"So, Daniel told me that you know of the dark magic community? Do you mind telling me what that means?" I asked politely, Lily excusing herself and making her way over to the counter, quickly ordering us some drinks from the lady on the other side of it.
"Yes, well, using dark magic is deeply frowned upon within the witch community," Paula began, taking a sip of her coffee, the china cup tremoring in her hands as they shook, and I was concerned that she was going to spill it all over herself. "Most witches wouldn't even think about practising it." 
"But some do?"
Paula nodded, humming, watching Lily as she made her way back to our table, having been listening the whole time despite stepping away for a minute. 
"I've been involved in dark magic myself, but, not by any choice of my own," Paula said, her face turning serious. "When I was younger, my own Mother began teaching me how to harness my powers, just like most Mother's do, but what I didn't know was that she was actually teaching me how to harness dark magic." 
Hearing that Paula actually knew dark magic took me off guard, and I felt Lily staring into my soul from beside me, clearly shocked as well. 
If this lady knew dark magic, would she be able to take us despite her old age? 
Were we actually in danger right now even though we were in public?
Paula began chuckling, holding up her hands and waving away our concern. "Stop looking at me like that you two. I no longer practise it. My Mother was shunned from the community once people realised what she was teaching me, but, I know a few names of people who were involved in it." 
"Would you mind sharing those names?" asked Lily, and Paula furrowed her brows at us, cocking her head. 
"Now what do a bunch of werewolves want with all of this information on dark magic? Your wolf friend mentioned it was something to do with your mate, but I don't want to be giving this all out to just anybody." 
"I completely understand your concern," I said, nodding a quick 'thank you' at the waiter who brought over our coffees, Lily instantly taking a large gulp of hers, her anxiety putting me off. 
"My mate and I were nearly killed by a witch from around here named Ophelia who practised dark magic. My mate has been left in a coma, and we are both in a bit of a predicament with some chains." 
Saying the words out loud caused me to wince, and I swallowed harshly as I attempted to push my emotions to the back of my mind. 
Paula widened her eyes as I unzipped my fleece half way, gesturing down to the chains that were tightly wrapped around my midsection over my T-shirt, the shining metal catching the light and reflecting onto the table. 
"Oh my," Paula muttered in dismay, shaking her head and tutting. "And it was Ophelia you said? I know the name. She was shunned years ago for practising. Nobody I know has heard of her since."
"She's currently on the run," I said, quickly zipping my fleece back up as the waiter walked by us again, Lily giving him a quick once over, ensuring he hadn't seen anything he shouldn't have. "She had been mentoring young witches- teaching them dark magic to use against us."
"But she will come after us again. She won't stop until my Luna is dead," Lily pressed, her face glum, and I could tell that she was still dealing with intense guilt about what had happened with Mia.