《The Spirit Beyond》 Prologue - Recap What was meant to be a peaceful night in Pendle turned into a fight for survival. The night of the new moon, Lexi prepared to break the fate line that bonded her to Leo. However, Thursday night was circle night, and feelings of conflict had her second-guessing. Shortly after the circle, Leo unexpectedly arrived, leading to an emotional and tense reunion with Lexi. A heartfelt moment is interrupted by Cornelius, who is ready to pick a fight to make more vampires and continue his plan to rid the council and its treaty. The coven broke free and fled as far away from their hunters. They all come to the realisation that they can no longer hide. To move attention away from the family coven, they had to keep moving and hopefully find unexpected allies to help them. This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. Despite their creative defences, they were caught by an onslaught of vampire minions and forced to turn more sickly humans into vampires. An interruption from the supernatural detective, Magnus and the unexpected arrival of the local wolf pack gave Lexi an opening to escape with her coven. But she could not escape fate. An obvious sign, one she could not ignore. The legend of the banshee is well-known throughout the world. Her piercing scream foretold death to those who could hear her. It stayed with Lexi until the very end. In the end, Maddie would be the one to end it all. A struggle tempted the anger of the girl, and lack of patience led to devastating wounds, but not without a scared face. Knowing the wounds could not be healed, Lexi accepted her death. She was glad Leo was with her as she left her physical body. ¡°You again?¡± I looked away from Leo, holding me, to find a hooded figure. The grim has come for me. They say that death is only the beginning. Lexi¡¯s soul cannot rest yet. Mayhem Third Person The night is still young in Pendel. The urban town, on the surface, was quiet and peaceful. Young ones sleep, adults unwind after a long day, and they look forward to the weekend. The local large coven sat around the cramped living room, chatting and catching up on the week¡¯s events. Some help the Langton mother search for answers. Little did the town know of the mayhem that was occurring in the vast woods.
Cornelius Cornelius took a large breath and stepped forward. Only a huff could be heard as fur broke the tree line, and a vast grey wolf pinned Cornelius. The Alpha Dominic. But Cornelius¡¯ strength surprised the Alpha, and he quickly fled with a giant wolf following him. ¡°Shit, shit¡­¡± Profanity spilt from Cornelius¡¯ mouth as he ran as fast as his legs would take him. He could still feel the thundering paws chasing him. He could not shake off the alpha that hunted him like prey. He specifically stayed out of the pack''s territory for this reason. Cornelius was no match for the wolf, but he might be able to maim the alpha. He just needed Wolfbane and a weapon¡­ what he required was¡­ ¡°Blackspit!¡± he cried. ¡°For goddesses sake,¡± Maddie muttered, watching the fool in her shattered mirror crying out for her to help him. She rolled her eyes. Only her luck would bring her a cowardly vampire, but at least he was resourceful. Giving her another fae stronger than the last gave her enough magic to deal with her. Grasping some supplies, she closed her eyes and stepped forward, stepping from the creaky floorboards to the grassy earth. Maddie took the silver fae knife she swiped from a council member''s corpse and rubbed wolfsbane. It was blunt and well-worn but would do the job nicely. She strategically thrust it into a tree trunk and left as swiftly as she came. Cornelius caught a glimpse of silver in his path. ¡°Yes!¡± he hissed. He pulled it out and turned abruptly. While surprised at the sudden turn, Alpha Dominic pounced on his target like a well-trained predator. He trapped the Vampire with two large paws, holding the vampire still. A flash of silver made the oversized dog yelp. Cornelius had pricked the alpha''s paw, tasting out his weapon. The growls told him it was working as intended. Another jab, this time at the lower leg and the blade was pulled down. Cornelius felt it scrape against bone and flesh rip. It was not a clean slice¡­ Cornelius found it perfect. The alpha fought against the white-hot pain that seared through his leg. He had to put down the vampire while it was between his paws. Except the searing pain made his vision double, and the world spun. Wolfsbane. It weakens the body, and the wolf is toxic in large amounts. The alpha needed help. He screamed out a howl as he crashed onto his back. He felt his wolf go inwards, changing back into his human form. Others answered the call. Cornelius knew the wound on his leg would be more than enough, but where was the fun in that? Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.
Seri Quinn rushed from her spot to Devan, helping him up quickly, and held a hand to Seri before running. Seri huffed as she hobbled over uneven ground. She tried to keep up with the fitter couple, Quinn and Devan, but she had to take breaks. She groaned and leaned against a tree for a couple of seconds. Seri could hear the wave of fighting that was coming closer. She snuggled into a nook of a tree, waiting for them to go past. She was not far from the Oak, just another mile or so. ¡°Soona,¡± she whispered, trying to heal some minor bites and scrapes and quietly watched the mayhem wave pass her. She listed them pale vampire blurs, fur and paws, ribbons of magic like fireworks¡­ Seri continued to heal some wounds and readied herself for the straight run to the Oak. Although she lagged, no one focused on her. With a deep breath, she continued her run, rushing past the mass of bodies and fighting wolves, vampires and witches¡­ Goddess, this was a lot to take in. She was glad to see a friendly face, and she shouted. ¡°Lathen!¡± With a smile, she followed him through the next tree line. Lathen slowed, and together, they ran towards the oak. They were finally reunited, with the two impatiently waiting. ¡°Finally!¡± Quinn cheered, turning around from her pacing. Devan¡¯s smile dropped slightly as he noted only two, ¡°Where¡¯s Lexi and Leo?¡± Lathen, confused, turned back to where he ran from. ¡°They were right behind me¡­¡± he trailed, ducking his head to the left and right, trying to spot them. Devan¡¯s smile dropped completely as his eyebrows furrowed, ¡°Best to wait here for them.¡± He turned to Quinn, ¡°Do you have any energy left?¡± She nodded, ¡°Obscuravale.¡±
Jack ¡°The alpha is injured¡­¡± The words rang through Jack''s head as Corey led the old wolf to the Alpha. Dominic lay flat on his back, surrounded by the pack, furiously working to stop the bleeding. Sweat, blood and grime coated his entire body. His typically hardened eyes were scrunched in pain as a guttural continuous growl left him. A jagged wound stretched from his left shoulder to his right hip, and the torn flesh exposed the bone of his femur. Once white rags were dyed red, fresh white ones tried replacing the old, slightly panicked faces pushed against the vast wound. The beta, a younger version of the burly man, looked up at Jack approaching. He held down the alpha by the shoulders and head, forcing him to lay still. Beta Aaron shook his head at his father. These wounds were not healing as they should be. ¡°We need a healer. Now,¡± Aaron stressed. Jack looked around at the other faces, ¡°Anything on the witch?¡± They all looked away. They had heard nothing. Jack clicked his tongue, and with the reassurance of a swift return, he searched for the detective. Surely, they had one competent healer.
