Page 22 of King of Moon and Claws

“Let me look at you.” The witch abruptly rose to her feet and approached Elora as if she were encased in glass, not delicate but a beast to be respected. Her eyes studied her closely.

“I could feel you coming up the stairs,” Serife muttered, moving closer with caution. “You have a profound energy about you. But it's untethered.”

Elora frowned, her fingers slowly beginning to untangle.

“Untethered?”

The witch nodded, her eyes still scanning Elora’s body as if she could see through her skin. For all Elora knew, it was one of her abilities.

“Tell me what happened,” she said curtly. “Let me hear you tell it."

Elora told the story of her kidnapping and subsequent torture along with the vampire lord’s detailed intentions. She also told her about her ability to talk to animals and the vampire’s belief that her powers were being unappreciated with untapped potential. It was a shorter version, as Serife continued to circle her, her hands hovering around the contours of Elora’s frame only a few inches away.

Elora was never a sheepish woman, but she had felt sheepish when she walked into the room. At first, she thought it was merely shame. Then, standing there with the witch ambassador combing through her psyche, she realized it was envy.

“What are you doing?” Elora asked bluntly.

Serife grinned.

“I’m detecting your aura. I can feel you have been traumatized by your ordeal. Or at least, you believe that you are.”

“Is there a difference?”

The witch was rounding Elora’s left side and stopped, dropping her hands to her sides. Her expression to that point had remained lively and guileful, but then shrank away to a plain indifference. It scared Elora more.

“There most certainly is,” she implored. “Having been traumatized versus thinking you have been are two extremely varied states of being. I beseech you to understand this, Elora.”

She didn’t know what to say, so she remained quiet, waiting for the witch to continue. She addressed Elora and Elora only, which made the blossoming witch respect the woman before her even more.

“I know of these war witches Vasilis seeks,” she began, her unblinking eyes regarding Elora. “They have existed before through time and space. Mind-controlling witches, especially. They have been sought after by warlords since time was formed. But I haven’t known such a witch to be around in over a millennia."

The witch paused, raising a single finger to her coral-shaded lips, and tapped them in reverie. She still did not waver from her unrelenting stare at Elora.

But it didn't make her uncomfortable. That was what felt so remarkable. She was finally speaking with one of her own, someone who knew a truth not even her human relatives could comprehend.

“You spoke about being untethered,” Elora said. “Tell me what you mean by that and how I can… start tethering myself.”

Serife eyes lit up like lanterns.

“Of course, dear Elora. If Your King permits, I will cycle through a few tests to calibrate where you are beginning. So I know how far we must go.”

For the first time during their conversation, Serife looked away, acknowledging the king as he sat quietly in the corner. Elora didn’t need to gaze at him to know he was nodding.

“Splendid,” the witch said, clapping her hands together. “Let’s begin then. I am going to sit over here. You stand by the fireplace and tell me what I’m thinking.”

Elora felt her face flush.

“What you’re thinking? I have never done that with anyone but…”

She felt Bastian behind her perk up, but she still faced the witch. Serife didn’t seem to care.

She shook her head and waved her hands around impatiently.

“It doesn’t matter. I have a good feeling about this. Tell me what you are sensing. Act as if I am one of the animals you communicate with. Feel around inside my mind, and you will get it.”

Serife sat, turning away and she went to the fireplace. She clenched her fists, sweat blooming on her forehead.

“Don’t focus too hard,” Serife said. “Just do."

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