Domain of the All Powerful AUTHOR GODDESS

CJ - She/Her - Random thoughts, musings, ramblings, and other assorted posts from the Author Goddess of The Imperium Chroincles - CL Jordan

[cljordan-imperium]

You have entered the domain of the all powerful AUTHOR GODDESS...AKA...Your Eccentric Southern Gothic Creole Auntie who is full of sass and isn't afraid to tell it to you straight. *blows kiss*

CJ

She/Her

48 - Female - Mother of 1 Human Kidlet & 2 Feline Goddesses - Work Full Time - Published Short Stories

I am a female writer on the Gulf Coast of the United States, currently residing in the state of Mississippi near the amazing city of New Orleans. I have lived in both Louisiana and Mississippi and the culture of the bayou areas runs through my blood. I have one adult son, who is the light of my life, and a cat who thinks she is the goddess of it. The stories that are currently being published to Tumbler are the continuation of roleplays and solo writing that I have been writing for over 20 years; and that I decided to continue sharing with everyone. Some characters have intricate and elaborate backstories which I will unfold for you. Some are new and you will learn about as they reveal themselves to me. I hope you all enjoy.

Some call me a free spirit, I call me...me. It took me years to become comfortable in who I am, so I judge no one else. We all have our own journeys. I am here to support everyone else on theirs, so maybe they won't have to take as long to be able to love themselves. I prefer not to talk much about my disabilities because I don't want them to define me, but am also open about them when asked or to help others come to terms with their own.

I love purple and sparkles, and I'll probably die petting something I shouldn't. Being as I live on the Gulf Coast, I might also be eaten by it, and that is fine. Life is a circle and we're all part of it.

Feel free to visit my inbox and ask box. I promise I do not bite unless asked.

GENERAL TRIGGER WARNINGS - I am going to post this here and also on appropriate stories where they happen - Also, not all of my characters are meant to be liked or sympathetic. Feel free to literally hate them and let your opinions change if the characters do, some of them WILL evolve over time.

All of my stories are FICTION and NOT REAL.

There are themes of: fantasy, evil, demons, angels, religion, blood, viscera, evisceration, gore, swearing, slavery, manipulation, ptsd, emotional manipulation, dv, sa, abuse, death, hell, torture, violence, war, fighting, anger, injury, emotional abuse, verbal abuse, physical abuse, guns, police, witchcraft, .

~may be updated later if I think of more that fit~

Please know that I have 14 Active WIPS here (not including the individual stories in The Imperium Chronicles)

MASTER LIST - Updated 7/23

The Imperium Chronicles

NOT STORYLINE

Flash Fiction Friday 3.3.23

3/10/23 - Flash Fiction Friday - Celestial Bodies

April Fool's In Imperium

Meeting Jasper

Moodboards of Characters

Back To The 20's

HISTORICAL

GET TO KNOW MY OC

THE PALACE

CASPERIUS & MARTENIQUE

DARTAN & AMAYA

GRAE & ADALICIA

ASHER & KAYLIN

MARCELLUS & SORINA

DEZ, PHAEDRA, & THINIUS

UFFERN

LEANDRE & YAEL

CASSANDRA & LUCIFER

KARLEN

ADRIEL & ANNABELLA

DELILAH & TALON

PUSTOTA

JASPER & MEREDITH - CRESCENT CITY

FUN STUFF

Character Theme Song

OC Name Meaning/Reason Tag

Writing Questions Tag

Characters as Comfort Foods

Fav Character(s) to Write

Magical Objects in Imperium

WIP Drinking Game

Foretelling/Prophecy in My Writing

Government in My Stories

Types of Side Characters

THE ANDROMEDA EFFECT

@the-andromeda-effect - In Greek Mythology Andromeda was sacrificed by her parents to save their kingdom from Poseidon's wrath after her mother offended him, but Perseus saves her from death by a Krackon and takes her to his kingdom to be his Queen. Mircea (Meer-cha) Kalavati wasn't sacrificing his wife to appease a god, or bring peace to his clan, he was doing it to start a war with another. His mistake when he hired Caliban Andros was lying to him about why he wanted her rescued, then killed to look like those who had kidnapped her had done it. Never lie to your hitman. Now, like Perseus to Andromeda, Caliban has rescued Riona Kalavati and something is drawing him to the woman. He will kill to keep her safe, and her husband is going to regret that lie for what remaining life he has left. Now as Adira Andros, she is definitely Caliban's Queen, and his "army" has rallied around her.

BATTLEGROUND OF DREAMS

@battlegroundofdreams - Morpheus & Melinoe are Dream Assassins, sent into the minds of sleeping human dreamers to take out Nightmares who can kill the dreamers. They have been trained and are the best at what they do. Put together as unwilling partners, they must learn to work together to keep one another alive. As they try to navigate a tentative partnership, they also take on the responsibility of becoming mentors to Lorien and Rua, a pair of recently graduated Dream Assassins who were almost killed by one of the most powerful Nightmares that any of them have ever faced. If the pairs cannot learn to work together, it could lead to disaster for them all. They will all learn more about themselves, and each other. Once lone wolves, they will become a pack, and one that Nightmares will come to fear. However, a Dream Assassin turned Nightmare from Morpheus' past will come and threaten them all, and test his will and loyalty. His decisions will either save Melinoe's life, or damn all four of them.

BAYOU WITCHES

@bayouwitches (Heaven & Arthur Shelby belong to @call-sign-shark)

BEHIND THESE MASKS

@behindthesemasks - Melania LaVeau is a professor at LSU in Baton Rouge. She is also the grandaughter of Ambrose Meyers, one of the most powerful men in the country and the daughter of Marie LaVeau...yes THAT Marie LaVeau! Old money, going back to when the Gautier family came over from France to settle in New Orelans, there isn't much that goes on in Louisiana or Mississippi that they don't have their hands in. Meyers Worldwide, a tech conglomerate is a cover for underworld activities that will eventually come to light. What happens when someone decides to cross the most powerful, and immortal, Queen of Voodo and threaten one of her children? Will New Orleans be left standing? If you are a fan of Indiana Jones, Tomb Raider, or The LIbrarians, the story is in the same veign. All of the characters are human, but there are supernatural occurrences around them

BENDING THE LAW

@bendingthelaws - Colin Masterson is the Cook Count State's Attorney. He has been on a mission to take down the head of a Chicago crime conglomerate that is headed by Constantin Rakeovich. Now someone has kidnapped his intern and is sending her back to him in tiny pieces. Is it Constantin? Is it another one of the people that Colin has crossed? Now he and those he trusts are going to have to figure it out before someone else disappears or is hurt. Complicating matters is that his brother, Colton Masterson is Constantin's defense attorney. The brothers have never been close, but in this situation, things take a much darker turn. Will Colton stand by his brother or his client? And what happens when something bigger happens and puts everyone Colin cares about in the crosshairs? If you are a fan of Law & Order, or any of those types of shows, this is much in the same vein and will involve more than just the lawyers. All characters are human. There is no supernatural beings or magic. Some places are going to be fictional, but the main setting is the city of Chicago.

DEVIL IN THE DETAILS

@devil-in-the-details-ay - When Lucifer's daughter Yara gets bored and wants to intern for the Lord of Death, Astaroth, her father agrees. After their first meeting, the Devil changes the plans once more. Deciding to make Yara someone else's problem, she is now to be Astaroth's wife. Navigating this challenge, and those who will come against them both will reveal a lot about each other, and themselves. Is the Princess really as spoiled and entitled as she seems? Is Astaroth really the iceberg incarnate that he seems? Is she even who she believes herself to be? And what happens when someone decides to try to interfere in their relationship?

MAGICAL MISTAKES

INOPINATUS

@inopinatus-ea

Princess Adelia has been contracted to marry Prince Emery, but a revelation at her arrival at King Branoc’s Palace has the possibility of throwing this arrangement in jeopardy. Things in the Palace of Annisgwyl are not as they seem. Betrayal and deception are around every corner. Knight Drach, Princess Adelia's sworn protector must ensure that no harm befalls her, but it seems he may have some secrets of his own. Some Kings will fall, one will rise, but who & will he be alone?

@magical-mistakes-vm - Vollrath, the Master Warlock of the local Coven, encounters Mahala (Mah-HAY-lah) preparing to do a ritual on his land. Her mistakes in not being careful in preparations allowed him to find her, but it also set up events in the future that they will need the help of his best friends Baldur and Elmar to deal with. A witch that has no clue what she is and a Master Warlock who is not used to letting people close have to navigate revelations that will change both their lives, and possibly even the Coven. When his brother, Balor, an equally powerful warlock within the Coven who he has been at odds with for years, also shows up and it is clear will be needed, it just adds one more complexity to the situation. Can they all get along to keep each other safe, or will one of them fall to those who are coming against them?

MYSTS OF TIME

@mystsoftime - As Rome burned, Pluto plucked the first soul that would become one of his Lemures to survive more than a century. In fact, that Lemure is still alive today. Enzo is considered the head of the Lemures worldwide, although he isn't really. He's just the oldest one still alive, so those younger look to him for guidance. His best friend is Dante, who was plucked under Justinian, and close to that is Trevarius who died under Hannibal. Dante and Trevarius have been a team for several centuries, mostly operating in the Midwest since the 1800's.

With Dante in Prague, Enzo received what he thought was a summons from Pluto to come to St. Louis and help the Lemure team there with a case. What he walks into is going to turn the world of not only the three men, but the female Lemure there upside down. Renata died in 1897 when a carriage accident plunged her into the Mississippi River in St. Louis. She's served with Dante and Trevarius ever since. The only problem? She's the doppelganger of Enzo's dead wife. Oh, and she and Dante are in love.

One more little hitch...the summons wasn't from Pluto...and she might NOT be a Lemure....

NIGHTMARE MAGIC

(MAGICAL MISTAKES X BATTLEGROUND OF DREAMS)

@nightmare-magic - Set in the future of both Magical Mistakes and Battleground of Dreams in an AU - so some spoilers and some not as nothing is set in stone for either timeline

Vollrath has never met a problem he can't magic his way out of, that is until now. With nightmares torturing his wife, Mahala, he's at a loss on what to do. Neither of his best friends, his brother, or any of their wives, are able to do anything to help either. Each night the dreams are getting worse, and even more dire, they are starting to have physical effects.

Morpheus and Melinoe are a Dream Assassin team to be reckoned with and have taken over the whole organization. After the sins of the past were revealed, Krios and Andromeda were ousted and now they run the show. A formidable team in the dream world and also in life, they have cemented their relationship in all ways.

Vollrath and Morpheus have a history. Magic and dreams shouldn't cross. There are rules, but neither Vollrath nor Morpheus obey them well. They've both stepped on each other's toes, but now to save Mahala they are going to have to work together and the only one that may be able to negotiate peace is Melinoe, if she can stand Vollrath long enough to do it...

