Lionel stomped back and forth across the study floor, the atmosphere in the room thick with the strain of magical turmoil. The walls seemed to vibrate with each step he took, an echo of the chaos coming from the Quarantine room where Jason Teague was being held. The room felt like it was about to implode, a physical manifestation of the conflict that raged within.

"Who could have gotten the upper hand on Jason Teague?" Lionel's voice cut through the tension, sharp and angry.

Howard, lounging against the edge of the fireplace with a glass of whiskey in hand, stared into the flames, his face etched with a mix of contemplation and irritation. "Considering it happened in Thomasville..." he began, his voice trailing off as if he was lost in thought.

Lionel’s eyes narrowed, his patience wearing thin. "What are you holding back, Howard? Spill it."

Howard’s gaze flickered toward Lionel, his eyes betraying a flicker of unease. "James is alive."

Lionel’s mouth fell open in shock. "No way!"

Howard sighed and reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out a package and slamming it onto Lionel's desk. "Conner sent these to me earlier."

Lionel’s hands shook as he unwrapped the package, revealing a series of photographs. Each one showed Austen James—now going by the name James—alive and well, strolling beside a petite blonde. The shock of seeing the photos was like a punch to the gut, and Lionel slumped back into his chair, utterly stunned. "That’s impossible... How has he been hiding all this time?"

Howard took a long sip of his whiskey, his expression dark. "The Witch-Hunters must have let everyone think they had taken him out. If the magical community knew James had survived—"

"They would have lost their fear of the Witch-Hunters," Lionel finished grimly. "When were these taken?"

"Today," Howard replied, his tone grim. "And the girl in the pictures? She’s his daughter."

Lionel’s eyes widened. "He has a daughter?"

"Two, actually," Howard confirmed. "But I’m certain the girl in the pictures is the one who matters most."

Another tremor shook the manor, the vibrations intensifying as the magical conflict continued to escalate.

Lionel shot to his feet, his eyes fixated on the Quarantine room. "The Firstborn," he murmured, realization dawning.

Howard nodded slowly, a look of regret crossing his face.

"Who is she?" Lionel demanded, his voice urgent and strained.

Howard’s face twisted in frustration. "She escaped before I could get a solid ID. But from what I gathered, she’s from the Harvest Grove Coven."

Lionel sank back into his chair, his frustration boiling over. "How could you let her get away?"

Howard’s expression remained stoic. "I didn’t share this just to be berated. If I hadn’t, you wouldn’t know that James and his bloodline are still alive."

Lionel clenched his fists, recognizing the bitter truth in Howard's words. "So why tell me now?"

"Because I need a cover story to be in Harvest Grove without raising suspicions," Howard said smoothly. "Only you can provide that reason."

Lionel studied his son, a smirk slowly forming on his lips. Maybe there was still some hope for Howard after all.

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

Outside the manor, a woman emerged from the cave, her figure wrapped in a wolf pelt against the biting night air. Her sneer was unmistakable as she confronted Clarissa.

"Didn’t expect you to take this long to figure things out," the woman taunted, her voice dripping with disdain. "Looks like you’ve lost your touch since you lost your coven."

Clarissa, her patience stretched thin, stepped forward defiantly. "What are you doing here?"

The woman’s eyes sparkled with malevolence. "None of your business."

"It is absolutely my business!" Clarissa snapped, her voice sharp with anger. "You attacked someone from my coven!"

"You mean your niece’s coven?" The woman chuckled darkly. "Don’t forget, Clarissa, your glory days are long gone. Your great, dead ancestor didn’t exactly hold you in high regard either." Her voice dripped with scorn. "Victoria managed to get herself and two others killed."

"Duchess Gertrude Cabret was behind their deaths!" Clarissa retorted, her face flushed with fury. "For centuries, the Cabrets have been clashing with the Duponts, fighting to claim our title as one of the most powerful bloodlines. The Cabrets and the Teagues—"

"I’ve heard this story before," the woman interrupted dismissively, her boredom evident. "It’s just as tedious now as it was then."

