Bites That Left Marks

Marie was aware of who Oriana was and nodded. "But not as powerful as you, Miss Oriana," Marie answered politely. "I am a mixed blood, not even a halfling." 

Her instincts were telling her that she should be kneeling in front of the Queen of Witches and calling her with a proper title— 'Your Eminence' —but Martha had told her not to do it. Oriana was not yet aware of her greatness and importance to their race. 

"Since when you are aware that you are a witch?" Oriana asked.

"Since I was a child. My father is a human, and mother is a witch and so was her mother. I inherited the bloodline from my maternal side. But as my mother is a halfling, we live among humans, and we don't generally practice witchcraft aside from a few simple spells. Maybe that is also the reason why I am not powerful as we don't practice spells nor research magic. When you don't use your magic, it becomes weaker over time."