Floria now had a loving stepmother, Lily, who was a witch—a Black Witch. People often whispered that Black Witches were vicious and good for nothing, but there were exceptions. Lily had protected and loved Floria as if she were her own. This was vital, as Floria was often a threat to her own family; she would occasionally turn into a "dark angel," going rampant and killing others for their sins. During these episodes, her eyeballs would turn entirely white as she lost all sense of who and where she was. From then on, Lily had taken care to keep her away from anything that might trigger that dark side. It was only when her "meren" side activated that the rampage would stop. Initially, Lily had used charm stones to hide Floria from the world, but now that they were out in public, they avoided the stones so as not to arouse suspicion.
Her brother, Jace Saipon, was five years younger than her. He had turned out to be a merman, as his Black Witch traits and siren traits had canceled each other out. Their father was a meren who was ninety-seven years old but still appeared to be forty, while her mother appeared to be thirty-five. Floria was snapped out of her thoughts by the coachman knocking on the window.
"Milady, we have reached the Saipon mansion."
Getting down from the carriage, she walked toward the house. The Saipon mansion was not as large as a Duke's or a Lord's, but it was a decent home. Her father, a merchant who sold cloth and clocks made from various animal skins, made enough money to handle the expenses of keeping servants. Floria ran a library for her own interest. Originally, they had lived in Firestark Town, where they were neighbors with the Montanores until that family was granted a Dukedom.
The Montanores had always been a family with royal ties. It was said that Felix Montanore, the elder brother of Arthur Montanore, was such a close friend of the former King that he was offered the position of Duke. Tragically, the King was killed a few years later, and the Duke followed shortly after. It was quite suspicious, but an investigation turned up nothing. Since the Duke had no children, the title passed to his brother, Arthur. Then, the Kingdom passed to the elder Prince.
"Oh, sweetheart, you're here," she heard her mother say as a maid removed Floria's overcoat. Lily hugged her, asking with a playful smile that hid deep worry, "How did you find the soiree? Met someone, did we now?"
Floria replied with a slight smile, "It was good. Mrs. Hetlore asked about you," as she headed toward the tea room. Once there, her mother dismissed the maid with a wave of her hand. A blue light covered the room before disappearing, and Lily whispered, "Tell me you were careful."
"Yes, Mom. I met a few people and none of them suspected me, though I did meet the left hand of the Prince, Warner Davies. I found him suspicious of me. He gave me something to drink, probably to check if I was a witch."
Lily gracefully sipped her tea, then moved her hand to Floria's pulse to check if she was alright. "I see. They must be keeping their ears open due to the recent incident."
"Was it the attack on the King in Firestark?" Floria asked.
"No," Lily replied, shaking her head. "Apart from the attack, there is land there that seems forbidden to magic. Flor, don't run around, alright? I'm worried because your father has gone there for work."
Feeling anxious, Floria asked, "Where is Jace?"
Lily sighed at the boy's recklessness. "You know he doesn't listen to anyone. Flor, I'm counting on you. Jace isn't mature, but you know who to keep an eye on." She placed her hand on Floria's.
"Mom... I met Salvia today at the Hetlores' place."
Looking at her daughter's stutter, Lily understood her feelings. Lily knew that if Alice—Floria's biological mother—were in her place, she would have done the same to protect her child. When Lily first met Alice, the woman appeared human until Lily felt the heavy wave of energy in her soul. Lily knew that even White Witches would hunt such a soul, so she had helped Alice with a stone to suppress her essence. Floria was just like Alice—naive and soft-hearted, believing people were good. Lily knew how dirty the world was, where people would cut you down just because they perceived you as a threat. Now, her two children were the only things she wanted to protect.
"Sweetheart, you know it was all for your good. I must remind you that royals show no mercy to our kind. The girl may be good, but her family may not be. People are selfish, Flor. They won't think twice before using you."
Tears filled Floria's eyes, making them look darker. "Oh, my, my... come here," her mother said, spreading her arms for the "little fairy."
Leaving the tea room, they saw a maid approaching. "Mrs. Saipon, the butler said the young master has gone to work in the Ironvale market." Lily turned to her daughter with a tired look. "Sweetie, can you please get him from the market?"
"Of course, Mother."
As Floria left, Lily asked a maid cleaning the window, "Do you know where Ethan is?" The maid replied that the butler had gone to fetch groceries. Lily sat on the sofa with a book titled Embers of the Soul. As she flipped through, a letter fell out: From Alice to dear Lily. She didn't dare open it again after putting a spell on it to hide the real content.
Lily was a witch who could tap into people's souls to see how tainted they were. She kept tabs on everyone. She and her husband, Oscar, had hired servants from a slave establishment rather than the outside world to ensure they could watch their backs. Their butler, Ethan, was a White Witcher she had saved nineteen years ago. Finding his soul untainted, she had helped him. Ethan had been loyal ever since, even killing a maid years ago who had seen Jace's merman tail and tried to alert others.
In the market, fifteen-year-old Jace—tall and pale with brown hair, wearing an ash-white shirt, russet-brown trousers, a waistcoat, and a grayish silk neckpiece—was trying to keep up with a young woman. She wore a beige gown that reached her shins, with stockings covering the rest.
"Lilli... Lillian!" Jace called out, following her with a handkerchief she had left at a stall.
