Chapter 39

Sleep had never felt so far away. Even with my body buried under the covers, exhaustion clinging to my bones, my mind refused to shut down. Damon.

He was all I could think about.

Something about him… felt familiar. Too familiar. Like I had seen him before, known him before, but there were no memories to support the feeling. It wasn’t just the way he spoke or the way he smirked like he knew things I didn’t—it was deeper than that. A connection that made absolutely no sense.

And then there was everything else. The murders. The creatures. Vanessa discovering she had powers.

I sighed, rubbing my face. I needed coffee.

I dragged myself out of bed, still in the oversized t-shirt I slept in, and padded barefoot down to the kitchen. It was early, too early for anyone to be awake. The house wouldn’t come to life until around eight when everyone had places to be.

I turned on the coffee machine, staring at it blankly, my mind racing.

What the hell is happening in this town?

The quiet shuffle of footsteps behind me made me glance up. Vanessa walked in, looking just as tired as I felt.

“Morning,” she mumbled, running a hand through her hair.

“Morning,” I replied, grabbing two cups. I didn’t need to ask if she wanted one. She needed it just as much as I did.

I poured the coffee and handed her a cup. She took it, murmuring a thank you, then leaned against the counter, studying me.

“You okay?” she asked.

I let out a dry laugh. “Honestly? No. Nothing has been okay for a while now.”

She nodded, staring into her coffee like it held the answers to life’s greatest mysteries. “Yeah. I get that.”

For a moment, neither of us spoke. The silence was comfortable, but heavy. Then Vanessa let out a slow breath and said, “Last night… my grandmother told me something. Something insane.”

I looked up, waiting.

She hesitated, then met my eyes. “She told me I’m a witch. That I come from a long line of Bennet witches.”

I should have laughed. I should have told her she was insane. But instead, all I could think about was that night at the parking lot, the way Vanessa had somehow saved us from whatever that creature was.

It did make sense.

“That’s… wow,” I breathed.

Vanessa searched my face, waiting for me to tell her she was crazy.

But I didn’t.

Instead, I nodded. “Actually, that explains a lot.”

Relief washed over her features. “That’s why I wanted to tell you. Chloe wouldn’t take it seriously. I needed someone to listen.”

I reached over and squeezed her hand. “I’m here, Ness. I believe you.”

She smiled, and for the first time since the attack, she looked lighter. “Would you come with me to my grandmother’s place later? I feel like I need to know more. And I don’t want to do it alone.”

“Of course,” I said without hesitation. “You’re stuck with me, Bennet witch.”

Vanessa laughed, wrapping her arms around me in a tight hug. “Thank you.”

Later that afternoon…

The drive to Rachel Bennet’s house was quiet. A peaceful little cottage sat at the end of a winding road, surrounded by tall trees that seemed to shield it from the rest of the world.

Vanessa parked, and we both got out.

“Cute place,” I said, taking in the neat little garden and the old-fashioned wooden porch.

Vanessa knocked, and within seconds, the door swung open. Rachel Bennet stood there, her warm brown eyes flickering between the two of us.

She smiled at Vanessa. “There’s my grandbaby.”

But then her gaze landed on me. Her expression changed. The warmth in her eyes faded into something unreadable.

She took a step back, her brows knitting together.

“You shouldn’t be here.”

Vanessa and I exchanged confused looks.

Rachel’s eyes didn’t leave mine. “She shouldn’t be here,” she said again, this time addressing Vanessa.

I took a small step back. “I… I can wait outside if it’s a problem.”

Vanessa frowned. “No, she’s my best friend. She knows everything. It’s fine, Grams.”

Rachel didn’t seem convinced. She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. Then she muttered, almost to herself, “Now it makes sense. She came with them.”

My heart skipped. “Them?”

Vanessa’s confusion matched mine. “What are you talking about, Grams?”

Rachel exhaled deeply and turned, walking toward the small living room. “Come inside. Both of you.”

Vanessa and I sat on the couch while Rachel stood before us, looking more serious than I had ever seen her.

She looked at Vanessa first. “Remember when I told you your powers were awakened because a door was opened? A door to another realm?”

Vanessa nodded slowly.

Rachel’s gaze flickered to me. “That realm shouldn’t have been opened. The Elvadors—” She stopped, shaking her head like she was putting something together in real time. “Their supernatural presence crossed over, and so did others.” Her eyes locked onto mine. “Including you.”

I felt a sharp chill crawl up my spine.

“What?” My voice came out barely above a whisper.

Rachel sat down, folding her hands together. “You don’t belong here, child. You aren’t from this present. You aren’t from this realm.”

My pulse hammered in my ears.

“Two realms?” Vanessa asked.

Rachel nodded. “Two presents. Two versions of the world. And until recently, they were separated as they should have been. But the door was opened. And when a human crosses over… all their memories are wiped.”

My head spun.

“Wait,” I breathed, my voice shaking. “You’re saying I’m from another world?”

Rachel nodded. “That’s why you feel lost. Why things seem familiar but out of reach.”

I wanted to laugh. I wanted to tell her this was insane. But deep down, something in me knew she was right. Vanessa and Claire found me with no memories ...in a tomb. I knew that was bizarre and not right, but I had always tried not thinking about it too much. Now... the scary part was how this felt like dots were being connected .

Vanessa swallowed hard. “How is that even possible? Why would Elizabeth be here if she belonged somewhere else?”

Rachel’s lips pressed together. “That’s a question only she can answer.”

I stared at her, feeling like my entire existence had just been rewritten. “I don’t remember anything,” I whispered.

Rachel nodded. “That’s because only they know what happened-the Elvadors. You won't be able to remember anything child, your memories are all lost- forever its part of the sacrifice to be here. The Elvadors blood,the hybrids blood is the only blood that can open the door.”

Vanessa stiffened beside me. “But I thought you said the Bennets were the only ones who could open those doors?”

Rachel’s face darkened. “Yes. Which means a Bennet witch helped open that door.”

Silence stretched between us.

I finally spoke, my voice hollow. “Why would a Bennet do that? If it risks upsetting the balance?”

Rachel’s jaw clenched. “Because not all witches are good, child. Some have different goals. And right now, we don’t know who or why.”

I inhaled sharply. “The murders. The creatures. Are they… from the other realm?”

Rachel nodded gravely. “Not just any creatures. Vampires.”

Vanessa and I froze.

Rachel sighed. “Listen to me carefully. You girls need to be very careful. Because whatever else came through that door… it wasn’t good.”

I shivered.

I didn’t know what scared me more—the fact that another world existed… or the fact that I had somehow crossed over .