The journey back to the castle was silent, each sister lost in her thoughts. Sirius, content with the apparent success of his manipulation, led the way with a self-satisfied grin.As they approached the castle gates, the sorcerer turned to them, his tone veering towards a more authoritative stance. "Remember, we are stronger together. Our allegiance is crucial for our success. Regan is a threat to that unity. Stay focused on our goals, and everything will fall into place."The witches, still nursing their wounded pride, nodded in agreement, though a glimmer of displeasure lingered in their eyes.Once inside the castle, they vanished in their chambers, each plotting silently. After she bathed and changed her clothes, Circe, couldn't shake off her suspicions. She decided to talk to her sisters, inside the hall between their three chambers.Vesper and Allegra, polished and indulged walked in the hall, their muscles aching from the earlier fight."What do you want to talk about, Circe?" Allegra asked in annoyance as she sat down and put her knees on the chest.Before Circe could answer, a servant entered, bringing food to the sisters, who were starving since the morning they left. The servant bowed and quickly left, as she noticed their tense looks, not willing to be confronted by them.Assuring that the servant left, Circe locked the tall door and approached her sisters who were seated and hungrily started to eat. After they looked to be finished, she spoke."We can't trust Sirius entirely. We need to be cautious and plan our moves strategically." She said with a lowered voice as she knew the possibility that he could watch them through his mirror. To be even more secure, she casted a spell that would block any magic interference from outside, just for a short time.A frown crossed Vesper's face as she knew she'd never forget such a planned defeat, "You're right, once we sense betrayal we'll strike back.""He should pay for what he did!" The blondie added furiously."Now he's got the chance to mock us around with that defeat," Vesper retorted."I can't believe how we lost to these losers," Allegra vented, "we even got beaten up by them!""This won't happen ever again. We were unprepared," Vesper said."We should focus more into our powers, and prove to Sirius that we aren't any less powerful than him," Circe said."I think we should do something about Regan's matter first," Allegra suggested, her voice furious, "she became such a big obstacle and problem. I have an idea girls. What if we persuade him to let her out of that chamber at least? That way, it'll be easier for us to shed her."Both Circe and Vesper took their sister's words into consideration, thinking it as a potential plan to not attract any suspect from Sirius's side."That's a well thought out plan," Circe said."Yes, but he's cold as ice. How are we going to persuade him?" Vesper asked in disbelief."You, definitely. With the help of us of course," Allegra smirked, "after all, you know Regan better, don't you?"Vesper insisted into saying that Sirius wasn't going to follow this plan easily however the pressure of her sisters, made her determined to try."Fine. Tomorrow."The next day, Vesper tried to execute her plan. She barged into Sirius's study chamber and found him busy, conversing with general Vlad. Trying to swallow her frustration she approached and gave him an alluring smile, putting her hand on his shoulder.He narrowed his cold blue eyes at her, knowing it was going to be one of her famous schemes, while he told Vlad to stay inside the chamber and not leave."What did you came for, Vesper?" He coldly asked, not standing her flirtatious behavior."Well, you know....." she trailed off, "I've been thinking about Regan." His eyebrows furrowed when he heard her mention."What if we let her roam freely in the castle? That way it'll be easier to keep her on control. We don't know what she thinks and does inside that chamber all the time." Vesper said, her voice convincing."Control? Don't make me laugh, Vesper. How would you keep control of her that way?" he nonchalantly asked."It's not much better if she's kept isolated." Vesper retorted.He went silent after a while, slammed the tome shut and then stood up from the chair, walking over the window."What's the matter? Did you learn to recite logical arguments, or did you miss tormenting your rival friend?" he asked smirking, his voice taunting despite the fact that he knew to well what her real reasons were, "both go well with each other, still.""None of these. I just thought that it would be better if we all kept an eye on her and even made her think that she's not dangerous at all," said Vesper, her voice steady and convincing.Sirius chuckled, "And what made you think I'd agree to that?""Regan is our enemy. We don't know what she plans inside these walls. When she'll be free to leave her chamber, she'd also see what a fatal decision would be to mess with us.""Well thought, Vesper," he praised with a mocking smile, "now leave. I'll think about it."Vesper's face crossed a frown at the lack of the conversation and the lack of his interest in her other than Regan's matter. But still, she was grateful that he didn't completely refuse.As she turned to leave, she noticed