Chapter 45

Julianne's POV

I searched everywhere for Jeremy. My heart raced as panic began to set in.

“Where are you, Jeremy?” I whispered, feeling the weight of my fear. I rushed back to Loretta, who was standing in the room looking lost and confused, hoping she could help me find him. I knocked frantically on her door.

“Julianne?” Loretta turned towards my approach, concern written all over her face. “What’s wrong? Did you find him?”

“I can’t find Jeremy!” I exclaimed, my voice shaking. “He just… disappeared. It just looks as if he was not lying down there a few minutes ago; he just vanished into nowhere and can be found.”

"What if he has gone to Arthur? What if we went to report us to Arthur, you know, or call the elders and tell them I am a witch? Do you know if he has done that already?" Loretta whispered, her voice barely audible as the thought crossed her mind.

"I am just coming back from Arthur's study room and believe he was not there. The way he responded to me only told me that Jeremy never reached there. And you have Ben standing here for minutes now, and no sign of Jeremy and the elders which means he is truly lost. Something bad had happened and we can't seem to lay our hands on it." I answered staring at the particular spot he was in shock.

How could he have just vanished like that into thin air? Is it even possible for him to get up in that weak state of his because I know for sure that the magic Loretta used on him was strong and out of anger, it would have injured him.

And then an idea crossed my mind: Loretta used her magic on Jeremy; she might as well locate him right.

"Loretta, is there some kind of spell you can perform to look for Jeremy?" I asked.

Loretta frowned. “I wish I could help, but I can’t use my powers right now. You know that.”

Frustration boiled inside me. “Why not? You used your magic before! Why can’t you do it now?” I felt my voice rising, anger spilling over.

“Julianne, I told you,” she said, her voice soft but firm. “My powers are cursed. I can’t risk using them on him.”

I took a step back, the hurt of her words hitting me hard. “This is your fault! If you hadn’t messed with that magic, maybe Jeremy wouldn’t be missing!”

Loretta’s face fell. “That’s not fair, Julianne. I never meant for any of this to happen.”

“Then what did you mean? To ruin our lives?” I shouted, my words slicing through the air. I knew I was being harsh, but I was scared. The thought of losing Jeremy was unbearable.

“I don't hate him too!” Loretta said, tears glistening in her eyes. “I didn’t want this!”

I shook my head, refusing to see her side. All I could think about was Jeremy. My chest tightened with anxiety.

“I can’t believe you. You’re supposed to be my friend and you are supposed to help me in times of problems. We were supposed to stick together as one man, not divide.”

As I turned away, I felt a pang of guilt. Loretta didn’t deserve my anger, but I couldn’t help it. I felt betrayed. I couldn’t stand still any longer; I started pacing back and forth. Suddenly, a memory flashed in my mind—those witches who had kidnapped me not quite long ago. My heart dropped as realization dawned on me. I put the pieces into place.

“Wait,” I said, stopping in my tracks. “What if the witches took him? The witches sensed your magic on Jeremy and must have taken him while we were arguing.”

“What witches?” Loretta asked, confused.

“The ones who took me! Remember? The ones who are after your life because of your reborn stuff. They could have taken Jeremy!” My heart raced with both fear and hope.

Loretta’s eyes widened. “Do you think so? But why would they?”

“Maybe they want to use him for something,” I said, my mind racing. “Maybe they want to use him to lure me back to their realm.”

Loretta crossed her arms, thinking hard. “We have to find him, then. If they have him, we can’t waste any more time. We have to find him and bring him back home but if anyone finds out he is missing”

I nodded, determination flooding my veins. “But how? We don’t know where they are. We don't know if still the same place they took e they will take him too.”

"Yes, that is where they will take him too; that is their realm; they don't change it at all," Loretta answered.

I stared at Loretta, my heart pounding in my chest. “That means we have to go back to the realm right,” I said, my voice trembling. “They might have sensed magic on Jeremy. That’s why they took him. I know that is why Jeremy is nowhere to be found in the whole of the pack. Only the witch would have taken him.” I said pacing about the front of the room. "Loretta, we have to go get him; we have to save him," I said pleadingly turning to her.

Loretta’s eyes widened in fear. “No! If they see me there, they’ll figure out who I am. They won’t let me go! I won't come back to the pack again and I don't want that.”

I felt a surge of frustration. “But Loretta, we can’t just leave him! He needs us! You can’t let them keep him, no matter what he did, we still have to find him and help him. Staying with the witched is not the nicest thing in the world to happen to a person; I experienced it, and it was cruel.”

She shook her head, her expression filled with panic. “I can’t risk it, Julianne. They know I have cursed magic. If they discover my identity, it’ll be worse for both of us.”

“Please,” I begged, feeling the weight of desperation. “What if they hurt him? We have to do something! Don't forget he is Arthur's only brother and family; he finds out something bad happened to him, we are done for; you won't be thinking of the witches getting you for their silly ploy.”

Loretta took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. “I have an idea. If you show up as the person they’re looking for, I can help you from the shadows. They won’t suspect anything if you act like them. We would both save Jeremy and we would be gone like nothing ever happened.”

I felt a knot in my stomach. “What if they realize it’s a trick? What if something happens to you? What if they find out front he shadows who you are? What if they knew I am not the real moon goddess they are looking for?”

“I’ll be careful,” she insisted, her eyes pleading. “I promise I’ll watch your back. I don't want the witch to know who is, the person they are looking for, since they mistook you for me, it has to be you then. But you need to trust me. This is our best chance to save Jeremy.”

I hesitated, my mind racing. The thought of losing Jeremy was unbearable. He had been a good person to me, and the least I can do for him is to go into the lion's den and pretend to be who I am not. I couldn’t let fear stop me.

“Okay,” I finally said, my voice steady. “I’ll do it. I’ll go as the person they want but just this once because I want to save Jeremy from their evil clutches.”

Loretta’s face brightened slightly, but the worry in her eyes remained. “Just remember, they’ll be expecting someone powerful. You have to act the part. I hope the magic I used on you has not quenched, although I would be there, which should heighten it and confide them to believe you are the one.”

“I can do that,” I said, though my heart raced with anxiety. “But how will you help me?”

“I’ll be close by,” she explained. “I can use my magic to distract them if things go wrong. Just stick to the plan. Be the moon goddess, and I would find a way to release Jeremy and we would come back safely. You just have to play your part well.”

I nodded, trying to calm my racing thoughts. “What’s the plan?”

“Just blend in. Act like you’re one of them,” she whispered. “I’ll create a distraction when you get closer.”

I nodded, feeling a mix of fear and determination. I had to do this for Jeremy. It is the only way to get Jeremy out and back to the pack before Arthur finds out.