Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

" T hat smells good, Nishi!" Faith called out. She was usually enthusiastic when food was involved, and she wasn't cooking. Her specialty was weapons... and cocktails. "But don't forget to add some extra jalape?os for me. I can never get enough spice."

I shot her a playful grin and tossed a handful of diced peppers into the mix with a flourish. "That sounds like a conversation you need to have with Greyson. I imagine the warlock heats things up between the sheets. He gives it to you extra spicy, just the way you like it doesn't he?" I teased while I worked my culinary magic. Tacos were the one thing I knew how to do well.

I smiled at the banter as Eve and Tegan teased Faith as well. The kitchen at the Blue Moon was a symphony of friendly chatter as we gathered for our impromptu taco night. The scent of sizzling meat and spices filled the air and mingled with the tangy aroma of freshly-squeezed limes and the sweet fragrance of ripe avocados. As the self-proclaimed taco aficionado of the group, I took charge of assembling the ingredients.

While I cooked, Faith manned the margarita station. She moved with the grace of a seasoned bartender. She expertly poured tequila and triple sec into a shaker, the ice cubes clinking merrily with each vigorous shake. "Who's thirsty?" she asked playfully. Her smirk was wide as she poured the tangy concoction into glasses rimmed with salt.

Tegan raised her hand, but Eve was back at work creating a potion. Eve was a potion expert, and her skills were highly sought after. She'd accomplished things other witches could only dream of. I watched her measure out precise quantities of rare herbs and arcane ingredients. Despite her skill, there was a noticeable hint of fatigue in her demeanor. Faith and I shared a look. The subtle flicker of unease in Faith's eyes made my stomach churn.

"Are you doing okay, Eve? You seem a bit off today," Tegan observed. Her gaze was soft with concern as she leaned against the counter and watched Eve.

Eve offered her a weary smile. It was uncommon to see Eve's eyes betray a hint of uncertainty. "I'm fine. Just a bit tired," she replied. Eve was trying to keep her tone casual, but I saw the underlying tension. "My powers have been a bit wonky lately. We've been so busy that I don't think it's anything more than simple fatigue."

I shot her a skeptical glance. Over the past few months, Eve and I had become close friends. I was not entirely convinced by her explanation. "Are you sure it's just exhaustion? Maybe you should take it easy for a bit," I suggested as I paused my taco-making endeavors. I was worried it was related to whatever Miletus had done with that artifact to weaken her before but that had been neutralized, so it couldn't have been that.

"You can make your customers wait, you know. After all, it takes time for most to make something with such brilliance. You should rest those magical muscles of yours." Faith's tone was teasing, but there was a hint of genuine worry.

Eve hesitated for a moment. Her gaze flickered between us. Her expression softened with gratitude and affection. "I've built my reputation on speedy results. I can't very well let my customers down now. And erection potions are tricky business. If I don't continue Mr. Stanley won't be able to give his wife the anniversary gift he's been planning on."

Faith arched an eyebrow and said, "We wouldn't want Mrs. Stanley to miss out on her potion-infused anniversary surprise. She's going to be a happy woman this year since her gift comes with a side of ‘love potion number nine'."

We all laughed at that for a few seconds. Eve sobered quickly and continued grinding an herb with her mortar. "Seriously, I appreciate the concern. I will be alright once I get some of those tacos in me. I see you're making a new recipe," she replied, changing the subject. "Are those poblano peppers?"

Going along with it, I nodded and continued chopping the vegetables for the tacos. The rhythmic sound of the knife hitting the cutting board filled the room. It was punctuated by the occasional clink of ice cubes in glasses. "Yep. It's a new recipe. You know I'm a sucker for tacos of all kinds."

"You succumbed to those recipe reels, didn't you?" Faith asked as she started making another batch of her signature margaritas. A playful smirk danced on her lips as she added an extra splash of tequila and waited for my answer.

A laugh escaped me as I stirred the chicken and added the herbs and spices. "You know how the scroll sucks you in once you get started. It's like falling down a rabbit hole of endless fascination, where each sentence is a winding tunnel leading to unexpected discoveries."