Magnus Victoria hauled him up by his collar and brought attention to the bloodied child. ¡°Silencio! Stand down. Your sire has fallen¡­¡± The fighting ceased slowly, a few still not giving up the fight. ¡°You have a choice. Pledge your oath to me, or you will not see the sunrise,¡± Victoria said with conviction. Magnus looked around at the devastation and continued to rub his forehead. What was meant to be a quick apprehension turned into mayhem. The local wolves even went beyond their territory to help these witches. They, too, lost some of their own to the army of vampire minions Cornelius had raised. Victoria was receiving oaths, and she dealt with those that did not. Magnus¡¯ colleagues grilled all of them for information as Cornelius decided to become a mute. The Council will have fun with this one. ¡°Detective.¡± A large hand touched his shoulder. Magnus jumped lightly and grasped the hand in shock. ¡°Sorry. We need your help. Can you spare a healer? One that knows wolfbane poisoning?¡± The gruff voice sounded familiar to Magnus. He made a mental note to revisit this later and called for his team. ¡°Peter! Grab a team. Wolfsbane,¡± he shouted before turning to the older gentleman again, ¡°Peter is the best we have; if you need anything, just ask.¡± With a short nod, the old wolf led the healers to the injury. ¡°Sir?¡± A colleague caught his attention. ¡°Yeah?¡± he replied. ¡°We found them by an Oak tree. They were reluctant to leave¡­¡± Magnus turned to the small group. They all looked haggard. They were tired and battered. Magnus could still tell they were on edge, looking around for something, huddling into the given blankets and water. He counted¡­ One. Two. Three. Four? ¡°Where are the other two?¡± he asked gently. The small group looked at one another, each afraid to answer. Lathen spoke up, ¡°We don¡¯t know.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± he gently replied before turning to the search team. ¡°Keep searching. Widen the area to 30 miles. Leave no stone unturned! We have two missing¡­¡± ¡°We may need a personal item to help dowse for them¡­ Do you have anything?¡± Magnus asked the group. Just as he feared, they all shook their heads gently. Quinn and Seri leaned onto each other as their eyes watered. ¡°Come on. It''s time to take you all home.¡± He opened his arm, gesturing towards the urban town. ¡°No. We should stay and wait for them. They may still make their way to the Oak¡­¡± Devan relented. ¡°We have it covered. You can do nothing here than wait around and get cold. Please, let me take you home. We will tell you when we find them,¡± he gently coaxed. ¡°He¡¯s right¡­¡± Lathen pipped up, stepping forward. The others watched and followed silently, giving in on their very short stand. Magnus braved himself as he led the four back to the Langton residence. He was apprehensive about the mother. His head would be on a splatter if they could not find the two young witches. He wished they were not home, but the living room lights poured into the kitchen and across the short lawn. He cleared his throat as Devan knocked on the patio door. As it opened, he could see Isobelle''s confused but smiling face. ¡°Devan? Why are you knocking-?¡± She cut off her words as she saw Magnus standing nearby, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°Mrs Langton-¡± Magnus started. Deven broke. Tears and sobs broke the silence, and it seemed the events and reality of the night had finally caught up to him. Isobelle, shocked, coaxed him inside the house, sitting on a chair. ¡°Come in. Tell me everything.¡± She swallowed thickly, blinking away her tears. Isobelle knew before Magnus even opened his mouth. Lexi was gone. Homeward Bound Lexi ¡°You again?¡± I broke away from Leo holding my body to find a hooded figure standing with a giant scythe in hand and looking down at a¡­ clipboard? ¡°Hello?¡± I said apprehensively, unsure of how to respond. ¡°I told them no more favours, no more deals,¡± he said furiously, flipping through pages, ¡°Yet here you are some five months late to your death. You are not in Whitby, and this paperwork lacks details!¡± He dropped the papers in frustration, but they never hit the ground. Instead, it disappeared into thin air. ¡°Damn fates. So,¡± he rolled his shoulders back and calmly flipped his hood down, ¡°Who did you make a deal with? Because my paperwork is missing several things.¡± I don¡¯t know if I was taken aback by his question of a deal or the unexpected appearance of the figure of death. ¡°Dad?¡± I asked, doubtful. ¡°Ah, sorry. It helps people to see a familiar face waiting for them¡­¡± He clicked his fingers, and a shimmer mimicking water poured over him. He changed from the familiar face of my green-eyed father to a more timeless one. His expression was apathetic and calm. Only greying silver hair gave away his countless aeons of guiding souls to their afterlives. His skin appeared ageless, with dark eyes reflecting the voids of darkness, yet his beauty was otherworldly. His cloak flowed around his grey choice of robes with otherworldly grace, only one skeletal hand extended from billowing sleeve clasping the large black scythe, and a crown of gold gilded leaves sat upon his head. I was stunned to speak. I glanced at Leo almost as if to reassure myself, but he was still sitting at the tree''s base, holding me with eyes cast down. I looked around and passed Death to look for Grandma Langton or another familiar face. A quiet sigh left the ethereal god as he moved calmly towards me. I did not feel threatened once bit by this god. His aura was calm and serene. He reached out a skeletal hand and touched my shoulder in a kind and understanding manner. ¡°Let¡¯s start again. I am Thanatos. You may know me as Death itself or the Grim Reaper. Normally, I take souls to their chosen afterlife. Well, myself and other gods of death you may know of¡­ It¡¯s a big job, as you can understand.¡± ¡°You said¡­ normally?¡± I ventured, a little braver. ¡°Yes. Except, when a deal has been struck, your soul will belong to the God or Goddess you took a deal with.¡± ¡°A deal? What kind of deal?¡± ¡°Life,¡± he stated bluntly, ¡°You know them as miracles. Everything comes at a price.¡± I looked down at the frozen earth with furrowed brows. His answer only raised more questions, and his riddle-like sentences were not helping. ¡®A deal of life¡­¡¯ He leaned against his scythe to see my face, ¡°That face tells me you have no idea what I am talking about.¡± I looked back up and admitted, ¡°I don¡¯t. I¡¯m sorry.¡± He smiled lightly and held out a hand, ¡°It happens more often than you think. The deal will be written somewhere. Well, shall we find out?¡± ¡°No need, Thanatos.¡± A female voice called out from the depths of the dark trees, ¡°This one is mine.¡± ¡°Yours?¡± Thanatos turned my view of the goddess still obscured, ¡°Unbelievable. You know how many souls I deal with; I need complete records!¡± Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. ¡°It slipped my mind.¡± The air crackled with energy as she stepped into view, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. She was draped in robes that seemed to be woven from the night itself as she moved. She stood tall and regal in her movements. A cascade of long black curls reflected moonlight despite the new moon, giving her another worldly beauty with sharp and striking features. I was not on the mortal plane anymore. A pale hand shuffled tamed curls back as she stepped closer to me. ¡°You can continue your duties. I will take this one,¡± her voice resonated like a chime of distant bells. Thanatos signed gently, ¡°Gladly. Take care, Hecate.¡± ¡°You too, Thanatos.¡± I stared impolitely in awe. This was Hecate, the Goddess of magic and witchcraft. A gentle smile appeared on her timeless face, ¡°You probably have many questions.¡± I nodded sheepishly, making her laugh lightly. ¡°Come. There is much to talk about.¡± She reached across, putting an arm around my shoulder and gently ushering me into the darkness of the trees. Unknowingly, I dragged my heels; something didn¡¯t feel right¡­ I peered over my shoulder at Leo. He seemed frozen in time. My heart yearned. I couldn¡¯t leave. Hecate instantly noticed my hesitation; she stopped her gentle probing. With a sad sigh, she slowly made her way over to him. Crouching down, she hovered over him and leaned over to whisper into his ear. The wind picked up the goddess''s whispers, and Leo seemed to respond. ¡°Take her home.¡± Leo¡¯s hand touched my face, stroking the hair back as she stood. ¡°Come. He will be fine,¡± she reassured. My consciousness eased a little as he stood carefully. Hecate put her arm around me once more but waited for me to take the first step. I watched him leave first before I started my journey with the goddess.
Leo The forest turned silent as the darkness settled in. It was like the world was morning with him. Once a place of magical wonder, it seemed oppressive and foreboding. Shadows stretched long and dark, and the wind whistled almost mournfully through the trees. Leo sat slumped against the tree, cradling Lexi¡¯s lifeless body in his arms. His tears had long since dried, but the hollow ache in his chest was all too familiar. He knew he couldn¡¯t stay here forever, though every fibre of his being wanted to sit there, holding her and let the world move on without him. He couldn¡¯t help but remember Anna being carried home by Edward. Now, Leo had to face the same grief that would be in Isobelle¡¯s eyes. Thinking about it was almost unbearable, but the mother needed her daughter to mourn. The wind picked up as Leo gently brushed the stray hair from Lexi¡¯s pale face with a deep, shuddering breath. He couldn¡¯t stop his fingers from trembling. She looked like she was sleeping, like at Whitby Hospital. Was she truly gone? ¡°Home,¡± he whispered, his voice breaking and his throat sore from his harrowing cries. Let¡¯s go home.¡± He forced himself to move. He was careful not to jostle her as he got to his feet. The weight of her body was both a physical and emotional burden. It pressed down on him with every inch he moved. Leo adjusted Lexi in his arms, ensuring she was as comfortable as possible, even in death. The thought sent a fresh wave of sorrow over him. He swallowed thickly, pushing his emotions away to focus on the task. He didn¡¯t look around once, keeping his eyes trained on the ground, stepping over the tricky roots and dodging the low-hanging branches. He couldn¡¯t let anything disturb her during the long path back. Leo¡¯s resolve never wavered, but as he trudged on, memories of Lexi flashed through his mind: Her teasing laugh, bright smile, and stubbornness. She made him feel alive. The knife-like pain twisted deeper with every step. He passed the small stream and admired its ability to remain steady, calm and unchanging. The coven visited this stream many times to relax after a circle. It was a constant in their lives¡­ more memories of Lexi flooded his mind. They never stopped as he continued. He didn¡¯t hear the shouts or murmurs from the council lackeys around him. They blurred into the trees, their whispers blending with the whistling trees. People stepped aside, their expressions a mix of sorrow and respect. They had found the missing two, but Lexi''s death told them they had failed their mission. Leo kept his eyes forward, focusing only on putting one step before the other and not jostling his precious cargo. After an eternity, the forest''s edge came into view. He paused momentarily, looking up at the back of her house. The house that was usually so warm and welcoming now felt like a looming presence. Taking a deep breath and tightened his grip on Lexi before moving to the back porch. He was halfway down the garden path, and the door was ripped open. Isobelle leaned against the doorframe, shaking her head in disbelief. ¡°No,¡± she whispered. Seeing her daughter made it all too real. ¡°No! Goddess, why?¡± She collapsed to the floor with an anguished cry. Keiron appeared behind her with wide eyes. Leo took a shattered breath as he ascended the few stairs. Keiron gathered the broken mother from the entrance and let Leo pass with Lexi. Hysterical crying overtook the tiny house. Leo paused at the small door under the stairs, taking a moment to summon his little strength. He pushed open the door and walked the final steps to the table in the centre. He gently laid her down on the cold, bare wood, cradling her head. He could not let the harsh oak make her uncomfortable, so he procured a small pillow and placed it beneath her head. The cries became louder as Lexi¡¯s family huddled around her. Their small coven following. Isobelle reached out, touching Lexi¡¯s face with trembling hands. Leo¡¯s heart broke all over again. ¡°Thank you,¡± Isobelle muttered, reaching for Leo¡¯s forearm. The sudden touch made him look into her eyes. ¡°Thank you for bringing her back to me,¡± she finished, her voice no more than a whisper. He nodded, with eyes watering with fresh tears. His legs trembled, threatening to give way. He has done what he needed to, but the pain of his loss and the weight of grief was too much to bear. He turned away and took a few paces before sinking to his knees. Lexi was home. What now? Jack Low growls echoed around the small cabin as the witches once again gathered their strength. They used most of their power to close the gushing wounds. Only then did the pack move the alpha to the Pack House. Jack watched on as the beta grew more concerned for his alpha. Dominic was trying to fight the wolfsbane, but the poison was taking its toll. Sweat dripped from every pore, as the war inside his body continued. The witches also felt the urgency. They desperately tried to cleanse his body and blood. However, his wolf was untrusting of them, making the already difficult job nearly impossible. Jack sighed at the predicament. The pack could not have another alpha fight, like the last one fifteen years ago. ¡°Aaron.¡± A fellow wolf appeared at the doorway, covered in dirt and panting wildly. Aaron looked up, eyebrows scrunched together. ¡°Scouts have replied. The healers are on their way,¡± he spoke in a low tone, ¡°as fast as they can...¡± Aaron sighed heavily, ¡°That means they will be a few hours.¡± The witches looked at one another before the superior piped up, ¡°We will keep trying-¡± ¡°No,¡± Jacks gruff voice spoke up. ¡°Dad,¡± Aaron warned, glaring at him. ¡°Treat the symptoms. I have an idea,¡± Jack ordered before exiting the tiny house. They needed Lexi. ¡°Tiffany, I know it¡¯s been tough¡­¡± Corey, the older brother tried to console the sister, his shirt still covered in dirt and blood. Tiffany continued to cry and wail slightly. She struggled against the brothers arms, trying to get to the small hut. ¡°You did great out there. Stop worrying-¡± ¡°Jack!¡± Tiffany cried. Jack heard the commotion before he left. He paused, hearing the murmurs and whispers around the pack space. ¡°I can¡¯t believe it.¡± ¡°Poor kid.¡± Every wolf looked down and depressed. Although it wasn¡¯t for their leader¡­ ¡°She¡¯s dead,¡± Tiffany cried, collapsing to the ground. ¡°Tiffany a lot of our people fought-¡± Jack tried. ¡°No! We failed, Lexi is dead.¡± Tiffany blubbered. Jack was for once speechless. He convinced the alpha to step in, to help fight and protect the witch. We owed her for Tiffany¡¯s wolf and Dominic hoped they could count on the local coven more. Perhaps rebuild the broken bridges. ¡°I am sorry.¡± Jack spoke to no one in particular and continued on with his original plan. She had rose from death once before, Jack believed she could do it again. He had to see this for himself.
