Chapter 61 CHAPTER 61
Ethan pushed open the door to Celestine’s small temple, and the warm scent of burning sage drifted around him. Nolan was standing near the far corner with his arms folded tightly across his chest. He looked as though he’d been pacing before they entered. Celestine sat behind her low table, but her usually calm face was tight with worry.
The priestess had already flipped the wooden sign to Closed, shutting out the noise of the city. Candles flickered along the shelves, and the soft golden light made the shadows on the walls seem deeper.
When Ethan and Liam stepped inside, Celestine lifted her gaze. “Sit,” she said quietly, and her voice was unusually strained. “Tell me again. Everything you told me over the phone. Are you sure it happened the way you said?”
Liam lowered himself onto the seat opposite her. “I’m sure. I wouldn’t lie about something like this.” His voice carried none of its usual humor. Ethan nodded next to him, his posture stiff and thoughtful. He had already seen everything through the mind link. The memory of it still pressed against him like a cold hand.
Celestine inhaled deeply and motioned for them to continue. Liam walked them through the entire happenings. He explained how he had followed someone from the witches’ village all the way to Silverpine. Only for the girl to end up being Sebastian’s girlfriend, Sarah. He also explained how the girl, Sarah, had shown signs of dark magic that should not exist in a wolf settlement. His words filled the room slowly, like a heavy fog settling over all of them. By the time he finished, the silence was so deep that even the crackle of the candlewick sounded loud.
Celestine looked shaken. Nolan’s eyebrows were drawn together so tightly that a faint crease formed between them. “Sarah took something from him?” he asked quietly. “She must be feeding off his strength.”
Liam nodded once. “That explains why the guards have been slacking off. Sebastian must not be the only one she is doing this to. The whole guard seems to be affected.”
Ethan clenched his jaw at the memory. “Makes sense.” He glanced at both Nolan and Celestine before continuing, “I saw it through Liam, it wasn’t natural, nor was it any of the normal wolf magic.”
Celestine’s fingers tightened around the edge of her table. “Dark magic,” she whispered, and the words seemed to dim the candles. “The kind we hoped never to see again. Nolan, have you encountered anything like this among your fellow fae?”
Nolan shook his head. “Not once, I would have heard if any witches under my rule were practicing something like that. None of them have stirred trouble. And none of the fae I watch over have crossed into forbidden magic.” He hesitated, then added, “Nothing like this has happened in my territory for years.”
Ethan leaned forward. “What about the hidden witch village? The one people whisper about. The one behind the veil spell. Liam believes he was close to its entrance. Where the girl came out from.”
Nolan gave a slow, weary exhale. “I’ve always believed that was a rumor. Something old witches tell children to stop them from wandering too far. I never had proof it was real. And since it’s outside my domain, I never sought it out.” He paused, eyes darkening. “But now… I’m starting to wonder if it was more than a rumor.”
Liam rested his elbows on his knees. “I thought it was a rumor too, until I went looking for it. I couldn’t break the barrier. Whatever is hiding that village is strong - stronger than anything I’ve faced. I waited there for days, trying to find a crack – until that girl came out of it.
Celestine’s breath hitched. “And that girl… Sarah. Who is she?”
Liam shook his head. “That’s the strange part. She wasn’t born in Silverpine. She came to live with her aunt and uncle after her parents died abroad. That’s all they said. The aunt and uncle seemed like normal werewolves – both have grown up within Silverpine, but something about her house felt off. I could sense an aura I didn’t like, but I didn’t want to push. Not yet. If she realized I suspected her, she would run.”
Ethan’s voice was low. “And if she runs, we lose our only lead.”
The weight of the situation pressed down on them again. Celestine closed her eyes for a moment, gathering herself before she looked up at Ethan. “You need to be careful with this. Bringing such news to the elders now will cause chaos. Half of them already believe the kingdom should have chosen another family to rule after your father’s death. Some want a new royal line. If you go to them talking about witches, dark magic, and threats that sound like the past repeating itself… they may use it against you.”
Nolan agreed. “They already whisper because your sister returned. Bringing this to the council without proof might give your enemies the perfect weapon.”
Ethan felt a flare of irritation. “I’m not hiding this to protect my crown. I’m doing it to protect the kingdom.”
“We know,” Celestine said softly. “But the elders may not see it that way.”
Liam leaned back with a troubled look. “We’ll investigate quietly. If there’s a threat, we’ll find it before the elders even breathe a word about it.”
Before anyone could say more, footsteps moved outside. Nolan stiffened first, sensing unfamiliar presences. A second later, the door pushed open and two familiar figures stepped inside - Celine with her bright eyes and bold stride, and Lisa behind her, looking apologetic and shy.
The atmosphere shifted immediately. All four of them straightened, their expressions smoothing into calm masks. Celestine pulled her hands back into her lap, hiding her worry. Nolan’s shoulders slowly lowered. Ethan’s face went blank.
Celine grinned. “Found you!” she announced proudly.
Ethan was the first to speak, “Lisa, Celine, what are the two of you doing here?”
“It was my idea, Lisa didn’t want to come, but I forced her. “Celine said as she tugged Lisa forward as if offering her as evidence. “We were at Pauline’s café, and it was boring there, so we came to see what you were doing.”
Lisa gave Ethan an apologetic look. “Celine dragged me.”
Liam stood quickly, almost too quickly. “Did you finish shopping?” he asked, trying to guide them back toward the door without making it obvious.
Celine nodded eagerly. “Yes! We’re done. Pauline gave us soup. But then I remembered Celestine tells people about their future, so I thought, why not let her tell me about mine?”
The priestess’s lips curved faintly, though her eyes held something sharper. She reached out quietly, taking Celine’s wrist with a gentleness that made the girl pause. She studied her palm for a long second, then spoke softly, almost kindly.
“You are in love with someone, child… but he will not be the one the Moon Goddess chose for you.”
Celine froze. Her cheeks flushed bright red. She darted a mortified glance at Liam—who looked away immediately - and then let out an awkward laugh. “Well… that’s… that’s great. Truly great. Amazing.” She grabbed Lisa’s wrist in a hurry. “Lisa, let’s go. It’s not fun here anymore. We’re going back.”
Lisa didn’t protest. The two girls rushed out, the door shutting behind them.
Silence filled the room again.
Ethan let out a slow breath. “Do you think they heard anything?”
Liam rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t know. They came in quietly.”
Nolan shook his head. “We can’t risk telling Lisa any of this yet. Not until we know exactly what’s happening. She’s finally settling into her new life. If we put this burden on her now, the past will rise again - and we all know what she survived last time witches touched this kingdom.”
Celestine nodded. “We keep this among the four of us. I will pray for guidance and listen for the goddess. Nolan will keep watch among the fae and witches under him. Ethan and Liam will continue investigating Silverpine.”
Ethan straightened a little. “Then we meet again in a week. If anything urgent comes up before that, we call each other.”
The four of them exchanged looks - a silent agreement born from fear, duty, and the thin thread of hope that the darkness creeping toward them could still be stopped.
Finally, Celestine spoke, “May the moon goddess guide each one of you and keep you safe, for the sake of the shifters realm’s peace.”
All nodded in silent agreement.