his mirror on the table, it was broken. Vesper's eyes narrowed, knowing that this mirror served a big purpose for him. How did he let that happen?"Your mirror is broken?" she asked, her voice filled with a sense of amusement.Sirius gaze travelled to the mirror and then he frowned, "Yes, it happened yesterday. It wasn't neither of you who did it." He certainly spoke, recalling how when he turned back on the castle, he found his mirror broken.Of course, he didn't let that slide. He summoned all the workers and servants around, scanned the fingerprints in the mirror and questioned and threatened everyone. However, none of them dared to blame or to accept anything, and they ended up getting on his wrath. He fired the stuff he suspected."How sad, now you won't get to see losers without them knowing," Vesper faked into a sweet voice."I find my way into everything, don't worry." Sirius retorted, a mischievous smirk on his face.Vesper rolled her eyes and turned to leave, her steps filled with annoyance. As she closed the door, she bumped at someone. That someone was Seraphina."Watch your steps, young witch.""Watch it yourself, witty oldie." Vesper mocked, "what are you even doing here? I saw you yesterday as well. We don't need your wise lessons, Seraphina." She said, her eyebrows furrowed, recalling that she had seen Seraphina before."I'm here by your master's order. Ask him further if you wish." Seraphina said nonchalantly as she continued on her way."What are you twisting, mad woman?" Vesper muttered under her breath.When Vesper left his chamber, Sirius considered her words. He knew well enough that Vesper's proposal was not solely about keeping an eye on Regan; there was more to it. Nevertheless, he found amusement in playing along with their little charades.As he continued to contemplate Vesper's suggestion, he couldn't help but acknowledge the potential benefits of allowing Regan a bit more freedom. It could indeed serve his mysterious goals."Maybe it's time to let the bird out of it's cage," he whispered, his gaze on the distant horizon, "but on my terms, not theirs. What do you think, general?" He asked Vlad, who had been standing still, wearing his usual stoicism just like his master."You know it better, but I think that's acceptable for a princess. She can't escape nonetheless," Vlad answered.Although Sirius knew the potential risk, he still held the control around.Setting up his mind, he summoned Althea to carry out his orders. Althea came and bowed, awaiting his command."Althea, bring the girl to me. Tell her it's time for a change in her routine," He instructed, his voice authoritative.Althea almost asked 'why', but quickly held herself. She shifted uncomfortably, "As you wish, master," she stammered, her eyes and voice holding an undeniable anxiety, her voice shaky and weird.She bowed quickly and left on her way to Regan's chamber. When she knocked, Regan unlocked the door.Althea entered in, seeing Regan's disinterested state."Regan, lord Sirius ordered for me to bring you to him," Althea mumbled.Regan's eyebrows furrowed and she seated on the bed, "Why?" she annoyingly asked, sighing."He said it's a change in your routine. It must be important.""Thanks Althea, but no. I'm not going to participate in your lord's important matters," Regan dryly said. She was trying to avoid hearing about him, let alone go and see him."Regan, come with me, please. If you don't, he'll order someone else to get you," Althea said, her voice turning into pleading.Regan pondered her words, just because she wanted to get out of her fancy hellhole."Yeah, yeah, of course. Right. I'm coming." She rolled her eyes and followed Althea's lead.It was a chilling silence as they walked to an unknown direction for Regan.Unknowingly, her anxiety rose, wondering what ran in his mind; if he was going to force her for something and threaten her. If that so, Regan thought she'd threaten him as well, but did he even had any weak points to hit?Althea led her to another dark hall and soon they founded themselves in front of a pentagon corridor. Two dark tall double doors stood in front of each other. Althea insecurely knocked on the one in the right her hands trembling. The door opened and they both stepped in.Althea bowed while Regan darted her eyes around the large dark chamber where the architecture wasn't any less different than hers. Although it had a chilling eerie, something about the hall felt intriguing.The sorcerer was sitting on his luxurious gothic throne, legs crossed. His mesmerizing cold gaze was fixed on Regan and she frowned, feeling both impatient and a little awkward. She took the details of his throne. It was placed up four stairs. It was tall and imposing, adorned with intricate carvings and dark velvet cushions."So? State your problem," she rudely spoke."What a pleasure to see you again, girl," he smirked, "I've decided to grant you a bit more freedom. You'll be free to wander around the castle grounds, but there are limits," he announced, enjoying the anger flickering in Regan's azure eyes."I'm not really fond of your dark castle, you know," she said as she crossed her arms, ignoring the exciting feeling of exploration. If she wouldn't have been abducted here, she'd