Page 104 of Elora and the Crow

“If rumours are to be believed, yes,” Elora said. “We’ve always had a disproportionately large number of paranormals and magical beings to humans because of the fault line that lies directly across the city.”

“I thought the fault line was a myth,” Jonah said.

“The coven won’t gain power,” Cece said. “The WWC will stop them.”

“Will they?” Jonah asked.

Cece chewed at her lip. “If they find the One, then -”

“The One is definitely a bullshit rumour,” Elora said.

“What are you talking about?” Jonah asked.

He and Cece followed Elora as she marched into the kitchen. She started to make some tea, and Jonah gently pushed her toward the stools at the island. “I’ll make the tea. Tell me about the One.”

“There is no One,” Elora said. “It’s just a dumb rumour someone made up because they’ve read too many YA books.”

“Cece?” Jonah said.

“Talk of the One has been around for years,” Cece said. “Even before the rumours started circulating about a crazy coven of dark witches trying to take over the damn world.”

“Exactly. Which is why it’s bullshit about how the One is needed to stop the coven,” Elora said. “Helen used to tell me bedtime stories about the coming of the One when I was a kid, the same stories her mother used to tell her. That’s how long they’ve talked about it.”

“Right, but I mean, the stories do say that the One is the light needed to fight the darkness,” Cece said.

“That’s all it says,” Elora said. “The darkness could mean anything.”

“So the One is a powerful witch?” Jonah added tea bags to the teapot to steep before placing mugs in front of Elora and Cece.

Elora shrugged. “Who knows? Maybe she -”

“Or he,” Cece said.

“Maybe they’re a witch, maybe they’re a fae, hell, they could be a shapeshifter for all we know,” Elora said. “The stories aren’t clear. They just call them the One who will unite us against the darkness.”

She scowled at her mug as Jonah poured steaming tea into it. “The WWC have been searching for the One for years, and it’s a waste of time and resources. No wonder they have a list as long as my arm of dark witches to bring in. It’s fucking ridiculous.”

They sat in silence for a few minutes before Cece said, “So, what do we do now?”

“We find Caleb on our own,” Elora said. “Screw the WWC.”

“I’ll find Caleb,” Jonah said. “You’re not going near this witch ever again, Elora.”

She gave him a look. “We’re in this together, Jonah. Remember?”

“I won’t risk you getting hurt again or -”

His phone rang, and he glanced at it before answering the call. “Fenton, what’s up?”

“A woman is approaching the house,” the cheetah shifter said. “She’s a fae, I can smell it. Do you want me to stop her?”

“No,” Jonah said, “I’ll deal with it, thanks.”

He ended the call. “Nimera is here.”

He headed back to the foyer, Elora and Cece right behind him. He opened the door, staring silently at Nimera, who was standing on the doorstep.

“Can I come in?” she asked.

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