The first sign...

"Maybe, I miss home. Now more than ever." I said in an undertone.

I felt Orion looking towards me when I said that. "I thought you would never confess that." He said as he came towards me and bound me in his arms. He did. And gently stroking my hair he stood there, I wanted to pull away but I could not. It felt so good that for a moment I forgot that we are in the middle of the town, I wondered why it feels this way when it's him.

After a while, Orion whispered, "I think they are gone now. Confirm me, Nyx."

I peeked from in under his arms to the right end of the road and there was no one. I pulled back and nodded.

"Good." He said as turned and started walking. I followed him, I was no more walking beside him. I slowed down my pace to walk behind. He, perhaps, noticed so he did not turn around for the rest of the way.

I was abashed at what had happen. I knew that it was not for me that he embraced me, I sensed it too the moment he came closer to me that someone's watching but I did not expect him to pull out that move, but what was more humiliating was the fact that I liked the feeling. For a moment I believed that it could be, could be for me. It wasn't that I expected him to console me but maybe it wasn't so bad if it is him.

If it is him? I checked my thoughts and at once enclosed them in an airtight box so they could never escape again and, if possible, suffocate and die. What was this mortifying idea? Why would I ever want to be comforted and let alone from him? I must have gone insane from the stress.

I pulled my thoughts back to the ritual circle we saw on the way. Why would someone intentionally leave a mark that could induce suspicions, even among normal humans here it is not very common. Witches are considered evil in this world, if they found one and proved guilty they would surely be burned. Wasn't that the reason that Witches abandoned the world that they so much loved? They created a new Kingdom- The Kingdom of Mystics- and now the Witches only live there. Though it is not uncommon for them to reside among humans but no witch on their right mind would ever leave a trace as this.

We were on Violet's door by the time I got out of my thoughts. She opened and let us in. Her home, as beautiful as ever, was one of the most soothing places in this town. Full of plants everywhere, creepers covered every corner and beautiful string of pearls hanging down by the large windows. But the most charming part of it all was the Wisterias on the walls of her living area. One could sit and watch around her home and never get enough of it.

"This is my favorite spot of the whole household," I said as I sat on the cushioned chest under the string of hearts. "You can find yourself someplace where you don't block my cone of light."

Orion grinned. "Listen to this arrogance speaking. Well, whatever you command, My Lady." He bowed and looked around for a minute and then came to me. "Could you scoot over so I can have a place to sit?"

"Hah! Shrewd as ever, are we." I smirked and got up. "You can have the seat, I'm going to help Violet in the Kitchen."

She was almost done with the preparations so there wasn't anything to do. She asked me to place the food on the dinning area while she finished up the cleaning. We sat around the round table closer to the monstera, and started eating. Violet asked me about Ivy's and I had nothing new to tell; I had no shift there since the last time we met.

Violet informed that she had discovered the location from where Ivy made her purchases and that nothing unusual seemed there, it was an everyday antique shop and we could go there anytime- it is not far from the town. We decided to inspect it on our next day off work. Orion was also informed about Ivy's suspicious words, he said he already had some doubts that there was more to Ivy that what met the eyes. "I wouldn't be surprised if someday it is discovered that she was working with our enemy kingdoms to ambush and take one of you hostage. I'll be saved since she doesn't know about me."

"About that," said Violet, "We doubt that she is actually ignorant of your true identity. She might as well already know that you are the son of Queen's knight, that you were the one prophesized to be the greatest conjuror of this generation. You, out of all people need to be on your guards the most."

"I haven't let my guard down in ages." He said pretentiously. "Nyx, about the ritual circle we saw on the way, what do you think?"

The circle, I remembered now. I had seen it before in some book. I tried to recall what it's prime purpose was and the moment it hit my senses, I was blanched. I did not want to utter that word.

It had been one of the greatest horrors that none of us wanted to cross. Why would anyone do such a thing? But this wasn't even a question anymore. People do evil all the times- upon others the gravest.

"Nyx, say it. At this point we're prepared for anything," Orion said. Violet agreed and both of them looked intently towards me. It was frightening to even present this as a possibility and to think of the horrors it could cause.

They were still looking hard at my face, I knew I had to tell them anyway.

"It could be, I believe, Ne...cro...mancy."