"Well, what do we have here? Does this belong to Alpha Sargon?" Beth teased.
Marie walked toward the black vehicle parked outside of Beth's home.
"Yeah, he wanted to make things as easy for me as possible and it's the only car he has that doesn't look like royalty. It's just a loaner."
"It definitely doesn't look like it belongs out here either." Beth said, jumping in the passenger seat of the vehicle.
"So, what's in this for me?" Beth asked.
"You mean other than having me as your life long, loyal friend?"
"I get that regardless, Marie."
"I am sure Alpha Sargon will be generous. You will be taken care of. I will talk to him tonight. Just let me know what you want."
"Oh my gosh! Are you serious? I want my own bakery and a new little house closer to the town but far enough to still be hidden. I want the bakery in the kingdom!" Beth said as excitement filled her voice.
"Wow, that's a lot, Beth, but I am sure something can be worked out with a little negotiation."
"How exciting." Beth beamed.
"So where to?" Marie asked.
"Follow the road and I will tell you where to turn. It's not exactly your neck of the woods."
"What do you mean, Beth. This is my woods. We have lived here forever."
"You will see what I mean." Beth said as Marie became curios.
The road become narrower, and the forest grew thicker, the closer they got to Isabel's location.
"We have to walk from here." Beth said.
Marie pulled off the road as far as she could and put the car in park, locking it.
"I don't remember Isabel living out here." Marie said as they walked over through a faint pathway in the bushes.
"Trust me. She went into hiding not too long after the coven split up. She feared that someone would find her and harm her since she no longer had the protection."
"How do you know where to find her?"
Beth remained quiet while they continued as tree leaves slapped their faces.
"If you haven't realized by now, everyone loves me. I know how to find you all." Beth said confidently.
"So, do you know how to find Sybil too?" Marie asked.
"Maybe. I don't know her exact location. She keeps herself hidden considering all she has been doing. Someone must know where she is though. We will find her. Don't worry."
"My gosh this forest is thick. I can barely breathe."
"Just a little further." Beth said.
Suddenly, Marie slipped on a branch and began tumbling over Beth into a swamp.
"Ugh! What is this!" She yelled as Beth plopped down beside her, picking up her hands and flicking off as much mud as possible.
"This is all your fault!" Beth cried as she tried to stand up.
"How was I supposed to know I would be wading through this pool of muck! This is gross, Beth!"
As they continued bickering, Marie noticed movement in the swamp. A black slithering creature was moving in their direction rapidly.
"What the hell is that!" Marie screamed as she grabbed Beth's clothing.
Beth looked at the movement. "Run! We have to get out of here!"
They began moving as quickly as they could through the thick mud as the creature gained momentum.
Marie could barely move her way through the knee-high swamp.
The creature moved quicker each moment that past, suddenly revealing itself from the depths of the swamp.
An enormous black snake launched towards Beth's face.
"Debilitos!" Marie shouted with her hands extended towards the snake.
The slithering monster froze in its place with its teeth baring.
Marie stopped and stared at it. It was hideous. Its beady red eyes looked like it came straight from hell.
"Shhh," She said as she swayed her finger from side to side, putting the snake into a deep sleep.
"Let's go!" She said.
"You should have killed it, Marie. We have to come back this way."
"Then I will use another spell. This serpent is protecting something. Until I know what it is, I won't harm it."
"You see, this is exactly why your powers will not reach full potential. Stop caring about everything. Some things need to be destroyed." Beth huffed through the edge of the swamp and climbed up the side as Marie followed.
"Is this really the way? I can't imagine how she gets in and out of her home having to pass through here."
"Well, we could have gone around the swamp, but you seem to be a little clumsy."
"You didn't exactly warn me that we would have to hike to get to Isabel. I wasn't ready for this."
Marie and Beth continued until they saw someone outside near a clothing line.
The old lady was hanging clothes on a clothing line. She looked up when she heard the sounds of Beth and Marie coming towards her.
"Oh, hello Beth and Beth's friend. I will let Isabel know you are here." The small old, wrinkled woman said as she slowly walked away.
"Who is that?" Marie asked.
"That's Isabel's grandmother. She is super sweet."
A few moments later Isabel walked out of the house with her light brown hair sitting in a messy bun on the top of her head, while a few strands fell to the sides of her face. She had big, dark brown eyes and rosy cheeks with a big, pretty smile.
"Hey Beth!" Isabel smiled.
"Marie, I haven't seen you in a while. What brings you here and why are you two drenched in muck?"
"Hi Isabel. I know I haven't been around, but I will just get straight to the point. I need your help and you are one of the few witches that I still trust."
"My help? With what?" Isabel said as she walked over to the garden to cut herbs.
"Well, I have a friend who is under the spell of a very strong witch. We believe Sybil cast it, but we are not completely sure."
"Sybil? Your friend has a big problem if Sybil is after them. What kind of spell was cast and why do you think it was Sbyil?"
Beth and Maire looked at each other, then at Isabel.
"Her friend is a werewolf. He was bitten by rogues and the wounds contained the spell. She put his wolf asleep to save him, but he doesn't have much time." Beth blurted out.
"Yeah, that is definitely Sybil. She loves to use rogues to do her bidding." She hates wolves.
"Can you help me? I need more power than my own to go up against Sybil."
"You could take her on your own if you would practice, since you are the 'chosen one' and all." Isabel said rolling her eyes.
"That's the same thing I told her." Beth chimed in.
Marie grunted and plopped down on a wooden bench near the garden.
"Can we just get over all of that for now? My friend and his family really need the help."
"And why should I help a werewolf? One of the main reasons we stay hidden away is because of wolves. They haven't always been so kind to us you know."
"These wolves are different. They are under Alpha Sargon's rule. It is his friend I am trying to help."
"The Alpha sent you?"
"Yes, he has no other options."
Isabel became quiet.
"Well, he made a mistake." She said, turning to walk away.