Everly sat on the trunk crying as the forest witch approached her. She couldn't believe that her parents had left her there with this strange woman claiming to be her real mother. Everly's mind was racing with fear and confusion, she didn't know what to do or who to trust.

The forest witch, who was actually a sorceress named Selene, knelt down beside Everly and gently wiped away her tears. "Don't be afraid, child. I know this is all so new and scary for you, but I promise you that I will take care of you and love you as my own," Selene said in a soothing voice.

Everly looked up at Selene, studying her features. She had long, flowing black hair and piercing blue eyes that seemed to glow in the dark. Her skin was as pale as the moon and she wore a long black cloak that flowed behind her as she moved.

Despite her fear, Everly couldn't help but feel a strange sense of comfort around Selene. She had a maternal presence that made Everly feel safe and protected.

Selene stood up and held out her hand to Everly. "Come, let me show you around your new home," she said with a smile.

Everly hesitated at first, but eventually took Selene's hand and stood up. As they walked deeper into the forest, Everly couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and awe at the magical world around her. She saw creatures she had never even imagined before, like fairies and unicorns, and the trees seemed to come alive with every step they took.

As they approached Selene's lair, Everly gasped in amazement. The lair was a magnificent castle made of black stone and surrounded by a moat filled with red water. The castle was unlike anything Everly had ever seen before, and she couldn't believe that she was going to live there.

Selene led Everly inside the castle, and as they walked through the halls, Everly couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging. This was her home now, and Selene was her mother.

But as the days went by, Everly began to realize that something wasn't quite right. Selene was kind and loving to her, but there was a darkness that lingered within her. Everly couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she knew that Selene was hiding something from her.

As she explored the castle more, Everly stumbled upon a locked room that Selene had forbidden her to enter. Everly's curiosity got the best of her, and she managed to pick the lock and enter the room.

What she found inside shocked her to her core. The room was filled with potions and spell books, and there was a large cauldron in the center of the room. Everly realized that Selene was a powerful sorceress, and she had been keeping it a secret from her.

Everly knew that she had to confront Selene about this, but she was afraid of what the consequences might be. She didn't want to lose the only mother she had ever known, but she also couldn't ignore the darkness that was creeping up around her.

As she sat in her room, contemplating her next move, Everly realized that she was truly lost in the forest witch's lair.