Chapter 17

The morning sun cast a warm glow through the brewery windows as Bram prepared for the special post-festival event. His thoughts drifted to Tabitha, a soft smile playing on his lips as he recalled their dance under the moonlight. His bear stirred within, a low rumble of contentment. There was no denying it—Tabitha was his mate.

Bram's heart swelled with love, but a flicker of nervousness crept in. What if she didn't feel the same way? The thought of rejection made his stomach clench. He shook his head, pushing the doubts aside. Today was about celebrating the successful festival and supporting Tabitha as she unraveled her family's secrets.

As he arranged the tables, a knock at the door interrupted his musings. Bram opened it to find a courier holding a mysterious package. "Delivery for Bram Hartley," the courier said, handing over the plain brown box.

Bram thanked him and brought the package inside, curiosity piqued. He carefully unwrapped it to reveal an old, leather-bound book. A note fluttered to the floor, unsigned, stating only that the book might be of interest to Tabitha.

Intrigued, Bram pulled out his phone and called Tabitha. "Hey, I've got something here I think you should see. Can you come over to the brewery?"

Tabitha breezed into the brewery, her floral sundress swirling around her knees, a contrast to the rustic wooden furnishings. Bram's heart skipped a beat as her presence filled the room with warmth like the first rays of sun after a long winter.

"Hey, there, stranger," Tabitha grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "What's this mysterious book you've found?"

Bram led her to a worn, leather-bound tome on the table, its pages yellowed with age. "It arrived this morning, no sender's name. But look..."

They huddled over the book, shoulders touching as Bram carefully turned the fragile pages. The musty scent of ancient paper mingled with Tabitha's lavender perfume, a heady combination that made Bram's head spin.

The pages were filled with intricate illustrations and cryptic text, referencing spells and incantations that seemed to belong to Tabitha's grandmother. Amid the arcane symbols, a story began to unfold—a hidden family feud that spanned generations.

Bram's finger traced a particular passage, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Look at this," he said, his voice low and serious. "It mentions ‘the dangers of the twins born of light and dark.' And here, ‘the child of dark must be destroyed.'"

Tabitha gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. Her eyes widened, a mixture of shock and disbelief. "You think this explains the rift in my family? The reason my parents and grandmother didn't speak for years?"

Bram nodded, concern etched on his face. His heart ached for Tabitha, for the pain this revelation must be causing her. He reached out, his hand gently squeezing her shoulder in a gesture of comfort.

"It's possible," he said softly. "But I can't believe your parents would be that monstrous. To even consider destroying a child..."

Tabitha shook her head, her curls bouncing with the movement. "No, they couldn't. There has to be more to the story."

Bram reached out, covering her hand with his own. "I don't know what happened when you were born, but we'll find answers and your role in resolving it."

Tabitha nodded, determination settling in her eyes. "Let's visit Jasper at the library. He might be able to help us uncover more about historical feuds in magical families. And he always seems to know everything about everyone."

At the library, Jasper greeted them with a knowing smile. "Ah, the bear and the witch. I had a feeling you two would be stopping by."

The ghostly librarian guided them through the stacks, pulling out old records and newspaper clippings. A new story began to unfold—a scandal involving Tabitha's ancestors, where twins of light and dark magic had been born before. The parents, not understanding the dangers, had raised both children. But the child of darkness had brought chaos upon the family and the town.

Bram watched Tabitha closely as she absorbed the difficult revelations, her face a mix of shock and sorrow. He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, a silent promise of support.

"We need to know more," Tabitha said, her voice steady despite the weight of the discoveries. "Luna might be able to help. She mentioned that if I needed help connecting to my past, she had a way, but I didn't think about it until just now. Plus, her knowledge of history and magic is unparalleled."

Luna's shop was a haven of herbs, potions, and old books. The wise witch listened intently as Bram and Tabitha recounted their findings. With a thoughtful nod, she retrieved a small vial from her shelves.

"This potion will allow you to experience a vision of the past," Luna explained, handing the shimmering liquid to Tabitha. "It will show you the events that led to your family's feud, so you may know the truth."

Tabitha accepted the potion from Luna and glanced at Bram, her eyes seeking reassurance. He nodded, his hand reaching out to clasp hers, a silent promise of support.

"I'm here," he murmured, his thumb caressing her knuckles. "No matter what, I'm right beside you."