Maddie Caw caw! The crow landed on top of the smashed mirror. Maddie glowered at her reflection; a perfect black handprint scarred her flesh from the corner of her mouth to her cheekbone. She dared not touch the grotesque flesh, simply watching the dark red blood dry up and strips of skin curl back. The nerves had been destroyed; she could not feel the sharp, tingling pain like before. Instead, it felt like it was spreading; her face swelled, and blisters outlined the print. She hated being in a mortal body. ¡°That looks nasty,¡± the crow croaked from the top of its mirror. Maddie¡¯s eyes flicked up to the crow as she blinked back tears. ¡°Can you help?¡± she pleaded. Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. She had tried everything, every spell she knew. To heal, to cover up, to stop the pain. Nothing worked, not even fae magic. The crow hopped down the back of the mirror. Instead of an avian, the goddess, her beneficiary, appeared and leaned down to inspect the flesh. Hovering a hand over Maddie¡¯s cheek, the goddess felt resistance¡­ ¡°Not for free¡­¡± Morrigan informed. ¡°Take anything,¡± Maddie quickly offered. A sly smile came over the Morrigan¡¯s face. This soul was always vain and valued appearance and power above all else. ¡°There is nothing else to take from you, Maddie,¡± Morrigan informed. The girl fell to her feet, and forehead touching the dirty floorboards, begged, ¡°Please!¡± ¡°Get up,¡± Morrigan commanded eyes rising to the sky. ¡°We don¡¯t beg,¡± she shunned. The goddess¡¯s hand hovered over the wound. The anger and desperation of Lexi¡¯s magic could be felt. The little witch ensured the burn would scar and the goddess wouldn¡¯t ruin the artwork. She looked forward to laughing at the childish tantrum that Maddie would give. Yes¡­ The Morrigan knew this soul well.
Lexi ¡°How are you feeling?¡± Hecate eased in, still walking deeper into the forest. ¡®How do I feel¡­¡¯ It was hard not to throw an eye-roll and offend the goddess. I have left my physical body behind. My friends, family, and Leo¡­ are probably already morning me in my childhood home. I should be on my journey to the Summerland to reunite with my loved ones and soul family. Yet, here I am¡­ still tied to the earth and walking with a goddess¡­ the goddess of witchcraft. I felt sad¡­ angry¡­ lost¡­ but mostly¡­ ¡°¡­ Confused,¡± I admitted. She laughed and stopped walking, turning me to face her. ¡°Most are.¡± She smiled knowingly. ¡°I¡¯m mostly wondering what this ¡®deal¡¯ is. And if it is normal not to¡­ remember it?¡± I continued sheepishly. Her smile dropped quickly, and she stepped away, thinking and looking at the bright stars above. ¡°I learned of your tale a millennia ago. I watched you that night in Whitby and waited for the inevitable prophecy. That night, two deals were struck.¡± She turned to face me, ¡°Your grandmother, Selena, gave up her place in the afterlife to give you a second chance. And¡­¡±¨CShe glanced off to the side¨C ¡°I admired your strength,¡± she finished pointedly. Realisation flooded me through my mind. ¡®Quinn! My spell¡­¡¯ This goddess honoured the call. ¡°The penny¡¯s dropped.¡± She smiled brightly. Tears welled up at the memory of the abbey, ¡°My grandma, will she be alright?¡± ¡°I have returned her to her rightful place. She was upset not to see you, but a deal is a deal.¡± ¡°Now¡­¡± She clapped, walking forward, ¡°Come, we will have to wait a little longer.¡± ¡°Um¡­ What for?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t take you anywhere looking like that,¡± she gestured. I looked down and noted the Dried blood, sweat and mud that coated my clothes and skin. I was still dressed in the same clothes¡­ Caw, Caw! The sudden interruption loud noise made us both look. The croaking broke the eerie silence that I had quickly become accustomed to. Hecate tsked, ¡°Damn crows...¡± Turning away from me, she unclasped her cloak from her shoulders and moved with purpose in a circle, holding the iridescent cloth in front of us. ¡°They work for another.¡± ¡°Can they see¡­¡± I began to ask. ¡°Spirits? Yes. Well¡­ these ones can, and I don¡¯t want a visitor.¡± She did not once faulter in her movements as she spoke her ominous words. The cloak left a trail of darkness in its wake, moving against the black sky, the stars dimmed a little as it did. It moved, like an extension of her, coating the trees and enshrouding us in a see-through dome. ¡°That should cover us.¡± She sat at the base of a tree meditatively and closed her eyes. I cleared my throat awkwardly, ¡°What are we waiting for exactly?¡± ¡°The preparation ritual,¡± she quickly replied. ¡°¡­I always thought their spirit was around when we prepared the body?¡± ¡°Most of the time, yes. Unfortunately, you were mine from the moment you left your physical body,¡± she pointed. I gazed towards my hands, seeing the flaking dried blood, once more. The preparation ritual was part of the morning process. Like the Egyptians, the body would be prepared for the afterlife... minus mummification. The body would be cleaned, wounds sewn shut, clothes changed, and anything else the family thinks a person would need. I remember how Mum was so upset that we couldn¡¯t do it for our father. We couldn¡¯t take him home; instead, the coroner performed an investigation, under the councils request. Nothing was found, but I have a feeling Jack had something to do with it. Being in mourning, I didn¡¯t think to ask about it. I gently perched, right where the goddess left me, and waited.
Keiron The mother continued stroking her daughter¡¯s matted blonde hair, smiling and weeping as she did. ¡°She looks so much like Nick,¡± she hiccupped. ¡°I know.¡± Kerion shared the sentiment. His gaze turned towards Leo. The lad was sat up against the wall with a vacant look in his eye. He didn¡¯t say a word as he brought her in, instead putting her immediately on the table. It didn¡¯t take a genius to know he was with her when she passed over. The blood staining his clothes said as much. Alex stood opposite his mother, staring down in disbelief, which then turned into anger. It was evident he was struggling with his emotions. Her little coven had yet to come into the little room. They opted to stay out of the way, allowing them space. For now, they occupied the kitchen, sat around the table, and helped each other through it. An awkward cough caught the uncle¡¯s attention. The detective stood shy of the door, not daring to block the light. ¡°I¡¯ll be right back,¡± Keiron whispered. He led the detective to the front of the house, out of earshot from the crying party. ¡°What is it?¡± Keiron turned and muttered in a low voice. ¡°Firstly, Sorry for your loss,¡± Magnus said sincerely, ¡°Secondly, we have the vampire. He will be under investigation, and unfortunately, we will need witnesses...¡± Keiron sighed heavily and rubbed his eyes, feeling a little frustrated. ¡°I know.¡± Magnus looked down, ¡°We will of course, wait until after the funeral and give you all space, but this will not be the end.¡± Keiron nodded, a hand covering his chin. ¡°It wasn¡¯t Cornelius.¡± Both heads turned to the stairs, Leo leaned against the doorway, eavesdropping. ¡°Leo?¡± Keiron asked confused. ¡°The vampires had gone. They stopped chasing her a while back, and¡­ I lost sight of her.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to do this now-¡± Magnus tried. ¡°There was a knife left behind...¡± Leo continued sharply. ¡°A knife?¡± Magnus pulled out a little notebook, jotting down on an empty page. ¡°I will find it. Anything unique about it?¡± ¡°Gold and blue handle.¡± Leo sounded monotone, reciting the memory. The detective made a swift note in his pad, and with a nod to Keiron, swiftly left through the backdoor. ¡°...It may have been the witch.¡± Leo muttered. He kept his eyes trained to the floor the whole time he was talking. Evidently, replaying the events in his mind. ¡°Let¡¯s not worry about this right now.¡± Keiron approached him and clasped his shoulder. Isobelle¡¯s shadow blocked the doorway under the stairs and her son, Alex, ventured out into the kitchen. Her bloodshot eyes glazed over the four huddled around her table. ¡°I need¡­¡± her voice cracked, sore from the wailing, ¡°I need help preparing her... Seri, Quinn...Will you help?¡± Tear-stained cheeks nodded solemnly before joining her under the stairs. The preparation began. A Ritual of Mourning Third Person Isobel chanted over the bowl and moved her hand in a clockwise motion as Keiron pulled the door shut after delivering a white gown. It gave them privacy. Seri choked back tears as she finally looked upon her best friend and sister. Quinn leaned over Lexi¡¯s head stroking the fine baby hairs back.