PRINCESS OF THIEVES

@princess-of-thieves-id - Princess Inara is set to marry Prince Diyan the next day, a man she has never met or even set eyes on. Ever defiant, that is the last thing she is going to do. Deciding to thwart her father's plans, the Princess slips out of the castle and sets to escape. Little does she know that the Prince's family sent Arik, the Prince's best friend and a trained assassin, to watch over her, fearing more that she would be murdered by enemies rather than escape. One thing that Arik knows is that Diyan doesn't want to marry Inara either, so instead of stopping her, he helps her with a promise to keep her safe if she stays with him. They make it to the next town, which is a port and aboard a vessel that is just preparing to depart in an effort to stay one step ahead of the soldiers now searching for Inara. Unbeknownst them, they have just become stow-aways on a pirate ship. Complicating things further is that Arik and the Captain of the ship are not strangers, and when a romance develops between Inara and Arik and the Captain deciding he would like her for his own, things become even more complicated. Not to mention all three of them are being hunted by multiple kingdoms. Nothing like a quiet day on the sea, right?

SEHNSUCHT RISING

@sehnsuchtrising

Tapperhet

@tapperhet-em - When Princess Meeri's father is deposed by his brother, he believes she was part of the coup, and disowns her as his family flees the country. Lucky for her, she is found by one of the knights she befriended in childhood and is still loyal to her, Einar, before her uncle did. A members of nobility, he and three of his friends spirit her off into hiding where they can plan to figure out who set her up, help her rebuild a life apart from royalty, and decide how to bring about justice. Can the seeming unrequited love of Einar for Meeri turn into more? Or will one of his brothers in arms, cut him off from that possibility? And how close was/is the traitor to Meeri? Sometimes safe isn't as safe as you think...and destiny, it's more than just a lofty ideal. She is a bitch sometimes, and she will find you.

WHILE YOU WAIT

@whileyouwait-dm - Sorting algorithms are a part of daily life. But, what happens when one goes wrong? For the most part, it's no big deal. However, when the one sorting souls in the afterlife goes wrong, it is a VERY BIG DEAL!

Somehow Miriana has ended up in Hell. Djall's Hell to be exact, and no one is quite sure where she's actually supposed to be! Since all of the major gods have fucked off on some "team building" thing, she's going to be there a while. So, Djall being the benevolent ruler of Hell, puts her up in his home and gives her a job..

Support, Trigger Warning, and Separation Banners on this and all side/reblogs are work of @cafekitsune. I try to credit them as I go, but crediting here as well in case I forget.

Author Goddess Banner - @cillmequick <3

[cljordan-imperium]

Updated to add @inopinatus-ea

[cljordan-imperium]

@flashfictionfridayofficial

They stood, overlooking the funeral pyres that were ready to be lit. Each one a grim reminder of the lives lost in the battle. See, peace doesn't come through talking, it doesn't come through accords, it comes through strength and battle and action.

Oh, men can talk about how they sat down at the table and worked out a contract for peace, but it never works that way. What always came first? Death. Death always came first. Loss.

So, there they were upon those pyres - the warriors who had died to achieve peace. That was the cost. The cost that had to be paid for peace, for security. Blood spilled upon the ground so that others could sleep safe at night. They had known not all would return when they had walked into the battle, yet they had walked in anyway.

What kind of man or woman did that? Brave ones. Those who knew that there was a price for peace and were willing to pay it. That was the kind of man or woman who looked death dead in the eyes and gave it the middle finger.

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[magical-mistakes-vm]

22

CHAPTER 21

While Mahala and Bala are at the Cadona Mansion, Vollrath, Baldur, and Elmar have a meeting...

Vollrath’s phone chimed, the insistent ping cutting through the relative quiet of the room. He reluctantly pulled the device from his pocket, his thumb swiping across the screen to reveal the message. A weary sigh escaped his lips, a prelude to the eye-roll that inevitably followed. Typical Balor. At least the infuriating mage was in good spirits, if the breezy tone of the text was anything to go by.

Elmar, ever observant, noticed Vollrath's reaction. His dark eyebrow arched in silent inquiry, a hint of amusement playing on his lips. He’d learned over time to gauge Vollrath’s moods based on the smallest of cues, and the combination of the sigh and the upward gaze spoke volumes. “Dare I ask?” Elmar ventured, his voice carefully neutral, unsure of what fresh absurdity Balor had managed to conjure.

Vollrath’s expression was a mixture of exasperation and disbelief. He shook his head slowly as he recounted the contents of the message. “My brother,” he began, his voice laced with a dry sarcasm, “has inquired if we can… keep,” he paused for emphasis, his fingers making air quotes, “the cute, inquisitive, little imp.” He snorted softly. “Apparently, he ‘likes her’ and finds her ‘fun.’” Vollrath’s head gave another, more vigorous shake as his thumbs flew across the screen, composing a reply. “He further elaborated that he doesn’t think that she will ‘eat much’ or ‘take up much room’ in my mansion.” Despite his internal turmoil, he was treading carefully in his response to Balor. Pragmatism dictated politeness for the time being. They needed Balor’s particular brand of chaotic magic, and more importantly, Balor was the one currently ensuring Mahala’s safety, a fact that Vollrath couldn't afford to jeopardize.

"Isn't that a good thing?" Baldur inquired, his gaze shifting between Elmar and Vollrath, a furrow in his brow suggesting a genuine attempt to grasp the underlying tension. Was he failing to perceive a crucial nuance in their exchange? Or was Vollrath merely succumbing to his often-present irritability?

"Of course, in principle, it is a positive development. I just…" Vollrath paused, his eyelids fluttering shut as he drew a deliberate breath through his nostrils, seeking a moment of composure. "It's Balor, you see. He, too, is a Nachtnebel. Which unfortunately means the ancient prophecy we’ve been dissecting could just as readily apply to him." His jaw tightened, a visible manifestation of the internal struggle he endured to voice this unwelcome possibility. It was a thought he had been actively suppressing ever since Balor's unexpected appearance in the conference room – an arrival made all the more unsettling by Balor's apparent prior knowledge of a highly confidential Council meeting for which he held a seat yet had not been formally informed. The manner in which Balor had simply walked in, exuding an air of effortless belonging, had planted a seed of unease that Vollrath had been desperately trying to ignore.

"For fuck's sake, Vol," Elmar interjected, his tone a low growl laced with exasperation. "Balor is undeniably an ass, a monumental one at that, but even he wouldn't stoop to overtly trying to usurp your position in such a blatant manner. He would have made his move long before now if that were his intention, especially during the numerous instances when you were absent from these chambers, wouldn't he?"

"That's not what he's saying," Baldur stated, his voice calm yet carrying a note of intrigue that immediately snagged Elmar's attention. Elmar’s thick brows furrowed, crinkling the skin above his intense gaze as he turned fully to face Baldur. The air in the room, thick with unspoken tensions from the day's earlier events, seemed to crackle with this new line of thought. "It's always been assumed, hasn't it? Ever since Vollrath took control of the Coven, everyone just automatically accepted that he was the Lion, the prophesied protector." Baldur paused, letting his words sink in, his eyes flicking between Elmar and the silent, brooding figure of Vollrath. "But what if we’ve all been wrong? What if it was Balor all along? He is the elder brother, after all. Doesn’t that carry some weight?"

Vollrath, who had been staring intently at the intricate patterns in the ancient wooden table, finally lifted his gaze as Baldur finished speaking. A slow nod, almost imperceptible at first, confirmed he had been listening. Inside, however, a knot of unease was tightening in his stomach. The implications of their speculation were unsettling, stirring emotions he preferred to keep buried.

Elmar leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, a shrewd glint in his eyes. "If that were the case," he began, his voice laced with a confident skepticism, "I think we would have seen things go very differently today. Certain… reactions would have been absent." He paused for emphasis, his gaze locking onto Vollrath. "Icebergs don't simply melt without significant heat, Vol. If she truly meant nothing to you, then do you honestly believe that your perpetually frosty exterior would have thawed even a fraction? When have you ever felt a flicker of jealousy over a woman? Just name one single instance. And yet… today… well, today was certainly… interesting." A bit of a cocky smirk played on Elmar's lips as he continued, his confidence growing. He’d known both of the formidable warlock brothers since they were unruly children, witnessing firsthand Vollrath's characteristic indifference towards romantic entanglements. "Now, after all that transpired, you’re trying to tell us she's destined for Balor again? It doesn't quite add up, does it?"

Baldur chuckled softly, adding his own observation to the unfolding theory. "He has a point, big guy," he agreed, nodding towards Elmar. "And not to mention the rather significant fact that if your charming big brother was indeed supposed to be her destined partner, I think Elmar and I, your ever-present shadows, would have noticed at least a spark of something when he met her for the very first time. Instead, his reaction was… well, Balor being Balor. Polite, detached, almost clinical."

Vollrath finally broke his silence, a low, guttural grumble escaping his lips. "This is precisely why I don't do relationships," he stated flatly, the words laced with a deep-seated annoyance. He hated the uncomfortable, introspective nature of this conversation, the way it forced him to acknowledge feelings he’d spent decades suppressing. The entire situation was infuriating.

"I mean, if you genuinely hate it so bad…" Baldur began again, a mischievous glint returning to his eyes. Whatever teasing remark he had been about to utter died abruptly on his lips. The look Vollrath was now directing his way was not merely annoyed; it was downright murderous. Baldur swallowed hard. As the Master Warlock of their Coven, Vollrath possessed the terrifying ability to kill with a mere thought, without so much as a touch. Some lines, Baldur wisely concluded, were definitely better left uncrossed. The heavy silence that descended upon the room was more telling than any words could have been.

“I would strongly advise against completing that particular sentence,” Elmar interjected, a suppressed chuckle bubbling beneath his earnest tone. He cast a pointed glance at the other man. “And Vol,” he continued, his voice firm yet laced with concern, “reign it in. He was merely teasing you, a bit roughly perhaps, but ultimately in jest. You absolutely MUST develop a thicker skin if you intend to prevent your… shall we say, volatile emotions from turning her delicate mind into an unsavory pudding at some unforeseen moment.” His dark eyebrows arched dramatically as he inclined his head towards Vollrath, a silent plea in his expressive eyes. “I am acutely aware that there is likely some form of utterly bizarre and potentially sanity-shattering chaos currently unfolding within the labyrinth of your brain,” Elmar elaborated, his gaze unwavering, “but you must, for your own sake and hers, gain some semblance of control over this internal maelstrom. She has made her affections abundantly clear, displaying a singular focus of attention solely upon you. Balor is not going to interfere; you can be certain of that. Even if, hypothetically speaking, he were to somehow embody the legendary Lion itself, he would not dare to act against you in secret or otherwise. You possess a deep understanding of his character and his respect for protocol, a knowledge that runs as deep as our shared history.” Elmar’s attention shifted between his two companions, his lips pressing into a thin line of growing frustration at the palpable tension that hung heavy in the air.

