Alice- Vs. Circe

‘Alice was brave and powerful – perhaps one of the most powerful witches who has ever walked the earth,’ Grimalkin told me. ‘And she badly wanted to be reunited with her daughter. Despite Tom Ward doing all he could to dissuade her, Alice gathered her magic and attacked Circe in her lair. It is almost impossible for a witch to match the power of a goddess but Alice came very close to winning before being forced to retreat. Despite Tom Ward pleading with her not to repeat such a terrible risk, within one short month of her defeat, filled with a mother’s fury, Alice attacked again. And this time Alice damaged Circe very badly. It wasn’t a victory but it bought time – years when she and her family could live happily in relative safety …’

‘So it was safe for Tilda. You were able to give her back to Alice?’ I asked.

Grimalkin nodded and spoke again, showing those terrible teeth. ‘Yes. Tom, Alice and Tilda lived together in happiness here for almost ten years. But it could not last. No matter how badly such a powerful goddess is damaged, unless totally destroyed she will regenerate and regain her strength. Circe sent her creatures against this Chipenden house. At first the attacks were minor and the boggart easily repelled them. Then one night the boggart was finally defeated. It lost its other eye and now is blind. And it took all of Alice’s magic just to repel Circe. The danger continued to grow and once more I took Tilda to a place of safety.’

What place was safe from a goddess? How could you hide from such a powerful being? I didn’t want to hear the end of Grimalkin’s narrative – it could only end badly – but I forced myself to listen.

‘One night, the inevitable happened. Circe attacked and won. Tom and Alice disappeared and have not been seen since. Tilda is safe for now but I do not know how much longer I will be able to protect her.’

Wulf's Bane Chapter 13