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And that’s it! For these two idiots anyway. Whew, are you tired? I’m tired. Fucking exhausted is more like it.

They ended up winning me over. Like I told the vampire, it’s been fun tormenting him. Hopefully, the next one is as amusing because if he’s too friendly, it robs me of fun.

If you have questions, I do too. As I said earlier, it seems I wasn’t told everything about these two and the oncoming future. I don’t like being left out because how else can I become my best helpful self?

I’m going to talk to Hecate, but while I do, rather than reporting back here, I’m going to show you an outsider’s perspective, the same way I had in the beginning. I know, I know, the perspective change might be annoying, but stick with me. It’s easier. I’ll recap at the end, though, so you end on a high note. (The high note being me talking to you, if you didn’t figure that out.)

Anyhoo, here we go.

* * *

Freya stands above the same small pond of water she typically uses to communicate with the Goddess. The water immediately ripples, forming the shapeless figure of Hecate.

Daughter, She greets, her melodic voice chiming through Freya’s mind.

“You left out necessary information.”

I did, because it was necessary to prevent you from knowing everything at the time. What I told you wasn’t a lie; I truly am tired of my witches dying from their ongoing wars with other beings. The vampire race was the most pressing, and with Harlow mated to one of the kings, peace will eventually settle. Alec Dormer will do what he must to keep his new Bride happy by erecting rules that’ll protect witches in the end.

“There’s obviously more to it. Harlow Sinclair isn’t only mated to a vampire. She became one! She embraced Darkness in a way I’ve never seen another witch do. Why would you want that for her? Why are we not eradicating it altogether? I assumed your plan was to counter the actions of the Twilight Grove coven.”

Twilight Grove’s errors will be resolved in the future. Freya, you know more than anyone that there is no Light without Dark. No good without evil. It is the entire precipice the Celestials base their existence on.

“The Celestials…so the war is true then?”

The wind blows the Goddess’ sigh over Freya. Unfortunately, and while I have remained out of Heaven and Hell’s way, keeping Earth and my children safe, I will be unable to for much longer. The war will not happen for a few more years, but I will not overload you with these details quite yet. Harlow becoming a vampire made her a hybrid; one that eventually both races will come to respect. Having her mated to a vampire was never enough. Sides would still be drawn, forcing the couple to choose. I once said to you, balance may be needed, and this has come to pass.

As if Alec would choose anyone but Harlow, but Freya understands the sentiment.

This ensures Harlow appeals to both. As for black magick, it will be important one day. Her vampire side ensures she can control it, as a child of the Darkness, so she will never be overtaken.

“What is your role in the war?”

While Hecate and the rulers of Heaven and Hell follow different systems, they do intersect occasionally. Earth was created by Heaven’s leader, but Hecate, as his sister so to speak, was allowed to give life to her own beings: humans with an intuition to the natural world, who gained the ability to influence and control elements in ways regular mortals could never. God and the Goddess do not coincide, each fostering their children in their own ways.

Protecting the witches and all living things.

“And the other couples, will they also fall into Darkness?”

I cannot say. They will be tested by Twilight Grove, though. Once again, you must only guide and not interfere.

Freya recalls the second couple once shown in this same pool. A witch standing beside a wolf, her hand buried in its fur. The wolf shifts into a man and pulls her into his arms. Around them: a pack bonded.

A witch with water magick, currently living amongst a coven filled with air magick and the singular fire witch-now-turned hybrid. The witch who was seated in the living room of the High Priestess’ home, so unaware of her future about to unfold.

Carina Hargrove.

* * *

Me again. Yeah, so back to Highridge Coven I go. This time for Carina, a witch with quite the history behind her, not unlike Harlow.

And the shifter pack who has a long-standing deal with the coven.

And the recently-promoted alpha who Carina enjoys spying on.

Carina and the shifter sitting in a tree —No, that’s not right.

Carina and the shifter running around a tree …that’s a mouthful.

Eh. I’ll get it right. Give me time.

Anyhoo, wanna come along?

* * *

Do you? Do you wanna come along? If so, be sure to preorder Dark Mist (Black Magick #2) , a fated mates romance between Carina and a possessive alpha wolf. Coming Fall 2025!

Thank you for reading! Reviews are highly appreciated and so helpful to an author.