Violet Springs experienced a wave of constant cold temperatures, and rain as the second month of autumn began. The droplets echoed on the roof of the art class, Destiny kept the odd painting she did a month ago to herself. She tried to limit her creativity to drawing her favourite nature scenes. Students wore jackets and jumpers voicing their complaints about the freezing conditions. Her father texted her to meet him outside in the parking lot after school. He had a surprise for her.
Taylor waited outside of the art room. He covered his brown shaggy hair underneath a hood. She smiled. He yawned. He carried two cups of steaming coffee, handing Destiny one.
"Thank you,"
"Are you going to get another detention for leaving school grounds? "
"Nah, I got them from the canteen and I already have detention this afternoon, since I fell asleep in my humanity and social studies class. He smirked, sending her a side glance, handing her a screwed-up piece of paper.
"I have technology. When you have art, they're teaching us different ways of using a computer. I'm slowly getting the hung of the infernal device, every time I touch the thing, it goes haywire. "
She giggled. "Technology never works when you want the device, too." Destiny unfolded the piece of paper, seeing a burning phoenix. "I saw Aleric making an appointment the other day. I thought this would make a brilliant tattoo"
Destiny glanced up at Taylor. "So you've been watching my father's actions, because he is a veil agent or because you need his help?"
"Give me back the journal and I'll ask him for you, Taylor. While we work on our history assignment together." Destiny suggested.
"Really? You would help us? Taylor asked. He seemed astonished by her offer. "We know each other for a month. While I'm still learning about you, I would like to consider us friends."
"Come over after school. Meet my father, give him back the journal, and apologise. The worst he can do is kick you out of the house." Destiny smirked. Slipping her coffee, heading towards the parking lot.
Her father's four wheeled drive pulled up beside her. Taylor turned on his heel, heading towards the main building. Her phone jingled. "See you tonight. Good luck with your tattoo," Taylor sent.
She sat in the car, texting a message back. "Enjoy detention."
"You look happy. Who got you a coffee?" Aleric asked. Destiny glanced up from her phone. "Taylor, I share history class with him," she explained. Alric was wearing a more casual look, with a navy and white shirt with plank pants and a dark rain jacket.

"I thought you had a meeting? Destiny inquired, "Shouldn't you dress up?" she asked.
"We are meeting the representative at the tattoo parlour not the agent's headquarters, so I thought a more casual look would blend in." Aleric said, driving along the main street.

"How are you adjusting to high school? I know it's different from spending time with Selina six hours a day." She smiled. The scent of the honey candle hanging in the mirror brought warm memories into Destiny's mind.
Selina has spent an afternoon teaching Destiny how to make the honey, wax candle. She remembered the smell of hot melted wax and pieces of wax failing all over the workshop. They were both covered in the wax, laughing at the complete mess they created.

"It's a refreshing change. The sights and sounds of the new experience are invigorating. I no longer have the quiet solitude of studying online, but the vibrant atmosphere of art class is enjoyable, accompanied by the pleasant presence of my kind teachers. Mr Knight, though strict, maintains a fair approach. Physical Education isn't exactly my cup of tea, but because of the rain, we engage in more exercise in the heated pool, which adds a soothing sensation. Amongst all this, I have made a few friends. Esmeralda, with her eccentric nature, frequently disappears into the enchanting woods. Christos guides me through the exotic plants in the fragrant greenhouse. Aston, generous as he is, has offered to teach me the thrilling skill of riding a motorbike after school. However, her father's brow wrinkled in concern.
"Perhaps we should consult with Selina about the safety implications before you decide, Destiny."
"Dad, both you and Selina encouraged me to explore new things," I replied, trying to reason. Aleric's stern response followed, "Within reason, Destiny. I never imagined it would involve you getting on an unsteady metal death trap."
She sighed, feeling the weight of their overprotectiveness once again.
"Ash is determined to earn my trust. He will be by my side every step of the way."
"We will discuss the idea at home, "Aleric replied, his tone final.

Destiny pressed her cheek with her hand as they turned into the tattoo parlour. She became excited, but her stomach twisted in knots., she sat in the waiting room.
She clenched the piece of paper Taylor had given her. Aleric rubbed her shoulder, trying to reassure her bubbling nerves. The tattoo artist called her to the comfortable chair. His sandy blonde hair peaked out of his grey hoodie. Destiny spotted sapphire dragon scales. The end part of a tattoo.
"Can you please make this weird patch of skin into a phoenix please?" She asked.
He grinned. "My name is Aaron Marrow. Nice to meet you." His chocolate eyes gleamed in the light. She swore flecks of honey glistened in their depths. "Destiny Morgan, pleased to meet you. He chuckled and said, "Your daughter would make a good Veil agent. She's quite charming."
Her father smiled briefly, before his lips thinned, puzzled. His grey eyes stared at the tattoo artist. The man flashed a golden badge to her father, who nodded in understanding.

