When I awoke, the world came rushing back in pieces. A sharp splash of cold water hit my face, jolting me awake. Disoriented, I blinked, the edges of my vision swimming as I struggled to make sense of my surroundings. A voice called to me, muffled at first, then sharper as reality clawed its way back. “Mom? Mom?” I gasped, my voice breaking as I looked around. My house, once so familiar and safe, was now a chaotic mess of strangers. Faces blurred around me—neighbors, paramedics, curious onlookers—all swarming like bees around a broken hive. Then came the sirens. The police arrived shortly after, their presence making everything feel even more bizarre. They asked questions—so many questions—but I couldn’t process them. Their words floated past me like distant echoes. I couldn’t even recall if I answered or simply sat there, numb and unresponsive. A woman, someone who seemed kinder than the rest, knelt before me. Her hands gripped my shoulders firmly, shaking me gently in an att
“For now, the mission is what matters,” I said firmly, a new steel in my voice. “All I know is that I can’t lose anyone else. I won’t let guilt take root in me again. It’s too heavy, and I can’t afford to carry it anymore.” My fists clenched at my sides, a surge of determination flooding through me. “It’s time the Darklord realized he picked the wrong year to awaken. This time, things are different.”With that, I bolted to my feet, confidence radiating through me as I strode toward the café’s main door. Jade didn’t try to stop me; she simply watched, her expression unreadable. I pushed open the door, the fresh air hitting my face as I stepped outside. My friends turned to me immediately, their conversations pausing as I approached. Chen’s sharp eyes narrowed slightly, his voice filled with curiosity. “What did you decide?”I stopped in front of them, my shoulders squared, and let the weight of my resolve speak before I even opened my mouth. “Let’s kick the Darklord somewhere he’ll *
“So, what’s our next move?” Dominic asked, breaking the tension with his energetic tone. Jade straightened, her determination returning. “We need to get back to Shadowbrook,” she said firmly. “We have to prepare for the battle ahead.” “Shadowbrook?” My voice wavered as I interrupted. “What about Scott?” Panic rose in my chest, my words spilling out faster than I could contain them. “We can’t just leave him there! He’s one of us, and he needs our help!” “And we won’t,” Jade declared, her voice steady but urgent, “but you have to understand something, Julia. What Darklord is about to unleash—this isn’t a fight anyone can opt out of. Whether they want to or not, it’s everyone’s battle now. There’s no escaping it. This isn’t just about Scott anymore; it’s about your mother, your friends, and humanity as a whole. You’re fighting for all of them.”Her words hit me like a tidal wave, their weight impossible to ignore. Before I could respond, she leaned closer, her grip on my hands tigh
With no clear options left, we were forced to come up with a better plan. Chen, as determined as ever, offered a bold suggestion. “We should go directly to Scotland,” he said, his eyes gleaming with pure childlike innocence. Dominic raised a skeptical brow. “And how exactly do you propose we get there without passports or any legal documentation? We can’t just waltz onto a plane or cross borders unnoticed.” Chen’s expression didn’t waver. “I have a friend who specializes in… unconventional travel arrangements. He can help us get into another country without raising any alarms. But first, I’ll need to speak with him. In the meantime, I’ll drop you all off at Fulong Temple—it’s safe.” The plan was far from ideal, but given our circumstances, it was the best we had. Hesitant, we agreed. The drive to Fulong Temple was tense, the weight of uncertainty hanging heavy in the air. When we finally arrived, the ancient structure stood tall and serene as before, but as we stepped inside,
We bid farewell to Chen and Aunt Jing, but just as we were about to leave, something unexpected happened. Chen led us into the kitchen, his face determined, and blurted out, “I want to help!” His hands were clasped tightly behind his back, as if he were holding back an explosion of emotions. Dominic raised an eyebrow and opened his mouth, no doubt to question him. “But you’re—” Before Dominic could finish, Chen cut him off sharply. “What? Mortal? Isn’t that what Julia is?” He smirked, his eyes flashing with a mixture of defiance and mischief. I stepped forward, placing both hands firmly on his shoulders, my voice low but intense. “It’s different for me, Chen! If I could pay to have a normal life, I’d rob a bank to make it happen!” My gaze strayed, dropping to the floor. “The point is… I didn’t choose any of this. I was thrown into this world without a say. But you? You have a choice.” Chen held my gaze, his expression softening but not wavering. “I get it,” he said quietly. “I
My heart seized in terror. "Dominic, *please*!" I cried, rushing to his side and tugging at his arm with all my strength. "Let her go!" My voice broke as I pleaded, my bond with him the only tether strong enough to pull him back from the abyss. His grip on her throat loosened, and with a low, guttural growl, he stepped back. Victoria crumpled to the floor, clutching her neck, her eyes wide with shock and fear. Dominic’s chest heaved with each labored breath, his shoulders rising and falling as he fought to rein in the storm raging inside him. "Does she even have any idea what you went through that night?" he growled, his voice hoarse with barely restrained fury. His eyes burned as they flicked toward me, and his words struck like a blade. "Does she know what you endured in the bathroom?" I stepped closer, placing my trembling hands on his arms. "Hey, look at me," I whispered, my voice soft but steady. "We can’t let our emotions take over. Not now. We can’t lose sight of the miss