Page 14 of An Ancient Power's Revenge

Alexei’s eyebrows furrowed into a frown. “What do you mean?”

“I know you're upset but listen. The witches are responsible for creating many of the magical tools that nearly every supernatural community has, right? So, I figured they would have made the talisman too.”

I paused, checking for Alexei’s expression for annoyance. He seemed slightly annoyed by my words.

“And? What did you find out?”

“I was right. Karla said the witches were the ones that made the talisman. If anyone can help us track it down, it's them. There should be some sort of thing to help track down the talisman, Karla promised to search for it. Maybe we have a chance at finding our killer.” I explained, hoping he would see the logic in seeking their assistance.

He furrowed his brows, still uncertain. ‘But we’ve been investigating on our own. Why involve your coven now?”

I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. “Our investigation isn't getting us anywhere. The Luminara witches have a connection to the magic they infused in the talisman. They might sense something we've missed.”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Fine, let's see what they can do. But we can't afford any complications, Evelyn.”

I nodded, appreciating his concern.

We approached the table, and I greeted my fellow witches. "Hello, everyone. I know this meeting was short notice, but we need your help."

The coven acknowledged us with nods, and Karla motioned for us to sit.

I took a moment to explain the situation – Mark's death, the missing talisman, and the looming threat to Harmony Grove. The witches listened attentively, their eyes fixated on me the entire time.

"The talisman," Karla began, her voice a resonant hum, "was a gift to the werewolf pack to maintain the delicate balance in Harmony Grove. It holds the essence of the moon's magic, a force that strengthens the pack and ensures their connection to their supernatural nature."

I leaned forward, absorbing every word. "But what happens if it falls into the wrong hands?"

Karla’s eyes darkened with concern. "The talisman, when wielded by someone with ill intent, can amplify dark forces. It has the potential to disrupt the harmony between the supernatural beings in our community, leading to chaos and conflict."

My mind raced with the implications. The talisman wasn't just a trinket but a linchpin in the delicate balance we fought to maintain. "Is there a way to track it? To find out who took it and why?"

Karla nodded. "The magic infused in the talisman has a unique signature. We can attempt a ritual to trace its location, but it requires a connection to the person it was created for."

Alexei frowned, a hint of frustration in his voice. "How do we establish that connection? Mark is no longer here."

“Tracking a talisman requires delicate magic. But it's possible. We need a connection to the item, something personal. Do you have anything belonging to Mark?”

I frowned. “No.”

“Okay. What about something he might have touched while he was here?”

I was racking my brain for what Karla said when Alexei spoke up.

“Um… will this help?” He said, bringing a handkerchief from his pocket and giving it to Karla. “He was very sweaty on the night of the peace treaty signing. I gave him my handkerchief to use. It's washed now so I don't know if it’ll be of any help.”

Karla examined the handkerchief, her fingers brushing over its surface. "Good. This will help us establish a connection. Follow me."

***

We had to wait until it was dark to start the ritual. We didn’t want anybody catching a whiff of what we were about to do. Mark’s death is still a closely guarded secret and the last thing we wanted was the wolves coming up against us. The whole peace treaty would be off the table then.

Karla led Alexei, the other witches, and I to a clearing for a ritual. The air buzzed with anticipation, the night holding secrets that seemed to whisper through the rustling leaves.

Karla and the other witches arranged symbols on the ground, their movements deliberate and purposeful. I exchanged glances with Alexei, a silent acknowledgment of the hope we invested in this ritual. If anyone could uncover the masked trail of the talisman, it was these witches.

As Karla started the ritual, her voice resonated through the night, a melodic chant that blended seamlessly with the rustling leaves and the distant howls of nocturnal creatures. The moon bathed the clearing in its silvery glow, casting an ethereal light on the symbols etched into the ground.

The air hummed with magical energy, and I couldn't help but feel a tingle on my skin as Karla's chants gained momentum. Her voice was becoming louder, and the rest were catching up too. We all stood in the dark with one unified thought, hoping theycould establish a connection to the talisman and help us find the murderer before it was too late.

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