PROLOGUE

Lightning and thunder reigned over the dark tower. She stood elegantly, in the middle of the dark woods, being older and mightier than any tree there. She had a root, and branches as well, and a heart, producing negative energy for the Witches, and for herself, because every living creature in this part of Magix lives for herself. The Moon is her source of power. She is full tonight. So the heart of Cloud Tower pounds and pounds, lets the magic flow in her veins.

A young woman with flowing silver hair stood at the high balcony, her hands rested on the cold stone. The Moon had a pleasant effect on her as well,she could feel the raindrops touching her hands turn into little snowflakes without much effort. Her energy was increased, but it was such a calm and uneventful day that it made her a bit restless. Suddenly the silence was broken, as the door to the balcony opened. Her sister silently came towards her, shuddering at the cold air, which had no such effect on the older woman at all.

"Valtor said we shall meet him at Griffin's office", said Darcy casually. They had this meetings almost everyday, and Icy did not believe it was getting them anywhere. They were here for some time now, they had managed to take the students and the staff under their control and Griffin was in the dungeons. "Let's have the meeting then," Icy told her, stepping out of the balcony to her room, which was no warmer than outside.

They met with Stormy at the corridor, she was appearantly just out of bed, her hair was messier than ever and she had a restless expression. Icy remembered that her sister had her periods every full moon, so she did not risk making a comment about her carelessness for her looks, when they are about to see the highest dark magician in the realm.

When they entered the room, Valtor was looking out of window with an over serious expression on his face. He did not turn to face the witches for a couple of minutes. Finally he took off his maroon jacket and, laying it to his desk, took a seat. After he did, the witches also sat down.

-I have news for you. You may not like it very much.

Stormy and Darcy seemed a bit disoriented, but did not say a word. Icy felt herself restless all of a sudden, something about this man made her very tense. "About what?" she asked, trying not to sound bothered.

-I have explained to you before that my goal is to destroy the Company of Light and achieve my destiny as the most powerful wizard of this realm. The title is mine by right, since I have the Dragon Fire in me.. I have also explained I need a witch as my companion to help me balance and control my powers. The Ancestral Witches made it clear to me that I can not be alone. It was a prophecy that I shall be accompanied by the most powerful witch in Cloud Tower.

He stopped there, looking at Icy almost nervously. Even a second had not passed until he saw the young witch stand up and look at him unbelievingly.

-You can not mean? But how, she is from the Company of Light! Will you make her an ally? After everything she has done?

She was not aggressive, her voice had a calm anger to it. Darcy and Stormy were also unhappy to hear this, but they did not interrupt their older sister.

-Besides, she will never, not in a million years, come back to you!

"I know Griffin better than any of you" Valtor interrupted, showing Icy back to her seat, but she stood still. "She does not have the heart to resist the temptation. And if she does, I will make her surrender, even if that means destroying her free will completely. I will never forgive her for betraying me and-"

"And yet, you are making her the most powerful witch in this world, you are making her your equal, you, who has the Dragon Fire in him!" Her voice had become very loud by now and Valtor did not like the sound at all.

"What if I prove myself stronger than Griffin?"

At these words, Stormy stopped playing with her hair and started to observe her sister silently. Darcy was as cautious as ever, and her aura got darker with jealousy as Icy spoke the words she would not dare to speak in Valtor's presence. Valtor seemed not surprised, but slightly annoyed. "You are twenty one years old."

"I have started a war against your enemies at nineteen."

Valtor's expression did not change, he just stared at the witch for a couple of minutes. "Go to bed, ladies. I have work to do."

Icy was the first to leave. Darcy got up slowly and waited for Stormy to make a move out of the door, so she could have a word with Valtor. She was about to ask him what would become of them if he took Griffin as his companion, and if he is sure that there are no other options beside her. She could not ask any of this because Valtor did not even attempted an eye contact. So she gave up and both sisters went to their separate bedrooms.

Miss Griffin was sitting on the cold stone of the dump dungeon of Cloud Tower. She had been locked up here before two years ago, when the little lizard queen and her sisters took over her school for a short period. This time, her capturer was her former lover and partner in crime. She had betrayed him, for her freedom.

Liar.

She shrugged at the word. Where did it come from? It did not sound like a human, but if it had a gender that would be female. Suddenly she felt the heart pounding inside the floor, the walls, all around her. Cloud Tower. This was still her school, she was connected with her heart. And now the tower was speaking to her, acting like her subconscious mind, trying to make her see the reality of things. You do not have any freedom. You basically sold your soul to Faragonda.

No. She had followed her conscience. She did not want to fight against the fairies. Because why? Was she afraid? Staying with Valtor would lead to her downfall, ultimately. But, had she not betrayed her Ancestors by standing hand in hand with the fairies?

One thing was clear to her. She did not regret any decision she made. Even with her clean conscience, she felt like she is not going to get any sleep tonight.

Icy was inside her bed, in her solitary room. She had lighted some candles to calm down her nerves a bit. Now she was inhaling the scent of sage and mint, but she could not calm down still.

It was going to be a sleepless night for her.

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