Chapter four
"She is dangerous." Sybil smarted, sending a deadly gaze to the girl seated next to her. "I know it."
Talia wasn't mad. She couldn't. Sybil had this irrational fear about her god status and that could only mean whatever Simon did was unspeakable. The professor stared at the seething witch for a few moments before proceeding to speak.
"I'm aware of your grievances but you should not be profiling Miss Trueborn. She is not Simon. She is a student and more importantly a supernatural as such, You should treat her with worth." Talia saw Sybil bite her lip as if she hated how true that was. Why did she hate me so much?
"But, " The professor continued, "If you are wary about Miss Trueborn. Try as much as possible to avoid her if that is possible."
The last words of the professor reminded Talia that even the professor wasn't comfortable with her presence in the school. She was doing her job – If that entailed promoting profiling.
"I understand." Sybil nodded, looking over at Talia and finally muttering a sorry. Talia couldn't tell if the girl was being sincere or if she was just faking it but either way, She was ready to accept it. She wasn't looking for enemies.
"Thank you. I assure you I am not a bad person. I hope we can put this behind us and become friends?" Talia said, stretching a hand of friendship.
Sybil took it all cherry eyed. If Talia wasn't dreaming, She would say this witch was bipolar but that wasn't it. Talia would gladly lean on her guts which told her this witch still had a grudge and her front was just a facade. Either way, She was willing to play along. Talia saw a much bigger picture. She wouldn't be at the academy forever and maybe, She would safe from whatever bad juju Sybil planned to cast.
"Okay. Seeing you are both making an attempt to stop this senseless drama, You can both head on to class now." The professor spoke calmly, buying the act that had been played right in front of her.
Without wasting the golden opportunity, They both hightailed out of her office. The moment the door closed, Talia heard Sybil mutter something that sounded like a spell and before she could act on instinct, She discovered a little too late what the spell was for. Talia had lost control over her body. In fact, her body was rooted firmly to the ground hindering any movement. The next sane thing for her to do would be to cry for help but Talia was far too petrified to even think. She saw Sybil intrude on her personal space, her golden orbs now brazen with embers of orange, The sinister smile on Sybil's face made Talia realize she had made a grave mistake–She should have screamed for help.
"You wanted to be friends? Wow! Your kind really amuses me. But let me tell you here demigod, Sybil isn't your friend. In fact, my name should send shudders down your spine. I am your enemy Talia and I will do anything to make you suffer."
Talia wanted to ask; What exactly did Simon do to make Sybil profile every walking half god she came across? If only she had the strength to speak – To keep on fighting.
"... My sisters and I planned to give you a taste of what to expect when you lodged into the hostel, " Sybil continued. "But between you and me, Waiting is far too tedious for me."
Talia had not considered how her stay in the hostel would be like. Heaven knows she would rather camp in the forest than spend the night in the midst of vengeful witches. She wasn't even aware Sybil had sisters. Why would Hera do this to her?
While Talia was rethinking her life choices, She felt her backpack tear open and the magic orb that directed around the school smash into the floor, all without making a noise. Talia started at the fragments as her eyes welled up. Of course, my powers aren't working now. Just when I needed them the most. The gods knew she would rip off this bitch's head if she accessed them, that being the reason why they were withheld at the time. Plus, Talia wasn't about to prove Sybil's profiling right even if she was the moment being provoked into greater sin. She managed to hold it in. The pain, the anger, and the tears. Sybil enjoyed the sight and Talia wasn't ready to give her the pleasure of it.
"I can't hurt you physically but there is a loophole around it. Without your ball, You have to ask for directions. You will discover a little secret about how much everyone hates your presence in the academy." When Sybil was done proudly disclosing her genius idea, Talia felt the unearthly surge holding her body into place release her and she collapsed in response. She looked up at Sybil who still wore a victorious smile and said... Well, She tried to say but nothing left her mouth.
"I forgot, " Sybil said, snapping her fingers in mockery. "I kept your voice to make this more interesting."
Her sick revenge made Talia's skin crawl. She held back the tears the back of her eyes and watched blurry-eyed, as Sybil walked down the hallway leaving her in pieces.
SECOND REALM
The whole court grew silent at Prince Denys's words. Denys watched his mother redden with fury. He knew how much she feared the tear in the balance of her status if the Western Kingdom managed to wield the trident. A fear he was willing to exploit for the kingdom. If his mother's pride was going to be bought, leveraging her with the ongoing chaos that would ensue soon enough was the only way.
"Denys, "Persephone began, biting her lower lip. "Can we discuss this outside?"
Denys nodded and they both walked out of the court to have a private conversation.
"What was that about?" Persephone managed to shriek while whispering.
"I am doing my best to save the kingdom mother. It's high time you swallow your pride and do your part as acting regent." Denys replied.
His mother cursed slightly, walking to and fro around the court's front yard as she proceeded to think. Her agitation made Denys ponder on the reason for her worry.
"What is it, mother?"
"Well, It might not be obvious but the court doesn't know anything about the Western Kingdom's threats." She answered, gritting her teeth.
"What?" Denys could not be hearing her right. For two weeks, every noble had received the letters containing the plans of the Western Kingdom. Why wouldn't the court be aware? "What...do you mean the court is unaware of the Western Kingdom's threats?"
"I made sure they didn't get the letters." His mother confessed.
"Why would you do that?" Denys immediately questioned. If he had known, he might have kept his damn mouth shut about the whole thing but he had no idea and he wasn't sure what was worse, His mother doing un-noble things or how she kept her deed a secret even from him.
"I did for you and this Kingdom and you have the nerve to call me proud." She retorted, "It won't be long before the court discovers my well-kept secret anyway. I guess the worst is finally here."
"No," Denys assured her. "I promise you, mother, I will wield Father's trident. I won't fail you."
Pursing her lips together, Persephone spoke, " I'm so sorry Denys. I just worried. I have faith in you and I am in no way pressuring you. You are right anyway. If we are to slow the Western Kingdom in their quest to power, I have to do this."
Denys nodded, appreciating the fact that his mother was willing to lower her standards for the kingdom. In silence, they both returned to the meeting.
Leaning back in her heavy oak chair, Persephone proceeded to give her opinion.
"As acting regent, I accept Prince Denys's idea. We have to make sacrifices to save our realm and if this is a necessary evil, then so be it."