Chapter 177: _She’s Not Guilty, But...
"Aunt Althea." I blurted as I slowly rose to my feet, watching the woman who raised me for most of my life walking toward me.
Her face wasn’t filled with judgment. It wasn’t filled with the disappointment I’d expected. No, instead it was filled with... Pride?
What’s she proud of?
"Odessa, my dear sweet child." Aunt Althea got in front of my cell as Marcellus stepped aside for her with a smile.
She wore a purple robe with runic designs and had her black hair flowing down freely.
Althea paused at first, glancing at Marcellus briefly before she gave him a curt nod. Before I could overthink that interaction or the scrutinizing way she stared at him, my aunt stretched her arms through the metal bars and pulled me into a hug.
"I’m so sorry you have to go through any of this." She whispered, brushing my hair tenderly. "I’ve always wanted you to inherit the powerful magic bloodline your mother and I share. But I never expected it to manifest like..."
She paused, briefly pulling away from me and placing her hands on my shoulders, staring at me with a wry smile. "Well, like this. With you behind bars, accused of a crime you didn’t commit and then forced into committing one that has alienated you from the continent."
I lowered my head, glancing at Marcellus who stood there silently, observing the both of us with a respectful gaze.
I placed my hands on my aunt’s wrists, letting myself feel her motherly warmth before I sighed heavily.
"The others in the coven." I started, my voice filled with hesitation. "D–Do they—"