“I know, I know,” Vollrath conceded, expelling a long, ragged breath that seemed to carry a sliver of his inner turmoil with it. He consciously reined in the tempest of his emotions, his gaze fixed on the worn surface of the table before him. An overwhelming confluence of pressing concerns was swirling around him, each demanding immediate attention and making it an agonizing struggle to focus on any single issue for more than a fleeting moment. The woman who had, much to his chagrin, burrowed her way into the deepest recesses of his heart, now found herself under the care – or perhaps, control – of his own brother, a man with whom his relationship was, to put it mildly, strained even on the most auspicious of days. Furthermore, a subtle but persistent unease had taken root within the Coven, a creeping suspicion that someone within their ranks was actively working against them, sowing discord and undermining their efforts. A nagging intuition whispered that the true scope of their predicament was far greater and more complex than any of them currently comprehended. The weight of these uncertainties pressed down on him, leaving him with a profound sense of disquiet and a gnawing lack of security.

Baldur, ever the pragmatist, cleared his throat, drawing the attention back to the matter at hand. “Then let us endeavor to refocus our collective energies on the critical matters that require our immediate consideration,” he stated, his voice calm and measured, a stark contrast to the underlying tension in the room. “This will allow us to conclude our discussion at a reasonably decent hour, affording us the opportunity to obtain some much-needed rest before the inevitable demands of the tomorrow. We must not forget that we have a uniquely powerful novice witch under our charge, for whose magical development and well-being we will all bear a shared responsibility. Additionally, there is the potential task of thoroughly investigating the aforementioned mansion, the necessity of which hinges upon the discoveries made tonight by her and Balor.” Baldur’s keen gaze moved steadily between his two friends, carefully weighing their limited options and considering the most logical starting point for their deliberations. “We have a finite amount of time and a considerable amount of ground to cover. It is imperative that we proceed efficiently and decisively, addressing each issue methodically so that we are adequately prepared to confront whatever challenges lie ahead.”

“Let’s start with who we think the weak link is besides Jonathan,” Elmar began, his gaze sweeping between Vollrath and Baldur. “Obviously, it’s ballsy enough to go into Vollrath’s office and think he can go through his desk, but he had to figure he had some kind of backup to do that. I wouldn’t even do that, and I consider myself his friend. What would possess a lesser warlock to attempt such a brazen act? If it hadn’t been Mahala that interrupted him, but one of us, he had to have formulated some kind of plan on what he’d say or do. I seriously doubt attacking us was his intended course of action. That seems too…unintelligent, even for Jonathan in a panicked state.”

“Agreed,” Vollrath affirmed, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “Attacking me directly would have been disastrous for him, potentially fatal. So, the question remains: who would he have ready to vouch for him and provide cover? It would have to be someone higher up in the Coven, someone in good standing, capable of concocting a convincing story that would withstand scrutiny. The risk of exposure for both of them would be immense otherwise.” Vollrath paused, his brow furrowed in concentration as he tried to mentally sift through the ranks of the Coven.

“Do you have him assigned to any other projects currently, or perhaps collaborating with anyone on other tasks?” Baldur interjected, his voice laced with the same frustration that was evident on the other two men’s faces. “Maybe that was the excuse he intended to use as a cover – claiming he was looking for something related to that collaborative effort.” Baldur shrugged, the gesture conveying his own lack of certainty regarding Jonathan’s motivations. The sheer audacity of rifling through Vollrath’s personal belongings was still difficult for him to fully comprehend.

“He’s been lending a hand to a couple of individuals with smaller, relatively insignificant projects, nothing that would warrant such behavior,” Vollrath replied, his tone reflecting his own bewilderment. “However, I’m not going to entirely dismiss the possibility that he intended to use that as a flimsy excuse if confronted. The individuals he’s assisting might be completely unaware of his true intentions, which means we’re going to have to be exceedingly careful in how we proceed with our investigation. The last thing we want to do is inadvertently spook anyone who might be actively working to undermine the three of us. We need to gather information discreetly and ascertain the extent of this potential treachery without alerting the conspirators.” Vollrath sighed heavily, the weight of the situation visibly pressing down on him, his shoulders beginning to slump. “And now Balor as well. Someone deliberately tipped him off about Jonathan’s actions. Did they do it naively, perhaps thinking that Balor’s loyalty to Jonathan would somehow shield him from the consequences? I was genuinely shocked at Balor’s response, his unexpected… resignation.”

“I probably was the only one who wasn’t entirely surprised by Balor’s reaction,” Elmar confessed, his statement earning him inquisitive looks from the other two. “I don’t share the same history and inherent distrust that you two have with Balor. Furthermore, I observed his genuine concern and profound unhappiness with Mahala’s recent… instability. Regardless of your past interactions, he was clearly looking out for her well-being, and looking out for those weaker or more vulnerable has always been a defining characteristic of your brother, Vollrath.” Elmar was relieved when Vollrath offered a slow nod of agreement, choosing not to challenge his assessment. They already had a potentially significant internal crisis brewing; the last thing they needed was to exacerbate the situation with unnecessary internal conflict.

“El’s right,” Baldur conceded, his gaze softening slightly as he considered Elmar’s point, “he does have a tendency to shield those he perceives as weaker, and that often includes women. It's a frustratingly chivalrous streak, but it’s undeniably there.” He tapped a finger against his chin, his brow furrowed in thought. “Maybe someone on the Council, perhaps someone who was uncertain about which way the disciplinary vote was leaning, discreetly informed Balor of Jonathan’s duplicity. Balor’s unusual appearance might not have been an attempt to undermine your authority, Vol, but rather a strategic move orchestrated by someone who actually supported your proposed punishment.”

Baldur paused, pacing slowly as he voiced his evolving theory. “Think about it. He didn’t even directly challenge your pronouncements, Vol, his only real demand was to meet Mahala, a request that, according to established Council protocol, you were obligated to grant. It wasn't until after everyone else had departed the chamber that he raised any substantive objections, and even then, his immediate target wasn’t you, but rather Elmar and myself, because of our deliberate omission of information.” He offered a small, almost apologetic shrug, a slight upward curve touching one corner of his mouth.

“So,” Vol began, a thoughtful expression replacing his earlier frustration, “whoever tipped him off might have inadvertently done us a favor. While Jonathan might not have a high-ranking conspirator actively working to destabilize the coven, I think we can all agree that his behavior was undeniably suspicious. He outright lied to the three of us, and it defies logic to think he believed that one, if not all, of us wouldn’t eventually uncover his fabrications. Even if Mahala wasn't…”

Vol’s words trailed off abruptly as the distinct, synchronized chime of their phones sliced through the air. A collective groan seemed to ripple through the room as all three warlocks instinctively reached for their phones. Vol’s eyes scanned the brief message displayed on his screen, his breath hitching in his throat. “Fuck!” The expletive escaped as a low, guttural sigh, his eyelids squeezing shut as his head gave a slow, disbelieving shake. There was simply no scenario in which a summons from his brother, urging him to immediately scry the notoriously private Codona mansion, could be interpreted as anything remotely positive.

“I’m going to venture a guess that we all received the same cryptic missive?” Baldur inquired, his gaze sweeping between Vol and Elmar, his usual sardonic amusement noticeably absent. “How often does anyone request a scrying of a specific location, especially the Codona estate, rather than simply traveling there directly? The very nature of this request sends a shiver of unease down my spine. My instinct screams that we should proceed with extreme caution. I propose we go in armed, and I’m not just talking about our inherent magical abilities. If this turns out to be nothing more than a trivial discovery, then no harm done, but if there’s something more sinister at play, then we’ll be prepared to face it.”

“Agreed,” Elmar affirmed with a decisive nod, his usual calm demeanor edged with a palpable tension. Judging by the grim reactions and worried expressions etched onto the faces of the other two powerful warlocks, none of them harbored even a sliver of optimism regarding the cryptic message. While Elmar possessed a considerable degree of faith in Balor’s capabilities to protect Mahala under normal circumstances, the events of the day had already veered drastically off course, leaving him with a gnawing premonition about just how much further into chaos their carefully ordered world might descend.

reblog banner @cafekitsune

[magical-mistakes-vm]

22

CHAPTER 21

While Mahala and Bala are at the Cadona Mansion, Vollrath, Baldur, and Elmar have a meeting...

Vollrath’s phone chimed, the insistent ping cutting through the relative quiet of the room. He reluctantly pulled the device from his pocket, his thumb swiping across the screen to reveal the message. A weary sigh escaped his lips, a prelude to the eye-roll that inevitably followed. Typical Balor. At least the infuriating mage was in good spirits, if the breezy tone of the text was anything to go by.

Elmar, ever observant, noticed Vollrath's reaction. His dark eyebrow arched in silent inquiry, a hint of amusement playing on his lips. He’d learned over time to gauge Vollrath’s moods based on the smallest of cues, and the combination of the sigh and the upward gaze spoke volumes. “Dare I ask?” Elmar ventured, his voice carefully neutral, unsure of what fresh absurdity Balor had managed to conjure.

Vollrath’s expression was a mixture of exasperation and disbelief. He shook his head slowly as he recounted the contents of the message. “My brother,” he began, his voice laced with a dry sarcasm, “has inquired if we can… keep,” he paused for emphasis, his fingers making air quotes, “the cute, inquisitive, little imp.” He snorted softly. “Apparently, he ‘likes her’ and finds her ‘fun.’” Vollrath’s head gave another, more vigorous shake as his thumbs flew across the screen, composing a reply. “He further elaborated that he doesn’t think that she will ‘eat much’ or ‘take up much room’ in my mansion.” Despite his internal turmoil, he was treading carefully in his response to Balor. Pragmatism dictated politeness for the time being. They needed Balor’s particular brand of chaotic magic, and more importantly, Balor was the one currently ensuring Mahala’s safety, a fact that Vollrath couldn't afford to jeopardize.

"Isn't that a good thing?" Baldur inquired, his gaze shifting between Elmar and Vollrath, a furrow in his brow suggesting a genuine attempt to grasp the underlying tension. Was he failing to perceive a crucial nuance in their exchange? Or was Vollrath merely succumbing to his often-present irritability?

"Of course, in principle, it is a positive development. I just…" Vollrath paused, his eyelids fluttering shut as he drew a deliberate breath through his nostrils, seeking a moment of composure. "It's Balor, you see. He, too, is a Nachtnebel. Which unfortunately means the ancient prophecy we’ve been dissecting could just as readily apply to him." His jaw tightened, a visible manifestation of the internal struggle he endured to voice this unwelcome possibility. It was a thought he had been actively suppressing ever since Balor's unexpected appearance in the conference room – an arrival made all the more unsettling by Balor's apparent prior knowledge of a highly confidential Council meeting for which he held a seat yet had not been formally informed. The manner in which Balor had simply walked in, exuding an air of effortless belonging, had planted a seed of unease that Vollrath had been desperately trying to ignore.

