Page 17

seventeen

S tepping out of my house the next morning, the crisp air nipped at my skin, and I zipped up my light jacket against the chill. I made my way to the old detached garage behind the farmhouse, where my trusty minivan waited.

Just as I reached the door, Zeke appeared beside me, as if out of nowhere. My hair swirled around me in a soft gust of wind, a dramatic effect, no doubt caused by him. He adjusted his tie with a smooth motion, his gaze meeting mine.

“Hello, gorgeous,” he exclaimed, flashing that effortless grin as his eyes swept over me with unshaken confidence.

This man had no shame in his flirting—none at all. I could practically hear the whispers of his admirers back home, drawn in by his easy charm.

I raised an eyebrow, arms folded as I took in his crisp suit and tie. “Well, you’re certainly dressed for the occasion,” I said, holding out the keys to the ancient van. The contrast between his polished appearance and the decrepit vehicle was almost laughable. “I’ll let you do the honors,” I added, tipping my head toward the driver’s side.

Zeke rose to his full height, adjusting his cuffs with exaggerated importance. “There’s never a bad time for a suit,” he said with a wink, plucking the keys from my hand in a smooth, deliberate motion before twirling them around his finger.

We both opened the van’s creaky doors and climbed inside, the faint smell of old leather and stale air greeting me as I settled into my seat. Just as I was getting comfortable, the handle popped off in Zeke’s hand with a sharp clunk , making me jump. He blinked down at it, then turned toward me, a sheepish grin tugging at his lips. His bright white teeth gleamed in the dim light as he held up the broken piece like evidence.

“My bad,” he offered, his voice full of genuine apology. “Guess I don’t always know my own strength. ”

I burst into laughter, shaking my head as I took the handle from his grasp and tossed it into the backseat without a second thought. “It’s fine,” I said, still chuckling. “This car has far worse problems than a broken door handle.”

With a smooth motion, Zeke slid the key into the ignition and turned it. The old minivan roared to life with a throaty rumble, vibrating beneath us. He shot me a wide-eyed glance, and I offered a reassuring smile before we both settled into the rhythm of the engine’s growl. Then, without warning, he slammed his foot on the gas, launching us out of the garage and onto the road. The van lurched forward, its tires squealing in protest.

One hand on the wheel, he reached for the radio with the other, flipping through stations until a rap song blared through the speakers. His nose wrinkled in clear disapproval, and with a swift flick of his wrist, he shut it off, leaving behind a nearly stifling silence. A playful glint flashed in his eyes as he turned to me. “I could always serenade you instead.”

A soft, almost reluctant laugh slipped out, and I hesitated, pretending to consider it. “Nah, I’m good.”

Zeke smirked, drumming his fingers against the steering wheel. “Your loss.”

I fidgeted in my seat, angling toward him as intrigue got the better of me. “So, what do we know about this witch so far?”

His jaw clenched, a shadow darkening his expression as his gaze grew sharper. “As I said before, her husband’s a Shadowweaver. She’s the one who supposedly found the rubies, though it wasn’t pretty,” his voice dropped, as if the words themselves were too heavy to speak aloud. “A lot of magical beings died in the hunt. She was exiled for what she did, and the rings were thought to be destroyed.”

I glanced down at the ruby on my finger, its cold gleam catching the low light. “Destroyed, huh?” I whispered, the irony of it all sinking in. “Do you think she knows how to get it off?” My voice dropped, tinged with hope and a bite of resentment I hadn’t meant to show.

His grip on the wheel tightened, and he released a slow breath. “Before she was exiled, the rings were just a myth,” he said. His voice stayed even, but his jaw flexed, tension coiled beneath the words. “She’s been the best lead I’ve had. Most people remain unconvinced of their existence.”

His gaze drifted to the window, as if the passing scenery could offer him clarity. For a brief moment, an emotion creased his features, something unsaid. “People have their theories about why the queen disappeared,” he muttered. “Some believe me, that you were captured. Others don’t. Some even think you joined forces with Reggie—the Shadow King, as they call him.”

The title echoed in my mind: The Shadow King .

