QUEEN SANDRA.

　　As he stared at me, I felt very nervous. I blinked and wondered why he had kept silent.

　　The more silent he became the more curious I got. I shuffled a bit and looked down for a moment, before I mustered it in me to speak at his blank face.

　　“Please, I have come here hoping for a solution to my problems. Whether as a love potion or as a spell, I believed that the only person who could help me is you.” I pleaded

　　He looked thoughtful for a moment and I could see that my words had reached him. He seemed to concede as he looked away and took the last sip of his dark blood drink. “In order to provide the solution there are some things which will be required.

　　“Tell me what you need.” I told him, my eyes wide to the point that I was sure they were sparking. Now my eagerness was at an all time high. I have come this far already, I will do anything to get a solution to my problems.

　　I watch as the old man gives a sigh, placing his now empty cup on the floating table. “You say that you are willing to do anything? Then tell me, will you be able to acquire the blood of his majesty and that…that girl you call Carlisle?”

　　I am stunned by his words. Especially at the mention of blood.

　　Seeing my hesitation he continued “before you make your decision I must tell you that this is the only way, the sole solution to your problems. Only through their blood will I be able to cast the love spell on your majesty.”

　　I thought about it more and more. I didn’t want to ever think of hurting Jake, but it was all for the long run after all. If it was the condition to make him love her, getting hurt wasn't too bad. Besides, it was only going to be a small amount.

　　My decision was made, although it should have been evident from the start what I was going to choose. Looking eye to eye with the wizard I nodded my head in affirmative and spoke “yes. I will do that.”

　　I turned away and rested on the couch. Using the arm of the chair to support my elbow, I laced both my fingers together and brought them at an angle whilst thinking.

　　Getting Carlisle’s blood will be easy. To me she was nothing but an opponent, a barrier on the path to my goal of being with Jake. In essence, she was nothing to me. So I didn’t mind spilling her blood. Even with her elfin powers I knew she couldn’t stop me, after all I had a group of servants by my side that would help me hold her down while I did the deed. Maybe, in the process I would even spill a lot more than was needed. An inward turned outward smile curled up my lips as I imagined her writhing over me, hands and body bloodied on the porcelain white floor with a pool m of blood below her. It would be a pleasing sight indeed.

　　The smile did not last for too long as I thought of the actual obstacle to the plans I had; Jake. None was a powerful wizard and if he sensed any harm coming or coming to him in any way, he would not hesitate to destroy it or exile the person. When would even go as far as to exile the person if he so wishes. It would only work if he is able to let his guard down, with somebody. And apart from that wench of a girl, I couldn’t think of anybody who fit that description.

　　The worst part, I thought as I bit her lip was that he didn’t trust her and couldn’t stand to be near me in any way. Because of this I have no chance in getting close to him to take his blood and if I am caught, he will not hesitate to have me exiled or killed. Lord he will even do the honors himself.

　　I had to find someone who was extremely smart and powerful, somebody who could both be used as a scapegoat and an agent. I needed someone who could get that much closer to him and successfully draw his blood without him noticing.

　　But who could I use? Who was loyal enough to execute my plan?

　　Who-

　　My thoughts were cut off as I felt pressure in my hand and the feeling of heat. I looked down to see a porcelain cup on an equally decorated saucer. I looked at the wizard questioningly.

　　“Don’t fret, it's not the same drink I have.” The wizard spoke

　　I reached for it and took the cup in my hands while the saucer kept floating. Despite his words, I couldn’t help but feel suspicion. With the cup in my hands I began to look at the contents of the tea to ensure that it was not blood.

　　“I had noticed that your magical energy was on an all time low. This herbal tea will help replenish it. Or in this case, help it recover faster.” I heard beside me.

　　The contents were clear and exactly like tea, I could not sense anything shifty about it either. Sniffing it, I could smell the faint scent of lavender, cherries and other smells I couldn’t identify. Overall, it smelt pleasant and it didn’t look like a danger to drink. He also didn’t seem to be lying. Turning to him, I looked at him and nodded in silent thanks before turning back to me tea and sipping it lightly. The tea not only smelt good, but tastes good like a cool, refreshing drink on a warm summer day. Despite the heat, I didn’t mind and took it all in, relishing in the slight burn of my throat.

