There was a delicious smell of freshly baked buns in the dining room. Thea took her place at the table opposite Eugene and eagerly attacked the food, as if she hadn’t put a crumb in her mouth all this week.

In fact, it was almost like that. Because of the wound, she could hardly eat properly, so all the food was prudently crushed to a state of mashed or juices, so that it was easier and more convenient for her to swallow. And what a relief it was to finally sink my teeth into this pleasantly soft bun body, to be able to chew with my own teeth.

She took thinly sliced avocado slices and put them on top, making a sandwich. This was her special bliss, as she loved avocado since childhood, while many did not understand its nutty-buttery taste. It was their omission, so she sincerely believed.

A little later, they were joined at the table by Adeline, who arrived at the appointed time, which they agreed with Eugene.

- Good morning, dear. Have a seat, have breakfast with us. - Eugene gently invited her with a wave of her hand.

- It’s all right, I’ve already had breakfast at home. – she said, sitting down at the table next to Thea.

- Well, girls, I have already initiated Nicole into all the details of your upcoming trip. She will be waiting for you at the border as soon as you leave the borders of Easthev. - The mentor calmly explained.

Adeline and Thea exchanged glances. None of them knew anything about where Eugene wanted to send them yet. Especially Adeline looked discouraged. Both of her friends have just recently been severely injured, and now they are forced to leave a partially safe place.

Although that was Eugene’s whole point, she didn’t like it when someone was sitting around doing nothing, which only cost Klaus, who worked at her beck and call.

She chuckled under her breath because of the frustration that they spend so little time together with Klaus, which earned her an interested look from her mentor.

- Is everything all right, Adele?

- Nothing important, just remembered something.

Eugene, slightly narrowing her eyes, appreciated the blush in the girl’s eyes, but said nothing, only the corner of her mouth gently twitched up.

Thea finally finished her meal and gently wiped her mouth and hands with a napkin.

- So what kind of task do you want to give us? - she asked.

- It’s not really a task. Rather, I just want you to leave this place. This place is no longer safe for all of you.

These words made her frown heavily and miss a nervous beat in her heart. She could not have imagined that she would ever hear such words. But what worried her even more was the danger that forced her to leave Eastheve. Was it related to Raphael? Or maybe Lillian?

- Anticipating your questions, it has nothing to do with the fact that your family is looking for you. - she paused briefly. - As you must have heard, a large number of young witches disappeared overnight in Lourdes...

Anxiety was reflected on the faces of the girls, who, like Eugene, were in a terribly depressed state from this sad news.

- Some of the witches have created search parties to find at least some traces indicating where the girls could have disappeared. But what worries me most is that a few more young witches have disappeared the other day. This information is not known to anyone yet, except for a narrow circle of people. But I cannot risk you, so you will leave Lourdes and Eastheve at once. But beyond that, I really will have a task for you. - her eyes narrowed insidiously, glancing from one girl to the other.

As a result, after a short conversation, they received the instructions they needed and went to pack their things. Adeline helped with the help of a spell to put all Thea’s things compactly into a bag. It was really impressive.

Thea still felt some doubt about Eugene sending her on a free voyage. This was due to the fact that she did not have confidence in her abilities, that she would be able to protect herself from what might be waiting for them on their journey.

In parting words, Eugene provided them with a number of artifacts and rare potions. But the main thing among all that the mentor gave them was a small envelope sealed with a sealing wax seal.

The envelope was intended exclusively for Thea and she expected Eugene to give some more detailed comments on this, but the mentor did not give any explanation about what she should do with this piece of paper.

The only thing she noted for herself was that this envelope was a very important thing that could not be lost in any case, and therefore she hid it under the corset of her dress, In which she sewed a small secret pocket.

They went out into the night so as not to attract everyone’s attention. Eugene hugged both girls tightly, wishing them a successful and safe journey. There was a wet veil in her eyes when she saw them off and it hurt her heart too much because she managed to get attached to the princess. But this was the moment when she had to let her go with her own hands.

She needed to go further to awaken her powers, and sitting in a cozy Lourdes it was unlikely to do so.