Clarissa’s anger simmered beneath the surface, her fists clenched tightly. The urge to growl was nearly overwhelming. “Leave the girl alone, and get out of here, before I let her father handle you himself.”

Gale Burns smirked cruelly. “Is that all you’ve got? Death by Gabe?” She laughed, her voice dark and mocking.

Clarissa’s gaze was icy as she raised her chin defiantly. “You think you can paint me as the villain, but I’m not the one attacking her daughter or hunting her like prey.”

Gale flinched visibly, her eyes blazing with anger. “Gabe doesn’t understand. I wasn’t ever going to kill her.”

“I suspected as much,” Clarissa said, her tone cool and calculating. “You were trying to provoke her dark magic by putting her life at risk. What you didn’t realize was that I had already inadvertently done that.”

Gale’s fists tightened at her sides, her frustration palpable. “So, you’re aware.”

“Of course I am,” Clarissa confirmed. “I know all about her father being Austen James.”

Gale was silent for a moment, her expression thoughtful as she weighed her options.

“Does Gabe know?” Clarissa asked, her curiosity evident.

“Of course he does,” Gale replied with a dark laugh. “It’s no coincidence that he and Austen arrived in town at the same time. Even if they weren’t seen together, they were clearly working together.” She shook her head, her dark hair falling around her face. “Gabe’s family has been loyal to the James bloodline for generations. They’d sacrifice everything for them. That’s why he was chosen to protect Austen’s child.”

Clarissa’s eyes widened. “The James lineage continues.” She laughed incredulously. “After everything done to obliterate that bloodline, they missed an important link. His daughter.”

“His Firstborn,” Gale corrected with a hint of pride.

Clarissa’s amusement vanished. “He has more children?”

Gale raised an eyebrow. “I know of two daughters in the Tybee Harbor coven. Maya is the Firstborn, though. She’s the most significant. I delivered the child Austen desired so desperately.”

“If that’s true, why did you leave her behind?” Clarissa demanded, folding her arms across her chest.

“I had... matters to attend to,” Gale said evasively. “There were things I couldn’t handle with a child in tow. I also couldn’t reveal her identity as a James before she had even awakened to her powers.” She raised an eyebrow. “You haven’t managed to get her to bind the coven yet?”

“I’m working on it,” Clarissa assured her. “After the attack, the kids are more receptive to the idea. They’re less hostile than before.”

“Impressive,” Gale admitted, nodding slightly. “You saw the attack?” Clarissa’s voice was laced with disbelief. “And you didn’t intervene?”

“I needed to assess her capabilities,” Gale said with a shrug. “I had to see what she could do on her own.”

“She could have died!” Clarissa’s voice was sharp with frustration. “They all could have!”

“But they didn’t,” Gale replied, her tone almost indifferent. “Thanks in part to your training, I suppose. You should be proud.”

“Do you even care about that girl?” Clarissa’s voice softened, a trace of vulnerability creeping in.

“Do you?” Gale shot back, her anger flaring. “Other than her being your new little James addition, do you really care about her?”

Clarissa shook her head, exasperation clear on her face. “What are you doing back, Gale?”

“Same reason I left,” Gale responded curtly. “I have things I need to take care of.”

“So mutilating Farmer Wilson’s cattle is a priority?” Clarissa sneered.

“The Wilsons have always been hostile toward our kind. That was just a bit of fun,” Gale said with a sneer. “There are more important matters I’ve been keeping an eye on.” She chuckled darkly. “You should have left Harvest Grove, even briefly. It would have shown you that there’s a lot more going on than just your little world. The universe doesn’t revolve around you and your family.”

“What are you implying?” Clarissa’s voice edged with irritation, struggling to grasp the gravity of the situation.

Gale’s smirk widened. “You’d better brace yourself, Clarissa. What I’m about to reveal is going to blow your mind.”