Hecate perked up as she felt the wind pick up. Lexi¡¯s hair swayed, moving the stray hairs side to side. ¡°It¡¯s time.¡±
They had seen her in much worse condition. Leo was right, its like she is simply sleeping. However, as Quinn glanced down her body, the evidence of torn and sliced flesh gave away the truth. Isobel stood, with a now steaming bowl in hand, making the pair wipe away tears. ¡°It¡¯s alright. This is a safe space,¡± the mother whispered gently, ¡°I won¡¯t be holding tears back while we do this.¡± She placed the water down on the altar beside them and asked for the water to be cleansed for the departing. Seri swallowed her lump, but small tears fell over her cheek. ¡°Where do we start?¡± She asked quietly. ¡°Clothes,¡± the mother stated calmly.
¡°Huh?¡± Lexi zoned out face, turned to the goddess. Hecate stood, and calmly commanded, ¡°Stand¡­ You¡¯ll feel it. Enjoy it.¡± She turned and walked past the darkness, out of sight. Lexi awkwardly stood, looking around for something¡­ A tug on her shoe made her hop to the side. Her shoe disappeared? She watched as the shoelace untied by itself and vanished into thin air. A look of bewilderment came on her face. ¡°Stop thinking Lexi.¡± Came the goddesses voice from the darkness, ¡°Your family are preparing you.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t think-¡± Lexi didn¡¯t finish the sentence, her shirt was lifted over her head. ¡°The changes happen to Spirit? You have much to learn grasshopper,¡± Hecate laughed.
¡°There.¡± Isobel softly spoke to Lexi as she placed her daughter hands on her torso. ¡°Now time to mend and clean.¡± Seri brought over the warm water, it had time to cool from the mothers magic and it shined iridescent as prayers were answered. An anxious Quinn fetched over the needle and thread, ¡°Can¡¯t we just heal them with magic?¡± Isobel softly rubbed her shoulder. You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. ¡°She won¡¯t feel a thing¡­¡± She smiled at her own dark humour, taking the needle from Quinn, ¡°Help Seri with her hair. I will do this.¡±
The wind picked up once again, but it was not bitter or cold. Instead, it felt surprisingly warm¡­ Inviting even. Lexi¡¯s eyes closed as she felt the achingly familiar tug of hands going through her hair. Although, a dull pin prick in her thigh made her look down. The open dried wound saw sown shut and the ghost of lips over the skin made her eyes water. Her mum. A wet feeling covered her scalp as hands massaged and scrubbed the dried dirt from her hair. She closed her eyes once more as droplets fell from darkness.
Isobel gently pierced the skin with a sharp needle. This was the last wound, one that pierced between the ribs. She took a deep breath before continuing, her vision couldn¡¯t be blurred as she did this. She regarded the two friends as they used the white cloth to clean the skin. They were doing a grand job. She could feel the connection, the love between them. No matter how harrowing it was to be near death, they needed this. Isobel tied off the thread and snipped the extra away. A final kiss. This is the last bump, bruise, cut, that she would kiss better. Tears slipped as she remembered all the injuries, all the scrapes and grazes her child had. Every time, she would ¡®kiss it better¡¯ and heal with a ¡®Soona¡¯.
Lexi stood, allowing the warm droplets cleanse her, with open palms out to the side and head tilted. It felt like the rain from a warm thunderstorm, heavy and deliberate, yet freeing.
The water had to be changed a few times, but the mother now sat at her daughters head as Seri and Quinn dried her. Isobel hummed as she brushed the long blonde hair.
She felt cocooned in warmth, like a soft bear or fleece was being wrapped around her, and within it whispered the soft tune of her mum¡¯s harmony. It was one she always hummed when they were babes. She sometimes hummed it when we were cuddling.
¡°Now, arms up,¡± Isobel encouraged softly, slipping the white cloth dress over the arms and head.
Lexi felt the need to raise her palms up. White coated her arms and torso as a dress weaved itself into existence. This is her circle dress, one for only special occasions.
Isobel¡¯s hum changed into a chant as she plaits the hair. Eternal stasis, silent earth, Defend this form from time. Celestial threads, weave and bind, I ask the time to bend. By the stars, by the moon¡¯s light, Until the soul finds its way, In timeless grace, let it stay. The lime green settles onto her skin and the once white cloth, turned black, the body will be protected from both physically and spiritually. ¡°All better.¡± She took a step back as Seri draped Lexi¡¯s face with a white see though veil. All three of them took a small step back and Isobel took them into her embrace and thanked them for joining her. Opening the door wide, the boys filtered into the room. It was the first time Devan and Lathen looked upon her. Fresh new tears fell from Lathen¡¯s eyes as he touched a bare foot. Keiron picked up two coins from the altar and lifting the light cloth momentarily, he placed each one onto her eye lids. ¡°For the journey man,¡± he whispered. Before putting it back down, Leo also added his own gift to her. Shifting through his pocket, he took out the moonstone necklace and fastened it around her neck. With a kiss to her forehead, he laid it back down. Mew Sooty took advantage of the opened door to enter. How could they forget about her familiar? He hopped onto the table and stretched out, putting a single paw on Lexi¡¯s face. When she didn¡¯t stir, he climbed on top of her chest looking down at her, and meowed. ¡°I¡¯m sorry Sooty, you can¡¯t be doing that,¡± Isobel reached to pet him as usual, only to be met with a hiss. Taken aback, every person looked on the black cat, who simply continued to stare down at his owner.
Lexi The warm feeling ebbed away and the wind carrying whispers ceased. I felt my eyelids heavy, with something cold touching them. Reaching up, my fingers caught two silver coins about to tumble from my face. I inspected the blank silver with confusion. ¡°Coin for the ferryman,¡± Hecates voice gently spoke as she re-entered my sight. The once white dress, faded to black before my eyes and I noted a heavy but familiar feeling on my chest. I rubbed the spot feeling a lump form in my throat. My hand hit something around my neck, I played with it trying to look at the piece. A necklace? ¡°Your familiar?¡± she said, plucking a fallen black whisker from the dress. ¡°Yeah, I think he is sitting on me¡­¡± She laughed gently, ¡°Quite protective, is he? They need time¡­ Don¡¯t worry, he will leave you once the journey is over.¡± ¡°Journey?¡± Her blank stare gave nothing away. ¡°I thought my soul was yours now¡­?¡± I asked confused. ¡°You still have to make the journey to the other side,¡± she stated calmly, walking past me towards the darkness once more, ¡°That is where our work starts.¡± She looked back at me expectantly. I took a deep breath, and followed her obediently. Plutos Gate Jack Jack peered through the patio door. The lights were on, but he could not see a soul. He could smell an old trail of blood leading to the house. He knew it was Lexi¡¯s. He knocked gently. Jack now heard muffled voices and shuffling. The creak of the door under the stairs gave him less hope. Isobelle¡¯s red, tear-stained face faced him. It made him swallow thickly. The last time he saw her was when she threw a glass vase at him 15 years ago, a few weeks after¡­ that night. She hesitated but unlocked the door, peeking out at him. ¡°Jack,¡± she greeted, voice horse. He took a breath and the truth revealed, the smell of decay and magic. ¡°Is it true?¡± he asked gently, ¡°Lexi is gone?¡± Fresh new tears rose to the mothers face and she pouted trying to hold them back, she simply nodded, yes. Jack cursed, ¡°I am sorry for your loss. She was a good lass, like her father.¡± Afraid to cry again, she nodded in agreement. ¡°Jack?¡± A male voice came from inside the house. Looking behind her, Jack spotted her younger brother, Keiron. The witch he had been working with. ¡°Keiron,¡± Jack nodded to him, as he stepped closer. It seemed the mentioning of Jack¡¯s name brought more attention from within the home. A few more faces could be seen peering from the door under the stairs. Jack was surprised, he had seen the room from a far, it didn¡¯t look that large. Isobelle took a sidestep and allowed him entry into the home. The air was sombre, he could smell the salt from their tears. Keiron held out his hand, ¡°Shame to meet like this under the circumstances.¡± Jack hummed in agreement, shaking the witches hand. ¡°Ditto. Speaking of,¡± Jack eased in, ¡°We need help¡­¡±
Maddie She continued to delicately cover her face in foundation. Whilst the goddess had healed the grotesque flesh, the ugly scar that was left behind was glaring. It gave off a scaly appearance under the makeup. She couldn¡¯t be seen like this, not by him. It would raise more questions. Normally, after its death, she would be the shoulder to cry on, or the ¡®alternative¡¯ choice for him. Finally, they could be together like intended. For the rest of their lives. Until the next cycle, that is. Maddie thought she hit the jackpot in this lifetime. The beauty, the body, the brains. Finally, she would be first choice. Yet, she foolishly pushed him away, played games. Then¡­ the worst news¡­ They found each other. Again. Maddie approached the house and knocked loudly on the brown wooden door. Derick had not returned any of her texts or calls. Her crow had not returned last night either. Patience was not her forte. She never stopped trying to talk to Leo after he stormed off that night with the cat. She needed to explain herself and apologise. Anything to get him to speak to her again. She waited outside, looking around at the village. A small town in the middle of nowhere, perfect seclusion. She made sure to have a watcher on it, keeping tabs on its every move. She huffed, and knocked again, louder. Nothing, no shuffling of feet, or shouting of ¡®I¡¯ll get it¡¯. Maddie let her senses out, only to feel the same protective bubble around the house. She would have to investigate. A quick glance around, she pulled out her knife, and rested it on the keyhole. She whispered, ¡°Formavolve.¡± The knife turned into putty, allowing her to manipulate it into the door''s lock. She knew this lock and had it open within a few seconds. Proud of herself, she straightened out her clothes and allowed herself in. Empty. There was no furniture or photos, and their energies were stale and old. This had to be a nightmare. How could they just up and leave without anyone noticing? How could he leave her without a single word? Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ¡°No,¡± she whispered. She ran to his room and thrust open the door. Everything was gone; all left were the impressions of furniture on this carpet. The room still smelled of him, but nothing was left behind, not even a scrap of clothing. She collapsed to the floor in shock. He¡¯s gone. She spent every moment searching for him. Luckily, after a few days, Derick had enough and returned to Glenrothes. The poor lad had nowhere to go, so she extended an olive branch until he found another place to stay. Derick told her everything: where they lived, who they had met, and why they had left without a word. She sighed, throwing the brush onto the table in front of her and abandoning the task. She decided to watch from afar, waiting for the opportunity to ¡®reconnect¡¯ with her beloved.
