25. witches witches and confessions

                                    

                                          
◖𓈈﹗ ﹙ chapter twenty-five ﹚
❛ ▬▬ witches witches and confessions . . . ❜

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          

Before embarking on a well-deserved vacation across the old continent on the other side of the world, there were some matters involving all species of witches from every coven: the self-proclaimed true ones and the disdainful others, which Lilith Arduenn had to address or her vacation would be jeopardized.
Trying to be as cautious as her mother when planning a trip of weeks after such a traumatic event would be a hasty and unfortunate choice. Lilith thought the opposite: getting away was the solution, a few days of peaceful rest. However, her visit to Madame Monvoisin's coven spread rumors of a witch with dark magic and the powers of an alpha, of all the pearls and even extraordinary powers. There were a series of secrets and coincidences that Lilith didn't overlook—and didn't waste time finding out, not for the moment—such as the absence of demons and how easy it was to rescue her mother alone. She wasn't a superheroine who had fallen from the sky at the right moment to save the citizens from the great villain. She was a studious young girl, yes, with a powerful heritage, but with great determination and a mind to realize that her charade wouldn't last long. The witches were merciful in giving her time to recover and be with her mother; she used to say that Pandora was very quiet.
That was when she was summoned to the Alpha's office.
Pandora was alone behind her desk, sitting on the high-backed velvet chair of the same dark wine tone that seemed to be her personal trademark. Red smoke emanated from the cauldron near the window, hidden behind heavy curtains that prevented the sunlight from entering, although it was a very cloudy day. Lilith entered after being given permission and took a seat in the designated chair across from her. Her hands were slightly sweaty, and heat invaded her neck; the last time she had felt like this was when she had to explain her misbehavior to a professor in econometrics class.
"I knew from the very beginning that your name would cause a few problems among the witches, as if you were born with a special drop of rebellion in your blood. During these months in the coven, you have learned a lot about witches; I suppose you know the reason why we are at odds between species," Pandora said. Lilith nodded patiently, polite, and knowing her place. "The last time the witch world heard about an extraordinary young prodigy was with Madame Monvoisin, a girl from southern Italy with a special gift for magic. At only five years old, she had the power to cast spells, and by the time she turned ten, she had acquired the gift of resurrection by killing her own parents. Do you understand the gravity of the situation when you conceal how you saved your mother all by yourself? You have triggered rumors in our coven that we harbor a lost extraordinary. You have been seen with dark magic, Lilith, your magic is purple. We are on the verge of starting a war, and no one wants that. So, if you want a carefree vacation, start by telling us how you got your mom out. Did you have any help?"
She contemplated for a moment the right decision. Lilith was not to be scolded by anyone other than her own mother, and the only other person she accepted as such was Bobby Singer, a sort of father figure. Pandora was nobody to challenge or threaten her. Since she didn't want to aggravate the situation with more witches and out of respect and gratitude for providing them refuge, she had deemed it appropriate to tell the truth. She was new to the world of witches, and based on her limited experience, she had to tread carefully. If she stirred the hornet's nest too much, she would get stung.