“After you were taken, the guild came with promises of peace, claiming their dark magic would bring strength and security. But it was a lie. Many of our people were deceived. Some defected to the Shadow King’s side. Now the kingdom is tearing itself apart in brutal war, with innocent lives lost and families destroyed. Our way of life is hanging by a thread.” He turned to me briefly, the corner of his mouth twitching into a half-smile. “No pressure, right?”

A dry laugh slipped out, thin and unconvincing. “Yeah, no pressure. Just the fate of an entire kingdom resting on whether I can get my powers back.”

“And memories,” he added, tapping his temple. “Those are important too.”

I nudged him with my shoulder, chuckling. “Yes, those too would be nice.”

The minivan rolled into the parking lot of Charla Mae’s, and I shot Zeke a puzzled glance, my brow knitting together. “She works at the boutique?”

“I’m not sure. I’ve only got her name, Sadalia Valtor, but it hasn’t led me anywhere yet.”

The name hit me like a wave, and I stilled, my hand trailing along the side of the seat as my mind reeled. “Sadalia…” I murmured, a spark of recognition igniting. “Beautiful name, but…eerily familiar.” My eyes shot wide as the connection clicked. “Wait—Sadie? She runs a local thrift store a few blocks up. I go there all the time. I love Sadie, she’s amazing! ”

Zeke raised a brow before shifting into drive. “That’s definitely her. We met recently. She told me her name was Mary . Here I thought I was being charming…guess she saw right through me.” He shot me a teasing glance, his eyes glinting with amusement. “I see why you two get along.”

I patted his shoulder, arching a brow. “You see…the real problem here is that you thought you were charming.”

His eyes stayed on the road, but a silent laugh tugged at the edges of his mouth.

When we pulled up to the thrift store, we climbed out and headed for the entrance. The bell above the door chimed as we stepped inside, and Sadie’s eyes met mine from behind the register.

“Bryn! Nice to—”

Her gaze snapped to Zeke behind me, and her expression shifted instantly. Horror? Disgust? I couldn’t quite tell.

As we approached the counter, she froze, her face paling like she’d seen a ghost.

“Hey, Sadie, how are you?” I asked gently, keeping my tone soft so I wouldn’t startle her. I stepped closer. She stumbled back a few paces, hand brushing her hair behind her ear, eyes still wide.

“B-Bryn…w-who’s your friend?” she stammered, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. Her gaze flicked to Zeke but reverted to me just as fast, as if she co uldn’t decide whether to acknowledge him or avoid him entirely.

Zeke’s lips curled into a sly grin, but his stare was icy as he tilted his head slightly. “Oh, you remember me, don’t you—Mary?”

Sadie stiffened, the blood draining from her cheeks. She whipped around to face him, fists clenched at her sides. “I know exactly who you are, Nemora ,” she spat, her voice low and venomous. “You need to leave. Now!” Her body tensed, fury radiating from her as she glared at him.

Zeke clutched his chest dramatically, eyes widening as if offended. “HA! That’s rich,” he sneered, lifting his lip in disgust as he took a slow step toward her. “Coming from you, Weaver.” He leaned in slightly, his head tilting just enough to mock her.

I quickly stepped between them, holding my hands up in a calming gesture. I kept my body angled toward Sadie, trying to soften the tension between us. “Sorry about him,” I apologized sweetly, flashing a smile that felt a little too forced. “He doesn’t take insults well.” I threw a quick glance over my shoulder, catching Zeke rolling his eyes exaggeratedly, his arms casually crossed over his chest.

“Sadie, I really need your help,” I pleaded, urgency bleeding into my words, the pull of it squeezing at my heart. “It’s a matter of life or death. ”

Her lips parted in surprise, but the hesitation was clear in the way she shifted her weight from one foot to the other, her fingers nervously pulling at the hem of her sleeve. Her gaze skated over the ground before finally meeting mine, softening for just a moment, though a guarded look still lingered in her eyes.

She sighed, her shoulders slumping as the tension drained from her, but the sharpness remained. Rubbing a hand over her face, she muttered, “I’ll talk to you,” her voice weary. “But not with him here.”

I looked to Zeke, who raised his hands in an over-the-top gesture of surrender. “Alright, alright. I’ll just wait outside.”

