Third chapter up. Next week will be the last.
The first rays of light penetrated through the curtains in the Emperor's private quarters. The sunlight tickled Luz-beast face awakening her. Groaning softly, she got up.
A glance towards a small door, let her know Emperor Belos had yet to awaken.
Ever since she had entered into her Forever Oath, she had been sleeping in a small side room on the right side of the antechamber. It was the traditional room for a valet to live in.
It wasn't much of a home. The room was the size of two small walk-in closets.
The first half had a small bed with a little trunk at the foot. Her clothing hung on hooks about a foot from the bed.
Across from the bed were a few tiny cubby holes. Those contained her meager supplies and dishes. A small table sat next to the cubby holes where she could eat her meals.
The second half of the room was divided by a privacy screen. That was the bathroom area.
There was a small sink with a cabinet for her grooming supplies. The tub was just big enough to fit her entire winged body. The toilet was primitive. At least it wasn't a chamber pot.
Luz-beast fingered the torc around her neck. It was the one object she couldn't take off. Hopefully, when she was free it would fall off.
Selecting a fresh dress, Luz-beast went to the bathroom area for a hot bath and grooming. The emperor would be awake soon and she needed to be ready to do her job.
Sinking into the water, memories of her training came to the surface.
It was day three of her training and she was convulsing on the floor. A coven member had performed a capture net spell around her.
She had panicked and started thrashing around as her talons shredded the net. Suddenly her entire body was overloaded in pain. "AAHH!"
"Control yourself pet! You are the target of these spells to identify the glyphs."
It was day fifteen. She had just be sent to work with Madam Pythia. Once outside the range of the emperor's hearing, the woman turned around and slapped Luz-beast face hard.
It stung a lot as tears filled her eyes. "Why…" she started to say as she was slapped again. The beast wanted to strike back. Instead, she told it to stay down.
"I don't know what trick you used to gain the Emperor Belos's trust. Frankly, he should have killed you the moment he met you, filthy human. There are more praiseworthy members of his coven who should be his valet.
I will teach you about your job. More importantly, I will break your spirit human because you are a beast."
Training day number twenty-eight. Luz-beast sat on her haunches. Her bestial mind was in control. She watched as Kikimora told off some of the workers for being so slow.
On the back of Luz-beast's neck, the tattoo of the mind-blocker spell hummed. Whenever the beast half of her mind was in control of the body, the human half gathered information unknowingly.
Her mater was talking to Kikimora in a low voice, but she heard the conversation thanks to her big ears.
"Sire, we need more help to finish construction of the portal gate. Even working double shifts, we are starting to fall behind."
"Are you telling me that my coven members are lazy?" That's not what I want to hear Kiki. I will give you some additional help. I expect you and the crew to make up the time the delays have cost me.
Day thirty-one and the collar finally came off. Luz-beast wanted to dance and jump for joy on the inside. On the outside, she remained calm and submissive as the collar was replaced with the torc.
"This torc recognizes your status as my valet allowing you access to everywhere I go. It also can channel my power into you to compel you to follow my orders if you hesitate to follow them.
You have proven your worth to me Luz-beast. Don't make me regret giving you your freedom back."
Emerging from the tub, she quickly dried off. Carefully, she plucked off broken feathers before moisturizing her hands. A simple scar across her right hand was the only indication of her interlock.
Bat Queen assured her it wouldn't become more obvious unless she was in front of Eda's staff.
Hopefully, Eda can create a new one. At least I know Owlbert's still alive thanks to Bat Queen claiming rights for him and Eda.
Finishing her grooming, Luz-beast put on her dress. Stepping back in the first half of the room, she went over to one of the cubby holes. Dry food, such as blood apples and pink bananas, filled one cubby.
Taking a small plate out of another cubby, she plucked some blood apples. Using her talons, she sliced up the apples and then sat down to eat her breakfast.
"Come on, fold up already. Ugh, I wish I had better control of these wings," Luz-beast said to herself. The wings were the only thing she liked about her cursed state, but they were difficult to control.
She finished her meal rather quickly and put her plate away. It was time to get to work.
She exited her chamber and went to the doors of the antechamber. Pushing them open, she found the guard waiting with the Emperor's breakfast. She took the tray, bowing as low as possible before closing the door.
Entering the main bedroom, she placed the tray on a table. Walking over to the four-poster bed, she parted the curtains and gently rapped the headboard. "It is time to rise, master."
