Ileus gathered Anastasia in his arms and motioned the others to stand facing the stone wall on the left side. As soon as they stood in a line in front of it, he nodded at Haldir. They pressed their hands on the wall and whispered a spell under their breath. The wall rippled like water, fell apart and his hand went through it. "Step inside," Haldir instructed others. 

Anastasia's mouth fell open as she watched the exquisite magic. Ileus pulled her inside with him. They all stepped inside the rock, which felt like a water tank, except that instead of water, there were fine pieces of stones floating around them in a thick gel-like state. Anastasia wanted to speak, but her voice couldn't be heard by anyone. She found herself seeing the room outside and wondered if they could also be seen. The wall was arranged back in its original shape, concealing the intruders. From the outside, it was just like before. 

A lady wearing black velvet gown with thick brocade on the bodice came in with her heels clacking on the hard floor. Her light brown hair framed her petite and lovely heart-shaped face. She was humming a song and her face was gleaming with happiness. Circe came to stand right in front of the stone basin that was filled with water. She put her hand over it and using a sharp knife, she slit her wrist. Blood trickled in the water. It started bubbling and became frothy. Soon the froth cleared and Circe's wrist weaved back in place to form the pink skin. She stirred the water with her fingers and then raised her hands up. Closing her eyes, she chanted the spell, "Seach Dorcha thig thoir urram dhomh!" 

An icy wave of horror slithered over her skin. She felt the familiar vibes that she had when she was in the cave, locked by the dark witch. Her heartbeat pounded heavily against her chest. Fear seeped in her bones and she stared at the dark swirl of energy that whooshed inside the room from a crevice in the floor. The swirl whispered around the room, as it twisted and curled, vibrating through the air. The air in the room turned sullen and gloomy. 

The dark witch. Iona. This is how she came inside the wizard kingdom. With the help of the Minister of Education. Shock blasted through all of them along with utter disbelief and anguish. Anastasia wanted to scream as her mind catapulted back to the torture she had suffered in the cave, but she couldn't. She couldn't make a sound. 

Ileus' grit his teeth and his fists clenched so tight that his knuckles became white. 

The shadow darted towards the wall they were sealed in and skated along it. They felt an icy chill on them as the darkness whirled and passed. 

"Circe," a whisper formed and Circe opened her eyes. 

The darkness swirled and materialized into the dark witch, her skin like shattered black glass. Her black eyes scanned the room. Her tongue darted out to lick her lips and then she smiled. Her lips cracked. "Circe, you have done good. What news do you have of the temple?" 

Iona walked to where Circe was standing. Her fingers with long black, dirty claws curled beneath her chin. Blood trickled down her neck and Iona licked it. "Ah! Sweet taste of blood," she said. "I wish I could drink all of it, but you are too useful now." 

A shudder passed through her body. Circe said, "Anastasia was able to foil our plans. We don't know how, but things went out of control. Not many now hate her. Lilette dies at her hands. The rumor that we had spread is dying down slowly." 

Iona trailed her claws to her shoulders and dug into her arms. "Then try harder," she hissed. 

Circe swallowed her saliva as pain shot through her. "The good news is that the queen is going to announce the wedding of her son with the fae princess. We can take advantage of that." 

Iona tilted her head and then removed her claws. She circled past the stone basin and looked inside the water as if looking at a mirror. "How?" she asked. 

"Once I have gained entry to the wedding venue, I will summon you and you can do whatever you like over there," said Circe with a smile that showed the malice of her mind in her eyes. 

The dark witch opened her mouth and clacked her pointy teeth. Then she stirred the water with her hands and tilted her head to the left while she stared in it. A moment later she held the edge of the stone basin and it cracked easily. She took the cracked chunk of stone that was now soaked with black blood. "Take this with you. When you feel the moment is right, summon me, and I will do the rest." 

"Yes, Master," said Circe and bowed. 

"Remember this is your last chance. If you fail, I will personally kill you," Iona said in an ominous voice. 

"Yes," Circe replied in a shaky voice. 

Iona erupted into the dark whirlwind like tornado, which seeped inside the crevice on the floor. As soon as she left, Circe stirred the water in the basin. It started to bubble and froth and then settled as if nothing ever happened there. With one last look at the crevice, Circe also left the room. 

Ileus and Haldir pressed their hands on the stone. It rippled under their touch and they all stepped out of it. Anastasia sucked in a sharp breath of air as she leaned on a pillar. "That was creepy!" she said, her breath shallow. "Why didn't you attack Iona now?" she asked as if insinuating Haldir. 

Haldir's jaw was clenched tightly. "Because I want to know who all are involved and catch all the culprits." 

Anastasia jerked her head back. She just shook her head. From the corner of her eye, she saw Ileus bending over the basin. Curious as to what he was seeing there, she went to peek over his shoulder. "What are you seeing?" she asked. She was still not able to wrap her head around the fact that none of them moved to catch Circe or Iona. It was a golden opportunity. 

"Nothing!" Ileus said. He gave Haldir a knowing look. "We must leave now." 

"But—" Anastasia protested. 

"We don't have time to discuss," said Ileus as he dragged her out of the room, back into the tunnel. Kaizan and Darla followed them. When they were all out, Haldir created a portal for them in Ozin's backyard. As Anastasia stepped in the portal, she heard a faint rumble. Kaizan was the last to enter and the portal closed. 

They stepped right inside the east wing's gardens where Anastasia was surprised to find Tamara waiting for her on the steps of the corridor that led to her bedchamber. Tamara's veiled face lifted and her eyes met that of Kaizan's. He stiffened and his face became flushed. 

"What with you and Tamara?" whispered Anastasia. This was not the first time she noticed his reaction to her. 

Kaizan didn't say anything. He just turned and followed Ileus and Haldir to the study. 

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