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“Shouldn’t we have had some sort of revision before we get tested?” Maya hugged herself, glancing around the charred remains of Miller’s Field. It felt in poor taste for Clarissa to have chosen this location, given the recent traumatic events. The openness made her uneasy, knowing the wolf-creature might still lurk nearby. She had secretly investigated the beast, convinced it was either a human in wolf form or a creature controlled by a witch, possessing dangerous intelligence.

Clarissa didn’t seem aware of Maya’s suspicions. Maya had asked the coven to keep their findings from her, and since Clarissa hadn’t brought it up, Maya felt confident they had respected her wishes. Still, she knew it was unwise to withhold information, especially since Austen hadn’t responded to her inquiries. But Maya’s mistrust of Clarissa ran deep, a grudge she harbored since the near strangling incident. It was hard to trust someone who had tried to kill you, even if circumstances forced them to work together.

“It’s not really a test if you’re ready for it, is it?” Clarissa’s voice cut through Maya’s thoughts. She stood at the front, clasping her hands. “I brought you here because someone else tested you recently, and they got whatever they wanted to know. You passed their test. You’re alive. But that doesn’t mean they won’t come back. I want to gauge how you react to certain events.” Her gaze swept over them. “People died, so I know you can do whatever it takes to survive.”

Maya’s eyes slid away, hugging herself tighter. She knew her uncontrollable lightning had caused most of the deaths, yet she felt disturbingly unbothered by it. She should feel scared, guilty, traumatized. But she didn’t. A part of her was cold, rationalizing that it was either her friends or those strangers. She couldn’t muster any guilt over their deaths or her role in it.

Her gaze shifted to Harper, who looked paler and less immaculate than usual. It was clear the ordeal had taken a toll on her, depriving her of sleep and diminishing her usual pride in her appearance.

That’s how I should be, Maya thought. She shouldn’t be sleeping well, knowing the attackers could strike again or that a deadly wolf-thing could climb walls and unlock bedroom windows. And yet, she slept peacefully every night.

“You will be tested one by one, and you will be wearing this.” Clarissa pulled something from her pocket. The teens recoiled at the sight of the glowing green pendant on a familiar necklace.

“That...” Harper gasped.

“This is a special meteor stone, very rare. I found it here when I examined Miller’s Field after hearing your story,” Clarissa explained, her discomfort evident. “Its properties are numerous, but it acts as a draining agent to witches. Depending on contact, it can severely weaken or temporarily remove a witch’s powers. This stone allowed the Burning Times, leaving witches powerless against Witch-Hunters.” Her gaze was grave. “You will all take turns wearing this daily from now on.”

“What?” Sam snapped, clenching his scarred hands.

“The more you’re around it, the more resistance you can build—or at least learn to work around its debilitating properties.” Clarissa cleared her throat. “Had they managed to get one of these on you, the outcome could have been very different.”

Maya hated to admit it, but Clarissa was right. “I’ll take the first shift with it.”

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Clarissa’s gaze was wide with shock, as were the others’.

Then again, Maya had never been the most cooperative, had she?

Clarissa eyed her with intrigue before nodding. “As soon as the tests are over, you can start wearing it. A week. Then it goes to the next.”

Maya nodded silently.

“Harper.” Clarissa turned to her niece, holding out the necklace. “You will be tested first.”

Harper eyed the necklace warily before taking it from her aunt. She flinched as her hand closed over the green stone, her veins bulging and turning a greenish hue before the effects disappeared. “Here goes nothing.” She took a deep breath, pulling the necklace over her head and clenching her fists against the feeling of powerlessness and fatigue.

“Go to the center over there,” Clarissa ordered.

Nodding, Harper swayed but managed to stay on her feet as she trudged through the ash to the indicated spot.

Clarissa watched her with narrowed eyes.

Harper turned towards her aunt. “Now what—?”

Suddenly, power exploded around her as a barrier rose, cocooning her in a shimmering dome.

“Jesus,” Angelo whispered.

Jason and Dawson both took a step towards the cocoon of power.

Sam pulled out a cigarette and lighter, lighting it and exhaling a cloud of smoke.

Maya’s narrowed gaze flicked between Harper and Clarissa, tension tightening her chest. Harper stood encased within the barrier, worry and determination etched into her hazel eyes. She reached out, and as her fingers touched the shimmering dome, electricity coursed through her body, driving her to her knees with a cry.

“That’s too intense!” Jason took another step forward, his voice rising. “We only managed to break through our barrier together as six! And we weren’t wearing those necklaces anymore! You can’t expect her to—”

“That barrier is strong enough for one person to destroy or escape,” Clarissa interrupted, her eyes never leaving her niece. “It’s not even a tenth of the strength of the one you six faced. And I can expect her to succeed because I know she’s strong enough. I have faith in her. She is your leader. Have faith in her abilities.”

Jason frowned, worry etched into his features, but he turned his gaze back to Harper, silently willing her to succeed.

Harper stumbled to her feet, her balance wavering. She reached out again, nearly touching the barrier before pulling back. Her lips moved in silent incantation, but nothing happened. She whimpered, frustration and fear mingling in her eyes.

Determined, Harper kicked off her shoes, digging her bare feet into the ash and soil. Her eyes closed, and she took a deep breath, grounding herself.

“Good girl,” Clarissa murmured, a pleased smile playing on her lips.

Harper’s face grew paler, and the necklace around her neck glowed brighter, clearly resisting her efforts. Her determination shone through as she began chanting again, lips moving silently. This time, a reaction. The ash at her feet stirred, moving like waves, and then vines began to emerge from the scorched earth. They arched away from her, slithering against the barrier like snakes testing their confines.

Harper fell to her knees, her complexion ashen, the meteorite shining fiercely against her chest. Her hands trembled, but she held on, sweat dripping down her face. The vines pressed harder against the barrier, expanding it as they grew, weaving around the dome.

The strain was evident in Harper’s every movement, but she persevered. The vines sensed her desperation, slamming against the barrier with increased ferocity. Finally, one vine pierced through, and the barrier collapsed, vines shriveling and dying instantly around her. Harper remained on her knees, breathing heavily, her strength nearly spent.

The silence that followed was profound, broken only by Clarissa’s loud clap. “Well done.”

Harper’s eyes fluttered open, her breaths labored. She slipped the necklace off, letting it fall to the ground as she bowed her head, visibly fighting off fainting.

Jason and Dawson moved simultaneously, rushing to her side. They each grabbed one of her arms, lifting her gently to her feet.

“You did it, Harper,” Jason said softly, his voice filled with pride and relief.

“We’re right here,” Dawson added, steadying her as she leaned against them, utterly exhausted but victorious.