"For fuck's sake, Vol," Elmar interjected, his tone a low growl laced with exasperation. "Balor is undeniably an ass, a monumental one at that, but even he wouldn't stoop to overtly trying to usurp your position in such a blatant manner. He would have made his move long before now if that were his intention, especially during the numerous instances when you were absent from these chambers, wouldn't he?"

"That's not what he's saying," Baldur stated, his voice calm yet carrying a note of intrigue that immediately snagged Elmar's attention. Elmar’s thick brows furrowed, crinkling the skin above his intense gaze as he turned fully to face Baldur. The air in the room, thick with unspoken tensions from the day's earlier events, seemed to crackle with this new line of thought. "It's always been assumed, hasn't it? Ever since Vollrath took control of the Coven, everyone just automatically accepted that he was the Lion, the prophesied protector." Baldur paused, letting his words sink in, his eyes flicking between Elmar and the silent, brooding figure of Vollrath. "But what if we’ve all been wrong? What if it was Balor all along? He is the elder brother, after all. Doesn’t that carry some weight?"

Vollrath, who had been staring intently at the intricate patterns in the ancient wooden table, finally lifted his gaze as Baldur finished speaking. A slow nod, almost imperceptible at first, confirmed he had been listening. Inside, however, a knot of unease was tightening in his stomach. The implications of their speculation were unsettling, stirring emotions he preferred to keep buried.

Elmar leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, a shrewd glint in his eyes. "If that were the case," he began, his voice laced with a confident skepticism, "I think we would have seen things go very differently today. Certain… reactions would have been absent." He paused for emphasis, his gaze locking onto Vollrath. "Icebergs don't simply melt without significant heat, Vol. If she truly meant nothing to you, then do you honestly believe that your perpetually frosty exterior would have thawed even a fraction? When have you ever felt a flicker of jealousy over a woman? Just name one single instance. And yet… today… well, today was certainly… interesting." A bit of a cocky smirk played on Elmar's lips as he continued, his confidence growing. He’d known both of the formidable warlock brothers since they were unruly children, witnessing firsthand Vollrath's characteristic indifference towards romantic entanglements. "Now, after all that transpired, you’re trying to tell us she's destined for Balor again? It doesn't quite add up, does it?"

Baldur chuckled softly, adding his own observation to the unfolding theory. "He has a point, big guy," he agreed, nodding towards Elmar. "And not to mention the rather significant fact that if your charming big brother was indeed supposed to be her destined partner, I think Elmar and I, your ever-present shadows, would have noticed at least a spark of something when he met her for the very first time. Instead, his reaction was… well, Balor being Balor. Polite, detached, almost clinical."

Vollrath finally broke his silence, a low, guttural grumble escaping his lips. "This is precisely why I don't do relationships," he stated flatly, the words laced with a deep-seated annoyance. He hated the uncomfortable, introspective nature of this conversation, the way it forced him to acknowledge feelings he’d spent decades suppressing. The entire situation was infuriating.

"I mean, if you genuinely hate it so bad…" Baldur began again, a mischievous glint returning to his eyes. Whatever teasing remark he had been about to utter died abruptly on his lips. The look Vollrath was now directing his way was not merely annoyed; it was downright murderous. Baldur swallowed hard. As the Master Warlock of their Coven, Vollrath possessed the terrifying ability to kill with a mere thought, without so much as a touch. Some lines, Baldur wisely concluded, were definitely better left uncrossed. The heavy silence that descended upon the room was more telling than any words could have been.

“I would strongly advise against completing that particular sentence,” Elmar interjected, a suppressed chuckle bubbling beneath his earnest tone. He cast a pointed glance at the other man. “And Vol,” he continued, his voice firm yet laced with concern, “reign it in. He was merely teasing you, a bit roughly perhaps, but ultimately in jest. You absolutely MUST develop a thicker skin if you intend to prevent your… shall we say, volatile emotions from turning her delicate mind into an unsavory pudding at some unforeseen moment.” His dark eyebrows arched dramatically as he inclined his head towards Vollrath, a silent plea in his expressive eyes. “I am acutely aware that there is likely some form of utterly bizarre and potentially sanity-shattering chaos currently unfolding within the labyrinth of your brain,” Elmar elaborated, his gaze unwavering, “but you must, for your own sake and hers, gain some semblance of control over this internal maelstrom. She has made her affections abundantly clear, displaying a singular focus of attention solely upon you. Balor is not going to interfere; you can be certain of that. Even if, hypothetically speaking, he were to somehow embody the legendary Lion itself, he would not dare to act against you in secret or otherwise. You possess a deep understanding of his character and his respect for protocol, a knowledge that runs as deep as our shared history.” Elmar’s attention shifted between his two companions, his lips pressing into a thin line of growing frustration at the palpable tension that hung heavy in the air.

“I know, I know,” Vollrath conceded, expelling a long, ragged breath that seemed to carry a sliver of his inner turmoil with it. He consciously reined in the tempest of his emotions, his gaze fixed on the worn surface of the table before him. An overwhelming confluence of pressing concerns was swirling around him, each demanding immediate attention and making it an agonizing struggle to focus on any single issue for more than a fleeting moment. The woman who had, much to his chagrin, burrowed her way into the deepest recesses of his heart, now found herself under the care – or perhaps, control – of his own brother, a man with whom his relationship was, to put it mildly, strained even on the most auspicious of days. Furthermore, a subtle but persistent unease had taken root within the Coven, a creeping suspicion that someone within their ranks was actively working against them, sowing discord and undermining their efforts. A nagging intuition whispered that the true scope of their predicament was far greater and more complex than any of them currently comprehended. The weight of these uncertainties pressed down on him, leaving him with a profound sense of disquiet and a gnawing lack of security.

Baldur, ever the pragmatist, cleared his throat, drawing the attention back to the matter at hand. “Then let us endeavor to refocus our collective energies on the critical matters that require our immediate consideration,” he stated, his voice calm and measured, a stark contrast to the underlying tension in the room. “This will allow us to conclude our discussion at a reasonably decent hour, affording us the opportunity to obtain some much-needed rest before the inevitable demands of the tomorrow. We must not forget that we have a uniquely powerful novice witch under our charge, for whose magical development and well-being we will all bear a shared responsibility. Additionally, there is the potential task of thoroughly investigating the aforementioned mansion, the necessity of which hinges upon the discoveries made tonight by her and Balor.” Baldur’s keen gaze moved steadily between his two friends, carefully weighing their limited options and considering the most logical starting point for their deliberations. “We have a finite amount of time and a considerable amount of ground to cover. It is imperative that we proceed efficiently and decisively, addressing each issue methodically so that we are adequately prepared to confront whatever challenges lie ahead.”

“Let’s start with who we think the weak link is besides Jonathan,” Elmar began, his gaze sweeping between Vollrath and Baldur. “Obviously, it’s ballsy enough to go into Vollrath’s office and think he can go through his desk, but he had to figure he had some kind of backup to do that. I wouldn’t even do that, and I consider myself his friend. What would possess a lesser warlock to attempt such a brazen act? If it hadn’t been Mahala that interrupted him, but one of us, he had to have formulated some kind of plan on what he’d say or do. I seriously doubt attacking us was his intended course of action. That seems too…unintelligent, even for Jonathan in a panicked state.”

“Agreed,” Vollrath affirmed, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “Attacking me directly would have been disastrous for him, potentially fatal. So, the question remains: who would he have ready to vouch for him and provide cover? It would have to be someone higher up in the Coven, someone in good standing, capable of concocting a convincing story that would withstand scrutiny. The risk of exposure for both of them would be immense otherwise.” Vollrath paused, his brow furrowed in concentration as he tried to mentally sift through the ranks of the Coven.

“Do you have him assigned to any other projects currently, or perhaps collaborating with anyone on other tasks?” Baldur interjected, his voice laced with the same frustration that was evident on the other two men’s faces. “Maybe that was the excuse he intended to use as a cover – claiming he was looking for something related to that collaborative effort.” Baldur shrugged, the gesture conveying his own lack of certainty regarding Jonathan’s motivations. The sheer audacity of rifling through Vollrath’s personal belongings was still difficult for him to fully comprehend.

“He’s been lending a hand to a couple of individuals with smaller, relatively insignificant projects, nothing that would warrant such behavior,” Vollrath replied, his tone reflecting his own bewilderment. “However, I’m not going to entirely dismiss the possibility that he intended to use that as a flimsy excuse if confronted. The individuals he’s assisting might be completely unaware of his true intentions, which means we’re going to have to be exceedingly careful in how we proceed with our investigation. The last thing we want to do is inadvertently spook anyone who might be actively working to undermine the three of us. We need to gather information discreetly and ascertain the extent of this potential treachery without alerting the conspirators.” Vollrath sighed heavily, the weight of the situation visibly pressing down on him, his shoulders beginning to slump. “And now Balor as well. Someone deliberately tipped him off about Jonathan’s actions. Did they do it naively, perhaps thinking that Balor’s loyalty to Jonathan would somehow shield him from the consequences? I was genuinely shocked at Balor’s response, his unexpected… resignation.”

“I probably was the only one who wasn’t entirely surprised by Balor’s reaction,” Elmar confessed, his statement earning him inquisitive looks from the other two. “I don’t share the same history and inherent distrust that you two have with Balor. Furthermore, I observed his genuine concern and profound unhappiness with Mahala’s recent… instability. Regardless of your past interactions, he was clearly looking out for her well-being, and looking out for those weaker or more vulnerable has always been a defining characteristic of your brother, Vollrath.” Elmar was relieved when Vollrath offered a slow nod of agreement, choosing not to challenge his assessment. They already had a potentially significant internal crisis brewing; the last thing they needed was to exacerbate the situation with unnecessary internal conflict.

“El’s right,” Baldur conceded, his gaze softening slightly as he considered Elmar’s point, “he does have a tendency to shield those he perceives as weaker, and that often includes women. It's a frustratingly chivalrous streak, but it’s undeniably there.” He tapped a finger against his chin, his brow furrowed in thought. “Maybe someone on the Council, perhaps someone who was uncertain about which way the disciplinary vote was leaning, discreetly informed Balor of Jonathan’s duplicity. Balor’s unusual appearance might not have been an attempt to undermine your authority, Vol, but rather a strategic move orchestrated by someone who actually supported your proposed punishment.”

Baldur paused, pacing slowly as he voiced his evolving theory. “Think about it. He didn’t even directly challenge your pronouncements, Vol, his only real demand was to meet Mahala, a request that, according to established Council protocol, you were obligated to grant. It wasn't until after everyone else had departed the chamber that he raised any substantive objections, and even then, his immediate target wasn’t you, but rather Elmar and myself, because of our deliberate omission of information.” He offered a small, almost apologetic shrug, a slight upward curve touching one corner of his mouth.

