Silence descended in the hall as Sheila's question hung in the air. The people surrounding the table, which had moments ago been caught up in Nathan’s mild accusation against Jan, now turned their attention to the subject of Eva.During the reunion of Nathan, and his family, Shane had been the first to notice Yodah carrying an unconscious Eva in his arms. His gasp of alarm had attracted the others, and cut short the reunion, at least until Yodah had vaguely told what had happened, and until they had confined her to bed rest, this time borne out of magic.It was clear to everyone present that something was terribly wrong with the little girl.Yodah broke the silence first. "Eva was not herself," He began, his voice steady but filled with concern. "Yes, she had attacked first, just like she had attacked Esther, but it was not her doing. As I mentioned earlier, Eva is currently possessed. I’m not sure by what, but Prescott had been the one to actually knock her unconscious before disa

"The ritual we must perform to cleanse Eva of the demon's possession is ancient and powerful," Nathan began, his voice carrying the weight of centuries-old wisdom. "It is a rite passed down through generations, designed to purge even the darkest of forces."Peter, sitting across from Nathan, leaned in, his eyes reflecting a mix of hope and fear. The others remained silent, hanging on Nathan's every word."First, we will need to form a protective circle around Eva," Nathan explained, gesturing to the empty space void of furniture; as if to say that the space could be used. "Salt, iron, and holy water must be placed at the cardinal points to create a barrier that the demon cannot cross. Each of us will hold a lit candle, symbolizing the light that will drive out the darkness."He paused now, taking on a deep breath, as if his next words were quite heavy. “I’m not with the book needed for this, but I think I still have the incantation in my head. Ah, I would have brought our healer, if

As Emma, Amelia, and Prescott materialized at the gates of Annabel's mansion, they were met with a sight that took their breath away. The mansion stood proudly atop a hill, its grandeur unmistakable even from a distance. Surrounded by vast expanses of land, with a dense forest looming nearby, the house seemed to exude an aura of mystery and intrigue.The mansion itself was a testament to old wealth and opulence, its imposing facade adorned with intricate carvings and ornate details. Gargoyles perched ominously on the corners of the roof, their stone forms weathered by time but still retaining an air of silent vigilance.The gates through which Emma, Amelia and Prescott had arrived were wrought iron, their intricate designs hinting at the wealth and power that lay beyond. As they passed through, the gates creaked open with an eerie sense of anticipation, as if welcoming them into a world of secrets and shadows.The driveway leading up to the mansion was lined with ancient trees, their

“So, how did you guys get here so fast?” Annabel asked Emma after they all had dinner. They were reclining on sofas in the smaller sitting room which didn’t befog Emma’s mind like the big one.After Annabel had found them at her doorstep, after they had exchanged pleasantries, she had taken them to the rooms which she had been preparing for them before the knock had sounded on the door. At first, Annabel had thought it was an intruder, someone lost, knocking on the door. Over the months and years, she had usually gotten them, people that lost their way, and seeing an old gigantic mission in the middle of nowhere, had thought to seek refuge. Some, she gave refuge. Some, she turned away. She was very skilled in knowing the intent behind a request. But then she had found Emma, the new friend that she had made on the airplane, the girl who had the fate of this particular earth in her hands. That was huge work. She had thought when she had been let in on the destiny of Emma, by whateve

Emma couldn't contain her happiness when Annabel revealed that she knew the location the coordinates pointed to. It felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders, knowing that she had finally solved her mother's puzzle. She couldn't help but grin from ear to ear as she exchanged "I told you so" glances with Prescott and Amelia.Seeing Annabel's understanding filled Emma with a sense of accomplishment. Left for her alone, she would have spent countless hours deciphering the clue left behind by her mother, determined to unravel the mystery that would have haunted her for so long. And now, her effort in trusting Annabel has finally paid off.But amidst her happiness, Emma couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air. She could sense Prescott's lingering suspicion, his eyes darting between Annabel and the coordinates. Despite Annabel's assurances, he still harbored doubts, and Emma knew that she would have to tread carefully around him.But for now, she pushed asid