Page 153 of Barbi and the Villain

“Mr. Foerie insulted me,” I start, explaining everything from the beginning. She listens intently, nodding every now and then. When I’m done with my explanation, her gaze slides over to Nykander.

“Is it true? You cut his tongue because he offended your mate?”

“It is true.” He inclines his head.

She nods pensively.

“I will personally oversee this case,” she addresses the villagers. “You may continue as you were.”

“But, High Priestess,” Elijah interjects. “What about Mr. Foerie? His tongue is missing!”

Her expression doesn’t change.

“I trust that he has learned the concept of holding his tongue, then?” she asks, pinning Mr. Foerie with her gaze.

He’s shaking from head to toe, but he nods slowly.

“Good.” She takes a step toward us. “Come with me,” she tells us.

“What about my dogs? Can they come, too?” I ask eagerly. I am not about to leave them here, especially since Mr. Foerie might think they deserve retribution since they are at the root of the issue.

“You may take them with you,” she concedes.

I move to go back to the cabin, but Nykander stops me. Instead, he uses his abilities to bring the dogs to us. I cradle Ander to my chest, fluffy cuteness that he is, while PomPom and BonBon stick by our side.

The High Priestess nods, and with a wave of her hand, she transports us somewhere else.

I blink curiously as the scenery changes. We are now in a sumptuous dining room. A wooden table is in the middle, seating twelve people. A sparkly chandelier descends from the ceiling, hanging low over the table. The walls of the room are gilded, containing bass relief scenes of war.

“You may take a seat,” she mentions as she walks to the end of the table.

PomPom and BonBon roam around, sniffing everything, and I tentatively put Ander down, too. He runs away from me, his smile intoxicating as he joins his parents in their exploration of the room.

Nykander draws a chair for me, inviting me to sit while he takes the seat next to me.

“I really hope you can make an exception this one time, High Priestess,” I speak. “He was only doing it for me.”

Nykander grabs my hand under the table, squeezing it.

“You are quite protective of your mate,” she mentions, watching our movements with the eyes of a hawk.

“Well, he protects me and I protect him,” I state, pushing my chin up.

“Is that so?” she muses quietly. “Interesting.”

“Why have you summoned us here?” Nykander asks.

“You are after the artifact, are you not?” the High Priestess inquires.

“You already know that,” Nykander murmurs, his eyes narrowed.

The High Priestess rises from her chair and goes to the back of the room. A door magically appears in front of her, which she opens and heads into a secret room. Moments later, she comes out, carrying an item in both of her hands.

That… I squint to get a better look.

She comes back to the table and deposits a ceramic jar on it.

My eyes widen in disbelief. That’s the jar from my dream.

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