Luz-beast made sure to lower her gaze when Emperor Belos started to sit up. She had learned her first night no one was allowed to see him unmasked. The first time she had been tempted, she received three lashes.
"Ah, another glorious day on the Boiling Isles. One day closer to the Day of Unity.
Luz-beast, please get my bath ready. I have much to do, and I need to be at my best."
Simply nodding her head, Luz-beast headed to the bathroom area. In her mind, she kept saying, play your part. Gather information for Eda.
By mid-morning Eda had enough of her sister lying around. "LILITH! GET YOUR BUTT DOWNSTAIRS RIGHT NOW!"
Bat Queen had gone to the deepest reaches of her domain to get food for her brood leaving Eda in charge of them. King was out tending to the palismans by giving them a good polishing.
After feeding the babies' breakfast, Eda had taught the triplets how to pickpockets as a game. Now, it was time for their morning nap. Instead of settling down, they were flying around, screeching loudly.
Eda jumped up, trying to grab the smallest triplet, only to fall flat on her face. The other two stuck out their tongues at her and proceeded to knock over her giant poster.
"LILITH!"
Finally, Lilith came down the steps. The day after their arrival, Willow had brought Viney, who was studying both healing and beast keeping, to tend to Lilith's injuries.
With the help of her griffon, Viney had applied dragon scales to Lilith's broken foot to help it heal correctly. Saliva from a hippogriff was applied to all the claw marks to reduce their size.
Using a mixture made up of crushed griffon feathers, powdered yeti teeth, and hair from pegasi had prevented infection from the bite marks. With some average healing spells the swollen areas went back to normal.
That had been a week and a half ago. Lilith was able to get around on crutches now. Her wrist was back to normal and the bite marks had healed.
She still had a lot of healing left to do. Still, since she was mobile again there was no reason she couldn't help Eda with the babies.
"Finally! Can you please help me?" Eda demanded. The middle triplet dove at Eda. She whipped her hair around and captured the baby. "Here, take this one and put him in the basket. He'll fall asleep right away once you cover him up."
Lilith gawkily held the baby in the crook of her left arm. The baby squirmed and flapped hard, trying to escape.
"Calm down, calm down! It's time to take a nap!" She held back a shriek as the baby sank his teeth into her skin. Seeing the large basket on the table, she held the baby as tight as she could before finally getting the blanket over him.
Something collided with her head, and she fell onto the sofa. Groaning, she rubbed the back of her head.
She heard a tiny screech, followed by the sound of crying. "I got Senior Eda! He is good at chewing my neck."
"Put him in the basket already. Jr-Jr isn't going to fall asleep unless both his brothers are with him."
Within seconds the babies were finally taking their morning nap. Eda let out a sigh and sat down in a chair exhausted. "Next time, help me sooner Hooty. Otherwise, you're not getting your shingles repaired."
"Fine. I'll let you know when BQ is back." Hooty shut the door leaving the sisters alone.
They both stared at each other for a long time. Neither had discussed what happened during their duel. Both afraid to talk about their broken relationship.
A few minutes later, Eda got up and went into the kitchen. She came back a few minutes later with a potion bottle that had a purple aura around it.
She held it out to her sister. "Here, it's a new potion from Luz's friend Barcus. The prophetic potion lets you know how long you need to take it until your better."
The former coven leader wouldn't take it. Tired of holding it out, Eda put the potion in her pocket. "Well, if you change your mind, let me know. Oh, Luz's friend Jerbo told Willow she could borrow one of his plant abominations to do some shopping for us."
Lilith frowned slightly and looked away from her sister. Her mind was going over everything that had happened since their duel.
How could this have happened to her? Why had Emperor Belos lied to her? She had served him faithfully for years. She had mentored several students over the years, many who eagerly joined the Emperor's Coven.
How could he do this to her? He had locked her up, had his human monster maul her, and now she was a slave to a queen who thought she was incompetent.
Lilith was brought out of her musings when Eda snapped her finger next to her sister's ear. The dark-haired woman twisted upright, ignoring the pain. "What?"
"Do you know how hard it is to get your attention these days? I need you to watch the kids for a while. Owlbert is going to help me find a branch I can use to make a new staff."
Lilith appeared aghast by what her sister just said. "We're in an exile Edalyn! Why do you insist on breaking those terms when it could have us end up somewhere worse?"
