Book 3: Chapter 49
Details are on Twitter/X @inuewindwalker… somewhere. That app is all bots.
A/N: glad I sat on these chapters, bc my original post was mega spicy in a bad way. I had a heart attack Monday. I put details on X, but I did multiple double shifts and HAMMERED monsters til my heart got sick of my shit. I have a lot of health problems from surviving cancer AND NOT taking care of myself. I’d have known I was having complications if I went to my pcp earlier this year like I was supposed to.
I usually help everyone else until in this case, I literally keel over.
Tiffany
[Mistress, they’re here.] Said Aptherraam in his cat form.
“Oh right. Send word that I’ll be right down, but I want you two to stay in this tower. Zayde won’t be able to defend himself.” I commanded firmly, and I could hear him contently purr in response.
[I’ll make sure he doesn’t die on you.] He said leaping off the bed, and went to do as I’d told him.
I took a quick shower and put on a nice, professional outfit. For a witch that would mean my nicest cloak. It was yellow now; that was new. I wonder when did they have the time to make this?
The red and black peacock was embroidered in color, and held real gold thread accents… The needlework was so thin, that the bird almost looked alive. I knew it wasn’t, but if it blinked, I wouldn’t have been shocked.
It even had my rank magically woven in. Symbols like that were rarely done, but I bet now everyone’s cloak held this detail.
A full Greek key circle indicated that I am the female coven leader, along with rune writing of my name, coven, and well... my rank was written around in common witch. That same key pattern encased in two more rings would be what Zayde wears… It made me proud to be Tiffany. I accomplish all I do on my own. The Theophania part of me is only blurred memories.
I learned these languages, spells, and even magical equipment making mostly on my own. Sometimes it was like DeJa’Vu, but I Did have to study. I didn’t just wake up talking.
As of today, I could only assume after the humans, we’re all going to wear the colors of our coven. That may bring some separation among our fellow sisters, but had they checked, and made the appropriate colors mandated, they’d have seen that she wasn’t born of any lines…
Everyone would have found out ages ago… and dealt with her before she got a chance to endanger everyone.
This fabric would have revealed she was not one of us too. The cloak is made of special water and fireproof wool, though to offset how scratchy the material can be, the liner on the inside was a solid black cotton. The back of it also held a peacock in black embroidery.
I also put on a nice button dress shirt, formal black pants and shoes. I figured that they would likely be formal, and if any wolf dignitaries came besides the Fifth Seat, that it would make a better impression than to be casual.
I figure if I’m too informal, I might not be taken seriously, or worse, everyone might think I’m disrespectful.
Gods know there’s nothing pettier than an offended elder.
I silently rolled my eyes… then fixed my face before anyone old enough to complain saw.
I stood tall and walked with my head high.
Witches of all houses parted way. Of all the cloaks, mine has the keyed ring around it, a solid one. We only dusted these off for situations like this… I don’t even rightly remember wearing my purple one this fancy that much.
But those memories are not mine; they’re *hers*. I refuse to acknowledge myself as the same person, because we aren’t.
In that room I am Lady Tiffany Yolteir…. Not just ‘Tiffany’, nor Theophania….
If only I’d known Spellmans were from Emerald, not a Dark Coven…. If only we weren’t so relaxed.….
It was so easy for her to literally come here and let our enemy not only know our location, but also lead them to it…. AND let them in.
Dark Witches held a wolflike comradery …. Being ‘one of us’ nearly instantly lowers our guard… for the most part. Up until this point, no one outright betrayed their own people… No one was out here on purpose trying to destroy their coven, at least not like this.
I don’t ever rightly remember ever seeing another witch of any race attract the humans, who they know will alert the church…. For power and ‘revenge’…. My blood boiled.
I hope the connections my fellow witches hold are mended. It’d be a shame to lose such bonds…. Dark Witches rarely outright bully as other lines, and nearly every hand is extended to help…
[They’re ready for you. I’ll escort you to the meeting.] Aptherraam said this turning swiftly at the threshold of the door, and I followed.
I left Zayde to sleep in, and left the curtains closed. I know him; he’ll try to be active when it was clear that he was still healing. At the moment, he snored, though I could see his veins appear with every heartbeat. His bahimoth blood was hard at work. To be fair, if not for the magic removal, he’d have died.
To my understanding, it was both why he was alive, but also magicless at the moment. He still needs to remake his reserves, while I made sure I was presentable. Mother was coming this morning, though it will be for business.
