Chapter 19 : The Baba Yaga's Feast

As soon as the deal was struck, the Baba Yaga cackled in glee and ordered her familiars to prepare for the feast. The riders came back with freshly caught game and the witch herself began to cook up a storm in her cauldron. The smell of the cooking meat and spices filled the air, making the group's stomachs growl in hunger.

Elena couldn't help but feel uneasy as she watched the Baba Yaga cook, wondering what sort of ingredients she was using. She noticed that the witch was adding in various herbs and spices, but also some strange powders and liquids that she didn't recognize.

As the feast was being prepared, the group sat around a large table in the witch's hut, waiting anxiously for the meal to be served. The Baba Yaga poured everyone a glass of a deep red liquid, claiming it was a special wine made from the fruits of the forest. Elena couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about the drink, but she took a small sip to be polite.

Once the food was ready, the Baba Yaga served each guest a plate piled high with meat, vegetables, and bread. As they ate, the witch regaled them with stories of her adventures and the various spells and curses she had cast over the years. The group listened in rapt attention, even as they grew more and more uneasy.

As the night wore on, the group began to feel the effects of the wine. Their heads grew foggy and their thoughts became muddled. Elena noticed that the Baba Yaga was watching them carefully, a sly grin on her face. It was then that she realized the true nature of the wine.

The Baba Yaga had laced it with a potent hallucinogen, designed to make her guests more susceptible to her magic. Elena fought to keep her wits about her, but it was a losing battle. The world around her began to warp and twist, and she felt herself slipping into a dream-like state.

In the midst of her hallucinations, Elena saw glimpses of the Baba Yaga's true form. Her skin was pale and waxy, her eyes glowing with an otherworldly light. She saw the witch's familiars moving around the hut, their twisted bodies contorting in impossible ways. It was all too much for Elena to bear, and she felt herself slipping further and further away from reality.

Just as she was about to succumb completely to the hallucinations, Elena felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up to see Jacob's concerned face, his eyes clear and focused. He whispered in her ear, urging her to fight the witch's magic and stay awake.

With his help, Elena was able to break free of the hallucinations and return to reality. She looked around the hut, seeing the other guests still lost in their own visions. She knew that they had to leave and escape the Baba Yaga's clutches before it was too late.

Quietly, she signaled to Jacob and they slipped out of the hut, making their way into the dark forest beyond. As they ran, Elena couldn't shake the feeling that they had only narrowly escaped the Baba Yaga's grasp, and that they still had a long way to go before they could defeat her for good.