His High Lord started.
“Some of my people had potions that were stolen from them. We were just curious to see if you had heard or noticed anything.” Jebediah went still, mind racing as he heard what Leighla said.
“We might have some idea.” Jebediah looked to his High Lord. “Should I tell them what had happened?” His High Lord nodded. Before he could say anything, he could hear the cries of his Lady and Zilyana. “Tonight, we had two babies that were kidnapped from the nursery, Celestia and Kaylessa.” From there, Jebediah told them what he had witnessed.
Everyone was silent. “Could it have been humans?” Delano asked.
“Possibly,” The High Lord muttered. “But why would they steal magic or two of our kids? They can have their kids, so that doesn’t make sense. And what would be the reason for them to steal any of your magic?”
“I have a theory,” Leighla spoke up. “If they were cursed, that could be the reason they stole our magic and the reason they kidnapped two of your babies. That would give them motivation to steal from us and the reasoning they kidnapped from you, because they couldn’t have any of their own.” Leighla went quiet for a few seconds. “As for how they got in, there have been rumors of a hole in the barrier, but I have searched all along my territory and haven’t found anything. If that is how they are getting in, it might be something that only humans might be able to find.”
“If they were able to find any holes, we shouldn’t close them just yet,” Jebediah states. “That way we can find the missing children.” His High Lord nodded.
“That might be the best course of action.” His High Lord started. “Leighla,” She looked over at the High Lord. “Would we be able to access your land? That way, we can look for any holes in the barrier. We’ll search our border first, just to make sure we don’t have any holes.
“Of course, High Lord,” Leighla spoke up. “Alice, please send a message to our guards, have them double the patrols tonight.” Alice nodded. “Hopefully, we will find them tonight.” His High Lord only nodded. “We will be taking our leave.” Once the witches left, the High Lord seemed to age dramatically.
“Are you okay, High Lord?” Jebediah asked.
“I’m worried. Please send out scouts to look for our missing kids. I’m going to talk to my mate, I know she isn’t doing great with the news. I need to go comfort her.” With that, his High Lord got up and left the council chamber. Jebediah got up and walked down the hallway to the barracks. Tonight had been long, and he knew it was only going to get longer.