"So, what's a high ranked agent doing in a tattoo parlour?" Aleric asked.
The man shrugged his stocky shoulders. "The veil agents' pay is nice, but I enjoy tattooing." Aaron said, revelling an emerald and sapphire serpent coiled around his arm.
Destiny presented the drawing Taylor did for her. Aaron walked over, copying the design. Destiny presented the drawing Taylor did for her and afterward, Aaron discussed changes in size and made modifications to it.
Aaron printed out the design on tattoo paper, Destiny removed her top, laying down on the chair, keeping the towel over her exposing the Stange birthmark. Arron cleaned her skin with a disinfectant spray, adding the tattoo paper onto her skin. She exhaled.

His hands worked with gentle movements, making sure the lions and details transferred onto Destiny's skin, gently peeling the paper off her shoulder and checking the design. She hissed, feeling a slight sting and pressure of the outlining needle

He spoke with Aleric about the veil agents, explaining people had disappeared at night. While the fog surrounded the forest, Destiny listened intensely while Aaron said they had just disappeared inside these glowing vortexes. They spoke in hushed voices, so only Destiny was in earshot.
"Do we know what is causing these openings to appear?" Aleric asked.
"No, we ran tests, but the only thing we discovered was a heightened energy in the area around midnight." Aaron muttered.

Once Destiny's skin was clean, Aaron sat on the stool and added a lubricant gel on the spot he wanted to start.
"So, people are vanishing without a trance?" Destiny questioned.
Aleric seemed lost in thought, writing ideas in the pocket notebook he always carried around. Destiny reclined on the comfortable tattoo chair, feeling the soft leather against her skin. She could hear the faint buzzing of the needle gun being set up, creating a sense of anticipation. As Aaron began outlining the tattoo, she caught a whiff of the numbing cream, its faint medicinal scent filling the air.

With each stroke of the needle, there was a slight sting, causing discomfort. But Destiny focused on her breathing, inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly, trying to distract herself from the sensation. It filled the rest of the room with the sounds of her father's voice, discussing the messy state of the kitchen, providing a welcome distraction from the tattooing process.

Despite the boxes being unpacked, Destiny tried her best to remain still, minimising any fidgeting and gritting her teeth in determination. As Aaron changed the needle, she felt a sharper pain, intensified by the addition of colour to the phoenix outline. Aaron paused the machine, giving her a break and a chance to assess her well-being. During this time, she took a moment to visit the bathroom and quench her thirst.

In the hallway, Destiny unexpectedly encountered Ash, who greeted her with a warm, friendly smile. He showed interest in her tattoo and engaged in conversation, but she couldn't help but feel sceptical of his intentions. Returning to the comfort of the tattoo chair, she wondered if Ash was reporting back to Aaron or if he was there for his own body art.

Curiosity got the better of her, and Destiny couldn't help but asked, "So, are you getting a tattoo as well, Ash?" Aaron, in the meantime, prepared the needle for finer details, and as he sprayed her back to prepare for the colour, she could feel the cool mist on her skin.

Aaron assured Ash that they would attend him to next, instructing him to wait in the waiting room. Meanwhile, Aaron added more needles to achieve the desired base colour, causing the sting to become more pronounced, despite the numbing cream. Just before starting the shading, Aaron checked on Destiny to ensure her comfort.

Feeling a mix of nerves and determination, Destiny nodded, ready to continue the tattooing process. Aaron added another layer of gel, showing her the design in the mirror and a covering bandage.
Destiny yawned. The entire work took three hours. She was ready for bed.

The majestic phoenix stretched its wings wide, displaying a breathtaking array of vibrant greens, blues, and purples. They meticulously adorned each feather with intricate golden accents glistening in the sunlight.

Destiny got off the chair, feeling a slight discomfort as she slid her top on. She sat down, while watching Ash take the chair, extending his arm. "Your tattoo is a masterpiece. Aaron is the best." Ash said.
Destiny smiled. Her father was dealing with payment. "Who did you end up paired with for the history assignment?"
"Taylor, I'm honestly not sure how I'm going to go. I've only just moved to town."
Arron glanced up from disinfecting Ash's arm, "Look for the book in Winter Hall called the Oracle." Aaron mumbled.