“So,” Vol began, a thoughtful expression replacing his earlier frustration, “whoever tipped him off might have inadvertently done us a favor. While Jonathan might not have a high-ranking conspirator actively working to destabilize the coven, I think we can all agree that his behavior was undeniably suspicious. He outright lied to the three of us, and it defies logic to think he believed that one, if not all, of us wouldn’t eventually uncover his fabrications. Even if Mahala wasn't…”

Vol’s words trailed off abruptly as the distinct, synchronized chime of their phones sliced through the air. A collective groan seemed to ripple through the room as all three warlocks instinctively reached for their phones. Vol’s eyes scanned the brief message displayed on his screen, his breath hitching in his throat. “Fuck!” The expletive escaped as a low, guttural sigh, his eyelids squeezing shut as his head gave a slow, disbelieving shake. There was simply no scenario in which a summons from his brother, urging him to immediately scry the notoriously private Codona mansion, could be interpreted as anything remotely positive.

“I’m going to venture a guess that we all received the same cryptic missive?” Baldur inquired, his gaze sweeping between Vol and Elmar, his usual sardonic amusement noticeably absent. “How often does anyone request a scrying of a specific location, especially the Codona estate, rather than simply traveling there directly? The very nature of this request sends a shiver of unease down my spine. My instinct screams that we should proceed with extreme caution. I propose we go in armed, and I’m not just talking about our inherent magical abilities. If this turns out to be nothing more than a trivial discovery, then no harm done, but if there’s something more sinister at play, then we’ll be prepared to face it.”

“Agreed,” Elmar affirmed with a decisive nod, his usual calm demeanor edged with a palpable tension. Judging by the grim reactions and worried expressions etched onto the faces of the other two powerful warlocks, none of them harbored even a sliver of optimism regarding the cryptic message. While Elmar possessed a considerable degree of faith in Balor’s capabilities to protect Mahala under normal circumstances, the events of the day had already veered drastically off course, leaving him with a gnawing premonition about just how much further into chaos their carefully ordered world might descend.

reblog banner @cafekitsune

[magical-mistakes-vm]

22

CHAPTER 21

While Mahala and Bala are at the Cadona Mansion, Vollrath, Baldur, and Elmar have a meeting...

Vollrath’s phone chimed, the insistent ping cutting through the relative quiet of the room. He reluctantly pulled the device from his pocket, his thumb swiping across the screen to reveal the message. A weary sigh escaped his lips, a prelude to the eye-roll that inevitably followed. Typical Balor. At least the infuriating mage was in good spirits, if the breezy tone of the text was anything to go by.

Elmar, ever observant, noticed Vollrath's reaction. His dark eyebrow arched in silent inquiry, a hint of amusement playing on his lips. He’d learned over time to gauge Vollrath’s moods based on the smallest of cues, and the combination of the sigh and the upward gaze spoke volumes. “Dare I ask?” Elmar ventured, his voice carefully neutral, unsure of what fresh absurdity Balor had managed to conjure.

Vollrath’s expression was a mixture of exasperation and disbelief. He shook his head slowly as he recounted the contents of the message. “My brother,” he began, his voice laced with a dry sarcasm, “has inquired if we can… keep,” he paused for emphasis, his fingers making air quotes, “the cute, inquisitive, little imp.” He snorted softly. “Apparently, he ‘likes her’ and finds her ‘fun.’” Vollrath’s head gave another, more vigorous shake as his thumbs flew across the screen, composing a reply. “He further elaborated that he doesn’t think that she will ‘eat much’ or ‘take up much room’ in my mansion.” Despite his internal turmoil, he was treading carefully in his response to Balor. Pragmatism dictated politeness for the time being. They needed Balor’s particular brand of chaotic magic, and more importantly, Balor was the one currently ensuring Mahala’s safety, a fact that Vollrath couldn't afford to jeopardize.

"Isn't that a good thing?" Baldur inquired, his gaze shifting between Elmar and Vollrath, a furrow in his brow suggesting a genuine attempt to grasp the underlying tension. Was he failing to perceive a crucial nuance in their exchange? Or was Vollrath merely succumbing to his often-present irritability?

"Of course, in principle, it is a positive development. I just…" Vollrath paused, his eyelids fluttering shut as he drew a deliberate breath through his nostrils, seeking a moment of composure. "It's Balor, you see. He, too, is a Nachtnebel. Which unfortunately means the ancient prophecy we’ve been dissecting could just as readily apply to him." His jaw tightened, a visible manifestation of the internal struggle he endured to voice this unwelcome possibility. It was a thought he had been actively suppressing ever since Balor's unexpected appearance in the conference room – an arrival made all the more unsettling by Balor's apparent prior knowledge of a highly confidential Council meeting for which he held a seat yet had not been formally informed. The manner in which Balor had simply walked in, exuding an air of effortless belonging, had planted a seed of unease that Vollrath had been desperately trying to ignore.

"For fuck's sake, Vol," Elmar interjected, his tone a low growl laced with exasperation. "Balor is undeniably an ass, a monumental one at that, but even he wouldn't stoop to overtly trying to usurp your position in such a blatant manner. He would have made his move long before now if that were his intention, especially during the numerous instances when you were absent from these chambers, wouldn't he?"

"That's not what he's saying," Baldur stated, his voice calm yet carrying a note of intrigue that immediately snagged Elmar's attention. Elmar’s thick brows furrowed, crinkling the skin above his intense gaze as he turned fully to face Baldur. The air in the room, thick with unspoken tensions from the day's earlier events, seemed to crackle with this new line of thought. "It's always been assumed, hasn't it? Ever since Vollrath took control of the Coven, everyone just automatically accepted that he was the Lion, the prophesied protector." Baldur paused, letting his words sink in, his eyes flicking between Elmar and the silent, brooding figure of Vollrath. "But what if we’ve all been wrong? What if it was Balor all along? He is the elder brother, after all. Doesn’t that carry some weight?"

Vollrath, who had been staring intently at the intricate patterns in the ancient wooden table, finally lifted his gaze as Baldur finished speaking. A slow nod, almost imperceptible at first, confirmed he had been listening. Inside, however, a knot of unease was tightening in his stomach. The implications of their speculation were unsettling, stirring emotions he preferred to keep buried.

Elmar leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, a shrewd glint in his eyes. "If that were the case," he began, his voice laced with a confident skepticism, "I think we would have seen things go very differently today. Certain… reactions would have been absent." He paused for emphasis, his gaze locking onto Vollrath. "Icebergs don't simply melt without significant heat, Vol. If she truly meant nothing to you, then do you honestly believe that your perpetually frosty exterior would have thawed even a fraction? When have you ever felt a flicker of jealousy over a woman? Just name one single instance. And yet… today… well, today was certainly… interesting." A bit of a cocky smirk played on Elmar's lips as he continued, his confidence growing. He’d known both of the formidable warlock brothers since they were unruly children, witnessing firsthand Vollrath's characteristic indifference towards romantic entanglements. "Now, after all that transpired, you’re trying to tell us she's destined for Balor again? It doesn't quite add up, does it?"

Baldur chuckled softly, adding his own observation to the unfolding theory. "He has a point, big guy," he agreed, nodding towards Elmar. "And not to mention the rather significant fact that if your charming big brother was indeed supposed to be her destined partner, I think Elmar and I, your ever-present shadows, would have noticed at least a spark of something when he met her for the very first time. Instead, his reaction was… well, Balor being Balor. Polite, detached, almost clinical."

Vollrath finally broke his silence, a low, guttural grumble escaping his lips. "This is precisely why I don't do relationships," he stated flatly, the words laced with a deep-seated annoyance. He hated the uncomfortable, introspective nature of this conversation, the way it forced him to acknowledge feelings he’d spent decades suppressing. The entire situation was infuriating.

"I mean, if you genuinely hate it so bad…" Baldur began again, a mischievous glint returning to his eyes. Whatever teasing remark he had been about to utter died abruptly on his lips. The look Vollrath was now directing his way was not merely annoyed; it was downright murderous. Baldur swallowed hard. As the Master Warlock of their Coven, Vollrath possessed the terrifying ability to kill with a mere thought, without so much as a touch. Some lines, Baldur wisely concluded, were definitely better left uncrossed. The heavy silence that descended upon the room was more telling than any words could have been.

“I would strongly advise against completing that particular sentence,” Elmar interjected, a suppressed chuckle bubbling beneath his earnest tone. He cast a pointed glance at the other man. “And Vol,” he continued, his voice firm yet laced with concern, “reign it in. He was merely teasing you, a bit roughly perhaps, but ultimately in jest. You absolutely MUST develop a thicker skin if you intend to prevent your… shall we say, volatile emotions from turning her delicate mind into an unsavory pudding at some unforeseen moment.” His dark eyebrows arched dramatically as he inclined his head towards Vollrath, a silent plea in his expressive eyes. “I am acutely aware that there is likely some form of utterly bizarre and potentially sanity-shattering chaos currently unfolding within the labyrinth of your brain,” Elmar elaborated, his gaze unwavering, “but you must, for your own sake and hers, gain some semblance of control over this internal maelstrom. She has made her affections abundantly clear, displaying a singular focus of attention solely upon you. Balor is not going to interfere; you can be certain of that. Even if, hypothetically speaking, he were to somehow embody the legendary Lion itself, he would not dare to act against you in secret or otherwise. You possess a deep understanding of his character and his respect for protocol, a knowledge that runs as deep as our shared history.” Elmar’s attention shifted between his two companions, his lips pressing into a thin line of growing frustration at the palpable tension that hung heavy in the air.

“I know, I know,” Vollrath conceded, expelling a long, ragged breath that seemed to carry a sliver of his inner turmoil with it. He consciously reined in the tempest of his emotions, his gaze fixed on the worn surface of the table before him. An overwhelming confluence of pressing concerns was swirling around him, each demanding immediate attention and making it an agonizing struggle to focus on any single issue for more than a fleeting moment. The woman who had, much to his chagrin, burrowed her way into the deepest recesses of his heart, now found herself under the care – or perhaps, control – of his own brother, a man with whom his relationship was, to put it mildly, strained even on the most auspicious of days. Furthermore, a subtle but persistent unease had taken root within the Coven, a creeping suspicion that someone within their ranks was actively working against them, sowing discord and undermining their efforts. A nagging intuition whispered that the true scope of their predicament was far greater and more complex than any of them currently comprehended. The weight of these uncertainties pressed down on him, leaving him with a profound sense of disquiet and a gnawing lack of security.

