“So, they draw the line at cannibalism, but selling Wicca organs is acceptable?” Akira growled as we passed by a shop advertising various witch body parts, such as hearts, eyes, and kidneys.
“You should be used to this by now, Miss Akira,” Vanessa said as she walked steadily next to the disguised black-haired witch. “We’ve seen this kind of thing countless times before.”
“I know, Professor,” Akira muttered, “but it still gets on my nerves. I want to kill them all for it.”
“Me, too,” Vanessa sighed after a long moment. “Trust me, I want them all to burn just like our ancestors did.”
The others muttered their agreements, and by the time we reached the end of the long road, I could feel the compass around my neck vibrating. I carefully reached into my cloak to see if anything had changed, and I quickly realized the needle was now pointing slightly northwest. After I craned my neck to gaze over the crowd and look in that direction, I saw the palace towers looming in the far distance, and that’s when I knew we’d have to pass through the royal castle to get out of this holy fucking kingdom.
I wasn’t about to go in blind, though, so I decided to use the periculum incantation to see what dangers laid ahead.
“Hey, let’s stop for a second,” I said, and my coven immediately halted in their tracks.
“What’s wrong, master?” Morgana asked as her blue eyes darted around.
“Nothing, yet,” I replied as we moved to the side of the road we were on, out of the flow of traffic. “But I want to see what we’re walking into. Keep your eyes peeled for me.”
“Yes, master,” my coven said in unison before they turned to face the street.
I trusted them with my life, so I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and uttered the incantation in my head.
Periculum.
My mind went dark as it zoomed ahead of us toward the castle, and I saw a ruler seated on a throne and surrounded by guards. My consciousness moved past him too fast to see his features, but an arrogant, spoiled aura emanated from him, and I had half a moment to wonder if I could use that to my advantage. Then I was flying deeper into the castle, down grand halls, until I came to one particular door that was silver and gold in color. I slipped past the two-toned door and entered an opulent chamber with plum-colored velvet walls, gold trimming, and a white marble floor. A gold column rose up in the center of the room, and it was crested with a black marble orb.
Every fiber in me wanted to touch that orb, and I pictured my hand atop its ebony surface. The moment I did, my mind was whisked away, and I felt like I was shadow porting. Then an image of Samara flashed in front of me.
So, if I reached the orb, it would take me to the third artifact. Or it would at least get me out of this kingdom and onto the next step.
You’re correct as usual, Cole, the woman from my dreams sighed in my head. The room you saw is called the room of realms. You have become very astute with your premonition powers. I’m proud of you.
Her words made a warmth settle in my chest, and I opened my eyes as determination flared through my veins.
“Alright, everyone, follow me,” I ordered in a rushed voice, and even over the ear-splitting chitter-chatter of the marketplace, I knew the women heard me. “Be as quick as you can. We need to reach the castle before the sun sets and ask about the room of realms.”
“The room of realms?” Marina questioned as we walked onward.
“I’ve heard tales of it before,” Morgana breathed. “I never knew it really existed. It’s a holy room, but it does possess the power to transport anyone to any destination that they desire.”
“Enough talk,” Vanessa snapped. “Let’s move quickly and quietly, and keep your hoods up until we reach the castle.”
“Yes, Professor,” the women answered in unison.
We did our best to weave quickly and effortlessly through the crowded citadel, but it wasn’t an easy endeavor. Everyone was bumping into each other, shouting and running, or calling out of their windows. It was pure madness everywhere, and I knew making our way across such a grand kingdom would take at least several hours.
“Be wary of pickpockets,” Vanessa said into my ear. “If they try to steal your wand or dagger, we’re done for. Even a thief would rather risk imprisonment than let a witch roam free on these streets.”
“Understood, Professor,” I said, and I kept my cloak wrapped tighter around my body as we moved onward.
The sun was high in the sky, and I guessed it was around noon by the time we were halfway across the kingdom. By now, the streets had grown a little calmer, but then I suddenly felt like someone or something had been following us.
I spun around, and the other women all gasped and stopped in their tracks. There was nothing unusual behind them, only a few merchants passing by and mothers dragging their stubborn children through the streets.
“What’s wrong, master?” Penelope asked, and her glowing brown eyes darted up and down the road.
“I… I thought I could feel a presence,” I said as my eyes scanned the cobblestone streets, but all I could see were more meat shops, a run-down silk store, and a nearly empty pub. “Perhaps it was nothing… maybe just my nerves getting the better of me.”
“Then let’s keep going,” Vanessa hissed. “We’re running out
