"Then let him know," she hissed, "but it won’t matter. He’s already too far gone."

In an instant, the room seemed to close in around Alma, and Lancelot lunged forward, grabbing her with surprising strength.

“What is he doing!” I snapped.

“They can’t hear you, Aidan,” Amelia said.

He held her down as Vera stepped forward, her hand raised. I knew what was coming. My chest tightened, and my breath caught in my throat.

Vera’s hand plunged into Alma’s chest, and she ripped her heart out.

“No!” I screamed as I watched Alma’s lifeless body collapse to the floor.

Tears filled my eyes, but I couldn’t look away. I saw myself watching, helpless, standing in the corner of the room.

“What’s happening?” I said.

The vision ended abruptly, and I was back in the witch’s hut, gasping for air. I looked around, disoriented, my heart still heavy with what I had just witnessed.

“Aidan are you okay?” Amelia asked as she held me.

My throat was tight, my mind reeling from the truth that had just been revealed.

"She didn’t deserve that," I whispered, my voice breaking.

The witch’s voice cut through the silence.

"Now you know the truth. The time to act is upon you."

The witch blew a powder on our faces, and we found ourselves where we left Fergus and the other vampires.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Amelia

The vision left me shaken, the weight of what we’d seen still heavy. As reality returned, I stood beside Aidan, my heart pounding and mind racing with questions.

Fergus was the first to speak, his voice cutting through the tension.

"Are you both okay?" he asked, his eyes scanning us both, his face a mixture of concern and wariness.

I glanced at Aidan, who stood frozen for a moment, his eyes distant, and then turned to Fergus. "We’re fine," I said quietly, but even I could hear the uncertainty in my voice.

Aidan didn’t respond right away.

Aidan doesn’t seem okay,I thought.

He stared ahead, guilt consuming him. Suddenly, he punched the car door with brutal force, the sound of meta crunching echoing in the quiet night.

"I should’ve trusted her. I should’ve waited. Why did I leave her alone?" His eyes were wild with anger and self-loathing as he kept repeating under his breath.

I watched him, my heart breaking. His fist struck the door again, and I could see the dent forming. He was lost in his guilt, and I didn’t know how to pull him out of it.

Without thinking, I stepped forward, wrapping my arms around him from behind.

“Aidan please stop.”

He flinched but softened, leaning into me as I held him, offering silent comfort.