Chapter 44 Blood Debt and Broken Truths

Chapter 44 Blood Debt and Broken Truths
Darkness pressed in again, not the same as before, sleep. Zoe stirred slowly, her body sluggish, her mind fogged—as if something had pushed her down into unconsciousness and only just released its grip. Her lashes fluttered; voices in the distance at first, then closer and clearer: “…what the hell happened?” Laura’s voice is shaky. Kelly groaned. “I… I don’t…”

Zoe’s eyes snapped open. Her head throbbed, but her thoughts were sharper now. She put us to sleep, the woman, that witch, but before Zoe could speak—CRASH. The front door exploded open, wood splintered, and wind rushed in. A deep, furious growl tore through the house, and Zoe’s heart leapt. Kelly and Laura scrambled backwards, instinctively clinging to each other. “No—no—no—” Kelly whimpered. 

Heavy footsteps, and there he was, Zack. His chest rising and falling, eyes wild, scanning the room until they landed on her, the look of relief and relief. Behind him, more figures rushed in—James, warriors and then Angela and Joel. Their eyes locked onto Kelly. “Kelly!” Angela gasped. Joel moved instantly toward her. But Zack, Zack didn’t move toward them. He moved toward Zoe “Zoe—” His voice broke.

He dropped to his knees in front of her, pulling her into his arms like he was afraid she’d disappear again. “I’m so sorry,” he said, his voice shaking. “If I had known—if I had—” Zoe felt I, his fear, his guilt, his desperation, tears slid down his face as he held her tightly. Zoe exhaled softly. “I’m fine,” she said quietly, not entirely true, but she was alive, and that was enough for now. Zack pulled back slightly, his hands still on her shoulders, searching her face.

“Did they hurt you?” Zoe shook her head faintly. “No… but there’s something we need to talk about.” Zack stilled. “What?” Zoe swallowed. “There was a woman here.” Zack frowned. “What woman?” 

“She wasn’t normal,” Zoe said. “She… appeared. Like mist. Then she took form.” Zack’s expression darkened. “Zoe, we were outside for hours. No one came in or out.” Zoe shook her head immediately. “You wouldn’t have seen her. She wasn’t physical—not like us.”

She gestured weakly toward Kelly and Laura “They saw her, too.” All eyes turned to the two girls. Kelly looked pale, and Laura looked terrified. Zoe continued. “She said some… insane things. About me. About the Moon Goddess.” Zack’s jaw tightened. “What things?” Zoe hesitated, “She took some of my blood.” Zack’s head snapped toward her arm. “What?!” Zoe showed him the small cut. “It wasn’t deep. But whatever she did—it cost her something.”

Zack’s expression turned deadly “Who is she?” Zoe shook her head. “I don’t know. But she kept talking about someone… she called him ‘him.’” Zack frowned. “Who’s him?” he asked, “I have no idea.” Zoe’s voice dropped slightly. “She said she was looking for him. That once she finds him… she’ll come for me.” A heavy silence fell. She also mentioned… Zoe hesitated. Zack leaned closer. “What?” Zoe’s eyes flickered. “…that the Moon Goddess erased my memory.” Zack froze. “What?”

“I don’t understand it either,” Zoe said quickly. “But she spoke as she knew me. Like she’s been watching me for a long time.” Zack’s grip tightened slightly. “This doesn’t make sense.” 

“I know.” Zoe turned slightly toward Kelly and Laura. “We should question them. They know more—” Suddenly— GAG. Kelly’s body jerked violently, and everyone turned. “Kelly?” Angela rushed to her. Kelly collapsed forward, coughing. Then the blood was dark and thick, and it was pouring out of her ears, nose and mouth. 

“What the—?!” Joel shouted, dropping to his knees beside her. “Kelly! Kelly, look at me!” Angela cried, trying to hold her upright. Zoe’s heart dropped “What’s happening?!” “I don’t know!” Angela snapped, panic rising in her voice. Kelly convulsed again, more blood spilling from her lips; beside her, Laura gagged. Then she, too, began coughing violently. “No—no—no—” Laura choked, blood followed. Zoe stared in horror “No…” Angela and Joel worked frantically.

“Pressure—Joel, help me—” 

“I’m trying!” 

“Kelly, stay with me—stay with me!” But it was too much, too fast. Their bodies weakened rapidly, and the blood didn’t stop; it poured, relentless and unnatural. Zoe felt cold. “This… this isn’t normal…” Zack stood frozen for a moment, then stepped forward—but there was nothing he could do. Within minutes, both girls went still, Angela froze, and Joel’s hands trembled. “No…”

Angela let out a broken sound. “No… no… Kelly…” Silence fell over the room. Zoe stared at the two lifeless bodies, her stomach twisted. “That woman…” she whispered. Zack turned to her slowly. “What?” Zoe swallowed “She’s not just a witch.” Zack’s brows furrowed. “There are no witches.” Zoe shook her head. “She said she was. But… not fully.” Zack’s voice hardened. “Witches were wiped out a thousand years ago. The Moon Goddess destroyed them after they abused their powers.”

Zoe’s gaze didn’t waver. “Then explain this.” Silence and Zoe continued, “She said she’s been talking to Kelly for a long time. Manipulating her.” Zack’s jaw clenched. “She used both of them to get to me.” Zoe’s voice trembled slightly. “She said… because of me, she can’t enter pack lands physically. That there’s a barrier the Moon Goddess placed.” 

Zack went still. “And once she finds this ‘him’…” Zoe whispered, “…she’ll come back.” Zack looked at her, really looked at her and for the first time, he felt it, not just fear. But something worse, a threat. Bigger than rogues, bigger than packs, something ancient, dangerous. Zoe’s voice dropped. “She will kill us all.” Then Zack moved “Let’s get you to the hospital,” he said firmly. Zoe didn’t argue; she was still weak, still shaken.

Zack’s mind linked his warriors. Take the bodies back to the pack. Two stepped forward, carefully lifting Kelly and Laura. Angela collapsed into Joel’s arms. Joel held her tightly, his face pale with grief. Zoe looked at them, her chest tightened, “I’m sorry,” she said softly. They looked at her. Zoe continued, “That woman used them. Manipulated them.” Her voice steadied “Kelly was being controlled for a long time. Laura… she already hated me.”

Zoe swallowed “They made their choices. But they were also used.” Angela’s eyes filled with tears, and Joel nodded faintly. “We understand…” Zoe stepped closer. “I’m sorry for your loss.” Angela broke then, burying her face into Joel’s chest. Zoe turned away slowly. Zack placed a protective hand on her back, and together, they walked out of the house. But Zoe couldn’t shake the feeling, like it wasn’t over, not even close, because somewhere out there that woman was still out there and she was waiting, and soon she would be back.