Page 25 of Shapeshifter's Vengeance

She turns to leave, but I hesitate. "Karla, do you think the others will ever trust me?"

She pauses, her expression softening slightly. "I doubt it, Evelyn. You haven’t given them a reason to think you’re for them, even if you are part of us."

"I hope they don’t hate me," I say quietly.

Karla sighs. "It’s not about hate. It’s about trust. You need to show them where your loyalties lie."

"I understand," I reply. "Thank you for agreeing to help."

Karla nods, a faint smile on her lips. "We’ll meet later tonight. Be prepared."

As I leave the coven hall, I feel a mix of hope and anxiety. I drive back to Alexei’s house, my mind racing. I need this to work. We need to clear his name.

The evening drags on at Alexei’s house, and we wait anxiously for Karla to arrive. Alexei sits across from me, his face drawn with worry.

"Do you think she’ll come?" he asks.

"She will," I say, trying to sound more confident than I feel. "She knows you’re innocent."

He nods, but I can see the doubt in his eyes. The minutes tick by slowly, each one a reminder of how much is at stake.

Finally, there's a knock at the door. I rush to open it, and Karla steps inside, a bag slung over her shoulder.

"Let’s get this over with," she says, her voice firm.

We gather in the living room, and Karla begins to set up, drawing symbols on the floor with chalk and lighting candles. Alexei watches her, a mix of hope and fear in his eyes.

"Sit here," Karla instructs, pointing to a spot in the center of the symbols. Alexei obeys, and she places her hands on his temples, closing her eyes.

"Relax, Alexei," she murmurs. "Let your mind open. Let the memories flow."

I watch in silence, my heart pounding. Minutes pass, and I can see Alexei's face tense with concentration.

"I see...flashes," he says, his voice strained. "But it's not clear. There's something blocking it."

Karla frowns, her brow furrowing. "There’s dark magic at play here as I stated before," she mutters. "Something very strong."

"Can you break it?" I ask, desperation creeping into my voice.

"I’m trying," she replies, her voice tight with concentration. "But it’s not easy."

She chants softly, her hands glowing with a faint light. Alexei’s eyes close, and his breathing slows. The room feels charged with an odd energy, the air thick with tension.

Suddenly, Alexei gasps, his eyes flying open. "I remember...a figure. A shadowy figure. We were talking."

"What else?" Karla prompts, her voice urgent.

"That’s all," he says, frustration evident in his voice. "It’s all a blur just a shadowy figure."

Karla sighs, stepping back. "It’s something, at least. But there's still a block. Someone doesn’t want him to remember."

"Thank you," I say to Karla, my voice filled with gratitude. "This helps. It’s a start."

Karla nods, packing up her things. "I’ll look into it more. But be careful, Evelyn. This is dangerous magic we’re dealing with."

"I know," I reply. "And I appreciate your help."

As Karla leaves, I turn to Alexei, who looks exhausted but relieved.

---