"Yes. While checking on Morgana, I want you to spread the word that she is to be arrested, restrained, and put to sleep on sight. I might be wrong about this, but everyone's lives may hinge on this, so I will take no chances," I explained, and Senna nodded quickly.
"I will go do that right now, but do you really think that Lady Katarina betrayed us all?" Senna asked, and I nodded.
"How long has she been in her position?" I asked, and all the girls looked between each other.
"I really don't know the answer to that question. I just know that she has been around since I was a baby," Eliza explained, and I nodded.
This was in line with the information about the Riftwalkers and Blood Witches. All the information seemed to be being blocked, and it stunk of Blood Magic. The type that required living sacrifices.
I was willing to bet money I didn't have that Lady Katarina was not actually a human either. Something about her had always seemed off, but I had no way of putting the pieces together. I was still shooting in the dark, hoping this would be the right answer, but my gut said I was right.
"If I am wrong, I will apologize after, but this is the way things need to be," I said, and Trina came back from the house with my sandwich.
I took it with a smile and bit into it, nearly eating half of it with one bite. There was tomato, bacon, and lettuce with smoked ham in slices with mayo and honey mustard. The entire thing was like heaven in my mouth, and the tomato was salted perfectly.
"Oh, dear! I guess I should make you another one of those! I have never seen someone take such a big bite!" Trina giggled.
"Can you make me one of those as well if you are making more?" Breya asked, and Trina nodded.
"You can come and eat with the girls in the back; sandwiches are already made," Trina explained, and Breya smiled warmly.
"Good, Good. I can go and keep an eye on them all, and I will help them with the chores," Breya said and turned back to me. "Be good, and good luck with the girls. I know that this will probably be pretty hard for you, but I can't go to a place like that. It is too hard to hear the truth of their pain."
I nodded, leaned over, giving Breya a kiss, and then turned to Senna.
"I will see you soon. I shouldn't take very long with Morgana, and then we will go and look after all the women from the wall," I explained, and Senna nodded, turned, and walked away without a word.
I guess she probably had conflicting feelings right now with everything that was going on. I know that Senna wants to have a baby, but she also knows that all the defenders need my help.
I would make sure to make it up to Senna after we were done helping them. For now, I turned back to the house where Eliza was waiting on the steps.
Her blonde hair blew in the slight breeze, and Eliza's hands were clasped together. She had a nervous look on her face mixed with worry, but I could understand why.
All of this must be quite a shock for her, and not being able to do anything about it. I would just have to make sure that I gave it my all.
"Come. You can show me where Morgana is," I said as I walked up the steps, offering Eliza my hand.
"Sure, she is in one of the guest rooms, or at least we assume she is in there. I didn't realize she was in the house until you said so. It's hard to believe that someone has been controlling her. It is even harder to believe that the woman that was doing it is Lady Katarina. I have never really liked her, but I never thought of her as evil," Eliza explained as she led me to the west corner of the manor.
"We still don't know if it is her, but all the signs are lining up. I think we will be in more trouble if it isn't her," I said, and Eliza turned to me as we stopped in front of a door that I could feel strong magic coming from.
"Why would that be more trouble?" Eliza asked.
"If we can't find out who it is, then there is no way of stopping them from doing the same thing after I leave. I also won't be able to keep Morgana away if we can't get a hold of the person controlling them," I explained.
"Can't you just break the magic?" Eliza asked, but I shook my head.
"Not unless you have three people you are willing to kill as sacrifices. Blood Witches use Blood and Entropy Magic. Blood requires blood, and Entropy requires Negative Energy, which is generated by pain, sadness, and fear and causes controlled chaos. The only other way to break the spell is to kill the person that charmed them," I explained, and Eliza shivered.
"I really don't want to think that Lady Katarina could do that, but before my mother died, something happened. A woman in town spoke up against her, saying she was trying to take my mother's place. The next day, she was singing Lady Katarina's praises, then the next day, she killed herself. I also remember that three Easterners had gone missing from a report that came in that day. I am sure you can ask Senna about it," Eliza said, and I sighed.
"That is not good. I hope no women get hurt trying to take her into custody, but I don't have the time to look for her. Maybe I can ask Tallia to put out an island-wide warrant for her, but I am not sure how much that woman will be willing to do for me," I groaned but then stiffened.
"Depends on how much you beg me," Tallia said from behind me, and I rolled my eyes.
I missed the old Tallia that I wasn't allowed to touch. I could touch this one but would probably end up getting slapped for it!
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