The forest felt uneasy that night.
The snow-covered trees stood silent beneath the pale moonlight, but Jenny could feel something moving beneath the quiet surface of the world. Ever since Lucien and the vampire scouts had delivered the council's message, the air itself seemed to carry tension.
Three days.
The council had allotted them that time.
The vampire council had demanded her presence three days prior.
Jenny sat near the fireplace inside the forest house, staring into the dancing flames. The silver pendant rested against her chest, warm against her skin.
Across the room, James leaned quietly against the window, watching the dark forest outside.
He had barely moved all evening.
"You're thinking too much," he said without turning.
Jenny sighed softly.
"That's easy for you to say."
James glanced back at her.
"No. It isn't."
Jenny rested her elbows on her knees.
"I feel like everyone in this world knows something about me except me."
James didn't respond immediately.
The crackling fire filled the silence between them.
Finally, he spoke.
"Edward knew."
Jenny looked up.
"Yes."
"And now he's gone."
Jenny clenched her fists slightly.
Edward had disappeared without explanation. The man who had saved her life and hidden her from the world had vanished just when she needed answers the most.
"Why would he leave now?" she asked quietly.
James walked toward the fireplace.
"He didn't leave randomly."
Jenny frowned.
"What do you mean?"
James hesitated before answering.
"Edward knew the councils would come."
Jenny stared at him.
"You knew that too?"
"I suspected it."
Jenny leaned back in frustration.
"So everyone suspected this except me."
James gave her an apologetic look.
"We didn't know how fast it would happen."
Before Jenny could respond, the front door opened.
Cold air rushed into the room.
Ahona stepped inside, brushing snow from her coat.
"They're closer than I thought," she said.
Jenny stood immediately.
"The council?"
Ahona shook her head.
"No."
James's posture changed instantly.
"Then who?"
Ahona's expression grew serious.
"The witches."
Jenny's stomach tightened.
"What?"
Ahona walked further into the room.
"The covens are moving faster than the vampires."
James frowned.
"That shouldn't be possible."
Ahona looked directly at Jenny.
"They're not coming for a trial."
The fire popped loudly behind them.
Jenny felt the tension in the room grow heavier.
"What are they coming for?" she asked.
Ahona answered quietly.
"To take you."
Jenny laughed nervously.
"That sounds familiar."
But Ahona didn't smile.
James stepped forward.
"How many?"
"At least a dozen," Ahona said.
Jenny's heart began to race.
"That's not a small group."
"No," Ahona agreed.
"They're serious."
Jenny rubbed her temples.
"Great."
James looked at Ahona.
"How long?"
"Maybe a few hours."
Jenny froze.
"Tonight?"
"Yes."
James turned toward the door.
"Then we leave."
Jenny shook her head immediately.
"No."
Both of them looked at her.
Jenny stepped closer to the center of the room.
"I'm tired of running."
James's voice grew firm.
"This isn't about pride."
"It's not pride," Jenny said.
She placed her hand on the pendant again.
"It's understanding."
Ahona watched her carefully.
"What do you mean?"
Jenny looked up at both of them.
"My mother knew this would happen."
Ahona nodded slowly.
"Yes."
"That's why she sealed my memories."
James frowned.
"To protect you."
Jenny shook her head.
"Not just that."
She looked toward the forest outside.
"She was buying me time."
"Time for what?" James asked.
Jenny's voice dropped slightly.
"To become strong enough."
Ahona's expression changed.
Jenny continued.
"Edward helped hide me because he believed the same thing."
James slowly understood.
"You're not supposed to run anymore."
Jenny nodded.
"No."
The firelight flickered across her face.
Jenny felt the magic inside her begin to stir again.
Stronger than before.
"This was always going to happen," she said.
Ahona stepped closer.
"You're thinking like your mother."
Jenny smiled faintly.
"I hope that's a good thing."
Ahona's eyes softened.
"She was the strongest witch I ever knew."
James looked between them.
"And what exactly are you planning to do when twelve witches arrive here?"
Jenny turned toward the door.
The forest beyond the clearing was dark and endless.
"I'm going to talk to them."
James sighed.
"That worked great with the vampires."
Jenny laughed softly.
"Maybe it will again."
But deep down she knew something different was coming.
The witches would not be as patient as Lucien.
Ahona suddenly stepped closer to her.
"There's something else you need to know."
Jenny looked at her.
"What?"
Ahona hesitated.
"The last hybrid who existed… wasn't hunted because of fear."
Jenny frowned.
"Then why?"
Ahona met her eyes.
"Because they were powerful enough to rule both sides."
The words settled heavily in the room.
James stared at Jenny.
Jenny felt the truth inside those words.
"You're saying the councils don't want to destroy me," she whispered.
Ahona nodded slowly.
"They want to control you."
Outside, the wind suddenly moved through the forest again.
The trees rustled softly in the darkness.
Jenny felt the magic inside her awaken like a rising storm.
Then James spoke quietly.
"They're here."
All three of them turned toward the door.
Beyond the clearing, faint figures began appearing between the trees.
Dark robes.
Glowing eyes.
The witches had arrived.
Jenny took a slow breath.
For the first time since waking in the snow weeks earlier, she understood something clearly.
This was only the beginning.
The real war for her future had just begun.