Eda clasped her fists forcefully, her nails drawing boiling blood. Her hair rose in a non-existent wind. After everything that happened to the sisters; the betrayals, being imprisoned and losing Luz, all Lilith could think about was the terms of their exile?!
The younger Clawthorn grabbed her big sister by one of her injured arms before dragging the woman into the kitchen. Owlbert, sensing his mistress anger, flew into the living room. Watching the babies would be quieter than Eda's rage spilling out.
Throwing her big sister into the table chair, she bellowed at Lilith, "DO YOU STILL CARE WHAT EMPEROR BELOS THINKS ABOUT YOU?"
Lilith opened her mouth to respond only to stop when she saw the rage on Eda's face. She shrunk down in her chair waiting for the explosion.
"Get it through your head, Emperor Belos is not the hero you worshiped as a child! He's a cruel, controlling, and manipulative witch who wants everyone to do whatever he wants without question!
He limited magic and has our potential sealed off so we can't oppose him. He oppresses anyone who doesn't do what he wants because he feels threatened. He has no qualms about going back on his word or changing his plans on a whim."
Eda reminded Lilith that Belos had originally sentenced her to petrification. It was because of a brave human girl she wasn't. A girl who was currently risking her life as the man's slave to find a weakness to keep them safe.
The former coven leader spoke up pointing out she finally saw the emperor's true colors. That she was only concerned for the witchlings who were risking their future and families, by aiding them.
She believed it was better to cut ties with them. Talk to them about the dangers of mixing magic. It would only lead them to pain and suffering.
Eda slammed her for dismissing the witchlings' actions as being misguided. Every one of them knew the risks they were taking by helping the Clawthorn sisters. How badly it would affect their future if coven leaders learned some of them practiced mixed magic.
It was their choice to help. Like it had been Luz's choice to go through with a dangerous plan to keep her Boiling Isles family safe. How leaving her human student in the clutches of a mad man wasn't fair to her.
"The only way to free Luz is to have her touch, my staff, while the palisman spell is reversed. That girl trusts me no matter what. Which is more than I can say about you."
Eda's face flushed with anger. Ever since learning what her sister had done to her, she had been wanting to give her a piece of her mind.
"I knew it was your dream to be in the Emperor's Coven. You also knew I would do anything I could to help you achieve your dream. Instead of trusting me to help you succeed, you cursed me.
Knowing you didn't trust me hurts worse than any curse. I knew I was stronger than you in magical talent. I still would have thrown the duel if it came to that. Do you even remember I tried to talk to you that night before bed?
I was going to tell you then what I was going to do. You brushed me off and let your jealousy take control. You didn't make a sacrifice that day, I did. For all your hard work and brilliant mind, you needed to cheat to feel good about yourself."
Eda shook her head before turning her back to her sister. "The only reason I haven't finished what Luz started is that I believed you would help me save her. That you would act like the big sister I remembered. Maybe I was wrong about that."
Without another word, Eda strolled out of the kitchen. Lilith sat in her chair and cried. She couldn't argue with Eda. Every word had been true. It was time to stop denying it and take responsibility.
The next morning, Amity rushed into Hexside looking for Willow and Gus. She had important news to share with them. She found them sitting in the cafeteria talking to each other.
"Willow! Gus! I need to talk to you now!" she stated urgently. Both of them looked at Amity in fright. They had never seen Amity frantic before.
They quickly followed her to the student lounge. Thankfully, it was empty. Once the door was locked, Amity pulled something out of her pocket. "Take a look at this. It arrived at my house last night."
She held out a glittering white and gold invitation. The Emperor Coven's symbol was on top. The words were written in beautiful calligraphy.
The Blight family is cordially invited to a dinner party hosted by Emperor Belos at the Emperor's Palace. All food and drink items will be supplied by the castle chefs. Please bring an appropriate gift for His Greatness. R.V.S.P. by noon tomorrow.
Willow and Gus blinked in confusion. "I can't remember Emperor Belos ever throwing a dinner party," Willow commented.
Amity put the invitation away and replied, "According to my parents, Emperor Belos had dinner parties during the first five years of his reign before stopping.
They were overjoyed at the chance to better their status. They wanted me to come with them for shopping and beautification tonight, but I convinced them Emperor Belos would be impressed by my dedication to my schoolwork."
"Who else is coming? Can you invite other guests to dine with you?" Gus wondered.
