Chapter 21 Witch Hunt

Magnus

I was seated in my office checking the ledgers. My bookkeeper had just gotten himself a mansion. Although I did pay him well, it just wasn't enough for him to buy an expensive home. I needed to double-check the books and see if all of it added up.

For eighteen years, life has been good. I was rich, built my own city and because of the advancement in medicine, the doctors gave me a new face and smoothen out my scars. Unfortunately, nothing could mend my eye so I wore a patch. It gave me an edge around the people I mingled with.

I still had my harem of witches with me minus Lilith. The bitch left and took everything in my vault. It was okay, some of it was hers anyway and she did leave me the formula of the "No-scent" elixir that helps wolves blend with the humans. Because of it, wolves have difficulty sniffing out a wolf from a human so it's a great thing for the spies I have scattered all over the country.

Even if I had killed Celeste and presumably her pup, whispers of the prophecy of the celestial wolf didn't die down. There were other priestesses all over the world, not as powerful as Celeste though, but were priestesses nonetheless. To make sure the prophecy became a myth, I had each known priestess and anyone else, who was rumored to have powers, assassinated. I even began killing off witches who refused to pledge their allegiance to me. I knew it broke my agreement with the High Elder, but they couldn't pin the deaths of the priestesses and witches on me. None of them died by my hand nor could they find any evidence that a rogue wolf killed them. There was no trace of a wolf's scent on any of the victims.

A knock on the door broke me from my thoughts. "Come in." The door opened and Mary came in. She was wearing a beige bodycon dress made for a teenager and gold shoes and accessories. Her dark brown hair was up in a messy bun and she had tons of make-up on her face. Although she has had a nip and tuck in certain places, nothing could hide the fact that she was old. Using dark magic had a way of sucking your life essence. Although she was only in her late thirties, she had wrinkles and her hair had lost its luster.

"Magnus, why do we have to continue with this witch hunt? There is no proof Celeste's child was born. There is no one from her territory who can tell us anything that happened that night," she said as she seated herself on the sofa of my office. "It's been eighteen years to the day. Can't we give it a rest?" I shook my head.

"Why in the hell do I pay you so much money if you aren't going to do what I pay you for? Don't tell me you've gotten sick and tired of playing hostess to the wolves who enter the city?" She tapped the heel of her stilettos on the floor.

"I can't find you the information you seek. No one wants to talk and these Alphas who come here for a good time, just want to have a good time. None of them know much about Celeste since she was way past their time. The Alphas now are young. Their parents maybe know something, but they aren't the type to come here and party," she argued. I looked up from the ledgers and stared at her long and hard.

"Are you telling me you want to quit?" I asked her. I leaned back on my chair. "Okay." Her eyes widened with surprise and she smiled, eager to stop her search.

"Really? I can stop asking about Celeste?"

"Sure. You can quit and I'll quit paying you," I answered. "You're too expensive anyway." She pouted and slouched on the couch.

"Fine, I won't stop looking for information," she replied.

"I thought you would see it my way." I went back to checking the ledgers. "Any word on Jinx?"

"She's here, Magnus. She just got back," she said, sulkily. She knew Jinx was my favorite. Unlike her, Jinx never said no to me.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner? Tell her I want to see her. Now!" I yelled at her. She ignored my outburst and raised her hand to look at her blood red fingernails.

"She's still giving her new recruits the tour. She'll see you when she's done." Mary stood up and opened the door. "She found a couple of virgins for you to try." I looked up at her and smiled.

"That's the reason why she's my favorite, Mary. Now, be a good little witch and tell her I need to see her." She nodded then slammed the door behind her. What a bitch!

I again turned my attention towards the ledgers. I was wrong. Seems everything was where it was supposed to be. Or was there something I missed? I pushed the intercom button to get a hold of my secretary.

"Nancy, can you hand me the number of the accountant?" I asked her.

"Sir, which one? You have a team of accountants."

"No, not the ones under my employ." I needed a second opinion. "The wolf who does the accounting for the High Elder." She gasped. Ah, she knew who I was talking about.

"Yes sir. Right away, sir." I waited for a couple of minutes and she walked in with Jinx behind her. The very witch I wanted to see. Jinx was wearing a white long sleeve blouse tucked into a tight black high waist skirt. She had black rimmed glasses on, black stilettos and her long blonde hair draped her back and swayed as she walked. She looked smart.

My secretary placed a piece of paper on my desk and exited my office, closing the door behind her.

"What's that?" Jinx nodded her head at the piece of paper.

"The number of the accountant of the High Elder," I answered. Jinx raised her eyebrows at me.

"She won't work for you, Magnus. She has a strong "no rogue" policy," she said.

"I'll make it worth her while," I replied. "I need her to audit my books. I guess you heard the bookkeeper just bought a new mansion." Surprisingly, Jinx laughed at what I said.