Haru was in a guest room, still remaining in the castle, honoring his word for aid. I didn’t regret our agreement either. One day, he will be added to the Yoltier arsenal proper. Right now, he could leave if he wanted, though I bet Haru was also trying to show his usefulness. He didn’t have to do that, but demons are a little obsessed with their work.
I was led to a room I’d seen before. I ignored that sensation, being taken aback a bit, surprised.
-----Zayde-----
“Aptherraam, go fetch Haru and Micael for the meeting.” I said the moment he returned.
[The Mistress will be mad at me.] He huffed.
“Yeah and I can either give you a fish or punish-” He cut me off, hopping on the bed.
[One slice of tuna please.] He said with his tail straight up. His long meow was annoying, but without the bribe appearing in a dish, I wouldn’t be able to get past the little shit.
He didn’t know the punishment was a bluff, and if he did, he’s in a cat form. Tinzaa is the same with dried corn, and father’s familiar loves rats.
“Tinzaa be a dear and get me a suit, and my yellow cloak.” I said heaving myself up.
“Master I cannot disobey, but I will caution you that you won’t be able to get up the stairs.” She said changing from a peacock to a naked woman.
Tinzaa, I must admit, had a form of a mature woman, looking as she did in the old times. Her black hair was long and unkept, but her pale skin was clean. I’d have to brush it… Demons are notorious for not maintaining themselves….
It was a *struggle* to convince her to shower, but with my command, she did. They don’t *need* it like we do, but demons carry an offensive musk to mortals.
She went in the closet and dressed into a nice suit herself before she had to help me.
How shameful… I couldn’t even lift my own damn arms and button my shirt.
I knew Tinzaa and Tiffany were right, but I wouldn’t let my mate deal with this alone. This is an incident that regards multiple races, so the leaders of said races will be there…
Fucking Rodrick. I hope he shits worms and dies.
The Wolf King I wouldn’t know, he’s new. I think he was Tiffany’s cousin. Heidi was adopted by the House of Charred, but they’re wolves. Their connections run deeper than blood. Those who they love are loved dearly and protected fiercely. It’s rare for them to mistreat a family member, rarer still that outside children exist.
I could just about guess too. I bet Heidi was discovered around the time the former Crown Prince’s mate gave birth.
I wore my yellow cloak over my most expensive suit, the 20 grand, charcoal one with a yellow shirt. Father commissioned them for us the day we were announced as leaders, and they were finally ready last night.
It was a shame too. I wanted these to be a big surprise and everything.
“Master, you look horrid.” She said with a smile. “You smell alright though.”
“You think stinky socks smell good.” I countered.
For now, I will pretend to the others that I am tall and well… She can carry me up the stairs though. Alteer’s tower is the least frequented.
“They smell like you.” She complained. “It would be weird if I didn’t like them master.”
“I’ll leave that to you then.” I chuckled. That fucking hurt. I did anyway.
“Master be careful.” She said wincing… For her sake I let up.
I won’t allow the Hellsongs the joy of seeing me in pain. I’ll smile and laugh and do a little jig if I have to.
Witches parted way though. I summoned my cane. I had this thing when I was Stanley, but it was still as responsive as the day I made it. I have several, as this is the one I had when I was the male head of Purple. It was plain mahogany, though the cane topper was a multicolored, solid sapphire peacock. Gold made the details pop, but I made this thing to show off.
As soon as we went around the corner to go to the stairs, I let her carry me up, then put me down when we got to the top. I was probably good enough to walk up 7 flights, then try my hand at the elevator for the rest of the way, but why risk all that, when I could swallow my pride and get a little help?
Pride was swallowed for Tiffany. It would have taken forever AND I would have been a sweaty mess making a plan like that work, if the elevator would even work for me right now.
Then I saw him. The door was opened for me by Zah’Kahrram… but that wasn’t who I looked at. The Wolf King had his Second and Fifth Seat with him along with their heirs, though I hadn’t seen the Dead One until today.
Lord Gray I believe really was dead too… no breathing, nor heartbeat. His son was like that too. His hair was strange though. It started off black and faded to a shiny white halfway down, though both their eyes were blue, their skin tone was about the same as well, though his son was lighter.
Rodrick was here sitting with Father Hellsong in cuffs… Rodrick was burned to death a few decades ago, but now he looked different. This time he had black hair and green eyes, looking about 40ish. He was maybe 6ft tall, with pale skin, and European features. He can grow to take the appearance of any past version of himself if I remember right.
However, it *surprised* me greatly that the Church would honor their end…
And that Rodrick came essentially alone showed his confidence in his strength, and trust in our word… well played.
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