"I know it because my father knew I think. The rest of the town aren't aware of it and we don't speak of it. Though some doubt and question their longevity, they usually tell it is a blessing and a curse to live that long without their children next to their side. We have the names cleared for the witches, a treaty my father held on to and it still goes even after my parent's death. This is a world full of mystery, some people are gifted, some people aren't. No one can be certain unless you are the person who is running the show," Penny didn't understand what the last line meant, "I will speak to Reuben on it. It might take a little more time. Do you both have it?" 

Both Penelope and Damien had planned to leave Valeria and go back to Bonelake but it seemed like they would be extending their stay further as Penny wanted to learn more about the Artemis out of sheer curiosity. 

Also, she would be able to unravel the mysteries of the black magic which she could learn from Isaiah who appeared to be helpful so far. 

"We can extend the time. I will drop a word about it to the council," Damien squeezed Penny's hand in encouragement.

If she wanted to know more and let her thoughts settle down, Damien had no intention to stop her. Instead, he enjoyed seeing her take part in the world she had stepped into wholeheartedly. Penny was a brave woman, reckless at times but it was alright. He admired her over those qualities along with her courageous behavior which kept him on his toes as he had to watch her back to make sure she was safe. 

He might have refused the idea of her working in the council as well as working in the theater, but it didn't mean he was against her exploring matters which she was keenly interested in. All Damien meant was for her to be well. 

The very day, both Alexander as well Damien wrote a letter each before sending it to the council. By the time the letters did reach the council, a man brought the letters to the head council's room. 

Rueben was drinking his blood tea, speaking to one of the councilmen regarding the rea.s.signment of a particular case which had not been fulfilled yet when the two letters from Valeria made its way through the door and onto the desk. 

"I thought we were progressing well with the case. What happened?" the head council, Reuben asked the councilman. 

"The members of the team have been unable to fulfill it. They are finding it hard. Usually, it was councilman Lionel's team who took care of it in the back end when things didn't work well," the councilman replied back. 

Rueben pursed his lips, "Councilman Igor. Currently, Lionel's team has been dispatched. Councilman Durik pa.s.sed away due to the incident that took place here in the council. Councilman Leonard and Councilwoman Vivian are on vacation and we don't know when they will be returning back to work. Councilman Heuren is a.s.sisting Lionel in his court and other duties. You cannot expect that your team slacks over the cases and then decide to push it to another team while you take the benefit now do you?" 

Igor was a small stout looking man, his eyes sharply looking at the head council knowing well what the man was implying. 

"My men don't drop all the cases," Councilman Igor smiled, his uneven teeth coming to be visible, "They aren't able to find the resource as many of the councilmen have moved to other lands for work. Getting information from the witches is already hard enough."

"Then they shouldn't find it hard in completing it," Reuben picked up the letters which were placed on his desk. Looking at the names which were on it, he looked back up at the man who was seated in front of him, "You will need to train your men to find other means. Unfortunately, right now we cannot call the ones who are not here and will rely on ourselves. I can give you one more week of the extension before the points go under deduction along with the case which will be completely moved to the next team," Reuben offered the man a small smile. 

Councilman Igor stared at the head council. His level of status as a councilman was lower compared to the head council which put him at a disadvantage to talk about anything right now.

"Thank you for your generosity, head council," the man stood up, bowing his head which meant nothing out of respect before closing the door behind him. 

Once councilman Igor left the room, Reuben heard the click sound of the door before he opened the first letter which was of Damien stating how he was going to extend his work in Valeria. 

"This boy," Reuben muttered under his breath.

They were already lacking people in Bonelake and he being one of the key resource finders the cases weren't moving as smoothly as before. Some had died, some had moved to fill in the position of the other due to death taking them away from these lands. 

Damien had the habit of doing things on his own which was why it was alright but he wished he would inform him beforehand than drop the bomb like this. He had been like this since the time he had joined the council. Turning to one of his very own personal apprentices, Reuben was the one who had chiseled the boy and it had been hard in the beginning. 

The pureblooded vampire was a cousin of Alexander Delcrov and there were only a few people who Damien listened to. The man did what pleased him. Sighing, he looked at the other envelope that had come for him.