Page 95 of Wedded Witch

I set my phone down, the weight of my mother’s words echoing in my mind. Looking up, I notice Sol and Kel focused on the damage around the diner, but Ri is watching me, concern etched on his face.

I frown. I thought he was going into Spells Hollow? Why is he still here?

I can’t ignore the nagging feeling that something isn’t right, especially after our evasive exchange about the town.

As we start clearing debris and it feels like we’re just moving piles of rubble from one location to another, Kel suggests we take a break.

“Let’s regroup and make a plan. We can’t tackle everything at once.” He wipes sweat from his brow. “I want to check on the next town over too. There could be people who need our help.”

“Swyn, are you okay?” Sol asks gently, stepping closer. His eyes bore into mine, filled with a mix of worry and something deeper. “You seemed off during breakfast.”

I hesitate, unsure whether to open up about the call. But with the storm’s aftermath around us, I know we need to be honest. “I just talked to my mom. She thinks I’m on a honeymoon with Oland, but I’m not sure how to explain everything.”

Sol’s brow furrows. “You’re safe here, right? That’s what matters.”

I nod, but my heart feels heavy. “It’s not just about safety. I feel this pull between my responsibilities back home and…this. You guys. I can’t help but feel like I’m running away.”

Kel steps in, sensing the turmoil in me. “Hey, it’s okay to feel confused. You don’t have to decide everything right now. We’re all in this together.”

Just then, a distant sound breaks through the silence—the rumble of thunder, even though the skies seem clear. I squint, heart racing. “Did you guys hear that?”

Before anyone can respond, a figure emerges from the trees, mud-splattered and weary. My heart skips—it’s Mavis, her expression grave.

“You need to see this. It’s bad in Spells Hollow. You’re not going to believe what I found.”

My stomach knots as Mavis approaches, urgency in her steps. She sees me and blanches.Why?

“It’s okay, Mavis,” Sol says reassuringly. “Swyn’s a witch too.”

Too?Does he mean… I glance at Mavis and gasp. “You’re a witch?”

“No time to explain, child. Are you part of this or not?” I baulk at the way she calls me child, reminding me somuch of Gramps, but say nothing as we huddle around her, the atmosphere shifting from casual camaraderie to something more serious.

“What is it?” Ri demands, concern and tension etched across his features.

Mavis hesitates, then says, “I found something—something about the storm. It wasn’t just a natural disaster. There’s something darker at play here.”

I knew it. But the revelation still sends a chill through me. The weight of my earlier worries about Oland, the storm, and my feelings for the guys are all pressing down on me.

“What do you mean?” I ask, my voice hoarse as my throat suddenly feels parched.

“There are signs of magic—powerfuldarkmagic—used in the storm. It wasn’t just weather; it was intentional,” Mavis explains, her tone serious. “And if that’s true, then we’re not safe. Not yet.”

Panic rises in my chest, but I steel myself. This isn’t just about my feelings anymore; it’s about our survival.

“We have to prepare,” Kel says. “We can’t just sit back and wait for whatever this is to come after us.”

“After Swyn,” Ri corrects firmly.

“W-What?” I stare at him. He stares right back, his gaze assessing and assured.

“You know,” he says again, his voice low but unwavering.

“What’s going on?” Sol asks calmly, his brow furrowing deeper.

I ignore them both, turning to the crazy old lady instead. “Mavis, please,” I urge. “What exactly did you find?”

She takes a deep breath, her hands trembling slightly as she pulls something from her pocket—a small, weathered sheet of paper that looks to have been torn from a book.

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