　　Once I was done I put the cup back down on the floating saucer and got off the elevated couch, landing on the ground. I took my cape from the coat holder where it hung and unclasped it to put it on before walking forward to the door. Upon reaching the door, I turned to the wizard who remained sitting on his couch.

　　“Thank you. I assure you that I will get their blood as soon as possible. I will inform you as soon as it is prepared.” I said

　　The only response I got was a small nod, then again, that was all I needed. I turned away, and left the room, moving down the hallway back to the entrance.

　　For some reason, the path forward felt shorter compared to when I came in. it didn’t matter as soon as I found the entrance. O opened it and welcomed the outside world.

　　It seemed like the old wizard was very good. He was not lying when he spoke of the tea replenishing my magic. On my way out I could already feel the innermost part of me being filled with trickles of it, and now that I had stepped out, I already felt completely full. I looked at my hand in wonder. In less than a few minutes the tea he had given her was able to replenish all her magic. It was amazing, to say the least.

　　I feel incredibly energetic now. Despite having healed myself physically I didn’t feel this way. It was all due to my magical energy filling up the hollow in me. After all, a mage is nothing without their magic.

　　I stretched lightly, moving towards the barrier. Now that my magic was rejuvenated, I could defend myself on the way back if anything happened to me. I hurried out of the barrier, taking a deep breath first before saying a spell and instantly began my run.

　　The spell I had cast was in order to speed up my legs. Due to conserving my magical energy beforehand as well as not wanting to miss the checkpoint to the wizard’s house, I did not use this ability beforehand. Now however, that my goal was done, I utilized the ability in order to move faster and leave the forbidden forest.

　　As I ran, the trees were a blur surrounding me. Even though I was moving fast, I still tried to be careful so as to prevent any creatures of the dark forest from hindering me.

　　Luck was on my side because I had not seen anyone as I journeyed out of the place. I ran until I could see the light shine within the darkness. I quickly ran to the spot where the light shined, until I had finally left the forest successfully. I was now staying in the clearing with the sun shining down on me. I couldn't help but feel an immense wave of relief to see the light shining down on me. Finally, I was out of that place. I looked slightly up and from the distance I could see the top of the castles of the wizard kingdom. I knew that with the help of my speed magic, it would not take long to reach the palace and by the time I got there, nobody would have noticed.

　　I was about to set off when a thought came to my mind. For a strange reason, I thought of contacting Katherine again but hesitation filled me and I proceeded to have an internal debate with myself.

　　I gave a resigned sigh as the idea of contacting the woman won over. She could help me in getting Jake's blood after all.

　　Decision made, I pulled put the golden gem I had kept IN a hidden compartment within my cloak. Back in my room, after I had dressed up and was about to leave, I had reconsidered carrying the gem with her. I didn’t want it to get lost or damaged during her journey yet still felt an underlying urge which I could not explain to carry it. I was grateful for doing so now.

　　Holding the gem, I closed her eyes like before and imbued her magic into it, saying her name. This time I was more careful with it and it didn’t take long to feel warmth emanating from the gem. Unlike before, it wasn’t scorching hot and through trial and error it was obvious that my mistake of putting in too much magic was what caused the previous incident.

　　I held in the constant stream of magic, making sure that it was regular and not too much. The gem became warmer in my hands, a comfortable kind of warmth like one would feel in a bathtub. I knew that if I opened my eyes I would see it glowing.

　　“Hello queen Sandra.”

　　I opened my eyes to see the raven haired beauty looking at me from the gem. Unlike before, I did not see the rest of her body and the only thing being projected was her face.

　　“Hello Katherine.” I replied.

　　Through the small hologram, the race moved slightly down, out of sight for a moment before moving back up again. It didn’t take a genius to know that she had just bowed “hello my queen. What, may I ask, is the purpose of your call?” she asked lightly.

　　“I have met the wizard.” I went straight to the point.

　　“I see.”

　　“He has agreed to help me and has given me a solution.”

　　Despite her disinterested look I could see the sparkle in her eyes through her holographic visage “that is-”

　　“But,” I interrupted, giving a blink “It is on one condition.”

　　“In order to make the love potion, I will need the blood of Carlisle,”

　　That week, it was even painful to say her name in such a calm way. I wanted to tear the elf apart. I saw Katherine waiting expectantly through the gem hologram and swallowed, saying the final words.

　　“And I will also need… the blood of Jake.”