Penny stood behind Damien who stood to talk to the butler, Falcon. Giving out orders on what had to be done in the room as it had not been cleaned or entered for two days now. She had dressed in one of the dresses which Damien had given her to wear which either belonged to his elder sister or his deceased mother.
With the many days that had passed by where she had finally learned a few things from Lady Maggie who was spending her time teaching her which was later verified by Damien, the man had finally decided that it was time for Penelope to meet the black witch who went by the name Bathsheba.
She wasn't told prior that they would be meeting the lady today and the plans had turned suddenly after one of Damien's associates named Kreme came to hand over the parchments which had to be reviewed along with news which was told informed to the pureblooded vampire.
Both Damien and Penny traveled to the Isle Valley. Penny's first initial thought was that they were going to head to the black market but the carriage didn't stop there until it was pulled a few distances away from the town.
"You can take the carriage back to the mansion. We'll be using another means of transport back home," Damien informed the coachman who bowed his head deeply. Starting the carriage the man left them to stand.
"You don't mind walking do you?" he asked her, his eyes sweeping across the grounds that had fewer buildings and more trees. The more a person moved away from the Isle Valley, the lesser the population was found turning the place more secluded and away from the high society who often visited the town to purchase things for either themselves or for another person.
When they stepped in where there were little houses, Penny whispered to ask him, "I thought no black witches live amongst the humans."
"You would be surprised to find how many of them actually reside. Most are bad that kill and kidnap as they don't stay too long in the populated places where humans and vampires reside," answered Damien, his footsteps firm on the muddy ground, "Not many like to stay with the humans. After all, humans are as troublesome as the black witches. The only ones who stay are the white witches who often get caught and killed."
"The council don't question them?"
"There is no harm if no one knows about it. A secret is a secret unless you go saying it to others which reaches the ears of the murders who believe they are the justice," Penny had seen the witch in the council but to go meet and speak to a black witch, she wondered how the woman would be. They continued to walk with some people who passed by as they continued to walk until the edge and corner where the forest started, "There are some rare cases where some of the witches want to live like any other person. A life some crave by the pure envy of what they can't do. But then it doesn't mean we stop being wary of them. Their initial natures never die which is why people like me keep eyes and ears on them. Being the mediators while wading the higher-ups who are nosey whilst keeping the outcast people safe in here."
Penny nodded her head somewhat understanding what he meant.
"Bathsheba is like many other black witches. Out of mind and state where you might find her strange. Don't be shocked when you see her. She doesn't like it and will know."
"What do you mean?" she asked him not understanding what he said. Weren't all black witches strange to see? With what she had seen black witches' complexion was ridiculously dark and it wasn't their skin tone but the very appearance that looked like the skin of a reptile which was scaly in nature and coarse.
"You will see when you meet her. Do you see a difference in here, Penny?" he changed the subject, his head nudging towards the people.
"They are less hostile."
"I find you absolutely appealing when you catch on to things without me having to explain to you," Penny didn't bring out the reaction upon her face knowing how much Damien enjoyed poking fun at her. Though internally the heat and blood had started to flow, creeping up to her neck she resisted the urge of him throwing her off again with his sudden confessions.
Since the day she had fallen deep into the sea from his room, Damien had shown no mercy when it came to showering her or rather attacking her with one line after another as if it were nothing. But she knew the weight his words carried.
"I don't compliment everyone, you should take it with pride," he continued to say before going back to the topic he was speaking about, "The council has been trying to work for years on bringing the humans and vampires under one roof. And this is one of the very few successfully towns which has both vampires and humans living together without much conflict."
"Must be an achievement."
"Indeed but only one who lives knows what goes behind the walls and perimeter of this place. One should know to look beyond what is seen through the n.a.k.e.d eye. Haven't you heard the saying- Not everything that glitters is gold.
"Which means it isn't harmonious as it looks?"
"Why don't you find out yourself. You will be visiting this place many times from now, Bathsheba being the only point of contact witch unless she gets staked and roasted in the fire."
When a man passed them as he pulled the sheep that wasn't willing to come along with him, she asked, "Why are we going to the white witches?"
"Because they are placed under the surveillance of the magistrates and the guards who roam around are under the control of the council who aren't exactly welcoming with the word of witch being mentioned."