A secret alliance

Third Person's POV

"Can you, for once, give me the good news?" His voice is as cold as ice. No remorse, no emotion. Just plain evil.

"May I remind you that I was never your servant? I don't owe you anything. Besides, I was the one doing you a favor." I answered, letting the heaviness of my words linger in the air. I didn't look at him; instead, I continued mixing the potions I make in my big cauldron.

"Letting you stay alive right now is a great privilege. I believe you owe me your life." He said with a smirk.

"You know too well that you needed me more than I needed you. You wouldn't dare kill me." I looked up with a teasing smile. I could feel his irritation boiling up. I like it when it happens. It made me have the upper hand. A man like him never wants to be at a disadvantage. I, on the other hand, keep him in check.

"You're so uptight. Loosen up a bit." I teased more, putting down the vial I just filled with potions in front of me.

"I don't have time for your nonsense. Give me an update." His voice is hard this time. It didn't affect me, though.

"There's still no trace. They sure are good at hiding it."

"Or you're just not good at finding it." He retorted.

"Talking to me like that won't help. It made me lazy and incompetent. You know words can affect a witch's feelings too." I acted hurt, which made his eyes twitch in anger.

"I am not playing here, Griselda."

"And what makes you think I am? " I answered, but this time my tone matches his.

"This wouldn't happen if you were too careful and meticulous in the first place. You know I don't dwell on your business, Arcanist. You asked for my help; I don't get anything from this."

There was silence. I know he is thinking of something. A plan, maybe?

"Once I complete the elements, I will give you anything and everything you want." He said calmly.

"Now we're talking." A smile.

Checkmate. I rejoice inwardly.

This is what I am waiting for. Who would have thought that pushing his buttons would give a good outcome?

"I'll get you a lead in a week." I said confidently.

"You better." He turned his back and left the room.

Now that's good motivation.

What the Arcanist was asking is an easy play. However, I was dragging it a bit to see if he would be caught in my bait. And surely, he did.

I was left alone in my dark workroom with only lit candles as my source of light. The darkness embraces me like a blanket as I work on my new mixture.

They say money is the root of all evil. I highly doubt that. Greed, however, fits the role.

Greed for power is the most toxic of all. It infiltrates the soul, clouds the mind, and numbs all emotions until the goal of power is achieved. It made the person give up everything just to satisfy his greed. 

The Arcanist is growing impatient these days. Could this be a sign of another war?

Who am I kidding? All this is for the impending war. The preparation is too long. Long enough that everyone seemed to forget the pain it brought to the arcane world.

The great arcane war was tragic. We are not a part of it, though. Witches, elves, werewolves, and the others are minding their own business, and the unwritten rule of staying away from anyone's path has long been observed.

Although we witches cast spells and magic, we do not consider ourselves arcane casters. We rather put ourselves as occult magic users. There is a small borderline, though.

Crazy fools. They should have protected their own kind and not fought amongst themselves.

How does a witch like me know so much about the arcane war? Well, I'm a bit of a gossip, to be honest. I do not dwell on it at first but am just a keen observer.

All, however, changed when my darling Sebastian was caught up in the war and lost his life.

Now, through the Arcanist's proposition, I'll be able to bring him back to life.

Sure, I hate the Arcanist for starting this hideous war, but hating him won't change the fact that my husband is gone. Rather, I'll be wise and use him to get back what I lost.

It had been seventeen years since the Great War broke out. It was just a few months back when I met the Arcanist, and he asked me for help. Saying yes to him means I will be breaking the rule we all treasure. But I couldn't care less.

I got back to my cauldron and got my wooden stick into it. I gently stir the clear water while making a chant.

Mist and shadow, time unwind,

Open now the hidden mind.

Through smoke and star, through flame and bone,

Let future's thread be gently shown.

From ash and air, from root and sea,

Reveal the fate that calls to me.

By moon's pale eye and raven's cry,

The truth be seen, the veil passes by.

Moments later I saw something in the water.

Interesting.

The Arcanist will surely be pissed knowing this.

I smiled inwardly just thinking about his face if I break the news to him.

Who would have thought that a child would be a bearer?