CARMEN
My breath caught.
The witch? Did she mean LuLu? Did LuLu have the ingredients the entire time? Did she lie—again?
My mind spun wildly as I tried to understand.
LuLu had vanished days ago without warning. She left no note or hints as to where she’d gone and for how long. She was just gone. Everyone had been searching for answers, but no one could find her.
Did this woman know where she was?
“What are you talking about?” I whispered.
The woman ignored me entirely.
“They come soon,” she said darkly. “And you must be ready.”
She stepped closer, and as she did, the air around her crackled with energy, making my skin sting.
“It is time to ascend and restore the balance that was broken long ago.”
Lightning split the sky above us, illuminating the forest in blinding white for hal
