2. Chapter 2 The Immediate Fallout

Chapter 2: The Immediate Fallout

EVELYN

The phone rings, jarring me awake. I fumble for it on the nightstand, blinking at the bright screen. Alexei's name flashes and a cold sense of dread settles in my stomach. He didn't come home last night, and his phone had been off all night.

"Alexei?" I answer, my voice groggy. I slowly sit up, expecting an explanation of what the hell happened last night. He was just supposed to check out something and return home.

"Evelyn," he whispers, his voice filled with panic. "I need you. Now."

"What's wrong?" I sit up, fully alert. The panic in his voice was strange; if there's anything I admire most about Alexei, it's how calm and collected he is even under the worst kind of pressure. This was new.

"I... I don't know where I am. There are bodies. Six witches. Luminara Coven. I don't remember anything." He stuttered, and I felt like a bowl of cold water had just been emptied over my head. This is the most insane thing I have heard in a while.

"Oh my God, stay where you are; send me your current location," I say firmly, throwing off the covers. "I'm coming. Don't move."

I hang up, heart pounding. I quickly dress, grab my keys, and rush out the door. The streets of Harmony Grove are quiet, the town still asleep, unaware of the horror unfolding.

I follow the GPS coordinates Alexei sent, leading me to an old, abandoned house on the outskirts of town. I push open the door, my pulse quickening with each step.

Inside, the air is thick with the metallic scent of blood. I see Alexei standing amidst the carnage, his clothes soaked in red. The bodies of the six elder witches from the Luminara Coven lie motionless around him.

"Alexei!" I call out, rushing to his side.

"Evelyn," he says, relief flooding his voice.

I glance around, confirming my worst fears. "These are our witches," I whisper, my throat tightening. "This is bad, Alexei. Really bad."

"I didn't do this," he insists, his eyes wide with fear and confusion. "I don't remember anything."

"Try to retrace your steps," I urge, taking his hands. "Think, Alexei. What happened last night?"

"I... I remember going to the bar to check out a lead," he says, his brow furrowing. "Then a blackout. And then... nothing. I just woke up here."

We both sit down in the bloody room, the reality of the situation sinking in. I hold his face in my hands, looking into his eyes.

"I believe you," I say firmly. "I know you, Alexei. The last thing you would do is kill the very people you've sworn to protect."

"But the others won't believe me," he says, his voice breaking. "Not with this evidence."

"Let me handle that," I tell him. "We need to figure out who did this and why."

He nods, trusting me completely. We sit there in silence for a moment, drawing strength from each other.

"I'll need to inform the coven," I say finally, my mind racing with the implications. "We have to be careful. This could tear our town apart."

"I know," he says, his voice hollow. "I'm sorry, Evelyn."

"Don't apologize," I say, squeezing his hands. "We'll get through this. Together."

"We need to handle this the right way," I tell him, gripping his shoulders. "No secrets. We can't cover this up."

He nods, swallowing hard. "What do we do?"

"Brace yourself for the next few days," I say, pulling out my phone. "This won't be easy."

I call the sheriff's department, my voice steady despite the chaos. "I need deputies at the old Whitman house immediately. There's been a... situation."

Alexei sits down, his head in his hands. "What will happen to me?"

"We'll get through this," I assure him. "But you have to trust me."

The deputies arrive quickly, their faces a mix of confusion and horror as they take in the scene. I explain the situation, keeping my voice calm. Alexei is taken away in the back of a sheriff's car, his eyes filled with anguish as he looks at me.

"I'll handle this," I promise, watching the car drive away.

Once they're gone, I call Karla, the leader of the Luminara Coven. Her voice is sharp with concern. "Evelyn, what's going on?"

"There's been an incident," I say, my voice heavy. "Six of our elders are dead. Alexei is involved. You need to come immediately."

She's silent for a moment, then her voice hardens. "I'll be there instantly."

I hang up, my hands shaking. The gravity of the situation dawns on me. Alexei's innocence isn't all that matters right now; it's the town's perception that will destroy us.

I wait outside the house, pacing back and forth. Karla arrives, her expression a mix of shock and determination.

"Show me," she says.

I lead her inside, and she gasps at the sight. "This is..."

"I know," I say, my voice breaking. "We need to figure out what happened."

"We will," she says, her eyes hard. It is a lot to take in; walking into a room and finding six of your elders dead is overwhelming.

"I've already logged it officially," I tell her. "No secrets. We will investigate this just like we would investigate any murder in town."

She nods, her expression unreadable. "Good. We need transparency."

We leave the old house, our minds heavy with unanswered questions. I head to the station, my heart aching for Alexei.

We enter the station and I see Alexei in the holding cell, his expression a mix of fear and exhaustion. He looks up as we approach, his eyes locking onto mine.

"Evelyn," he says, looking up as I approach.

"We're working on it," I say, my voice gentle. "Karla is here to help. We'll find out what happened." I say softly, trying to reassure him.

"I don't remember anything," he repeats, his voice hollow.

"We'll get to the bottom of this," I assure him. "You're not alone. I love you."

He nods, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you. I love you too," he says, his voice barely a whisper.

"Do you need anything to eat or something?" I ask, unable to watch him like that any longer.

"No, I am fine. Don't worry about me, I just need all of this to be over," he replied, his voice hoarse. I wonder how much he must be beating himself for not being able to remember anything from last night.

The town is waking up, unaware of the turmoil brewing beneath the surface. Harmony Grove is a delicate balance, and this could tip the scales.

Back in my office, I sit down, my mind racing. I have to keep things together for Alexei, the town, and everyone. The next few days will be critical.

I brought Karla to the station with me, my heart heavy with hope and dread. Alexei's memory is our only key to unraveling the nightmare that's fallen upon us. Karla follows silently, her presence a mix of comfort and cold efficiency.

"Thank you for coming," I say, trying to keep my voice steady.

"We'll do what we can. Now, I need to talk with Alexei," Karla replies, her tone clipped. She's been through enough already, and this situation is stretching even her formidable patience.

Karla steps forward, her eyes assessing him. "I need you to sit still," she instructs. "This will take a few minutes."

Alexei nods and sits down on the edge of the narrow cot. Karla begins an incantation, her hands moving gracefully through the air, tracing patterns of light. The room fills with the gentle hum of magic, a soft, comforting glow surrounding Alexei.

I watch anxiously, hoping for a breakthrough. Karla's face is a mask of concentration, her lips moving silently as she works. Minutes stretch on with no obvious signs of progress.

Finally, Karla steps back, a deep frown marring her usually serene features. "It's not working," she says, frustration edging her voice.

"What do you mean?" I ask, my heart sinking.

"There's a dark magic blocking his memories," she explains. "Something powerful. I can't break through it."

Alexei looks up, panic flaring in his eyes. "I'm innocent," he says desperately. "I didn't do this! I couldn't have. I would never…."

"Time will tell," Karla responds coolly. "We need to find out who cast this spell to block your memories first."

She turns to leave, but I grab her arm, my voice pleading. "Karla, please. There has to be something more we can do."

She shakes her head, her expression softening slightly. "I'll look into it, Evelyn. But right now, we're at an impasse. I have six funerals to plan and some explaining to do at the coven."

That stops me from saying anything further, so, I just thank her for at least attempting to help. She leaves, and I turn back to Alexei, my heart heavy with worry. "We'll figure this out," I promise, taking his hands through the bars. "I believe you."

He nods, but I can see the fear and doubt in his eyes. "What if we can't break the spell? What if I can't get my memories back?" he asks, his voice trembling.

"We will," I say firmly, trying to instill confidence in both of us. "Now let's get you out of here on bail."