Baldur, ever the pragmatist, cleared his throat, drawing the attention back to the matter at hand. “Then let us endeavor to refocus our collective energies on the critical matters that require our immediate consideration,” he stated, his voice calm and measured, a stark contrast to the underlying tension in the room. “This will allow us to conclude our discussion at a reasonably decent hour, affording us the opportunity to obtain some much-needed rest before the inevitable demands of the tomorrow. We must not forget that we have a uniquely powerful novice witch under our charge, for whose magical development and well-being we will all bear a shared responsibility. Additionally, there is the potential task of thoroughly investigating the aforementioned mansion, the necessity of which hinges upon the discoveries made tonight by her and Balor.” Baldur’s keen gaze moved steadily between his two friends, carefully weighing their limited options and considering the most logical starting point for their deliberations. “We have a finite amount of time and a considerable amount of ground to cover. It is imperative that we proceed efficiently and decisively, addressing each issue methodically so that we are adequately prepared to confront whatever challenges lie ahead.”

“Let’s start with who we think the weak link is besides Jonathan,” Elmar began, his gaze sweeping between Vollrath and Baldur. “Obviously, it’s ballsy enough to go into Vollrath’s office and think he can go through his desk, but he had to figure he had some kind of backup to do that. I wouldn’t even do that, and I consider myself his friend. What would possess a lesser warlock to attempt such a brazen act? If it hadn’t been Mahala that interrupted him, but one of us, he had to have formulated some kind of plan on what he’d say or do. I seriously doubt attacking us was his intended course of action. That seems too…unintelligent, even for Jonathan in a panicked state.”

“Agreed,” Vollrath affirmed, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “Attacking me directly would have been disastrous for him, potentially fatal. So, the question remains: who would he have ready to vouch for him and provide cover? It would have to be someone higher up in the Coven, someone in good standing, capable of concocting a convincing story that would withstand scrutiny. The risk of exposure for both of them would be immense otherwise.” Vollrath paused, his brow furrowed in concentration as he tried to mentally sift through the ranks of the Coven.

“Do you have him assigned to any other projects currently, or perhaps collaborating with anyone on other tasks?” Baldur interjected, his voice laced with the same frustration that was evident on the other two men’s faces. “Maybe that was the excuse he intended to use as a cover – claiming he was looking for something related to that collaborative effort.” Baldur shrugged, the gesture conveying his own lack of certainty regarding Jonathan’s motivations. The sheer audacity of rifling through Vollrath’s personal belongings was still difficult for him to fully comprehend.

“He’s been lending a hand to a couple of individuals with smaller, relatively insignificant projects, nothing that would warrant such behavior,” Vollrath replied, his tone reflecting his own bewilderment. “However, I’m not going to entirely dismiss the possibility that he intended to use that as a flimsy excuse if confronted. The individuals he’s assisting might be completely unaware of his true intentions, which means we’re going to have to be exceedingly careful in how we proceed with our investigation. The last thing we want to do is inadvertently spook anyone who might be actively working to undermine the three of us. We need to gather information discreetly and ascertain the extent of this potential treachery without alerting the conspirators.” Vollrath sighed heavily, the weight of the situation visibly pressing down on him, his shoulders beginning to slump. “And now Balor as well. Someone deliberately tipped him off about Jonathan’s actions. Did they do it naively, perhaps thinking that Balor’s loyalty to Jonathan would somehow shield him from the consequences? I was genuinely shocked at Balor’s response, his unexpected… resignation.”

“I probably was the only one who wasn’t entirely surprised by Balor’s reaction,” Elmar confessed, his statement earning him inquisitive looks from the other two. “I don’t share the same history and inherent distrust that you two have with Balor. Furthermore, I observed his genuine concern and profound unhappiness with Mahala’s recent… instability. Regardless of your past interactions, he was clearly looking out for her well-being, and looking out for those weaker or more vulnerable has always been a defining characteristic of your brother, Vollrath.” Elmar was relieved when Vollrath offered a slow nod of agreement, choosing not to challenge his assessment. They already had a potentially significant internal crisis brewing; the last thing they needed was to exacerbate the situation with unnecessary internal conflict.

“El’s right,” Baldur conceded, his gaze softening slightly as he considered Elmar’s point, “he does have a tendency to shield those he perceives as weaker, and that often includes women. It's a frustratingly chivalrous streak, but it’s undeniably there.” He tapped a finger against his chin, his brow furrowed in thought. “Maybe someone on the Council, perhaps someone who was uncertain about which way the disciplinary vote was leaning, discreetly informed Balor of Jonathan’s duplicity. Balor’s unusual appearance might not have been an attempt to undermine your authority, Vol, but rather a strategic move orchestrated by someone who actually supported your proposed punishment.”

Baldur paused, pacing slowly as he voiced his evolving theory. “Think about it. He didn’t even directly challenge your pronouncements, Vol, his only real demand was to meet Mahala, a request that, according to established Council protocol, you were obligated to grant. It wasn't until after everyone else had departed the chamber that he raised any substantive objections, and even then, his immediate target wasn’t you, but rather Elmar and myself, because of our deliberate omission of information.” He offered a small, almost apologetic shrug, a slight upward curve touching one corner of his mouth.

“So,” Vol began, a thoughtful expression replacing his earlier frustration, “whoever tipped him off might have inadvertently done us a favor. While Jonathan might not have a high-ranking conspirator actively working to destabilize the coven, I think we can all agree that his behavior was undeniably suspicious. He outright lied to the three of us, and it defies logic to think he believed that one, if not all, of us wouldn’t eventually uncover his fabrications. Even if Mahala wasn't…”

Vol’s words trailed off abruptly as the distinct, synchronized chime of their phones sliced through the air. A collective groan seemed to ripple through the room as all three warlocks instinctively reached for their phones. Vol’s eyes scanned the brief message displayed on his screen, his breath hitching in his throat. “Fuck!” The expletive escaped as a low, guttural sigh, his eyelids squeezing shut as his head gave a slow, disbelieving shake. There was simply no scenario in which a summons from his brother, urging him to immediately scry the notoriously private Codona mansion, could be interpreted as anything remotely positive.

“I’m going to venture a guess that we all received the same cryptic missive?” Baldur inquired, his gaze sweeping between Vol and Elmar, his usual sardonic amusement noticeably absent. “How often does anyone request a scrying of a specific location, especially the Codona estate, rather than simply traveling there directly? The very nature of this request sends a shiver of unease down my spine. My instinct screams that we should proceed with extreme caution. I propose we go in armed, and I’m not just talking about our inherent magical abilities. If this turns out to be nothing more than a trivial discovery, then no harm done, but if there’s something more sinister at play, then we’ll be prepared to face it.”

“Agreed,” Elmar affirmed with a decisive nod, his usual calm demeanor edged with a palpable tension. Judging by the grim reactions and worried expressions etched onto the faces of the other two powerful warlocks, none of them harbored even a sliver of optimism regarding the cryptic message. While Elmar possessed a considerable degree of faith in Balor’s capabilities to protect Mahala under normal circumstances, the events of the day had already veered drastically off course, leaving him with a gnawing premonition about just how much further into chaos their carefully ordered world might descend.

reblog banner @cafekitsune

[gothiccharmschool]

Today's advice from your Goth Auntie

Unclench your jaw, drink some water, take your meds.

No one does something perfectly when they’re starting out. Stop expecting perfection.

The Cursed Object has declared today to be “no”. I’m not sure what that means, but I think I agree.

❤️ Auntie Jilli

[cljordan-imperium]

There I was, ready to upload the next chapter of @magical-mistakes-vm, and I find myself locked out of my account. Now the fun thing is that I use dual factor authentication, so I know I'm not hacked. SO...after a lot of fun w/support...and a migraine later...I'm back in. I swear, if it's not my health, it's the darn site that hates me. ANYWAY!! HERE I AM!! And the chapter will go up later today. PROMISE!!!

@saltysupercomputer @toribookworm22 @mama-ivy @jadeglas

@abalonetea @ashirisu @crowandmoonwriting @dreaming-goblin

@watermeezer @pheita @writingmaidenwarrior @whatwedointhecraft

@peakyswritings @jconstantines

[pheita]

I feel you. Tumblr had been kicking me out of the side twice in the last month for no reason. It is so annoying.

[cljordan-imperium]

I wonder if maybe that's it. I am always logged in on my phone and then log in on either my work lappy or personal one. Maybe it tried kicking me out on one and being logged in on the other made it lock the account. Tech fun! NOT!!

[pheita]

Yeah tech is no fun. I just realized my TV is slowly dieing and when I wanted to sell some stuff to get a new one my phone provider comes in with "Oh surprise, you want to renew your mobile phone contract? Well, that makes 60 Euro now"

Fuck capitalism.

[cljordan-imperium]

Yeah, it seems every time that you try to get ahead, something kicks you backwards. I feel you.

[abalonetea]

It’s your turn to scare me.

Today’s for the prompt-giving lovers and the chaos gremlins. Drop a two-sentence horror story prompt in the comments—strange, specific, or downright cursed—and I might turn it into a story next month.

[cljordan-imperium]

It wasn't a club leaning up against the wall in the room that she had just walked into, it was a femur. What had her mother been up to?

[magical-mistakes-vm]

22

CHAPTER 21

While Mahala and Bala are at the Cadona Mansion, Vollrath, Baldur, and Elmar have a meeting...

Vollrath’s phone chimed, the insistent ping cutting through the relative quiet of the room. He reluctantly pulled the device from his pocket, his thumb swiping across the screen to reveal the message. A weary sigh escaped his lips, a prelude to the eye-roll that inevitably followed. Typical Balor. At least the infuriating mage was in good spirits, if the breezy tone of the text was anything to go by.

Elmar, ever observant, noticed Vollrath's reaction. His dark eyebrow arched in silent inquiry, a hint of amusement playing on his lips. He’d learned over time to gauge Vollrath’s moods based on the smallest of cues, and the combination of the sigh and the upward gaze spoke volumes. “Dare I ask?” Elmar ventured, his voice carefully neutral, unsure of what fresh absurdity Balor had managed to conjure.

Vollrath’s expression was a mixture of exasperation and disbelief. He shook his head slowly as he recounted the contents of the message. “My brother,” he began, his voice laced with a dry sarcasm, “has inquired if we can… keep,” he paused for emphasis, his fingers making air quotes, “the cute, inquisitive, little imp.” He snorted softly. “Apparently, he ‘likes her’ and finds her ‘fun.’” Vollrath’s head gave another, more vigorous shake as his thumbs flew across the screen, composing a reply. “He further elaborated that he doesn’t think that she will ‘eat much’ or ‘take up much room’ in my mansion.” Despite his internal turmoil, he was treading carefully in his response to Balor. Pragmatism dictated politeness for the time being. They needed Balor’s particular brand of chaotic magic, and more importantly, Balor was the one currently ensuring Mahala’s safety, a fact that Vollrath couldn't afford to jeopardize.

