A chilling silence was set on the grand table where the witches, the sorcerer and his general were seated. None of them was saying a single word. Vesper and Allegra were frustrated as always by his behaviour. His plate was filled and he wasn't doing anything. He was lost in thought and the girls were pissed off."Do we got company?" Allegra finally asked, throwing her question at Sirius.He took a sip of his drink and then looked at her, his expression careless. "Why do you think so?" He raised an eyebrow.Allegra shrugged, "I don't know. You look like you're waiting for someone.""For who would he be waiting?" Vesper interrupted, her face twisted into a sneer."There's company," he abruptly stated."Who?" Vesper asked."You'll see.""Oh, that's turning on something," Circe muttered under her breath."I think I should know who's going to come," Vesper said, trying to contain her frustration. Sirius totally igorned her, turning to Vlad. Vlad was sitting there, his expression stoic and cold, mirroring his lord's one."General Vlad, what's with Finn's case?""He's going to be caught in no time. Our men are in the way, my lord," general Vlad answered.Vesper exchanged glances with Allegra, knowing there was something off. Allegra's face was turned into a scowl. When she heard footsteps from far and saw a redhead coming, her eyes went went wide. Circe's too."You-you brought her here?! What is she doing here?" Allegra exclaimed.Vesper's eyebrows furrowed and she turned behind to see Regan as well. Her jaw clenched. What was she doing here? What was his plan? She knew that Regan would recognise her in no time. And she wanted to reveal herself, but not here, not now. But this wasn't what made her angry. It was him bringing Regan here.She looked at him, he had a smug expression on his face as he was supposedly looking at who was coming.Circe's expression became less surprised. She smirked, eyeing them all like they were fools. "We just got a new candidate, didn't we?"Circe's comment got everyone's attention on the table. While Sirius and Vlad remained unfazed, the other sisters fury multiplied, and they both shot death stares at their sister."You did not do that!" Vesper hissed through clenched teeth. "You did not bring her here!" She was seething with anger, her fists clenched at her sides. Sirius's expression was still unfazed as he calmly sipped his drink, his eyes fixed on Regan.Regan hated herself for what she was doing. It was embarrassing and bad, terrible even. She was so panicked and anxious that she wasn't paying attention to the grandeur that surrounded her.She kept telling herself that she was obeying the vicious sorcerer because she didn't want her aunt to face any consequences.Althea led her on the way and they reached the grand dining room. The first thing that Regan noticed was him, staring at her blankly. And then the others."What kind of bullshit is this? Am I going to eat dinner with extraterrestrial beings?!" she asked herself.The table was so long, adorned with white tablecloth, painted with designs of curved gold lines. The chamber itself was grand and tall, with crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The walls were adorned with tapestries in white and gold. The floor was made of dark expensive and shiny wood. There was a red carpet leading from the entrance to the dining room. It was working well with the red velvet curtains. The table was filled with dishes, the glasses were crystal clean. There were candelabras on the table, with long, thick white candles.The atmosphere was elegant, sophisticated and luxurious. It felt as if she had stepped into an aristocratic and wealthy era. It was marvelous and all, but she stopped the daze when she remembered who she was and why she was here. She felt like an outcast. She was.Even the servants looked like they were out of a painting. They were all wearing clothes that Regan had never seen before, elegant and expensive looking. However, the air was tense. She could feel the disdain of her to the core.Then she recognized Allegra and Circe. She had already met them. They were seated a few seats across from Sirius, who was at the head of the table. Allegra was glaring at her, her expression predatory. Circe was looking at her as well, less predatory, but still scornish.Allegra's hair was sleek and silky, cascading down as she was sitting. She was wearing a tight black dress, her cleavage full on display. Her neck was adorned with a shiny necklace with an emerald oval crystal. Her earrings were made of the same design. Her makeup was dark but it suited her.Circe on the other hand was dressed less provocatively. She had on a strapless green jumpsuit with jewelry hanging from the top. Her purple hair was wavy, with curls. She had dark makeup as well. She was pretty though. Prettier than Allegra.Their looks were so polished and sophisticated that they made Regan feel insecure and embarrassed to the core. She looked terrible, her clothes worn out and mediocre. Her hair was tangled and messy.And then, the blue-haired one. She wasn't looking at Regan at all. Her head was hanging low, her hair covering her face. Weird, Regan thought.She noticed general Vlad, who was dressed in military