We exit through the yellow front door adorned with a crescent moon and approach the permanently drawn circle with the star and stones inside. We all step in one by one. I think of home and Magnus as I step in. When I open my eyes, we appear near the unlit campfire, where a metal barrel of ash sits.
Reaper's haunting caw echoes through the night as I sprint into the packhouse, my heart pounding with each step. I enter the office, and without wasting a moment, I press my lips against his, seeking the comfort of his presence.
Magnus smiles as our lips part. ‘Welcome back,’ he says, ‘How was it?’
'Oh, Magnus, it was beyond anything I could have imagined. The hallways twisted in strange shapes, and doors led to enchanting surprises. A broom swept on its own, and, believe it or not, there was a unicorn in the enchanted garden named Star,' I exclaim, my eyes sparkling with magic.
'A unicorn?' he queries, an eyebrow arched in amused surprise.
'Absolutely, and she's the most magnificent creature. But, Magnus, there's more,' I tell him.
Magnus's curiosity paints his features with intrigue as he leans back, his gaze fixed on me. 'So, what about those Grim things and the nightmarish creatures Yiselda mentioned?'
My fingers instinctively reach my wrist, tracing the mark Alec left. 'The Grimghouls were terrifying small creatures with razor-sharp teeth. On the other hand, the Shadow Reapers were difficult to spot since they resembled shadows shaped like people. They can fuse with your body, causing you to have hallucinations and harm others,' I tell him.
‘They sound awful?’ Magnus says.
'They were dreadful,' I admit, the experience still settling within me. 'And then there was Alec, the Vampire King,' I confess, my voice shaky. Protectively, I pull my wrist closer to my chest as if guarding it.
Magnus gently takes my hand, extending my arm to examine my wrist closely. His brows furrow in confusion. 'How long have you had this tattoo? It looks like an Ankh, a symbol with a sword and a circle around the grip,' he questions, perplexed.
I look down, following his gaze to my wrist. The redness and discomfort have subsided, revealing a symbol that does indeed resemble an Ankh. 'I'm not sure,' I admit, my voice tinged with genuine confusion. 'Alec grabbed me, and—'
'He did what!' Magnus growls abruptly. His anger seeps into the air, protective instincts kicking in. 'He did this to you?' he demands, his eyes narrowing.
'I don't know, Magnus. It all happened so quickly. His eyes were red, like fire and blood. When he grabbed me, I felt a subtle burn on my wrist. Suddenly, I felt strange, and his eyes turned brown. I left Pandora’s Box as soon as I could and came back here to you,' I explain, my words rushing with the intensity of the recent encounter.
'I'll take you to the pack doctor,' Magnus insists with deep concern.
'Magnus, it's fine. It doesn't hurt anymore, and I feel fine now that I'm here with you,' I reassure him.
Relaxing slightly, Magnus cups my face gently. 'Fine, but if you feel strange again or any pain, you let me know, okay?' he insists.
Leaning in, he places a soft kiss on my forehead.
'I promise,' I reply with a smile.
'I love you, Nina,' Magnus says genuinely.
Returning his smile, I reply, 'I love you too, Magnus.'
Magnus remains in the office, attentively handling pack matters as I return to our bedroom. Reaper caws and taps his beak on the window, demanding my attention. I approach him, acknowledging his presence without opening the window.
'Next time, you need to take me with you, Luna. You can’t just leave your familiar behind. It’s dangerous,' Reaper communicates through our mind-link as I glance at him.
My eyebrows arch in response. 'The other witches didn’t take their familiars with them. So, I don’t see what the big deal is?' I retort, hands planted firmly on my hips.
A heavy sigh resonates through our mind-link. 'It’s a big deal. Now let me inside... please,' he persists.
I can't help but smile at his insistence and grant his request by opening the window. Reaper gracefully flies onto my shoulder and instantly calms the moment he perches. However, his behaviour takes an unexpected turn as his beak presses against my nose and his piercing eyes lock onto mine.
'Reaper, what the heck?' I ask, taken aback by the sudden closeness.
His eyes narrow, and he speaks cryptically. 'There is something different about you. Did something happen to you at Pandora’s Box?'
'No, Reaper, nothing happened,' I frown, gently pushing his beak back with my finger to regain some personal space.
'I thought I sensed something odd, a change, while you were in Pandora’s Box. I was worried something had happened to you,' he confesses.
Shaking my head, I reassure him, 'Reaper, nothing happened. Let's take a walk outside,' I suggest, deciding to divert his attention and mine from the cryptic exchange. I leave the room, with Reaper accompanying me on a stroll.
Ela's toad gracefully hops down the front steps, and I swing open the front door. The vibrant scene of my coven sisters enjoying the sunshine beneath Reaper's moon tree unfolds before me. Ria's snake playfully dangles from a branch, while Fern's flying chameleon luxuriates in the warmth. Lilac's cat rests in a ball on her lap, basking in the affectionate strokes of Lilac's hand.
Inhaling deeply, I savour the serenity of our surroundings, but my wrist tingles. Determinedly, I choose to ignore the sensation. As I approach the girls, a proposition forms in my mind. 'I'm heading to the lake for a swim. Would any of you care to join me?' I offer.
'Next time, Luna,' Ria responds with a warm smile.
'Okay,' I acknowledge as I approach the lake.
Reaper finds a comfortable perch in a lush tree that provides ample shade along the lake's edge. Stripping down, I dive into the refreshing water. Embracing my knees, I sink briefly to the bottom before propelling myself back to the surface. Floating on my back, I let the sun's rays caress my skin.
Yet, amidst the tranquility, flashbacks of King Alec grabbing my wrist flood my thoughts. The subtle burn that left a symbol on my skin, the transition of Alec's eyes from crimson to light brown—it all replays in my mind. Curiously, I should have been terrified in his presence, but instead, a reluctance to leave him lingered. The conflicting emotions perplex me.
After completing my swim, I dry off and head back to the packhouse, with Reaper soaring high above me. The Coven sisters are no longer beneath the moon tree, but the inviting aromas wafting from the packhouse beckon me. Fern's cat purrs and brushes against my leg as I enter. Following the enticing scents, I descend the stairs, eager to uncover the source of the alluring smells.