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I looked into her eyes, the moonlight reflecting a deep well of concern. "Everything feels… out of control," I confessed. "Dimitri… the creature… the coven… Evelyn…"

My voice trailed off, the weight of the situation threatening to crush me. Ana's hand squeezed my arm tighter.

"You're not alone in this," she said, her voice firm. "We'll figure this out. All of us together."

Her words offered a flicker of hope. Maybe she was right. Maybe, together, with Evelyn, Ana, and the help of the coven,we could stop this creature and maintain the fragile peace in Harmony Grove.

"Thank you, Ana," I said, a grateful smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

"Let's get you home," she said, her smile mirroring mine. "You look like you could use some rest."

We walked to my car in comfortable silence. Dropping her off at her doorstep, I gave her a quick hug.

"We'll regroup tomorrow," I said, my voice stronger. "I need to recharge a bit."

Ana nodded, a determined glint in her eyes. "Get some sleep," she said. "We're going to need all our strength."

With a wave, I drove away. The exhaustion that had been gnawing at me now felt like a physical weight. All I wanted was to crawl into bed and forget everything.

Chapter 25 - The Witches Are Done

Evelyn

The phone buzzed on the desk, breaking the silence of my office. I glanced at the caller ID. Alexei. I picked up, already knowing the conversation wouldn't be easy. I had a gut feeling, and my instincts were never wrong.

"What's going on, Alexei?" I asked, my tone tight with concern.

"Evelyn, we need to talk," he said, his voice grave.

"Alright, shoot," I replied, bracing myself for whatever news he had to deliver.

"Karla just informed me and the council that they're pulling out of the treaty. They want to stand alone," he said, his words heavy with disappointment.

My heart sank. Karla's decision was a bold move that would surely have consequences. "I see," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

"I tried to convince her otherwise, but she's made up her mind," Alexei continued, frustration evident in his tone.

I remained silent for a moment, processing the information. "Thank you for letting me know, Alexei," I finally said, my voice steady despite the turmoil brewing inside me.

"Evelyn, please speak to her. We need unity now more than ever," he pleaded.

I closed my eyes, a surge of conflicting emotions washing over me. "I will head to the coven now and try to do that. I can't promise she will listen to me, though," I said firmly.

There was a brief pause before he responded. "I understand, Evelyn. Just be careful," he said softly before ending the call.

I leaned back in my chair, running a hand through my hair. This decision would undoubtedly have repercussions, but I couldn't abandon Karla, not now.

I stood up, determination coursing through my veins. Whoever came for us now would have to face the full force of our wrath.

I slammed the phone down, the weight of Karla's decision heavy on my shoulders. Alexei's voice still echoed in my mind, pleading for unity, but Karla had made up her mind. Loyalty to family trumped all else.

I gathered my things, my mind racing with the implications of Karla's choice. If the witches pulled out of the treaty, it wouldn't be long before the fragile balance between humans and supernaturals crumbled. Chaos would reign, and Harmony Grove would descend into lawlessness.

I hurried out of the sheriff's office, the streets of Harmony Grove bustling with activity. But beneath the surface, I could sense the tension, the uncertainty of what lay ahead.

My destination was clear: the coven. I needed to convince Karla to reconsider, to give the treaty another chance. If westood united, we could still maintain order and protect both humans and supernaturals alike.

I arrived at the coven, the familiar sight of the old Victorian house offering comfort amidst the chaos. I stepped inside, the air thick with the scent of herbs and magic.