Page 50 of Sorcia's Heart
Sorcia caught Bethany in her arms, holding her tightly.The rest of the coven surged forward, their murmurs of joy and anger filling the clearing.
“Wait!”Sorcia called out, raising her hand to still the crowd from harming the elf.Her voice carried a calm authority despite the turmoil in her heart.“Let’s get the details before we act.”
Her witches fell silent, their eyes flicking between Sorcia, Bethany, and Hortense.The elf stood nearby, her expression a mixture of guilt and determination, waiting for the moment to explain herself.
With her arm still around Bethany, Sorcia turned to face Hortense, her tone sharp.“Why were you holding her prisoner?”
Hortense’s expression flickered with defensiveness before her gaze dropped to the disturbed earth beneath her feet.“Because someone said he would pay me to keep her imprisoned.”
“And what were you going to do with the money?”Sorcia pressed.
Hortense gestured broadly to the trees encircling them.“I was going to plant saplings for these old trees.I couldn’t figure out what was wrong with them.But they’re my home—my friends.We work together to survive, and they were dying!”Her voice rose, revealing the depth of her anguish.“They’re not just shade or scenery to me.These trees are everything!And I didn’t know what else to do.”
Bethany pulled away slightly, her gaze hard.“She’s right.Even I could feel their distress,” the younger witch admitted, though her glare didn’t soften.“But that’s no excuse for imprisoning me!”
Hortense sighed, her shoulders slumping under the weight of her guilt.“You’re right.I’m sorry,” she muttered, barely above a whisper.
Sorcia released Bethany, gently pushing her behind her.She stepped closer to Hortense, her voice like steel.“Tell me what you know about Hazelton Birchsmire.”
The elf grimaced, visibly uncomfortable.“Other than the fact that he’s creepy and weird?Always angry, except when he’s ranting about something or someone?”
“Yes,” Marcus interjected, his tone insistent.“Besides the obvious.We already know demons are perpetually furious.What we don’t know is why he wanted Bethany.”
Hortense tilted her head, her neon green eyes narrowing slightly.“He wasn’t after Bethany,” she said, pointing past Sorcia to the witch peering over her shoulder.“He wanted you.”She gestured toward Sorcia.“He said something about your powers being stronger than any other witch’s.”
“Why?”Marcus asked, his voice cutting through the tense air.“Why would he want Sorcia’s powers?”
Hortense hesitated, shifting her weight.“He…never really said.He’s jealous of witches, sure, and he likes causing chaos—that much is obvious.But most of what he ranted about was how powerful you are and how he needed you to complete whatever it is he’s planning.”
Marcus and Sorcia exchanged a sharp glance, worry etched into their features.
Jace stepped forward, his tone direct.“You didn’t hear anything else?Nothing about an army of demons or a larger plan?”
Hortense snorted, the sound tinged with disdain.“Hazelton isn’t organized enough to build an army.The man’s personality is a mess.One moment, he’s plotting something vile; the next, he’s throwing a tantrum over some insult nobody else noticed.”She sighed deeply, her disgust for the demon evident.“As far as I could tell, his focus was on capturing Sorcia and taking her powers.Beyond that?Who knows?I don’t think even he does.”
Sorcia’s lips pressed into a thin line as she absorbed the elf’s words.Whatever Hazelton’s endgame was, it remained shrouded in uncertainty—but one thing was clear: she was at the center of it.
Sorcia didn’t meet Marcus’ gaze this time.She didn’t want to reveal any more than necessary to the elf.“So you only worked with Hazelton because your trees were dying?”
“Yes,” Hortense replied, walking over to the nearest tree.She laid her hands on the rough bark, closing her eyes as if listening to something only she could hear.“They were hurting, but…” Her voice trailed off as she smiled softly and nodded, as if the tree had spoken back to her.When she turned to Sorcia again, her expression was lighter, as though an immense weight had been lifted.“They’re better.Thanks to you.”
Hortense walked back to Sorcia, stopping just in front of her.Then, to everyone’s surprise, she knelt, her palms pressed flat against the ground, her fingers digging into the soil.“I accept whatever punishment you decree.”
Sorcia blinked, startled.She stared at the elf for a long moment, then lifted her confused gaze to Marcus.He shrugged slightly, his face unreadable.Turning to Jace, she found him rolling his eyes, absently scratching Anikka’s ears with a wry smirk.
“What do you think?”she asked Viktor.
Before he could answer, Gracie spoke up with a soft chuckle.“We all know you’re not going to hurt her.”
Viktor kissed the top of Gracie’s head, his own expression amused.“Ignore my wife.She’s too soft-hearted.”But his gaze turned sharp as he looked down at the trembling elf.“That said, she has caused harm and deserves to make amends.”
Sorcia sighed heavily, her frustration evident.“Oh, get up!”she grumbled.“I’m not going to hurt you.”
Hortense lifted her head, her eyes wide with confusion, but she remained kneeling.“Excuse me?”she whispered.
“Stand up,” Sorcia commanded firmly.“Your punishment is this: you’re going to help us find Hazelton.That’s how you’re going to atone.”
The elf rose slowly, her demeanor cautious, as though unsure if she had truly been spared.“Th-thank you,” she stammered.
