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Eda jerked forward, almost falling off the stage as she approached her daughter, a growl caught in her throat. Guiding the shaking human to the ground, she entangled her fingers into her curling ombre hair, trying to gently ease her back into reality. Her glazed eyes and wheezy breathing didn’t reassure that the powder hadn’t done something horrible to her internal organs.
Behind her, the feral witch could feel the approach of her son and elder sister. Growl a warning at her elder sister not to approach, Eda allowed her son to burrow his way into her lap, tugging anxiously on his older sister’s shirt, pleading for her to wake. Both mother and son could feel the coven guards drawing in closer, preparing to separate them from the spasming child.
“Honey..” Gentle fingers crassessing her cheeks guided her gaze, darkened but no longer glassy to her own golden. “I need you to come back to me. Mama is here. Your little brother is here. We’re not going to leave you.”
“Mama..?” Tears leaking down her cheeks, Luz’s coppery gold eyes blinked open. Her voice was raspy, parched. “Mama, you’re here?”
“Of course.” Eda gently took her daughter’s thin frame into her arms. Cradling her as if she was a newborn Witchlet, the feral witch began to stand up, pausing to allow her younger son to perch himself onto her shoulders. She had no free way to carry him, and there was no chance Lilith would be allowed to touch him. “Mama, King, and Owlbert are here. We’re going to take you home, honey.”
“Sister!” Lilith placed a hand on her shoulder, drawing out a warning growl. “We must be on our way before we are captured.”
Gold eyes flashing amber, the Wild witch could make out the coven guards beginning to circle them. They were just one command away from attacking.
“We fly,” she barked, summoning her staff with ease. Perching herself on top, Eda settled King in front of her, holding her daughter on her lap. “Keep up, Lilith!”
The former coven head gave a firm nod as she prepared to summon her own staff. Perching on it, the two Clawthorne sisters prepared to fly off when they saw they were surrounded in the air. There was no way for them to escape.
“Children of the Isles!” The booming voice of Emperor Belos sounded around them. He stood above them, on a balcony with his wife, wrapped up in a tight heat rune blanket, was seated beside him. She rested in a primitive realm wheelchair, face ashen and gaze sorrowful. “The Titan has told me to spare the former covenness’ life and grant a pardon on the feral Witch.”
The two Clawthorne sister’s growled, preparing to fight to escape. This was not a safe place to remain.
“For in return-“ Belos’s mask landed on where Luz was clutching onto her mother, face damp and eyes drooping. “The Titan has finally brought the heiress home. Let the reunification of my dear beloved and I’s daughter be a lesson on how merciful the Titan is.”
His mask now moved to his beloved.
“Guards!” Angella’s voice was cracking but determined. “S-separate the wild witches and the child.”
Down below, Lilith glanced at her younger sister. “Edalyn!”
“Fly,” Eda ordered, wrapping her cloak tighter around her apprentice. “And fight. Killing blows, Lily. We get out no matter what.”
The former coven head nodded, agreeing. She would not let her niece be separated from her sister. A child’s life would not be lost tonight.