Lexi It felt like aimless walking, yet the goddess led with wisdom, walking an invisible trodden path. Every so often, she looked back, checking on me. I never tired as we walked. She slowed her pace, allowing me to catch up. The night sky seemed to come closer, making it difficult to see the treetops. I had half expected the sun to be rising by now. ¡°We are nearly there,¡± she encouraged as I followed her lead. ¡°You have a choice to make, too,¡± she continued. Confused I asked, ¡°A choice?¡± She effortlessly turned, stopping, ¡°To drink from the river Lethe or relive your past lives?¡± My stride came to a slow stop, and I analysed her words. I faced her, eyebrows pinched together, trying to understand her meaning. From my studies, I knew to drink from the river Lethe is to forget all of your mortal memories, according to Greek myth, but why would I want to experience all of my soul''s death? She smiled slyly and continued talking in riddles, ¡°I truly hoped this would be the life you would have figured out.¡± ¡°Figured what out?¡± I asked. Her smile dropped slightly, ¡°I can¡¯t give you all the answers, can I?¡± Hecate stepped past me, disappeared into the tree line, and disappeared into the darkness, ¡°Come young one. You¡¯ll learn soon enough.¡± I followed.
Pendle The burly man sat at the table in the centre of the witches'' kitchen. Solemn faces surrounded him, each one taking in his request. He wished the circumstances were different, but the pack would also be mourning if he did not seek their help. Isobelle and Keiron looked at one another, sharing some sibling telepathy. Jack couldn¡¯t help but reminisce¡­back to when he was interrogated by- ¡°I¡¯ll do it.¡± All heads turned to the speaker. Leo stood with an unwavering gaze on Jack, ¡°It¡¯s the least we can do. If you hadn¡¯t intervened, all of us would be done for,¡± he said monotone. It sent a chill down Jack''s spine, shifting him slightly in the small seat. He recognised the misery and need for distraction. Losing a soulmate was nothing short of harrowing. ¡°We will do it,¡± Keiron added. Let us collect some things, and then we will follow you.¡± Relief flooded Jack''s body at the words. There was still hope. However, time was not on their side. There were hushed whispers and words between the mother and uncle as he shuffled around the small room gathering items, while the small coven listened to the heartbroken Leo as he recounted Lexi¡¯s birthday. The night they helped the wolves. ¡°The alpha doesn¡¯t trust the others,¡± Jack admitted, ¡°his wolf is resisting. I am praying to the moon that he will be more accepting of you, Leo.¡± ¡°It would make sense,¡± Devan murmured, ¡°It was difficult to tell their magic apart.¡± Jack''s head tilted in agreement. From his job as a detective, he knew it was difficult to tell two fated apart. Many couples were taken in for questioning¡­ and surprisingly, many mimicked the duo Bonnie and Clyde. ¡°Ready?¡± Keiron approached the table with a small bag in hand. Isobelle stayed in the doorway under the stairs; clearly, she was not pleased with their conversation. Leo nodded and stepped away from the table with a deep breath. A hand on his shoulder made him pause. ¡°We¡¯ll let you know if anything happens,¡± Seri informed and tapped his shoulder comfortingly. Jack regarded the quiet household and led the two away to the alpha, the others left behind for safety.
Lexi Hecate halted. As I stepped forward behind her, the whole area ascended into darkness. I couldn¡¯t see my pale hands in front of me, nor the goddess. ¡°Hecate?¡± I asked, looking around wildly. I felt a hand touch my shoulder, making me jump slightly. Hecate leaned closer to me and whispered, ¡°This is not meant for mortal eyes.¡± The earth shook beneath my feet, and I could hear the chaotic clash of stone and rock crumbling. I couldn¡¯t help stumbling as the world rose and jumped, but the goddess held me steady. As the earthquake faded, the groaning of wood and clang of chain overpowered the rumbling rock. Then, jarring quiet. Hecate patted my shoulder, and with a simple click of her fingers, the darkness receded slowly, revealing a door. The earth protruded upwards into a mound. Dry stone was stacked around, creating the archway and an artisan wooden door with the tree of life carved into it, concealing the inside. Although I heard the clang of chains, there was no metal to be seen. ¡°Knock,¡± she encouraged. She stood in her place as I stepped towards the gateway. Lifting a hand, I knocked three times. The door sounded hollow like there was nothing behind. A groan caught my attention, and I stepped back out of its path as it swung open. The light was blinding. It reminded me of the fae portal, how it simmered like opaque white water. I had to blink a few times at the sudden light source. ¡°A choice to make,¡± Hecate said. A wind escaped the doorway, carrying whispers with it. I clutched my head; too many whispers, thoughts, and memories came simultaneously. The last is Leo¡¯s voice. The onslaught gave a sharp pain to my head. ¡°Shh, take a moment. We have all the time in the world.¡± She ushered me to the ground, and, following her advice, I rested on my knees and took a few moments to think. Taking a drink from the river¡­ I would forget my mortal memories, possibly reincarnate once more, and the cycle begins again for our next life together. Without breaking our bond or the cycle of death, it will happen again. And again. And again. To relive past lives, would I have the same memories? Would I be able to do this without the help of my Leo? With the goddess, anything can be possible, I suppose. I needed more information but had to be careful with my questions. ¡°If I relive my past lives,¡± I started, glancing at the goddess before me. She gave me her attention, no emotions on her face, ¡°Would I have the same memories as I do now.¡± Her eyes narrowed in thought, ¡°Reincarnation means a new slate.¡± ¡®That¡¯s a ¡®no¡¯.¡¯ My shoulders slumped, and without the knowledge I have now, it would have been useless to do that. ¡°A new slate, a new life. Reincarnation is about moving forward. Your soul has memories. It contains the scars of your past,¡± she continued. ¡°I can¡¯t reincarnate yet¡­¡± I murmured. ¡°Agreed.¡± ¡°Can I break the cycle?¡± I probed. A smirk grew, ¡°You can.¡± ¡°How?¡± She looked away, her smile dropping, ¡°Can¡¯t give you all the answers.¡± ¡®Wrong question.¡¯ I rubbed my forehead and groaned, making her laugh lightly. ¡°What about the Astral?¡± I asked. ¡°What about it?¡± ¡°Well¡­ A lot of information was from the astral and scrying. Could I revisit the astral to break the cycle?¡± ¡°You could, but it would be useless without your fated,¡± she informed, ¡°I would not be surprised if Leo pulled your soul into the plane.¡± ¡°You can do that?¡± ¡°How do you think Greenwood spoke to you?¡± Oh¡­ ¡°Could I pull him into it?¡± ¡°There is a danger to that,¡± she scratched her cheek lightly, ¡°Greenwood stepped in when it was needed. She watched over you as Langton did.¡± I remember fainting that day¡­ I could harm or hurt Leo. ¡°Is there a way to do it without him?¡± ¡°Hm, that¡¯s a good question. Yes, if you ask.¡± I glanced at the bright white behind her, ¡°What happens if I go through there?¡± ¡°You will go in there, no ifs about it. What happens on the other side is your choice.¡± She crossed her arms. ¡°It¡¯s my choice?¡± I repeated. ¡°You are one of few to see Pluto¡¯s gate This,¡± ¨C she gestured to the open door- ¡°is what I have placed over, I want you weigh each path. After that, is your choice.¡± ¡°I assume one path is to river Lethe¡­¡± ¡°Correct.¡± ¡°Will the other¡­¡± I trailed off my question. She repeated her previous words, echoing my mind, ¡°Your choice.¡± I can¡¯t give up yet. If there is a chance, even through death, to break the cycle, I have to take it¡ªeven if I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m getting myself into. I stood, facing the open door. Hecate stood to my left and asked calmly, ¡°Have you chosen?