Chapter 4

The Flames of War

He ran for miles, leaving Sept-Tours land completely, and tracking animals in the open wilderness. Foxes, rabbits, and game birds scattered around him, but he wanted something bigger. Something he could really run down. He spotted several does, but given the season, he knew Marthe wouldn't be happy with him hunting down females with young. Besides, a stag would be far more satisfying. Where females roamed, males wouldn't be far behind.

His keen nose soon smelled the pheromones, eyeing a tiny shape in the distance with pronounced antlers. He was upon the stag, facing it down as it assessed whether Baldwin was a genuine threat or not. Baldwin grinned. He could smell the heightened testosterone in the stag. Fight or flight. He enjoyed a fight. Anger tasted better than fear.

The stag lowered its head and scraped the ground with its hoof, snorting and eyeballing Baldwin. On the second hoof scrape, Baldwin ran at the stag, the stag leaping forward to do the same. It barely got three steps before Baldwin had his hand on its antlers, leaping over it like a gymnast and twisting to snap its neck, his mouth on its skin before its legs crumpled. He growled as the warmth of its blood flooded his tongue, invigorated by the rush and quickly draining it.

He dropped the antlers and stood up, wiping his lips clean. He then picked up the dead stag and slung it over his broad shoulders, carrying it back to Sept-Tours. Even vampires liked wild venison, and with warmbloods now in the house, it wouldn't go to waste.

Marthe was surprised by the delivery, but sensing Baldwin's invigorated constitution, she smiled. She hadn't expected him to remain for so long. Domestic situations were never his forte. They only ever saw him at family gatherings or family squabbles. He was too involved with his work for social requirements. But, this time, his curiosity was keeping him around. The changes in him were still remarkable to everyone. From accepting a witch as a sister, to doting on his niece and nephew with witch heritage, to rescuing a witch from her own kind. Twice. Even so, Marthe knew he would always be a short-tempered control freak. Just like Phillippe had been. However, it seemed once in a while, you really could teach an old dog new tricks.

The next few days passed in a similar fashion. Athena spent them sleeping and eating, and venturing to the bathroom to wash. She'd remarked to Marthe that she had no clothing one morning before bathing, and upon returning to the bed, several shirts and trousers had been laid out on the bed for her. It felt good to dress, to regain a small measure of normalcy, even if the clothing wasn't hers.

She hadn't seen much of Baldwin since that morning, and thought he'd returned to whatever life he'd left in order to rescue her. As it was, he spent most of his time in Phillippe's office, tending to his business. He spent endless amounts of time churning out emails and reports, scouring through financial papers, and phone calls to various businesses across the globe. One close subordinate had dared to ask him when he would be returning to New York, as meetings had been put off many times, and they were in danger of losing deals. Baldwin was incensed at the question, more so because he couldn't answer it. Now that Athena was gaining strength and mobility, he had no real reason to stay. Marthe was doing all the running around for her, and Diana would return almost daily from Les Revenants to check on her and give her a witch's ear should she need it. He'd threatened to fire the employee if he dared to question him again.

He'd just slammed the phone down when Athena's scent disturbed him. This far from Louisa's tower, he shouldn't have been able to smell her so strongly, but when he looked up he realised why. She was standing outside of the door. He could see her shadow under the gap.

He got up to open the door, looking at her in confusion. "Are you well?"

"Oh! Uh... Yes." She was looking around, her confusion matching his. "I think I'm lost. I didn't realise how big this place was. I still don't know where I am really," she replied, looking at him.

"I can show you the way back to your room," he offered.

"No. No, I need to stretch my legs and look at something other than those same four walls." She looked at him, a momentary flash of panic crossing her eyes at the prospect of being confined again, despite the help she'd been given.

Baldwin understood. He outstretched his hand to indicate which way to go, following her closely should she take a turn.

"So, where exactly am I?" she asked.

"Sept-Tours," he replied cryptically.

"Sounds French..."

"It is. You're in France."

