Chapter 71

The air in the restaurant turned heavy as the door swung open, revealing James' tall and imposing figure. His presence alone sent a shiver down my spine, and Lana had not noticed immediately but when she had suspected how froze I was, she turned around and froze in fear. I grripped her hand tightly, my knuckles turning white. We hadn't digested the terror we got at the old woman's place and now this. James's sudden appearance only deepened our distress.

we had feelings to suspect he was working with Eric since they were brothers. According to her, "Eric was our nemesis, a powerful creature with dark intentions" she said with gapped teeth, as I remembered. But now, as I watched James stride towards us, my mind raced with horrifying thoughts. "Could James also be against us?" O couldn't help but think.

James's eyes met mine, and I am sure he could see the turmoil within them. His usually warm and friendly gaze no longer worked on me. Never worked on Lana. I cowered Lana and watched her eyes cloud with a mix of anger and sorrow. I tried to find solace in the fact that we were in the open. James couldn't hurt two adult women in a public place. But I couldn't. The old woman's words about Eric's true nature lingered in my mind, poisoning anything and anyone I know with Eric's blood.

"Lana, do you think James knows about Eric?" I whispered, my voice trembling with fear. "What if he's working with him? What if we're all in danger?"

Lana's face mirrored my own anxiety. Her voice quivered as she replied, "I don't know, Eloise. But I sure it's safe to jump to conclusions. We don't need to talk with James most certainly not to confirm what we have learned ".

With a heavy heart, we tried out best to stay call and remain glued yo our seats. The atmosphere grew tense, as if the very air knew the weight of the conversation we were about to have. James sensed our unease and glanced around, confusion etching lines on his face.

"Eloise, Lana, what's wrong?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.

Taking a deep breath, I spoke, my words faltering as I knew it would. "How are you doing James how's the weekend?".

"We're good. few hitches here and there. What brings you guys half a mile away from here?"

"You tell me" Lana cut in staring cold into James eyes.

His eyes widened, and a mix of ridicule and ignorance crossed his features. "What did you hear?"

Lana stepped forward and bolted, her voice steady and determined. "We were told that Eric is not just a werewolf, but a wizard as well".

My eyes sunk.

James' eyes widened with mockery and then switched when Lana mumbled some spells under her breath.

James's shoulders slumped, and his eyes with suppressed emotion. "I didn't want you to find out like this. Yes, it's true. Eric is my brother, and he possesses both werewolf and wizard powers. But please, you have to believe me, I am not like him. I would never betray you."

The word betray slammed hard against my ear. My tongue turned sour. "Betray" I muttered.

"Elly"He said gently and bent forward to reach out for my hand on the table.

"Fractura" I mumbled as I watched his wrist snap and his bone pop. He winced hard but held himself to not attract attention.

Tears welled up in my eyes as Lana and I exchanged glances. She had used the truth spell on him. Her glance told that the betray part in his statement was true but I couldn't care less and she knew.

"I don't know what to think," I confessed, my voice choked with distress.

"But we need time to process this, James. We need to figure out where we stand." Lana concluded.

With those words, we left James standing there, alone and which was our intention. It was not a painful choice at all. but we couldn't continue to bear the darkness that loomed over our lives. As we walked away, our hearts heavy with uncertainty, I couldn't help but wonder if our world would ever be the same again.

The confrontation with James had left a bitter taste in our mouths, and as Lana and I sought refuge in the safety of my home, a sense of urgency consumed us. We needed answers, and we needed them fast. We were witches, after all, and it was time to tap into our powers to trace Eric's whereabouts.

We sat cross-legged on the floor of my dimly lit living room, surrounded by flickering candles and ancient spellbooks. The room crackled with anticipation, mirroring the intensity within our hearts. Our hands trembled as we joined them together, fingertips brushing against each other's, pooling our magic.

"Lana, are you ready?" I asked, my voice hushed but filled with determination.

She nodded, her eyes reflecting the fire of our shared purpose. "Let's do this, Eloise. Let's find Eric and put an end to this darkness."

With synchronized breaths, we closed our eyes and delved deep into the depths of our magic. We called upon the forces that governed the universe, reaching out to the energies that connected us all. The room buzzed with energy, swirling around us like a cyclone.

In my mind's eye, I visualized Eric's face, his twisted smile etched into my memory. I could feel his presence, a malignant force lurking in the shadows. We needed to pierce through the darkness, to unravel the threads of his whereabouts.

"Lana, focus on Eric. Reach out with your senses," I murmured, my voice barely audible.

Together, we channeled our magic, intertwining our powers to create a beacon of energy that would lead us to him. The air crackled with electricity, and suddenly, a surge of information flooded our minds.

Images flashed before me, fleeting glimpses of dark forests and crumbling castles. I saw faces twisted with malevolence, heard whispers of ancient incantations. Eric was close, his presence a tangible echo in the ethereal realm.

"He's in the Forbidden Woods," Lana whispered, her voice filled with certainty. "That's where we'll find him."

I opened my eyes, my heart pounding with a mix of excitement and trepidation. "Then let's not waste any more time, Lana. We have a battle ahead of us, and we must face it head-on."

Gathering our strength, we rose from the floor, our resolve casting aside any remnants of doubt. We knew the risks involved in confronting Eric, but we couldn't allow his darkness to continue to haunt our lives.

Hand in hand, we walked towards the door, ready to step into the unknown. The fate of our world rested on our shoulders, and as we ventured into the night, our minds focused on one goal: to vanquish the darkness and restore balance to our realm