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Good. Come, let us go,¡± she stepped into the gateway; it rippled and revealed the path. I took the hand Hecate offered. ¡°I need your help, goddess.¡± She smiled, ¡°About time.¡± ¡°Will you help me break this cycle?¡± She laughed lightly, ¡°Child, I will help you break this curse.¡± Henry Morgan The necromancer huffed once more. She had been here for nearly a week, and this potential client refused any advice she had to offer. This woman only wanted to be coddled. She wanted to hear, ¡®You are completely right,¡¯ and feed her hysteria. Morgan had enough. She stood from the table abruptly, in the middle of another rant from the woman. ¡°Where are you going?¡± she shrilled, ¡°I must contact my husband!¡± ¡°Your husband is gone. He does not want to be disturbed. I will not-¡± ¡°Oh, he¡¯s just being stubborn as usual,¡± she waved off. Morgan cleared her throat and repeated the words from her husband, ¡°Fuck off gold digger.¡± Morgan turned on her heel and left swiftly. She rubbed her temples, feeling another headache slowly ebb away. She craved the comfort of her bed after a few sleepless nights. Why she stayed to convince the lost course of a client was beyond her¡­ She accurately walked the familiar path through the Fae world back home. It was quiet and peaceful. She hummed as she brushed against tall wheat grass. Morgan considered her son and his girlfriend''s next steps. She could tell they were getting restless; it was understandable they needed a break from their intense work, but they were making excellent progress in her mind. ¡°Morgan!¡± The shout pulled her out of her thoughts as she turned to the voice. Her two fae informants greeted her, but their faces were not the usual smirk and smile. Their solemn faces placed a stone in the pit of her stomach. ¡°What happened?¡± She asked as they approached. ¡°We¡¯re not sure¡­¡± Morgan''s eyebrows furrowed at the sentence, and she gestured to them to follow her back home. They continued to tell the tale. ¡°We followed William and Rose to Inverness, then we were called away¡­¡± John started. ¡°You know we couldn¡¯t refuse the Queen,¡± Fred added. ¡°Indeed. It took us longer than we planned, but when we returned to find the two lovers-¡± ¡°Gone! Poof!¡± ¡°Gone?¡± Morgan asked. ¡°They were gone from Inverness. We checked the house and found Leo alone. He looked like a mess, but after a few hours of watching, he left, using the portal.¡± ¡°How do they know of the Fae portals?¡± Morgan interjected. ¡°No idea,¡± the pair spoke in unison. Fred continued, ¡°But he was following a bird¡­¡± ¡°It wasn¡¯t Henry,¡± John admitted, ¡°but it was glamoured to look like a raven.¡± ¡°Shit¡­¡± She thought back to when she last saw Henry. She gave him the task of dropping off the letter and returning home after picking up a few shells¡­ ¡°No, Henry!¡± She shouted, rushing through the gateway and fleeing to her front door. Desperately, she looked for her familiar. She noted the empty home that felt¡­ intruded. Someone has been playing tricks, using magic. ¡°Henry! Babs!¡± she called, but only her voice echoed back. The two fae watched from the open doorway as she rushed upstairs. They stayed quiet; they, too, could feel something wasn¡¯t right. They could taste the old hints of fae magic. They glanced at each other, both coming to the same realisation. It wasn¡¯t a vampire that¡¯s been killing Fae. Looking back into the house, Fred noticed a large black feather in the middle of the corridor. ¡°Forgive me,¡± he whispered, stepping over the front door threshold. The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. Grasping the feather, he gave a little magic, making it glow green, bright and harsh. ¡°Show us,¡± he whispered. As he let go, it did not drop to the flow; instead, it swished around the house, showing the footsteps and patterns of the people who had passed through the vacant house. It gave off greenish smoke, giving into an apparition. It showed Leo lounging on the sofa and impressions on the scrying mirror. Morgan descended the stairs with tears in her eyes. ¡°Welcome in,¡± she whispered. John entered the house and offered a sympathetic pat on her shoulder. ¡°Let¡¯s see what this reveals,¡± John stated softly, watching Fred flit around this way and that. It showed Lexi leaving with bags in hand, back to when they arrived home. Their solemn faces, although it was in reverse, it was clear they were talking to a third. ¡°Who are they talking to, Fred?¡± John asked. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ whoever this is, they¡¯re good at covering their tracks,¡± he stated, feeding it more energy to continue its memories. It simply danced around the front door but didn¡¯t reveal anything. After a few moments, Lexi¡¯s cat, Sooty, was ¡®levitating¡¯ down the stairs. ¡°The hell-?¡± ¡°Most likely carried,¡± Fred informed. Morgan nodded and watched on; the feather flashed blue for a moment. ¡°That¡¯s a sleeping spell,¡± Fred informed, watching the cat start to hiss at his assailant. ¡°We are close.¡± The feather danced in front of the mirror; a flash of peach was given this time. ¡°A Morph.¡± ¡°Wait!¡± John interrupted, ¡°The mirror.¡± Fred grabbed the feather, stopping it in its tracks and hovered over the mirror. John stepped closer, twisting his head this way and that. ¡°That¡¯s not a reflection,¡± he stated. Morgan''s eyebrows furrowed, and she came closer, watching the reflections in the mirror. She felt no magic, no essence. ¡°Revelora,¡± she stated, thinking a veil hid the person. A presence she had never felt before revealed itself. It was overbearing, taking Morgan''s breath away. She had never encountered something this powerful, at least not human. She kneeled as it overpowered her, shaking with fear. ¡°Morgan!¡± John kneeled beside her, ¡°What¡¯s wrong.¡± ¡°I-I don¡¯t know.¡± She couldn¡¯t explain it, but its message¡­ its threat was clear. ¡®Do not mess with me.¡¯ She took long breaths to get rid of the dizziness. ¡°I¡¯m fine. Keep going,¡± she said, sitting on the sofa. Fred let go of the feather once more. It zoomed past the mirror and embedded itself in the wood of the door to her little cove. Fred looked to Morgan, asking for permission. ¡°Go ahead,¡± she waved. Fred opened the door cautiously, and peeking around, he found it empty. ¡°Nothing-¡± croak ¡°Henry?!¡± Morgan sprinted from her spot. Fred raised his hand, stopping her. He didn¡¯t see anything inside; was it a trick? Shuffling further into the room, he turned on the light and called, ¡°Henry?¡± A struggle could be heard, shuffling, thumping and Gronk. Fred quickly followed it to the writing desk, and lo and behold, a black sack sat under the desk, a knot firmly closing the bird inside. Fred gently took the bag and freed the bird, saying, ¡°Morgan, you¡¯ll want to see this.¡± Now entering the room, Morgan gasped and rushed over to her bird. Henry was exhausted, hungry and dehydrated. Clumps of feathers were missing from stress. ¡°Who did this?¡± Morgan asked, ¡°Mad-¡± he collapsed before he could finish. With fresh new tears, she thanked the two Fae before flooding to her kitchen to nurse the bird to health. ¡°Go and find Lexi,¡± she whispered, ¡°I have a bad feeling.¡±
Lexi Stepping through the doorway, the forest was left behind. Instead of stepping on loose dirt, the ground turned cold and slightly slippery. Every step Hecate took echoed, bouncing from the now enclosed space, and the door behind us slowly closed, encasing us in darkness. With a click of her fingers, the space was illuminated by torches alight with flames. The vast forest was replaced by claustrophobic cave walls, with sporadic bits of moss, and the occasional water droplet could be heard splashing to the ground. Hecate lifted a metallic touch from its resting place on the side of the cave. ¡°Come,¡± Hecate ushered, gently pulling me forward, ¡°We need to find the fates.¡± I nodded with new vigour following her, ¡°Where will we find them?¡± ¡°Currently, in the underworld.¡± Approaching the other end of the cave, the light revealed stairs. ¡°It¡¯s a long way down¡­¡± she said, taking the lead.
