He's Under My Spell

Priscilla's mind raced, trying to piece together the fragments of her fragmented reality. One thing was certain this encounter had left her shaken.

"I must uncover more about them," she murmured to herself, "before continuing my revenge. They might become a hindrance."

She was pulled from her thoughts as the other maids began to bid her goodnight.

"We're going to our room now Laura, rest well. We still have work tomorrow," Betty said.

"Thank you everyone for your concern," Priscilla replied, offering a polite smile.

One by one, the maids left the room, leaving Priscilla alone. As soon as the last maid closed the door, Luminous transformed back into his crow form, his feathers ruffling with anticipation. "Priscilla! I'm glad you're okay now. What happened in the illusions?" he squawked with concern.

"I'm fine, Luminous," Priscilla replied, her voice still a bit shaky. "But let's not talk about me. Let's talk about what really happened earlier."

"I'm sorry, Priscilla," Luminous apologized. "But when I found you, the maids had already brought you here to your room. However, I saw someone peeking in the windows earlier."

"Have you seen the face?" Priscilla asked, intrigued. "This… what had happened to me… is this just a… a mental attack? Or was it another witch?"

Priscilla, lost in thought, murmured to herself.

"But wait, Luminous," Priscilla continued, "how did you know I was in an illusion? That I was missing?"

"After I went to the town to gather information about the little girl that Tomas almost hurt, I sensed something wrong," Luminous explained. "The door to your room was open, which was unusual. Then, as I entered your room, I felt a strange energy, a lingering presence. It felt… unnatural. Like a void where you should have been."

Priscilla shivered. "So, someone, or something, was interfering with my mind?"

Luminous nodded gravely. "It appears so. Someone powerful, someone with abilities far beyond our knowledge."

"But let's stick to our plan, Luminous," Priscilla said, a determined glint in her eyes. "They might be just messing with our revenge. Tonight, let us continue what we have started."

Priscilla stood up and opened her cabinet, reaching for the materials she had gathered for her investigation.

Suddenly, a strange sensation washed over her, a prickling on her skin. An energy, unseen but palpable, seemed to be lurking just outside the room.

"Luminous," Priscilla whispered, her voice barely a breath, "quick, change to your disguise form."

"Why?" Luminous squawked, confused.

"Just do it," Priscilla insisted, her voice was urgent. "I feel… something."

Luminous, sensing the urgency in her voice, quickly transformed back into the brightly colored parrot, perching on her shoulder.

Priscilla moved cautiously towards the door, her senses on high alert. She pressed her ear against the wooden panel, listening intently. Footsteps, light and deliberate, approached their room.

"Someone's here," she whispered, her heart pounding.

She quickly whispered an incantation, the air around her shimmering as the invisibility spell took effect.

With her senses heightened, she waited, holding her breath, as the footsteps drew closer.

The doorknob turned slowly, then the door creaked open and a woman entered the room. Susie, a fellow maid, was holding a tray with a bowl of steaming soup. She looked around the room, her eyes darting nervously.

Priscilla, hidden in the shadows, watched intently. Susie reached into her pocket, her movements furtive. Priscilla's heart pounded. Susie pulled out a small vial and, with a swift, practiced motion, poured a few drops of the liquid from the vial into the soup.

Priscilla, her blood running cold, emerged from the door, her voice a controlled whisper. "Oh, Susie! What are you doing here?"

Susie startled, her eyes widening in surprise. She quickly composed herself, trying to appear calm. "Betty was asking me to bring you some soup. I was knocking on the door, but you didn't respond. And the door… it was unlocked, so I just… I just came in."

"Oh, I just wanted to get some fresh air," Priscilla replied, her voice calm despite the surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins. "I must have locked the door properly. How strange."

"Well, anyways," Susie said, trying to appear nonchalant, "you should eat something. You look pale. Here, have some soup."

Priscilla, her eyes fixed on the soup, hesitated. "Thank you," she said, her voice guarded. "But perhaps later. I don't feel very hungry right now."

Susie, sensing Priscilla's unease, forced a smile. "Alright then. Rest well, Laura."

Susie hesitated, her gaze lingering on the bowl of soup. She glanced at Priscilla, then back at the soup, a strange glint in her eyes. Finally, she turned and hurried out of the room.

As soon as the door clicked shut, Priscilla signaled to Luminous, "Follow her. Tell me where she goes."

Luminous, perched on her shoulder, nodded silently and slipped out the window, his wings barely making a sound.

Priscilla, her heart pounding, watched him go. She knew she couldn't trust anyone in the mansion. The game had just gotten a whole lot more dangerous.