We both watched him leave, the door clicking shut behind him. The sound echoed in the silence, and as soon as his footsteps faded, I turned back to Sadie. “Alright, I’m getting straight to the point.”

I held up my hand, showing her my wedding ring. The room seemed to shrink around me as I watched her face closely. “Do you recognize this?”

Sadie’s gaze zeroed in on the ruby, and her breath caught in her throat. Her hand flew up to cover her mouth, her expression frozen in disbelief. “No…that’s impossible.” The words rushed out, her fingers trembling, still pressed against her lips. “They were destroyed.”

A cold pressure settled in my sternum, and I had to fight to steady my breath. “They weren’t destroyed,” I said quietly, my voice tight with unspoken tension. “I’m not…exactly who I appear to be.”

I searched her face, hoping she'd understand, my fingers tracing the edge of the ring in a nervous rhythm. “I don’t know how to explain it, but I’m…” I paused, struggling to find the right words. “I’m like you…magical. I was taken against my will. This ring was forced onto me…and now, I've lost my memories, my powers.” My gaze dulled as frustration crept in. “I'm trapped here, Sadie. With no way out.”

Her expression hardened, jaw tensing as she turned away. Her eyes sank to the floor, arms folding tightly across her chest. “I’m not magical anymore,” she said, her voice low and distant, each word heavy with sorrow, as though the very thought caused her pain.

A knot twisted in my stomach, and I fought to keep the frustration from spilling over. I studied her features, searching for a trace of the friend I remembered—some sign she wasn’t capable of something like this.

“Did you really not notice I was wearing it before?” I asked, disbelief edging my voice. It didn’t make sense. How could she have missed it? It was the very reason she was here in the first place.

Sadie’s gaze dropped to the ring again, guilt flashing across her face before it twisted into something more raw. “I didn’t…I swear,” she whispered, jaw trembling. “After I was banished, everything blurred. My magic was ripped from me. RIPPED from me.” She repeated the wo rd, each syllable jagged, nearly choking her. “Do you have any idea what that feels like? To have everything you are just…torn away? It’s like my soul was shredded. I was just trying to survive, to take care of Elysia…and watch her lose her powers, too. It shattered me, Bryn. I didn’t know…I didn’t know what you were.”

Her pain wasn’t just visible; it pulsed between us, thick and heavy, like heartbreak stitched into the silence. I could almost taste it.

I swallowed hard, the apology barely escaping my lips. “I’m sorry,” I whispered, the words hollow. They felt too small, insufficient to touch the weight of her loss. I struggled to stay grounded, the intensity of her suffering pulling at something deep within me. My thoughts scattered, but I forced them back together, fighting the tremor that threatened to rise. “You must know a way to remove the ring. There has to be something you can do.”

Her gaze drifted toward the window, distant and unfocused, as though she had slipped into a memory. She let out a slow breath, her shoulders relaxing slightly. “Separate the rings, and you break the curse,” she said, steady but with an undercurrent of resignation. “But I’m sure you already knew that.”

I pressed my fingers to my temples, a tight pressure building behind my eyes. “There has to be another way,” I muttered, more to the air than to anyone in particular. My voice cracked, a thread of desperation creeping in. “ I can’t just fade myself out. I have no powers, and I don’t trust Zeke enough to put my life in his hands yet.”

Her eyes snapped up, sharp and alert, her posture going rigid. A muscle twitched in her jaw as her voice dropped to a low, deliberate tone. “That’s the only way,” she said, each word heavy with warning. Her gaze locked onto mine, charged with an intensity that made the space between us hum. “But listen, Bryn, I don’t know your story, or what history you have with him, but don’t trust anyone. Especially the ones who seem charming.”

She cut a glance toward the door. Her body stiffened, her stare settling on Zeke and lingering a beat too long. The sharp lines of her face turned to stone, and a faint curl of her lip was the only sign of the disgust that passed through her.

“My husband was as charming as they come,” she continued, her tone thick with bitterness. Her fingers curled inward, nails biting into her palms as she fought to stay composed. “The most dangerous ones always are. He set me up, betrayed me, and had me banished here. Now I’m paying for his crimes with my life. I’m innocent. Elysia’s innocent. If you let that man fade you, you may find yourself in a new cage, trapped forever.”