The Goddess was not exaggerating; the stairs never ended, with turns left and right. They were steep in most places, like Victorian staircases. It made my head spin. Taking the final step, the mouth of the cave sheds some light at the end of the tunnel. The solid, flat stone gave way to uneven pebbles that shifted as we walked. Exiting the stairwell, the space opened to a larger compartment. Sharp, jagged rock faces reached impossibly high; it was far too steep to attempt to climb, not to mention the network of stalactites covering the ceiling of the cave. As the ground sloped harshly, it met harsh waters rushing past beyond the island, deeper into the cove, which seemed more like a riverbank. The loose pebbles crunched as souls wandered, pacing the stretch of land, few were talking to themselves, their eyes trained on the ground as they paced. They were not acknowledging each other. Their appearance was greying, looking opaque, and their eyes were nearly completely white. ¡°Come, do not talk to them,¡± Hecate whispered. ¡°What are they looking for?¡± I asked harshly. ¡°Coin for Charon.¡± The ferryman''s name jogged my memory, ¡°This is river Styx.¡± ¡°Correct.¡± The wandering souls are formally known as shades. They were either not buried or left without money to pay for the crossing. I checked my pocket, feeling the coins gave me relief; I held onto them as we walked to a wooden pier standing above the water. Strangely, there was no one waiting to board the missing ferry; it seemed deserted. ¡°Stand at the edge,¡± Hecate gestured in front of her, ¡°It had been a while since a spirit crossed.¡± As I stood at the edge of the pier, I glanced at her over my shoulder with confusion, why? ¡°Beliefs change. Not many follow our pantheon. Witches go to the Summerland; they go through whatever path they choose, mostly Celtic or Nordic in nature. Wolves go to the Moon Goddess, Selene. Vampires never die¡­¡± As she spoke, the river rippled and waved, becoming more energetic. Inspecting the inky black water, a dark shape began to rise. The bow of a boat broke through the surface tension first. Its wood blackened and slick with algae. It slowly slipped away, falling back into the murky water. An eerie mist clung all around it, as if the water was acidic eating away at the boat. Then, Charon emerged. The ferryman of the dead stood tall at the helm. He was wrapped in tattered robes, soaked from the deep waters. His hood covered most of his face, but a long grey beard protruded from the covering. As he fully emerged, steam came from his soaked clothes and the boat glided silently on the river¡¯s surface. In one hand, he held a long slightly crooked pole. His movements were deliberate and slow, expertly rowing the boat across the surface creating swirls in the murky water. Charon¡¯s boat came to rest at the pier, his head lifted, showing his gaze covered by black cloth. It was clear the pole was worn smooth, from spent eons guiding the souls across the Styx. His lifted a wrapped hand to me, I could see the scars of blisters and splinters in his hard labour. With an open his palm, he silently asked for payment. Charon I placed both coins into his hand. He twisted his hand and pinched one of the coins between his fingers. ¡°Only one coin needed,¡± he stated, holding it up to me. He spoke slowly and sounded harsh from not using it. ¡°But there are two of us, Charon,¡± Hecate chirped, putting a free hand on my shoulder. Charon¡¯s head tilted up slightly, and a slight smile appeared, ¡°Ah, Goddess. A pleasure as always.¡± He placed the coins into his tattered robes and tipped his head slightly before asking, ¡°Why are you escorting this one?¡± I felt her rock back onto her heels and her hands tensed up slightly, ¡°This one made a deal, Charon. I need her with me for a while.¡± ¡°Hm,¡± his head tilted to the right, contemplating her words, ¡°Does he know what you are up to?¡± ¡°Psh, as if I need to report my dealings.¡± She waved a hand, ¡°Plus, She knows what I¡¯m up to.¡± A low rumbling laugh came from the ferryman, ¡°That¡¯s all I needed to know. Where to?¡± ¡°House of Hades, please.¡± Hecate stepped confidently passed Charon, onto the boat. She swiftly placed the lit torch at the bow of the ferry before sitting down. Charon stepped to the side and gestured to the boat, allowing me aboard. Taking a step onto the boat, the blackened wood creaked under my weight, ancient wood groaning in protest as I sat next to the Goddess. A light tap from Charon¡¯s oar on the pier, moved the boat away from the river bank. The mists of river Styx curled around us. Thick and dense it muffled the world into nothing more than a distant memory, the incessant murmers from the shades were gone. Only the lapping waters could be heard. Charon stood at the helm, placing the weathered pole into the black depths, he propelled the boat forward with ease. Despite his eyes being covered, he faced forward training his face directly ahead and expertly navigated the riverbed below, making the boat pick up speed. I looked over the small boat side, the murky waters swirled as we moved further away. The torch cast a faint, flickering light, pushing back the growing darkness. It didn¡¯t reveal much in the distance, only outlines of other spectral shapes, lurking beneath the water¡¯s surface. Ahead the underworld stretched out, vast and mysterious. Beside me, Hecate shifted, moving with a quiet grace and visibly relaxed. Although, the weight of her ancient power could still be felt, her presence was comforting and awe-inspiring. The winds picked up her cloak, making them flow like liquid night, it was clear she was back in her element. Her eyes met mine briefly, and in that gaze, I found resolve. I knew that with her by my side, I could face whatever may lay ahead on this journey. One step closer to breaking the cycle.
London As dawn broke, Magnus, the Council''s detective, informed them of the night''s events. All five of them sat at the round table, listening to the speakerphone. ¡°We are sending Cornelius down to you as we speak, his Dame, Victoria, insisted on going with him. She feels responsible,¡± Magnus¡¯s voice cracked over the speaker. ¡°Hm, is to be expected of the head of a clan,¡± the vampire uttered, ¡°You are absolutely sure that Lexandria has passed on? She is not coming back?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± he stated again, ¡°That means the Vitamortum case has gone cold. We may never know how those two witches survived.¡± ¡°We will be able to get some information from Cornelius. Even without a tongue, his secrets will be revealed,¡± the Fae added. A nod was shared. ¡°Time to wrap up and tie those loose ends, Magnus. Well done, you¡¯ve found the culprit,¡± vampire leaned back in his seat, watching the others in the Council. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be so sure...¡± Magnus trailed doubtfully. This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. ¡°What is it?¡± probed the Witch. ¡°Victoria doesn¡¯t think Cornelius has the brains to work alone.¡± The group is silent for a moment. Magnus would not consider empty words from an angry lady unless he had a lead. ¡°Go on,¡± encouraged the father. ¡°There was another witch, one that got away without a trace. Her magic was like nothing I recognised. Get all the information you can from the vampire about her. I have a small lead to follow.¡± ¡°Easy peasy,¡± the Fae said, ¡°Report back if you find anything.¡± ¡°Likewise,¡± Magnus responded. ¡°I will see you tomorrow,¡± the Witch said, standing from his seat. ¡°Wait. You¡¯re still coming to Pendle?¡± his son asked, a little shocked. ¡°Yes. See you soon.¡± The Witch swiftly pressed the ¡®end call¡¯ button before another word was exchanged. ¡°What are you up to?¡± asked the smirking wolf. ¡°Langton rings more than just a bell to me. I need to check something,¡± he defended, walking away. ¡°Is that normal for him?¡± asked the Human. ¡°Which bit? The pissy attitude, yes. The mystery, no,¡± the Wolf responded, glancing at the empty doorway. ¡°I¡¯m sure we will find out soon enough,¡± the Fae whispered, ¡°If not, I¡¯m sending my finest to investigate¡­¡±
Magnus ¡°Why are you coming to Pendle?¡± His only reply was a long beep. Looking at his phone, his father hung up on him without even saying goodbye. Huffing, he pocketed the phone and continued to follow his colleague. ¡°Here.¡± He pointed out the newly found blood pool deep within the forest. ¡°You¡¯re sure no one has contaminated the scene,¡± Magnus asked, looking into the clearing. ¡°Certain.¡± ¡°Good, thank you. Continue to help the others clear up.¡± With a nod his guide turned and left. Magnus got closer to the now-drying pool of blood. Touching the large splatter, he felt the same magic as Whitby. The strange hymns of the unknown Witch felt otherworldly, and the lighter, stronger notes of Lexi¡¯s, although they felt weak as he moved around. He treads carefully, preserving as much as possible to find shoe patterns and tracks. A glint to the left caught his eye. ¡°Elevitarus.¡± An object emerged from the brown-red liquid. Magnus did a little happy dance as the clots dripped off the metal. He had found the knife Leo described. Clearly, an athame made from precious metal was well looked after. The blue hilt was maintained, and the gold inlay shone as he manipulated it in the air. This knife was a beauty and a unique one at that. He brought it closer, inspecting the metal for the craft mark, only to find it scratched. He hummed to himself. He would have to visit an old friend, and she would be up for a challenge. He carefully bagged it as evidence and continued to inspect the scene. It was clear Lexi was against the bark of the tree. Fibres and blood were leading down to the ground. He wondered if she put up a good fight; it seemed she was weakened from the night''s events and kept too little bursts of magic before running out. He has yet to see her body; if she were stabbed, it would be difficult to see from splatters. However, from the large amount of blood and finding the knife, he couldn¡¯t think of a different ending. He noted a trail leading in the opposite direction. It looked like something was dragged away from the spill and away from Leo¡¯s footprints. Bloodied shoe prints gave away the culprit''s direction, but there was no discernible tread; he could only guess the shoe size. ¡°Bingo,¡± he uttered, following the tracks the perpetrator left behind.
