26. Chapter 26 The final showdown

Chapter 26: The final showdown

EVELYN

I wake to a sharp pain, and Cassandra's voice fills the room, laced with impatience. "Good, you're awake," she sneers. "It's no fun torturing unconscious witches."

I blink, trying to clear the haze from my mind. My whole body aches, but the pain in my side where she stabbed me earlier is the worst. I glance at Karla, tied up and barely breathing beside me.

"Don't look so glum, Evelyn," Cassandra taunts, circling us like a predator. "Your beloved Alexei and his sister are probably dead by now. My partner is very efficient. He'll handle them just fine."

I refuse to give her the satisfaction of a response, and Karla follows my lead. Silence is our only weapon for now.

"You'll start begging for your lives soon," Cassandra continues, her voice dripping with sadistic pleasure. "I'll make sure of it."

She fiddles with her phone, trying to make a call, and then walks out, leaving us alone. As soon as she's gone, Karla turns her head slightly towards me and whispers, "When she comes back, I'll distract her. You focus on untying us with your magic."

"Karla, are you sure?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes," she replies, her eyes filled with determination. "The dagger in you isn't as strong as the one in me. Your magic can still flow."

I take a deep breath, nodding. I feel a flicker of hope. "Alright. Let's do this."

The minutes stretch, each one feeling like an eternity. I focus on the pain, trying to channel it into my magic. I feel a faint pulse of energy in my veins, weak but present. I concentrate on the ropes binding my wrists, willing them to loosen.

Cassandra returns, looking frustrated. "Damn service in this place," she mutters, then smirks at us. "Miss me?"

Karla coughs weakly, drawing Cassandra's attention. "What's the matter, Karla? Finally ready to beg?"

"Just… thirsty," Karla says, her voice hoarse. "Water, please."

Cassandra laughs, a harsh, grating sound. "Water? That's the best you can come up with?"

While she's distracted, I focus harder on the ropes. I feel them start to give, my magic slowly working its way through.

Cassandra turns back to me, her eyes narrowing. "And you, Evelyn? Nothing to say?"

"Go to hell," I manage, trying to keep her focus on me.

She strides over, grabbing my chin and forcing me to look at her. "You first," she hisses.

Karla takes a deep, shaky breath. "Cassandra, you'll never get away with this."

Cassandra laughs again. "Oh, but I already have. And soon, you'll both be dead, and Harmony Grove will be mine."

As she rants, I feel the ropes loosen further. Almost there. Just a little more time.

Karla coughs again, louder this time, and Cassandra's attention snaps back to her. "What now?" she demands.

"Just wanted to say… you're a terrible witch," Karla says, her voice stronger now.

Cassandra's face contorts with rage. "How dare you—"

With a final push, the ropes around my wrists snap free. I move quickly, using my magic to untie my ankles and then Karla's. Cassandra is still focused on her fury, not noticing our movements.

"Ready?" I whisper to Karla.

"Do it," she replies.

I summon all my strength, channeling my magic into a forceful blast. It hits Cassandra square in the chest, sending her flying across the room. She crashes into the wall with a scream of rage. I pull out the dagger from my side. Karla reaches to remove hers too.

"Evelyn, go find Alexei. I will take care of this despicable woman myself. We have many scores to settle!" Karla shouts and I nod before dashing out of the cottage, I trust that Karla can take care of Cassandra now that she's no longer daggered.

I get into Karla's car and drive out of there fast as hell.

KARLA

I rise to my feet swiftly, adrenaline coursing through me as Cassandra's furious onslaught begins. Evelyn, her eyes wide with urgency, doesn't hesitate when I tell her to go. She understands the gravity of the situation. Alexei's safety is paramount now.

As Evelyn dashes out of the room, I turn to face Cassandra, my expression hardening with resolve. "You've made a grave mistake, Cassandra," I say, my voice steady despite the roiling emotions within me. "You'll regret crossing me and harming my coven."

Cassandra sneers, her eyes gleaming with malice. "You think you can stop me, Karla? You've always underestimated what I'm capable of."

I summon the power of the moon within me, feeling its energy surge as I prepare to defend myself and my kin. "It's not underestimation, Cassandra. It's certainty."

With that, the battle erupts between us, a flurry of spells and physical strikes. Cassandra is formidable, fueled by anger and a thirst for revenge, but I am seasoned, drawing upon years of training and the ancient power of our coven.

Sparks fly as our magic clashes, the air crackling with intensity. I manage to disarm Cassandra of her weapon, a brief opening that I exploit with precision and speed. With a decisive strike, I incapacitate her, rendering her unable to continue the fight.

Cassandra gasps for breath on the floor, defeated but still defiant. "You may have won this battle, Karla," she hisses through gritted teeth, "but you'll never stop what's coming."

I kneel beside her, my gaze unwavering. "It's over, Cassandra. Your partner won't succeed either. Harmony Grove will endure, and justice will be served."

With a final smile at her, I push the dagger that I had managed to pick up during our fight deep into her chest, ridding her of her life and stopping all of this madness once and for all.

EVELYN

I rush through the streets of Harmony Grove, heart pounding. My mind races with the urgency of the situation—Cassandra's betrayal, Karla and Alexei in danger, and the looming threat of her unknown partner. Ana's place is a familiar refuge, a haven where plans are forged and alliances secured. I burst through the door, finding Ana already waiting, her expression grave as she takes in my hurried entrance.

"Evelyn," Ana says sharply, rising from her seat. "What happened? Where's Karla?"

I take a moment to catch my breath, my voice urgent as I recount the harrowing events at the coven. "Cassandra attacked us. She had Karla and me captive, impersonating her," I explain quickly. "She mentioned a partner who might have Alexei."

Ana's eyes widen with concern. "Alexei left to meet a council member," she informs me, her voice steady despite the worry creeping into her expression.

"We need to find him," I say firmly, already moving towards the door. "Let's go."

Together, Ana and I head towards the meeting point, our footsteps echoing in the quiet night. The drive is tense, silence punctuated only by the urgency of our mission.

As we arrive, relief washes over me at the sight of Alexei collapsed by his car. "Alexei!" I cry out, rushing to his side. He isn't breathing, and he looks like he struggled to get to this point.

Ana joins me, concern etched deeply in her features as she checks on her brother, and the love of my life. "He's been drugged," she confirms, her voice tight with worry.

"We need to get him to the hospital," I decide, already reaching for my phone to confirm how far out the backup I called for is.

The sound of approaching footsteps alerts us to the arrival of our deputies.

"Go inside and cuff everyone you find!" I bark, and they disappear into the building while I try to get Alexei to open his eyes.

"We've secured the elder and everyone else," one of them announces as three deputies take an elder and two men to the department car.

"Good," I reply briskly. "I need a team to head to where Karla and Cassandra were last seen. They could still be there."

While the deputies organize themselves, Ana and I carefully help Alexei into the backseat of our car. His limp form is a stark reminder of how close we came to losing him.

The drive to the hospital is a blur of anxious thoughts and silent prayers. I sit beside Alexei, my hand tightly clasped in his, drawing strength from the touch despite the fear gnawing at my insides.

When we arrive, medical staff rush to assist, wheeling Alexei into the emergency room. I watch, my heart in my throat, as they begin their assessments and treatments.

"He'll be okay," Ana says softly, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

I really hope so.