My mind was racing, a storm of thoughts tumbling over each other. Sadie’s story, her pain—it was all too familiar. She had been set up, manipulated, just like I had been. No way was she capable of what she was accused of. If her husband had been anything like Reggie, then her words carried weight. Reggie could be charming, but he was twisted. He had done things to me, made me question myself, warped my sense of reality, and Sadie had likely experienced the same.

And then there was Zeke. Charming, effortlessly so. Could he be capable of the same things? Could he manipulate me the way Reggie had? The thought slipped in like a dark seed, rooting itself before I could stop it. I tried to shake it off, but the more I considered it, the harder it was to ignore. He was helping me, yes, but could I trust him fully? What if his plans for me were worse than Reggie’s? Isn’t it said you should keep your friends close and your enemies closer? The idea lingered, settling uneasily inside me like a whisper I couldn’t silence.

Sadie’s words cut through me, each one sinking deeper than the last. She was paying the price for someone else’s sins. The crushing force of her pain pressed against my chest, suffocating. My vision blurred, tears threatening to spill, but I forced them back, swallowing hard against the lump in my throat. I couldn’t let her see me break. I couldn’t afford to.

I reached across the counter, trembling as I gripped her hands tightly, like I could absorb her pain through touch alone. “I will get out of here. I’ll come back for you. For you and Elysia. I promise. ”

The words barely held shape, fragile against the weight of what she’d endured, but it was all I had. And I would keep that promise, no matter the cost.

She pulled me close, wrapping me in a warm, tight hug that said everything without the need for words. Her body trembled slightly, and I felt the warmth of her breath against my neck as she whispered into my shoulder, her voice thick with emotion.

“Thank you.” Gratitude wove through her tone, but so did something else. “But please…be careful. This realm is crawling with followers of the Shadow King. They’ll stop at nothing to get what they want.”

I froze. The name struck like a bolt of ice, sending a shiver down my spine.

The Shadow King.

I bit the inside of my cheek, grounding myself in the sting. Little did she know…I was much closer to him than she could ever imagine.

She leaned back just enough to meet my eyes, her expression grave. “And with that ring on your finger, you’re more vulnerable than you realize. You’re a beacon to them, Bryn. If they find out what you are, they won’t hesitate.”

“I will,” I said as firmly as I could manage. “I promise.”

I pulled away, my heart heavy with the silent echoes of her warning and the promises I’d just made. Every step toward the door felt like a step deeper into the unknown, and I wasn’t sure how much longer I could keep pretending I wasn’t already tangled in this web of darkness.

As I reentered the parking lot, I spotted Zeke waiting in the car. His posture was relaxed, but his gaze remained steady, tracking me in the rearview mirror, a mix of concern and curiosity etched on his face.

I slid into the passenger seat, letting out a soft exhale as the atmosphere thickened with unspoken questions.

“So?” he asked, his focus fixed on me, a hint of hope in his gaze as he absently pushed a loose strand of hair away from his forehead.

I leaned back against the headrest, closing my eyes, disappointment washing over me. “Nothing. She says the only way is to separate the rings.”

His face fell slightly, but he managed a reassuring smile. “Don’t let it get to you. Just because she doesn’t know another way doesn’t mean there isn’t one.”

I lifted my head, narrowing my eyes as suspicion surged through me. Crossing my arms tightly over my chest, the subtle clench of my jaw betrayed the discomfort tightening inside me. “What did you do to make her dislike you?”

His response came effortlessly, as if he’d been asked this a thousand times. “She senses my power,” he explained matter-of-factly. “As a powerful sorcerer, I tend to make people—uneasy. Being here, in a realm like this, probably only heightens her suspicion. Without the proper context, I’m sure I seem more like a threat than anything else.”

He glanced toward the thrift store. “To mortals, my power isn’t cloaked. Most don’t understand what they’re feeling—just a vague unease, a hesitation they can’t quite place. But Sadie…she knows exactly what it means. She knows what I am.” His gaze darkened slightly, his voice dropping lower. “And she knows what people like me are capable of.”