"You did hear that he won the money, right?" How the fuck did she know that? She just got here. "If I'm not mistaken, one of those scratch cards you can buy at a convenience store." She approached the table and sat on it. "Magnus, stop thinking everyone is stealing from you. Just because Lilith-"

"DON'T EVER SAY HER NAME!" I yelled at her. She rolled her eyes at me.

"Just because Lilith stole from you, doesn't mean everyone else will. Anyways, I have some news for you," she said as she got off the table and sat in a chair infront of my desk.

"News?"

"A little bird told me Lilith is in Montana." That is news.

"Who told you?"

"I told you, a little bird." Of course, she had pet birds she would speak to and let loose to search for Lilith.

"What is she doing there?" I asked. She shrugged her shoulders. "How do you know it's her? And do you know where in Montana she's at?"

"I don't," she said, answering both my questions. She crossed her legs and looked at me, determination searing in her eyes. "That's why I'm here. I would like to ask your permission to go to Montana. I brought you thirty new girls...five are virgins. That will be enough to last you for a month maybe two. Anyways, maybe there are Omegas or wolves living in Montana who may want a job...or to start a new life perhaps. It's like killing two birds with one stone." I looked at her with my mouth open.

"When did you become so smart?"

"I went to school, university even. How do you think I got the girls I bring you?" She looked at me like I was an idiot then her expression softened. "So, will you grant me my request, Magnus? Please?"

"And why do you want to find Lilith?" I asked.

"She took something of mine, remember? I want it back." The amulet. I forgot about that.

"You have my permission. Do you want Mary to come with you?" I asked.

"No!" Jinx exclaimed. I was taken aback at her harsh reaction. She coughed and composed herself. "I mean, no. Mary will just get in my way. They were close friends remember?"

"I do. Okay, go, but under one condition." Jinx raised an eyebrow. "Set up an orgy first for tonight before you go." She smiled at me coyly and nodded her head.

"Consider it done."

______________

Jinx

I exited Magnus' office, irritated, but I kept a smile on my face. I didn't want his secretary to report back to him that I wasn't too happy when I left his office. His secretary smiled back at me and I nodded my head at her that I was done with whatever business I had with Magnus. I proceeded to the elevator at the end of hall which would take me to the basement.

I was sick and tired of staying here, of being his slave. Yes, I never said no to him, but every time I did what he wanted, my insides were screaming obscenities at him. I just wanted to get out of here. Far away, but I couldn't do it on my own. I needed Lilith.

Mary was useless. After eighteen years, she still acted like a bumbling idiot. Not once did she try to better herself. She just mooched off any sucker she could. However, now she was old. These young Alphas wanted something fresh, shiny, and new. They didn't want used, dull, and old. That was what we were now. Used and abused.

I had to set up an orgy, his way of testing the girls. Any girl who refused would be shackled and whipped. I didn't want this for the girls, but I had to keep up with appearances. I had no power to stop Magnus. The only one strong enough was the celestial wolf.

"I'm leaving, Jinx. I gave Magnus a sleeping draft. He'll be asleep until the morning, maybe until the afternoon," Lilith told me as she packed a small bag of her valuables.

"Where are you going to go, Lilith? If he finds you, he will kill you," I told her, hoping she would reconsider.

"I'm going to look for Celeste's child," she answered. I stared at her as if she were crazy.

"Lilith, the child is dead."

"No, she isn't, Jinx."

"The baby is a she? How on earth-..." I peered into her eyes to see if she was telling me the truth. "Celeste told you before she died, didn't she?"

"I'm not answering that. The less you know, the better. And don't tell Mary. She can't keep secrets." Mary was off with one her boy toys that evening. It was the perfect time for Lilith to escape. "Here Jinx." Lilith handed me a small vial. "This is a weak version of the sleeping draft. Place it in your tea and drink it so he doesn't suspect you."

"B-but you c-can't leave m-me here with him," I cried. "T-take me with you p-please."

"I will come for you when I have found her." She wiped the tears from my eyes and hugged me. "It will be difficult for the both of us to hide. He will definitely find us and when he does, he will kill us both. When it is time, I will send you a messenger. You can tell Magnus of your plans. In that way, he will come searching for you." I unhooked the chain of my amulet, my most prized possession, and gave it to her.

"I will tell Magnus you stole it. It will be enough reason for me to come and find you." Lilith took it and placed it on her neck.

"I will keep it safe until we meet again."

Eighteen years! It took Lilith eighteen years. But, she did it. She found her. She found Celeste's daughter.

Magnus was clueless. He didn't know what was coming.

I opened the door to the girls' quarters. They all screamed as I entered. I had disguised myself as a big, ugly beast of a man.

"I have a job for you. If you are good, you'll earn a lot of money. My boss is very generous. If you're bad, he'll whip you into submission." The girls whimpered. I felt bad, I did, but I had to do it. When I come back, I'll rescue all of you. I promise.

"So, who here gives a mean deep throat?"