Ash smiled, showing dazzling white teeth. "I got paired with Esmeralda, and our families have intertwined histories for centuries." We are going to ace this assignment." Ash replied,
"I'll let you in on a secret. Those disappearances are happening during the night full of mists, and they have chosen Aleric Morgan to investigate the forest."
"When is this happening?" Destiny whispered,
"Tonight, follow him. Stay hidden," Ash warned. He remained silent when her father returned.
"Goodbye Ash," Destiny waved. As they returned to the car,

Aleric yawned. He had been getting less sleep since the move. Selina's herbal teas seemed to make his condition worse. He spent his nights on his laptop, hunched over researching the disappearances. He only had the forest as a lead. "Destiny, do me a favour tonight. Tell Selena that I'm meeting agent Aaron at the club tonight." Aleric said. Starting the engine, Destiny took the painkillers.
"But dad, I cannot lie to Selina. She knows I twitch my eyebrow. Where are you really going tonight?" Destiny asked.
Puzzled, a wave of worry entered her mind. Her father pulled his wrinkled hand away from hers. Her father was anxious, constantly looking over his shoulder like he was constantly being watched.

"Please, don't ask. The less you know what is going on, the better. Focus on school Destiny and not what is happening with the veil agents."
"But?"
Aleric glanced at her, his expression stern, his lips thinned. "Destiny, I am ordering you for your own safety. Stay out of the woods tonight, please."
"Alright dad." Destiny said.
"Thank you for taking me to get my tattoo. You're are the best." Destiny said.
"Your welcome kiddo, but do not worry about your old man, but I am going to return to Andreal tonight, if Selina asks.
"What is Andreal, dad?" Destiny asked, tilting her head. While her dad drove through the town, they stopped at the traffic lights. Seeing Selina inside an empty building, she had trades setting her shop up. "When did Selina open a witch's shop?" Destiny asked.
"She mentioned nothing to me, but she's ambitious by nature." Aleric said. He drove once the light turned green.

*****

Selina walked around while the trades placed up the shelving. She placed the different mystic crystals in the arched windows, as well as a set of spell candles, watching the dusty glass, with a micro fibre cloth, she pulled out various spell books, filling the bookcases, Selina added them into sections of herbal. Crystal, book of shadows, spell books.
A large male placed her magical potions on the top shelf. She added jars of herbs and different fragrances of tea. "This is certainly a different shop, miss Morgan," the man said. They finished setting up the trades, removing their tools. Selna opened the arched windows, airing out the paint smell in the office. The smell coming from her enchanting China tea set was divine. She clasped her hands together.

Silently observing Opal, she had been unaware the dark witch and her second in command even had a daughter. The young teenager was taking photographs of the trades.

Selina taps her manicured finger on the window, her nails painted an onyx black. Opal whipped her head towards the sound, flashing Selena with her camera, who blinks with discomfort. She gracefully opened the white glass door, the golden bell tinkled.

"Opal right, I'm Selina Steel Crow. I know your mother, Amanda."
"My mother? Oh, Amanda adopted me, but she isn't my actual mother. She mentioned a Selina, but I thought your last name was Morgan?"
"Steel crow is my maiden's name; please would you join me for tea? I know you and Amanda practise magic."
Opal licked her lips, shifting her eyes to the adults, walking past her hesitantly, but agreed, her curiosity building.

Selina set out the fragment of tea, Opal felt intoxicated by the smell. The steaming tea held an herbal scent. Driving her brain while trying to identify the plant,
Selina chucked, "I add a sprig of lavender. It soothes anxieties and aids in sleep." Selina explained, serving her a cap with saugers.
"I would like to teach you about your magical abilities," Selina offered. Drinking her own cup,
This caught Opal's attention, making her focus on Selina." Who smirked with satisfaction? "I would just asked for a simple favour. Please gain Aleric Morgan's journal from your friend Taylor. I wish to keep Destiny in the dark about the events of Andreal." Selina explained.

"Why would you even want that dusty old thing? The journal is full of complex riddles, that even the four of us cannot unravel." Opal said, remaining sceptical of the dark witches offer, however Selina smiled, clasping her hands together. "You are curious about how one receives the rune of air, are you not? Selina replied.

Opal, trapped her fingers on the cup, shifting in her seat, she inhaled deeply, but nodded, "I'll try to convince Taylorian to hand over the journal, but he's as stubborn as the king, "Opal said, glancing away from the older witch.
"I understand, you are conflicted about this, however I am looking out for Destiny's safety and by extension yours and Taylor's, remember your true loyalties lie with your family." Selina said in a matter-of-fact tone, she stood searching the shelves, putting out a dark golden liquid,
Handing the delicate bottle to Opal, "This is amber elixir, invite Taylor and Destiny over and place three drops in their herbal tea. It will put them to sleep," Selina explained.

"Don't look so discouraged, my young apprentice. The amber is merely a sleeping draft.no harm will come to my sept daughter or your childhood friend," Selina patted her back in a reassured gesture. Opal nodded, "Go in the lobby of Winter Hall, where the two statures meet with clashing swords, touch the hidden button under the base and you will enter the chamber of refection, past the test and you will receive the elusive air rune."
Selina drank her herbal tea, her eyes glazing with power, "Be warned Opal, enter the chamber alone, not everyone knows where the location is, you will face your darkest fears, good luck." Selina waved her off, watching the young witch catch the bus.

