“Witch?” I asked.
“House Petra,” Sasha answered, and turned, reaching out to the stone framing the fireplace. I watched as a wisp of light and sparks travelled from her hand and carved a heart shape into the stone.
“Woah, that’s so cool!” I exclaimed.
“A useful skill in construction of mines. Our coven was once many in these parts. House Petra has lessened in number and land over the decades—a result of mixing with the local population, diluting the magic in our blood and selling off our lands,” she explained. Her smile faded, a sadness taking over her features.
Adamantia wrapped her arm around Sasha’s waist.
“What are your talents, Percy?” Adamantia asked.
“Yes, we should have a demonstration.” Sasha added a cheeriness back to her voice.
“I grow flowers,” I said, feeling awkward under the spotlight.
“It too is a very useful skill. One that will never go out of fashion. Everyone must eat,” Sasha said encouragingly.
“Percy has been invited to Cliffwind during my coming tour to offer her services,” Selene told the woman proudly.
“Hoping to endear yourself to the people with the help of your flower girl?” Adamantia asked.
“I am willing to use all tools at my disposal,” Selene replied. “Tell me, Ada, how severe is the current situation? From today's meeting and the number of requests I have received for private discussions, I believe the threats we face are greater than I originally suspected.”
Adamantia’s face grew serious. “I have taken the precaution of doubling the available security for your tour,” she said.
Selene nodded soberly.
“I understand. The estate—has there been any attacks?” she asked.
Attacks? What? Who would attack, and why? I looked to Selene, but her attention was on Adamantia.
“None, so far,” Adamantia replied.
“Percy,” Sasha said, “I know that Ardens Estate is lacking in gardens, but have you seen the maze?” she asked.
“Maze?” I questioned.
“May I?” Sasha asked Selene as she held her hand out for me.
“Yes,” Selene replied, releasing my arm and pressing a kiss to my temple. “Be careful with my pet, Sasha. She is most dear to me.”
“The chef informed me that our dinner will be ready by seven tonight. You have just over thirty minutes, girls,” Adamantia said, as Sasha took my hand and began to lead me away.
“The maze is something quite spectacular,” Sasha said.
“A maze made of hedges?” I asked hopefully. It would be exciting to learn how the gardeners tamed such a creation and didn’t get lost. They must use a map, have the maze layout memorised.
“No, of stone.” My excitement deflated. “The walls are triple my height. The maze is located on the east side of the grounds; the earth was removed to make a sort of valley in which to place it. It’s very old—not someplace you should ever enter without a guide.”
“Why make a maze of stone? Surely it’s far too difficult, if not impossible, to change the layout,” I asked, as Sasha led us from the dining room into the poorly lit hallway.
The grey of the moonlight pouring in from the large windows of the lower floor of the mansion was helped by a few small wall-mounted lights. Sasha walked confidently, undisturbed by the dark shadows.
“The maze changes its own layout at will,” she replied.
“What?” I asked. She smiled, and it was eerie to me—something dark to it. I reminded myself that Sasha was another witch, and Selene trusted me to leave with her.
“I said that the maze was old. It’s very old. From a different time—one of the few remaining artefacts from when inter-coven magic dominated the individual kingdoms of what is now the Kingdom of Borealis,” she explained.