She stopped and looked at him, surprise in her eyes. "But... How? I didn't exactly have my passport shoved up my arse."

He fought the grin that threatened to break out across his lips. "You can thank Diana for that. A spell of some sort, I believe."

"I'm losing track of time. How long have I been here?"

"Six days."

He led her into the parlour, where Ysabeau was sitting at the table. The place looked ancient. An enormous fireplace was blazing away, and an old phonogram was playing. The place had electricity, but they still had numerous candelabras dotted around the large room.

The graceful blonde stood to greet them. " I am Ysabeau. I hope you're feeling rested?"

"I am, thanks. This is your home?"

"It is de Clermont property. That is the name we go by." Her eyes flicked to Baldwin so fast, Athena missed it.

Ever the keen watcher, she saw how Baldwin's eyes rarely left the tall witch beside him. They were full of questions and intrigue, the gold specks almost dancing in the light.

Marthe disturbed the moment by bringing in tea for Athena, and wine for everyone else.

"Please, sit," Ysabeau indicated a chair at the table, pulling it out for her before Baldwin could do so, smirking as his eyes flashed in irritation.

Athena sat, glad to take the weight off her feet. Her ankles were stronger now, but they ached from disuse. She smiled and clasped the hot tea in her hands. It felt strange to be drawn to the warmth of the cup. She'd never had issues with coldness before this.

She turned her head towards the doorway when she heard footsteps. Diana and Matthew had arrived, with Matthew carrying a large bag. He placed it on the chair beside her and smiled.

"My son Marcus took the liberty of bringing some things from your home. I hope you don't mind," he said, his voice soft and reassuring.

"Oh, thanks. How did you know where I lived?"

"You mother was very forthcoming with details of your sister. She said you lived with her."

Athena looked at the bag, reaching down to unzip it and rummage through. She grinned when she put her hand on her passport. Clever vampire. But it fell when she touched the pendant that had been slipped into the pocket of a shirt. She pulled it out and took a deep breath, holding it in her hand.

"How did you know this was mine?" she whispered.

"Your scent."

"What is it?" Diana asked, craning her head to look.

Athena held it out, the pendant dropping loose on the chain. It was a replica of the Owl of Athena tetradrachm, complete with the letters AOE, and an ancient Greek depiction of the Goddess herself on the other side.

"A tetradrachm! I've seen these in museums," Diana exclaimed.

"My sister had it made for me for my 21st." She smiled sadly.

"Athena, how did they even get hold of you both?" Diana asked.

Athena took another deep breath. "I was on my way to a recital, and Della was supposed to meet me on the way. We'd just rounded the corner to the side entrance. She liked to come watch me perform. She was hit with something. A dart I think. I didn't see where it came from, but I tried to pull it out of her. That's what I was hit. I don't know who they were or where they took us. We were kept separate, except for when they wanted to extract information. They tried spells, offensive magic, and physical torture."

"What were they looking for?" Matthew asked, his hand smoothing over Diana's shoulder.

"Secrets. Of the future. Della was a seer. So is mum." Her eyes darkened momentarily at the mention of her mother. "If Della's magical ability was left up to mum, they would have gotten everything. I learned early on how to protect every piece of knowledge in my head, and I taught Della to do the same. She was powerful. She was five when I was born, but she saw me coming." She smiled at the memory.

"Your mother didn't?" Diana asked.

Athena shook her head. "It frustrated her that she couldn't get a vision of me, but Della could. Just before I was born, she asked dad why the baby was on fire," she said, chuckling to herself.

"On fire? Why would a baby be on..." Diana gasped. "You're a fire witch!"

Athena grinned, her eyes alight. "You see now why I didn't want to remove the binding. I didn't want to have a nightmare and burn the place down. Witchfire isn't like normal fire. Nothing can stop it."

All the vampires were shocked. Baldwin was stood to the side, leaning against the wall, staring at her with wonder, and no small amount of admiration. Elemental magic was rare. Diana herself had markers for three types, but fire wasn't one of them.

