Page 147 of Barbi and the Villain

“You have seen the future. But what about the past?”

Lispera frowns, holding tighter onto her baby.

“What do you mean?”

Herwa takes a deep breath.

“You can see her future from this point in time. But what if?—”

“What you are suggesting is forbidden,” Lispera gasps.

“Not any more forbidden than what you have already done, my lady. Shall I remind you who her father is?”

Lispera blushes, glancing away.

“It is because of who her parents are that she will be targeted. She may not be the firstborn, but she is still the daughter of a Supreme and of a half Primordial. That alone will make her a beacon for those wretched demons.”

“Take away her powers,” Herwa suggests. “Leave only enough to see her through hard times, but take most of her spiritual ability away from her.”

Lispera bites her lip as she stares at her baby.

“You know what that does to our kind, Herwa. She will feel the emptiness her entire life.”

“But she will be alive.”

Lispera spends a few moments debating what to do. With a weary sigh, she places the child on the bed, then removes the cloth wrapped around the baby to reveal her naked flesh. Placing her open palm on her torso, she chants something under her breath. A stark light erupts, a ball of energy coming out from the baby. She maneuvers the energy around, wincing as she tries to control it.

“The jar, Herwa. Give me my jar,” she commands.

Herwa rushes to the dresser, rummaging through a few trunks until she finds the jar in question. Grabbing it with both hands, she runs back to Lispera. Once close to the energy source, she opens the jar and Lispera pushes the energy ball inside. They both immediately snap the lid shut and Lispera uses her power to seal it.

But just as she releases a sigh of relief, her eyes go white. Her spine straightens, and she throws her head back.

Tears course down her cheeks and she cries out in anguish.

“My lady!” Herwa shakes her. “Snap out of it.”

Seconds pass before Lispera’s eyes regain their brown hue.

“It did not work, Herwa. We have not changed her fate at all—merely bought her some more time.”

Herwa’s features tighten, and she glances down at the chubby baby.

“Then the past is our only option. Depending on how far we go back, no one will know who she is, right?”

“It is worth a try.” Lispera nods, bundling her baby against her chest. “Anything as long as she survives until I can meet her again.”

I slowly open my eyes to find myself back at the cabin. In my bed. There is a warm body next to me, and as I peek over my shoulder, I note Nykander is fast asleep and hugging me from behind.

My lips stretch into a satisfied smile as I turn to study him.

He has such long lashes for a guy. They’re longer than mine!

And his lips. They’re so full and thick.

I shake myself as a blush climbs up my cheeks.

“Are you enjoying the view?” he drawls, slowly opening his eyes.

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