Page 56 of Shapeshifter's Vengeance

"Evelyn, I need to meet you. It's urgent," Karla says, her voice tense.

"I'm on my way," I reply, hanging up and rushing to my car.

The drive to the meeting spot is a blur. I arrive to find Karla already there, waiting. She gestures for me to get into her car, and I slide into the passenger seat, the tension between us palpable.

"Karla, I've been having these visions. They’re getting worse," I begin, my voice shaking.

Karla nods, her eyes serious. "I know someone who can help. An old witch living in a cottage outside of town. We need to go there."

I hesitate, glancing at her. "Are you sure about this?"

"Yes," she says firmly. "We don't have much time."

We drive in silence, the road winding through the dense forest. The further we go, the more uneasy I feel. Something about this isn't right, but I trust Karla. I have to.

We finally pull up to a small, weathered cottage. It looks abandoned, the windows dusty and the garden overgrown. I get out of the car, glancing around nervously.

"Who used to live here?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

"An old witch," Karla replies. "She’s the only one who can help with your visions."

I move to knock on the door, but a sharp pain erupts in my side. I gasp, looking down to see a dagger embedded in my flesh. I collapse into Karla’s arms, my vision blurring.

"Why?" I manage to whisper, the pain overwhelming.

Karla’s face is cold and unrecognizable. "It’s not what you think."

She drags me inside the cottage as my consciousness slips away.

I open my eyes, groggy and disoriented. The room is cold and smells of damp earth and herbs. I try to move, but ropes bite into my wrists and ankles. Panic starts to rise in my chest as I realize I'm tied to a chair. Beside me, I see Karla, barely breathing, her face pale and drawn.

"Cassandra," I whisper, the name slipping from my lips like a curse.

A figure steps into the light, her form shifting from Karla's familiar shape to her true self. Cassandra's cruel smile spreads across her face.

"Surprised, Evelyn?" she asks, her voice dripping with mockery. "You and Karla are so predictable."

"Cassandra, why?" My voice trembles with a mix of fear and anger. "What do you want?"

She laughs, a sound that sends chills down my spine. "Revenge, of course. Alexei abandoned me, and now he will suffer as I have suffered."

She pulls out her phone, dialing a number. "I've got them both," she says into the phone. "Evelyn and Karla are in custody now."

I can barely make out the voice on the other end, but it sounds satisfied. Cassandra hangs up and turns her attention back to us.

"Why are you doing this?" I ask, desperation edging my voice.

"I don't have time for a long explanation," she replies, walking over to me. "Now, it's my turn to have fun."

She twists the dagger embedded in my side, and a scream tears from my throat. The pain is excruciating, white-hot, and all-consuming. I can feel my magic struggling to surface, but the pain is too intense.

"Stop!" I gasp, my vision blurring with tears. "Please, stop."

Cassandra's smile widens. "Begging already, Evelyn? How disappointing."

Karla stirs beside me, her eyes fluttering open. "Evelyn..." she whispers, her voice weak.

"Cassandra, this isn't going to end well for you," I manage to say, trying to keep my voice steady. "Alexei will find us."

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