Epilogue
T hey say desperate times call for desperate measures.
Well, I'm desperate.
I'm not sure if it's the fact that John betrayed me or because I'm no closer to breaking the curse than I was before, but I have to do it. The thing my grandmother asked me again and again not to do.
I cross the road and head to the widest five-story building on the street. Its ancient appearance is not the only thing that makes it stand out from the other houses on the boulevard. At the entrance, there is a long steel door with Latin decorations that are illuminated in the dark.
When I was little, I read about the order in one of the books from my grandmother's library, and every time I tried to ask her about it she always avoided the subject. But learning about the Order and actually entering the place where they make decisions about destinies are two different things.
Before I came here, I read the book again, just to feel a little more prepared. If it was possible at all.
The council of the Order consists of representatives of the four convents. Or so it was before the Air coven disappeared. There is not much information about them, except that in the war between the witches and the vampires, their traces disappeared.
I hold the cold handle and push the door open. It’s as heavy as it looks.
A wave of cold washes over my body and I find myself cringing as I step forward. I enter a large, dark hall with dim lamps scattered across the walls. Enough to see the road but not enough to appreciate the place itself.
"Hello?" I say. The only voice answering is my echo.
I head down the single hallway as the musty smell grows stronger. With each step I take, I feel my anxiety rising. Running my wet palms over my jeans, I try to regulate my breathing
Dear stars.
Maybe Grandma was right and this is a mistake .
I've never considered myself a claustrophobe, but the closed place with the never-ending corridor feels too suffocating. Eventually, there are lines of doors up ahead. I try them all to find them closed. Shit.
“Hello?”
Suddenly, one of the doors opens in a hurry and a woman in a red robe comes out. She bursts out and her shoulder bumps into mine. She continues walking as if she didn't see me, increasing her pace in the direction of the exit.
Before giving it another thought, I burst in, not ready for anything. Least of all what is waiting there. The room is big, like my granny’s whole first floor. At the center to the right, there is a stage with four seats around a long table. On the other side, there are chairs lined up. It’s like a courtroom.
Fighting back a shiver, I take a deep breath as I move in front of them. Why are there four if one is unknown? Behind each chair, there is a sign that stretches along the entire wall, from the ceiling to the floor, with the symbol of the elements associated with the covens. Fire, water, earth, and air. A woman in her fifties sits on the fire chair. Her features are stern and her eyebrows furrowed. It makes me more stressed. For some reason, it seems like that's her regular expression. Next to her sits a witch with beautiful hair and soft eyes. She sits on the water chair confidently. On the earth chair is a witch who has long brown hair. Who is she? Is she part of my coven? The last chair is filled by a witch with blue hair.
I’m not sure for how long I’m standing there, but eventually, they all notice me. Shit. Even though they all look different, at this particular moment, they look confused. Okay. Not good. What now? I open my mouth to speak, only to rapidly close it.
“State your business” the Ignis witch says.
“I am… I am…”
“Faster, we don’t have all night.” This time it’s the water witch that speaks.
Compose yourself, Hailey! Damn it!
I breathe hard. “My name is Hailey Knox, and I’m the granddaughter of Luciana Knox from the Terra coven.”
“What is it you want, child ?” The water witch asks boredly as her eyes look everywhere but at me. The way she says child leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I’m no child.
Clenching my fists, I continue. “I’m here on behalf of my coven regarding our magic. I’m here to request your consideration about breaking the cycle of death in my dynasty.”
There is a long silence. My gaze skims them to find nothing. That is until they all burst into vicious laughter .
“Oh, dear. Don’t be so na?ve. We can’t do that. No one can,” The Ignis witch says as she tries to regain her voice. Locking my wide eyes on her, I wish to erase her smug face.
My ears ring and I see black. I want to cry, to scream, and to fight.
No.
“You are dismissed.”
The End