Chapter 287

“What is what?” I looked around, trying to see what she was pointing at. I turned to look behind me, but there was nothing. I turned back and all of their faces, lit by the glow of the flames, were full of disbelief.

Micca came over and pulled out her phone. “Don’t move.” She took a photo and then turned it around. The screen was dark except for the fire to my right and…

I touched my forehead where new markings were glowing in the dark. It lit the top of my face; the glow was so strong you could just make out my eyes in the darkness. A soft blue, white light emanated from the design carved by the goddesses. I traced the design, awe filled my chest, and a soft tingle hit my fingertips. Before there was just a crescent moon, but now, the crescent moon shifted to a full moon in the center, and two crescent moons on the sides. Vines wrapped around the crescent moons, trailing up into my hair and down the sides of my face. I brushed it again and I felt a stronger vibration in my fingertips. “I don’t know,” the words were a whisper from my lips. I closed my eyes and felt the burn on my forehead again with each kiss. The moon goddess changed her design, and the three-faced goddess added her own.

“You have been blessed by both goddesses,” Hanna’s voice was filled with awe and worry.

“Okay, walk us through what happened,” Wendy steered us back to what I was talking about.

“Toya left me to think over what she said, and I turned back to Carl’s last rites. I didn’t know what I was supposed to do, and just filling in the grave seemed too impersonal. Then my grandmother showed up, helping me. She told me to listen to myself, and in doing so, I apparently made a new spell.”

“A new spell…” Wendy looked back to the gravesite. “For what, exactly?”

“I’m not sure. I just wanted to protect his grave. My grandma said I created a shield spell.” I raised my shoulder. I glanced over at the hole, and I knew I had to go back to finish. But my mind spun with another idea when I turned back to the cabin.

“Do you create new spells all the time?” Her words pulled me from my own thoughts and back to the conversation. I turned to her, and I found Hanna already looking at me, her eyes bouncing between my own and my forehead.

“No,” I shook my head. “It’s never happened before.”

“What about other people?” Micca pointed out.

“I don’t know, but she said that wolves were blessed with the power to create spells.”

“Until you,” Toya finished, and I nodded. “Then two goddesses showed up to bless you. Why?”

“They need something.” Wendy grabbed my hand. “They need something from you and it’s dangerous.” I looked away. “What do they need you for, Amy?” I looked away from her, but she could see it. “They want you to risk something, do something that is dangerous.” I looked down at my nails, not knowing how to answer. “Amy,” Toya grabbed me by my shoulders. “Tell me she’s wrong.” I stayed silent and looked into her eyes, begging for her to understand. “Tell me she is wrong, Amy. Tell me that the goddesses were just blessing you because you are descended from them. Tell us you’re going to be smart and safe, and not jumping in feet first into something stupid and dangerous.” She waited for a minute but I stayed silent. “Tell us, Amy,” she shook me. “TELL US.” I could see something akin to panic enter her eyes.

I reached out and cupped her wrists. Everyone seemed to come closer, staring at me with worry in their eyes. They didn’t actually say that, not really.

“What did they say, then?” Hanna raised a brow, and I felt a ghost of a smile lift my lips.

I stepped back, pulling Toya’s hands from my shoulders and turning to the fire. “You know our world has shifted. With these attacks, losing the Lycans, everything has been changing for years. And there is something, someone behind it all.”

“Stop trying to explain,” Micca cut in, her voice a little angry. “If we allow you to explain, it will sound reasonable to us. You will explain it in a way that we will have to agree.” She waved her hands. “Just tell us what they said, and then you can make your explanation when I have had more sleep, and I have the ability to form arguments.” I snorted and then nodded.

“They said that they needed a champion. To stop the end of the world…our world. They both need a champion to stop the evil hiding in the darkness.”

Chapter 288