Amity shook her head at the last question. "All the upper-class families in Bonesborough were invited. The dinner party invite only and no extra guests. They'll also be double-checking to make sure everyone is who they say they are."
The others were crushed to hear this. They were desperate to see how Luz was doing.
Reading their disappointment, Amity quickly assured them that she would let them know how Luz was doing. "I think I can persuade Skara to make her observations about Luz and how Emperor Belos is treating her."
Skara had been a lot friendlier since the grudgby match between Willow and Boscha. So had Cat, (healing girl with black glasses,) and Amelia, (Plant girl with green hair and pointy nose).
Their new attitudes were making other students more comfortable working with them. The only one who refused to change was Boscha. The tri-clops would never stop being mean.
"I'm really worried about Luz. I want her back with us. It's going to be difficult to pretend that I haven't associated with her in front of my parents." Like with Willow, her parents would be angry if they knew she had been associating with a lesser being.
Willow assured her that Amity was good at putting her whole heart into anything she tried.
That night, Amity stood with her family as they waited for the drawbridge to extend. Her parents were in their fanciest clothes showing off their precious accessories. Her father was holding the gift box.
Emera and Edric had been forced into their new clothes. They had undergone a makeover. Both had been given at least three baths with hard scrubbing and bath salts to ensure their skin was healthy-looking.
They had both received a haircut which neither was pleased about. Edric had lost his sideburns and Emera's hair was now shoulder length. Amity herself had lost an inch of hair and was wearing a very uncomfortable black dress.
Finally, the drawbridge extended allowing everyone to enter the castle. Kikimora greeted them and lead them to a huge dining hall.
The table was massive and made of jet black wood. The dinnerware was solid gold. It had been set up in front of each chair, which had a place note indicating who sat where.
To Amity's relief, her family was sitting near the head of the table. Amity saw that her chair was around the corner from where Luz would sit.
Once the gifts had been collected everyone sat down. Five minutes later, Emperor Belos entered the room. Luz-beast followed three steps behind him. She was wearing a modified evening gown.
Amity noticed that Luz-beast was wearing red evening gloves with the tips cut off for her talons. The teenager noticed what appeared to be a speck of dry blood on the edge of the gloves.
Luz-beast locked eyes with Amity for a few seconds. She was surprised to see her. Then she lowered her eyes and sat down in her chair.
"Greetings, my subjects. I am very pleased you all accepted my invitation to dine with me tonight. Your support is invaluable to me. Soon the Day of Unity will be upon us and your children will lead us into a bright new age of controlled magic."
The families clapped their hands lightly. Behind their fake smiles, each family was forming a plan to earn the emperor's favor and sabotage the others.
"We have important matters to discuss later tonight. For now, I would like each of your children to fill out these cards," a flick of his hand, and information cards appeared in front of their children.
"I wish to get to know your children. After all, one day they shall serve beside me. Please answer the questions honestly. My valet will collect the cards from your children once they've filled them out."
Amity picked up the quill that had accompanied the card. Reading over the entire card she started to fill it out. The top part was pretty much standard stuff. Her name, age, and what track she was on.
The card also asked for three characteristics, what level her magic was at, and what her dreams were. There were also two unusual questions.
One was about her standpoint on humans. The other unusual question was about what would be an appropriate punishment for someone who turned their back on their emperor.
Amity could feel her parents' stares as she filled out the information. They wanted her to denounce humans and write a cruel punishment. Yet, Amity couldn't make herself do that.
She simply wrote her standpoint on humans would be a case by case bases. As for punishment, she wrote that being stripped of magic and exiled would be a punishment worse than death.
Setting her quill down she waited patiently for the others to finish. Once they were done, Luz-beast got out of her chair to collect them. As she picked up Boscha's card the tri-clops girl kicked Luz-beast in the shin causing her to stumble into the next chair.
The air in the room went still. Everyone was silent waiting to see if Luz-beast would attack or if Emperor Belos would punish his valet for messing up.
To their shock, neither reacted. The human-beast hybrid picked herself up and continued her duty. As she neared the Blights, Amity saw her father lean towards her mother and whispered to her, "I hope Emperor Belos beats that creature thoroughly for her bestial behavior."
It took every ounce of self-control for Amity not to lash out at her father for saying something that cruel. Luz-beast didn't react despite hearing the cruel words with her big ears.
She finished her job and presented the cards to her master. He took them and declared it was time for the first course.
