He's Under My Spell

Priscilla teleported back to her room, her body aching from the sudden shift. She landed on the bed with a soft thud, stretching out her limbs to ease the tension. But her relief was short-lived. A sharp, pained squawk pierced the air, and Priscilla's heart leaped into her throat.

She scrambled off the bed, her eyes frantically searching the room. On the floor, amidst a growing pool of blood, lay Luminous, her feathered body trembling.

Priscilla rushed to her side, her voice cracking with worry. "Luminous! What happened? Who did this to you?"

She gently cradled the injured bird, her hands trembling as she examined the wounds. Luminous, their loyal messenger, their link to the outside world, was suffering, and Priscilla felt a surge of protectiveness, a fierce anger rising within her. Luminous was not just a bird; she was family, the last remaining thread connecting Priscilla to her past.

Luminous could barely muster a weak chirp, her eyes glazed over with pain. Priscilla frantically searched her bag, her fingers finally closing around the small vial of healing potion tucked away at the bottom of her cabinet. Gently, she pried open Luminous's beak and carefully administered a few drops of the potent liquid. The potion, though potent, would take time to work its magic, perhaps days.

With a heavy heart, Priscilla moved Luminous to the small table near the window, ensuring a soft cloth cushioned her fragile body. Worry gnawed at her.

Determined to find answers, Priscilla gently stroked Luminous's feathers, whispering an ancient incantation to glimpse into the bird's mind, to trace the events that led to this horrific attack.

But the incantation met with resistance. Instead of vivid images, Priscilla was met with a blank void, a suffocating blackness. Frustration boiled within her. Days? She couldn't wait days to learn the truth. Who had dared to hurt Luminous?

She glanced at the clock on the bedside table. The hands were creeping towards 3 AM. Sleep was a distant luxury, yet she knew she had to rest. Her duties at the Governor's mansion would begin at 4 AM, leaving her little time for anything else. With a sigh, Priscilla closed her eyes, forcing herself to succumb to the encroaching sleep, her mind still plagued by the unanswered questions and the chilling fear for Luminous's safety.

Morning arrived, and Priscilla awoke with her body aching from the lack of sleep and the lingering unease from the previous night's events. She groaned, pushing herself up from the bed. Her first thought was of Luminous.

She hurried to the table where she had left the injured bird. Relief washed over her as she saw that some of the wounds were indeed beginning to heal, the edges looking slightly less raw. Luminous remained weak, her breathing still labored, but the signs of recovery were undeniable.

"Thank goodness," Priscilla whispered, gently stroking the bird's feathers.

Priscilla took a quick bath, the cool water soothing her aching muscles. She hastily changed into her maid's uniform, a simple cotton dress that felt strangely constricting after the events of the night. With a heavy heart, she made her way towards the mansion, the rising sun casting long shadows across the grounds.

In the kitchen, the air was thick with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon. The other maids were already bustling about, their chatter filling the room.

"Did you hear about what happened last night? Those human traffickers, they got caught red-handed," one maid exclaimed, her voice laced with indignation.

"Disgusting creatures," another maid chimed in. "Such evil in the world. Imagine the horrors those poor children endured."

"It's truly heartbreaking," a third maid added, her voice trembling with emotion. "Those innocent souls, trapped in a living nightmare."

Betty burst into the kitchen, her brow furrowed with worry. "Has anyone seen Susie?" she asked, her voice tinged with urgency.

One of the maids, Sarah, replied, "I woke up this morning and Susie wasn't in our room. I assumed she'd already come to the mansion."

Another maid, Maria, chimed in, "Come to think of it, I don't remember seeing her return after she delivered the food to Priscilla."

All eyes turned towards Priscilla, their gazes filled with a mixture of concern and suspicion.

Priscilla felt a surge of unease. "After Susie delivered the food," she said slowly, "she left immediately. I didn't see her after that."

The resounding chime of the bell echoed through the mansion, announcing the arrival of the Governor and his young master for breakfast. A flurry of activity ensued as the maids scurried to prepare the table, meticulously arranging silverware and setting out plates of steaming delicacies.

Moments later, the Governor and his son, a young man with a haughty air, descended the grand staircase. The maids lined up, their heads bowed respectfully. The two men settled into their seats at the head of the table, a palpable tension hanging in the air.

"Where were you last night?" the Governor's booming voice cut through the silence, startling everyone.

A hush fell over the room as the maids exchanged nervous glances. No one dared to speak, unsure who the Governor was addressing.

"Elvis!" he thundered, his eyes scanning the room.

A young man, his face pale, stammered, "I... I just went to see some friends."

The Governor erupted in laughter, his booming voice echoing through the dining room. "HAHAHAHA! Friends? Elvis, you know I know you don't have any friends. Don't try to feed me that line."

Elvis, his face flushed with anger, slammed his utensils down on his plate. "I've given you my answer, Father. Why keep pressing me if you don't want the truth?"

He reached for his cane, his hand trembling slightly, and began to walk away from the table.

"I'm warning you, Elvis," the Governor roared, his voice laced with a chilling warning. "Stay away from that place!"

Elvis stopped, his back to his father, but did not turn around or acknowledge the order.