VIVIAN I stood right in front of the cottage door, ready to walk back inside but my heart was beating fast, but it was a happy kind of fast. The kind that comes when you’re about to see if something big actually worked. The others stood behind me, waiting just like I was.I could feel their eyes on me. Even Zander looked more alert than usual, his brows were raised just a little.When I tried to pass through the open door, I felt something push back against me preventing me from getting in.It was something I couldn’t see.It was like I had walked right into a wall made of air. A strong, invisible wall.Then I laughed.Not just a small laugh. I actually squealed and jumped a little like a kid who had just gotten a gift.“Oh my gosh!” I shouted, turning around to face everyone. “It worked! It really worked!”The joy inside me tripled. It was the kind of joy that made you want to dance in place or hug someone tightly.I had really done it. The protection spell worked just the way I ha
VIVIAN “I need everyone to please step outside,” I said softly but clearly. “Except for Priestess Tanya.”They all turned to me with confused looks. Even Priestess Tanya raised her brows slightly.Zander tilted his head and looked at me like he wanted to ask something. But Caroline being Caroline, frowned and was the first to speak.“Why, Vivian?” she asked, glancing between me and Tanya. “Why do we have to go out?”I gave her a soft smile and tried to keep my tone calm. “Because the protection spell I’m about to cast can only allow Priestess Tanya to walk freely into this house.”Their expressions changed. Now everyone was clearly puzzled.Derek’s mouth fell open and he looked even more confused than Caroline. “Wait,” he said, pointing toward the floor, “Do you mean none of us will ever be able to come in here again?”I chuckled a little. “No, Derek, not like that. You’ll still be able to enter,” I said gently. “But only if Priestess Tanya invites you in. Without her invitation, you
VIVIAN We all stood still, watching Priestess Tanya as she finished praying at the spot where Selene faded away.But then, something strange began to happen.Right above Selene’s grave, the sky started to darken.It wasn’t like a full storm or anything, but the clouds over that one spot began to darken.And it was only in that area. The rest of the sky was still clear. But just over where Selene had disappeared, was the only place where the clouds had grown thick and dark.I held my breath.Zander moved closer to me, and I noticed Lucas and Derek stepping forward too, all of us watching with wide eyes.Caroline looked just as confused, and even the moving company workers had stopped what they were doing. Everyone’s attention was fixed on the sky.Then, at that very same moment, something else happened.A single ray of sunshine broke through the dark clouds. The color was warm and golden, and it shone directly on Selene’s grave like it had been placed there on purpose.It didn’t touch
VIVIAN I stood beside the car with Priestess Tanya, Zander, Lucas, and Derek. The morning sun was bright but not too hot.I watched the maids walk in and out of the house, carrying boxes and bags. They were packing Priestess Tanya’s things into a large van that the moving company brought. I folded my arms and let out a small sigh.Today was the day Priestess Tanya would finally move into her new cottage. It felt a little strange watching everything happen so fast.Just yesterday, we were trying to cheer Zander up because of how sad he was about her leaving. But now, everything felt calmer, lighter. I looked at Zander and smiled quietly to myself.He wasn’t sad anymore. He was talking with Lucas and Derek, nodding and even chuckling a little. The dark cloud from yesterday was gone and that made me feel proud because Project Cheer Zander up, had worked.Last night had been something else. We all laughed so much I thought Zander’s ribs would break. Lucas and Derek had really given it th
ZANDERVivian looked at me for a few seconds, like she was trying to figure out how to say the next thing.I could see it in her eyes. She wasn’t sure how I would react and that made my chest tighten.“Priestess Tanya asked me to leave with her tomorrow,” she said finally. “She wants me to stay with her for about a week.”The words hit me like a wave. I blinked slowly as my heart sank a little more.I let out a deep sigh and looked away. “So… first Priestess Tanya is leaving,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “And now you’re leaving me too?”I didn’t mean to say it like that, but it just came out.I knew it sounded weak, and maybe even selfish. But it was how I felt.It was like everyone around me was suddenly walking away. First Priestess Tanya, and now Vivian.Vivian gave me a small, patient smile and reached out to touch my cheek. Her hand was warm, and her touch calmed me a little.“Don’t say it like that,” she said gently. “It’s not like I’m leaving forever.”I sighed agai
ZANDERAs I drove back to the pack, a sad heaviness occupied my chest and the silence in the car felt louder than it should have so I turned on some cool music.Just minutes ago, I had felt relief flood through me after we'd successfully done it.Vivian had healed Ronald, and the videos were finally in our possession. There was going to be no more threats from Ronald. And no more fear that those videos would lead to her death if the public saw them. To some extent, I was supposed to be at peace.But Lucas had called me again to break the sad news to me.I remembered the way my hand tightened around my phone when I answered. I had already guessed why he was calling, but part of me hoped I was wrong.“Zander,” Lucas had said with that calm tone he always used when he had something difficult to say, “The cottage is ready. Everything is in place. Priestess Tanya says she’ll move in tomorrow morning.”That was at. It was nothing dramatic or harsh.Still, my chest tightened like someone ha