The fire roared in the hearth, yet Darvulia felt a chill as she approached the high, empty throne at the back of the hall. The figure standing at the arched window gazed out into the night. A long scarlet cloak hung from her shoulders and her stern features were barely discernible in the firelight. 

“You are late,” Anna Báthory said without turning around. 

“Forgive me, mistress! I had an important and extraordinary dream,” Darvulia replied. 

“Dream?” Anna snapped, spinning round. “What dream could be more important than the ritual we have so long been preparing for? You know full well that nobody has ever attempted to awaken the dragon before! What could take precedence over this?” 

“Mistress, please, listen to me!” she said. “I know why nobody has attempted what we are planning to do! I have seen what will happen if we succeed!” 

Anna looked scornfully at the young witch. Darvulia had only joined the secret coven of dragon sisters a mere two years before as the thirteenth member and she had reservations about her.

The mistress turned back to the window. Wisps of cloud shaded the light of the full moon – its weak rays were not yet strong enough for the role they were destined to play.

“It seems this time the night is on your side,” Anna said. “Tell me what you saw, but it had better be important!”

~~~

What could Darvulia have dreamed that frightened her so much? Find out in Dragon Sister, the eighth fictional short story in The Book of Forgotten Witches.