Tegan chuckled. "Now I understand why you wanted to do taco night. And here I thought you guys were trying to keep me busy."

I rolled my eyes and smiled at her. "It's no fun trying something new alone. I needed my guinea pigs," I replied. The truth was that we were trying to keep her mind off her marriage and how it was falling apart .

"I don't mind being your test subject for tacos," Faith replied and settled her gaze on Tegan. "It's a bonus that we can keep you occupied, T. How are things with you and Spencer these days anyway?"

Tegan let out a heavy sigh. Her gaze was distant as she contemplated her answer. "It's complicated," she replied as she sipped her drink. "I'm not sure where things stand with Spencer right now."

Sensing Tegan's unease, Eve reached out to place a comforting hand on her arm. "We're here for you, Tegan," she said softly. "Whatever you decide, we've got your back. You're not in this alone."

Tegan offered her a grateful smile before turning back to the rest of us. "I appreciate that," she said sincerely. "Honestly, I'm not sure if getting back together with Spencer is the right move. It's like... I feel like I don't even know him anymore."

I nodded in understanding. Sympathy for her situation tugged at my heartstrings. Spencer had become a vampire. He literally wasn't the same man she married. I couldn't begin to fathom how you would deal with that. Not that long ago, I underwent a transformation courtesy of the goddess, Artemis, but I was single when it happened and didn't have to deal with a spouse in the process.

"I get what you mean," I said as I finished the meat mixture. "All you can do is take it one day at a time."

Faith grabbed a shell and started filling it. "Tacos and tequila will help you think things through, T." She took a bite and groaned. "These are delicious, Nishi. Definitely keep them in the rotation."

"I plan on it..." My reply was cut off by the shrill ring of my phone. It shattered the peaceful ambiance of our gathering and jolted us out of our relaxed state. With a sigh, I glanced at the caller ID. My brow furrowed. Why was Elijah calling ?

Swiping the green bar, I put the call on speakerphone. "Hey, Elijah. What's up?" I answered in a friendly tone.

"I need you to get to Harmonia Grove, Nishi. And bring Faith, Eve, and Tegan if you can. Something's happened." Elijah's voice crackled through the line. The urgency in his tone made my heart race.

I exchanged a puzzled glance with Faith, Eve, and Tegan before replying. "What do you mean, something's happened? Can't you be a bit more specific?" My mind raced through a million possibilities as I checked my waistband for my kris knives.

"It's... hard to explain. Just come quickly. Please," Elijah pleaded. The strain in his voice spoke volumes. I doubted they were under attack. He wouldn't be so calm.

"Sure. We will be there shortly," I agreed. With a resigned sigh, I hung up the phone and turned to my friends. "Damn. Our peaceful evening just took a nosedive. Good thing we can reheat this food later."

We quickly stashed the taco fixings safely in Eve's fridge. With that done, we made our way out of the Blue Moon. I hated leaving behind the tantalizing aroma of spices and sizzling meat. It was my happy place. Eve locked the door behind us, and we set off toward the council chambers. Faith floored it as she maneuvered through the quiet streets.

She drove right up to the council chambers and apprehension gnawed at the edges of my mind. Elijah's call had left me on edge and the thought of facing Lucinda and Caton only added to my unease. I steeled myself to ignore Plastic Barbie's jibes and get through the portal.

"Has the world gone crazy?" Faith asked when we entered the building. "Caton and Lucinda aren't gracing us with their presence for once." I understood Faith's confusion. They were always there to give us a hard time .

"Maybe they're off getting more silicone injected into Lucinda's body," I added with a smirk. They laughed at that while I entered our destination into the portal computer. We moved quickly to the opening and stepped into the light. It was getting easier to travel via this magical passage and I hardly felt sick when we stepped through.

