Chapter 56 Chapter 56
Violet's POV
The journey to Celeste's territory took longer than I expected.
Max drove while I sat in the passenger seat, watching the landscape change from dense forest to rolling hills.
We'd been on the road for three hours and the silence was starting to feel heavy.
"You know," Max said finally, breaking the quiet. "You could at least pretend you don't hate being stuck in a car with me."
I glanced at him. "I don't hate it."
"Could've fooled me." He kept his eyes on the road, but I saw the slight smile tugging at his lips. "You've barely said two words since we left."
"I'm thinking."
"About the potion?"
"Among other things."
He was quiet for a moment. Then he said, "About us?"
I sighed. "Max."
"I'm just asking." He shrugged. "Can't blame a guy for being curious about what his mate is thinking."
"I'm not your mate," I said automatically.
"You keep saying that." He glanced at me briefly. "But it doesn't make it any less true."
I didn't respond. What was there to say?
The bond was there. Real. Undeniable.
But that didn't mean I had to accept it.
We drove in silence for another hour before I finally spoke again.
"Take the next left. Celeste's shop is about ten minutes from there."
Max followed my directions, turning onto a narrow dirt road that wound through a thick grove of willow trees.
The trees seemed to lean toward each other, their branches creating a canopy overhead that blocked out most of the sunlight.
"Creepy," Max muttered.
"She likes her privacy," I said.
"Clearly."
We drove until the trees opened up into a small clearing. In the center sat a cottage that looked like it had been plucked straight from a fairy tale.
Stone walls covered in ivy. A thatched roof. Windows with wooden shutters.
Smoke curled from the chimney despite the warm weather.
"This is it?" Max asked, parking the car.
"This is it."
We got out and I led the way to the front door. Before I could knock, it swung open.
Celeste stood in the doorway, looking exactly as I remembered.
Tall and elegant, with silver hair that fell past her waist. Her eyes were a pale blue, almost translucent. She wore a simple black dress and no shoes.
"Violet," she said, her voice smooth as silk. "It's been a long time."
"Two years," I agreed.
Her gaze shifted to Max. "And you brought a wolf."
"He's with me," I said quickly.
"I can see that." Celeste's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Your mate, I assume?"
Max straightened slightly. "Yes."
"Interesting." She stepped aside. "Come in. Both of you."
We followed her inside. The cottage was larger than it appeared from the outside, with high ceilings and walls lined with shelves full of jars, bottles, and dried herbs.
A large wooden table dominated the center of the room, covered in open books and scattered ingredients.
"Tea?" Celeste offered, moving toward a copper kettle hanging over the fireplace.
"No, thank you," I said. "I'm here on business."
"Of course you are." She poured herself a cup anyway. "You never visit just to chat."
"I need starfall essence," I said bluntly.
Celeste took a sip of her tea, studying me over the rim of her cup. "Do you now?"
"Yes. And I know you have some."
"I might." She set down her cup. "The question is, why do you need it?"
"I'm making a revelation draught."
Her eyebrows rose. "That's powerful magic, Violet. What are you trying to reveal?"
"Someone's true nature," I said carefully. "Someone who's been hiding what they really are."
"A half-blood?" Celeste guessed.
I nodded.
She was quiet for a moment, her pale eyes thoughtful. "This half-blood, are they dangerous?"
"Very."
"And you plan to expose them publicly?"
"At an exhibition in a few days."
Celeste walked slowly around the table, her fingers trailing across the wood. "Starfall essence is rare. Valuable. Why should I give it to you?"
"Because you owe me," I said. "Remember two years ago? When I helped you break that curse?"
"I remember." She smiled slightly. "You were quite impressive. But that debt was paid when I gave you the moonstone pendant."
"Then I'll pay you," I said. "Name your price."
Celeste stopped walking and faced me fully. "Money doesn't interest me."
"Then what does?"
She tapped her finger against her chin, considering. "Information."
"What kind of information?"
"Tell me about this half-blood you're hunting." Her eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Who are they? What have they done?"
I hesitated. Sharing information about Lila felt risky.
But I needed that essence.
"Her name is Lila," I said finally. "She's a half-witch, half-wolf. She infiltrated a pack, became their Luna, and tried to kill the true Luna by poisoning her father."
Celeste's expression sharpened. "Lila Shadowvale?"
I blinked. "You know her?"
"I know of her." Celeste moved back to the table and sat down. "She's from the witch coven in the eastern mountains. They sent her on a mission years ago."
"What mission?" Max spoke for the first time since we'd entered.
Celeste glanced at him. "To eliminate a threat to the coven."
"What threat?" I pressed.
"A prophecy." Celeste's voice dropped. "About a woman from the Darkridge pack who would rise and destroy all witches."
My blood ran cold. "Sophia."
"Is that her name?" Celeste asked. "The true Luna?"
I nodded slowly.
"Then yes. Sophia is the target. And if Lila failed once, she'll try again."
"She's supposed to be dead," Max said.
"Is she?" Celeste's smile was knowing. "Or is that just what she wants everyone to believe?"
"We think she faked her death," I admitted. "That's why I need the essence. To prove what she really is when she comes back."
Celeste stood and walked to one of the shelves, running her fingers along the jars until she found what she was looking for.
A small vial filled with shimmering liquid that looked like captured starlight.
"This is the last of my starfall essence," she said, holding it up. "I won't be able to get more for months."
"I understand," I said. "But I need it now."
She studied the vial for a long moment. Then she looked at me.
"If I give you this, you'll owe me a favor. A significant one."
I hesitated. Owing favors to powerful witches was dangerous.
But what choice did I have?
"Fine," I agreed. "One favor."
"To be called in at a time of my choosing," Celeste added.
"Within reason," I countered.
She smiled. "Of course. I'm not unreasonable."
She held out the vial and I took it carefully, tucking it into my bag.
"Thank you," I said.
"Don't thank me yet." Celeste's expression turned serious. "If Lila is working for the eastern coven, she's not alone. They'll have given her resources. Support. Maybe even backup."
"We'll be ready," Max said firmly.
"I hope so." Celeste looked at me. "Because if this prophecy is real, if Sophia truly has the power to destroy the witch covens, they won't stop until she's dead."
"Then we'll protect her," I said.
"Good luck with that." Celeste walked us to the door. "You're going to need it."
We stepped outside and the door closed behind us.
Max and I walked back to the car in silence.
Once we were inside and driving away, he finally spoke.
"That was intense."
"Celeste doesn't do anything halfway," I said.
"She knew about Lila. About the prophecy."
"Witches talk." I stared out the window. "Word gets around."
"Do you think she's right? That Lila has backup?"
"Probably." I clutched my bag tighter, feeling the vial inside. "But it doesn't matter. We have what we need now."
"And you owe her a favor."
"I know." I sighed. "But it was worth it."
Max reached over and squeezed my hand briefly before returning it to the wheel.
I didn't pull away.
"We'll figure this out," he said. "Together."
I wanted to argue. Wanted to remind him that we weren't together.
But the words wouldn't come.
Because maybe, just maybe, he was right.
Maybe I didn't have to do everything alone.
"Yeah," I said quietly. "Together."
We drove back toward Wolfalpine territory, the vial of starfall essence safely tucked away.
Now I just had to make the potion.
And hope that when the time came, it would be enough to expose Lila for what she really was.
Before she could hurt anyone else.