Here her mind was quiet. She relished it.

Ashes’ eyes widened as the cyclone bounced around the clearing – as it sucked in loose branches and uprooted trees. Sapphire did not flinch.

As she pulled her hands back, the cyclone collapsed, flooding the clearing.

To her disappointment, when she turned to face the witch, she was met with a wall of neutrality. Her sharp features were fixed into an unreadable mask – displaying no reaction to what Sapphire had just done.

‘I suppose I have my end of the deal to uphold.’

Ashes began to walk in the opposite direction, and Sapphire hurried after her. Ashes didn’t seem to care, and that stung more than she wanted to admit.

‘Nothing – do you finally have nothing to say? I find that so hard to believe.’

Ashes arched her brow, smiling slightly. ‘I’m sorry. Was I expected to fawn over you? Would you like me to kneel before you, princess? Kneel and praise you, o glorious being?’

‘No – I – well, I just thought you’d have something to say,’ Sapphire said defensively. ‘You always seem to.’

Ashes halted, turning to face her while tucking a fist under her own chin.

‘I have nothing to offer that hasn’t already been said to you, I’m sure. Come, we have to hurry if we want to keep our timing.’

Silence returned. She wanted to know more – more about the Shadow Witches, about the barrier, about Ashes.

‘Just ask your questions, princess.’

‘Can you read my mind as well, witch?’

‘No. You’re just quite obvious. So, ask your questions.’

A rush of excitement washed over Sapphire, and she did her best to mask it. ‘What kind of magic can you do that I can’t?’

Ashes narrowed her eyes. ‘Have you not learned about the First War?’

‘Of course I have.’

‘Their version, I’m sure.’

‘And what’s that supposed to mean?’

Ashes let out a frustrated sigh. ‘The Dark Magic you have been warned about began as simple magic. My people could do destructive things, yes. But so can you. They could strip powers, invade minds, and paint the world in shadows, but these were not things we pursued.’

Ashes’ tone had an edge as she continued. ‘Still, those of the high houses were losing grip on their control as my people grew more powerful. Elementals were welcome in our coven. Numbers were growing. They needed a plan. And the one they came up with was far more heinous than what one would expect. Burn the witches. They want your children. They will slip a knife between your ribs as you sleep. How easy it was to spread their rhetoric of fear. A common enemy is a universal pleasure. So, it led where all unfettered hate and unreasonable fear does – war.’