The weeks of recovery were grueling and slow. Ember made sure I kept up with my studies and even helped me with a few lessons in Lilith's absence. I hadn't seen Lilith since I gave her the book. Ember had told me that Lilith was busy overseeing Isaac's recovery, so I just hoped she was doing okay. I guess I can ask her later.

I finally got to leave my room today. My leg had healed fully, and there was now a long jagged scar down my calf. I've been trying to think of ways I'm going to explain it to Jessica. She was bound to notice it when I saw her again. Maybe I can chalk it up to the earthquake that happened? I don't know. It was still hard to walk. The healers had been right; the muscle was permanently damaged.

I did a few stretches before exciting my room. It felt so good! As much as I liked my room, it was going to be hard to come back to it to sleep after spending weeks locked inside.

Excitement bubbled up inside me as I raced towards Isaac's room. I wonder how he's doing? He's probably still resting. The poison sounded bad and probably did a lot of damage.

Gathering myself, I knocked on his door and waited. No response. My stomach twisted into knots. I knocked again.

"Isaac?" I called. Nothing. Maybe he's sleeping? I turned to leave when the door slowly creaked open. Like it hadn't been opened in a while.

Confused, I slowly approached the door, "Isaac?" I said as I slowly pushed the door open. My eyes widened in surprise. His room was empty. The bed was made, all traces of blood were gone. Was he awake? Hope swelled. Maybe Lilith will know where he is! I do need to talk to her.

I made my way to her office. I wanted to apologize for what happened. I wanted to kiss him again. My lips tingled at the thought, and my heart ached.

Lilith's office was open, but she wasn't in it. There also hadn't been any servants in my path. I hadn't even seen Ember this morning. I guess I'll wait till she returns. This castle is too big for me to go searching for her. I don't even know where her room is.

Various books were scattered on her desk, along with the black one, its pages bookmarked. I walked near her desk and scanned over the text. They mentioned various herbs and spells. Particularly ones using blood. Eesh. I hope I never have to perform any that require blood.

An open drawer caught my eye and It was filled with envelopes that looked vaguely familiar. What? I opened one and began reading.

This... This was one of my letters from weeks ago! I looked back and opened another. These were all my letters! Why hadn't they been sent?

My chest tightened. Why did Lilith lie to me? Was it to spare my feelings? Maybe there was no way to get letters... Oh, poor Jessica! She must be so worried and confused, and my father! Oh no! I need to go back! Maybe I can visit even if it's just for a little bit. I needed to let them know I'm okay!

A book suddenly fell from the bookshelf behind me. I yelped and jumped, gripping the edge of Lilith's desk.

A small red book had fallen from the shelf. I bent down and picked it up, about to put it back, but the name piqued my interest.

It was a spellbook written by Lilith, spells she had created. I flipped through the pages, and wonder coursed within me. She had created many spells in her lifetime, as well as tonics and potions. No wonder the people loved her. I hope maybe one day I could create a spell or a potion. It looked so complex and exciting. All the notes pertaining to their creation were next to the ingredients and names.

I flipped to the next page and paused. What on Earth... ?

"Raven Stalker Antidote and Healing." I read the title over and over again. Maybe I was seeing things. Was this new? Maybe she copied it down. I hurriedly scanned the pages. There was a date at the bottom.

My blood ran cold. If this is... Then what's in... I turned and looked at the black book that lay on Lilith's desk. My hands trembled as I slowly opened the page to the bookmark.

I couldn't wrap my mind around what I was seeing. The spell on the page was for control. Utter, total control of another magi. Why would Lilith need this? Why would anyone need a spell like this? It required blood from both parties and a bunch of different herbs that I had never heard of. I couldn't even read the process of casting. It made me sick. At the bottom of the page was the name of the person who created the spell.

Lilith Belwich.

I couldn't breathe. Why would she require such a spell? My stomach twisted into knots as a million questions ran through my mind. She would never use something like this right? Maybe it was for times of crisis, when they need to control a powerful evil magi.

As my mind continued to make up more excuses, I flipped through the book some more, and what I saw horrified me even more. There were multiple spells of manipulation, torture, bindings, and ways to kill different races in Arvora. This book... I couldn't look away. I dug deeper. Each one of the spells had been created by Lilith. Was this how she had ended the war?

