As we enter, my heart races. The inside is hot and humid, dimly lit, and teeming with people. I scan the faces – a few familiar, but Lucien's isn't among them. "Here comes the birthday girl!" Ahren announces, and the crowd turns, erupting into cheers that startle me. Ahren hands me a beer, and I'm engulfed in a sea of revelers. Many seem inebriated as they pat my back and offer birthday wishes. I smile at the ones I recognize, then wiggle my way out of the throng. Ahren places a hand on my waist and twirls me around. "Where are you off to?" he asks. "Oh my god, Ahren! Are you drunk?" I gaze at him in disbelief. I push him, but he keeps grinning and responds, "You brought me here, you idiot!" "Alora, don't be so nervous. I've only had three." He laughs, and his breath carries another scent. He brushes my bangs away. "What's this?" I inquire as he reaches for my shirt. Glancing down, I notice the tooth necklace is gone. I gently move his hand and fix it back. "Nothing, just somethi

I think it's a smart idea to check Azura's piano a few hours after the party. She might not have hidden anything in her room, but she could have stashed things elsewhere. I discover a notebook beneath the piano's lid, tucked amidst the strings so it doesn't obstruct the keys. It's the perfect lead. Azura has meticulously documented her notes from Dorothy's books on the pages, filling the journal from beginning to end. It even includes the locations of the plants she wrote about in her journal. Yet, as I peruse the notebook for the umpteenth time, I can't help but feel like this isn't everything. She would have needed more than one journal. I still don't know what she did with the plants after she located them. This journal only informs her which plants she requires, why she requires them, and where to find them. Dorothy mentioned having a garden, but it remained elusive to everyone. If Azura delved into magic, she would have noted how and why she selected these plants. The initial

"Here's everything you need to know about the town's history. Is this for a school project?" Anne-Marie, the town's sole librarian, places three books on the table beside me. I've been poring over a book about medicinal plants, but it's not yielding much. I've had a fascination with and knowledge of plants since I was a child, so nothing here surprises me. I know everything there is to know about herbology. I'm missing something. Even though Azura was researching herbs, her notebook seems to be about something different. I flash a smile as I open one of the books and reply, "It's for research." The book contains a list of the families that founded the town and the businesses that have been established since. Only two remain: the post office and Barnaby's, a pub situated on the corner of the central square. "Well, if you need any assistance, you know where to find me. Send my regards to Dorothy the next time you see her. I've missed our monthly bridge gatherings the last few times."

I rise when the curtain falls, and Zaven playfully winks as we disperse backstage, followed by the thunderous applause from the audience. It's the second-to-last night of Giselle, and we've just finished the final act. Zaven groans, "I need pizza," as we head toward the dressing rooms. "Wanna grab some after we're done here?" I watch the lead actors rush to the lobby to meet their fans. I had hoped to be Giselle in my winter show, but I missed too much and my understudy took my place. Still, I'm thankful I could participate as an ensemble member. "Hello," Zaven waves a hand in front of me. "Pizza!" I grin, "Yeah, sure. Invite the others!" "Duh!" He chuckles and disappears into his dressing room. I close the door behind me and change out of my costume with the other ensemble girls. They're all singing a song from My Fair Lady. Most of them are sophomores and juniors, with only one other senior like me. Most seniors have transferred to dance academies to pursue a ballet career. I

He is facing away from me, bent over a bloody body. His shoulders are hunched, and he screams as if breaking. I cover my ears, but his agony remains in my mind. "Save him." I turn to find a petite woman looking at me. She's covered in freckles, framed by white-blond hair, and has piercing blue eyes. Tears stream down her face as she gazes at the injured man. Her bottom lip trembles, and she breathes in sharply. "It's not his fault," she whispers, her hands resting on her swollen belly. I blink, and she vanishes. She reappears next to the man, who cradles a newborn in his arms, soothing the crying baby. A sandy-colored wolf emerges from the bushes, approaching the man without hesitation. She sniffs the baby before licking the man's hands and wagging her tail. Soft whines escape her, and he embraces her, placing the baby on the ground for her to see. The wolf lies down, curling around the swaddled infant, resting her head on the man's lap. He places a hand on her head, and they shar