Chapter 38

Verona opened her eyes slowly and yawned. A new day but still the same routine. Getting up from her bed, she moved to the living room and sat on the floor Indian style. She closed her eyes and meditated a bit. Her eyes opened afterwards and a smile crossed her lips. She was ready for the next phase.

She stepped out of her cabin in the woods and moved straight for the pathway at her left. An array of herbs were at her side. She bent down and began to gather them, humming an ancient tone.

A sound alerted her and she looked up to see a white rabbit a few meters away. Its nose twitched and its long ears wiggled from side to side, as it stared back at her curiously.

"Such a beautiful creature." Verona smiled warmly as the rabbit stood upright.

"Unfortunately, the soul behind it is not as pure." Verona's smile suddenly disappeared and was replaced with a glare.

"Lift your magic, Nuri," she seethed at the rabbit. "I can see through it."

The rabbit glowed and vanished. Standing in it's place was the transparent and smiling form of Nuri.

'Spiritual projection.' Verona thought with a frown.

"Your powers seem to be evolving,Verona," Nuri said. "That is impressive. But still not at my level yet."

"What do you want?" Verona asked, folding her arms.

"To warn you to desist from this futility," Nuri replied. "An alliance with the young werewolf will bear no good fruit."

"But an alliance with that profane monster will?" Verona shot back at the projection of her friend. "Nuri, open your eyes and come to your senses."

"I am in my senses!" Nuri yelled. "And Dominic made me see it. If your memory is dull, be rest assured mine isn't. Have you forgotten what these so called humans we fight to protect did to is and our home twenty years ago?!"

Verona swallowed as she fought the painful memories away.

"They destroyed our village and slaughtered many of our sisters in the coven all because of some silly paranoia, believing witches were evil," Nuri continued.

Verona could see the pain in her friend's eyes.

"They don't deserve existence. They're nothing but vain, gullible and mentally weak entities that should have been wiped away long ago. And since the werewolves want to prevent that by causing Dominic's demise, then I'll fight with my last blood to ensure the prophecy never gets fulfilled."

"Nuri," Verona sighed. " I understand and feel your pain. Your village was mine too and the heavens know how much pain I went through when our home was taken from us. But we cannot go against fate. If you continue on this path of yours, you will be going against the spirits..."

"Damn the spirits!" Nuri nearly screamed in fury. "Where were the spirits when everything we loved was forcefully and violently taken away from us. Where were they when you and I cried out to them for solace and comfort? Nowhere!"

Verona said nothing, as she was short of words.

"Verona," Nuri said calmly. "I'm offering you this chance one more time. Stand with me or fall with them. What is your decision."

A long pause followed as Verona shut her eyes and breathed. Nuri waited patiently. Verona opened them and shot her friend a glare.

"You know what my answer is," she said.

"I thought as much." Nuri smiled sadly. "It's too bad it had to come to this.When the inevitable war happens, it's a pity only one of us will be left standing."

Nuri shook her head and disappeared. Verona stared at the spot where her friend once stood.

"As much as there is an iota of truth in your words, old friend, I hope it never comes to that," she sighed.

****

"And here we are." Landon stepped out of the car and took a deep breath. "Cleveland."

Kelly stepped out of the passenger side as Lawrence and Jeremy each stepped out through the back doors. The four stared at the woods at the side of the road.

"Are you sure we're at the right place,Jeremy?" Landon faced his nephew.

"Yes,I am," Jeremy replied, narrowing his gaze through the woods. For the past weeks, the memory imbued in his head by Lucas in the spirit world lingered on. It was almost like there was a spiritual compass in his head. Earlier that morning, he had requested for Landon to take him to this place much to his uncle's amazement. And then Landon's surprise greatly increased as Jeremy had given the navigation instructions during the drive.

"I feel something." Jeremy shut his eyes, still facing the entrance of the woods.

"What's that?" Lawrence asked.

"Some kind of energy," Jeremy replied and opened his eyes.

"This way." He took off into the woods, and the remaining trio followed him.

Jeremy looked around in awe as he walked. The interior of the woods was almost the same with the one in the spirit realm. Except for the fact that it was full of overgrown grass and there were noises from birds. Apart from that, everything looked the same. The trees, the shrubs and even the hedges. This increased his optimism.

The energy he felt increased as he got to a secluded spot in the woods. He laughed in joy as she approached the spot.

"It's really here." He rejoiced, seeing the burnt crescent shape on the grass. Landon, Kelly and Lawrence stopped beside him and a stunned look appeared on their faces.

"Holy sh—" Lawrence tried to speak.

"Lawrence!" his parents chided simultaneously.

"Sorry," he said. "But this is surreal."

"You're telling me," Jeremy laughed.

He stretched out his hand and it hovered above the spot. His eyes shut tight as he felt a stronger energy flow within him. For minutes, he remained like that and he opened his eyes.

"Jeremy?" Landon stared at him cautiously.

Jeremy smiled, a determined look on his face.