Page 55 of Shapeshifter's Vengeance

I nod, making a note. “Good idea. Let’s do that.”

Another flash. Karla, bound and gagged, struggling against her restraints. I feel a sharp pain in my head and clutch my temples.

“Sheriff?” Stevens is at my side now, his hand on my shoulder. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I need some air,” I say, standing up abruptly. “Excuse me for a moment.”

I leave the office and step outside, taking deep breaths to calm myself. The visions have been getting more intense, more frequent. It’s like Karla is reaching out to me, trying to tell me something. I can’t ignore it any longer. I need to find her.

I get into my car and drive to the coven. The drive feels longer than usual, my mind racing with possibilities. When I arrive, I’m greeted by a young witch named Lily.

“Evelyn, what brings you here?” she asks, her brow furrowed in confusion.

“I need to see Karla,” I say urgently. “Is she here?”

Lily shakes her head. “She left for the station a few hours ago to see you. Didn’t you see her?”

“No, she never showed up,” I say, my worry growing. “Can you check her room? Maybe she came back and we didn’t notice.”

Lily nods and rushes off. I pace the hallway, the visions still flashing behind my eyes. I see Karla, her face pale, her body weak. The sense of urgency grows stronger.

Lily returns, shaking her head. “Her room is empty. No one has seen her.”

“Her car?” I ask, my heart pounding.

“It’s not here,” Lily confirms.

I feel a wave of panic. Something is terribly wrong. The visions are not just random flashes—they’re a call for help. I need to act fast.

“Thank you, Lily,” I say, heading back to my car.

My head pounds with the intensity of the visions. I can't shake the feeling that Karla is in grave danger.

I pace the hallway, my mind racing. My phone buzzes with messages from the station, but I can't focus on them. The visions are becoming unbearable, flashes of Karla in pain, calling for help.

Suddenly, a bloodcurdling scream echoes through the halls. My heart stops. I sprint towards the sound, following a group of witches into Karla's room. There, on the floor, lies one of our own, lifeless, a dagger protruding from her chest.

"Oh no," I mutter, crouching beside the body. It's clear she's been dead for a while, her skin pale and cold.

"Who found her?" I ask, looking around at the gathered witches.

"Me," says a trembling voice. It's Eliza, an elder witch. "I came to check on Karla and found her like this."

"This doesn't make sense," I say, standing up. "Karla was the last person seen leaving her own room. We need to find her, now."

I pull out my phone and dial the station. "This is Sheriff Evelyn. I need you to track Karla's phone immediately. And send more deputies to the coven to investigate a murder."

"Yes, Sheriff," comes the reply. I hang up and look at the witches.

"I'm going to find Karla," I announce. "Stay here and cooperate with the deputies when they arrive."

I rush out of the coven, my mind a whirl of fear and determination. As I get back into my car, I know that every second counts. I need to find Karla before it's too late.

The afternoon sun is a stark reminder of the chaos brewing beneath the surface of Harmony Grove. As I pull my phone from my pocket, my fingers fly over the screen, sending a quick text to Alexei.

"Update: Found a body at the coven. Investigating further. Karla is missing. Will keep you posted."

Almost immediately, my phone buzzes. It's Karla. Relief washes over me as I answer.

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