They were served mashed potato puffs covered in a light layer of butter. They were also given sparkling water to drink. It was a good appetizer as the second course was served.
It was a fish course and the water was taken away to be replaced with warm milk. Amity and her siblings didn't like fish. Their parents gave them a look made a threatening gesture so they had no choice, but to swallow the horrible meal.
When the main course was served, a giant turkey served with fruit and veggies, along with wine, Emperor Belos started talking with the adults about plans for the future.
"It is the responsibility of everyone on the Boiling Isles to ensure each witch reaches the peak of their powers. The difficulty in this is that sometimes students are placed in tracks that aren't suited for their strength.
I believe that each student is tested on their strengths and weakness before picking a track. Also, tutoring struggling witches would increase their strength.
The Titan has spoken to me about its fear that the quality of witches will start to decline rapidly unless certain measures are taken. The solution for the problem is that our greatest influencing witches to share how to become great witches to those struggling."
Many eyebrows went up as Emperor Belos further explained how he wanted the rich families to fund a training center for students. The adults would be in charge of finding appropriate tutors, creating the tests, and forming a course schedule to ensure each student was getting the help they needed.
Amity glanced around the table looking at everyone's reactions. A few people looked happy about the task assigned to them. Skara's family was one of them already deciding on how to make the Bard track tests as difficult as possible.
Boscha along with Amity parents were displeased by the news. That they would have to associate with low lives and spend time bringing them up to level was a waste of time.
Still, none of them would outright act against the Emperor's orders. If this would earn them favor with Emperor Belos, then they could pretend to be happy about it.
As the dessert course was served, the emperor explained the reason for the cards. "Not only did I want to get to know more about your children, but I also want to select from them the best candidates to begin tutoring others immediately.
I'm impressed by many of your children. Others have shown they would let paltry issues get in the way of cultivating the quality of witches. I can't let the future of the Boiling Isles be put in jeopardy because your children presume they are better than me."
His empty eyes looked straight at Boscha as he stated this. It took a few seconds before it dawned on the girl she was not going to be chosen for this honor because of her attitude.
She opened her mouth, preparing to plead for a second chance. Her mother slapped her hand over her daughter's mouth and told her to be quiet.
"I need a night to review the cards to be certain I'm picking the best of the best. Each child will receive a notice tomorrow on whether they were chosen or not as a tutor."
Too soon for Amity, it was time to leave. She wanted to say good-bye to Luz-beast. Her parents, who were on a high feeling certain their kids would be chosen, wanted to return home at once to start planning a celebration.
The next day at lunch, Amity told Gus and Willow about how dinner went. It was good to know that Luz-beast was alive. The news that she had become very subdued was not great. It showed she wasn't fighting back anymore.
Suddenly, the windows in the lunchroom opened as a murder of crows descended into the cafeteria. They dropped gold-colored envelopes to each child who had been at the dinner party.
A gleeful shout was heard from Skara. "I did it! I get to be the head tutor to the Bard track!"
At another table, Boris, (purple-skinned pig face kid) was delighted to be selected for being the Beast Keeping head tutor.
Eileen, (cyclops girl in Human Appreciation Club) gave an eye smile for being the head tutor for potions. Behind her, Boscha was tearing about her sleeves in anger.
Amelia was selected to be the head tutor for the Plant track. Her friend Cat earned the honor of being the Healing track tutor. It was sort of a shock that only Edric was chosen to be a tutor for Illusion track students.
Selene, (moon-shaped head girl), was chosen to be the head tutor for Oracle track students. A boy from the Construction track, whose father was head of the coven, had been chosen as the head tutor.
Amity opened her letter and was a little surprised. "I've been chosen as the head tutor for the Abomination track. I know I'm the best, but I thought because my previous association with Luz would prevent me from being chosen."
"Look on the bright side, with you head tutor we might get closer to figuring out how to free Luz," Gus informed her.
In the hospital wing of the palace, Emperor Belos was addressing members of his Coven whose special talents lay in healing. "Is everything ready for tomorrow?"
"Nearly, my liege. We are going to do a practice surgery to ensure success," the spokesperson informed him. "We're doubly prepared to step in if things start to go badly."
Emperor Belos nodded and left the healers to their work. Kikimora was waiting for him outside. She curtsied before speaking.
"We're back on schedule my liege. The progress on the portal has been exceeding. If I may say so, while the Owl Lady irredeemable wild witch, her mastery over portals are great.
