There were very few things in all the Boiling Isles that Lilith feared. And every one of them involved the man who's throne room she just entered.
She'd been in the middle of thinking of various contingencies involving Eda when she felt the room shaking followed by his voice thundering from everywhere at once.
"Lilith, my throne room now!"
Nothing more needed to be said as she quickly grabbed her cloak and made her way to his throne hearing the massive heart of the titan beating rapidly.
This was one of the few things that indicated his mood. It also told her that she had to be extremely careful with what she said.
It's all right Lilith just relax. Your plan is in motion and soon everything will work out. She thought taking a knee before addressing him. "What can I do for you Emperor Belos?"
For the longest time he simply sat there tapping his finger on his throne as the titan's heart beat above him. The sound of the heart beating was the one sound all new members of the coven learned to focus on early one. If it beat slow then Belos was calm, but if it beat fast…
"What can you do for me? An interesting question, but the better question is what haven't you done for me?" she looked up and found his throne empty. Before she could even breath, she felt his presence behind her. Out of pure instinct she remained still.
"Now as the leader of my coven I expect a certain level of competence, loyalty and above all else results. And for many years across many missions, you've demonstrated all three."
She didn't respond instead choosing to keep her head pointed down as he circled her.
"However, now I find my top witch, a witch that has brought in dozens of other wild witches keeps failing time and time again to bring in one in particular. When I told you to capture your sister, I understood it would be difficult but I knew you would do it. But my patience for you has grown thin as of late."
She blinked and found herself flung to the ceiling. "It makes me question whether or not I should keep indulging this family matter. Perhaps it is time I send someone unbound by familiar ties." He cut the spell and she had to throw up a quick spell to stop herself from crashing down. As she stood up, she saw his had raised again and waited.
"However, I know you will not fail me. You have seven days to bring me your sister. If she is not within my castle's walls by then…" he didn't have to say anything else. His glowing eyes and rapid beating heart were all she needed to hear.
"I will not fail you Emperor Belos."
Once outside the chamber she felt herself reax if only slightly.
Seven days, more then enough time to pull this off. But I must meet with Amity to see what she's found out.
Looking at a nearby clock she saw that school was letting out soon so she made her way to her training grounds and waited until Amity's hurried figure quickly came into view.
"Amity, I hope your talk with Luz went well?"
Amity fearfully nodded her hands clenched. "Can we talk inside?"
She rushed the girl in and over to a table desperately wanting to hear what the girl had to say.
"Miss Clawthrone…"
"Amity it's just the two of us you can call me Lilith. After all I do believe we've moved past formalities."
"Right… Lilith before I start I have to ask… Did you know your sister is cursed?"
Her breath hitched for few brief moments as the familiar quilt reared it's ugly head.
"I see you've found my families dark little secret. Yes, my younger sister is cursed. By whom I don't know but we do know it happened when she was a little older than you are now. How much do you know?"
"Well Luz didn't want to tell me much even though I'm trying to help. I learned it was her sister that's been harming her and that without it she seems to transform. When I went after Luz I saw your sister waiting, one of her eyes was pitch black and she seemed to have feathers growing out of her arm."
"So, she was already partially transformed? That's not good. Anything else?"
"Yes, I overheard her say that she was up to three bottles a day instead of one. Does that mean anything?"
"Unfortunately, yes, in the past she only needed one bottle if that a day. But if she's now drinking three then the curse really has gotten worse. In fact soon enough the potion won't work at all."
So she really wasn't lying then. All the more reason to get her to the emperor as soon as possible.
"Uhmm Lilith? I'm sorry if it's a delicate subject but what does the curse do. Does it just transform her a little or…"?
Lilith took a deep breath knowing that what she was about to say would be difficult for her. She never liked talking about it as it always brought up the memory of that horrible night.
No… not just that night. The night of the storm as well. I don't want to tell her this, but this is all necessary for the plan.