admit to herself that she was fond of his castle. Just the castle."Ah, darkness....darkness holds its own beauty. But it doesn't matter for now. Don't you want freedom?" He asked, leaning on his elbow."Your freedom is very generous," Regan sarcastically retorted.Sirius chuckled, not breaking the sarcasm, "Indeed. You can't pass the gates of the castle, and you shall mind your business. Don't interfere with the witches or any of my plans. Don't get near them for any possible way. Is that clear?"Regan narrowed her eyes, "Clear as crystal. But your witches are the ones who are after me. I must say, what an excellent plan it was of you and Vesper, there on earth. You're made perfectly for each other, Sirius," she said sarcastically, although she kind of regretted saying the last, seeing how his expression darkened. She didn't know why she had to say that.Maybe because that nagging feeling about him having a harem kept persisting, taunting her. She didn't know why the hell she had to care about it. Vesper and him were both evil and sadistic after all. They deserved each other. The thought made her feel a pang of something she couldn't name."Don't get involved in these matters, little girl. I'd be careful of that," he said, his voice a cold warning."I'd also be careful of who to call little girl," she warned back.His eyebrows furrowed, his intense stare lingered on her, but he didn't speak.Althea, seeing the tension escalate, wanted to silently leave but she knew that it wasn't the best to attract attention to herself.Meanwhile Regan noticed the details on the grand chamber better, the clean gothic tapestries on the walls, the flickering torches that cast eerie shadows throughout the chamber.He straightened up, holding his composure."You've got quite a temper to play brave, haven't you? It matches your fiery aura. But focus on your imprisonment. You wouldn't want me to hurt your loved ones, my dear." He said, his voice menacing.As she sensed his threat, Regan didn't want to fuel the matter anymore. She didn't want to let her aunt suffer because of the tangled situation she was caught in."So, I'm a prisoner with a longer leash. How thrilling," she remarked while changing the subject, her tone dripping with irony."Call it what you want. That way, you might find your situation more lovely," he said, unfazed.The girl, seething with discontent, muttered under her breath, "Lovely is not a word I'd associate with anything involving you.""I'm flattered."Althea watched their exchange, hoping that it wouldn't go further.Sirius gestured for Regan to leave, while she stared at him furiously. Althea was the one to step out first, while Regan angrily slammed the door shut."Don't be very angry. It's a privilege for you," Althea said to her, her expression unreadable.Regan's fists clenched and she cursed Althea under her breath. She didn't care to follow the servant's leads, as she quickly left to the dark hall, not caring if she was going to be lost somewhere. Althea didn't bother to follow her, even though she was still shaken by Sirius's decision.As the servant walked in the opposite direction, a hand grabbed her arm, practically dragging her to a corner. Althea's breath hitched as she saw Vesper."What did he say to her?" Vesper asked, her expression dark."H..he s..said, he said, I mean he ordered that she's allowed to go out of her
....chamber," Althea managed to stammer, frightened.
Vesper's grip on her released and she smirked, "Good," she shoved Althea away.Meanwhile, Regan walked to the seemingly endless hall and she kept turning behind, realizing she lost the track of that chilling pentagon corridor.Now, she was alone and for the first time in a while, she felt different, although there was a lingering unease in the castle. The sound of her footsteps echoed around the large space.As she walked she couldn't help but admire the beautiful floors and walls. Floors were made of crystal clean marble in black and gold. The walls were crowned with red and black tapestries, although she had also seen white and gold.The windows were mostly stained, gothic, with colorful patterns of flowers or just colors, which cast a soft glow on the floor. The paintings hanging on the walls, enhanced the nobility and the charm of the castle.Regan had never seen any place as beautiful before while stepping inside it. Surely, she had seen beautiful, enchanted castles in the movies and stories, but she had never been inside one.That place held an ethereal and subtle beauty but still it had to be ruined by the one who owned it. It seemed like his darkness had tainted each corner of the castle. That's what Regan felt. She kept gazing on the walls and the weird paintings, some which were paintings of nature, others, paintings of creatures, some of them, far from human-like.However, as she wandered around, she kept getting the thrills and the chills, realizing she had lost herself in that place. There weren't any tall dark doors or any entrances around. It seemed like an illusion, a hall, an infinite hall. Suddenly, she got shivers. Knowing that she had taken so many turns into that beautiful maze, Regan knew that she had completely lost in there and she hoped for a way to get back inside her chamber.