chapter 6

Bryan arrived at my house about an hour after I had called him. I explained everything to him in a hurried, breathless stream of words. He sat at the edge of my bed, staring at me with a blank expression. Did he actually think I was insane? “Please, earth to Bryan! Say something, at least,” I snapped, waving my fingers in front of his face, hoping to snap him out of it.

“I… I don’t know what to say,” he finally muttered, running a hand through his hair. “This all sounds so crazy and unreal. You’re telling me you burned that table without even touching it, without a matchstick or a lighter?” He shook his head, trying to process everything, then stood up and began pacing the room.

“I know it sounds insane, Bryan! But do you really think I’d burn my own table—and my mother’s picture—on purpose? Risking burning down the whole house? Come on, I’m not crazy, okay!” I replied, my voice rising in frustration as I struggled to keep my emotions in check. Exhausted, I sat down heavily, feeling the weight of the morning's events press down on me like a ton of bricks.

“Okay, okay, I know,” he said, stopping in front of me and kneeling down so we were eye-level. “I know you, Prisca. You wouldn’t be stupid enough to have a death wish like that. But now, we need to figure out what the hell is going on with you, and we need to do it fast before things get out of hand.” His tone was serious, and the gravity of the situation was reflected in his eyes. He sat next to me on the bed, our shoulders brushing, and for a moment, the tension between us eased.

We exchanged a look and couldn’t help but smile, despite everything. It was like we both knew—deep down—that this was just the beginning of a mission, a journey we’d have to face together, no matter how absurd or terrifying it seemed. “You know this means we’re diving deep into some weird stuff, right?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Bryan chuckled. “Since when have we not?”

DANIEL'S POV

Who was his mother talking about? At the very least, she could have told him who this protector was. Daniel stared at his phone, rolling his eyes in exasperation. It was just like his mother to be so cryptic—after all, she’d faked her own death and kept countless secrets over the years. But this? This felt like too much to handle without some sort of clue. Now he was supposed to protect his daughter without even knowing who was going to help him?

Leaving the house had been a difficult decision, but he trusted Bryan, his best friend’s son. Bryan had no idea just how extraordinary he was, not yet. His father, Michael, had been a legendary demon hunter, and they’d been through countless battles together. Bryan was destined to take over his father’s role one day, though his tattoos—the symbols of his destiny—hadn’t yet appeared. Perhaps Michael had already taught him how to control them, how to keep them hidden until the time was right.

As Daniel walked up the steps to Michael’s house, he took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come. He knocked firmly on the door, and within moments, it swung open. Michael stood there, his expression serious. “Come in, Daniel. We need to talk,” he said without preamble, stepping aside to let him in. The urgency in his voice was unmistakable.

They made their way to the large meeting room, where about fifteen others were already gathered. Most of them were familiar faces—old friends and allies Daniel hadn’t seen in years. They nodded in acknowledgment as he entered, a mix of respect and wariness in their eyes.

“So, we’re all here to discuss a very serious matter,” Jena, the leader of the Red Coven, said as she rose from her seat. Her voice commanded attention, and the room fell silent. Jena had long, golden hair that flowed down her back like a waterfall. Despite being nearly a hundred and thirty-two years old, she looked barely twenty, her beauty timeless and ethereal. She was one of the most powerful witches alive and had been chosen by the Hidden Coven—the most influential coven in existence—to represent them and lead the supernatural world, maintaining balance and harmony between their realm and the human one. It was a task of immense importance, as even the slightest imbalance could plunge both worlds into chaos.

“As I was saying, my dear friends,” Jena continued, her voice echoing around the room, “there is a dire situation that requires our immediate attention. The Demon King has somehow discovered that the Hidden Coven still exists. This is extremely dangerous, and we must do everything in our power to protect them.” Her eyes swept over everyone, her gaze intense and unwavering. “The Demon King will stop at nothing to hunt down every last witch and creature of the sun. But fortunately for us, we are also creatures of the night. The Moon Goddess watches over us, and she will protect us in these dark times.”

Daniel felt his blood turn cold at the mention of the Demon King. He’d always known that this threat was looming, but to hear that it was now a reality was terrifying. His heart began to pound, and his fingers clenched into fists at his sides. “What’s our next move?” he asked, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him.

“Daniel,” Jena said, her tone softening, “you are a hybrid and the leader of the Grim Warlocks. It is your duty, along with Michael, to protect the Princess of the Coven. She must remain unaware of her true identity until we have devised a plan. We cannot afford for her to know, not yet.”

Michael placed a hand on Daniel’s shoulder, and for a moment, Daniel felt a sense of calm wash over him. “We will keep her safe,” Michael promised. “We’ll do whatever it takes.”

Daniel nodded, though his mind raced with a thousand questions. Could he truly keep his daughter safe when she had no idea of the danger she was in? “And what about the protectors?” he asked, glancing at Jena. “My mother mentioned that they’re already here, but she wouldn’t tell me who they are.”

Jena smiled faintly, a mysterious twinkle in her eyes. “The protectors will reveal themselves when the time is right, Daniel. Have faith. The universe has a way of bringing things together when they’re needed most.”

Daniel sighed, feeling a weight settle over him. This wasn’t just about him or his daughter; this was about the fate of their world. As he looked around the room, at all the faces filled with determination and hope, he felt a flicker of resolve ignite within him. They would fight, and they would protect her—no matter what it took.