Chapter 24: Chapter 24
The weather has turned chilling not only due to the snow but also for the reason that the war was brewing and making it’s way closer.
The air has tightened itself with the apprehension of the impending war on both the sides. Although Orla was a woman with good thinking, she could not help but worry over the consequences in the future. She has come too far to take a step back or cower back. She has to do what she ought to and she shall if she has to play dirtier than before.
Madonna was doing well by keeping Lucius away from Orla for that moment but she knew she will have to confront both the father and son soon. The time was ticking before she could play the game with her full potency and she shall never leave a stone unturned to have the deity of victory on her side.
“Honestly speaking, I am very much amazed myself.” Orla heard to which she turned her head towards the person sitting across her.
Although Orla has a counsel of members who agreed to support her, she was not mistaken by the time and consequences she might face in the unpredictable future. But the person in front of her, she could not but put her trust in her.
She was one person who has been there with her apart from Madonna and she would never forget her.
Orla glanced at her and noticed a mix of amazement and frown on her beautiful face. “How could Mortas not know the end of the impending war? How come he could see nothing into the future?” That was what Orla was concerned about as well.
“And this is the purpose I had locked you into forceful hiding all those years Fina. World is not prepared to know of your existence and it is dangerous for you to be out before you could manifest all your powers.” Fina nodded her head in understanding as her young blue eyes gaped at Orla.
Fina, being a powerful being could sense the slight uncertainty in Orla and knew what was making the legendary witch uneasy.
Alder Emor.
He was not just dangerous but he was much more than any supernatural being. He was the cause of several mishaps that had happened in the past and present and possibly in future.
“Why was I kept away from Madonna, Orla?” Fina wanted to know. Why had the witch had kept her away from Madonna. Why did she raise both of them discretely with no knowledge of other.
Fina knew it, knew it in heart and mind that she could trust Orla. She knew Orla was the one who had been there for her and Madonna all through these two decades. Fina knew that Orla had done something, then it holds a great purpose.
“You are a Phoenix, Fina and you shall be protected like porcelain while Madonna, the young witch is better in taking good care of herself.” Orla gave an unclear answer which did not satisfy the Pheonix woman.
Fina was always extremely protected and guarded by Orla and her magic. She could not defy Orla when she said she was porcelain. After all, she was the only Phoenix alive but then again, she was much more powerful than Madonna.
Truly, Madonna was a much sorted Witch and was known to handle her magic in a regal way. Many supernatural kinds had said nothing but what greatness the young witch was but she was a part Phoenix and part Witch as well.
Why was she raised away from Madonna then?
“That did not satisfy me, Orla. I want to have at the least few of my qualms answered.” Fina looked at Orla with a small cloud of plead in her eyes. “Madonna and I are the only one you took under your wing and gave us your protection. But why are we not raised together? Did Madonna never question you about me?”
Orla sighed and looked at the young Phoenix who has grown into such a beauty. Some of her features uncannily similar to Madonna which made her smile.
Fina, unlike Madonna, was a puny and a very timid woman. Although it was part of Orla’s mistake to ruthlessly hide her from the world gave wind to her shyness, she did not regret doing so. It was necessary.
“She wanted you hidden as well, Fina. She knew of you and she expressed same sentiments as mine.” Orla had a forlorn look on her face as she blinked back the moist forming in her eyes.
The young witch has sacrificed far more than she should have and Orla felt such pride in her heart for her.
“She had to use a great amount of energy to conceal your existence and mask you from the world and even the book of Mortas.” A crease formed on Fina’s forehead at the knowledge of what the young Witch has done for her.
Fina was undoubtedly grateful but she still did not see the motive behind her actions. Orla has enough purpose to save her and protect her but why would Madonna do the same and if she did so, why has she not shown herself to her yet?
Orla could almost read, past the dark hair deep into Fina’s head, what was going in there. This was one of those frequent visits she would make to the young Phoenix and give her a little time of her companionship.
Orla knew how lonely the girl is but she or Madonna at that matter incapable of doing anything for that moment. Although she had given a good house and a much nice locality deep in the forbidden woods to raise her, Orla still felt for Fina who has no one to talk most of the time.
She had seen the girl filling her time talking to the very few animals who crossed the area or if not to the breeze that always blew. There were many times she wanted to get her out of the forbidden woods and take her to Madonna but the young witch had efficiently reminded her of the necessity of keeping Fina hidden.
“Does Madonna – Witch Madonna not like me?” Orla shook her head in disagreement immediately as she heard the uncertainty and something akin to hurt filled her tone.
Staying alone for all life, the young Phoenix has no bone of confidence in her. Timid and less secured about herself unlike the traits of any fierce Phoenix had make Orla frown at herself.
“On contrary, she loves you. Like I mentioned earlier, a Phoenix blood is both a sacred source and a very dangerous source to awaken the dark pits of evil. Why do you think your whole clan was slaughtered, Fina. It was for the reason that Phoenix are precious. Even though they were very less in number, they were very powerful. They are legendary and enigmatic and their energy came from the ancient Gods who had always appreciated them.”
“Madonna had helped you keep me safe because I am precious to the magic wielders?” Orla did not miss the hint of disdain that she never heard from Fina.
Orla was in dilemma whether to reveal it to Fina or not. She knew it was time she told the mystery behind her being locked up but Fina was not yet prepared to hear the complete story. Madonna and Orla should tell the history of what happened together.
“Not because your blood is precious but cause you are the only family I am left with, Fina” Orla and Fina’s eyes widened at the new voice. They jumped at the suddenness of another voice and looked over to the door.
Fina’s eyes widened at the blindly gorgeous woman standing before them. She felt like she was knocked by the power that was extruding from her beauty and her aura. Not to forget, the woman oozed poise, something unlike her.
Orla on the other hand heaved gratefully and nodded her greetings to the new woman that came to Fina’s house.
That was when realization dawned onto her. The woman was Madonna. She was none other than the infamous young Witch Madonna Thorne.
In haze of a new audience and the realization of her identity, Fina had not paid attention to what Madonna had said to her. Madonna walked to Fina in a poised manner and stood before her with nothing playing on her face.
“Make no mistake of our intention, Fina as we did nothing but good to you. You are here away from everyone, protected and safe because you are the only family by blood alive to me.” Fina’s eyes tears up looking at Madonna and even she did not know why.
She felt a very strange connection meeting the woman she had heard about but never met even once in her nineteen years of life. Fina felt Overwhelmed, stumped but overall she felt overjoyed.
“Family? We share blood bound? Am I your cousin?” Fina whispered as her throat felt dry looking at the imposing young witch she heard about before her.
Madonna’s eyes softened and a sad smile twitched on her lips. “No dear Fina. You aren’t my cousin. You are my half-sister. We share same mother dear.”
Madonna shared an intense look with Orla as if she was talking to her through their eyes and nodded her head.
Fina could not believe what she heard. She was Madonna’s sister?
How was that possible? She read in the books of past that Madonna’s whole kin was slaughter years before she was even born. Then how was it possible for her to share same mother as Madonna?
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