attire. Then, she found herself in an incredibly awkward situation. It could have been even more awkward if others wouldn't have been on the table. Still, she didn't know them and it was difficult to know where she was going to sit. Something was sure, to sit as far away from Sirius.The sorcerer called Althea, and told her something, which she quickly nodded. She approached Regan and led her to sit beside the blue-haired one.Regan felt her veins bulging in frustration, knowing this wasn't the best position. It was the worst. She sat reluctantly. It was the first chair in the row, while he was just there, at the head of the table. She shifted her chair as far as possible, but got closer to the blue-haired one at the same time.It made no sense for her, if she was a captive, why force and threat her to do such things?Sirius smirked mischievously, bringing his glass to his lips.Regan tried so desperately to escape his haunting gaze. But she was attacked by all the ways around. Allegra and Circe were staring at her as well, their faces a mix of irritation and scorn.The air felt heavy with tension and unnerving silence. Vesper's fists clenched. It was unnerving how calm the sorcerer was, like nothing would ever bother him.The impatience on Allegra's face was evident, "Why is she here?" she asked, anger and confusion lacing her voice.Yes, why was she here? She was a captive, a prisoner. She was no match for this world. They were all polished and pampered. It was embarrassing, Regan thought. He had mistresses, they were his mistresses and she was sitting there like a fool.She threw a glance at the blue-haired one. Her long hair reached down her waist, covering her face. She was wearing a white silky dress that barely covered her long legs and her chest. There was a weird vibe from her that Regan couldn't really get. She felt....familiar.She didn't know why she was thinking about this over and over again. It was still intriguing. Maybe he had a whole harem here. The thought made her shiver with disgust.Then, she stared at her supposed dish. It was a plate with unknown food. It seemed like fried potatoes, vegetables and meat."To eat," came his blank and stoic reply."Isn't she a prisoner?" the blondie continued, her voice dripping with frustration."Mind your own business," he retorted, "or did you forget your last punishment?"Allegra's face went pale with anger and surprise. She hadn't expected him to bring that here. She was still angry because of that.Regan felt a shiver ran down her spine. Punishment?The uncomfortable silence fell again and the tension grew heavier. The air was dense and oppressive. Sirius started his cryptic and blank converse with Vlad, leaving no room for the others to understand what they were talking about.Allegra and Circe's stares made Regan feel even worse. What filled the glass, was his stare. Even though he was talking to the general, he kept looking at her. She tried to avoid looking at him and tried to hide her anxiety.She could sense the blue-haired beside her tensing. Her fists were clenched tightly. Maybe she couldn't stand Regan here. Or maybe she had another problem. Regan wasn't sure.Suddenly, she stood up, turning to the other side, so Regan still couldn't see her. He didn't bother to ask, he kept playing with his glass.Regan tried to look at the face of the blue-haired one, but she already left. How weird, Regan thought.Moments later, she could see Allegra was ready to explode. They seemed to be very, but very pissed off. Regan didn't know if it was all because she was here. After all, what was her fault? She didn't ask to sit here, to be here at all."That's absurd! I'm leaving! There's no way that a prisoner will sit at the same table as me!" the blondie stated furiously, standing up from the chair. She left, her hair swaying behind her. Maybe she did it on purpose.Another wave of panic spread over Regan. Circe was the only girl left on the table. And she didn't seem content to stay. She quickly excused herself and left the dining room. The sorcerer's expression could tell he couldn't care less.A shiver ran down Regan's spine as she realized of how awkward could things get. Now she was alone with two men, one she couldn't stand, and one who she didn't know, but still he seemed to be just like the first one.Sirius sensed her discomfort and exchanged cryptic glances with Vlad. Vlad nodded and left, his demeanor blank and stoic.And now, she was left alone with him. It was awkward and bad. She couldn't stand it. He continued to stare at her but she didn't dare to look at him. She picked at the food, her frustration hanging thin. The silence was cold, chilling."Tomorrow....I will send a mentor to you," Sirius suddenly spoke, his voice cold.Regan pondered whether to react or not, but she had nothing to say, her mind was troubled and he didn't make any sense. It felt heavy to talk or even glance at him."Did you hear what I said?" he demanded, challenging Regan to respond."What's it for?" she dryly answered, her eyes on the table.He straightened up, stretching the black gloves he had been wearing, that Regan hadn't noticed before, "She'll guide you to control your powers.""I don't have powers, you are mistaken," Regan