31

Calliope sat in the maroon chair in front of the dark fireplace. The full moon shone brightly through her open window, casting shadows against the far wall. Calliope rested her head in her hand as she gazed into the barren pit. She sighed and pointed a finger in front of her, bringing the fireplace to life. She watched the orange flames flicker in the dark for a moment before waving her hand before her, putting out the flames. She repeated this a few more times before finally keeping the fireplace lit. The flames crackled in the dark, quiet room and she grew painfully aware of how alone she was with Mido, Ian, or Maria around. But they could not spend every moment with her. She was sure Mido and Ian were training with King Sloan's army. William and Jon were probably flirting with the girls in the city, and Maria was probably doing her best to keep the young men in line.

Calliope sighed again and leaned her head against the chair, staring blankly at the ceiling, feeling cooped up in the castle. She longed to use her magic; they could not pretend she was human forever.

"Boring," she sang to herself.

Something didn't quite feel right, though. Calliope couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she couldn't shake the feeling, either. Ever since the fight with Scarletta, something felt off. Maybe it was the spell Samus used to bring her back. She wished she could have found some information at the house. Something to explain what had happened and why he was gone. She felt alone in the world. At least when Scarletta was around, she wasn't the only witch in the world. It seemed unfair that she should have to suffer because she was different.

Calliope pushed those thoughts out of her mind and turned her palm towards the ceiling, revealing a little silver ball of light. It hovered in her hand for a moment until she pushed her palm upward, launching the little light. Calliope let her fingers dance in the air, moving the ball playfully throughout the room, then she pushed her palm towards the ball and it exploded into tiny colorful embers, swirling with elegance to the floor.

Calliope knelt to the floor and dusted some of the ash into her hand. She cupped her hands together and blew gently across her palms. The ashes lifted into the air and merged together until the black, dirty mess morphed into a beautiful white dove in mid-flight. It cooed as it flapped its wings and pushed itself higher into the air. Calliope watched as the delicate bird flew out the window and over the sleeping city.

Barric and Carsen stood side by side in the city square, their attention caught by the little dove. The watched the bird fly out of the castle and over the city, out into the kingdom, disappearing in the moonlight. They turned their gaze to the distant castle and watched as little lights flickered in a high window. Barric glared at the castle; the flickering lights did not belong to a fire that warmed the room.

"That bitch is just where she wants to be," Carsen said, eyeing the castle. "She has them right where she wants them."

Barric sneered and spit at the ground. "Pathetic fools."

"After all this, how can Sloan let her live in that castle?"

Barric shook his head.

"He's invited death into the kingdom."

"She won't stop," Barric said, watching as the room lit with magic. "She needs to be stopped. Before it's too late."

"King Sloan trusts her. He won't do anything. We won't be able to change his mind."

"If we do nothing, she will kill us all."

"I won't stand idly by while she's here."

"What do you propose we do?"

Carsen shrugged. "Burn her. That's all that we can do to a witch."

"She's a witch. We wouldn't stand a chance."

"She can't use her magic. If she does, even in defense, and the people see what she is capable of..." Carsen drifted off.

"You're on to something," Barric said with a smile. He nodded his head. "We can bring out the worst in her."

"They won't trust her after she attacks us."

"The king will have to burn her."

They watched the castle and smiled. They would rid the kingdom of this evil once and for all.

*****

Ian stood quietly in the shadows just outside of the buzzing tavern with a pipe in his hand. He narrowed his eyes as he watched Barric and Carsen talk amongst themselves, completely unaware of his presence on the other side of the square. The tavern door creaked open behind him and shut with a quiet thud. Maria stood at Ian's side, following his gaze.

"I don't trust 'em," Ian mumbled to her. He felt her hand on his arm. "They're up to something."

"They can't touch her here," Maria assured him.

"Doesn't mean they won't try."

"Mido has his eye on her."

Ian shook his head. "He can't watch her every second of the day."

Maria met Ian's gaze, her eyebrow raised. "I really don't think 'e minds."

Ian smiled, shrugged, and turned back towards the two men and watched them disappear down a dark road towards the outskirts of the city. "Maybe." His friend had really taken to the witch. Ever since their return from the war against Scarletta, he hadn't left her side. He protected her like a loyal dog protected a homeless child.

"What are ya thinkin'?" Maria's voice interrupted his thought.

Ian shook his head. "Just how different everything is now."

Maria smiled. "It's a good thing."

Ian turned and met her gaze. "Yeah. I guess it is." He leaned down and kissed her lips.