Marthe finally smiled, looking at Athena with pride. "I knew I could smell something different about you."

"What about your father?" Diana asked.

"Oh, he was human, but he had no problem with us. He actually encouraged me in my magic. Mum never cared. She had Della to share in her power. It was dad who named me. Mum named Della, although, dad had to stop her from what she really wanted to call her." She looked at Diana and made a face. "Delphi."

"As in... The Oracle at Delphi?"

Athena nodded. "I know. Ridiculous. Dad made her change it to Delphine. We just called her Della."

"Will your mother tell him where you are?"

"No. He's been dead five years. Heart failure." Athena swallowed thickly, distracting herself by slipping the pendant around her neck.

Diana looked at Matthew, trying not to let her pity show. "Do you feel strong enough for me to remove the binding?"

Athena sat up straight, her eyes almost wild with anticipation. "Yes, I think it's best. I feel strangely..."

"... heavy. As though you're being weighed down?" Diana finished, smiling in recognition.

"Yes... My skin has been irritating me. As though I can't quite get something out."

Diana was already working with her cords, murmuring to herself as she worked to free Athena from the magic binding her. The spell was complicated, deliberately so, but not the strongest. Should Athena have lost her temper, displays of uncontrolled magic would likely have happened, much as they had with Diana herself before she was unbound.

When she finished, Athena gasped, her eyes flashing in the most brilliant, bright sunset orange, her hands glowing as the fire within her sought an outlet. She lifted her hands away from the flammable wood of the table, her fingers igniting. She clenched her fists, breathing deeply to reassert her usual control, the flames eventually dying out and the glow disappearing. She sighed in relief, sagging slightly in her chair.

"Thank fuck for that..." She opened her eyes, several smirks, and one disapproving look from Ysabeau requiring an explanation. "Sorry, but being bound for a witch is like... being castrated..." She eyed Matthew and Baldwin, both of them squirming slightly.

Diana chuckled. "That was incredible. I've never heard of any other witch controlling fire like that. Not without a spell."

"Elemental magic is different. It's instinctual. Control takes time. Focus. Direction. Respect," Athena explained.

"I'd like to see more of it... When you're stronger? If that's okay?" Diana asked, her blue eyes betraying her eagerness.

Athena grinned. "I'd like that, actually. I could do with the release. Actually, I'd like a walk. Get some air. Is that okay? Is it safe?"

"Of course. This is my land. No witch would dare to set foot here," Baldwin said, his eyes fierce at the prospect of another abduction.

"Witches don't always have to set foot anywhere. Satu didn't," Matthew reminded him. Diana squirmed a little.

"Satu?!" Athena was on her feet, her eyes glowing in fury.

Diana stood, putting her hands out. "She's a witch on the congregation. She took me from the gardens. She can fly. Or rather, she could. I spellbound her months ago."

"She was there." She looked at Baldwin. "She was the one who whipped me."

Baldwin ground his teeth. "We really need to do something about that witch..."

"Get in line." Athena stated, her hands glowing again as she looked at him, her fury more than matching his own anger.

"Alright, let's take a walk. She's not going to fly in. I bound her. Besides, I can fly too." She smiled at Athena, leading her out to the gardens.

Baldwin watched them go, still feeling a mixture of amazement, curiosity, and an intense sense of pride. Such strength, that had only increased with her abilities being freed. He was so used to people backing away from his ire, but she'd met his anger and returned it.

"I'm starting to see what makes witches so strong. It's not their power. It's their spirit," he remarked to Matthew, who was smiling casually, watching Diana talk in the distance.

"That strength was always there, Baldwin. You just refused to see it until recently. Even Phillippe knew it."

Baldwin made an irritated noise, not quite willing to admit that he might have been wrong about witches. Matthew Being involved with a witch had taken some getting used to, and he still had moments where he couldn't quite believe it. Accepting all witches? That was a little much to ask of him. Perhaps in time.