The old trunk lay on top of blue quilts. Kai had waited until David had fallen asleep before he silently made his way to his bedroom to dress for the long night ahead. He opened the case and pulled out its contents with such care before draping the black cape over his shoulders and setting the mask on top of his head.

It was about seven in the evening, still relatively early. After Sebastian had left, Kai had made David train for several more hours in order to keep him busy. By the time it was fifteen to seven David was too exhausted to remember that he had wanted to question Kai, and the moment his head hit the pillow he was out like a light.

For the past few days, he and Cora had been keeping an eye on 'The Coven of Grace', Theresa's old and Patrick's current coven.

On Saturday when he had gone to pick up David, he had sat down with Mrs. Guerra and had a very interesting conversation with her about said coven. She had told him about her upbringing and of when she had been promised to another; to be wedded to a witch just as powerful as she in hopes that they would produce strong and powerful offspring.

When they had found out about her mating to a werewolf they were beyond livid. They had expected her to do what was "right" and reject her mate. They had then dragged her kicking and screaming all the way to the special mating ceremony. They had the ceremony once a year but because of her unyielding refusal to reject her mate, they had decided to have it earlier than expected.

She tried with all her might to break from their grasps and run as they dragged her to the front of the podium where her future husband stood. When they had brought out a golden chalice she began to weep and beg for them to stop. As a year ago, she had been there in the shadows for the first-ever mating ceremony they had ever heald. She had not been the first participant there against their will and after they were forced to drink, they stopped fighting. They stood or kneeled there motionless, the dead look in their eyes still haunted her to this day. Then when their chosen fated kissed their lips it was as if they came back to life and they were all but eager to spend the rest of their lives with their new love.

They had her on her knees; two of the council members each holding a shoulder to keep her in place. One of them grabbed her by the hair and pulled it back roughly as the head council member came to a stop right in front of her. He grabbed her jaw and forced her mouth open so that he would have no trouble getting the red liquid pour down her throat. But as the cup got closer to her lips a bright light flashed causing those around her to stumble and attempt to shield their eyes. Pain coursed through Teressa's body and she screamed. Bile rose to her throat and she could do nothing to hold it back.

The searing pain flowed from the bottom of her stomach all the way down to her fingertips, where it then was expelled from her body, and burning flames circled around her. She panted on the floor trying to get her bearings back. The pain was gone but the surge of energy began to return to where it came from. As she placed her hand on her lower belly where the power was pulsing, it was then that she realized what had happened.

She was pregnant.

After hearing her story it was safe to say, Kai was furious. Kai was hoping that he wasn't right about what they were using to make the children compliant. The thought that the ceremonies may still be in practice was enough to have his blood boiling. He was beyond tempted to go that very day and bring those responsible to their knees. They had gotten away with it for nineteen years and Kai was not going to let it go on any longer.

He had wanted to confront the Coven of Grace the following day, but thanks to a certain little witch hybrid, he now had plans for tomorrow. Of course, he could wait for the day after next, but he wanted this to be taken care fo as soon as possible, especially since what he wished wasn't true had just been confirmed.

The coven had somehow gotten their hands on a love potion.

A love potion was a mastery level ten potion and enchantment. Only the strongest of the strongest withes had a chance of successfully creating it. It was one of the hardest and most frustrating potions to make.

Some of the ingredients to make the potion were nearly impossible to get your hands on. If one were to attempt to make the potion they would need to get all the ingredients and have them in pristine condition, know that there was a secret ingredient, and PERFECTLY recite the special enchantment in the dead language that it was written in.

The chances of a witch being rewarded with a beautiful glowing pink potion instead of a murky reddish-brown potion were slim to none. Whether it being that they didn't know about the secret ingredient, not having the exact weight of something, and imperfect gemstone, mispronunciation or error with the enchantment, or that they were simply not strong enough, the consequence was inevitable death.

The witch who had attempted to interfere with something that wasn't meant to be tampered with would kill them from the inside out. Their minds would cave and the only thing that mattered was the need to have their love all to themselves and with their minds gone their bodies would soon follow. But during that time during their final days, they become extremely dangerous to everyone around, especially their beloved and those who surround them. In their minds (or what was left of it) no one should be able to see their love, no one else could have them, no one else could take them away from them. The term long ago used to be "Love-crazed" but the new terminology was a "Love zombie".

Because it had such a high risk, not many people even attempted and those who did were more susceptible to the consequences as they were willing to try something so dangerous in order to get the person of their desires.

Kai checked on David one last time before he walked into the living room where Cora was. "Cora, I am heading out, you're in charge while I'm gone. Please watch over David and the wolves that are outside. Keep them safe and if anything happens, please call me. I don't know how long this may take but hopefully, if everything goes well, I should be back before the sun breaks over the horizon."

"Of course, Kai. Stay safe and don't be afraid to kick their asses if need be." Kai chuckled and gave her a nod saying, "I won't disappoint." before lowering the mask onto his face and disappearing right before her eyes.

