"I... just wanted to see if he remembered anything from last night... that's all." I said looking at the floor and speaking quietly.
"I do not want you to go in there anymore without me present. I do not want anything to happen to you. I cannot risk it. Do you understand?" He said walking over to me and lifting my chin so I was facing him.
"I understand." I said looking away again. He put his arms around me and whispered in my ear.
"I do not know what I would do if something happened to you AGAIN. I cannot take you always disappearing or getting hurt. I hope you understand... My heart can only take so much..." I could hear his voice crackle at the end of his sentence.
We started to walk back to the main hall where Richard was standing with Julie by the doors.
"Ah. There you both are!" Richard said as he was waving to us.
"Yes, we are ready if you are." Jason said with no emotion... at all.
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When we arrived there was a maiden and a few knights outside already. They greeted us and took the horses to the barn.
When we walked up to the door, the maiden turned to Richard and bowed.
"Your guest has arrived. She is in the garden." They both nodded and proceeded to go inside.
Richard and Julie stopped walking and looked at us, "Remember what we told you. Okay?" Richard said with a bothered look. For some reason, it made my stomach turn.
I felt Jason squeeze my hand as we walked into the garden. I was nervous, because this was my only hope in finding my mother. Especially since Mark is in no way of telling me.
"Hello sister." I heard a woman say, and turned to see Julie's sister sitting at the table with an unsettling smirk on her face.
"Hello." Julie said back shortly. Richard led us to the table where she was and we all sat down.
"Well I think an introduction is in order, do not be rude sister." Julie's sister said looking at me.
"Of course. Endora, this is Isabelle." She said flatly. I could tell Julie did not really care for her sister.
"It is nice to finally meet you. I have heard much about you." Endora was looking at me now. "You as well."
She smiled very big and looked at Jason, "I see our paths have crossed again Sir. Jason."
"Indeed."
"Well, why don't we just get right to it?" Richard said as he scooted his chair closer to the table and got comfortable.
"Let's not be hasty, sweetheart. We have all the time in the world." I do not like the way Endora was talking. It was giving me weird feelings and goosebumps.
"Actually... we don't." I said quickly before Richard could respond to her.
Endora shifted towards me and raised her eyebrows, "Oh? Please do elaborate darling."
"It is my mother... she was taken. I need to find her." I said sternly, but looking down as I realized how much it hurt me to say those words.
"Ah. There it is, the reason I have been summoned." She smiled evilly.
I looked at Jason with a somber look and he squeezed my hand and kissed it.
"We are wondering, can you do a spell through a mirror to find my mother?" I looked, hoping she would say yes.
It felt like an hour went by, the silence was eating at me.
"I may try, but I should have you know, such a spell is a high... cost."
"We understand... Can you do that kind of spell?" Jason answered faster than I could.
"Why... yes I can. It may take some time, but I can try." I could tell by her tone of voice, that she was about to very... slick.
"It is going to cost you... your blood." She locked eyes with me.
"Excuse m-me?"
"You heard me darling. An ounce of your blood in return for finding your mother. I think it is a rather... fair trade. Do you not?" She reminded me much of a cons person. She had so much confidence and you could tell she was powerful, she had this steaming aura about her.
I felt Jason's body stiffen, "You will do a Deep Magic spell for her... blood? What for? I do not see what a witch... would need Royal Blood for." His tone was very harsh.
Endora pointed right at Jason, "And that my dear, will remain as my knowledge only. Or no deal."
Julie and Richard stood up, their chairs almost fell to the ground. In unison they both said, "NO!"
At this point everyone was looking at me with unreadable expressions.
"Am... I not seeing what the big deal is about this?" I said softly, I am scared I will not respond accordingly.
"My. My. I see they have kept you in the shadows. Although, this does not surprise me. They are not ones to... share." Endora said with a matter-of-fact tone.
"Can someone please just explain to me, what the big deal is?" I sat back in my chair and crossed my arms. I feel like a little kid, but I hate when I am kept out of things.
Endora blurted a response before anyone else could, "Your blood itself is a weapon honey. Full blood is beyond any Deep Magic. It can help create the impossible. "
"Which is why you must name another price, Endora." Richard said glaring at her. Endora tilted her head back and laughed.
"Oh you have always been against anything spontaneous. Let the girl respond. After all, it is HER blood." She was waving her hands around at this point. I can tell Richard and her do not get along.
"If she has that much of your blood, it could be dangerous. It can be dangerous for anyone to have that much of it. They can create anything they want and use it however they please." Julie said as she was staring at the top of the table.
"Oh stop with the dramatics, sister. It is my price, I am not changing it." She said rudely to Julie.
"I was okay, until you said we cannot ask what you want it for," I told Endora as she glanced back my way.
"I do not want to agree and my life be in more jeopardy than it was before. You must understand that. I need your help, but if you are not willing to at least tell me your want with my blood... then I will have no other choice but too find another witch who can do the spell." I sat up and kept my eyes on Endora. I want her to know I am serious and will not stop until I find my mother. Even if I have to go to the ends of the universe to do so.
Endora was sitting there with her blank expression, as were the others.
"Fine. I shall tell you, but you cannot share the information with anyone else. Deal?"
I looked at Jason, "Deal. But, you only get half of her blood before, you can have the other after the spell is successful."
"Deal." Endora said with this hate-filled look.
I must say, the woman does give me chills. The way she responds, and the way she holds herself... Is almost, frightening.
"Wonderful." I said excitedly. I stood up and looked at Julie. Everyone else stood up as well.
"Well, as much as I would love to stay and chat, I have much to do. I will see you all tomorrow? Mid-day? I do like my sleep."
I nodded to her, and Jason did the same.
" I will walk you to the court yard, Endora." Julie said as she went over to her sister.
"Why, thank you sister. You have always been so kind." She said with a snobby response.
We watched as they walked to the courtyard. They spoke for a moment then she turned around and disappeared.
Julie returned to us, "Come dear. We should get started. It will take awhile to get that much of your blood without you being hurt from it." She was walking to me and stopped in front of us. She bowed to Jason, and he nodded. He turned to kiss me, then walked away with Richard.
Julie waited until they were gone, "Come dearest, we must hurry. We haven't much time."
She grabbed my arm and was rushing me up the stairs.
"What are you talking about?" I said to her as she guided me down the hallways.
"Please do not ask questions right now. I will answer them later on." We turned down a hallway I have not seen before.
"Um... Julie? Where exactly are you taking me?" I could not help but think she was up to something and it was not good.
She did not reply to me, but had me stand in front of the stone wall. We were at the end of the hallway and she started to mumble some words that sounded like gibberish. Then suddenly , there was a staircase in front of us and torches going down the stairs. This reminded me of the time when Julie took me into hiding.
I could not move, I need to know what she was up too.
She turned around when she realized I was not following her. "Isabelle, do you trust me?" She said with this anxious look. I nodded slowly and stepped into the hidden wall. It shut swiftly behind me and made me jump.
Once Julie stopped, and started to mumble again, I knew another magic door was about to pop out.
She opened her eyes and looked at me, "Come." She held her hand out and I hesitantly took it. She pulled me next to her and told me to close my eyes.
"This may feel... Odd. Do not open your eyes until I say, understand?"
I did as she said, when she said open, I could not help but gasp and jump backwards.
I looked straight at Julie, "What on EARTH is going on here and how... How did you find him? Why do you have him?!" I was very confused.
"I see our paths continue to be crossed, Isabelle. It is always a pleasure to see you."
Mark said with a blood stained mouth.