"Selling human treasures was her main source of income for years. She would ensure the portal was perfect."
The two of them walked through the hallways. Kikimora was pleased by the absence of the hybrid valet. She did question it. "Sire, I am surprised to see you are not accompanied by your valet. Is she not feeling well?"
"She is resting for tomorrow's experimental procedure."
Kikimora single eye widened. She didn't recall any mention of a procedure tomorrow? "Forgive me Sire, but I cannot recall what you are speaking of."
"Because I haven't told you until right now. You have proven to be a worthy right-hand woman. So I'll let you in on a little secret. The Day of Unity will mark the Titan's greatest blessing, bestowing magic to the human world."
This shocked Kikimora. "Bestow…magic… to the human world? That's not possible Sire! Why would the Titan wish to share its magic with barbaric humans?"
"Try to see the big picture Kiki," he said as he widened his arms. "With magic and proper discipline from our covens, the human world lifted out of the savage ages. Their world would no longer be divided by pitiful reasons.
Once the realms become one, the Titan's magic will flow through everyone. Together we can bring about a new age of prosperity and greatness. The Titan longs for everlasting peace and I intend to bring his wish to life."
Kikimora could believe the Titan was very generous in sharing its magic with humans after seeing the success it had with the inhabitants of the Boiling Isles. "Sire, it took decades for our people to be born with magic bile sacs. It could take centuries for humans to develop ones."
"That's what tomorrow's experimental surgery is about. My valet is resting as her body is fed with the elixir. She should be in her fully human body tomorrow morning.
With her fully human it will be possible to see if the human body would accept a magic bile sac transplant." Belos project an image in front of him showing what he hoped to happen.
"If the transplant works, eventually my valet will be able to produce magic from within her body and no longer need to use wild glyph magic. Of course, we can't do this with every human, but by studying how it works with Luz-beast, it may be possible to speed up the process with the rest of the human race."
"I look forward to seeing the results. Praise the Titan for his many gifts."
Luz-beast didn't know what to think when she woke up the next morning and saw herself without feathers. How had this happened? The only thing she could recall was yesterday she had been put in a deep sleep by Belos for some reason.
"What? No, no, please, no! I can't be like this right now. I've broken the Forever Oath. Eda!"
There was a knock on the door, and her master entered her room. Liz rolled off the bed to kneel. "Apologize for not being ready. I swear to you, I don't know how this happened. Please don't ask the Bat Queen to punish Eda."
The emperor threw a hospital gown at her. "Your curse has been suppressed with a generous amount of elixir. Today, you will be taking part in experimental surgery.
The Titan wishes to share his magic with your world. Pray for his blessing, child. Whatever the outcome, I assure you that all steps will be taken to ensure you survive."
Meekly, Luz put on the gown and followed him to the hospital wing. She was scared. Any surgery was with risks. An experimental one using magic instead of medical tools sounded even scarier.
Until she was truly human, she would have to follow through with her Forever Oath. In her mind, she silently prayed for heavenly help to keep her safe.
Upon entering the hospital wing, Luz came to a hesitant stop. She fidgeted and started scratching herself as the healers came closer.
"Master, are you sure this is necessary?" she asked out loud. Surprised that she had questioned Belos, she quickly covered her mouth.
To her immense relief, Emperor Belos was feeling a bit compassionate today. "I understand you're afraid. That's perfectly normal. I need you to be brave.
The success of this surgery will lead to the betterment of humankind. A place where people won't be alienated for daring to be different."
It was those words that made Luz lose her resolve. To be accepted for who she was. To be truly loved by her mother. Taking a deep breath, she followed the healers to the operating room.
Once she was asleep, the healers went to work. Instead of using scalpels and rib spreaders, one healer cast a membrane spell. This spell revealed the organs inside the body before creating a thin membrane that allowed the healers access to them.
Once they located Luz's heart, the delicate task of attaching a magic bile sac began. Procuring a magic bile sac that was the appropriate size and compatible with a human had been nearly impossible.
Luckily, a recently deceased person at the main hospital in Bonesborough had been the perfect candidate. Emperor Belos had wanted to use one of the sacs from one of the teenagers from the dinner, then thought better of it.
The healers had to create a space for the sac that wouldn't press against the breastbone or crowd the other organs. Eventually, they ended up moving her organs in her chest cavity a few millimeters over to create space for the sac.