He watched her take a deep breath. With a final squeeze of Bram's hand, she raised the vial to her lips and drank.

Tabitha's eyes fluttered closed.

Bram watched, his heart pounding as Tabitha went rigid, the empty vial slipping from her grasp. He lunged forward, catching it before it shattered on the hardwood floor.

Luna placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "She's all right," the older woman assured. "The vision has taken hold."

But as seconds ticked by, turning into minutes, Bram's worry grew. Tabitha's face contorted, pain etching lines around her eyes and mouth. A single tear escaped, rolling down her cheek.

"What's happening to her?" Bram demanded, his voice rough with fear.

Luna shook her head. "The past can be a painful place. She's witnessing events that have shaped her family's history. Events that have been hidden for generations."

Bram's hands clenched into fists, frustration welling inside him. He wanted to take away Tabitha's pain, to shoulder the burden for her. But all he could do was wait and watch, an outsider to the secrets unfolding in her mind.

After what felt like an eternity, Tabitha gasped, her eyes flying open. She stumbled, and Bram rushed to steady her, his arms wrapping around her trembling frame.

"I saw it," she whispered, her voice hoarse as if she'd been screaming. "I know what I have to do."

Bram held her close, his chin resting atop her head. "What did you see, love?"

Tabitha pulled back, her eyes bright with unshed tears. "I have to heal my family's wounds," she said, her voice gaining strength with each word. "I have to reclaim my heritage, the light and the dark. It's the only way to bring balance."

Bram held her. "Then let's heal your family's wounds."

The bellabove the door chimed as Bram and Tabitha entered the Lone Wolf Cafe, the comforting scent of freshly brewed coffee and baked pastries enveloping them. The usually bustling cafe was quiet, the lunchtime rush having passed.

Bram guided Tabitha to a secluded corner booth, his hand resting gently on the small of her back. They slid onto the worn leather seats, a sense of familiarity and comfort washing over them.

A waitress approached, her smile friendly as she placed a couple steaming mugs of coffee on the table. "Anything else I can get for you two?"

Bram glanced at Tabitha, a silent question in his eyes. She shook her head, offering a grateful smile. "Just the coffee, thanks."

As the waitress retreated, Bram leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table. "So," he began, his voice low and gentle, "tell me about your vision. What did you see?"

Tabitha wrapped her hands around the mug, her gaze distant as she gathered her thoughts. "It was like stepping into a memory," she murmured. "I saw my parents, young and happy. They were holding two babies, twins. Me and... a sister I never knew I had."

Bram's eyes widened, surprise etched on his face. "A sister? What happened to her?"

Tabitha took a sip of coffee, the bitter liquid grounding her. "In the vision, I radiated light, a pure, gentle aura. But my sister..." She swallowed, her brow furrowing. "She was shrouded in darkness, a pulsing, angry energy. I could feel the conflict, the tension."

She looked up, meeting Bram's gaze. "Our parents were arguing with my grandmother, debating what to do. They feared my sister's power, the chaos she could bring. My grandmother kept telling them that she could be brought into the light. The chalice," she gave a knowing look to Bram that said it was the same chalice they'd found in the altar, "if done correctly, its magic could do it. But they didn't want to listen. In the end, they decided to separate us. I stayed with them while she was sent away. I saw my grandmother arguing, crying, begging. They left Whispering Pines and never returned. They never saw my grandmother again and I didn't either."

Bram reached across the table, his hand finding hers. He gave a gentle squeeze, a silent reminder that he was there supporting her.

Tabitha squeezed back, drawing strength from his touch. "I have to find her, Bram. I have to understand why we were torn apart if what my grandmother said was true. If there was another way, why was she sent away? And I need to know why my parents never told me about her."

Bram brought her hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles. "We'll get those answers for you, love," he promised, his voice fierce with conviction. "Your family's past doesn't define you, but it's a part of who you are. I know you need resolution and if your sister's out there needing to be brought into the light, I will help you find her."

Tabitha smiled softly, her fingers intertwining with his. "Thank you, Bram. I knew I could count on you."

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, sipping their coffee and letting the revelations settle. The cafe buzzed around them, a soothing hum of conversation and clinking dishes.

"So, what's our next move?" Bram asked, his mind already whirring with possibilities.

Tabitha set down her mug, a glint of determination in her eye. "We start with my parents. I need to confront them, to hear the truth from their own lips. And then..." She took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. "Then we find my sister. It's time to bring her home."