It took days for Evangeline to get the girl's name as she didn't speak to anyone. The girl's state was heartbreaking. She barely ate and her body was malnourished. She refused food or healing potions, making it difficult for the witches to help her. Evangeline made it clear when she brought her in that she was to be treated with respect and given the space she needed. Young witches in the coven were particularly keen on the new arrival, trying to reach out to the girl, offering her dresses and jewellery that they had or made.
Evangeline was probably the only one that the girl allowed near her, and she tried her best to be open and reassuring to her.
She still didn't know who or what the girl was. The girl's eyes weren't glowing anymore, and if she didn't see them, she would never think that she had any magical capabilities within her.
She didn't tell anyone else in the coven about what she witnessed and how she found the girl.
"Please, tell me your name." Evangeline asked again expecting the same silence that she received for days now.
"Illyria." The girl's hoarse voice sounded quiet. Evangeline froze.
"That's a beautiful name, Illyria." Evangeline said with a warm smile, trying her hardest to get the girl to feel safe. "I came across it in writing once. It's a special name, you know. It means from the stars."
Illyria hasn't responded again, staring blankly at the floor, still in her horrid state. Anyone who tried to approach her made her flinch and curl up in fear, hence they haven't touched her yet. Her hair was tangled and she was dirty. And she was diminishing, resembling the ghost that she was to become if she didn't accept the help.
"Let us help you, Illyria. We aren't going to harm you." Evangeline spoke softly. "Faith and Esme can help you with a bath and get dressed. They're all very keen to give you dresses that you can wear." Evangeline pointed at a stack of clean dresses that the witches from her coven prepared already for Illyria. "Let us help you, Illyria." Illyria shook her head. "Those people that hurt you, would never want to see you live again. Don't give them that, not now, not anymore. You aren't their slave anymore. You aren't anybody's slave. You're free." Evangeline said carefully, watching Illyria's body language as she was still curled up on a bed. "I'll send Esme and Faith to prepare a bath for you. You'll get your dinner brought up here again. You can decide if you want it or not. But remember, do not let them still keep a hold on you even after they're dead."
Evangeline wasn't sure if her words even reached Illyria, but later that evening she saw Faith and Esme smiling cheerfully.
"Mother, she had her bath and she's changed her clothes." Faith said with a wide smile. "You should see her. She's so beautiful."
"Beauty isn't important, Faith." Mother said rather sternly. She rarely showed the witches in the coven the same level of care and love as she did to Illyria. She was there to lead them after all.
But Illyria awoke some deeper feelings, and motherly instincts that she didn't know witch could possess.
As much as she tried not to care for Faith's words, she went back to Illyria's room after their evening rituals. Indeed, Illyria looked very different once she was cleaned, her hair was brushed, and once she wore a beige flowing dress. She sat on the edge of the bed, looking down at her hands, still very broken on the inside. It wasn't going to be easy to repair the damage that was done to her.
Days passed and Illyria started to eat more regularly. She still rarely spoke but her body started to heal. Her mind was still beyond broken and Evangeline knew that it was going to take much longer to mend it.
Within a few weeks Illyria started coming out of the room, helping the witches in cleaning and cooking. She was a keen helper and she was diligent in the chores that she picked up. She never was told to do it but she tried her hardest to do her share to earn her upkeep.
But Evangeline couldn't stop thinking. Illyria was not a witch and she wasn't human. She read all the ancient books at night to find out what Illyria was, as the magic she showed was like nothing she ever witnessed.
"Thalia, do you know if there's a chance for a witch to use magic without spells, potions, or rituals?" Evangeline asked a visiting High Priestess from a different coven.
"Impossible. We need something to draw the energies and help us focus them on a goal we need. A witch cannot use magic without the point of focus." Thalia responded sharply. "Why do you ask such a silly question? You should know that, Evangeline."
"I do. I guess I was just wondering if there's ever any exception. Maybe there's a creature that can do that?"
"No." Thalia shook her head. Her eyes landed on Illyria across the yard. "Why do you have a human in your coven?"
Evangeline followed her gaze and looked at Illyria who helped with laundry.
"She's been harmed and we keep her safe in exchange for her help around here. Someone needs to take care of our home whilst we go on a hunt." Evangeline came up with an excuse, still startled by Thalia sensing Illyria as a human. Thalia was an older and much more experienced witch, particularly gifted in recognising creatures and their magic types. She could smell a vampire from a mile away.
"I guess that's smart. Make sure that she can be trusted and do not reveal any secrets to her." Thalia lectured Evangeline.
"Yeah, I will." Evangeline nodded not too sure about Thalia's advice. She had already a different idea for Illyria.