The tension inside the room hit the climax when the teacup didn't hit the carpeted floor. Instead of falling, it floated just a few centimeters away from its doom.
"You know — " Ava got up. She eyed the butler, who was just standing there as if nothing happened. "I don't actually love teacups…"
"Then why save it?"
She only smirked in response. Then, she lifted her hand. Almost immediately, the smell of something burning filled the room. It was the smell of magick.
"I just wanna see," Ava uttered in a low voice. Her temper was already flaring. Inside, she felt like testing if the teacup that had stood the test of time would be strong enough to break someone's bones.
"See what?"
"See if…" she manipulated the teacup, making it float higher until it reached her hand. "See if… your skull is harder than a century-old cup." Ava flashed the woman a smile before she swung the teacup towards her.
Elizabeth took a step back but accidentally fell. Her rear hit the carpeted floor with a loud thud. The woman's eyes widened, and her face flushed.
"You— "
"Oh… look at that!" Ava exclaimed, and faked a surprised gasp. "The teacup was actually able to knock you down before it even hit your face."
"You— "
"What is happening here?"
Ava turned towards the speaker.
It was a woman wearing an all-black dress that seemed to dance every time she took a step. Though Ava was certain there wasn't any wind around this place. Just to make sure, she eyed the window and was able to confirm that it was closed.
Magick. She thought inwardly.
It was another witch.
"Mother!"
Ava nodded inwardly. Earlier, Matthew said that Elizabeth's family had been working with the family for generations.
Now that Ava thought about it, the older woman who just walked in had the same sharp features as Elizabeth. She was lanky, with very black hair and dark brown eyes that almost looked like they were black because of the lighting.
"What happened?"
"Mother… she… she tried to hurt me."
"Is that true Simon?"
Simon, the shifter who brought the tea set, nodded.
"However, it was only because Miss Elizabeth tried to drop the million-dollar teacup that the Master had given to Miss Woods," Simon added.
"A teacup?" the woman's eyes narrowed at the teacup in Ava's hand. Suddenly, Ava felt the cup turn hot.
Ava frowned in response.
Just like how Ava made the teacup float without chanting any spells, the woman was trying to affect the temperature of the teacup in Ava's hand. While Ava used telekinesis, the woman was using Thermal manipulation. It is a type of energy manipulation that is a part of practicing elemental techniques. Meaning, the woman was an elemental witch.
'How troublesome," Ava thought inwardly.
An elemental witch can be very strong to the point of changing the weather or is very weak that they could only control a drop of water. There's just no in-between. Judging from the way the woman manipulated the teacup, it was clear that she was a powerful witch.
Sadly for her, she met Ava.
An abnormal witch.
It was a term that Ava used to call herself when she discovered that she was just not normal. She was a freak of nature.
Something that she was able to hide easily because of Trillium.
"Interesting." The woman removed her eyes from the teacup and scrutinized Ava. A suffocating disgust emanated from the woman. "A powerful young witch…"
"Mother— "
"Shhhhh— " the woman silenced her own daughter. "You are tired Elizabeth. Go to your rooms."
"But— "
"Now."
Elizabeth gritted her teeth. Of course, Ava took the opportunity to wave at the woman as she walked out of the room.
"You may leave us as well…" the woman told Simon. Hearing her words, Simon nodded and then left.
Now that they were alone, the woman made herself comfortable on the couch.
"You may sit," the woman gestured to Ava to take a seat on the single-seater couch next to the fireplace.
Ava complied.
"I am Erenes, Elizabeth's mother."
Ava nodded. She hadn't heard of the witch's name before.
Erenes smiled at her. Sadly, it couldn't fool Ava. After all, Ava could feel the woman's strong desire to attack her. Moreover, Ava could feel the woman's senses were on high alert. It was as if…. She was facing an enemy.
One mistake and Ava was sure that the woman would send a spell her way.
"Are you here to visit Matthew?"
"No. He invited me."
"Impossible." The woman hissed. "Matthew… dislikes witches."
"Apparently, he liked me enough to give me a million-dollar teacup." Ava grinned. But the fact that Matthew disliked witches totally surprised her. How is that possible? The man personally asked her to work for him.
However, Ava could sense that the woman was telling the truth.
"Matthew… would never do that."
"He just did."
She expected Erenes to attack her after she said those words, but that didn't actually happen. Instead, the woman glared at her for a few seconds.
"I want you out of this house after you finish your business with Matthew."
"Erenes…"
Both Ava and Erenes looked toward Matthew, who just walked into his study.
"I didn't know you were coming."
"Do I need to announce my visit ahead of time, Matthew?" Erenes retorted.
"Considering that you no longer live here, yes. You should announce your visit to the new… owner of the house." Matthew walked towards Ava's side.
"She's a witch, Matthew… What is your business with a witch?" Erenes said.
"Aren't you a witch as well, Erenes?"
"You— "
Erenes narrowed her eyes.
"Does your father know about this?"
"Do I need to inform my father about my business, Erenes?"
The woman pursed her lips. Then she got up.
"I don't appreciate your tone, Matthew."
"Was it my tone? Or was it the fact that I am doing this in front of another witch?"
Erenes narrowed her eyes at Ava, then returned her gaze to Matthew.
"Expect a call from your father!"
With that, Erenes strode out of Matthew's office, leaving another strange atmosphere behind.