Titan Selina called. Within seconds the shadow familiar slithered towards his master, coiling his scaly body around her arm. Its glowing crimson eyes stared up at her face with devotion.
"Do me a favour, my pet, and watch the witching. We don't want Opal forgetting she belongs to the dark witches." She said, feeding the familiar a frozen mouse. Her familiar slithered out of the shop, tracking its intended target's magical essence.

Selina, hummed, while she cleansed her shop with white sage, her mind distracted by tonight, as the white mists blanked the town, she send a massage via her personal link, a communications device used in Andreal, she tapped her foot impatiently before the holographic screen flicked to life, three black chouette's tilted their heads together.
"Is everything prepared for tonight, in the clearing.
"Yes, maim, we will intercept Aleric Morgan and bring him to Shadow glass fortress." The male voices said at once, Selina closed the link with the rouge mist fairies.

Her thoughts of gaining Aleric Morgan's secrets were interrupted by the sound of wind chimes, she opened a black case lying beneath the counter, black obsidian crystals formed a mirror, floating above the case, an inky void stared at her.
"I await your instructions my master." Selina bowed; two soulless, blind eyes gazed back at her.
"Bring the seer, before the daughters powers awaken and gather the elemental stones my resurrection is priory."
"You done well, playing housewife, but now it's time to return home."
Selina grinned, "Your praise means much, it shall be done." The crystals returned to their slots inside the case.

Selina returned later that evening, her fingers drummed the steering wheel of her brand-new ford mustang with excitement. She would miss the smell of new leather, or the way the seat felt solid on her back. After years of blending in with the humans, she would finally take her rightful place as the pillar, a title only given to the most gifted witch.
Her hands ached with the need to touch her magical tomes. Within the basement, everyone believed it was where she made the fragment of beeswax candles, which she lovely crafted.
However, the clever ruse fooled both Aleric and Destiny long enough, her lad laid waiting to be commanded again. The room flowed with her blood, giving the lair life.

She took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the slender case in her hand. "I can endure for another hour," she pondered. As she sat in the car, she listened to the rhythmic melody of raindrops dancing on the windowpane. Determined, she stepped out, her senses filled with the fresh scent of rain, and swiftly retrieved her umbrella from the car door. With a resounding thud, she closed the car door, sealing herself in a world of determination.
Slipping off her polish back heels in the entranceway. She entered the kitchen, smelling the tantalising aroma of Welsh stew lovingly cooked by Destiny with help from Aleric.
Who kissed her hand in greeting, his grey eyes murky and bewitched. She grinned. Out of all her accomplishments she was proud of the memory spell.
"The stew smells delightful. What's the special occasion?" Selina asked. She flopped down on the plush kitchen chair, rubbing her aching feet.
"Well, they have summoned me back to Andreal." Aleric replied, sliding the formal invitation signed by king Alexanda."
Selina frowned, "Act natural," she told herself. She sighed, tapping her manicured nails. "And his royal highness can't handle the situation himself?" she questioned. "Selina, please," Aleric pleaded, his voice filled with desperation. "I don't wish to argue. He is my friend, and he wouldn't be asking for help if he didn't need it."

Selina carefully placed the invitation on the table, inspecting it. To the naked eye, it appeared authentic, but a faint aroma of spicy, conjured letters lingered in the air. The invitation they adorned it with mysterious lilac ink, adding an air of intrigue.

Feeling a headache coming on, Selina massaged her temples. "If you insist, Aleric," she reluctantly agreed, her voice tinged with resignation. "I'll work on Destiny's cooking classes."

As Aleric finished preparing the stew, he walked towards the back door, his footsteps echoing in the room. He heaved the heavy equipment used to measure supernatural energy levels, causing a dull thud that reverberated through the house. Despite her efforts to conceal her magical abilities, Selina's presence alone triggered those dreadful devices.
He kissed her cheek, hugging Destiny. "I'm off. Be good, my girl," he said.
"Be careful, dad," Destiny warned.
"Always am, I'll be back soon, Selina." She watched the four wheeled drive pull out the driveway, before retuning to the kitchen skin, the beam of the headlights disappearing into the forest.
She hid her smile, washing dishes. "Destiny, I'm going to be making some candles in the basement. Remember to do your homework and don't stay up late watching horror movies." Selina said.
"Alright, "Destiny called, from above Selina.

she entered the basement, chanting in a language only spoken by the dark witches, the serpents' tongue was ancient lost over the centuries but their clan kept the language alive, she lit the belladonna candles, the pungent smell invaded the small studio, "Best thing for keeping out trespasses." she giggled, invoking her teleportation circle,
She laughed, hearing the bushes rustle outside, and the sounds of the drainpipe creaking and groaning.
"You never could resist a challenge, Destiny. The game begins." Selina said, vanishing in a flash of golden light.