I placed both coins into his hand.

He twisted his hand and pinched one of the coins between his fingers.

“Only one coin needed,” he stated, holding it up to me.

He spoke slowly and sounded harsh from not using it.

“But there are two of us, Charon,” Hecate chirped, putting a free hand on my shoulder.

Charon’s head tilted up slightly, and a slight smile appeared, “Ah, Goddess. A pleasure as always.”

He placed the coins into his tattered robes and tipped his head slightly before asking, “Why are you escorting this one?”

I felt her rock back onto her heels and her hands tensed up slightly, “This one made a deal, Charon. I need her with me for a while.”

“Hm,” his head tilted to the right, contemplating her words, “Does he know what you are up to?”

“Psh, as if I need to report my dealings.” She waved a hand, “Plus, She knows what I’m up to.”

A low rumbling laugh came from the ferryman, “That’s all I needed to know. Where to?”

“House of Hades, please.”

Hecate stepped confidently passed Charon, onto the boat. She swiftly placed the lit torch at the bow of the ferry before sitting down.

Charon stepped to the side and gestured to the boat, allowing me aboard.

Taking a step onto the boat, the blackened wood creaked under my weight, ancient wood groaning in protest as I sat next to the Goddess. A light tap from Charon’s oar on the pier, moved the boat away from the river bank.

The mists of river Styx curled around us. Thick and dense it muffled the world into nothing more than a distant memory, the incessant murmers from the shades were gone. Only the lapping waters could be heard.

Charon stood at the helm, placing the weathered pole into the black depths, he propelled the boat forward with ease. Despite his eyes being covered, he faced forward training his face directly ahead and expertly navigated the riverbed below, making the boat pick up speed.

I looked over the small boat side, the murky waters swirled as we moved further away. The torch cast a faint, flickering light, pushing back the growing darkness. It didn’t reveal much in the distance, only outlines of other spectral shapes, lurking beneath the water’s surface.

Ahead the underworld stretched out, vast and mysterious.

Beside me, Hecate shifted, moving with a quiet grace and visibly relaxed. Although, the weight of her ancient power could still be felt, her presence was comforting and awe-inspiring. The winds picked up her cloak, making them flow like liquid night, it was clear she was back in her element.

Her eyes met mine briefly, and in that gaze, I found resolve. I knew that with her by my side, I could face whatever may lay ahead on this journey.

One step closer to breaking the cycle.

----------------------------------------

London

As dawn broke, Magnus, the Council's detective, informed them of the night's events. All five of them sat at the round table, listening to the speakerphone.

“We are sending Cornelius down to you as we speak, his Dame, Victoria, insisted on going with him. She feels responsible,” Magnus’s voice cracked over the speaker.

“Hm, is to be expected of the head of a clan,” the vampire uttered, “You are absolutely sure that Lexandria has passed on? She is not coming back?”

“Yes,” he stated again, “That means the Vitamortum case has gone cold. We may never know how those two witches survived.”

“We will be able to get some information from Cornelius. Even without a tongue, his secrets will be revealed,” the Fae added.

A nod was shared.

“Time to wrap up and tie those loose ends, Magnus. Well done, you’ve found the culprit,” vampire leaned back in his seat, watching the others in the Council.

“I wouldn’t be so sure...” Magnus trailed doubtfully.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“What is it?” probed the Witch.

“Victoria doesn’t think Cornelius has the brains to work alone.”

The group is silent for a moment. Magnus would not consider empty words from an angry lady unless he had a lead.

“Go on,” encouraged the father.

“There was another witch, one that got away without a trace. Her magic was like nothing I recognised. Get all the information you can from the vampire about her. I have a small lead to follow.”

“Easy peasy,” the Fae said, “Report back if you find anything.”

“Likewise,” Magnus responded.

“I will see you tomorrow,” the Witch said, standing from his seat.

“Wait. You’re still coming to Pendle?” his son asked, a little shocked.

“Yes. See you soon.”

The Witch swiftly pressed the ‘end call’ button before another word was exchanged.

“What are you up to?” asked the smirking wolf.

“Langton rings more than just a bell to me. I need to check something,” he defended, walking away.

“Is that normal for him?” asked the Human.

“Which bit? The pissy attitude, yes. The mystery, no,” the Wolf responded, glancing at the empty doorway.

“I’m sure we will find out soon enough,” the Fae whispered, “If not, I’m sending my finest to investigate…”

----------------------------------------

Magnus

“Why are you coming to Pendle?”

His only reply was a long beep. Looking at his phone, his father hung up on him without even saying goodbye.

Huffing, he pocketed the phone and continued to follow his colleague.

“Here.” He pointed out the newly found blood pool deep within the forest.

“You’re sure no one has contaminated the scene,” Magnus asked, looking into the clearing.

“Certain.”