A gasp left me when I looked around Harmonia Grove. Once a verdant oasis teeming with life and magic, it now lay before us as a shadow of its former self. The once-lush foliage was withering and wilting. The vibrant colors were now muted to include shades of brown and gray. One of the things I loved about the place when I first visited was how it smelled like the sweet scent of blooming flowers everywhere.

"Wow. Harmonia Grove looks... different," Faith observed. Her disbelief echoed mine as we surveyed the landscape before us.

"Yeah, you could say that," I replied. "I don't remember it being quite so... lifeless. Not that everything is dead, but it feels that way."

Eve frowned and her brow furrowed in concern. "It's like someone drained all the magic out of this place." That was a stark observation and gave me the chills. What could have done this? Did Apollo take it when he was here?

Tegan nodded in agreement. Her expression mirrored our collective dismay. "It's heartbreaking," she murmured. "I've only been here one time, but the change is soul-deep."

We fell silent as we made our way deeper into Harmonia Grove. The stark contrast between its current state and its former glory became even more pronounced. The once-bustling wildlife and population had all but disappeared. It was replaced by an eerie silence that hung heavy in the air. Where was everyone?

The sight before us made me think of the fragility of magic and the consequences of its misuse. That wasn't the case with the Apollonians, so why the change? My mind tried to work through the issue while taking in the once vibrant and lush Harmonia Grove. There wasn't even a symphony of chirping birds and rustling leaves.

"How is it so quiet here now?" I whispered.

Eve shook her head and swallowed. "I have no idea."

Faith wrinkled her nose in distaste as she surveyed the community. "What? It's a cheerful sight," she remarked dryly.

Tegan shivered and rubbed her hands up and down her arms. "It's like the life has been sucked out of this place," she murmured.

We fell silent as Elijah walked out of the main Luminara Sanctum and lifted a hand in greeting. His usual warmth was replaced by a furrowed brow and troubled expression. "Thank you for coming."

I smiled at him and stopped a few feet away. "Of course. What's going on? Your community has... changed." A handful of his people finally exited their houses and gathered in the street nearby.

They were no longer the kind and welcoming beings we had once known. They regarded us with wary suspicion and their once-friendly demeanor had been replaced by a cold hostility. The tension in the air grew palpable, and a sense of foreboding hung over us like a shroud.

"Does it have something to do with this newfound unfriendliness?" Faith asked.

Elijah sighed heavily. His shoulders slumped under the weight of his troubled thoughts. "It's... complicated," he replied. There was resignation in his voice.

Eve raised an eyebrow. "Complicated how?" she pressed. She was the magical genius and if anyone could help the Apollonians, it would be her. Faith and I could fight off hordes of demons to protect them, and Tegan could protect their artifacts, but Eve could do something that might actually solve their problems.

Elijah began to recount the events that had led to the grove's decline. I could feel the weight on his heart. It made my chest ache in sympathy. The others around us flinched when he talked about how one of their own had lost his mind. The guy was having violent outbursts that had shattered their peace. His antics had caused the growing sense of unease that now gripped the once-thriving community.

"Would you examine Landon for me?" Elijah asked when he was done telling us about Landon and Harmonia Grove's decline.

"Sure," Eve agreed immediately. I could see the wheels churning in her head. Was it possible that Rerek's virus had just hit this community? It seemed unlikely. The god was sealed off from his priests and could no longer spread his chaos.

"What do you mean when you say he ‘lost his mind' exactly?" I asked as we followed him inside. I understood the violent outbursts, but that didn't mean he was insane. There had to be more to it than yelling and fighting. That wouldn't cause Harmonia Grove to start declining like it had.

"It's hard to explain. You'll see in a second," Elijah muttered, his steps quickening as we moved through the building.

I stopped in my tracks when I caught sight of the Apollonian. He lay motionless on a stone slab. His eyes were vacant and unseeing. I was surprised he wasn't drooling. "This is bad," Faith whispered.

Eve extended her hand over Landon and chanted something under her breath. I had no idea what and I didn't see any of her magic. She lifted her head and looked at Elijah. "There's something powerful at work here. I can't get a read on what kind of magic."

"I surmised as much," Elijah replied.

