TERESA If horror had a name, it was certainly that howl. I wanted to keep my serenity, but there was something in that howl that gave me the chills. “Bash, what was that?” I inquired in a low and scared voice.And suddenly it was not the only one. There were several howls. “That is our cue to leave this place. Do you think you can walk? If we stay here, we are a target. We have to get moving.” Bash’s voice was more like an order. But he was calm. “Would it be necessary for you to fight?”I didn’t want to ask that, but it was something that was bugging me since Bash was a beast. Outside were other beasts, and this time we were in their territory. And if they were after me again? This chasing game was getting me tired.“Bash, look...is me they want. I don’t want to endanger you. Maybe it would be the best idea to—”“Don’t even think about it!” he shouted, coming closer.His woody musk scent got into my nostrils and right into my brain, providing the serenity I longed for earlie

TERESA I had disappeared without a trace, as I didn’t want anyone’s company, not even Caroline’s. I didn’t punish anyone, but I really wanted to talk to the only person who could give me some piece of advice about my situation. “Can you help me with some information, please? I’m looking for Witch’s Brew, where Victoria Gallagher works. Do you know her?” I timidly asked a local. The atmosphere was oppressive. Probably because of what Vicky had said was happening here. “Hey, who doesn’t know Vicky Gallagher? Go straight ahead and at the crossroads, turn right. Walk straight another three hundred meters or so and you will see the pub on your right side. You can’t miss it!” The good passer-by shook his hand as he walked away. My dear God, I was going to talk to the most important person in Bash’s life, his sister. They were so close to each other that I felt like by talking to her; I was betraying him. Then I remembered how he used me, and my guilt disappeared. It made way for anger

TERESAIt looked like I had dropped a bomb again. Vicky’s face hardened. My statement affected her, but in order for both of us to understand, I will have to relate the facts with all the details that happened from the very beginning.About Bash’s miracle serum, which I was sure she knew, but maybe not all the ins and outs, that my blood was the key to this whole thing, the changes I’ve been through lately, and there was so much more to discuss that I was sure it was not enough a whole day to talk about.“For God’s sake, what are you talking about? What tickets? What first row?”The atmosphere in the pub was becoming oppressive, and I knew my next step would be decisive. My next words will weigh heavily on the direction this conversation will go.I was suffering; it was true, and the culprit of my suffering was Sebastian. A man who now seemed indecipherable to me. But maybe with Vicky’s help, I could get to know him a little.She got up from the table again, this time walking behind t

TERESAThe way I attacked and incriminated her brother fueled Vicky’s condition even more, a Vicky already upset by all this dialogue. I could feel all my words coming like poisoned arrows at her, and I didn’t want that at all. I was drawing a brother she knew absolutely nothing about.“Teresa, let’s see if I understand. You are practically the main pawn in this entire story. Your blood is the missing ingredient. Somehow my brother also knew all this and in last night’s attack when he was about to lose his life, he took advantage of this information and forced you to use your magic to save him? Is that what you’re trying to tell me?”She seemed quite nervous, but she understood everything perfectly. There was no other way. “That’s exactly how it was, Vicky, and even though it’s hard for you it may be impossible to believe me, I respect your decision, and I also know...”The bitterness felt like a hot ember in my heart and kept me from saying another word. My eyes were already swimmin

TERESAAfter leaving Vicky, we made our way back to Bellingham in complete silence. I was on the verge of despair. I could see him out of the corner of my eye, not doing anything, not even a grimace, and it was grinding inside me like a coffee grinder.His serenity was completely inadmissible under the conditions in which he hurt me so much. I could read thoughts, but I certainly blocked myself from reading Bash’s. It already shattered my heart to pieces to listen to other impertinent excuses, which were useless.It was clear; I had to talk to Caroline and confess everything to her, even if it would be hard for her to believe me. Anyway, I had promised her that one day I would tell her and that day had definitely come. I needed an ally next to me, and Caro was the best fit.In a maximum of one hour, I was home, well, his home, but exactly as I expected, we did not talk about anything. If he wanted to play the victim of all this, he had to know that it was not the case. His childish be