Sophia's POV

I could sense that Ella was scared but didn't know anything else. Gaea knew exactly where she was but we couldn't just go in guns blazing so to speak.

The waiting was driving me crazy and after a very restless sleep I was extremely on edge. Movement surrounded me as everyone prepared to themselves to take on Mae and Brian. At this point I just wanted my daughter back.

That thought that she was in the hands of either or both of them drove me crazy with worry. Was she unharmed? Warm? Safe? I didn't know and it was slowly driving me insane.

"ENOUGH Knox – we need to leave now. I can feel Ella, she is terrified and I need to get to her. Enough planning. Everyone gather around it is time to leave."

Vlad and his men, Raine, the witches and Knox all formed a circle In the grass. "Okay everyone join hands and step closer together. I am going to concentrate on Ella's location, and once I have it I will connect with you...hopefully this works."

Closing my eyes I allowed Gaea to reach out for the link. Once I had a good hold on my connection to Ella, I reached out and touched Knox and Vlad. Seconds later we reappeared in a forest. A giant castle rested just ahead on the peak of the mountain.

Any other time I would have found our surroundings beautiful but my focus now was getting to my daughter.

Alright everyone, be alert and be careful. I have a feeling that they Mae already knows we are hear.

Everyone seemed to nod in understanding seconds before the forest around us exploded. Trees were suddenly engulfed in flames, while others fell over, blocking our path – caging us in. Grabbing everyone's hands I transported us out and into the castle.

Taking a second to make sure everyone was unharmed a noise at the end of the hall drew our attention.

There at the end of the long corridor stood Ella with Mae behind her holding on to her arms.

"Mama!"

"Ella sweetheart, are you okay?"

"Yes, but I am scared mama."

"I know baby, just stay strong and be brave."

God it was times like this I wished I could just transport something without having to touch it, that way we could get Ella away from Mae.

"Mae let my daughter go. Whatever your issue is with me, she is not involved. Let her go, she is just an innocent little girl, your great-granddaughter for pete's sake."

Knox and Vlad both flanked me as we proceeded down the hall. The others followed closely and watched our backs. As we approached I could clearly see Mae's anger blanketing her face.

"You are a fool girl to come here. You will be destroyed and meet the fate of others who chose to fight."

"Tell me Mae, why you even bothered to save me all those years ago to have things end like this. You could have just let me die at the hands of the Council – why even protect me, why warn my mother?"

You could see her face twist in pain at remembering the day she did her best to protect me, protect my mother. Her hands pulled Ella closer to her body as her breathing increased.

"You don't understand – "

"Well isn't this lovely – a family reunion. Why wasn't I invited? It really isn't nice to exclude me, now is it? And you brought your pathetic friends as well. Great now just more to kill. Mae bring my daughter to me."

There Brian stood, the real Brian, my abusive ex-husband and Ella's biological father. Hatred filled his eyes as he took in the way Knox's hand held mine. Ella was pushed over to his direction where he grabbed her tiny body with his strong hands. Hands that have repeatedly beaten me close to death.

Mae continued to stand there as she waited – for what I am not sure. But all I know is nothing made sense.

Knox what is going on? Why is Brian calling the shots? Mae looks like she is in a trance? Am I missing something?

I don't know, but I don't like this. Vlad any ideas?

I don't know what the fuck is going on. All I know is right now Brian seems to be in control of this not Mae.

We all stood there as Brian ranted on and on about the incompetency of the Council and how he was glad that they have finally perished. Now he didn't have to bother with doing it himself. How they laughed at him when he requested to join their ranks and how his Uncle berated him on not being strong enough.

Mae shifted, pushing up her sleeves as she slowly scooted away from Brian.

My Queen, look at her arms. The markings.

I see them Raine, what do they mean.

They are much like the ones on the imposter back home. Mae is being controlled by her markings.

Vlad, is that even possible? How does someone as strong as Mae allow magic to be inked onto her skin?

I am not sure Sophia, but Raine is correct. Mae is not in control of herself.

"ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO ME? Do I need to kill this little piece of shit to get your attention? Because I have no problem doing it sooner than planned."

"Wait, we are listening to you Brian. So you knew all along who I was? From day one. But none of your magic worked on me? Why?"

"Because of her. Mae's magic is the strongest out there. When she bind your powers she also placed a protection spell on you. Nothing was able to penetrate the spell. I tried everything over the years. The Council was not convinced that you even still possessed any magic since I could not tap into it. For year's they laughed at my failed attempts. Hell I even got you pregnant hoping the baby would weaken the spell."

That bastard, using his own daughter to gain power. Who the fuck does he think he is?

Calm down love, anything you do will harm Ella. We need to get her out of the way.

Knox was right. Lashing out in anger would cause my daughter harm.

"What is it that you want Brian?"

Laughing he smirked as he stared at me. "What I want Sophia is all of your power, the power I know that you now possess. You are even stronger than Mae according to the archives. There is no magic that you cannot do. I want that. I want that power so I can finally get what I deserve. And that is to be the true King to our world and to have everyone bow down to me."

Raine...I possess all magic right.

Yes my Queen, if the power exists you can call upon it when needed.

Looking over at Ella's tear filled eyes I sent her a smile and mouthed that I loved her. Her body suddenly disappeared from her father's grasps. The three witched behind me also disappeared at the same time.

"You bitch! Where is my daughter? After I kill you, I plan on killing her."

"You will never get her Brian. She is protected and always will be. I hate to break it to you but this ends today and I won't be the one lying dead at the end of it. You will."

Brian's temper finally snapped as he shouted out commands to Mae...the fight had begun.