"Isn't that a good thing?" Baldur inquired, his gaze shifting between Elmar and Vollrath, a furrow in his brow suggesting a genuine attempt to grasp the underlying tension. Was he failing to perceive a crucial nuance in their exchange? Or was Vollrath merely succumbing to his often-present irritability?

"Of course, in principle, it is a positive development. I just…" Vollrath paused, his eyelids fluttering shut as he drew a deliberate breath through his nostrils, seeking a moment of composure. "It's Balor, you see. He, too, is a Nachtnebel. Which unfortunately means the ancient prophecy we’ve been dissecting could just as readily apply to him." His jaw tightened, a visible manifestation of the internal struggle he endured to voice this unwelcome possibility. It was a thought he had been actively suppressing ever since Balor's unexpected appearance in the conference room – an arrival made all the more unsettling by Balor's apparent prior knowledge of a highly confidential Council meeting for which he held a seat yet had not been formally informed. The manner in which Balor had simply walked in, exuding an air of effortless belonging, had planted a seed of unease that Vollrath had been desperately trying to ignore.

"For fuck's sake, Vol," Elmar interjected, his tone a low growl laced with exasperation. "Balor is undeniably an ass, a monumental one at that, but even he wouldn't stoop to overtly trying to usurp your position in such a blatant manner. He would have made his move long before now if that were his intention, especially during the numerous instances when you were absent from these chambers, wouldn't he?"

"That's not what he's saying," Baldur stated, his voice calm yet carrying a note of intrigue that immediately snagged Elmar's attention. Elmar’s thick brows furrowed, crinkling the skin above his intense gaze as he turned fully to face Baldur. The air in the room, thick with unspoken tensions from the day's earlier events, seemed to crackle with this new line of thought. "It's always been assumed, hasn't it? Ever since Vollrath took control of the Coven, everyone just automatically accepted that he was the Lion, the prophesied protector." Baldur paused, letting his words sink in, his eyes flicking between Elmar and the silent, brooding figure of Vollrath. "But what if we’ve all been wrong? What if it was Balor all along? He is the elder brother, after all. Doesn’t that carry some weight?"

Vollrath, who had been staring intently at the intricate patterns in the ancient wooden table, finally lifted his gaze as Baldur finished speaking. A slow nod, almost imperceptible at first, confirmed he had been listening. Inside, however, a knot of unease was tightening in his stomach. The implications of their speculation were unsettling, stirring emotions he preferred to keep buried.

Elmar leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, a shrewd glint in his eyes. "If that were the case," he began, his voice laced with a confident skepticism, "I think we would have seen things go very differently today. Certain… reactions would have been absent." He paused for emphasis, his gaze locking onto Vollrath. "Icebergs don't simply melt without significant heat, Vol. If she truly meant nothing to you, then do you honestly believe that your perpetually frosty exterior would have thawed even a fraction? When have you ever felt a flicker of jealousy over a woman? Just name one single instance. And yet… today… well, today was certainly… interesting." A bit of a cocky smirk played on Elmar's lips as he continued, his confidence growing. He’d known both of the formidable warlock brothers since they were unruly children, witnessing firsthand Vollrath's characteristic indifference towards romantic entanglements. "Now, after all that transpired, you’re trying to tell us she's destined for Balor again? It doesn't quite add up, does it?"

Baldur chuckled softly, adding his own observation to the unfolding theory. "He has a point, big guy," he agreed, nodding towards Elmar. "And not to mention the rather significant fact that if your charming big brother was indeed supposed to be her destined partner, I think Elmar and I, your ever-present shadows, would have noticed at least a spark of something when he met her for the very first time. Instead, his reaction was… well, Balor being Balor. Polite, detached, almost clinical."

Vollrath finally broke his silence, a low, guttural grumble escaping his lips. "This is precisely why I don't do relationships," he stated flatly, the words laced with a deep-seated annoyance. He hated the uncomfortable, introspective nature of this conversation, the way it forced him to acknowledge feelings he’d spent decades suppressing. The entire situation was infuriating.

"I mean, if you genuinely hate it so bad…" Baldur began again, a mischievous glint returning to his eyes. Whatever teasing remark he had been about to utter died abruptly on his lips. The look Vollrath was now directing his way was not merely annoyed; it was downright murderous. Baldur swallowed hard. As the Master Warlock of their Coven, Vollrath possessed the terrifying ability to kill with a mere thought, without so much as a touch. Some lines, Baldur wisely concluded, were definitely better left uncrossed. The heavy silence that descended upon the room was more telling than any words could have been.

“I would strongly advise against completing that particular sentence,” Elmar interjected, a suppressed chuckle bubbling beneath his earnest tone. He cast a pointed glance at the other man. “And Vol,” he continued, his voice firm yet laced with concern, “reign it in. He was merely teasing you, a bit roughly perhaps, but ultimately in jest. You absolutely MUST develop a thicker skin if you intend to prevent your… shall we say, volatile emotions from turning her delicate mind into an unsavory pudding at some unforeseen moment.” His dark eyebrows arched dramatically as he inclined his head towards Vollrath, a silent plea in his expressive eyes. “I am acutely aware that there is likely some form of utterly bizarre and potentially sanity-shattering chaos currently unfolding within the labyrinth of your brain,” Elmar elaborated, his gaze unwavering, “but you must, for your own sake and hers, gain some semblance of control over this internal maelstrom. She has made her affections abundantly clear, displaying a singular focus of attention solely upon you. Balor is not going to interfere; you can be certain of that. Even if, hypothetically speaking, he were to somehow embody the legendary Lion itself, he would not dare to act against you in secret or otherwise. You possess a deep understanding of his character and his respect for protocol, a knowledge that runs as deep as our shared history.” Elmar’s attention shifted between his two companions, his lips pressing into a thin line of growing frustration at the palpable tension that hung heavy in the air.

“I know, I know,” Vollrath conceded, expelling a long, ragged breath that seemed to carry a sliver of his inner turmoil with it. He consciously reined in the tempest of his emotions, his gaze fixed on the worn surface of the table before him. An overwhelming confluence of pressing concerns was swirling around him, each demanding immediate attention and making it an agonizing struggle to focus on any single issue for more than a fleeting moment. The woman who had, much to his chagrin, burrowed her way into the deepest recesses of his heart, now found herself under the care – or perhaps, control – of his own brother, a man with whom his relationship was, to put it mildly, strained even on the most auspicious of days. Furthermore, a subtle but persistent unease had taken root within the Coven, a creeping suspicion that someone within their ranks was actively working against them, sowing discord and undermining their efforts. A nagging intuition whispered that the true scope of their predicament was far greater and more complex than any of them currently comprehended. The weight of these uncertainties pressed down on him, leaving him with a profound sense of disquiet and a gnawing lack of security.

Baldur, ever the pragmatist, cleared his throat, drawing the attention back to the matter at hand. “Then let us endeavor to refocus our collective energies on the critical matters that require our immediate consideration,” he stated, his voice calm and measured, a stark contrast to the underlying tension in the room. “This will allow us to conclude our discussion at a reasonably decent hour, affording us the opportunity to obtain some much-needed rest before the inevitable demands of the tomorrow. We must not forget that we have a uniquely powerful novice witch under our charge, for whose magical development and well-being we will all bear a shared responsibility. Additionally, there is the potential task of thoroughly investigating the aforementioned mansion, the necessity of which hinges upon the discoveries made tonight by her and Balor.” Baldur’s keen gaze moved steadily between his two friends, carefully weighing their limited options and considering the most logical starting point for their deliberations. “We have a finite amount of time and a considerable amount of ground to cover. It is imperative that we proceed efficiently and decisively, addressing each issue methodically so that we are adequately prepared to confront whatever challenges lie ahead.”

“Let’s start with who we think the weak link is besides Jonathan,” Elmar began, his gaze sweeping between Vollrath and Baldur. “Obviously, it’s ballsy enough to go into Vollrath’s office and think he can go through his desk, but he had to figure he had some kind of backup to do that. I wouldn’t even do that, and I consider myself his friend. What would possess a lesser warlock to attempt such a brazen act? If it hadn’t been Mahala that interrupted him, but one of us, he had to have formulated some kind of plan on what he’d say or do. I seriously doubt attacking us was his intended course of action. That seems too…unintelligent, even for Jonathan in a panicked state.”

“Agreed,” Vollrath affirmed, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “Attacking me directly would have been disastrous for him, potentially fatal. So, the question remains: who would he have ready to vouch for him and provide cover? It would have to be someone higher up in the Coven, someone in good standing, capable of concocting a convincing story that would withstand scrutiny. The risk of exposure for both of them would be immense otherwise.” Vollrath paused, his brow furrowed in concentration as he tried to mentally sift through the ranks of the Coven.

“Do you have him assigned to any other projects currently, or perhaps collaborating with anyone on other tasks?” Baldur interjected, his voice laced with the same frustration that was evident on the other two men’s faces. “Maybe that was the excuse he intended to use as a cover – claiming he was looking for something related to that collaborative effort.” Baldur shrugged, the gesture conveying his own lack of certainty regarding Jonathan’s motivations. The sheer audacity of rifling through Vollrath’s personal belongings was still difficult for him to fully comprehend.

“He’s been lending a hand to a couple of individuals with smaller, relatively insignificant projects, nothing that would warrant such behavior,” Vollrath replied, his tone reflecting his own bewilderment. “However, I’m not going to entirely dismiss the possibility that he intended to use that as a flimsy excuse if confronted. The individuals he’s assisting might be completely unaware of his true intentions, which means we’re going to have to be exceedingly careful in how we proceed with our investigation. The last thing we want to do is inadvertently spook anyone who might be actively working to undermine the three of us. We need to gather information discreetly and ascertain the extent of this potential treachery without alerting the conspirators.” Vollrath sighed heavily, the weight of the situation visibly pressing down on him, his shoulders beginning to slump. “And now Balor as well. Someone deliberately tipped him off about Jonathan’s actions. Did they do it naively, perhaps thinking that Balor’s loyalty to Jonathan would somehow shield him from the consequences? I was genuinely shocked at Balor’s response, his unexpected… resignation.”

“I probably was the only one who wasn’t entirely surprised by Balor’s reaction,” Elmar confessed, his statement earning him inquisitive looks from the other two. “I don’t share the same history and inherent distrust that you two have with Balor. Furthermore, I observed his genuine concern and profound unhappiness with Mahala’s recent… instability. Regardless of your past interactions, he was clearly looking out for her well-being, and looking out for those weaker or more vulnerable has always been a defining characteristic of your brother, Vollrath.” Elmar was relieved when Vollrath offered a slow nod of agreement, choosing not to challenge his assessment. They already had a potentially significant internal crisis brewing; the last thing they needed was to exacerbate the situation with unnecessary internal conflict.

