Date: When the stars whisper secrets, and the moon seems fuller than it should be.

Ah, my little team of misfits. Who would have thought? Not I—not when it all began.

I remember the first time Zoe waltzed into the Nexus with that stubborn set to her jaw, her hands sparking with light she didn’t yet understand. She didn’t know it, but even then, she carried the weight of destiny like an old, ill-fitting coat. And now? Now she’s the Lightbearer—a hero, they’d call her. But I see her as she truly is: just a girl, trying her best not to crumble under the enormity of her calling. Oh, Zoe, my dear, you’ve come so far. Yet the hardest choices lie ahead. Always, the Balance demands more.

And then there’s Finn. My favorite walking contradiction. A werewolf who codes by moonlight, forever wrestling with the beast within. When we began this journey, I doubted his place in the group. Too brash, too wild. But I see now—Finn isn’t just muscle and growls; he’s the heart that keeps the others grounded. He’ll tell you he’s just the comic relief, but that’s a lie. His quiet courage is the glue holding this fragile family together.

Lucian. Ah, my dark-eyed vampire. So much history in those ancient bones, so many secrets behind that wry smirk. When he came to Whispering Pines, he was a shadow of his former self, burdened by mistakes he could never undo. And yet, here he is, protecting this town like it’s his last chance at redemption. Perhaps it is. He’d never admit it, but the way he looks at the team—at Zoe—tells me everything. He’s found a purpose beyond survival.

And Melody. Sweet, conflicted Melody, caught between the song of her faerie heritage and the silence of wanting a simpler life. She’s more powerful than she knows, that girl. Her voice can soothe storms and stir souls, and yet she doubts herself at every turn. I hope she sees someday that she’s more than a pawn in the Faerie Court’s games. Melody’s strength lies not just in her magic, but in the choices she makes. She could walk away—she almost has, so many times—but she stays. That matters.

Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators!

Raven, my shadowy little spark. How you have grown. When we started, you hid behind barbs and sarcasm, your shadows curling protectively around you like armor. But now? You wield that darkness like a blade, not against the world, but for it. Your humanity is not slipping away, no matter what you fear. It’s growing, even as your magic threatens to consume you. You are the team’s edge, sharp and necessary.

And Grumps. My ancient dragon, always pretending to be annoyed by it all. But I’ve seen the way he watches them, the way he roars when danger draws near. He calls them fools, but his hoard isn’t gold or jewels—it’s them. This ragtag group has become his treasure, whether he likes it or not.

They’ve all changed so much. Together, they’ve faced ley line chaos, Bureau threats, shadow monsters, and each other’s worst fears. They’ve fought battles no one else could win, not because they were the strongest, but because they stood together. And yet, I worry for them. The ley lines are stable—for now—but the cracks are still there, waiting for the next blow. And the Spiral... oh, the Spiral. It isn’t done with them yet.

I wonder if they know how rare this is—this bond they’ve forged. They’ve become a family in all the ways that matter, though I doubt any of them would admit it out loud. And families... well, they’re messy. They fight, they fracture, but they come back together. At least, the good ones do. And this one? I think they’ll hold. They have to. Whispering Pines is counting on them.

As for me? I’ll keep watching, keep meddling where I must. Someone has to. They think they’ve seen the worst of what’s to come, but I know better. The Balance is fragile, and the Spiral’s hunger is endless.

Still, if anyone can face what lies ahead, it’s them. My little team of misfits. My family, whether they realize it or not.

And oh, stars above, how proud I am of them.