He stood right in front of the large manor that the Coven of Grace called home. It was on the opposite side of the town that David's pack was. The manor was really a sight to behold. It was a pristine, white, five-story building. There were two smaller buildings on each side and a large fountain in the center. It looked like a modernesque castle. Kai grabbed the golden door knocker and swung it down three times.

A woman with long mahogany-colored hair and brown eyes opened the door. She wore a long flowing black silk robe with purple trimmings and golden tassels that hung on her shoulders. She looked him over with a raised brow, no doubt questioning his own outfit. "Can I help you?"

"Good evening mam', I have come with a request to speak with the council of the Coven of Grace."

She looked him over again. She couldn't sense any magical properties from him or anything that screamed danger. With an amused smirk playing on her lips she replied, "Not sure if anyone told you but Halloweens long passed sweetie. We don't have any candy for you kid, so why don't you run on home before you get hurt. You obviously don't know what you're asking for or what you're getting yourself into."

On the inside, Kai sighed. He really hadn't the patience for this. It seemed to never get any easier as the years passed. She tried to shut the door but Kai put his hand out to stop it. "Thank you for your concern mam', but I am here for a reason and I do not intend to leave without speaking to the council."

The woman's smile was gone for a moment as she looked him over once again. In her mind, she deduced that he was nothing more than a weak human who most likely was seeking power and magic, wanting to become a witch. Just as fast as her smirk vanished a sickly sweet smile replaced it. She opened the door wider and stepped to the side, using her right hand to motion him in, "Follow me."

Kai thanked her and they began their journey through the large corridor. Paintings, pictures, and tapestries lined the walls, all representations of the covens past. Men and women who had long passed stared down at all that walked by.

People who littered the halls blatantly stared and began whispering amongst themselves as the weirdly dressed human passed them by.

When they finally stopped at a large set of double doors Kai looked at the woman. He could hear the shuffling of people and a multitude of voices all speaking at once. The clanking of dishes and silverware could also be heard from where he stood.

"Hope you don't mind but it's dinner time so you're going to have a bit of an audience for your meeting," she said in a mocking pouty voice. She chuckled as she pushed both doors wide open, "Hope you're not prone to stage fright."

Kai turned to see that they were indeed entering a large mess hall. Rows of tables topped with various amounts of foods and drinks were occupied by people of all ages. The sound of the doors being slammed open garnered everyone's attention in an instant, all locking onto the masked stranger. Their previous loud banter was nothing more than hushed whispers now as Kai walked further into the dining room. The people who had once been lounging in the halls also began to shuffle in as their curiosity got the better of them.

The woman who had opened the doors to him winked at him as she left his side and made her way to her own seat right beside her fellow councilmen all the way in the front where they had a clear view of the now silent room.

"What is the meaning of this?!" A councilman at the end of the table said.

"Coven of Grace," Kai began tilting his head in greetings, "I apologize for my intrusion of your dinner, as well as my unannounced visit." "Who are you?" The same councilman at the end of the table said, clearly annoyed that his dinner had been interrupted.

"I go by many names, but you may call me Minkah. May I know the names of the council?" There were five councilmen; two women and three men. They all had on the same color of robes as well as the golden tassels that hung on their shoulders but each councilman's robe was a bit different in style as well as fabric. Although the one in the center had extra tassels and a gold chained necklace with a large medallion that rested gently on his chest.

The one in the center spoke, "I am Councilman Keeper, head councilman of the Coven of Grave. To my right is Councilman Cassini and Councilwoman Viana, and to my left, Councilwoman Mariana and Councilman Sislier." Mariana had been the woman who greeted him at the door and Cassini was the one who was displeased with the dinner interruption. "Now, if you please, hurry it up with whatever it is you came here for, my food's getting cold."

Kai rolled his eyes. He wasn't surprised by the blatant disrespect he was been shone. After all, witches were known to being somewhat... proud. Kai made a show of looking from left to right, "I have to say, councilman, I did not expect this custom of yours to meet with your guests in front of your entire coven, especially considering that I do not come bearing great tidings, quite the opposite actually. But this does work out better, for they can be the jury."

Councilman Keeper scoffed and folded his arms across his chest. He knew that the stranger knew that this was indeed not a custom of theirs and that he was simply being rude. "Would you rather call me Your Honor then?"

Kai let out a humorless laugh, "Do you know what the name Minkah means councilman?" Councilman Keeper shook his head no. "The name Minkah is of Egyptian origin, it means 'Justice'.

For today is judgment day and this coven shall pay retribution for its crimes. Today and you and the council stand trial. I shall be the judge, and your people, the jury. Head Councilman Keeper, I am here on behalf of the innocents of the past that were threatened and physically forced into marriages against their wills as well as the violation of your possession and usage of the illegal Potion 5392-06-G.W.

How do you plea?"