The Taste of Seduction

Meredith, Atlas, and Marcus were left to pick up the pieces of their shattered trust and regroup for their next move. They knew they had to move quickly to awaken Gwen and stop Austin's plans from coming to fruition.

They decided to rest, but with Gwen's safety in the picture, they are determined to defeat their enemy and vowed to only trust in each other in order for their plans to usurp Austin not to fail.

They knew that they couldn't do this alone and that they needed to work together to succeed.

Meredith recalled a teleportation spell that would immediately transport them to locations that they have previously visited. Since they have been to Austin's palace for a lot of times, it was easy to come here.

Just as they were about to enter the palace gate, the three almost gasped in surprise when they were greeted by one of the helpers of the place. She was cheerful… but something was a bit off.

"Hello, Meredith, Atlas, and Marcus! Welcome back to the palace!"

The three looked at each other, bewildered of what happened. The helper was familiar. It was one of the helpers who made their meals for them and prepared for their stay.

Her demeanor was different. She was too cheerful for her own liking and her eyes were emotionless as if an emptied glass. It made Meredith comment on it, her thought said aloud.

"Is this what Levi meant… when he said he put every helper in a trance and it will be triggered once he disappeared?"

Atlas and Marcus looked at each other. With that making sense, they found Gwen's follower admirable to have put such a strong spell on each helper before he disappeared.

He was indeed very loyal to the end—willing to help Meredith and the others just so they could put a stop to Austin and retrieve Gwen's body to wake her up.

But they knew that his loyalty was this strong because of how amazing Gwen is as a witch to be able to win and gain the trust of many.

"Shall we split up?" Marcus suggested, snapping Meredith out of her thoughts.

"We could…" she mumbled, further connecting their plans. "Since they are in a trance for a limited of time like what Levi had said, we could ask for information about his room from the helpers."

"Alright, agreed," Atlas chimed in, nodding at the same time. "We should also try to get a small clue like… helpers knowing about a secret room near his. Let's cross our fingers hoping they do have even the slightest clue on this."

"Okay."

Before going, however, Meredith held each man's wrist. With a jade bangle forming on it, the two widened their eyes as they watched her conjure another spell.

Even though they hate Austin and how things turned out, they had to admit that he did a good job into teaching the most powerful witch's daughter to use her spells.

"This bangle will help us reconvene. Once we find the room, it will call us to gather in the location with just one tap of a finger. So, use it wisely."

The men nodded with how convenient the magical item was. After discussing their next move and coming up with a plan, they knew that they had to be careful and not give Austin any indication of their plans.

So, they decided to split up and gather information separately.

As they went their separate ways, they couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. They knew that their enemy was cunning and ruthless, and they had to be careful not to fall into his trap.

Austin had proven that he was not to be underestimated, and they had to be prepared for anything.

Infiltrating his palace in itself was dangerous. They knew that it was a risky plan, but they had no other choice. They were running out of time, and they couldn't afford to wait any longer.

But without Levi's help, things would not be this way.

As they made their way around Austin's palace, they could feel their hearts pounding in their chests. They knew that this was their last chance to stop him and save Meredith's mother.

They had to be careful, but they also had to be fast.

Marcus went to the south wing; Atlas went to the west. As for Meredith, she went straight to the center of the palace. The three talked to helpers along the way, in hopes that they blurt out something relevant about their master's room so they can locate Gwen faster.

Half an hour passed and most of them only got answers such as Austin not letting anyone near his room unless it's one of his trusted chamberlain.

However, Meredith knew his most trusted chamberlain. She was one of the persons who took care of her during the stay in the palace and so, she gathered the men with one tap on the bangle, surprising them as they regrouped where they are.

"You found the room?" Atlas asked, Meredith shaking her head to answer.

"No… but we're getting there. We have to look for the head chamberlain and get the answers from her."

Just as they were turning to look for her, the familiar voice called out to them, knowing that she was being talked about.

"Yes? You were looking for me, Ms. Meredith?"

Their heads snapped at her direction, the three even surprised with how coincidental things are happening in their favor since Levi's help. They looked at each other, then back at her, Meredith clearing her throat to hide her surprise.

"Oh… uh… ahem…"

"Yes?"

The chamberlain smiled at them, her emotionless eyes and her emotionless smile directed at her, patient to hear their request.

If she were not in trance… she probably would be a scary person who's loyal to Austin. Like the saying: "looks like a cinnamon roll, but could kill you."

"We were wondering… if you know Austin's room?"

"Oh, of course," she said, clapping her hands too happily as if answering a riddle. "Would you like me to show you there?"

The three looked at each other, then hesitantly nodded. With the chamberlain leading them to the room, the three followed with their guards up just in case something bad would happen.