“Good, thank you. Continue to help the others clear up.”

With a nod his guide turned and left.

Magnus got closer to the now-drying pool of blood.

Touching the large splatter, he felt the same magic as Whitby. The strange hymns of the unknown Witch felt otherworldly, and the lighter, stronger notes of Lexi’s, although they felt weak as he moved around.

He treads carefully, preserving as much as possible to find shoe patterns and tracks.

A glint to the left caught his eye.

“Elevitarus.”

An object emerged from the brown-red liquid.

Magnus did a little happy dance as the clots dripped off the metal. He had found the knife Leo described.

Clearly, an athame made from precious metal was well looked after. The blue hilt was maintained, and the gold inlay shone as he manipulated it in the air.

This knife was a beauty and a unique one at that.

He brought it closer, inspecting the metal for the craft mark, only to find it scratched.

He hummed to himself. He would have to visit an old friend, and she would be up for a challenge.

He carefully bagged it as evidence and continued to inspect the scene.

It was clear Lexi was against the bark of the tree. Fibres and blood were leading down to the ground. He wondered if she put up a good fight; it seemed she was weakened from the night's events and kept too little bursts of magic before running out.

He has yet to see her body; if she were stabbed, it would be difficult to see from splatters. However, from the large amount of blood and finding the knife, he couldn’t think of a different ending.

He noted a trail leading in the opposite direction. It looked like something was dragged away from the spill and away from Leo’s footprints.

Bloodied shoe prints gave away the culprit's direction, but there was no discernible tread; he could only guess the shoe size.

“Bingo,” he uttered, following the tracks the perpetrator left behind.

----------------------------------------

Pendle – Pack Territory

The three approached the cabin in the Pack’s territory. The Sun tried to peek through the large trees.

“Dawn’s breaking,” Kieron muttered.

“Hopefully, we are not too late,” Jack added.

As they approached the cabin, the ground shook with growls. Leo took this as a good sign; the alpha was still fighting.

Opening the door, the two witches' noses were assaulted with herbs.

With a wrinkled nose, Keiron bellowed, “What the hell have you been burning?!”

One of the three crouched down and turned to face the door, purple bruises under their eyes.

“Everything we have…” he replied, holding up bay leaves.

Keiron pinched his nose, “I think he is more stressed from the horrible smell you’ve been throwing together…”

He moved around the small cabin, opening windows and doors before moving to the Beta, holding the alpha down.

“Out. We got this,” Kerion pointed.

They didn’t have to be told twice.

“Leo, set up. I’ll get rid of this smell…”

Leo nodded, taking out the chalk and supplies.

“Zephyros,” Keiron stated.

A strong breeze zoomed through the small wooden cabin, airing it out in seconds.

Aaron sniffled, “Thank the moon. I thought that would stay for days.”

Leo rubbed lavender onto his hands, hoping the light scent of the oils would help better. Leo and Aaron watched the alpha visibly relax slightly; his growls were still low, and he rumbled the wood.

Raising his hands above the alpha's chest, Leo conjured a little magic to test the waters.

“Soona.”

The clean wound finally began to close, and Aaron breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, his alpha was accepting help. A hand grasped his shoulder.

“You alright?” Jack asked, leaning down.

“Better. I thought you said they were a lass?” he asked, looking up at his father.

Leo stopped his work and looked between the pair.

“Ah… You’ve not heard…” Jack sweated.

Aaron simply looked confused, “I’ve had my hands full,” he gestured to the leader.

Jack cleared his throat, “The witch, Lexi…” his eyes flickered to Leo watching him, “Passed away last night.”

“And this is her fated, Leo.”

Shock came over Aaron's face, and he quickly faced Leo, thoughts swirling in his mind.

“Are you sure you should be here?” Aaron asked without thinking.

“What do you mean by that?” Leo replied without tone.

“Like… shouldn’t you be with…?” Aaron tried to ask…

Shouldn’t you be with Lexi while she crosses over?

Shouldn’t you be mourning?

Leo continued to close the wound, “Pretty sure Lexi would kill me if I didn’t help first. Mourning can come later.”

Keiron re-entered the space, with the cauldron empty of its harsh-smelling herbs. He noted the sombre air he looked to Jack who simply waved a hand.

“I’ll close the circle…”

Leo switched places with Aaron, and Keiron stayed close to Leo.

“Let me know if you need guidance,” Keiron said.

Leo nodded, “Incendia.”

Keiron strategically placed the candles north, east, south, and west. They lit in unison with the command.

Leo took a breath, raising his dark blue magic to his hands, and placed them on Dominic’s temples.

Dark blue quickly sank beneath the skin, and the wolf fully trusted the witch who was trying to heal him. His head was still covered in sweat, the toxin was still taking its toll.

Leo closed his eyes and concentrated.