Pendle ¨C Pack Territory The three approached the cabin in the Pack¡¯s territory. The Sun tried to peek through the large trees. ¡°Dawn¡¯s breaking,¡± Kieron muttered. ¡°Hopefully, we are not too late,¡± Jack added. As they approached the cabin, the ground shook with growls. Leo took this as a good sign; the alpha was still fighting. Opening the door, the two witches'' noses were assaulted with herbs. With a wrinkled nose, Keiron bellowed, ¡°What the hell have you been burning?!¡± One of the three crouched down and turned to face the door, purple bruises under their eyes. ¡°Everything we have¡­¡± he replied, holding up bay leaves. Keiron pinched his nose, ¡°I think he is more stressed from the horrible smell you¡¯ve been throwing together¡­¡± He moved around the small cabin, opening windows and doors before moving to the Beta, holding the alpha down. ¡°Out. We got this,¡± Kerion pointed. They didn¡¯t have to be told twice. ¡°Leo, set up. I¡¯ll get rid of this smell¡­¡± Leo nodded, taking out the chalk and supplies. ¡°Zephyros,¡± Keiron stated. A strong breeze zoomed through the small wooden cabin, airing it out in seconds. Aaron sniffled, ¡°Thank the moon. I thought that would stay for days.¡± Leo rubbed lavender onto his hands, hoping the light scent of the oils would help better. Leo and Aaron watched the alpha visibly relax slightly; his growls were still low, and he rumbled the wood. Raising his hands above the alpha''s chest, Leo conjured a little magic to test the waters. ¡°Soona.¡± The clean wound finally began to close, and Aaron breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, his alpha was accepting help. A hand grasped his shoulder. ¡°You alright?¡± Jack asked, leaning down. ¡°Better. I thought you said they were a lass?¡± he asked, looking up at his father. Leo stopped his work and looked between the pair. ¡°Ah¡­ You¡¯ve not heard¡­¡± Jack sweated. Aaron simply looked confused, ¡°I¡¯ve had my hands full,¡± he gestured to the leader. Jack cleared his throat, ¡°The witch, Lexi¡­¡± his eyes flickered to Leo watching him, ¡°Passed away last night.¡± ¡°And this is her fated, Leo.¡± Shock came over Aaron''s face, and he quickly faced Leo, thoughts swirling in his mind. ¡°Are you sure you should be here?¡± Aaron asked without thinking. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± Leo replied without tone. ¡°Like¡­ shouldn¡¯t you be with¡­?¡± Aaron tried to ask¡­ Shouldn¡¯t you be with Lexi while she crosses over? Shouldn¡¯t you be mourning? Leo continued to close the wound, ¡°Pretty sure Lexi would kill me if I didn¡¯t help first. Mourning can come later.¡± Keiron re-entered the space, with the cauldron empty of its harsh-smelling herbs. He noted the sombre air he looked to Jack who simply waved a hand. ¡°I¡¯ll close the circle¡­¡± Leo switched places with Aaron, and Keiron stayed close to Leo. ¡°Let me know if you need guidance,¡± Keiron said. Leo nodded, ¡°Incendia.¡± Keiron strategically placed the candles north, east, south, and west. They lit in unison with the command. Leo took a breath, raising his dark blue magic to his hands, and placed them on Dominic¡¯s temples. Dark blue quickly sank beneath the skin, and the wolf fully trusted the witch who was trying to heal him. His head was still covered in sweat, the toxin was still taking its toll. Leo closed his eyes and concentrated. Keys Lexi With haste waters, the journey down the river was short. Charon twisted the boat left. The mist split apart, revealing a new flat landscape that was coming fast. I tensed up, waiting for the inevitable crash of the boat against the stone bank. Hecate giggled as the boat slowed dramatically. ¡°Doubting my abilities, young one?¡± Charon asked. I turned guiltily to find him holding onto a stone post. His oar was on his lap, and a smile appeared under his beard, making it bulge out at the sides. Hecate stood departing the boat. I thanked him before leaving to follow my guide. ¡°¡¯Tis my job,¡± he stated. He pushed off from the stone, leaving the side of the river. The mist curled around him, and with a powerful row, he picked up speed away from us, disappearing into the darkness of the underworld. I focused behind me, looking for the glow of Hecate¡¯s torch. There was a little lighter here; several torches lined the walls, creating a trail leading to the tall, ancient iron gates. She stood in an open, expansive space, surveying the area, looking high and low. I took a few steps forward, also scanning over the area. My footsteps echoed over the rushing waters as I approached her and the gates, but a rising growl made me pause. I halted as I noticed large red eyes appear from nothing but black at the bottom of the gates. Three pairs of them shone and stared past Hecate to me. As it rose from the darkness, it covered the tall gates, making me gulp. A massive muscular body emerged with three snarling heads, each holding jagged teeth as the top lip curled up. It was covered in fur, black as night. Taking a colossal paw forward, chains rattled with every tiny movement it made. It sounded like the same chains as before at Pluto¡¯s gate. ¡°Cerberus,¡± I whispered, astonished. ¡°Oh, there you are!¡± Hecate¡¯s voice echoed around the open, flat land. The colossal guardian of the underworld suddenly transformed. Recognising his friend, his eyes snapped to her, and the red eyes softened. All three heads turned towards her, all looking with eager anticipation. The snarls quickly turned into soft whimpers as he laid back on the charred ground and crawled carefully towards her. A thumping could be felt as his long-spiked tail lashed back and forth, wagging. He turned into an overgrown puppy, asking for affection from the goddess of magic. ¡°Have you been good? Yes, yes,¡± she cooed in a baby voice, reaching for one of the giant heads. Each head veiled for her attention, nuzzling into her hand. Her fingers barely scratched behind the ears of one, seeking the same attention. She kept babying him for a moment, and he lapped the attention. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right, little Cerberus, on duty!¡± she continued, giving each head equal attention. ¡®Little?¡¯ She looked at me over her shoulder and winked. ¡°Come, say hello.¡± I stepped closer to the happily panting dog and cautiously reached a hand to one of its heads. Its hot breath could be felt from miles away. The piercing red eyes, now relaxed, watched the hand and leaned forward. Giving my hand a quick sniff, his large, rough tongue licked my palm and forearm, leaving a lovely slobber behind. Although I felt disgusted, it was adorable, making me giggle lightly. Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. ¡°Oh! What¡¯s this I have for you?¡± She magicked up a stick out of thin air. The thumping from its scaly tail increased tenfold as all three heads snapped to the prize, following it as she moved it from side to side. ¡°See it? Fetch!¡± She threw it effortlessly as it reached the ceiling before coasting away into the darkness. Cerberus leapt up and, chasing it, cleared half the room in one bound. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± she whispered, grasping my hand. She watched the dog chase the stick as we hurried towards the gates. She pulled me to the left, towards the wall instead of the large dooming gates. Hecate patted her dress before her hand disappeared into a concealed pocket, all the while watching the large dog, now chasing the zooming stick left and right, being controlled by her magic. She pulled out a long silver key and placed it in front of the wall. It shifted like quicksand, revealing a keyhole. As she inserted it, little gritty stone and mortar fell away, revealing the outline of a steel door. It opened inwards as she pushed it, showing a new set of tunnels. She smiled, holding an arm out, allowing me past her. The new door slowly closed just as Cerberus caught his stick. ¡°Don¡¯t wipe that.¡± She grasped to my arm, still glistening from the saliva. ¡°It will disguise your scent while we are down here.¡± ¡°My scent?¡± I asked. ¡°Welcome to the house of Hades, mortal.¡± She continued down the new tunnel with the torch, ignoring my question. ¡°Now, we find the fates,¡± she sighed, putting the key back into her pocket.
Maddie ¡°Shit,¡± she cursed, turning to hit the wall of her crumbling house. The loud thump startled a few of her crows, making them take flight. One stayed perched before her, watching its master. It was a rooky mistake, leaving behind her athame at the scene. She let her anger towards herself cloud her judgement; now, she left a clue behind. It was a direct lead to her. Her crow was sent to retrieve it, but the detective was inspecting the scene and carrying it away when it arrived. Maddie paced, thinking. She scratched the marker mark out; tracing it would take him a while. She made sure to pay in cash but did not disguise herself. It was not a common mass-produced item but the only one of its kind. The only people who saw her with the knife were her tight-knit coven and Cornelius. All of whom were spelled not to reveal her identity at any cost. She took a deep breath, reassuring herself. The only loose end was the maker... Time for a visit.
Isobelle As the sun rose, Isobelle gently rubbed the back of Lexi¡¯s hand with her thumb. The grief within her only strengthened as the coven awoke to the news and learned all that had happened while they slept peacefully. The little coven was sleeping all over the house: Lathen on the sofa, Devan in her armchair, and the girls in her daughter''s bed. She didn¡¯t mind. It kept her house a little bit more lively. It reminded her she was not alone. After the hard night they all endured, they deserved sleep. Her front door gently opened, and the smell of baked goods and coffee travelled into the small room. Isobelle silently got up and greeted Cynthia, placing waffles, pancakes and coffee on the table. No words were exchanged as they hugged, leaning onto one another for support. Cynthia cried for the both of them as Isobelle¡¯s eyes had no more tears to cry. ¡°M-may I see h-her?¡± Cynthia hiccupped, wiping her eyes as she pulled away. Isobelle nodded, not trusting her own voice, and leaned on a nearby chair as Cynthia stepped to the side with a lingering touch on her shoulder. While the smell of warm baked goods was pleasing, her hunger was missing. She stared at the steam escaping the coffee cup, listening to Cynthia''s hushed words whispering to Lexi in the small room. A knock at the door interrupted Isobelle¡¯s musings. Rocking back on her heels, she absentmindedly answered the door, staring passed her visitor. ¡°Oh Isobelle¡­¡± She tried to prepare herself for the pitiful voices. She had heard it before: ¡®Sorry for your loss¡¯, but she didn¡¯t prepare herself for this moment. Isobelle felt her anger boiling as she stared at the former coven leader. His eyes sad, sorrowful and guilty. She took the hug from Winnie with no emotion and continued staring at her husband. Isobelle recalled the countless times she tried to reconcile with her late husband and Nixon. She wanted her daughters lock lifted years ago. She wanted the whole coven to learn defensive spells. Her suggestion was quickly shot down. ¡°We are safe, there is no need for them to protect themselves.¡± Nixon would state. ¡°You,¡± Isobelle shook. Not once did he listen to her, she stupidly followed his lead. Her breaths became uneven pants as rage filled her. Winnie tensed and left the half-hearted hug, stepping to the side in concern. She held up a shaky finger, pointing directly to him, ¡°This is your fault.¡± Nixon¡¯s eyes widened at the woman before him in disbelief, gawping like a fish thinking of a reply. ¡°I asked you. REPEATEDLY. To teach them to defend themselves after the vision came.¡± Words tumbled from Isobelle¡¯s mouth, her quiet whisper turning louder with each breath. ¡°Not once did you listen to me.¡± She took a step forward, forcing him to cower backwards. She continued moving forward, now close enough to prod and poke him. She scolded him like he were a child. ¡°Instead, you locked her magic away. Scared them all to death of the dark, as you called it. Left them defenceless. Blamed my daughter for what happened in Whitby.¡± Nixon did nothing, he stood taking the woman¡¯s rage, as she poked and shoved and smacked. She grabbed his shirt forcing him to look into her eyes, ¡°Now, she is dead.¡± She choked on her last word, ears filling her sore eyes. ¡°She is gone. My little girl,¡± she uttered dropping to the floor sobbing. Cynthia emerged from the house, after hearing the shouting. She fled to Isobelle, giving glares to Winnie and Nixon. Winnie stood just to the left of the front door, with a hand over her mouth in shock, unsure of what to do. She looked to her husband as he stared down to the ground in guilt. ¡°You need to leave,¡± she whispered. He glanced to her and with a nod, turned and left the premises. Leaving the women to pick up the pieces.