The disappearance of the young witches was just a cover to give a push to Thea to leave this place, and Nicole and Adeline would be a good support and support for her.

She had to work with Nicole, among other things, because Eugene was not sure of her complete devotion, but after voluntarily agreeing to scan her mind, she realized that she could be trusted, she would not harm. That’s why she told her some details about Thea, which until that time remained a secret.

And she also gave her the opportunity to see with her own eyes a part of the prophecy in order to specifically root in her brain that she is as much a part of this prophecy as Thea and Adeline.

These revelations shocked Nicole, subsequently causing a wave of indignation and even irritation. She was offended that she had been hidden from her for so long, but with skillful explanations, Eugene still managed to convince her to extinguish her inner anger, because there was a very good reason for everything.

Nicole herself volunteered to leave Eastheve earlier in order to prepare their transit point for the time when her friends get there. But most importantly, she needed time to be alone and prepare mentally for the meeting, she did not know how she would behave after all that she had heard from Eugene. This information had to be digested.

It took the girls three days to get to the border of Eastheve. They were tired and exhausted from endless walking, despite the fact that a couple of times they were let down by passing carts. Still, it was a great endurance workout.

- Honestly, I am in some shock from what is happening. -Adeline said when they made a short rest stop. – Not only do we not know where to go, but we also could not take a horse. Why all this torment?

- Well, probably because you don’t have a horse. - Thea chuckled.

- Listen, can we open that envelope she gave you? Maybe there are some clues where we should go? - Her eyes were burning with undisguised enthusiasm.

- I don’t mind, but let’s get to Nicole first, she’s probably already waiting for us. According to my assumptions, we still have a few hours to go. – both girls sighed sadly, but soon set off again.

- But you know, I would also like to ride a horse now, my legs are almost worn out from constant walking. - Thea whimpered.

- If Klaus were here, we could ride him. - Adeline said thoughtfully. - And he doesn’t even know we’re gone. I didn’t have a chance to tell him.

- Don’t worry, I’m sure we’ll figure something out. Maybe send a messenger bird?

- I would like to know where to send it. Eugene sent him to the northlands again, and I’ve never been there. Why, I’ve never been outside of Eastheve. - Adeline frowned.

- Then how about we go to the northlands? We don’t know where we’re going anyway. - Thea shrugged.

It was too absurd to go without knowing where, as if they had run away from home. It was the same feeling as when Thea tried to escape from the marriage imposed on her. At that moment, she herself did not know where she would go and how she would survive, the main thing was to get away. So now, the feelings were similar, but the situation is a little different.

They crossed the border of Eastheve when it was getting dark. They stopped in a remote forest, far from any towns and villages, in the place that Eugene had marked for them, not knowing where to go next. It was getting chilly, but a big shiver overcame Thea because of the realization that they were in the territory of Rilya.

She did not feel at all that she had returned home, on the contrary, she wanted to run away from here as far as possible, but she was forced to put aside her feelings and wait for Nicole.

After throwing off all her things, she sat down on the ground, leaning her back against a tree and nervously fingered her nails. Her hands involuntarily beat a small tremor, this was affected by nervous overstrain.

Adeline sat down next to her and put her arm around her friend’s shoulders, soothing her as she had done before. She had a great ability to feel when another person needed psychological help. In this she resembled Jen.

Thea closed her eyes, feeling a lump rise in her throat. She missed Jenin and dreamed of seeing her again as soon as the opportunity arose. A crazy thought even flashed through her mind to ask to go back to Raphael. She couldn’t deny that it was safe enough under his wing if she didn’t break his rules.

But she left, unable to overcome her wounded pride. Her heart was still bleeding from unrequited love, no matter how she denied it, but it was already too late, she was irrevocably in love. And this made it as painful as possible for her, because it was not as easy as she would like to let him go from her thoughts.

No matter how distracted she was, how busy she was with chores and training, there were moments when memories rolled over her like a wave, which she drowned in her tears. It was as if she was torn apart every time she was painfully drawn to him, despite the fact that he caused her fear.