They checked to see if the sac was working. Using other spells that acted like microscopes, the healers determined it was working.
Also, they made sure Luz's heart wasn't strained from the pressure of the sac on it. With a final check on the other organs, the membrane spell was released. Luz was sent to recovery for monitoring.
As each hour passed, one of the healer's updated the Emperor about the health of his valet. They also passed along notes on how her body was handling the transplant. They advised it was best not to wake or move her until tomorrow to ensure her body didn't reject the transplant.
Emperor Belos was displeased by hearing he would have to go the night without his servant attending to his needs, but the wishes of the Titan were more important. That's what he told himself anyway.
In the medical wing, Luz was slowly shifting back into her hybrid form. It was a critical time because if she returned too quickly to her hybrid form would be dangerous to her health.
The healer monitoring of Luz's health licked his lips. He was very parched. Surely, nothing would happen between getting a glass of water from the doctor's lounge and coming back.
Kikimora was watching from behind the door. Waiting until the healer was out of sight before slipping inside. She marched with purpose towards the sleeping girl.
Once she was next to her, Kikimora pulled something out of her pocket. It was a muzzle specially designed for griffons. She added some painful hooks to dig into the girl's unprotected face.
"I am Emperor Belos, right-hand woman. Since you came along, I've been losing his attention and my place above everyone in the castle. He has never kept anything from me until you showed up.
Emperor Belos personal servant. His confidant and pet. You deserve none of it, human. I hope you enjoy losing his favor."
She strapped the muzzle around Luz's head and then created a spell circle that would deliver the pain of thousands of needles driving into her skin. Walking back towards the door, she looked at Luz-Beast and activated the spell as she stepped out of the room.
Luz woke up screaming! Her entire body was in pain. It felt like she had bitten by a hoard of insects, flash-frozen, then stuck with hot burning needles. Worse, her head was stuck in a muzzle. It wouldn't come off.
The healers rushed back in to help her, but in her distress, she didn't care. She back-handed one of the healers and kicked another. She rolled off the bed before accidentally head butting another one.
She thrashed in pain as her heart began to beat too fast. She was changing rapidly back into her hybrid form, causing everything to shift around inside her.
Her wings popped out of her skin as she let out a roar. Dashing past the healers, Luz-beast jumped out the window and clumsily flew away. From the healers' viewpoint, they saw the human/beast being crash into the rocky canyon below.
"We have to get her back, quickly!" the head healer proclaimed.
"Her chances of dying increase everything second she's not here. Grab the supplies and get some escorts. We need to find her before…" the assistant said before a chill went through the room.
They all slowly turned around and saw Emperor Belos standing behind them. He was gripping his staff forcefully, his empty eyes pierced into the souls of his healers.
"What…in the name…of the Titan…happened?"
"Sire, it seems that your valet has…" the head healer started to reply
Belos didn't let him finish. He blasted the man with enough energy to tear a hole in his chest. The others gulped as they watched the body fall to the ground.
"Let me be clear. The Titan needs to know if humans can handle his blessing. The only way we're going to know is if you retrieve Luz-beast and find out what set her off.
I want her back here by sunrise. If not, heads will start to roll. Understood?" Everyone nodded and hurried to carry out his wishes.
In the rocky canyon, Luz-beast let out another screech. The crash had damaged her right wing badly. It just hung down. Patches of feathers were gone, and her hair had tangled up after being caught on a rock.
She twisted and turned, even clawing at the rocks until she was free. As soon as she was out of the rocks, she started clawing again at the muzzle. The sharp hooks dug into her vulnerable skin.
"ROAR!" Luz-beast human mind was suppressed and unable to surface. She started to run further into the canyon, shaking her head as she went.
Her large eyes searched for a place to hide. The beast inside her knew that predators would pick off any animal that was weak or injured.
Finding a cave large enough to fit her, she crawled inside and went as deep as possible. She came upon an open cavern. Luz-beast found a comfortable place to lie down.
Despite the pain, she knew the only chance she had to survive was to wait until she had regained her strength. Hopefully, when she woke up, her pain would be gone.
A few moments later, Luz-beast was asleep. She was unaware of the healers and the guards searching for her. Didn't know that Owlbert, through his bond with her, felt her pain and confusion.
She had no idea that when she woke up, two groups would be searching for her. Whoever got to her first would tip the balance of power on the Boiling Isles.