AN: This is an alternative idea which I had for day 31 of Supercorptober 2022 (Spookycorp) but was too long to write for that. I sort of want to write something set before this, hence the title with 'return' in it (also titles are difficult). Enjoy.
Background info: AU - to stop the war between humans and non-humans which was destroying the world, witches cast a spell to separate them. Now the humans live in the Daylands, while those they call 'monsters' reside in the Greylands are where the witches live between the two peoples. Each side can barter for goods through the witches, arrange short visits to the other lands under magically binding promises - each side are seen as dangerous. The Luthors are Pipers - their magic was once used to steal humans away, or because some humans needed an excuse to leave their homes. Lena's mother is a witch and she has grown up in the Greylands, but her father is a Piper and she spent some time with them in her youth. Her apprentice is Nia (half-human, half-witch). Kara is a human who was raised with the immortal Danvers family in the Nightlands.
The Luthor castle was lit up for the winter festivities. Carriages were pulling up to the front door and guests in the most amazing fashions were heading inside.
Lena had not been invited. She was here on business and although the Witches Council had submitted the notification to the Luthor family, it didn't mean that they would be welcomed.
"This way," she ushered her apprentice, Nia, and her client, William, around to the back entrance.
They had arrived too late for her to take them in the front way, she knew Lionel Luthor wouldn't appreciate them entering with the guests. Even if her status as Witch Emissary and his daughter should have meant otherwise.
"Fascinating," William had a pen and paper in his hands and was making notes already.
Lena knocked on the small door, "do you have to do that now?"
"Just a few notes, I'll fill them out later."
"I thought you came because you need the Luthor's help to find your friend, not for an article."
"I did, I am, but news of this side is still news and it's my job to write what the people want to read."
Lena rolled her eyes. She really didn't understand the fascination of humans, not that she'd say that in front of Nia, whose father was human.
A servant let them in once Lena showed her badge, and mentioned that the Council had notified the house of her arrival. They were asked to wait in a small side-room while someone went to fetch a senior member of the household staff and confirm that they were expected.
To stop William from trying to question Nia, Lena stood by her side and reminded her to keep her apprentice witch badge visible at all times. It was the only protection the girl would have, she wasn't strong enough yet to handle the kind of Nightlanders who would be attending the Luthor's party.
A footman appeared at the door, asking them to follow him, and Lena nodded to William to go first so that she could keep an eye on him. They were taken to a slightly nicer looking room, only a little larger than the last and granted an audience with the chamberlain.
"I'm afraid you've chosen the worst possible time to try and arrange an audience with Mr Luthor," he said, without looking up from the paperwork spread across his desk. "If you come back after the holidays..."
"I made the request eight weeks ago and..."
Lena cut William off by stepping in front of him and leaning over the chamberlain's desk, holding out her badge, "the Witches Council believe a request for thirty minutes of Mr Luthor's time is not unreasonable. We could have walked in through the front door, but we didn't. If Mr Luthor wishes to decline this request, I will need something in writing, signed by him to take back to them."
The chamberlain finally looked up, his annoyance turned to a frown as he saw her, "oh, you're that one. Fine. You're on the list, I suppose."
"What list?" William asked.
Lena glared at him over her shoulder, then turned her attention back to the chamberlain, "either Mr Luthor or the signed letter. Please."
With a huff, he stood up from his desk, walked across the room and opened the door. After instructing the footman to come inside and make sure they didn't touch anything, he left.
Lena looked at Nia, making sure she was okay. The young witch was curious about the Nightlands and it's inhabitants, asking more questions that Lena's previously assigned apprentice.
When the door opened again, Lena expected to see the chamberlain. Instead, she was surprised to see Lex Luthor, her half-brother. He barely glanced at her before dismissing the footman, and then looked around the room at her companions. Lena was glad Nia was still wearing her apprentice badge, Lex wouldn't be foolish enough to anger the Witches Council.
"Mr Luthor, we are here to see your father," William spoke up before Lena could stop him.
Lex smiled and moved towards the human. "I believe you requested a Mr Luthor, but as you didn't specify which one of us and my father is far too busy I came to see if I could help."
Lena stepped forward before William could answer, "Mr Dey would be grateful for any assistance you might give, however his information suggested that only your father would be able to help him."
"Really?" Lex didn't take his eyes off William. "Why don't you ask me and we can find out?"
William reached into his pocket and took out his notepad and a pen, "where is Russell Rogers?"
"Who?"
"An engineer who came to the Nightlands six months ago."
"A human?"
"Yes."
"Then I doubt I would have met him."
"Do you know Andrea Rojas?"
Lex's eyes darted to Lena, then back to William, "yes. Her family is well-known in the Nightlands. We have met over the years."
"This was not in your application," Lena interrupted, "you made no mention of Ms Rojas."
"So? I only discovered her connection to his disappearance before we left, after I submitted the request to come here."
"Nia, please explain to Mr Dey why the application forms are so important," Lena told her, stepping aside so that she could talk privately with Lex while Nia gave William a lecture on the delicate balance of power held by the Witches Council.
Lex held back a smile, "it's a good thing I came instead of father. The boy would be on his way back to the boarder for asking questions beyond his petition and the Witches Council would have received a sternly worded letter."
"Is that all?"
"Only because you brought him here. Anyone else and... well, let's just say father still has his pipe."
"Using magic on a human brought here under the protection of the Witches Council..."
"A human who asked questions about a prominent family in the Nightlands, after failing to declare his interest in the application form," Lex reminded her. "Some questions can be ignored, but I'm sure you remember the Rojas'?"
"Only Andrea. Believe me, if he'd even hinted at their names..."
"Of course I believe you," Lex assured her, "but he broke the visitation contract which means either he leaves, or he stays and forfeits the Council's protection."
Lena had a sinking feeling in her stomach, knowing which of those options William was likely to choose, "Nia is my apprentice..."
"She is under your protection, I understand. Besides, she has done nothing to offend."
Lena looked back at William, "I'll take them home."
"Leaving so quickly? We can't have that. You must attend the party, I insist."
"Lex..."
"Father will be pleased to see you, and the human will be safe enough here under guard. I'm sure your apprentice will appreciate the experience."
"But my clothes..."
"It won't take a moment to change, your room is as you left it with the wardrobe full of clothes. I insist, stay for one dance and the chance to say hello to some old friends."
"Fine, but we can't stay long."
Lena went over to explain to William that he would have to stay in the room a while longer, she had other matters to discuss with Mr Luthor. She offered Nia the chance to stay with William or go with her, without giving details of the party, and her apprentice jumped at the chance to see more of the castle.