"I'm afraid the transformation you saw was just the beginning phase. Without the full potion she completely transforms into a giant owl beast. No mind, no emotions, just raw animalistic instincts. She'll attack anything and anyone around what the beast deems as its territory."
To say that Amity was horrified was putting it mildly. Her mind instantly began visualizing the owl beast and more importantly how it would hunt Luz. Her mind played out the different scenes of Luz running in fear screaming for help only to be cornered and attacked.
"Twice now she's been scarred."
"I know the feeling of what it's like to be harmed by Eda in that state. I can't imagine how she found out but I imagine it went similar to my own experience."
"Huh?"
Lilith stood up and waved her finger opening a small circle on her gown just below her right ribs.
"Sorry if this seems inappropriate but were her injuries like this one?"
From how hard Amity was staring and clutching her hands to her chest she knew that was a yes.
"Just like Luz."
"Yes, I received this scar one faithful night many years ago. My family had tried to ignore the curse hoping it was temporary. As Eda and I slept together the lighting storm outside woke her up. Soon her screaming woke me up and I bore witness as she began to transform. Not knowing what to do or how to help I simply sat there holding her praying to the titan it would end. But it didn't end, at least not the way I wanted. I came face to face with her other form that night."
"And?" Amity asked hesitantly hear heart beating with fear and excitement.
"I truly believe my bond with her would calm the beast down and let her revert back. Instead, she screeched at me and scratched me with her claws. I barely escaped the room and spent the rest of the night and most of the next day in the bathroom clutching my side. We got her the potion the very next day after she somehow reverted back. I love my sister but the longer she has this curse the more danger Luz is in."
Amity couldn't bring herself to speak. How could she? What could she say? Her mentor had just told her what was possibly the saddest thing she'd ever heard.
Is this why Luz didn't tell me anything? Damn it Luz now I'm sure I have to help you. Knowing you you'll do everything you can to help but this isn't something you can fix with will power and the big beautiful heart of yours. No! I will help her!
"What do we do? How can I protect Luz?"
"That won't be easy. Eda is stubborn and from what you've told me Luz is to attached to see the danger. So, we'll have to separate them, yes tell her that I want to teach you a combination spell and that you need her here as a partner. With how eager she is to learn magic it shouldn't be too hard to convince her. Then all we need to do is hold her here and send a message to Eda. She comes running, I overpower her with magic and get her to Emperor Belos. Of course, I'll need to think of every possible outcome but still a solid plan if I do say so myself."
Amity had to admit it did sound like a pretty good plan, but she did have a nagging thought.
"And what about Luz? She'll be safe right? She won't be hurt by any of this. Lilith, I need you to promise me that Luz won't get hurt."
Lilith was surprised to hear the urgency in Amity's tone. My my she really does care for her little friend doesn't she? She thought for a moment on how to answer.
"Amity I promise I will do everything I my power to protect Luz. And once this matter is all said and done you two can be together as our jr members of the emperor's coven."
"What!? Like officially? Me and her?!"
"Yes, while at first I saw Luz as a mere human Eda took in for no apparent reason other then because she could. However, after learning about her hard work in Hexside and more importantly seeing how she seems to bring out the more responsible adult in Eda I've come to realize that there's more benefit in keeping her here then simply sending her back to her world."
"You were going to send her back?" Amity asked quietly.
"In the beginning yes. This was of course before I learned she was actually competent witch in her own right. Can you imagine it Amity, you and her walking side by side wearing the emperor's coven robes and mask as you assist the two most powerful witches in our duties?"
By the titan I can see it now. Luz happily wearing that mask no doubt making a goofy face as her mentor encouraged her to have fun. Lilith and I making sure they didn't get into trouble. And eventually taking their places… always being together… practically living together…
"We would make a good team. Okay just so long as I can keep Luz safe."
"Excellent and trust me my dear you're simply doing what's best for Luz. Just as I am doing what's best for Eda.