retorted."Let's prove it then," he nonchalantly said."Prove what?""Your magic. It's easy. I'm going to shoot you, your instincts will respond in defense," he said, his expression blank, devoid of any hint of emotion.Regan swallowed nervously. How was he going to shoot her? What was he planning? Her anxiety rose, that was all she knew."No, I don't want to prove anything," she said, trying to sound casual."You're scared of me," he smirked."I'm not scared from anyone!"He stood up from his chair and gave her a mischievous look. "What's stopping you then? Don't be afraid. You won't let yourself get hurt."Despite the fact that she was scared, she wanted to be brave once. Where would her fear lead her? She didn't want to appear inferior anymore. Although she didn't believe she possessed any power and that she could end up badly by his spells, she decided to act braver than she was."Fine! Let's do it!" she accepted and got up from the chair, shoving it harshly against the table.The sorcerer walked far away, his expression unreadable.Suddenly his hands formed a fireball. Regan stared at him, dumbfounded, her azure eyes widened in realization."That's what you'll shoot me with? You're going to burn me alive?!" she exclaimed, her panic raising. Why did she have to accept such stupid challenge?"Relax, the least it can do, is to make you faint," he indifferently said, rolling his finger on the ball carelessly.Regan wasn't calmed a bit. Even if he was lying or not, the idea of fainting was as terrible."Oh my God..." she whispered in panic.
As Sirius threw the fireball at her, she put her hands before her, closed her eyes, scared that this might be her death. But, she didn't feel anything and when she slowly opened her eyes, she saw the sorcerer smirking.
"Nothing really happened," she crossed her arms in frustration."Nothing happened because you blocked it with your hands," he stated.Regan looked down at her hands but she didn't see anything bizarre. "You're just lying," she countered, "there's no such thing.""Why? You think I wouldn't have hit you?" He said as he walked closer.Regan took a deep breath as she took steps back, "I don't think that.""Then what?" he closed up the distance.She didn't know how he approached that fast. He seemed miles away before. She kept talking back and then her back met with a hard surface. She had hit a wall.Intimidation coursed through her as he was towering over her. She didn't want to show her nervousness. He ate the distance and she felt her anxiety rising, her heart racing. She didn't know why she always got triggered so easily, not only in that case, but in literally everything.That smirk was still evident on his face and he was staring down at her, demanding an answer."Move away," Regan snapped, her voice cold. His smirk grew wider, his eyes boring on hers."Or what?" he taunted, "you're going to lash out at me?"Regan's blood boiled, her fists clenching. She didn't know why she was always so angry, but her own personality was probably adding up to that."Yes, I'm going to lash at you. Because I have powers and I've been hiding them. You should be the one who's scared. Now leave me alone!" she said through gritted teeth.Sirius leaned in closer, tilting his head. Her eyes darted away, not bearing to look at him anymore. She didn't know how to act. She didn't want to show fear, and didn't know why he was being that close.The thought made her even angrier. His gaze was piercing, searching. It seemed as if she looked at him again, she'd faint or something."Excuse me, my lord," a voice called from behind. Sirius quickly turned away, seeing that there was Vlad."What is it?" he asked, a hint of annoyance in his voice."There's an important matter about Finn. He has been caught," Vlad informed.Sirius's expression darkened, his eyebrows furrowing. He looked down at Regan again and stepped away from her. "Go to your room." He commanded, his tone cold and unyielding.Regan glared up at him, her fists still clenched. She didn't even know the ways around the castle, let alone how to get to her room."I don't take orders from you," she snapped. His jaw clenched and he glared at her."Follow me," Sirius ordered, his voice cold and unyielding. He turned on his heel and walked away without another word, leaving Regan no choice but to follow. The halls of the castle were grand and ornate, adorned with tapestries and paintings, landscapes of mythical creatures and otherworldly places. He took several turns and twists, leading her deeper into the castle, until she had no idea where she was. Finally, he stopped in front of a door and snapped his fingers. The door swung open, revealing her room."Get inside," Sirius snapped, his tone leaving no room for argument. Regan was still angry, her heart racing."I'm not going to stay here for eternity," she said, folding her arms across her chest."You are," he countered, "you're staying here until I decide otherwise. And if you keep acting like that, you'll see me more often than you'd like." His words were cold, but held a dangerous hint.Regan couldn't help but roll her eyes at his threat. "We'll see about that," she muttered, turning away from him. She stepped inside the room and the door slammed shut.