Maya could see it in Eliane’s eyes every time the name "Tybee Harbor" or the mention of the Coven came up. There was hesitation, a heaviness she couldn’t quite hide, and it didn’t take long for Maya to put the pieces together. Eliane had been part of Austen’s death. It wasn’t something Maya could say out loud—hell, it wasn’t something Eliane would say out loud—but the truth was there, lingering between them. Maya could sense Eliane was running, not just from what had happened, but from everyone back home.

Maya didn’t blame her, not really. But running wasn’t a solution—it never was.

Eliane hugged herself, her shoulders tensing like she was physically trying to keep the world from caving in. “I called them,” she muttered, eyes downcast. “They know I’m okay.”

That was a lie if Maya had ever heard one.

“Casandra?” Maya asked, watching Eliane's reaction closely. She noticed the brunette’s grip tighten around herself, her fingers trembling slightly, betraying the truth.

“I haven’t talked to her,” Eliane finally admitted, her voice dropping to a near whisper. Her dark eyes flickered up to meet Maya’s gaze. “I’m not ready.”

There was more to the story there, Maya was sure of it. Something had happened between the two sisters, something deep enough to fracture them. She could ask, dig a little deeper—but the look in Eliane’s eyes made her hesitate. Now wasn’t the time.

Maya was about to ask something else when it hit her. Hard.

Her breath caught in her throat, and the world tilted around her. It felt like she’d been sucker-punched, the impact slamming into her chest and stealing her air.

“Maya?” Eliane’s voice was sharp, her dark eyes wide with concern. “What’s happening?”

Maya couldn’t speak. The pain in her gut twisted, sharp and suffocating, and her hands flew to her stomach as she doubled over.

“You don’t feel that?” Maya gasped, clutching her abdomen.

Eliane shook her head, eyes darting around in alarm. “Feel what? What is it?”

But Maya didn’t have time to answer. A searing pain shot through her hands, and she screamed, dropping to her knees as the James symbols burned into her palms, glowing like molten metal through her gloves.

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

“Maya!” Eliane’s voice was edged with panic, and she spun around, eyes scanning the shadows surrounding them.

That’s when Maya saw them. Figures cloaked in darkness, stepping forward from the edges of the forest. Their hoods concealed their faces, but Maya didn’t need to see them to know—they were the ones she had filmed that night in the woods, back before she knew the terrifying truth.

They were here for her.

Pain pulsed through Maya's body, but she forced herself to stand, her hands still trembling with the burning heat of the symbols. The air felt thick with magic, the kind that crawled over her skin like poison.

Eliane moved closer, her eyes locked on the approaching figures. "Who are they?" she whispered, her voice barely audible over the rush of adrenaline.

Maya’s fists clenched, her muscles tight as she scanned the encircling cloaks. "What do you want?" she called out, her voice steadier than she felt.

Then it struck—an unseen force of magic, hitting her from behind with enough power to send her crashing to the ground. Her scream tore through the night as her body convulsed, skin burning and bubbling under the dark assault. The bite on her shoulder—one she had tried to forget—seared in agony.

“No!” Eliane’s voice was sharp and raw as she stepped forward, hands raised, a strange energy shifting around her.

Maya felt it—the familiar pull of James magic surging through Eliane like wildfire. Then the air crackled, and one of their attackers dropped to his knees, screaming in pain. Eliane hadn’t even touched him.

A blast of energy hit Eliane in return, knocking her back a step, but she stood firm, fury etched into her expression as she raised her other hand, throwing another wave of magic at the cloaked figures.

Maya coughed, her body shaking as she wiped blood from her mouth. She glanced over at Eliane just in time to see a thin trail of blood slide from the brunette’s nose, her body trembling with the exertion of her power.

“They’re just kids,” a voice sneered from the shadows. “With Austen James gone, this will be too easy.”

Their laughter sent a shiver of rage down Maya’s spine. They were enjoying this.

Eliane let out a strangled cry as she fell to her knees, struggling to hold on.

That sound—Eliane’s pain—was all it took to snap something inside of Maya. Fury and magic collided, rising in her chest like a storm, and with a scream, she slammed her palms into the ground.

The earth shook.

A domed barrier burst up from the ground, surrounding them in a shimmering, electric green bubble. Every spell hurled at them shattered on impact, the attacks bouncing harmlessly off the barrier.

Eliane coughed, breathless, as she sat up. Her wide eyes darted around, taking in the strange glowing shield.

“Are you okay?” Maya’s voice was hoarse, her hands still pressed into the dirt as she fought to keep the barrier intact.

Eliane blinked, looking at her in awe. “Is this… normal for you?”

Maya let out a breathless laugh, the tension cracking just a little. “Not exactly.”

Eliane's gaze softened, and without a word, she reached out, pressing her hand over Maya’s. Instantly, a rush of warmth spread through Maya’s fingers as Eliane's power flowed into her, merging with her own. The barrier brightened, strengthening under their combined magic.

Their eyes met, and in that moment, they knew. Whatever was out there, whatever these hooded figures were, they weren’t getting through.

Together, they were untouchable.

All they had to do was wait them out.