Chapter 14

Ellie stood in the center of her living room, a figure of stillness amid the chaos of the world. The curtains were drawn, the room lit only by the flickering glow of candles, their dancing flames casting eerie shadows on the walls. The air was thick with the scent of sage and rosemary, the herbs burning in a small brass bowl at her feet.

Eyes closed, hands outstretched, Ellie looked like a conductor poised before an invisible orchestra. The ancient artifacts were arranged in a circle around her, each saturated with power. There was a weathered, leather-bound tome, its pages yellowed with age and crackling with secrets; a crystal sphere, its depths swirling with mist and memory; and a gold chalice, etched with runes that seemed to shift and dance in the candlelight.

Ellie drew in a deep breath, feeling the power of the ley lines surging through her veins. It was like standing in the midst of a thunderstorm, the energy crackling and snapping around her, making her hair stand on end. She could feel the earth beneath her feet, the heartbeat of Whispering Pines pulsing in time with her own.

With a whispered incantation, the words rolling off her tongue like honey, Ellie wove the energy outward. It was like spinning a tapestry of light and shadow, each thread a different hue, a different texture. She could see it in her mind's eye, the glowing strands twisting and twining, forming a shield around her home.

The house shuddered, the floorboards creaking and the windows rattling in their frames. The candle flames danced wildly, casting fractured shadows on the walls. It was as if the very bones of the building were shifting, accommodating the surge of magic.

Ellie's brow furrowed, sweat beading on her forehead as she poured more of herself into the spell. The wards were like a second skin, an invisible barrier that would repel any darkness that dared to approach. She could feel them settling into place, a tingling sensation that raced along her nerve endings. But would they be strong enough for what was coming?

As the last tendrils of power dissipated, Ellie's eyes snapped open. The hazel irises were glowing, lit from within by an otherworldly light. She staggered slightly, the sudden absence of energy leaving her lightheaded.

But even as she steadied herself, a frown creased her face. Something was wrong. The town's magical field, usually a gentle, pulsing presence at the edge of her senses, felt distorted.

Ellie closed her eyes again, reaching out with her mind. Just beyond the wards that had protected Whispering Pines for generations, an angry, hateful force grew stronger by the moment. It wasn't the same power as the dark mages that had attacked Celeste and the town before. This wasn't dark magic itself. This was different.

A chill raced down Ellie's spine, a sense of foreboding settling in the pit of her stomach. She knew with certainty that went bone-deep, the cultists were behind this. But what were they doing? They weren't trying to take down the protective wards. It felt to her that they didn't even care about that. They were attempting to…what?

Ellie's hands clenched into fists, determination hardening her features. She would not let anything happen. Whispering Pines was her home, her heart. She would defend it with every ounce of power she possessed.

Striding to the window, Ellie yanked back the curtain. The night sky was stark black, the stars obscured by roiling clouds. In the distance, she could see the dark smudge of the forest, the trees swaying in an unseen wind.

"I know you're out there," she whispered, her breath fogging the glass. "But you won't win. Not this time. Not ever."

The shrill ring of her phone shattered the silence. Ellie grabbed it, her heart leaping at the sight of Reed's name on the screen.

"Reed? What's wrong?" she asked, her voice tight with worry.

"We've got reports of suspicious activity near the forest's edge," Reed said, his tone grim. "Figures in dark robes, chanting. It sounds like our cultist friends might be getting an early start on their ritual."

Ellie's grip tightened on the phone, her mind racing. "I felt a disturbance but I'm not sure what it is exactly."

"I'm heading out there now. Meet me at the trailhead?"

"I'll be there." Ellie hung up, her jaw set with resolve. She couldn't let the cultists succeed, couldn't let the darkness consume her town.

Minutes later, she arrived at the forest's edge, the scent of pine and damp earth filling her lungs. Reed emerged from the shadows, his amber eyes glinting in the dim light. He immediately pulled her in for a tight hug. The scent of his body calmed her nerves and she melted into his body. "I missed you."

He pulled back and lowered his head to hers. The kiss was hard, fast, and urgent. As if he thought they might run out of time. Her heart clenched. They wouldn't run out of time. Not now that they finally got a second chance.

"Ready?" he asked, handing her a flashlight.

Ellie nodded, electricity sparked at the graze of his hand over hers. Even in the midst of the chaos, his touch sent a thrill through her, a reminder of the bond they shared.

Together, they slipped into the woods, the darkness swallowing them like a living thing. Ellie reached out with her magic, cloaking their presence, allowing them to move unseen and unheard.

As they drew closer to the suspected location, Ellie felt it—a pulsing, malevolent energy that set her teeth on edge. It was the same darkness she'd felt in the crypt, the same evil that had haunted her dreams.

They crested a rise, and the sight below stole the breath from Ellie's lungs. A group of cultists stood in a clearing, their black robes bleak against the muted greens and browns of the forest. They were arranged in a circle, hands linked, chanting in a language that made Ellie's skin crawl.

In the center of the circle, a dark energy swirled, growing with each guttural syllable. It reached out, wisps of blackness probing, searching. But for what… or who?

As Ellie watched, she felt a tug, a pull deep within her chest. Her magic, the power that flowed through her veins, resonated with the darkness, drawn to it like a moth to a flame.

"Ellie?" Reed's voice was a hoarse whisper, his hand gripping her arm. "Are you okay?"

Ellie blinked, tearing her gaze away from the mesmerizing swirl of energy. "I... I'm fine. We have to stop them."

She focused inward, drawing on the knowledge gleaned from her grandmother's journals, the secrets whispered in the pages of ancient tomes. With a deep breath, Ellie raised her hands, her lips forming words of power.

The air crackled, the taste of ozone sharp on her tongue. A bolt of blinding white light shot from her palms, striking the center of the cultists' circle. The dark energy exploded, a concussive blast that sent robed figures flying, their chants cut off in startled screams.

Chaos erupted, cultists scrambling to their feet, shouting in confusion and anger. Reed sprang into action, his shifter speed and strength making him a blur of motion as he tackled the nearest robed human.

Ellie focused her magic, using it to disorient and disarm the cultists. But even as she worked, the dark energy clung to her, seeping into her pores like an oil slick. It was intoxicating, a siren song that whispered of power and control.

She gritted her teeth, pushing against the seductive pull. She couldn't give in, couldn't let the darkness win.

In the midst of the fray, Reed managed to subdue one of the cult leaders, pinning him to the ground with a snarl. Ellie hurried over, her heart pounding in her chest.

"When is the final ritual?" Reed demanded, his voice a low growl. "Tell us, and we might go easy on you."

The cultist spat, his eyes smiling at Ellie. "The guardian has returned. The sacrifice is prepared. The dark one will rise again, and there's nothing you can do to stop it. History will not repeat itself this time."

Ellie's blood ran cold. They were running out of time.

Reed hauled the cultist to his feet, his grip unyielding. "We'll see about that."

Ellie sagged, the magic draining from her in a rush. Reed was at her side in an instant, his strong arms encircling her waist, holding her steady.

"I've got you," he murmured, his breath warm against her ear.