Jace had known Lillian for years. She was the daughter of Mrs. Cameal, a horse trader who had disappeared one day and never returned. Jace knew Lillian was a witch—a beautiful one—though he didn't know if she was black or white. Lillian turned toward him, her olive-green eyes taking in his appearance—his pale skin, sharp jaw, and pink lips curved into a smile. To her, he was handsome enough to make any woman fall head over heels.
"Thank you, Mr. Saipon," she said, taking the handkerchief. Lillian wanted a normal life—a family with a man she loved. She had known Jace since they were seven. When she was little, her mother told her her father died of illness, but she later learned he had been burned down. Once her own powers emerged, her mother revealed she was a White Witch. Now, her mother had been missing for a week, and Lillian didn't know whom to trust.
"Lillian, how long have we known each other? You can stop calling me formally. Only 'Jace' will do." Jace was irritated by the shift in titles. He could feel the turmoil she was in. He noticed her nose and cheeks were red from crying, and his heart ached. He couldn't bear to see her like this. She was the woman he loved. He had intended to give her space, but he realized his "little squirrel" was at the end of her rope and might run away. He couldn't stop himself from engulfing her in a tight, protective embrace.
Lillian was startled by the sudden hug. "Don't run from me, Lillian. Don't."
The words hit her hard. She tried to swallow the lump in her throat, but the tears welled up and she finally broke. "I... I tried to find her, Jace... I miss her..."
"Shhh," he whispered, soothing her back.
Floria arrived at the edge of the market and told her coachman to stay put. She ran into Ethan, the butler, who told her Jace was visiting Miss Cameal. Floria sent the butler home and went to find her brother. She found Jace with a stern expression, holding Lillian in his arms. Lillian had a bandage on her foot.
"Jace, what happened?" Floria asked.
"Lillian hurt herself. She was bleeding," Jace said firmly. Lillian looked embarrassed and worried that they now knew her secret. "Jace, I can—"
"Quiet, Lillian. We are not doing this, not now."
Floria saw the blood on Lillian's foot. "Let me get a pair of shoes." After getting the shoes, they all got into the carriage. Inside, Jace was still reeling with concern. "How can you be so reckless, Lillian? If people had seen this, they would have..."
"Burned me alive," Lillian finished, tears falling. "Do you hate me, Jace? Now that you know what I am?"
"Never, you idiot. I could never hate you. How could I hate my squirrel, hm?" Jace pulled her into an embrace, and she cried until she fell asleep.
"Let's keep her with us, Flor," Jace said to his sister.
Floria looked at him seriously. "It's not just up to me. But Lillian has lost her mother; she is a good woman. I wouldn't want you to hurt her later if you choose to let her go."
Jace clenched his jaw. "I will not back off. Never. I have loved Lillian since I was old enough to know what love was. It hurts when she cries." He wanted to protect her, to keep her safe forever. Floria looked at her brother and noticed a golden pearl near the seat. A merman only sheds a golden pearl when they are terrified of losing their loved one. That pearl said more than words ever could.
When they reached the mansion, Jace carried the sleeping Lillian inside. Lily saw them and understood the situation immediately. She ordered Ethan to prepare a room and set the dinner table.
In the kitchen, Floria handed the golden pearl to her mother. "Did you tap into her senses?" Lily asked.
"I did. I found nothing but sadness and fear. I think love and assurance will keep her from falling into darkness."
Lily's face remained straight. "We can't be sure until we know she is sane enough to stay on the good side."
"And if it doesn't work?" Floria asked, holding her breath.
"We kill her," Lily said flatly. "Family comes first. If she slips into darkness, she will become the worst of the worst."
Upstairs, Jace asked Ethan, "Is she a white or a black witch?"
"She is a white witch," the butler replied. "There is a sixty percent chance she can be saved from darkening if we try."
"What must be done?" Jace asked, willing to do anything.
"Rituals to pull the corruption out."
Jace went to the kitchen to see his father, Oscar, who had just returned. Oscar was a tall, muscular meren with hazel-gray eyes. He was a jolly man, but he had become strictly protective after Floria's mother, Alice, died.
At dinner, Jace took his place. Oscar asked about the shop documentation. Jace explained a discrepancy he found in the Ironvale registers. Oscar smiled subtly; his son had found a theft that had taken Oscar a month to track. "Right. Sullivan has been stealing. It seems it's been a long time since we practiced... both of you, meet me after dinner."
They knew what that meant: physical and magical training to defend themselves against vampires and witches. They would likely leave with wounds today. Oscar then mentioned, "The Council is applying a new rule. Outcasts will be allowed to live with registration."
"Does it work?" Lily asked.
"People are still killing our kind and calling them accidents," Oscar warned. "The Council might come to check on us. Be cautious."
Jace spoke up. "Dad... can Lillian stay with us? She has no one."
Oscar looked at his family. Lily nodded, saying the girl's soul was in good condition. Oscar finished his meal and stood up. "She can stay."
Floria hugged him. "Thank you, Dad!"
"Letting her stay doesn't mean letting down your guard," Oscar said, patting Jace's back in silent praise for his bravery. "In the basement in fifteen minutes."
Jace went to Lillian's room, kissed her forehead as she slept, and then went to change for the grueling practice ahead.