No... What if she was the one who had started it?

I paled. Thousands of people had died, most likely even more! Towards the back of the book there was a catalog of how to train various dangerous species. Raven Stalker was among them.

Why would she lie to me? She had the spell she needed to cure Isaac all along! I felt like throwing up. Did Ember know? She's the one who told me what the book looked like. Or was that just another lie Lilith had fabricated?

"Do you know what you're holding? That book won't save him," Isabella's voice rang through my mind. Oh God, what have I done? Silvia had two daughters!

"You can trust me, can't you see that? I'm your sister!" My heart pounded in my chest as my knees buckled.

I need to find Isaac before it's too late!

The door suddenly opened and Lilith stood there shocked. "Elizabeth, you're all better now! Are you alright? You look like you've seen a ghost!" When she saw the book in my hands, her eyes narrowed for a split second, before returning to a worried facade.

"Where's Isaac?" My voice trembled. Now that I knew the truth, I could see right through her. I slowly backed away, clutching the dangerous book in my hands. I needed to get away.

Lilith's brows furrowed. "Resting. He went through quite an ordeal. Stalker poison is not fun, and their blood is hard to come by. Is something wrong, Elizabeth?" She took a step closer. Her sweet, concerned voice made me sick. How many lies had she fed me?

My eyes narrowed, and anger radiated off of me. "Where's Isaac?" I repeated, my voice rising.

Lilith appeared to be taken aback by the venom in my voice. "Elizabeth, I told you he's resting! What is the problem?" She calmly walked over to her desk and noticed the red book on the floor. Her head shot up in alarm.

"Elizabeth!" I heard her call, but I was already out the door running down the halls of the castle. I had to get out of there. I need to find Isaac. What has she done to him? Was he even healed? I stopped. Frozen in fear as the thought echoed in my mind.

Was he dead...

That would explain why his room was empty. Tears streamed down my face. No, don't let it be true!

"Isaac!" I yelled as I turned down various passages. The castle was one giant maze. I frantically searched for him, looking through countless rooms. Why does this place have so many rooms?!

I stopped to catch my breath. My lungs burned. I still had the black book in my hands. I have to keep this away from Lilith. It's my fault she has it to begin with.

"Lizbeth!" My name echoed down the corridor, like heaven called. I turned, and felt like sobbing my heart out.

He stood there in the empty corridor, his arms out. He was waiting for me. "Isaac!"

After what felt like months, I finally got to see him again. He was alive! Tears burned in my eyes. I wished I'd stop crying, but I couldn't help it. I ran to him and threw my arms around him, breathing in his familiar scent.

"I'm so happy you're alive! You have no idea! So much happened! I missed you so much!" I cried into his chest. Then, reminded of the danger, I pulled away and wiped my tears. With newfound determination, I said, "We have to go. Your mother is crazy! I'll explain later, but we have to get out of the castle!"

I gently tugged on his arm, but he didn't move. Instead, he gripped my arm and pulled me hard. It hurt.

"Isaac? What are you doing? That hurts!" I looked up at him and froze. Something was different. His face was emotionless and his eyes.... His gorgeous emerald eyes were vacant.

He continued to pull me down the hall. His fingers digging into my skin. I tried to remove his hand, but it wouldn't budge.

"Isaac! Come on! Knock it off! Let me go!" I yanked my arm out of his grasp and pushed him away. He quickly turned towards me. His hand reached out and grabbed my throat. I clawed at his hands, trying to get him to let go. His grip only grew stronger the more I struggled. He had no reaction at all, just blank eyes. Like I was nothing.

"S-Stop it...! This isn't you!" I choked out. The light-headedness began to creep in, black spots appearing in the corner of my eyes. "P-Please!"

The hand on my throat loosened. Hope swelled in me as he gently cupped my face. He must have broken out of it!

"Somnum."

My heart fell. His voice was cold and flat. She had him in her clutches. He was no longer the sweet and caring guy I fell for.

What did she do to you?

My vision blurred as the spell took effect and then there was nothing, just empty darkness.

©2021 Jessica Powell. All Rights Reserved

*****Thank you to my wonderful editor Arco*****