“El’s right,” Baldur conceded, his gaze softening slightly as he considered Elmar’s point, “he does have a tendency to shield those he perceives as weaker, and that often includes women. It's a frustratingly chivalrous streak, but it’s undeniably there.” He tapped a finger against his chin, his brow furrowed in thought. “Maybe someone on the Council, perhaps someone who was uncertain about which way the disciplinary vote was leaning, discreetly informed Balor of Jonathan’s duplicity. Balor’s unusual appearance might not have been an attempt to undermine your authority, Vol, but rather a strategic move orchestrated by someone who actually supported your proposed punishment.”

Baldur paused, pacing slowly as he voiced his evolving theory. “Think about it. He didn’t even directly challenge your pronouncements, Vol, his only real demand was to meet Mahala, a request that, according to established Council protocol, you were obligated to grant. It wasn't until after everyone else had departed the chamber that he raised any substantive objections, and even then, his immediate target wasn’t you, but rather Elmar and myself, because of our deliberate omission of information.” He offered a small, almost apologetic shrug, a slight upward curve touching one corner of his mouth.

“So,” Vol began, a thoughtful expression replacing his earlier frustration, “whoever tipped him off might have inadvertently done us a favor. While Jonathan might not have a high-ranking conspirator actively working to destabilize the coven, I think we can all agree that his behavior was undeniably suspicious. He outright lied to the three of us, and it defies logic to think he believed that one, if not all, of us wouldn’t eventually uncover his fabrications. Even if Mahala wasn't…”

Vol’s words trailed off abruptly as the distinct, synchronized chime of their phones sliced through the air. A collective groan seemed to ripple through the room as all three warlocks instinctively reached for their phones. Vol’s eyes scanned the brief message displayed on his screen, his breath hitching in his throat. “Fuck!” The expletive escaped as a low, guttural sigh, his eyelids squeezing shut as his head gave a slow, disbelieving shake. There was simply no scenario in which a summons from his brother, urging him to immediately scry the notoriously private Codona mansion, could be interpreted as anything remotely positive.

“I’m going to venture a guess that we all received the same cryptic missive?” Baldur inquired, his gaze sweeping between Vol and Elmar, his usual sardonic amusement noticeably absent. “How often does anyone request a scrying of a specific location, especially the Codona estate, rather than simply traveling there directly? The very nature of this request sends a shiver of unease down my spine. My instinct screams that we should proceed with extreme caution. I propose we go in armed, and I’m not just talking about our inherent magical abilities. If this turns out to be nothing more than a trivial discovery, then no harm done, but if there’s something more sinister at play, then we’ll be prepared to face it.”

“Agreed,” Elmar affirmed with a decisive nod, his usual calm demeanor edged with a palpable tension. Judging by the grim reactions and worried expressions etched onto the faces of the other two powerful warlocks, none of them harbored even a sliver of optimism regarding the cryptic message. While Elmar possessed a considerable degree of faith in Balor’s capabilities to protect Mahala under normal circumstances, the events of the day had already veered drastically off course, leaving him with a gnawing premonition about just how much further into chaos their carefully ordered world might descend.

reblog banner @cafekitsune

[cljordan-imperium]

Sorry for the delay in getting this out!!

@saltysupercomputer @toribookworm22 @mama-ivy @jadeglas

@abalonetea @ashirisu @crowandmoonwriting @dreaming-goblin

@watermeezer @pheita @writingmaidenwarrior @whatwedointhecraft

@peakyswritings @jconstantines

Please comment if you would like added to the list.

[cljordan-imperium]

There I was, ready to upload the next chapter of @magical-mistakes-vm, and I find myself locked out of my account. Now the fun thing is that I use dual factor authentication, so I know I'm not hacked. SO...after a lot of fun w/support...and a migraine later...I'm back in. I swear, if it's not my health, it's the darn site that hates me. ANYWAY!! HERE I AM!! And the chapter will go up later today. PROMISE!!!

@saltysupercomputer @toribookworm22 @mama-ivy @jadeglas

@abalonetea @ashirisu @crowandmoonwriting @dreaming-goblin

@watermeezer @pheita @writingmaidenwarrior @whatwedointhecraft

@peakyswritings @jconstantines

[saltysupercomputer]

Hooray! Glad that your account is working again! Super looking forward to the next chapter!

[cljordan-imperium]

Getting ready to download the pics for the collage now. Should be up in the next hour or two. Hopefully will have another chapter for someone else too. Need to get rid of this writer's block it gave me. *kicks Tumbler*

[cljordan-imperium]

There I was, ready to upload the next chapter of @magical-mistakes-vm, and I find myself locked out of my account. Now the fun thing is that I use dual factor authentication, so I know I'm not hacked. SO...after a lot of fun w/support...and a migraine later...I'm back in. I swear, if it's not my health, it's the darn site that hates me. ANYWAY!! HERE I AM!! And the chapter will go up later today. PROMISE!!!

@saltysupercomputer @toribookworm22 @mama-ivy @jadeglas

@abalonetea @ashirisu @crowandmoonwriting @dreaming-goblin

@watermeezer @pheita @writingmaidenwarrior @whatwedointhecraft

@peakyswritings @jconstantines

[pheita]

I feel you. Tumblr had been kicking me out of the side twice in the last month for no reason. It is so annoying.

[cljordan-imperium]

I wonder if maybe that's it. I am always logged in on my phone and then log in on either my work lappy or personal one. Maybe it tried kicking me out on one and being logged in on the other made it lock the account. Tech fun! NOT!!

[cljordan-imperium]

There I was, ready to upload the next chapter of @magical-mistakes-vm, and I find myself locked out of my account. Now the fun thing is that I use dual factor authentication, so I know I'm not hacked. SO...after a lot of fun w/support...and a migraine later...I'm back in. I swear, if it's not my health, it's the darn site that hates me. ANYWAY!! HERE I AM!! And the chapter will go up later today. PROMISE!!!

@saltysupercomputer @toribookworm22 @mama-ivy @jadeglas

@abalonetea @ashirisu @crowandmoonwriting @dreaming-goblin

@watermeezer @pheita @writingmaidenwarrior @whatwedointhecraft

@peakyswritings @jconstantines

[kitcatling]

Ack, no fun!

Happy to have you back!

[cljordan-imperium]

Glad to be back. I've never had this happen before. So frustrating. I hated it. It gave me writer's block too. As if I needed that!

[cljordan-imperium]

There I was, ready to upload the next chapter of @magical-mistakes-vm, and I find myself locked out of my account. Now the fun thing is that I use dual factor authentication, so I know I'm not hacked. SO...after a lot of fun w/support...and a migraine later...I'm back in. I swear, if it's not my health, it's the darn site that hates me. ANYWAY!! HERE I AM!! And the chapter will go up later today. PROMISE!!!

@saltysupercomputer @toribookworm22 @mama-ivy @jadeglas

@abalonetea @ashirisu @crowandmoonwriting @dreaming-goblin

@watermeezer @pheita @writingmaidenwarrior @whatwedointhecraft

@peakyswritings @jconstantines

[dreaming-goblin]

the wonders of technology, huh

[cljordan-imperium]

Yeah! I was so frustrated. Emails and chats were making me beat my head against my desk. I was honestly about to give up and just create a new account...which pissed me off.

[cljordan-imperium]

There I was, ready to upload the next chapter of @magical-mistakes-vm, and I find myself locked out of my account. Now the fun thing is that I use dual factor authentication, so I know I'm not hacked. SO...after a lot of fun w/support...and a migraine later...I'm back in. I swear, if it's not my health, it's the darn site that hates me. ANYWAY!! HERE I AM!! And the chapter will go up later today. PROMISE!!!

@saltysupercomputer @toribookworm22 @mama-ivy @jadeglas

@abalonetea @ashirisu @crowandmoonwriting @dreaming-goblin

@watermeezer @pheita @writingmaidenwarrior @whatwedointhecraft

@peakyswritings @jconstantines

[munamarvel14]

Born to be a book character, forced to be a writer

[cljordan-imperium]

Now that life has slowed down and given me my brain back, I'M BAAAAAAAAACK....

I've put all the writing I was tagged in into my queue. And I'm working on revisions on the next chapter of @magical-mistakes-vm. If anyone sees my spare brain cell running around...trap it and return it please!

@saltysupercomputer @toribookworm22 @mama-ivy @jadeglas

@abalonetea @ashirisu @crowandmoonwriting @dreaming-goblin

@watermeezer @pheita @writingmaidenwarrior @whatwedointhecraft

@peakyswritings @jconstantines

If you would like added to the tag list, just leave a comment asking.

[theimperiumchronicles]

Happy STS! What are your characters' relationships like with their parents or parental figures?

I know it's Wed, but I'm going to answer for @theimperiumchronicles

Sorry I'm late but as of late, life decided I needed more to do and not enough time to do it in. BLEH! *sticks tongue out at life and gives it middle finger* 0/10 review of adulthood - do not recommend

Now...onto the answer for some of my characters

Abriella - didn't meet her mother until The Horseman's Ball (see Cruz). Was kidnapped from her father by a witch sent by her father to raise her in evil, but the witch was too evil. It went...badly. The angel Adriel saw all that was transpiring and was her "guardian angel" for many years. After the Horseman's Ball he revealed himself to her and since then they have a very close and loving relationship.

Cruz - Never knew his father. Had a decent relationship with his mother until she disappeared centuries ago. Then at the Horseman's Ball where she appeared alongside Lucifer, I'll just put this here...I think you can see how that ended...

In the blink of an eye, he was before the gloating couple.  His eyes darkened and the air around them crackled with his still building power. No one moved; some even failed to breathe.It was then that his swords cleanly removed Ariel’s head from the remainder of her body, covering his grandfather and himself in her black, tar-like blood.  Grinning at his grandfather, Cruz’s deep voice boomed throughout the hall, “she did request that the bitch be killed.  I hast done so grandfather.”

So, yeah...badly. He too has taken on Adriel as a step-father and they are close. No one is closer to him than Abriella, however, and never will be.

Deacon - His father is Azrael, the angel of death. They have a close relationship that is close and has become more like friends. They have fought side-by-side for centuries.

Olly - His father is Uriel, the angel of light and wisdom. Like Deacon, his relationship is close and friend-like. They too have fought together for centuries.

Annabella - Her parents were French aristocrats in the 1700s. They were not close and she resented them for sending her to New Orleans to be married to a stranger. She never saw them again after that day, nor did she return to France to attend to their funeral. She allowed them to believe that she was slain on the same day as her family. (story here)

Adriel - While an angel, he does disagree with his father often, but does not outright disobey nor challenge his father.

Stennis/The Source - As the creator of the Universe, he does not have a parent, but is one. To tell you how well he gets along with all of his children - he is currently bound by all of his children, across all Earthly pantheons. Yeah, he's pretty well hated. The ramifications of this are still being dealt with.

[cljordan-imperium]

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