Faith and Eve flanked me on either side with Tegan lingering a few steps behind as we watched Landon. The weight of Elijah's expectation pressed down on me as if I was trapped under a bus. What in the hell did he expect us to do? If Eve couldn't determine what was going on, then how were we supposed to have any answers ?

With a sudden spike of fury, the Apollonian surged up from the slab and broke free from his bonds. My focus snapped to the guy as he lunged toward me with a primal roar. Instinct kicked in, and I moved to meet his attack. I dodged his frenzied blows with calculated precision.

The ground beneath us trembled with the force of our struggle while Elijah and several others watched. I thought I caught sight of at least one elder in the mix. I grunted as our bodies collided in a flurry of motion. Each blow landed with a resounding thud and the sound echoed through the building like a thunderclap.

"Careful, Nishi!" Faith's voice cut through the chaos. I could hear her eagerness underlying her words. She wanted to join the fight.

I grunted in acknowledgment. My focus remained laser-sharp as I fought to keep the deranged Apollonian at bay. Despite his erratic movements, there was a method to Landon's madness. I saw a calculated ferocity that hinted at a deeper, darker force at play with him. A second later, Eve's magic crackled and fizzled around us. It was a faint blue glow that hummed around him. But even her formidable powers seemed to waver in the face of the relentless onslaught.

"What's wrong with him?" Tegan's voice was filled with apprehension as she watched the chaos unfold.

I spared her a quick glance. "No idea. But whatever it is, we need to stop him before he hurts someone."

The blue light finally encompassed Landon making it impossible for him to reach me. Stepping back, I watched as he fought the magical bonds. The Luminara Sanctum, a sacred space steeped in tradition and mystique, crackled with an uncomfortable tension as we tried to help this poor soul.

My skin prickled and I swear there were unspoken accusations floating around us. Glancing over, I noted all the elders were present. Each had a stern gaze that was trying to pierce my skull. It made me highly uncomfortable. Did they blame me?

Candlelight flickered against the ancient stone walls and cast shifting shadows that danced with the restless energy pulsating throughout the chamber. In the center of the sanctum, Eve stood with her arms outstretched. Her slender figure was bathed in a soft glow as she tried to keep hold of Landon. Beads of perspiration dotted her brow, and her features twisted in frustration.

"You okay, Eve? Faith and I can tie this asshole up," I offered as I watched her struggle.

"We need answers, and we need them now," Elijah told her.

Faith paced anxiously beside me. Her footfalls echoed like gunshots off the ancient stone floor. "Eve is doing her best. Don't push your luck, Elijah. You asked for our help."

"I understand, but if we don't figure this out, we are going to lose Harmonia Grove. Whatever happened to Landon, kick-started the decline of our lands," Elijah replied.

As Eve continued to struggle, a heavy silence settled over the sanctum. It was punctuated only by the soft hum of her energy and the occasional rustle of robes. The elders watched with a mixture of skepticism and doubt. Their faces were etched with worry as they waited for a breakthrough that seemed increasingly elusive.

Despite her best efforts, Eve's magic remained stubborn as if she were fighting an uphill battle. I swear it seemed to slip through her fingers like grains of sand. At least that was how it felt to me through our bond. With a defeated sigh, Eve lowered her arms. Her shoulders slumped with exhaustion. "I'm sorry, everyone," she admitted. "I just can't seem to maintain my magical connection."

A collective murmur of concern rippled through the room as we exchanged worried glances. We were all grappling with the implications of Eve's sudden loss of power. If she was unable to harness her abilities, then we truly faced a dire situation. Before we could dwell on the gravity of Eve's predicament, the heavy wooden doors of the sanctum swung open with a resounding thud. It heralded the arrival of unexpected visitors.

My heart sank as a squad of Milens stormed into the chamber. Their presence cast a palpable shadow of dread over the already tense atmosphere. "Looks like they took a wrong turn at the ‘Welcome' sign," I muttered darkly under my breath and braced myself for the chaos that was about to unfold.