The weight of the revelation hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. Maya's gaze locked onto Gale’s, her eyes wide with a mixture of confusion and horror.

"He’s not your father," Gale said, her voice calm but unyielding. Maya's confusion only deepened as Gale's words sank in. "Joseph is not your father. He's your guardian. He married me at your father's request to ensure he could always protect you." Gale’s eyes were steady, piercing through Maya. "Your real father is someone you've already met."

Maya's breath caught in her throat, her body stumbling backward until she hit the wall. "He’s not my uncle or cousin."

Gale shook her head, her expression resolute. "No. Austen is your father."

The shock hit Maya like a physical blow. She slid down the wall, her knees folding under her, her hands gripping her head as if to keep the world from spinning out of control. "So he’s a James," she whispered, the weight of her heritage crashing over her like a tidal wave. "That’s where I get the James blood."

"How do you know that?" Gabe's voice was edged with surprise, stepping closer, his eyes searching Maya's face.

Maya couldn’t meet his gaze, her fingers trembling as she pulled off her fingerless gloves. She extended her hands, showing them the symbol burned into her palms. "It appeared after everyone started burning up the other day. Austen had something to do with it, didn’t he?"

Gabe nodded solemnly. "Yes, he was protecting you."

"And pursuing his own agenda. Stop trying to make him sound like a saint," Gale interrupted sharply, sending a pointed glance toward Joseph before focusing back on Maya. "Austen was planning to eliminate every witch without James blood. He believed they were weak, responsible for our need to hide from humanity and fear the Witch-Hunters." Gale's voice grew colder as she continued. "It was also convenient for him to have every witch dead, so he wouldn’t have to honor the pact he made years ago for support and power."

Joseph growled in frustration. "Gale..."

"He needs to know," Gale shot back, her voice edged with urgency. "You’ve protected her, Gabe, and I commend you for it, but you can’t shield her forever. She needs to understand the reality of her situation and be ready."

Maya’s stomach churned, her heart racing with fear and confusion. "What pact did he make?"

Gale’s eyes softened as she approached, crouching down to Maya's level. "Did Austen ever explain the significance of Firstborns to you?"

Maya's heart sank as she hugged her knees closer to her chest. "He said I was the Firstborn and that it's an important position of power."

Gale nodded gravely. "Especially as a James female. The people Austen sought help from years ago knew this, and to get their support, they demanded his Firstborn."

Maya’s eyes widened, her breath catching. "No."

"He agreed to it," Gale confirmed softly, almost whispering.

Gabe’s frustration boiled over. "He never intended to keep his end of the deal. That’s why he needed the witches dead."

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"But they aren’t dead," Gale snapped, her eyes blazing. "And if Allen and Teague are here, they’ve likely figured out that the Firstborn is in Harvest Grove."

Maya’s heart pounded as she whispered, "Jason? He’s involved in this?"

Gabe’s face darkened. "Jason? Have you been disobeying me? Spending time with these boys?"

"No," Maya said quickly, her voice cracking as she wiped away her tears. "He came to the store today. We talked. He wanted flowers delivered daily. He was... funny, nice." Her hand moved to cover her mouth, her voice barely above a whisper. "He owns me?"

"No one owns you," Gabe said firmly, kneeling beside her and brushing away her tears. "No one. I would kill them all before letting them—"

"You have no power," Gale interrupted with a resigned sigh. "But Maya does."

Maya’s eyes widened in alarm. "You want me to kill them?"

Gale shook her head. "No. I want you to own them."

Maya stared up at her mother in disbelief, her mind racing. "What? How? Is that even possible?"

Gale’s lips curled into a faint smile. "You’re a James, the Firstborn, and a woman. Those are three significant advantages. I’ll teach you everything I’ve learned during my time away. You’ll be fine. It’s them who should be worried."

Maya looked at her mother, struggling to process her words. She had always thought her mother had abandoned her out of indifference, but now this woman seemed to care, at least a little.

"I’m telling Angelo everything," Maya declared firmly.

Gabe’s expression darkened. "I don’t think—"

"I expected as much," Gale cut him off. "He knows a lot already, doesn’t he?"

"What?" Gabe’s shock was palpable.

"Gale’s been keeping tabs on you," Maya said bitterly. "Angelo found the Bleeding Caves. He’s been there with me multiple times. And he broke away from Clarissa’s Coven with me; we’ve bonded." She showed the mark on her hand next to the James symbol, the star. "He’s started his own Coven, and I’m his first member."

Gabe’s eyes widened in astonishment as he stared at the star.

"It’s not really a Coven yet," Maya tried to explain, but Gale cut in.

"It will be."

In the dimly lit room, Martha watched her son Dawson with a worried expression. He was struggling with a spell, his concentration clearly faltering.

"Dawson, you need to focus," Martha said softly, her concern evident.

Dawson’s gaze was haunted, his mind clearly elsewhere. "I’m sorry, I just... I keep thinking about Harper and Jason. It feels wrong to practice without them. It’s like I’m betraying the Coven by doing this alone."

Martha observed him carefully, noting the deeper issue. "Something else is bothering you."

Dawson slumped over, his frustration palpable. "I think I’m losing Maya to Angelo."

Martha’s curiosity was piqued. She sat down beside Dawson, wrapping her arm around his shoulders. "You and Maya have been friends forever. Just because she’s growing closer to Angelo doesn’t mean you’re losing her. You’re worried about Jason, and it’s making you sensitive."

Dawson’s gaze dropped to the floor. "They’re always together, like we used to be. Ever since Jason and I pushed her away because of Clarissa, things haven’t been the same. I don’t think she’s forgiven us. I don’t think she will. It feels like she’s replaced us with Angelo and Steve. Even Sam gets more time with her than I do, and Sam’s not exactly... personable."

Martha felt a pang of sympathy for her son, understanding his pain. She knew that friendships sometimes changed, but hoped this wasn’t the end of what had once been a close-knit trio. "Have you talked to her about this?"

Dawson shook his head. "No."

"Maybe you should," Martha advised gently. "Keeping these feelings to yourself will only make it worse. She needs to hear how you’re feeling."

Dawson’s frustration was evident. "She won’t even bind the Coven. The idea of being bound to us forever seems to freak her out. I think it’s the idea of it, more than anything."

Martha’s voice softened with understanding. "Binding a Coven is a serious commitment. She’s right to think it through."

"But you and Dad bound your Coven," Dawson pointed out.

"I know," Martha said, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "We understood the full weight of it."

"You’ve already told me I won’t be able to use solo magic," Dawson said with a sigh. "I can accept that if it means keeping the people I love safe."

Martha’s voice was tender but firm. "It’s a lot to give up, Dawson, and a lot to ask of someone else. You need to give Maya time. If she decides not to bind with you, you have to respect her choice."

Dawson nodded slowly, the weight of the situation settling heavily on his shoulders.