I studied him, my eyes lingering on his face, the picture of innocence. That sweetness, that disarming charm, could make anyone drop their guard. But was it all a mask? Was Sadie right? Was his charm just a tool to manipulate, to get people to trust him? Was he used to people believing in him because of his looks and easy way with words? What exactly was Zeke capable of?

We drove in silence, the familiar route back to Zeke’s house stretching out before us, our minds consumed by the mystery we were trying to unravel. When we arrived, the warmth inside wrapped around us like a comforting embrace. We made our way to the dining room table, the same spot where we had spent hours the day before, poring over ancient tomes and yellowed pages.

A long, contemplative silence hung in the air before Zeke finally broke it, speaking as if to himself. “Hmm. I wonder…now that you’re aware of your predicament, ca n you tap into whatever residual abilities you have? Maybe… will the ring off?”

He paused, considering the idea. “Even if it’s just a small remnant, it’s worth a shot.” He shrugged out of his suit jacket, unbuttoned the cuffs of his shirt, and rolled up his sleeves, his tone shifting to something more casual. “Or, we could always just wing it and see what happens. Who doesn’t love a good experiment, right?”

I hesitated. So far, my “abilities” had amounted to a shattered lightbulb and a few flickering lights. But I was willing to try anything. “Okay,” I said, my voice steadying as resolve crept in. “What do I do?”

Zeke’s face lit up with a mix of encouragement and expectation. “Start small. Levitate something in the room with your mind.” He gestured toward a nearby object, his movements fluid. “Close your eyes, relax, and picture exactly what you want to happen. Will it into existence.”

He pulled out a chair and sat down with ease. With a flick of his wrist, his mug lifted into the air, hovering for a moment before he took a sip, his gaze never leaving the floating object. Then, carefully, he lowered the cup, setting it back down with a soft clink.

“Just like that. Easy.”

I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and focused on the mug. I tried to relive the sensation of holding it, feeling the warmth, the smoothness of the porcelain, and the scent of the coffee. I pictured it rising as if an invisible hand were lifting it into the air. When I opened my eyes, Zeke was watching me intently, his gaze darting between me and the objects in the room.

“Did it work?” he asked, a hint of excitement in his voice. His stare locked onto mine, bright and expectant, his body leaning forward in his seat as if waiting for a miracle. “What did you levitate?”

I sighed, the weight of my failure heavy in my chest. I twisted one of my loose curls around my finger, a nervous habit that always seemed to take over in moments like this. “I tried to pour that coffee on your head.”

His eyes widened, horror crossing his face. He straightened in his chair, clutching the fabric of his suit as if to shield it from my imagined attack. “Good God, woman! This suit is Armani! Are you insane?”

Frustration welled up inside me, and I threw my hands up in the air. “This is hopeless! The cup didn’t even move!” I paced a few steps, shaking my head.

Zeke shot a sidelong glance at the untouched coffee cup and nudged it out of my reach. “Alright,” he said, suppressing a laugh, “let’s try this again. But this time, don’t just picture it. Use your hands. Mimic the motion. Visualize it levitating while you move your hands upward, like you’re suspending it mid-air.”

He paused, then added with a dramatic sigh, “And for the love of all things sartorial, let’s keep my suit intact, shall we?” A cheeky grin tugged at his lips. “If you wanted to see me naked, all you had to do was ask.”

I gave an exaggerated eye-roll, unfazed by his flirtation. “Alright, round two. Here we go.”

I shut my eyes tight, raising my arms, waving them dramatically in the direction I willed the object to move. A few moments later, I peeked through one eye. Nothing.

“Okay, now I just look ridiculous,” I muttered, standing with my hands on my hips, trying to look serious but feeling completely absurd. I gave the cup a pointed glare, as though it had personally betrayed me.

Zeke’s lips twitched, and before he could stop himself, a laugh escaped him. He leaned back in his chair, shaking his head with a grin. “Yeah, you definitely look a little unhinged,” he said, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “That idea’s out.”

But as his laughter faded, a dense sorrow hung in the air, heavier than before. The ring still clung to my finger, cold and stubborn, a constant reminder of the power I lacked and the darkness waiting to take hold.

I glanced up at Zeke. His smile had faltered, his eyes now clouded with concern. We were no closer to a solution, and I couldn’t shake the gnawing feeling that time was running out.